70-200mm VR Nikkor (how fast is it?)

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

On 23 Apr 2005 10:12:26 -0700, in rec.photo.digital.slr-systems "Avery"
<avery@ramblingsnail.net> wrote:

>How fast is the 70-200 VR on a D70? I've read nothing but mixed
>opinions for the 80-200 in that it is a superb lens but operates
>sluggishly on DSLRs.
>
>I have no opinion, but I do have a D70. I learned today at my girl's
>softball game the 105 micro I have just won't cut it. I think this
>70-200 is right up my alley but I'm afraid of sacrificing speed for
>quality.
>
>I need a lens I can round a stadium with from home plate to center
>field. Is the 70-200 too much lens for the D70 or will I get all the
>bang for the buck? I've only used the Nikkor line but I'm not
>totally against seeking out other brands; any possibilities I could I
>consider?

By itself I find it stellar in all aspects. I'm assuming you are asking how
fast the AF is, correct? By itself on my D70 it is quite fast. Ad a
TC-20EII behind it and it becomes a bit sluggish in comparison, though.
IMO, the combo is still a better investment than the 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR if
you have a need a fast lens like this one.
----------
Ed Ruf Lifetime AMA# 344007 (Usenet@EdwardG.Ruf.com)
See images taken with my CP-990/5700 & D70 at
http://edwardgruf.com/Digital_Phot [...] index.html

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Avery wrote:

> How fast is the 70-200 VR on a D70? I've read nothing but mixed
> opinions for the 80-200 in that it is a superb lens but operates
> sluggishly on DSLRs.


I don't see why it would perform differently on a digital. It has it's
own focus motor (AF-S) and the f/2.8 means you have a lot of light to
focus with. I don't think it gets any better. Is there something else
you've heard of as an option?

>
> I have no opinion, but I do have a D70. I learned today at my girl's
> softball game the 105 micro I have just won't cut it. I think this
> 70-200 is right up my alley but I'm afraid of sacrificing speed for
> quality.
>
> I need a lens I can round a stadium with from home plate to center
> field. Is the 70-200 too much lens for the D70 or will I get all the
> bang for the buck? I've only used the Nikkor line but I'm not
> totally against seeking out other brands; any possibilities I could I
> consider?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Avery
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Avery <avery@ramblingsnail.net> wrote:

> I've read about 100 or so opinions in the form of posts on different
> newsgroups around the Internet and while it's not a majority posting
> some of the folks have commented on the slowness of the AF when the
> lens is attached to a D70.

I don't own the 70-200 VR (yet), but I tried it on a D70, and my reaction
was something along the lines of, "damn, this thing is like the Terminator
compared to my old 70-210!" It was really nice. The main reason I put it
dead last on my "lens acquisition list" is because I don't use that zoom
range a whole lot.

--
Jeremy | jeremy@exit109.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Avery" <avery@ramblingsnail.net> wrote in message
news:1114283924.628279.53330@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> I've read about 100 or so opinions in the form of posts on different
> newsgroups around the Internet and while it's not a majority posting
> some of the folks have commented on the slowness of the AF when the
> lens is attached to a D70.
>
> I should not begin to speculate as to why this opinion was generated
> and couldn't find out why; only that the opinion in some of the posts
> was that the lens operated sluggishly when attached to the D70; the
> posts read well enough to make me want to ask this question.
>
> I'm teetering on ordering the lens already; I just need a little help
> to push me over the edge. ;-()
>

You would be hard put to find a faster focusing lens under any
circumstances. The AF-S speed is immediately noticeable when compared to
any of the normal "body driven" AF lenses. The biggest difference will be
found on the older (F4) film bodies, but it is still very much in evidence
on bodies such as F5, F100, any D series (D100, D70, D2H,). There will be
small differences in the body's ability to discern the focusing target
(dependent upon the era of the focusing technology in use), but the lens'
response will be virtually instantaneous.
Bob

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Avery wrote:
> I've read about 100 or so opinions in the form of posts on different
> newsgroups around the Internet and while it's not a majority posting
> some of the folks have commented on the slowness of the AF when the
> lens is attached to a D70.
>
> I should not begin to speculate as to why this opinion was generated
> and couldn't find out why; only that the opinion in some of the posts
> was that the lens operated sluggishly when attached to the D70; the
> posts read well enough to make me want to ask this question.
>
> I'm teetering on ordering the lens already; I just need a little help
> to push me over the edge. ;-()
>

It has its own built in AF motor which is independent of the camera body
AF motor speed. Its the fastest you will get.

Top lens the 70-200 2.8.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 10:12:26 -0700, Avery wrote:

> How fast is the 70-200 VR on a D70? I've read nothing but mixed
> opinions for the 80-200 in that it is a superb lens but operates
> sluggishly on DSLRs.
>
> I have no opinion, but I do have a D70. I learned today at my girl's
> softball game the 105 micro I have just won't cut it. I think this
> 70-200 is right up my alley but I'm afraid of sacrificing speed for
> quality.
>
> I need a lens I can round a stadium with from home plate to center
> field. Is the 70-200 too much lens for the D70 or will I get all the
> bang for the buck? I've only used the Nikkor line but I'm not
> totally against seeking out other brands; any possibilities I could I
> consider?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Avery

I used this combo at Super 12 Rugby matches in Durban last year. Great
lens - I'll never part with it.

--
Be careful what you wish for.