70-200 VRII - First day questions

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Bill
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I'm absolutely delighted to say I got this lens today, after a looooooooong wait. Absolutely chuffed with it and can't wait to put it to some real use this weekend!

One thing is that I'm struggling to figure out how to hold the lens. With those of you that are handholding, do you remove the tripod leg? Or do you move it to assist with handholding?

Secondly, what are you all using to hold the lens whilst walking around? It's a fair weight and I'm a tad concerned it might be a bit of a match for my Op/Tech Sling strap. I have attached it to the right hand side of the camera only (as recommended in the booklet.) I'll obviously be supporting it with my hand when walking about, but wondered if this was a bit risky still.

Cheers guys!
 
Congrats - I love mine

Take leg off it just adds weight.
used it once in 7 months. I only use the standard Nikon strap attached to the camera - works for me & I carry it miles walking my dogs.
 
Nice one Bill, now enjoy it.

I left mine on as I use it with a quick release plate for my tripod/monopod.

When I handhold it I just move it out of the way.

I use a Black Rapid sport that attaches to the QR plate.
 
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Thanks for the advice guys, can't wait to get out and give it a proper shot. It's a fantastic feeling when that huge box arrives and you're slowly opening it.

Have heard nothing but good things about it, and I can completely see why now! Nikon definitely hit the nail on the head with this one!

Think the Op/Tech should be okay then, I'll just be sensible with it. Doubt I'll be using mine on a tripod too much so I'll just take the leg off and move the ring somewhere comfortable. :)
 
I tend to use it with the leg attached. Firstly as my sling attaches to it and secondly it gives me something to grip into.

I would be careful carrying this lens on the camera using a normal strap. Im sure plenty do. But there's lots of reports in the US of nikon claiming bent mounts.(even on new cameras) they advise to use the foot for tripod mounting so suspect carring it hanging from the body will induce as much stress, as mounting the body via a tripod.
 
When I had it,I left the collar on, to attach to the black rapid. But if it was the second lens, the one in the bag un-attached when heading out [meaning I was doing more wide shooting] then I'd leave the collar off. It's much nicer to hand hold that way. I rarely use a tripod too.

I ended up selling on though, got a duffed back and heavy lenses are not friends of my back and neck most times. Though I now hand hold a 300mm f/4, that's not a lens you would use as often as a 70-200.

If I buy again I'll get the f/4 for the reduction in weight.

Enjoy though, if you're fit and healthy it's an easy enough lens to use and love. It's great for so many things.
 
i tend to not use a battery grip if i have this lens on, as it hangs in my spider holster, i leave the tripod leg on there and kinda let it rest in the palm of my hand and use thumb and fingers to zoom. :o Awesome lens.
 
Tizer said:
i tend to not use a battery grip if i have this lens on, as it hangs in my spider holster, i leave the tripod leg on there and kinda let it rest in the palm of my hand and use thumb and fingers to zoom. :o Awesome lens.
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I did the same thing. By the way, glad you are enjoying it Peter :)
 
I remove the foot and put a slightly modified spider pin in it's place. The pin goes into the spider holster or CarrySpeed Strap connection.

The 70-200 is the largest I would carry by the body, and only a pro body. I jammed up a lens/body once by slinging to much lens around by the body (D3 & 500f/4). Major PITA and a little bit of panic....
 
Thanks for the responses guys, fits fine in my bag with it up so going to try that for today and see how I go, guess it's all just down to personal preference! :)

First day shooting motorsport with it, can't wait, was up 2 hours before I needed to be! :D
 
surfg1mp said:
Slightly ot, but the only thing that annoys me about this lens is the lens hood is slightly rounded, so unlike the 24-70 you can't stand it on its end, you have to lay it down.
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Would a rubber lens hood work for you? See: link.
 
surfg1mp said:
Had a look. The petals seem to be a slightly different shape. Do you have any problems with vignetting...?
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No issues at all. The petals are also all the same length on the MKI hood but 2 different lengths on the MKII hood as well as being different shaped.
 
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Just finally pulled the trigger on one of these. Can't wait to pair it with my d800 - should be better than my much loved sigma!
 
Gary Coyle said:
Youll see a big difference Shaheed, im slowly getting over the focus breathing issue.
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Just took a quick pic of my youngest at 1/25s at f2.8 - blows my old sigma out of the water. Eyelashes sharp (the vr works a treat) which I couldn't do on the d800 at f2.8 at that SS. Will try to give it a proper workout soon.

S

ps got it from jessops 6 months interest free - prompt delivery!!(have done a few extras at work, sold an old lens and most importantly charmed SWMBO into getting it!!)
 
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