Nikon 70-200 f/2.8E FL

FX VR ED N: World's Best 70-200mm

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL (metal 77mm filter thread, 50.3 oz./1,425g with tripod collar, 3.6'/1.1m close-focus, $1,897 new or about $1,000 used if you know How to Win at eBay.) bigger. I got mine at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay.

This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used camera. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.

January 2024   Nikon   Nikon Lenses   Nikon Flash   All Reviews

All Nikon 70-200mm and 80-200mm f/2.8 lenses compared.

See also the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VR that works about as well for less than half the price.

 

Sample Images

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Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

Desert Fountain

Desert Fountain, 19 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL at 155mm, f/2.8 hand-held at 1/40 at Auto ISO 800. bigger or full-resolution file to explore on your computer.

 

Desert Construction

Desert Construction, 20 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL at 200mm at f/2.8 at 1/1,000 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or camera-original file to explore on your computer.

Look at how sharp is the metal mesh, even in the corners, and this is shot wide-open at f/2.8 at 36 megapixels. You can't get sharper than this.

 

Spanish Tile

Desert Spanish Tile, 20 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at close-focus distance at 200mm at f/2.8 at 1/2,000 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or full-resolution file to explore on your computer.

Its macro ability is unmatched by any other Nikon f/2.8 tele zoom, with a super-close 1:4.76 maximum reproduction ratio.

 

Bott's Dots

Botts' Dots, 21 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at 78mm at f/22 hand-held at 1/30 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or camera-original file to explore on your computer.

VR (Vibration Reduction) lets me hand-hold at almost any speed for when I need depth of field. No tripod needed!

 

Bott's Dots

Desert Brush at Dawn, 21 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at 160mm at f/16 hand-held at 1/40 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or full-resolution file to explore on your computer.

Of course only the brush in the middle is actually in focus, and VR lets me hand-hold at 1/40 with no problem.

 

Row of Desert Palms at Dawn

Row of Desert Palms at Dawn, 21 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at 200mm at f/2.8 at 1/2,000 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or full-resolution file to explore on your computer.

Even at f/2.8, it's scalpel-sharp from edge to edge. Remember that only a thin plane, not everything, is in perfect focus at f/2.8.

 

Golf Course with Palms and Mountains

Golf Course with Palm Trees and Mountains, 21 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at 82mm at f/2.8 at 1/2,000 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or full-resolution file to explore on your computer.

Ultrasharp at 80mm wide-open at f/2.8 as well; everything is ultrasharp from edge to edge. You wouldn't really shoot daylight landscapes at f/2.8, but you can, and your night shots at f/2.8 will be as clear as day. In this shot, most things are in focus even at f/2.8.

 

Golf Course with Palms and Mountains

Golf Course. Palm Trees and Mountains, 21 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at 135mm at f/8 at 1/250 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or full-resolution file to explore on your computer.

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Introduction

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

Adorama Pays Top Dollar for Used Gear

Amazon

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

Crutchfield

I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below.

This new Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 E FL is the world's best 70-200mm lens because it's the sharpest, the best made, and most importantly, the lightest and closest-focusing f/2.8 70-200 ever made. It focuses nearly instantaneously and has great vibration reduction so you won't need a tripod.

This newest Nikon adds a fluorite element ("FL") for even better optical performance than before, as well as an electronic diaphragm ("E"). The electronic diaphragm makes it quieter, but also makes it incompatible with camera models introduced before about 2007.

This 70-200 FL is a huge improvement over the old 70-200/2.8 VR II from 2009 because it weighs less and focuses much closer. While the rated close-focus distances aren't that much different, older 70-200s cheated and didn't really go to 200mm at close distances. This new FL lens really is 200mm at close distances. Since this new 70-200 FL doesn't cheat on 200mm, it gets what seems like twice as close when you need it.

