Nikon 70-200mm VR mark I versus the mark II

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Just a question about the Nikon 70-200mm marks I and II what are the real differences, and is the mark 2 worth the extra few hundred £s over the mark 1 thanks in advance for your comments :)
 
As far as I'm aware it was just improvements to handling, IQ and focussing, VR etc. Personally I use the mark 1 and think it is fantastic and decided to go with that one as it was cheaper. If you want more physical differences I believe the mk1 is longer and narrower? Hope this helps, I'm sure there will be someone along who knows better.
 
It is defintely better if you have a FF camera. As the first iteration of this lens has real vignetting issues on FX cameras which is not the case anymore with the mark2.
 
had the 1 now got the 2

you wouldnt tell which was which by the pics imho
 
The MK II "breathes" which means it's effective focal length is shortened at close focusing distances. I am sure someone more technical will explain it better....happens to work for me as I use mine a lot for taking candids of the kids.
 
Beardy said:
The MK II "breathes" which means it's effective focal length is shortened at close focusing distances. I am sure someone more technical will explain it better....happens to work for me as I use mine a lot for taking candids of the kids.
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Only 135mm at close range, i for one want 200mm if im paying for 200mm and i got rid of it because of this very reason as for the vignetting issues with the MKI, never a problem on my D3S or D700 and rarely noticed it, all in all not worth the extra money to me.
 
I'm going to be in the market for one of these in the very near future and have done quite a bit of reading up.

My understanding is that the VR11 lens was completely re-designed optically to engineer out the vignetting issue of the first incarnation - not an issue for crop sensors. As previously mentioned, the VR11 suffers quite significant "focus breathing" which means that when focusing close up, it's longer end is restricted to 135mm - apparently not a major issue in general use.

Both the VR and VR11 lenses are very highly regarded, so I've come to the conclusion that for a crop sensor, I may as well go for the VR lens as I won't suffer from the vignetting and will save somewhere in the region of £500. :thumbs:

Cheers

Aled
 
Beardy said:
The MK II "breathes" which means it's effective focal length is shortened at close focusing distances. I am sure someone more technical will explain it better....happens to work for me as I use mine a lot for taking candids of the kids.
Click to expand...

Whilst the MK II can lose magnification when focusing at close range, it actually focuses closer than the MK I does (4' 2" vs. 5'). Sometimes (in crowds, for instance), this is the difference between getting a perfect shot and getting nothing at all :shrug:.

So, there are really two sides to this story ;).

In the end though, both lenses are superb.
 
Many thanks for the replies guy's, it does seem it's much of a muchness, i may be in the market for one of these fairly soon so was just trying to see if the extra few hundred quid could be spent better elsewhere, and i must admit i am leaning towards the mark 1 version as i don't think that slight focussing distance on the mark 2 merits an extra £500, i think i may look at the used market too as the mark 1 seems to go for around £900ish, decisions decisions :D
 
Consider the 80-200 if you don't need VR and save a few hundred £££'s more.
 
TG. said:
Many thanks for the replies guy's, it does seem it's much of a muchness, i may be in the market for one of these fairly soon so was just trying to see if the extra few hundred quid could be spent better elsewhere, and i must admit i am leaning towards the mark 1 version as i don't think that slight focussing distance on the mark 2 merits an extra £500, i think i may look at the used market too as the mark 1 seems to go for around £900ish, decisions decisions :D
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I use a MKI one on a D700 and D3S and its brilliant, no vignetting of any sort that bothers me or can even be seen to be honest.
 
Some people report quite bad vignetting, some not to, the majority of my stuff has crowds and stadiums in the background so nothing is even noticeable, however even when using it with "sky" backgrounds its very good, there is very, very slight vignetting but nothing that has remotely bothered me and if it did a 2 click procedure in Photoshop Elements 9 sorts it.

Im currently at work but will link to some files with the MKI and D700 later on
 
No problem with my D700 and Mk1 70-200:)
 
Thanks again guys, as previously said i think i'm leaning more towards the mark 1 now :thumbs:

Gary Coyle said:
Im currently at work but will link to some files with the MKI and D700 later on
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I would appreciate seeing those Gary :)
 
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