Adrian, thank you for being real. In the RU-vid world we are shamed if we use 10 year old glass. You have very valid points, some of these lenses from several years ago are amazing and there is no reason to “upgrade” if the lens still produces great results. At the end of the day, its not the gear, its the eye behind the gear. Cheers my friend!
Thanks for watching Leo. I'll always hang onto the D850 and F mount lenses for the pure fact it has a very unique quality in its images. This lens will definitely be staying. As I slowly venture into the Z format with new cameras and lenses in the future, I'll always have the D850 as a backup because I know what it's capable of. Have a great weekend, cheers 📸🙏
I will be using this Nikon D850 and 70-200mm lens combo in next week's video doing long exposure landscape photography. Did you notice how this lens is in such good condition after 7 years? I take good care of my gear and I use this lens for times where I just know it’ll do a brilliant job, like that Japan trip 🤙📸🙏
Hi Adrian, I see it like you: as long as the old gear does the job, it doesn't make all too much sense to upgrade. Especially lenses can be used for many, many years. If there are new features that make life easier, an upgrade could make sense, instead, although that also depends on the situation. But at the end of the day, the viewers of the images are rarely interested in the gear we used to create them but more in the image itself, in my experience :) A great review video and I liked all the example shots you showed! Enjoy your weekend, Christian
Spot on Christian. When you look at a photo people aren't interested in the gear that took it, more so how, where or when it was taken. I love this lens and I'll be using it in next week's video with the D850. Have a great weekend and thanks for watching my friend, cheers 📸🙏
No point in upgrading when it works flawlessly even on the Z mount. Superb images & footage mate, it’s such a great lens for travel photography! Love your work in Japan, remember some of those.😍 Nice vide mate! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Thanks for watching Peter. Yeah that Japan trip was so incredible, felt like I was in a dream in some places. Thank goodness this lens wasn't sitting on the D800 when it went in the drink 😳 Have a great weekend mate with the new camera 📸🙏
Nikon.... speaking my Language!! I've had almost every version of this Lens... never let me down.. Now to look forward to the ML version!!! Thanks Adrian!!
Love that lens. I bought mine on November 30, 2013, and don't intend to sell it. Now that I'm mostly shooting Canon, it doesn't get used as much but I always enjoy it when I do use it. I will say that it is crazy heavy compared to the Canon RF 70-200 2.8 but the image quality was and continues to be outstanding! When Heather was on Nikon, she borrowed this lens often and I think the thing she likes least about her move to Canon is she can't use this lens on her R7. Great video, review, and trip down memory lane.
Thanks Phil. Yes the 70-200mm Canon lens is so compact and light weight. A lens I'd have for sure if I was shooting Canon RF. Bring on the R6II, looking forward to your thoughts on it. Have a great weekend 🙏
Still brilliant after all this time, just shows the fantastic quality of the brand and how well you look after your gear! Absolutely no reason to upgrade when it can still do everything. Loved the shots from the lavender farm and Japan was beautiful too.
Great video Adrian. I found a copy of the 70-200mm VR ii in excellent condition and use it with my DSLR and mirrorless bodies. The meta data even reflects It's max zoom at 200mm (despite some people saying it is not a true 70-200; maybe I lucked up and came across really good one). It's awesome to see a recent video talking about how great this lens is.
You are 100% right! I did the same comparison and stuck to this zoom and a lot of other "old" lenses. For certain B/W applications I even use D-lenses or sometimes the "good old oldies" you can buy for little money today! None of my customers have yet complained or seen any differences. The only "N"-lens I use is the macro 105mm 2.8 G VR1 ED which is outstanding - but even there are situations where I prefer to work with the "superold" Ai-S 105mm f4! Just throwing "old" lenses out and always buy new is in this case not necessary and does not deliver enough of anything to explain the prices of the new G-Lenses!
Can't thank you enough. I've been shopping (on ebay) for a good, used FL ED VR and most are in rough shape for the money being asked. I thought I struck gold when I saw one in mint condition (with some light dust) from Japan and just bought it. Turns out, it's a VRii but was in the FL ED VR section and I should have read closer. Once I noticed what I'd done, I almost started crying but your video cheered me up. Now I just hope it gets here in one piece....thanks again!
Congrats on your purchase. There is practically no difference in image quality. I just used my VRII on the weekend with my D850 and got some of the most amazing shots of bees on flowers ever! It's sharper than my 80-400mm. Yes fingers crossed it turns up and s everything you wanted.
My first dive into a 70-200 f/2.8 is the Z mount. Never had the F mount and now I don't know why. I find the 70-200 a versatile lens. I use my Z Mount in Landscape Photography on the Z6ii. After watching this video, I have been missing out by not purchasing a 70-200 f/2.8 before now.
Thanks for watching. I'm envious of your Z mount lens. You've made a great purchase. It's slightly sharper than this lens. However I can't run the Z mount on my D750 and D850 cameras. This lens I can run on all three Nikon cameras (FTZII on the Z7). Have a great weekend.
Great timing on this video, I was looking at the Nikon 70-200mm F2.8G ED VRII for my Z7 but wasn't sure how the performance was going to be. On the used market I was looking at about $1,000.... Compared to over 2K for the Z mounted version. Thank you
Thanks for watching Tony. Glad you found it helpful. As long as you're running the latest firmware on the Z7 the lens works really well. Have a great weekend 🙏
One of the best lenses (zoom or otherwise) ever made. I use it on my D810/D4 combo, and it is just mind-blowing. The focus breathing isn't really something that bothers me so no plans on getting the FL version, this one does just fine.