There are four AF buttons (a record number) on this new 70-200 FL, first seen in 1999 on the 80-200/2.8 AF-S but sadly removed for cost savings on the old 70-200/2.8 VR II and the 70-200/4 VR. These four buttons are either AF lock, AF Start or ignored depending on how you set their switch. These let you lock focus as you recompose or track targets running or flying behind obstacles.

The zoom feels incredible: it's easy to flick the zoom ring with a fingertip, even if pointed straight up or down, and it never drifts. Zooming is internal; nothing moves externally as you zoom.

The Nikon 70-200 FL is Nikon's newest pro tele zoom. It is the latest in many decades of workhorse professional lenses.

The 70-200mm is the pro's most used lens, and therefore defines the entire camera brand. Canon and Nikon go neck and neck here, always trying to outperform each other, and therefore these 70-200mm lenses are updated about every five years to stay on top.

Not only does it handle better than any other 70-200/2.8, just look at the pictures. The Nikon 70-200 FL sees with astonishing clarity and brilliance that give uncannily beautiful renditions you just can't get elsewhere.

I got my 70-200/2.8E FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay (How to Win at eBay.)

 

Compatibility

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

The 70-200FL has the same electronic "E" diaphragm system as earlier E and PC-E lenses.

This 70-200FL works flawlessly on all Nikon FX cameras. It also works perfectly on recent DX cameras like the D3300 and D500. See Nikon Lens Compatibility for the complete list.

This diaphragm will not work with any of Nikon's primitive first generation DSLRs introduced before about 2007, or any 35mm camera. On these old cameras the lens shoots wide-open at f/2.8.

So long as you want to shoot at f/2.8 with any camera, no problem; but there is no way that cameras introduced before 2007 can stop down the electronic diaphragm.

This new "E" diaphragm will not work on the D1 or D2 series, D100, D200, D90, D80, D70 series, D60, D50, D40 series, or D3000, and will not work on any 35mm camera.

Other than the diaphragm staying at f/2.8, exposure, autofocus, metering and VR work fine other digital cameras. On my Nikon F6 it only shoots at f/2.8 and everything else is perfect.

Shooting only wide-open is why we buy this lens in the first place. If you're shooting at f/4, the 70-200mm f/4 is much less to carry.

I got my 70-200/2.8E FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay (How to Win at eBay.)

 

Format

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

I got my 70-200/2.8E FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay (How to Win at eBay.)

It's a full-frame lens and I'm reviewing it that way.

It works great on DX cameras and you can make the usual inferences.

 

Specifications

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

I got my 70-200/2.8E FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay (How to Win at eBay.)

 

Name

Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 FL

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL. bigger.

Nikon calls this the Nikon AF-S SWM NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR IF.

    Nano Crystal Coat (N): an anti-reflection coating which varies its index of refraction continuously to achieve even greater reflection reduction. It's probably only on one surface, and is used mostly for marketing purposes.

    AF-S and SWM: Silent Wave Autofocus Motor.

    NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for all their lenses.

    E: Electronic diaphragm. Diaphragm stops down only on cameras introduced since about 2007 (see the complete list).

    FL: Fluorite elements for sharper pictures.

    ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration (sharper pictures).

    VR: Vibration Reduction.

    IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.

    ∅77: 77mm filter thread.

 

Also has:

    D: Couples distance information to the Matrix Meter.

    G: Gelded for cost-reduction and removing compatibility with older cameras.

 

Optics

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL optics

Nikon 70-200/2.8 FL optics. ED glass and Fluorite element.

22 elements in 18 groups.

1 fluorite element.

1 HRI high refractive-index element.

6 extra low dispersion elements.

Fluorine coatings front and back.

 

Diaphragm

9 rounded blades.

Stops down to f/22.

 

Close Focus

3.6 feet (1.1 meters).

 

Maximum Reproduction Ratio

1:4.76 (0.21 ×).

 

Vibration Reduction

Rated 4 stops improvement.

Voice coil motor drive.

 

Focal Length

70~200mm.

When used DX, it sees the same angle of view as a 105~300mm lens sees when used on a 35mm or FX camera.

