Does the new Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR II have pre-focus lock?

[Naboo32]

I'm struggling to find out much info about this newest lens from Nikon, as their website only has very sparse details about it and the search function here threw up nothing conclusive either. There aren't even any good video reviews on You Tube :|.

What I want to know is, is there any form of 'programmable focus lock' to replace the pre-focus buttons on the previous 70-200 VR lens? I'd be surprised if they've dropped this feature altogether, so maybe there's another way to pre-set a focal length and come back to it at the push of a button/twist of a ring? etc. !?

Some folks here must have these lenses by now and I'd be really interested to hear how they compare to the previous model and which functions Nikon have added/removed :shrug:.

Thanks in advance for all helpful responses ...

 

[Radiohead]

No - it hasn't.

 

[Naboo32]

No - it hasn't.

Oh, that's a pity. I rather liked the idea of that function (useful for the wildlife stuff that I'm trying to do).

Thanks for the response anyway.

 

[Radiohead]

I don't I've ever used it to be honest. I always forget it's there!

 

[boyfalldown]

Oh, that's a pity. I rather liked the idea of that function (useful for the wildlife stuff that I'm trying to do).

Thanks for the response anyway.

on your D700 why not use the AF-on button to focus rather than the shutter 1/2 press, and switch the focus off on the shutter release. Releasing it will have the same affect as a focus lock button on the lens did.

The d40 doesn't have this - but it does have an AE/AF Lock button (So does the D700). You can change this to just AF-Lock in the menus as another option.

Hugh

 

[Naboo32]

on your D700 why not use the AF-on button to focus rather than the shutter 1/2 press, and switch the focus off on the shutter release. Releasing it will have the same affect as a focus lock button on the lens did.

The d40 doesn't have this - but it does have an AE/AF Lock button (So does the D700). You can change this to just AF-Lock in the menus as another option.

Hugh

Thanks for the suggestion Hugh , but I think that I have mislead you by my incorrect use of the term "focus lock button" . Or (very) possibly, I haven't grasped what it is that you're suggesting!?

As I understand it, the buttons on the older 70-200mm lens can be programmed to return to a pre-set focal point, with just one push. So, if you are watching (say) a nest box where you are expecting a bird to appear at any time, you can initially focus on that and then program one of the buttons to remember that focal distance. After that, you are free to look around and focus elsewhere (but from the same physical location, obviously) for interesting subjects and then if your birdie suddenly appears at the door of the nest box, you can simply press the focus memory button as you whizz the camera back around to where he is and it will stay in focus, without the AF kicking in and (potentially) making the lens hunt for focus.

Some people will never even try to use this function, but when I'm struggling along with my Nikon 70-300mm VR lens, I often wish that I had a feature like this (and a bigger max aperture ).

I hope that I've explained that properly!?

 

[boyfalldown]

I didn't know they did that - sounds like it could be rather useful in some situations ;-) you weren't misreading my suggestions at all - I thought (wrongly) they functioned as per the AF-L button

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Cyclops]

The buttons lock the focus whilst held down, they do not have any other function

 

[Naboo32]

I didn't know they did that - sounds like it could be rather useful in some situations ;-) you weren't misreading my suggestions at all - I thought (wrongly) they functioned as per the AF-L button

Cheers

Hugh

The buttons lock the focus whilst held down, they do not have any other function

Sorry guys, I think that I've got my wires crossed somewhere :bonk:. I went to look for the article where I read about this 'pre-focus' feature and couldn't find it again (maybe that was for a different lens, or the person who wrote it didn't know what the buttons did either :shrug.

Anyway, what I did find were several articles confirming what you've both said, which is that the buttons simply lock the focus whilst held down (not quite as useful as I'd hoped). Now I see why Nikon dropped them on the current lens.

Thanks again for all the input on this one !