Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/4G ED VR on D800. Sample three: ambient light portrait

[Ellis Vener]

The frame on the left is full frame , the one on the right heavily cropped from another from a few minutes later. ISO 650 @on the left and ISO 1600 on the right. VR engaged.

[JohnBrew]

Very nice, Ellis. Although I don't own any zooms at the moment, this one could get some attention.

[Hulyss]

Very nice, Ellis. Although I don't own any zooms at the moment, this one could get some attention.

Real Men shoot Primes :

[Ellis Vener]

One more from this morning. On the right is a 100% resolution crop view of  the full frame on the left.

[k bennett]

Nice photos, Ellis. I've been shooting the Canon 70-200/4 for a couple of years, and it's one of my favorite lenses. I take the f/2.8 version only when I absolutely need the extra speed, which is not very often these days.

I'm starting to think that the f/4 zooms do 80% or so of my work, and the fast primes do the rest, leaving the f/2.8 zooms heavy, expensive, and not as useful overall.

[Vladimirovich]

One more from this morning. On the right is a 100% resolution crop view of  the full frame on the left.

why do you need to switch VR on @ 1/800 and 92mm on FF ? don't you think that it actually makes thing a little worse ?

[Peter McLennan]

I just took delivery of this lens.  I've shot about 100 frames with it and so far, it's a keeper.  Although the actual sample I have is not.  The VR intermittently fails in the long dimension of the frame.  It'll be replaced by my supplier.

It's lighter, sharper, better in backlight (less flare) MUCH easier to use and carry around than its f 2.8 brother and it focuses much closer.  I've had a VR I version of this focal range for a few years and I can count on one hand the number of times I needed the 2.8 part.

Ellis' images perfectly illustrate the potential in this little gem.