See also Crop Factor.

 

Angle of View

34.3º ~ 12.3º diagonal on FX.

22.8º ~ 8º diagonal on DX.

 

Autofocus

Internal focus.

No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.

 

Hood

Nikon HB-78 hood

Nikon HB-78 hood. bigger.

 

Nikon HB-78 hood

Back view of Nikon HB-78 hood showing metal latching lever. bigger.

 

Nikon 70-200mm FL 2.8 with caps and HB-78 hood

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL with HB-78 hood and caps. bigger.

 

Filters

Metal 77 mm filter thread.

 

Tripod Collar

The tripod collar is permanently attached, but the foot comes off.

More under Performance at Tripod Collar.

 

Size

3.4" maximum diameter × 7.9" extension from flange.

88.5 mm maximum diameter × 202.5 mm extension from flange.

 

Weight

Measured 50.270 oz. (1,425.1g) with collar and foot.

Measured 47.750 oz. (1,353.75g) with collar but without foot.

Foot only measures 2.520 oz. (71.4g).

Rated 50.4 oz. (1,430 g) with collar and foot.

 

Announced

19 August 2016, 12:01 AM NYC time.

 

Promised for

November 2016.

 

Shipping since

November 2016.

 

Price, USA

18 January 2024

$2,347 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.

About $1,000 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

 

14 December 2020

$1,897 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.

About $1,500 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

 

03 February 2020

$2,147 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.

About $1,600 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

 

14 January 2020

$2,797 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.

About $1,600 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

 

10 January 2020

$2,747 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.

About $1,600 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

 

December 2019

$2,147 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.

About $1,300 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

 

$2,499, February 2019.

$2,799, April 2018.

$2,599, July 2017.

$2,799, October 2016 ~ June 2017.

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL

Box, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL. bigger.

 

Getting a Legal USA Version

(for USA only)

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

I got my 70-200/2.8E FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay (How to Win at eBay.)

In the USA, be sure your box has a sticker that says "5 Years:"

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL USA Warranty Sticker

5-Year USA Warranty Sticker. bigger.

It should also have a USA warranty card floating around inside the box, possibly folded into the instruction sheet:

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL USA Warranty card

USA Warranty Card. bigger.

Be sure your card has the same serial number as your lens, otherwise it's worthless. The serial number on the box should also match the lens and warranty card.

If you don't have these things, you got ripped off with a gray market version from another country. This is why I never buy anyplace other than from my personally approved sources. You just can't take the chance of buying elsewhere for a $2,800 lens, especially at any retail store, because non-USA versions have no warranty in the USA, and you won't even be able to get firmware or service for it — even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for it when you need it!

If a gray market version saves you $1,000 it may be worth it, but for $200 or less I wouldn't risk having no warranty or support.

Always be sure to check your box while you can still return it, or just don't buy from unapproved sources or at retail so you'll be able to have your camera serviced and get free updated firmware as needed.

Get yours from the same places I do and you won't have a problem, but if you take the risk of getting yours elsewhere, be sure to check everything while you still can return it.

 

Performance

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

 

Overall    Auto & Manual Focus   Focus Breathing

Bokeh   Distortion   Ergonomics   Eyeblow   Falloff

Filters   Flare & Ghosts   Lateral Color Fringes

Macro   Mechanics   Sharpness

Spherochromatism   Sunstars

Teleconverters   Tripod Collar  Image Stabilization

 

I got my 70-200/2.8E FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay (How to Win at eBay.)

 

Overall

performance          top

Performance is spectacular. It focuses closer than any other Nikon pro 80-200 or 70-200 lens, and it weighs less than any other 70-200/2.8.

Nikon finally got it right!

 

Autofocus

performance          top

Autofocus is flawless and ultra fast in just about any light, as we expect from Nikon's top pro $2,800 zoom.

AF is essentially instantaneous even on a D810, in just about any light.

 

Manual Focus

performance          top

Just grab the rear focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override.

 

Focus Breathing

performance          top

Focus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth.

