AF-S 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
After almost 25 years (the 70-210/f4 was discontinued in 1988), Nikon has introduced a medium telephoto zoom with a constant f4 aperture.
Pre-order the 70-200mm f/4G ED AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
One hopes that this lens is a lighter, less-expensive version of the 70-200/f2.8; it could be a boon to many aspiring sports shooters looking to upgrade from consumer-grade lenses like the 70-300 without having for fork over two grand. The price tag is nonetheless steep, with an MSRP of $1,399.95 – add another $200 or so for the optional tripod collar (an unnecessary extravagance for this type of lens if you’re shooting sports).
Of course, how the lens looks on paper doesn’t tell the story; and for this lens in particular, the AF performance is something that will be crucial. Not all Silent Wave (AF-S) focus systems are created equal; there’s a world of difference, for example, between the 70-200/f2.8 and the 70-300/f4.5-5.6 lenses in this regard. If this lens does’t have pro-level autofocus, it really has no place in a sports shooter’s bag.
Pre-order the 70-200mm f/4G ED AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
Nikon press release
Lens product page
3 responses so far ↓
1 Tim Weaver // Oct 31, 2012 at 12:44 PM
I have the 80-200 f/2.8 I use for shooting rodeos and horse events. I like it a lot, but have no basis for comparison WRT focus speed, though it seems quick enough for me. At $400 less than the lens you wrote about, and built like a freakin’ tank, this new lens would have to be significantly better to make me want to switch.
Thanks for the write up.
2 The Sports Photo Guy // Oct 31, 2012 at 1:17 PM
That is indeed the $64,000 question. I can tell you that the AF-S version of the 80-200/f2.8 (and its 70-200/f2.8 AF-S VR successors) is a lot faster at focus following/tracking than the traditional screw-drive lens. A good, used 70-200 VR (1st edition) – like the one I got a couple of years ago for about $1300 – is definitely a worthwhile upgrade. But nobody yet knows what kind of Silent Wave motor they put in the 70-200/f4. I am hoping to get my hands on one to try out.
3 Tim Weaver // Oct 31, 2012 at 1:36 PM
My 80-200 is the AF-D version. Certainly not super-fast, but quick enough for the rodeo stuff I do.
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