Nikon 70-200mm so much more than 70-200mm

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Cam Sil

New member
Hi, so I've been looking at Nikon's 70-200mm lens at about £1200 then I'm looking at the 70-300mm lens and its about £400.
Why is the lens with a bigger zoom less than the 70-200?
Sorry I'm an amateur with camera lens, so please bear with me.
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
The 70-200mm is a f/2.8 lens, and the 70-300 is a f/4.5-5.6 lens. That is larger diameter glass with two stops more light at the long end, and it is a premium lens.
It weighs 3.39 pounds, vs 1.69 pounds.

See lens tests like Nikon / Nikkor (APS-C) Lens Tests

The 70-200 is one of Nikons best lenses. Esp like at f/4, where it is stopped down one stop, and the other cannot even do f/4... but is wide open at f/4.5 or f/5.6.
 
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DraganDL

Senior Member
Quality vs "quantity''. A 100 kilos of silver is cheaper than 10 kilos of platinum... Yet, it is ten times as much metal, right? But, in "real life", the quantity MIGHT mean quality (in a wider scope of meaning) - you just MIGHT gonna need these "extra" 100mm, in certain situations...
 
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grandpaw

Senior Member
I own both lenses and the 70-200VR is much superior to the 70-300mm. It is faster glass and a lot higher quality. There is NO comparison between the two!
 
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Krs_2007

Senior Member
Exactly what Jeff said above, there is no comparison in the two lenses. Now I am not saying the 70-300 VR is bad, it just requires a lot more light. I used one for years and moved to the 70-200 f4, which is not one you asked about but is a contender and better lens than the 70-300. I did sell it and moved to the 70-200 f2.8 VRII, great lens.
 
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singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
I also have both (have had a 70-300 forever). As mentioned, the 70-300 is good if you have good light and don't need shallow DOF. The 70-200 is awesome everywhere, including portraits.
 
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Cam Sil

New member
Thank you for all your feedback and support, it's much appreciated.
I think the 70-200 would be a good investment and I'm going to be using it for a lot of portrait photography.
 
SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
85 1.8 might be slightly better for portraits, and cheaper, but 70-200 is that longer zoom beast for just about everything else. Sometimes even indoors in closer space.
 
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