Nikon 200mm f2 AF-S VR

[JimGarnett]

I had to think a long time before buying this lens. I already have a 70-200mm AF-S VR so for the difference, would it be worth it? Nikon didn't have a 'loaner' so I went out on a limb and bought one. Boy, am I glad I did! I shoot a lot of football all winter. I use the 200mm on a monopod. The f2 throws a bright, crisp image into the viewfinder and the autofocus is very fast. The memory set and memory buttons allow me to pre-focus on the 'keeper and follow the game. I keep one digit on one of the memory buttons and as the action goes into the goalmouth, just a touch and I'm locked onto the middle of the box. Perfect when the af would want to follow someone crossing the action. It's been such a great lens, last season [2011-2012] I used it for every game - the 70-200mm f2.8 didn't get a look in. On weekends I'm not 'assigned' I'll still go find a game and get 3-4 photo spreads run in the local newspaper.
During cricket season, I use the 500mm f4 on the far wicket and the 200mm f2 with a 2X on the closer wicket, so it's a 400mm f4 [which I'm sad to say Nikon don't make... yet]. I was a huge fan of the old Nikon 400mm f3.5, which I used a lot with the Nikon F3HP all the time.
This lens is paying it's way... fast.

[ed taylor]

Glad you are pleased with it. It would be disapointing if it was not as good as you hoped it would be.

[tenchy]

those memory buttons sound great! Why don't all lenses have that!

[JimGarnett]

Steve, I'm not a Canon user at all so I don't know if they have 'em on their long glass or not. If not, it would surprise me. In my experience, Canon seem to get new glass and features into the marketplace fastest whereas Nikon tend to be a bit slower. Remember the stampede of pro's to Canon's D-SLR's before the D3 came out? To me, this is 'balanced' with Nikon's better pro service. I've rarely had a problem borrowing stuff I want to buy just by approaching the Nikon rep through my camera retailer. I'm shooting alongside Garry who has a new 600 f4 Canon this Sunday so we will certainly be looking the lens features on each other's kit out. I'll be able to get more info out there by next week.

[tenchy]

be interested to hear from Garry about his

[Garry Spight]

Yeah I want some memory buttons!!! they sound great

[JimGarnett]

I just wish I had the same buttons on the side of my head...