Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Lens Review

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Handling and features

Weighing only 850g, this lens is relatively lightweight and compact, especially when compared to Nikon's f/2.8 70-200mm lens, which weighs almost twice as much. The lens barrel is constructed form high quality plastics and the lens mount is metal, with a rubber gasket to help prevent the ingress of dust and moisture into the camera. Unfortunately the lens itself is not weather sealed though. The lens balances well on the Nikon D700 used for testing and should feel right at home on even Nikon's more compact entry level bodies due to the light weight.

Auto focus is powered by a silent wave motor, and autofocus speeds are very fast. Manual adjustments can be applied at any time via the focusing ring. The wide focusing ring is smooth, and well damped, which makes applying manual adjustments a pleasure.

Closest focus distance is 100cm, and focusing is performed internally, so the 67mm filter thread does not rotate, which should make this lens ideal for use with graduated filters and polarisers. Although space has been provided for a tripod ring, it isn't supplied as standard with the lens. If you require one the RT-1 tripod collar ring is available, but it will set you back around £150.

The updated Vibration Reduction system this lens is equipped with promises sharp hand held shooting at shutter speeds up to five times slower than would be possible without the technology. So long as the system is given time to kick in properly and images are shot with care, hand-held shots at 1/6sec are quite possible at 200mm, which is around five stops slower than the usual rule of thumb would normally recommend. The system works well with Nikon's teleconverters also allowing sharp hand-held images at 1/13sec with a the 1.4x TC-14E II and 1/25 sec with the 1.7x TC-17E II.

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