This 70-200 has very little focus breathing. It has none at 70mm, and very little at the longer focal lengths, where the image grow slightly as focussed more closely.

 

Bokeh

performance          top

Bokeh, the feel or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, is great.

See how the palm tree stands forward in three dimensions against the hedge, mountains and homes in the background:

Palm trunk against the mountain

Palm Trunk against the Mountain, 20 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at 155mm at f/2.8 at 1/2,000 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or full-resolution file to explore on your computer.

 

Vertical Desert Palms at Dawn

Desert Palms at Dawn, 21 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at 180mm at f/8 at 1/250 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or full-resolution file to explore on your computer.

Even at f/8 its bokeh lets the palms pop out from the mountains behind.

 

Here's my weather station for reference:

Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 FL Bokeh

Davis 6250 weather station, 18 November 2016. bigger or camera-original © file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely display full resolutions images properly).

 

Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 FL Bokeh

Davis 6250 weather station, 18 November 2016. bigger or camera-original © file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely display full resolutions images properly).

 

Ryan waves as he goes to school.

Ryan waves as he goes to school, 18 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at 70mm, f/5 at 1/125 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or full-resolution file to explore on your computer.

Always pleasant bokeh, even at f/5.

 

Distortion

performance          top

The Nikon 70-200 2.8 has less distortion than any other Nikon 80-200 or 70-200mm lens.

It has no visible distortion from 70~100mm, and has slight to moderate pincushion distortion at longer settings.

The D500, D90, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D7000, D7100, D7200, D5, D4, D4s, D600, D610, D750, D800, D800E, D810, Df and all newer cameras can be set to correct the distortion automatically in-camera — so long as you have the latest camera firmware installed in your camera!

If you don't set it to correct in-camera, use these factors with Photoshop's lens distortion filter to correct the distortion completely.

These aren't facts or specifications, they are the results of my research that requires hours of photography and calculations on the resulting data.

 

FX and 35mm
at 3m/10'

FX and 35mm
at 10m/30'
70mm
+0.50
+0.50
85mm
-0.50

-0.75

105mm
-1.50
-1.50
135mm
-2.00
-2.00
200mm
-2.50
-2.75

© 2016 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

 

Ergonomics

performance          top

Ergonomics are great: the zoom ring flicks with a single fingertip, even if pointed up or down — and it never drifts or creeps.

The lens' four AF buttons are much easier to reach than using the one on the camera. The lens' AF buttons are easy to use while holding the camera in any orientation.

The slightly raised part of the zoom ring grip? That lets you find it by feel with your fingertip.

While old 70-200s had their zoom rings in the middle of the lens, it's finally up front where your hand is. Now you have to move a little bit if you need to tweak the focus, while the zoom ring you use all the time is right where we need it.

The switches fall right under my thumb, making this the best-handling 70-200/2.8 ever.

 

Eyeblow

performance          top

The 70-200 FL has no eyeblow; no air pumps in or out of the back of the lens as zoomed.

This will keep your camera much cleaner.

 

Falloff

performance          top

Falloff on FX and 35mm is invisible, except at 200mm at f/2.8 if you leave Vignette Correction OFF, which is the same way just about every Nikon f2.8 tele zoom has been since the 1980s.

It won't be an issue at all on DX (see crop factor).

I've greatly exaggerated the falloff by shooting a gray field and placing these on a gray background:

 

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL falloff on FX at infinity, Normal Vignette Correction:

 
f/2.8
f/4
f/5.6
70mm
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff
105mm
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff
135mm
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff
200mm
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff

© 2016 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

 

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL falloff on FX and 35mm at infinity, Vignette Correction OFF:

 
f/2.8
f/4
f/5.6
70mm
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff
105mm
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff
135mm
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff
200mm
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL falloff

© 2016 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

 

Filters, use with

performance          top

The metal 77mm filter thread is a nice change from some of the plastic garbage Nikon sold us in earlier years. Filters spin off and spin on easily with little worry for cross-threading.

