Boy, you’re gonna carry that weight…
It’ve been dreaming about this lens for quite some time now - the legendary Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8D G-AFS ED-IF VR. It’s a bit on the expensive side - $1,614.95 new or around $1300sh used, and few years ago I just knew that I couldn’t afford it… which made things a lot more simple :-) Now, not having a mortgage or car payments, I think I could manage at least “ebay” version of it… Unfortunately, the problem is not so much in the financial aspect…
Being an absolutely incredible piece of optics which Nikon has ever produced, this lens takes astonishing pictures. Today I was going through samples of pbase images taken with this lens and came across Michael J. Masiewicz’s Nikon 70-200 VR Samples gallery (click on the image below to see it).
The lens is sharp… and it also delivers natural and vibrant colors. But there is something else about it that sends my heart racing - 70-200’s creamy-beautiful bokeh. For those of you who may not know what bokeh is - in few words, it’s the blury background which often deliberately caused to be out-of-focus to reduce distractions and to emphasize the primary subject. In my opinion, in portrait photography bokeh can either make or break a picture. One of the first lenses I used on my D70 was a cheap 28-300 Tamron. It was a very soft lens, yet its bokeh was quite impressive… Even since I just can’t get over the harsh bokeh of my 18-200 VR.
As you’re browsing Mike’s gallery notice how nice and smooth is the background on the close ups, and at the same time how sharp and vibrant is the main subject of each composition. Excellent bokeh, shallow depth of field and very natural colors - truly amazing glass.
So what’s the problem, you might say? Get yourself this lens and get on with your life! The problem is… this lens is very big and heavy. I know for a fact I won’t be able to take it with me on a trip to Europe, or to a party at a friend’s house, or on a night out… So what’s good is it to have such an incredible piece of equipment and not being able to use it ALL THE TIME??? As a matter of fact, few nikonians on the forums I’ve been reading admitted this being a huge issue for them as well. Hence my dilemma… I really really like the 70-200 VR, but I just can’t see myself lugging it around… :-((
I spent last several days looking for alternatives. I’ve been researching the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D. Priced at $400 new it’s almost four times cheaper (which means I won’t have to part with my Fender, Trek and possibly 18-200 VR :-) and I’ve seen excellent examples of this lens’ superb performance in the bokes arena. Besides, it’s a light and very compact lens… however; I know for a fact I’m going to miss zooming capabilities. Anyways, I am going to keep looking, there are few other lenses I need to consider before making final decision.
Man, why can’t I have the 70-200 VR? ….. Life’s not fair :-)
February 13th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Hi, Vadim.
I have look yours sites http://www.vadimonline.com and http://vadim.smugmug.com/. They are great. Me and my wife Oksana (quickly) explore the places. My wife admire to flamingos on this picture and she says about you are real american man after seen you face.
She passed hello to you and to write letter in russian after receive you email.
That man, you dear friend in older time.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:22 pm
АФТАР ЖЖОТ! ПИЩИ ЕШЧЕ!
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Seriously. I will tell what is not fair! It is not fair that there is no small (pocket size) camera with the view finder and at least 5-6x zoom! (O, and did I mention good quality?)
P.S. It is also not fair that there is no small portable device (similar to a wireless radio we had when we were kids) which could be carried around everywhere at home, at work, whatever and transmit satellite radio, but I suppose this is for a different subject, hey? :)))
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Hey, how come I can not edit my own comments? I think my English sucked on the last one. :)))