Nikon 70-200 2.8 Question

[Badcast]

I'm looking at the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 vr and non vr. 80-200. the difference is over a 1k. Is the difference only the vr or does 70-200 have better glass. Anybody have or use both. Trying to justify the extra money. If I shoot at 1/500 like I do all the time for sports is the vr worth that much?

Randy

[kirbinster]

Well I had the 80-200 and sold it and got a 70-200 VR. I like the image quality better on the 70-200 and the VR makes a huge difference if you hand hold. The 80-200 is much heavier which makes it hard to handhold as well.

I don't think the difference is that much money, as I have been seeing 70-200 VRI lenses going lately for as low as $1,200.

[jdepould]

Most of the 80-200s are optically better than the 70-200 VR1. At 1/500s the VR won't matter, though the viewfinder stabilization is nice.

[kirbinster]

Originally Posted by jdepould

Most of the 80-200s are optically better than the 70-200 VR1. At 1/500s the VR won't matter, though the viewfinder stabilization is nice.

I don't agree with that, but maybe it was just my copy of the 80-200. While VR is not an issue at fast speeds, it is at lower. Further, I found the 80-200 so much heavier that it was hard to keep still at lower speeds.

[sk66]

The VR1 is lighter than both the 80-200 and the 70-200 VR2 (they both weigh about 3.5 #)
VR is nice, but I did quite well without it for a very long time.
For a crop body like the D90 I'd buy a (used) VR1.

[Badcast]

Thanks for the feedback, I think I will go used. Then I can afford a 24-70 f2.8 and have all my bases covered for basketball. kirbinster, I posted a couple baseball pics I shot with my 70-300 in the sports forum, love the lens. thanks for the advice.

Randy

[kirbinster]

Originally Posted by Badcast

Thanks for the feedback, I think I will go used. Then I can afford a 24-70 f2.8 and have all my bases covered for basketball. kirbinster, I posted a couple baseball pics I shot with my 70-300 in the sports forum, love the lens. thanks for the advice.

Randy

Glad to hear it is serving you well.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

I don't agree with that, but maybe it was just my copy of the 80-200. While VR is not an issue at fast speeds, it is at lower. Further, I found the 80-200 so much heavier that it was hard to keep still at lower speeds.

Do you remember which version you had?

[kirbinster]

I had the new one with two rings, not the old push-pull type.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

I had the new one with two rings, not the old push-pull type.

The push-pull was a little bit better