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Author
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Richard_Coyle
Lifetime Member
Registered: November 2001
Location: Lake County, Illinois
Posts: 548
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Review Date: Wed June 27, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Excellent build, sharpness, AF speed, bokeh, etc.
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Cons:
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Original tripod collar.
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Having used this lens for many years, primarily shooting sports, but also for portrait work, this lens is simply superb. While the weight may be a negative to some, for me it balances perfectly with Nikon pro bodies, including the D200 w/battery pack. With an f2.8 aperture and IF mechanism, it's functionality allows easy use with circular filters, with the hood in place. The AFS works flawlessly, even in low light conditions, depending on the capabilities of the body, and for sports work, there is no better lens in this zoom range, including the 70-200 VR. Since VR isn't effective for stopping fast action, I consider these two lenses with f2.8 apertures equal in this regard, with both producing excellent color accuracy, rendition, contrast and bokeh. As to this latter quality, in a recent graduation ceremony shoot, this lens with the D200's most recent firmware upgrade, produced the best quality results I have ever obtained shooting outdoors in mid afternoon sun. The results were creamy smooth skin with excellent tones and superb background bokeh. A real pleasure to use. As for the only "con" listed above, the original tripod collar would bind up upon rotation. It was replaced with the Kirk collar, and this provides the smooth rotation necessary for monopod and tripod use. This lens is very highly recommended!
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OldPhotos
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nowellwisch
Gold Member
Registered: March 2003
Location: California
Posts: 18
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Review Date: Fri August 10, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Affordable high quality glass. Under a grand is nice.
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Cons:
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Slow focusing under low light and low contrast. As heavy as you wouldl expect.
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Overall, a very good lens for almost everything where you need the speed. I shoot with it at 2.8 almost always. I use it for flowers with a Canon closeup lens and get excellent detail and contrast. A monopod is almost mandatory with fast sports work and keeping the rotating collar unsnug makes things easier to handle. The lens hood stays put. I haven't needed the VR since I use the 18-200 VR for most hand held action outdoors. This lens, however, is the choice for indoor and theater work.
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"Every day above ground is a good day."
"Life is short. Shoot digital first."
"There is no such thing as a bad day but some are
badder than others."
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