After seven years, Nikon concluded that it was time to renovate the extremely popular Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII lens. The Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR, the newest tele-zoom lens by Nikon, is their answer.
The resolution of sensors built into DSLR cameras have increased significantly and with it came the need for newer, sharper lenses. I took most of my test photos with both lenses, Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR and Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII and compared the results. The visibly positive results of this evaluation of the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR lens show it has been thoroughly renewed.
Quality of manufacture and handling
On first impression, the lens seems somewhat smaller. However this is due to the lens having a thicker lower part to it. The weight of the lens is (compared to the earlier version) 110g lighter, which is definitely felt while handling it. The biggest change is the relocation of the focus ring and the zoom ring. The zoom ring has been moved to the front side of the lens, and the focus ring is now found at the backside of the lens. Special functional buttons have been added as well. They can be found between both rings and can be used to control the focus action.
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Autofocus – AF
The Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII was already considered as an exceptionally fast and reliable lens in regards to autofocus. In this sense, the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR went even a step further.
During photography, I could quickly noticed that the new lens seemed faster, so I decided to measure the time that each lens took to focus from infinity to the closest position and back. The Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR took between 0. 40 and 0. 45 seconds, while the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII took between 0. 60 and 0. 65 seconds. The difference is thus quite considerable. The newer lens is also very reliable and precise in its focusing.
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Vibration stabilization – VR
Both lenses produced sharp photos with up to 3 – 4 steps longer times, so there's not much difference here. However, there is a difference in the response and speed of the vibration stabilization system, which has been considerably improved in the new lens. The lens stabilizes the photo faster and photography is more intuitive with the vibration stabilization turned on. It is therefore not necessary to have to think much about the lens stabilizing the image before taking a photo.
Ghosting and flare
While photographing into backlight there are, just like in the older model, problems with light reflection inside the lens itself. This is a consequence of the large number of optical elements and the fast aperture of the lens. However, the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR does come out slightly better than the older model.
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Cromatic aberation – CA
Also on this point, Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR is an imporovement on the older lens. In test photos, you can notice CA only in very extreme situations.
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Focal length 200 mm and close-up photography
The problem that was brought to my attention the most in the older Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII lens, is the angle of the photo that the lens covers in close-up photography. With a focal length of 200mm in close-up photos, it was noticeable that the focal length 200 mm was really more of a 135mm. This has been considerably improved in the new Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR lens.
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Vignetting
I have to admit that the degree of vignetting with the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR, which appears at a focal length of 200 mm and an aperture of f2. 8, somewhat surprised me. From the test photos it's visible that at 200 mm and f2. 8 the vignetting is somewhat stronger than in the older lens Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII. What surprised me the most is that the vignette at this setting reaches deeper towards the centre of the image than in the older model. But the vignetting using an aperture of f4 almost miraculously disappears. From the aperture of f4 onwards, the new Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR is a considerable improvement.
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Sharpness and contrasts
This is the factor I was interested in the most. A completely new construction of the lens and the use of fluorite optical elements brought an advantage compared to the older lens, at least on paper. You can see in the test photos below how the new Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR lens turned out in practice.
For the test I used a Nikon D810, I photographed with the use of a tripod and self-timer, while checking the focus I used live view and zoomed into the center of the photo by 100%.
200mm f/2. 8
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
200mm f/4
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
In test photos, the new Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR lens is considerably sharper than the older Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII lens at an aperture of f2. 8. This is visible at all focal lengths in the center of the photo as well as in the extremity of the photo. The difference is, however, less visible from an aperture of f4 on. The fluorite optical elements and the new optical build of the lens have obviously contributed to better contrasts and micro contrast in the new lens. Also the color rendition of the new lens is somewhat different from the color rendition in the old model, which can be seen in the ghosting and flare effect tests the most.
Distortion
Here the difference between the lenses is not very noticeable; perhaps the new lens is slightly better at a focal length of 200 mm, while at other focal lengths the new and the old lens are quite similar.
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo
Concluding thoughts
After seven years, Nikon made a new lens Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR, which will most probably suffice all needs for camera and sensor development for another 7 years. I must emphasize that the new lens is not only a cosmetic improvement but is, in all respects, a practical improvement on the older Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII model.
In summary, the AF is faster and more responsive, VR is more up-to-date, it's more responsive and faster at operating, optically the lens is excellent, and focus and contrasts are improved especially at an aperture of f/2. 8. The control of ghosting and flare effects that appear in backlight photography has been improved as well, while CA is almost indiscernible and only appears in truly extreme conditions. The only issue regarding optic quality concerns vignetting at 200 mm and an aperture of f2. 8; vignetting at this aperture is stronger than in the older model Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII.
Photographers will have the most scruples about lens handling. The change of position between both rings will cause trouble for many photographers.
The recommended price for the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8E FL ED VR is about ˆ3,200 (US$3450), which is much more than what the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2. 8G ED VRII costs today. However, experience tells us that in a few months, the price will most probably drop under ˆ3000 (US$3230).
Bojan Stepancic is the official photographer for the office of the European Commission in Slovenia. He has worked with several outlets including Euro 26, E-Fotografija and Moj Mikro magazine. His professional clients include SAP, Lenovo, Nikon, Samsung, Finance, DMS, Nivea, and Bosch. You can find out more on his blog. This article was originally posted here.
Cover Image: Bojan Stepancic /FOTOinfo (Images used with permission)
. digitalrev.com2016-11-15 03:00
