If we use a depth of field calculator, we can plug what a 116mm lens at f/2.8 is like compared to a 200mm lens at f/4, both at 5 feet subject distance. The calculator says that the 70-200mm f/2.8 will yield a depth of field of 0.09 feet, while the 70-200mm f/4 will have 0.04 feet, because of the massive difference in focal lengths. Hence, at close distances, the 70-200mm f/4G is actually a better lens to use for subject isolation. I know what you will say: “but the field of view is different”. Yes, true, but think about photographing a small subject at close distances. With the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II, you cannot zoom in any further to get the subject to appear bigger – the only thing you can do is add a teleconverter. Whereas with the 70-200mm f/4G VR, you can make the subject appear bigger (and even bigger with a teleconverter) and you have more options for better subject isolation. Thanks to Nikon's Nano-crystal coating, incidences of flare and ghosting are very rare indeed. Contrast holds up incredibly well, even when shooting into the light at maximum aperture. A deep circular hood comes supplied with the lens, which does a decent job of shading the lens from extraneous light that may cause issues. With the introduction of the 70-200mm f/4G VR, Nikon completed two sets of lenses for professional and enthusiast/budget use. The high-end professional “trinity” is comprised of Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G, 24-70mm f/2.8G and 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, while the enthusiast/budget set contains Nikon 16-35mm f/4G VR, 24-120mm f/4G VR and the new 70-200mm f/4G VR – all stabilized constant aperture lenses, albeit with a little overlap. In this review, I will not only go over the features, specifications and performance of the Nikon 70-200mm f/4G VR lens, but will also compare it side by side with its bigger brother, as well as other third-party lenses like Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM and Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro. Unfortunately, I was not able to obtain the latest Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di VC USD lens for comparison, because the Nikon mount version was not available yet.

Nikon Z Lens Roadmap (Updated October 2023) - Photography Life Nikon Z Lens Roadmap (Updated October 2023) - Photography Life

The Nikon 70-200mm f/4G looks weaker in the center, but take a look at the corners – it clearly resolves more details in comparison. The Nikon 70-200mm ƒ/4G VR is relatively small and light, especially when compared to its bigger brother, the 70-200mm ƒ/2.8G: The 200-500's advantages are maximum range (not as much as it sounds), sharpness (small, but seems real), and VR effectiveness (seems amazingly good). I'm also coming to the conclusion that it is better for distant subjects than the 80-400g in general. It may have more accurate autofocus too. I’d love to have these lenses in a power zoom and a power zoom grip that Nikon should have made the Control grip one anyway. Aside from that, I’ll update this section as soon as Nikon releases more lenses for their roadmap, if they ever decide to do so. I’ve been a big fan of the Nikon Z roadmap and hope that this isn’t the end of it! Third Party Lenses

If you don’t need f/2.8, you don’t need the more expensive lens, basically. The 70-200mm f/4G is has no significant flaws to speak of, resolves well on even the highest megapixel count bodies, yet saves you size and weight over its older sibling. Both lenses are compatible with full-frame DSLRs and feature vibration reduction to counteract camera shake. Both additionally have gold rings and constant apertures which classify them as high-end options, but where they differ is their maximum aperture: f4 on this new model compared to f2.8 on the older one.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70 - 200 mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens - Black Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70 - 200 mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens - Black

Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as purple or blue fringes along contrasty edges, can be noticed in photos taken at maximum aperture but they aren't too excessive, and tend to go away upon stopping down. The not yet released Tamron SP AF 70-200mm 2.8 Di VC USD: The cheapest listing of around 1500 EUR certainly is not a real street price yet. Minimum focus is 3.28 feet (1m), and the maximum reproduction ratio is 1:3.6. This lens doesn’t have the extreme focal length breathing of its bigger sibling. Focusing is internal, as already noted. We see even a better pattern here – the Nikon 70-200mm f/4G VR not only has better contrast wide open, but its resolution is also significantly higher throughout the frame, especially in the corners.If you don't want or need VR, this lens remains a popular choice. It's about as sharp as the new Nikon at ƒ/4, and has its own problems at 200mm. It even has a dedicated macro mode, though magnification at this setting is only 0.17x (which is bested by the new 70-200mm ƒ/4 with 0.24x).

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Review - Photography Blog

The lens isn't designed for macro work, with a minimum close-focusing distance of 1 meter (just over three feet) and a maximum magnification of 0.27x. In common with several recent high-end Nikon lenses, theAF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR features a Nano Crystal coated element, which should reduce flare and internal reflections. Although not as versatile in poor light as its 2.8 cousin, the new lens features an improved Vibration Reduction system which Nikon claims should be able to deliver up to 5 EV of stabilization, potentially allowing you to get sharp pictures at shutter speeds as low as 1/6 sec at 200mm. Although this can't do anything about subject movement, it should greatly expand theusabilityof the lens in marginal lighting conditions.Yes, I do think that the f/4 lens seems a bit more “stable” than the f/2.8 version, though it’s more subtle than I think most people are talking about. Simply put, the f/4 lens is easier to handhold well (especially if you don’t put the optional tripod collar on), so I think some of the “improvement” that many claim over the f/2.8 might simply be that they’re not handling as much mass and girth.