Nikon 70-200mm VR I

355858

355858

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Ben
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Hi Guys,

Just purchased a mint 70-200mm lens, i was wondering if this means i can now get rid of my 70-300mm vr lens?

Obviously the extra length is handy but am i best buying a 300mm f4 or the 80-400mm to replace it?

Alternatively can i or should i get a teleconverter as this is already a fast lens i should be able to use one without many problems i guess? If so which should i go for?

I'm very excited that i managed to finally get my 70-200 :D
 
Funnily enough I recently went the other way. The 70-200 is superb but I couldn't justify the cost for how little use I was going to give it so I moved it on and picked up another 70-300. Mainly because it makes a smaller hole in my bank account but also because it is far more more portable. It's that last point that is probably relevant to your first question. The 70-200 is a big heavy lens to carry on the off chance of using it, I like the 70-300 in that regard as it's relatively small and light.

What will you be using these for out of interest?

In terms of replacing it, wait and see how you get on with the 70-200. As you say, you have the option of TC's, a 2x if necessary. The 300mm F/4 is a lovely lens but you sort of have this covered already with the 70-200 if you were to get a 1.4x. The 80-400 I'm really not keen on at all.
 
300 f4 AF-S with a 1.4TC is superior optically and focusing speed to the 80-400, I have owned both, I still own the 300 :D

I have never owned a 70-200 so cannot comment on how good it is with the TC, no doubt someone will be along that has.
 
I just recently got the 70-200 f2.8 vr1 too, I've not yet had much chance to try it out. I've decided to sell my 70-300mm as its focal ranges are covered by the 70-200 and a 1.4 tc. Im thinking about getting either a 1.7 or 2x teleconverters to go with it. I already have the 300 f4 which is a cracking lens with or without the 1.4tc, so the 1.7tc is probably the one I'm thinking of going for.

I've not yet tried the 1.4tc with the 70-200, it should give 100-280mm f4. A 1.7tc will give 120-340mm f4.8 whilst the 2x tc with give 140-400mm f5.6. It depends what focal length you want to achieve and whats the max aperture you want to work with. From what I've read TC's are supposed degraded IQ as their magnification increases.

For me I think the 1.7tc is the best choice with the 70-200 f2.8, it gives me the best range of focal lengths and max apertures (using both lens):

70-200 f2.8
100-280mm f4 (70-200 & 1.4tc)
300mm f4
120-340mm f4.8 (70-200 & 1.7tc)
420mm f5.6 (300 & 1.4tc)
510mm f6.8 (300 & 1.7tc)

If I only had the 70-200 and only one TC I would probably go for either the 1.7 or 2x TC. If you are planning to get the 300 f4 in the future then you will probably get the 1.4 tc too as are great together.

Regarding the question whether you need to keep your 70-300 really depends on whether you need it's smaller size and portability. If you need the longer focal length a TC will give the focal length and at a faster aperture too. I've not used the 70-300 enough since I got the 300mm f4, I'm not too worried about portability, the 700-200mm f2.8 is roughly the same size and weight as the 300 f4. The 70-300 is a fantastic lens considering its price and size.
 
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