Review on 📷 Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens with AF-S NIKKOR Technology by Samuel Naidu

As a former owner of the Nikon 70-200f2.8 VRII, I was aware of the positives and negatives of this iconic lens. In 2013 I sold this lens in favor of the f4. The smaller, lighter and cheaper Nikon 70-200f4 outperformed its big brother in every way except for the maximum aperture. I felt like I could live with the F4 until I saw the specs and reviews of Nikon's latest offering, the 70-200 f2.8E FL ED VR. Nikon's claim to this is phenomenal. Seems like they not only fixed what we all didn't like about the predecessor, but added a few other improvements as well. There were so many of these improvements that I decided to make a list. I have 20 pieces! (1) tighter focus, (2) minimal focus breathing, (3) better contrast, (4) less glare, (5) lighter weight, (6) better front/rear weight balance, (7) much shorter midrange 135mm zoom, ( 8) sharper corners at all focal lengths, (9) improved VR stabilization, (10) sport mode option for VR, (11) faster VR response time, (12) faster focus, (13) four new save buttons, (14) improved bokeh, (15) improved end cap, (16) electronic iris, (17) metal filter threads, (18) improved dust seals, (19) fluorite cover front and rear, (20) better with TC-14EII, TC-17E11 and TC-20EIII? Almost all of these claims have been confirmed in various reviews, except for the teleconverter claim. And that is an important requirement for me. I photograph nature with a focus on birds. I have all three Nikon teleconverters. As you would expect, they work very well with my Nikon 400mmf2.8. They also work well on my Nikon 300mmf4PF and decently on my Nikon 70-200F4. They were a mixed bag on a Nikon 70-200f2.8 VRII that I had previously owned. When the new 70-200 lens arrived last week, I quickly ran a few tests to see if the latest version really didn't have any problems with the old one. the model did. I am very happy to report that all three teleconverters work very well with this latest offering. On my D500 this lens has held or outperformed the following lenses at all possible focal length combinations from 70mm to 400mm. My testing took place on distant, steep, wooded hills and included the following combinations: Nikon 300mmPF with and without all three teleconverters (this lens was slightly sharper when no teleconverter was installed) Nikon 80-400 f4.5,5.6 - One just under a second with long focal lengths, the same with shorter focal lengths. Sigma 150-600 Contemporary - Same story as Nikon 80-400Nikon 70-400f4 with and without teleconverter - just a little less sharp at longer focal lengths. 70-200f2.8E with and without a teleconverter - equal to or better than any of the above combinations, except 300mmf4 PF when no teleconverter was attached. Picture quality. However, they represent one of the best glasses. Last but not least, Nikon 400mmf2.8 - don't even think that any of the above lenses can compete with this lens in terms of quality. (although they were surprisingly close!) Teleconverters not only work well at the maximum telephoto end of 200mm, but also over the full 70-200mm range. Of course, you don't want to use teleconverters normally except at maximum zoom, but you can force it if you don't have time to remove the teleconverter. All in all, it's an expensive lens, but it's really state-of-the-art and one of Nikon's best attempts at giving us the highest quality. This lens is like owning a Ferrari. Beautiful to look at but destined to be driven by someone who understands what they are really capable of and has driven many other sports cars in the past.