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Guide

Nikon 70 200 F2 8 Vr 1 Vs Vr Ii

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • The VR II lens has a slightly faster autofocus system than the VR I lens, but the difference is negligible in most situations.
  • The VR system in the VR II lens is more effective than the VR system in the VR I lens.
  • The VR II lens is compatible with a wider range of Nikon DSLRs than the VR I lens.

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR is a popular telephoto zoom lens for Nikon DSLRs. It’s a versatile lens that can be used for a variety of photography genres, including portraiture, wildlife, and sports. The lens is available in two versions: the VR I and the VR II. In this blog post, we’ll compare the two lenses and help you decide which one is right for you.

Optical Quality

The optical quality of the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I and VR II lenses is excellent. Both lenses are sharp and produce images with good contrast and color reproduction. However, the VR II lens has a slight edge in terms of sharpness, especially at the long end of the zoom range.

Autofocus

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I and VR II lenses both have fast and accurate autofocus systems. The VR II lens has a slightly faster autofocus system than the VR I lens, but the difference is negligible in most situations.

Image Stabilization

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I and VR II lenses both have image stabilization (VR) systems. The VR system in the VR II lens is more effective than the VR system in the VR I lens. This makes the VR II lens a better choice for shooting in low-light conditions or when using slow shutter speeds.

Build Quality

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I and VR II lenses are both well-built lenses. They are both made of high-quality materials and are weather-sealed. However, the VR II lens is slightly heavier and bulkier than the VR I lens.

Price

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I lens is typically priced lower than the VR II lens. However, the price difference between the two lenses is not significant.

Which Lens Should You Choose?

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I and VR II lenses are both excellent lenses. The VR II lens has a slight edge in terms of sharpness, autofocus speed, and image stabilization. However, the VR I lens is more affordable. If you’re looking for the best possible image quality and performance, the VR II lens is the better choice. However, if you’re on a budget, the VR I lens is still a great option.

Additional Considerations

In addition to the factors discussed above, there are a few other things you may want to consider when choosing between the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I and VR II lenses:

  • Your budget: The VR II lens is typically priced higher than the VR I lens.
  • Your shooting style: If you shoot in low-light conditions or use slow shutter speeds, the VR II lens is a better choice.
  • Your camera: The VR II lens is compatible with a wider range of Nikon DSLRs than the VR I lens.

Alternatives to the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I and VR II Lenses

If you’re looking for a telephoto zoom lens for your Nikon DSLR, there are a few other options available besides the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I and VR II lenses. Here are a few of the most popular alternatives:

  • Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR: This lens is a more affordable option than the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lenses. It’s also lighter and more compact, making it a good choice for travel photography.
  • Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF: This lens is a classic telephoto zoom lens that’s still popular with many photographers. It’s not as sharp as the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lenses, but it’s still a good option for portraiture and wildlife photography.
  • Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD: This lens is a third-party option that’s comparable to the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lenses in terms of image quality and performance. It’s also less expensive than the Nikon lenses.

What You Need to Learn

Q: What is the difference between the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I and VR II lenses?

A: The VR II lens has a slightly faster autofocus system, a more effective image stabilization system, and a slightly sharper image quality.

Q: Which lens is better for low-light photography?

A: The VR II lens is better for low-light photography because it has a more effective image stabilization system.

Q: Which lens is better for wildlife photography?

A: The VR II lens is better for wildlife photography because it has a faster autofocus system and a more effective image stabilization system.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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