Great video! I just picked one up used. I had one I sold back in 2017 but switched back to Nikon and found myself needing a 70-200 again and the used prices on this are great! Still didn't really need the FL ED or S version yet with how good sharpening algorithms and cameras are now. For my clients it will be perfectly fine.
Hello Adrian it’s a smart move on your part. Why change something that works perfectly well just because it’s the older vision. The prices of these lenses are out of this world. I remember when you reviewed it in one of your older RU-vid videos and the images were amazing. Hope you have a wonderful week wishing you and your family a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. 🦃 🙏🏼📸
Thanks so much for watching my friend. It is one of my favorite lenses. I love it for so many different types of photography. Have an awesome Thanksgiving and enjoy the rest of your week 📸🙏
As you know mate I don't shoot Nikon but one thing is true for all makes. If you find some good glass, keep hold of it. I also agree with you with regard to how you look after your kit. Its why I'm not massively bothered about weather sealing, first sign of rain and mine get a rain cover on them!! 👍
I got this lens used in 2022 for £800 in like new condition. It is an amazing lens coupled with my D850. I've had the Nikon 24-70 f2.8 since release and the 16-35mm f4 VR. I feel my life is now complete!!
@@adrianalfordphotography I've watched many of your videos which gives me the inspiration to get out with my camera. Working full time and kids, it can be a challenge but very rewarding when the opportunities arise. I also treated myself to the Nikon 16-35mm f4 and can't wait to get out properly. I'm looking at getting a Lee ND landscape starter kit. Any tips on filters? Thanks again and keep up the excellent work 👍
Thank you for the kind words, I sincerely appreciate it. I used to be the biggest fan of Lee filters, but I can honestly say please don't waste your money on them. They are very expensive for the quality you get. I have now used and reviewed both the Haida and Freewell ND systems and they are both very good. If you can't afford the magnetic filters, then the screw in filters are extremely good from Haida. Here are the reviews of them so you can judge for yourself. Hope this helps you out and importantly saves you money. Enjoy your photography, cheers! Haida NanoPro ND Filters: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-krj_33oO1co.html Freewell Magnetic ND Filters: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2X2U1y0g-Sc.html
@@adrianalfordphotography Excellent, just watched both videos. Really helpful. Just ordered the Haida Nanopro 77mm ND 3 Filter Kit ND8 ND64 ND1000 on Amazon UK for £118. Thanks again for taking the time to reply and offer the recommendation. Thanks again.
Noooo 😱 You need to buy Z lenses… They are sharper and lighter and better and 🤔🤔 Yes, more $$$$ 😉😂 I think for the price today, DSLR and its lenses are just mindblowing 😊
Always liked my Nikon gear going back to the days when I shot film and had everything from the EM to the F4, sometimes I regret switching to Fujifilm. Thanks for sharing Adrian
Thanks for watching John. I think I'll always be hanging on to my D850 and some F mount lenses, even if I upgrade everything to Z format. There's something very unique about the image quality. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 📸🙏
@@adrianalfordphotography I will have a great weekend, I will be on Australia time for a couple of hours tonight as I watch a soccer match from Sydney.
I've got the VR (original) version. Still a great lens; I might rent the Z version for a weekend, but it doesn't seem like there's much of a benefit to upgrading, especially since used prices for my current lens seem to have gone down a lot. The Nikon-branded Tokina^H^H^H^H^H^H Tamron 70-180 f/2.8 might actually be useful if I can start hiking again.
Thanks for watching Brad. Might be worthwhile checking out the new Nikon 70-180 F2.8. It's basically the Tamron rebranded. Cheaper but as good as I think. Like me if your current, 70-200mm is doing the job then no need to upgrade.
Lovely review of this lens and why you are keeping it. I bought a Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 but I find that for 300.00 I can buy the Nikon 70-200 f2.8. The overall range of the 35-150 eliminates the need for a 24 70mm lens. The 70-200 offers stabilization better focus acquisition internal zoom and overall sharpness. I can take the Tamron back to B&H and exhange it for 300.00 for the 70-200mm. What would you do.
Having recently purchased the z mount 70-200 2.8 I have to say it is head and shoulders better than the f mount . It's lighter , faster and the picture quality is more than obvious to my eye. Maybe hire one for the weekend? I'm sure you may think differently 👍
Doubt I'd think differently. BTW I have actually used the Z mount version on a friends camera. The weight difference is approximately 100 grams which you honestly can't tell between the two. I would not describe the difference as "head and shoulders better." It's a tiny bit sharper in my comparisons I did with the 2 lenses. But definitely not worth paying an extra $2500 for. I'd rather buy 2 primes for that money.
Great review! Still torn between this or the F4 version. F4 appeals as lighter and more likely to take it out and about. Can get a mint used F2.8 VRII for £600 and F4 is about £350. Have you tried the F4 lens? 🤔
There's no need to upgrade as long as it does the job and the additional marginal benefit doesn't justify the cost. Random question: Do you have your lens serviced occasionally?
Adrian Alford, ThankYou for your kudos on 70-200mm lens, I Truly enjoy this lens BigTime and it's Wonderful to hear your opinion that it does an Awesome Job, and no need too upgrade.!!! I have followed you for quite some ti.e now. It's the Photographer that makes the Picture not a knewer lens, Again kudos... BostonMassachusetts/TimeTraveler
Good review video. You know my thoughts are this. You don’t necessarily have to have the latest & greatest photography equipment. If what you have is working for you then good for you. That Nikon 70-200mm lens you have is a great lens. It’s a old but still good lens. The good thing is if you want to use it on a mirrorless camera just use your F to Z adapter & you will be fine. HAY! If that old equipment is still working for you and giving you great results then stay with it. No need to upgrade it you don’t have to.
