When will Nikon update the 70-200 f/2.8 VR II?

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Panza

Senior Member
I could be happier with my 80-200mm f/2.8 ED. I've been waiting quite patiently for Nikon to release an updated version of their f/2.8 telephoto zoom.

The telephoto 2.8 zooms are updated about every 5-6 years:
1982
1988 (6 years)
1993 (5 years)
1997 (5 years)
2003 ( 6 years)
2009 (6 years)
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I was hopeful they would release something in 2015 but didn't seem to be the case. It's 2016 now and it's coming to 7 years since the last update. -- Do you think now is our lucky year? Or perhaps the 70-200 f/4 VR our only telephoto update ... ?
 
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mauckcg

Senior Member
Panza said:
I've been very happy with my 80-200 f/2.8 AF-D and 80-200mm f/2.8 Al-S but I've been waiting quite patiently for Nikon to release an updated version of their f/2.8 telephoto zoom.

The telephoto 2.8 zooms are updated about every 5-6 years:
1982
1988 (6 years)
1993 (5 years)
1997 (5 years)
2003 ( 6 years)
2009 (6 years)
-----

I was hopeful they would release something in 2015 but didn't seem to be the case. It's 2016 now and it's coming to 7 years since the last update. -- Do you think now is our lucky year? Or perhaps the 70-200 f/4 VR our only telephoto update ... ?
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Eventually i imagine they will have an E mount coming out. Even then, i would imagine the price will be north of 3K and it won't be better enough to justify upgrading from a VRII. Besides the obvious electronic aperture, they only thing they could really make better would be the focus breathing. Otherwise, the VRII is about as close to great as you can get.
 
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Panza

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
What do you want in an updated lens if you are happy with the ones they presently have?
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VR, closer focusing distance, and more controlled chromatic abberation than the current model are good excuses.

But enjoyable tax return and lustful desires to own a current model lens
 
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mauckcg

Senior Member
Panza said:
VR, closer focusing distance, and more controlled chromatic abberation than the current model are good excuses.

But enjoyable tax return and lustful desires to own a current model lens
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What's wrong with the CA on the current model? I can only get it to flair under really specific circumstances much less show much if any CA. Course, I use mine almost exclusively for motorsport and aircraft, so t here is that.
 
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Panza

Senior Member
mauckcg said:
What's wrong with the CA on the current model? I can only get it to flair under really specific circumstances much less show much if any CA. Course, I use mine almost exclusively for motorsport and aircraft, so t here is that.
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Oh, the 80-200 shows it more CA than the current model. The current model is great no doubt -- but do you know the feeling when you buy something and then the next model comes two months later which is better in every way? You get that terrible feeling of buyer's remorse. It's not anything I need -- just a mere want.
 
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Panza

Senior Member
mauckcg said:
Eventually i imagine they will have an E mount coming out. Even then, i would imagine the price will be north of 3K and it won't be better enough to justify upgrading from a VRII. Besides the obvious electronic aperture, they only thing they could really make better would be the focus breathing. Otherwise, the VRII is about as close to great as you can get.
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(Isn't E-mount for Sony though? or typo?) They did amazing things with the 300mm PF. I wonder if they'll update the VR III to incorporate some of that technology. A guy can wonder and hope.
 
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mauckcg

Senior Member
Panza said:
Oh, the 80-200 shows it more CA than the current model. The current model is great no doubt -- but do you know the feeling when you buy something and then the next model comes two months later which is better in every way? You get that terrible feeling of buyer's remorse. It's not anything I need -- just a mere want.
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I'm a big fan of buy what you can afford/want and enjoy the heck out of it. The only remorse tends to be over the price.
 
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mauckcg

Senior Member
Panza said:
(Isn't E-mount for Sony though? or typo?) They did amazing things with the 300mm PF. I wonder if they'll update the VR III to incorporate some of that technology. A guy can wonder and hope.
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THe f4E. It's still F mount but E series i guess would be a more accurate desciptor.
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
With the E (electronic aperture control) as i understand its meening,its just possible it could be more compatible with any mirrorless cameras nikon bring out,pure speculation though.
 
P

Panza

Senior Member
mauckcg said:
THe f4E. It's still F mount but E series i guess would be a more accurate desciptor.
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Just did some reading on the Electronic Aperture control and it sounds like the Electromagnetic Diaphram is a big improvement. It may be more similar to the Al, D, G in terms of naming though? The aperture blades remain open during the duration of the shoots for more consistent exposures -- though it seems to be more of an issue at 10fps - and I think the 6fps of the D750 shouldn't be too taxing.
 
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Panza

Senior Member
GURsdZO.jpg


I just felt like sharing this. I purchased the $20 HB-7 hood for the 80-200 and I feel in love with the lens again.
The lack of IS is still cumbersome for indoor use, but outside I'm rarely shooting below 1/200th.
 
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