I am considering getting the d700 in the future. Currently, I have a d200 and also the 70-200. Does the 70-200 work well with a full frame as the d700?

The same question has been debated for some time by D3 owners; I suspect we don't have too many D700 owners who have tried it yet. Either way, you'd do better to have a look around in our Nikkor Lenses Forum - here is one recent thread on that topic

Brian
Welsh Nikonian
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I have the mentioned lens on my D700 and I can't see any major issues. Works just fine

Amer Houssami

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I also own the D700 with the 70 - 200mm 2.8. Although, I have not done the type of comprehensive testing seen elsewhere, the quick summary is: This is a great sharp lens. The autofocus is fast and quiet. VR is very responsive and works well. I find the weight is not unmanageable and I don't get fatigued if using the lens w/o a tripod "on-the-go" I can't comment on the corner focus or vignetting, except to say that I don't see an obvious, distracting problems. As seen in other reviews, if you look hard enough at anything you will find flaws. I am very happy with this lens, but if I was in the market now, with all the 'pending' rumors it might pay to wait a bit. But of coarse the price will probably go up.

If you have an itch now, buy it, try it and return it if you are not happy.

No problem with this lens on the D700. Vignetting wide open is also observed with my 24-70 f/2.8 which is said to be specially optimized for digital FX. Vignetting can easily be removed in-camera or in PP. I have not been able to observe any edge softness: If focused correctly, the "blur radius" is 1-2 pixels across the lens width. The in-camera sharpening was set to +1 and no further sharpening applied. I measured this at f/10, since I am certainly not interested in edge sharpness at f/2.8...

Tristan

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My 70-200VR lens on my D700 vignettes badly at f4 and f2.8 . Turning the in camera vignette control to high does not fix the image at all . Short range IQ is still good , but , long range , 200mm shots( landscape ) are soft . The vignetting can be fixed in PP , but it is an extra step . It's a drag that the lens does not perform better .
I suspect that Nikon will release an updated 70-200 VR lens soon that
performs much better on FX sensors ( they will have to ) .

And for those who are thinking of getting one of these lenses, consider waiting just a bit. Next week at Photokina, Nikon has long been rumoured to introduce a replacement for this lens.

Perhaps the new lens will address the shortcomings of the otherwise excellent current model.

I'll be shooting the 70-200 2.8 on Sat and Sun at my daughter's (8 year old) basketball games. I will probably pop the TC 1.7 II e on there at some point, depending on where I have to position myself. I'll post infomal results after that, if that helps.

Regards;
Jacques

www.buck-elroy.blogspot.com

Set the lens to 133mm on your D200 to see how the reach will be affected at the long end & use a 50mm to see how it will look at the short end.

On a FX our 70-200 will have a focal length range equivalent to a 46.6-133.3mm on your D200.

Thanks to you all for your time and comments!

Richard :0)

D700 with 70-200, handheld, f5.6, 1/2000, iso 400. Cropped to 8x10 aspect ration, as shot, zero post processing. Everything I shoot with that combo is spectacular. Hope this helps.

Cheers

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Spectacular shots Islander808. What was your focusing setting?

As to the OP thrumylense's question, I did see vignetting when wide open on not so ideal lighting. V control was left in normal - the factory default. I just stopped it down a stop or two. You can try to set V control to High.

It is something that you should be aware of. In practice it is not a concern at least not for me and it appears neither was it for majority of the shooters of this lens. Otherwise this lens won't be constantly on back order.

But I use it for sports or people in events where no one cares about the corners as long as there is no vignetting showing.

I have quickly tested the 70-200 on the D700 (and the D3, which I sold) wide open on a white wall, and while there is some vignetting, it was not objectionable but clearly visible, just slightly more than my 200-400. Most lenses in this situation will exhibit some, even the esteemed 200-400. Considering there are many who have experienced and submitted photos showing considerable vignetting, and further considering there are many who report no problem, might it be an issue that the FX is demanding enough to bring out the discrepancies between lenses, the traditional "I have a sharp lens" vs. those that don't; whereas, the DX crop from the center of the projected area does not reveal such problems?

About many lenses we have heard these debates, about getting a "sharp" copy. The 24-120 comes to mind.

On my lens, unless I am shooting wildlife against a sky, the vignetting has not been an issue. I would like to hear about others' experiences.

Terry
Nikonian in Maryland

Focus setting was dynamic area, 51-point 3d, 'Continuous' on the front switch. I try to just keep camera still in that example (not panning), pick sensor and put it on the yellow jersey, let the camera follow. I likely shot that in burst mode, CH. I set Release+Focus for that mode. That combo usually nets 9/10 in perfect focus - with that lens. The 70-200 is the difference. I have many other lesser lenses that won't yield that sharpness.

Cheers

I just bought a 70-200mm f/2.8 VR for my D700 and so far I am VERY impressed.

Here's a casual shot of my dog, I think the sharpness, contrast, bokeh and colour rendering are superb.

Sylvain,
There is no substitute for aperture...
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