Silly question or two about Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR II

I have the 70-200 f/2.8 VR II on rent for next weekend. I just found out the local photo store has gear for rent and at $30 for the weekend I just rented it to play around with - figuring I could line up my niece or a friend or two for some portrait practice.

Well, it turns out that my cousin's daughter is being baptized that weekend and they had asked my wife if I would take photos. How fortuitous that I have the lens lined up. I'm not taking the place of a professional photographer here, they never would have hired one in the first place....

With that being said - a couple of questions:

• After looking online this beast weighs in at 2 pounds 14 ounces - that seems like a lot. I just got the Sigma 17-50 and that thing is a beast, and the D7100 is no lightweight itself. (Note this is all coming from me using the D40 and some lightweight lenses over the past 8 years.). Do I need to take any special precautions with this lens? Is it too heavy for the mount on the camera without some other kind of support?
• If I decide to use a tripod, should I mount the camera or the lens foot to the tripod?
• Any tips on locking in focus with this guy on my D7100? It seems to be recommended to AF tune each lens that is attached to the D7100.
• Any tips on shooting a baptism? I have emailed the church to see if they allow flash photography or have any other photography restrictions and haven't gotten a response just yet. I have a few ideas for shots, but I'm just a hobbyist and have only shot my nieces baptism a few years ago.

Thanks for any advice!

DonnieZ said:

.........After looking online this beast weighs in at 2 pounds 14 ounces - that seems like a lot. I just got the Sigma 17-50 and that thing is a beast, and the D7100 is no lightweight itself. (Note this is all coming from me using the D40 and some lightweight lenses over the past 8 years.). Do I need to take any special precautions with this lens? Is it too heavy for the mount on the camera without some other kind of support?

Click to expand...

Carry it by the lens, not the camera.

DonnieZ said:

If I decide to use a tripod, should I mount the camera or the lens foot to the tripod?

Click to expand...

Same rule applies to all lenses: If it has a foot, mount it on the foot and never by the camera.

DonnieZ said:

Any tips on locking in focus with this guy on my D7100? It seems to be recommended to AF tune each lens that is attached to the D7100.

Click to expand...

Check for back- or front-focus. Correct as needed. When out shooting, use back-button focus. Set it and forget it.

DonnieZ said:

Any tips on shooting a baptism? I have emailed the church to see if they allow flash photography or have any other photography restrictions and haven't gotten a response just yet. I have a few ideas for shots, but I'm just a hobbyist and have only shot my nieces baptism a few years ago.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I can't help you there. However, if you never get a reply, show up loaded for bear and ask the official discretely before the ceremony begins.

I would not take a tripod to a church. But, a monopod YES!. You might enjoy the lens with a monopod since the monopod will be supporting the assembly by the lens tripod support. This will balance your camera & lens combination and relieve you from the weight. Now if you don't know the setting, you should also bring a speed light with a diffuser and use it if you see that the church's light is not good. Sometimes you can have enough light to work with, but it could be nasty mixed (daylight-tungsten) or even worse very harsh... This is when a speed light becomes the star of the shooting session.

If you also own a 35, 50 and 85, I'd tag them along in case you need the extra stop and your arms get tired...

Enjoy the lens.

I shoot with a big, heavy f/2.8 70-200mm on a regular basis, sometimes for hours at at time using only a wrist-strap; it's not that bad a setup to carry around. I would suggest you bring along a monopod if you have one, and consider using Quiet Shutter Mode.
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