D7000: nikon 70 200 2.8 vr1 good idea?

Xavier666

Senior Member
Hello, I have a Nikon D7000. I would like to shoot gymnastics and badminton. Is purchasing a Nikon 70 200 2.8 vr1 a good idea for that purpose? And how much ISO does that combo allow you to use?
 

nikonpup

Senior Member
depends on purchase price and your budget. you might be able to purchase a new 70-200 as good or better than the nikon.
IMO rent a 70-200 before you buy and see what the ISO limits and camera setting work for you.
 

Xavier666

Senior Member
depends on purchase price and your budget. you might be able to purchase a new 70-200 as good or better than the nikon.
IMO rent a 70-200 before you buy and see what the ISO limits and camera setting work for you.

Thank you for your answer. The price is 800 EUR (894 US $).
Would a new Tamron 70 200 G2 be a good alternative? The new Nikon 70 200 is out of budget.
 

carguy

Senior Member
Hello, I have a Nikon D7000. I would like to shoot gymnastics and badminton. Is purchasing a Nikon 70 200 2.8 vr1 a good idea for that purpose? And how much ISO does that combo allow you to use?

Depending on lighting conditions, you may struggle with the ISO limitations on the D7000. That said, a Nikon 70-200 will serve you well.
The VR1 was a great lens, but there have been advancements. For $894, I'd consider a used Tamron 70-200 VC (A009) before the VR1 personally.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Supposedly the VR (first version) is a little soft around the edges. Since you'd want to use it on a DX body, that shouldn't be much of an issue. But I agree with the others. The Tamron is really a better lens - and if you'd ever decide to sell it down the road, it would be a better investment.
 

carguy

Senior Member
Supposedly the VR (first version) is a little soft around the edges. Since you'd want to use it on a DX body, that shouldn't be much of an issue. But I agree with the others. The Tamron is really a better lens - and if you'd ever decide to sell it down the road, it would be a better investment.

I disagree, the Nikon glass is actually a better unit and they do hold a bit better resale value than the Tamron. The Tamron does a great job and is a solid pic for those of us with a smaller lens budget and not being paid to shoot :)
 

spb_stan

Senior Member
The VR 70-200 is a Fx lens and with the large image circle, at 200mm is it a little soft but on a Dx image circle there would be no softness. It is a rugged well made lens that really works well as a portrait lens as well as general purpose telephoto. It is a good match for a D7000, focuses fast and sure.
If it is used on gymnastics, how far form the athlete, what light levels and type of light? There nothing faster in a zoom so if it is too dark for decent exposure at 5000 ISO, you will either need a camera with better noise control. By carefully selecting the lowest shutter speed that can freeze the action you can optimize the exposure triad. I often see people just setting the shutter at 1/2000 or whatever and complain about noise, but there is not much action a human body can do that requires that high, particularly if you are far from the action.

Another trick if you need higher shutter is to intentionally expose in RAW 1-2 stops underexposed. The sensor in the D7000 has a linear noise curve, sometimes called ISO Invariant which means an under exposed image boosted in post will have the same noise as if exposed normally. That would allow a higher shutter speed for freezing the action but low enough ISO so there is acceptable noise under exposed 2-3 stops by raising the shutter speed 2-3 stops allowing the image to be 2-3 stops darker than the final image would be printed. In Lightroom or other RAW rendering program, just boost exposure 2-3 stops and you will end up with non-blurred image with the same noise as if you exposed normally.

I have that lens and use it on a D7000, D800 Fx and Z6 Fx and it works well. For price you mentioned I would expect to be in perfect condition. One that has been used as much as mine would only fetch $600 or so. Mine has been all over the world and shot probably 300,000 frame and never let me down.
The Tamron G2 is a good lens also, but new it is about 1200euro. The earlier versions might not be upgradable to be compatible with newer camera.
 

editorial_use_only

Senior Member
Hello, I have a Nikon D7000. I would like to shoot gymnastics and badminton. Is purchasing a Nikon 70 200 2.8 vr1 a good idea for that purpose? And how much ISO does that combo allow you to use?

I have the D7000 and the VR2.

Yes I think the VR1 would be a fine choice, in general. I think the 70-200 is a lens you will find in many photographer's kits. But how close will you be able to get to the action? If you are able to get close, then you might find an 85/1.8 would be okay. And that extra stop f/2 to f/2.8 can make a big difference if you find you are at a high ISO. There are other lenses you may be able to find used like the 85/1.4 D or the 85/1.4 G. I think the 70-200 will have faster AF speed though.

You ask about ceiling for ISO. It is going to depend on your preferences. For me, ISO 5000 was the ceiling with the D7000. But you will find out what works for you. Do your first shoot and experiment. Try some at 6400, and then 5000, and 4000 and so on.
 
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