Short info about me: I am a professional photographer and exclusively in the field of portrait photography working. My reviews are not calculated mathematically, based on no test magazines, let alone Pixel Peeper charts which I build, to check for errors. My job is to make ordinary photos, love my customers and precisely from this perspective, I would like to evaluate the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm F4 ED VR. My valuation basis are my photos. No more, no less.
To not always between my existing 85mm F1.8 and 105mm F2.8 (Yes, that I use for portraits) to change, I have been looking for an alternative, which gives me the opportunity to combine excellent imaging performance with variable focal lengths , The choice was between the AF-S 70-200mm F4 ED VR and AF-S 70-200mm ED VR II F2.8G, which is almost twice as expensive and, unfortunately, almost twice as heavy.
In short, I have both! However, I use 85% of the F4 in the studio for headshots. Why? It's easy to have a fast and quiet autofocus, the initial aperture F4 is perfectly adequate for my purposes as I may waive bokeh in this case, there is no sharp recorded and it can (almost) everything that can also F2.8 , Also, I do not skid with this focal length some customers too much on the body.
As I wrote in my review of Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm F4 ED VR, are distinguished between Aperture F4 and F2.8 only 1 stop. This can be compensated quickly by adjusting the ISO or time when you can do without the softer Bokeh of F2.8.
Visually appealing is 70-200 F4 processed spitzenmäßig. There is nothing to complain about, even if it mostly consists from very high-quality plastic, which could give the impression of "cheap" when you read it.
The zooming ring can be quickly and accurately turn. Colors and contrasts, depending on the camera settings, shown clean and detaillreich. I have been able to make up any distortions that might have interfere with my composition.
What me again "from the stool skin" is the VR. This is something I have experienced in any of my lenses. Periods of up to 1/15 sec. Freehand are possible, even if it is a little need for exercise. Here, Nikon has done a good job once again. Not that I would need it in the studio often, but in outdoor shoots without the use of flash units, it is already the madness.
The focus at the beginning of Aperture F4 is good, however, increases the pleasure at F5.6 -F8. These photos do not require any sharpening (assuming that all other parameters of the camera are set correctly).
The autofocus is fast and präszise when lighting is adequate and should satisfy most buyers. Only in some dark places it chooses sometimes "the wolf". Unfortunately I had to make this Erfahung at a concert Reportage Assignments (yes, even here arise Portraits). This may the 70-200 F2.8 slightly better (and thus is equal to clarify why I call also F2.8G ED VR II my own. I use it mainly at weddings or concerts).
Although this lens is not quite rankommt in really only minimal areas to the F2.8G, it deserves because of other strong features full 5 star and I am sure also in this objective, it is sufficient for 80% -90% of the interests.
The weight, coupled with the great picture quality, the large focal length range, a continuous aperture of F4 and above all an anti-shake performance that is unequaled make the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm F4 ED VR to a faithful companion for photographers.
I hope you could help my review to make your decision for or against the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm ED VR.
In this sense I wish always good light.
PS Some pictures I've done with this lens, can be found on my website or on Google+ at / + BarisCihan / posts. Anyone interested is welcome to browse times.