There's no need for thin filters.

Go ahead and use your standard rotating polarizer and grad filters.

 

Flare & Ghosts

performance          top

Nikon 70-200mm FL flare and Ghosts

Flare and Ghosts, Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL, La Quinta, 21 November 2016. Nikon D810, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL at 125mm at f/11 at 1/500 at Auto ISO 100. bigger.

Flare and ghosts are typical for a modern complex zoom. You'll never see any unless you go out of your way to shoot directly into the California desert sun, and then only if you deliberately put something dark on the other side of the frame against which to highlight any ghosts.

There are some very mild magenta ghosts seen near the source of light, and green opposite.

These seem the same with or without a multicoated filter.

This lens claims "Nano" coating on at least one surface, and with all the surfaces in this 22-element lens, still has some ghosts if you really push it as I have done here.

You won't see any ghosts in normal use.

 

Lateral Color Fringes

performance          top

There are no color fringes as shot on modern Nikon DSLRs, which by default correct any that may be there.

 

Macro

performance          top

Macro performance is the best of any 70-200/2.8 because not only does this lens focus closer than any other, it doesn't cheat and shorten its actual focal length to focus closely, so we get what looks to be about twice as close compared to every other 70-200/2.8 from Nikon.

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL Macro performance

Dirty Kienzle Flieger Automat 800/2843 at 200mm at close-focus distance, 18 November 2016. Nikon D810, f/2.8 at 1/2,000 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or camera-original © file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely display full resolution images properly).

 

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL Macro performance

600 x 450 pixel crop from above image. If this crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on our screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 75 x 50." (6 x 4 feet, or 2 x 1.25 meters)!

Even wide open here at f/2.8, it's still very sharp. Of course nothing is in focus at f/2.8 this close except for a vapor-thin plane that intersects some of the watch trim as shown above.

 

Mechanical Quality

performance          top

Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 FL

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL. bigger.

The Nikon 70-200/2.8 FL is made better than most other Nikon autofocus lenses. It's got metal where we need it, and plastic where we can save weight.

Nikon claims plenty of gaskets for weather resistance:

Nikon 70-200 FL gasketing

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL gasketing. bigger.

Front Bumper

Rubber.

 

Filter Threads

Metal.

 

Hood Bayonet Mount

Plastic.

 

Gold ED Band

14 karat gold filled.

 

Front Barrel

Plastic.

 

Zoom Ring

Rubber-covered plastic.

 

Mid Barrel

Section with focus lock buttons: plastic.

 

Focus Ring

Rubber-covered metal.

 

Rear Barrel

Section with focus distance window: plastic.

 

Tripod Collar

Metal.

The collar doesn't come off the lens, but the foot does come off from the collar.

If you lose the foot, the collar's stub has a standard ¼″ × 20 tripod thread.

 

Identity

14 karat gold-filled debossed metal plate around focus distance window.

 

Internals

Seem like all metal!

 

Moisture Seal at Mount

Yes..

 

Mount

Dull chromed metal.

 

Markings

Paint.

Plastic zoom ring focal length markings molded as engraved and filled with paint.

 

Serial Number

Engraved and filled with paint on a little piece glued into a recess on the bottom of the tripod collar.

 

Date Code

None found.

 

Noises When Shaken

Mild to moderate clunking.

 

Made in

Japan.

 

Sharpness

performance          top

As I showed at Sample Images, it's ultra-sharp corner-to-corner, even shot wide-open at f/2.8, at any focal length. The only limitations to sharpness will be your skill as a photographer; the optics of this lens are essentially perfect.

If you're worrying about this lens' sharpness, you're probably not a seasoned full-time pro. This, and all Nikon's previous 80-200mm and 70-200mm lenses, have been the standards against which all other professional zooms have been judged for many, many decades.

Here are Nikon's rated MTF curves:

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL MTF Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL MTF
Nikon 70-200/2.8 FL MTF at 70mm. bigger.
Nikon 70-200/2.8 FL MTF at 200mm. bigger.

 

Spherochromatism

performance          top

I see no spherochromatism, which is good.

Spherochromatism, also called "color bokeh" by laymen, can cause colored fringes on slightly out-of-focus highlights, usually seen as green fringes on backgrounds and magenta fringes on foregrounds. It is an advanced form of chromatic aberration in a different dimension than lateral color. Spherochromatism is most commonly seen in fast lenses (f/1.4 to f/2) of moderate focal length (35~100mm) when shooting contrasty items at full aperture. It goes away as stopped down, and isn't that common in f/2.8 lenses.

 

Sunstars

performance          top

With rounded blades, there are no sunstars, except at the very smallest apertures where there may rarely be just a tiny one.

 

Teleconverters

performance          top

Autofocus is fast even with a 2x TC20E series converter, however if focus is too far off, the camera's AF system can hang up until you use the manual focus ring to get it closer to being in focus.

The camera reads the effective lens speed (f/5.6 maximum instead of f/2.8) and actual focal length (140~400mm) with a 2x converter.

I don't use converters with zooms; I use the 80-400mm if I need to get to 400mm instead of fiddling with converters.

 

Tripod Collar

performance          top

The tripod collar is permanently attached, but the foot comes off:

Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 FL

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL tripod collar and removable foot. bigger.

If you lose the foot, the collar's stub also has a standard ¼″ × 20 tripod thread.

The foot has two ¼″ × 20 tripod threads so you can position it for great balance with either light or heavy cameras.

The collar rotates continuously without any clicks or stops.

 

Vibration Reduction

performance          top

Vibration Reduction (VR, a.k.a. Image Stabilization) is flawless.

It locks-down the hand-held image and lets me shoot at very slow speeds, eliminating any need for a tripod except for astronomical use.

Even in daylight it's very helpful as I can hand-hold water-blur shots or stop all the way down for depth of field.

 

Compared

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

 

I got my 70-200/2.8E FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay (How to Win at eBay.)

 

Versus the World

This 70-200/2.8 is lighter and focuses closer than any other 70-200/2.8. Yes, it's at least as sharp as any other 70-200, but when you earn your living with it every day, what really matters is weight and close focus instance All pro 70-200mm lenses are ultrasharp, but that doesn't matter if the subject is too close to get in focus!

And oh yes — this 70-200 has four AF lock buttons around the lens so you don't have to use any other fingers to lock focus at the camera.

 

New: Best 70-200mm f/2.8 Lenses Compared

 

Comparison Charts

 

Versus Nikon

See Nikon Pro Zooms Compared.

 

Versus Canon

Of course it's silly to compare; you have to use whatever fits your camera.

Compared to the newest Canon 70-200/2.8 IS L II, this Nikon 70-200/2.8 FL is the same size and has the same maximum macro reproduction ratio and similar distortion, MTF and sharpness, but this Nikon focuses a little bit closer (3.6'/1.1m versus 4'/1.2m) and this Nikon weighs less (1,425g versus 1,600g) with collar. As of December 2016, the Nikon costs more ($2,800 versus $2,000).

It all comes down to what fits your camera and if you want to pay $800 extra to save carrying an extra 6.2 oz./175g around your neck. If you earn your living with this lens every day, the $800 is easily worth it.

Of course the Canon 100-400mm L IS II is better than any 80-200 or 70-200 ever made by anyone because it goes all the way to 400mm with no converters to change, and it focuses both closer and faster than any other f/2.8 telephoto zoom. We needed f/2.8 back in the days of film, and with digital f/4.5~5.6 is fast enough for anything and we get at least as good or better bokeh at 400mm at f/5.6 than at 200mm at f/2.8 — but Nikon makes nothing to compete with Canon's 100~400mm II.

 

 

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL

Nikon 120-300mm f/2.8

Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR II

Nikon 180-400mm

 
Introduced
2016 August
2020 January
2009 December
2018 January
Speed
f/2.8
f/2.8
f/2.8
f/4
VR rated
Four stops
Four stops
Three stops
Four stops
Close-focus

3.6'

1.1m

6.6'

2m

8'

2.2m

6.5'

2m

Max. Repro. Ratio

1:4.76

0.21 ×

1:6.25

0.165 ×

1:6.4

0.16 ×

1:4

0.25 ×

Front protective optical plate
none
none
Yes
Yes
Front filter thread
77mm, metal
112mm
none
none
Rear Filter Slot
none
none
52mm
40.5mm
 
Outside Diameter

3.4"

88.5 mm

5.1"

128 mm

4.9"

124mm

5.0"

128 mm

Length (from flange)

7.9"

202 mm

12"

304 mm

10.5"

268 mm

14.3"

362 mm

MTF, short end (click to enlarge)
Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL MTF
Nikon 120-300mm MTF
(there is no short end)
Nikon 180-400mm MTF
MTF, long end (click to enlarge)
Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL MTF
Nikon 120-300mm MTF
MTF
Nikon 180-400mm MTF
 
Weight, w/collar

50.3 oz.

1,425g

3.1 pounds

114.6 oz.

3,250 g

7.2 pounds

102.3 oz.

2,900 g

6.4 pounds

123.5 oz.

3,500 g

7.7 pounds

Price per pound, 01/2020
$890/lb.
$1,320/lb.
$860/lb.
$1,610/lb.
Price, 01/2020

 

Usage

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

 

I got my 70-200/2.8E FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay (How to Win at eBay.)

 

Hand Holding

With the zoom ring on the front, simply cradle the front of the lens in your left hand. I use my middle finger to flick the zoom ring and my thumb for the AF buttons.

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL on Nikon D5. bigger.

 

Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 FL

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL. bigger.

A/m   M/a   M switch

This is the AF/MF switch.

It has two AF positions, A/m and M/a. A/m tends to ignore accidental knocks of the manual focus ring, while M/a responds to even the smallest turn of the focus ring.

M is Manual focus only. AF doesn't work.

 

FULL    ∞-5m switch

FULL lets the lens focus over its entire range.

∞-5m prevents the lens from focussing closer than 5 meters (15 feet). Use this only if you're having a problem with the lens trying to focus too closely, for instance, if interfering objects are in the way.

 

VR OFF   NORMAL   SPORT switch

Vibration Reduction.

NORMAL for hand-holding from a fixed position.

SPORT is for use in a helicopter, sand rail, or motorcycle. SPORT is also OK for hand-holding while still, and intended for use from an unstable platform.

OFF is for use on a tripod. (Leave it on on a monopod.)

 

AF-L   OFF  AF-ON switch

This sets what the four AF buttons behind the zoom ring do.

AF-L locks autofocus. Hold a button to recompose or if your target runs behind something.

OFF means the four buttons are ignored.

AF-ON turns on the AF system as you hold a button.

Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 FL

Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL. bigger.

 

Recommendations

Top   Sample Images   Intro   Compatibility

Format   Specifications   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Usage

Recommendations

I got my 70-200/2.8E FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H, at Crutchfield or used at eBay (How to Win at eBay.)

You know you want it for Christmas!

Need or deserve the best? This is the best 70-200mm there's ever been from anyone. Nikon continuously updates their pro teles, and this is the newest. It is lighter and focuses more closely than any other 70-200/2.8, and has four AF lock (or ON) buttons right where you need them.

See Is It Worth It and Should You Upgrade. If you deserve the best or shoot for a living, of course you need this, but if you're a student, of course you don't.

The very best protective filter is the 77mm Hoya multicoated HD3 UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints, and is also multicoated.

For less money, the B+W 77mm 010 is an excellent filter, as are the multicoated version and the basic multicoated Hoya filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.

Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt.

 

Where to Get Yours

I got my 70-200/2.8 FL at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.

This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used camera. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.

Thanks for helping me help you!

Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.

 

© Ken Rockwell. All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

 

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