Comments on: Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR Lens

By: Sarfuddin

Sarfuddin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:10:52 +0000

I am more comfortable using 80-200mm on my D2X. Recently tried the 70-200mm VR but then I am experiencing some focussing problem. A Full Limit focussing below 2.5 m it focussed well but on shifting to longer distance it shifted to the shortest distance and jammed, so needs to manually turns the barrel distance to above 2m marking before the auto focus come into play. Has anybody experience this problem. I reside in Shah Alam Malaysia.

By: James Tuazon

James Tuazon — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:59:08 +0000

It’s me again. Re both yours and Dave’s observation on the style of clothing they wear in Japan, same here in Taiwan, it’s as if they just grab anything in the closet/drawers and wear them without looking in the mirror first before stepping out of the front door. And for awhile there, everybody in Hong Kong seems to be wearing black & whites, or maybe it’s their fashion statement.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 04:02:23 +0000

As an airport engineer in Hawaii since 1997 I’ve seen many “syle abominations” like yours (and worse!) deplaning JAL flights. In recent years Japanese dress has improved significantly, becomming much more conventional and stylish. But for a while it was pretty wild… often just making you want to scratch your head!

By: James

James — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:47:44 +0000

My bad, forgot to enter the required word to prevent spambots and lost my entire message.
Hello again Jeffrey,
I’m really concerned that you’re using your camera strap with such a heavy lens as the 70-200mm, it will eventually damage the bayonet mount of the lens and repairs are very costly, heavy lenses usually comes with a strap to be attached to the tripod mount ring for use. Just worried.
I’ve bought a Sigma 150-500mm with a two stage Optical Stabiliser very much like that of the Nikkor VR and Active switch to counter-act the horizontal and vertical movements of such long focal lenght lenses. It works great even when handheld, I’m sure you’ll have tons of fun with it.
As always, happy shooting, James

By: Bertrand

Bertrand — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:43:16 +0000

Just bought a second hand one and got the same problem of Dead Battery Syndrome, frustrating but happy to see its “normal”. Litle bit sad to know D300 will do the same as I’ll upgrade soon. I’ll try to clean contact lens.

Bertrand from Montreal

By: Calvin Foo

Calvin Foo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:55:07 +0000

White lenses very Canonised.

Add a few more black stripes and you got yourself a zebra lens.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:52:15 +0000

Hi,
Very nice blog. I was wondering if you knew any japanese sites that still carry this white/grey version of the 70-200 (that may also ship to US)? This particular lens is like non-existent on any US sites.

Thanks,
Richard

I believe it’s been out of production for a couple of years now… I don’t think you can get it here, either, anymore. —Jeffrey

By: Fergus

Fergus — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:58:08 +0000

Great blog. I bought a 18-200mm VR and use it on my D80. I cannot see any difference with it turned off or on.

The VR turns on only when you press the shutter half way (and only when the switch on the lens is turned on). At 200mm, you’ll definitely notice it, so if you’re not, perhaps your lens is not working? —Jeffrey

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:46:19 +0000

To Carol – I had exactly the same problem with my D300 and 70-200 combo, which also seemed to happen more frequently when i used a TC with the lens. There seem to be a lot of people experiencing the same issue and also with larger lenses. There has been a lot of discussion at the Nikonians website about this issue, and it appears to be caused by a contact problem between the lens/camera connection. The best advice I have found was to get a contact cleaner called Deoxit & Deoxit Gold and clean/treat the electrical contacts on the lens to ensure optimum conductivity. After I did this, the problems stopped. Nikon are aware of them problem and their latest firmware release for the camera is supposed to help fix the problem.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:43:50 +0000

I love my Nikon D300…have worked my way up each step from the 100, 200, and now 300. I do have a problem though…when using my Nikkor 70-200 lens with it, my camera periodically suddenly stops shooting and flashes a ‘low battery’ signal…even when I have a fresh new battery popped in. I have experimented using other freshly charged batteries, battery packs, and other lenses. This only happens with my 70-200 lens on. I took it to the shop I purchased it at, and indeed they confirmed it was occasionally showing dead battery signals. After hundreds of shots taken with it on my 300 and then switching my 70-200 lens onto other camera’s…they determined my 3 month old D300 must be defective. They switched the body out with a new one. During my next photo shoot…unfortunately the same thing happened and the camera battery showed dead (I have to switch the power off, then back on, to get it working again…very frustrating when needing to take fast shots!). Needless to say, I was disheartened! I had no clue a lens could actually affect a battery signal and sudden power loss. Has this ever been heard of before? I am cringing at sending it in to Nikon, waiting forever…and having to rent a lens for other shoots…but it seems that is the next step I imagine? One last note…when I put the 70-200 lens on my D-200, occasionally the shutter release refuses to focus, or work at all (although the battery still shows full in this case). Again, the only resolve is to power off, then back on..sometimes requiring more than twice to get it working again…so this is a slightly different issue, but still an odd connection with this lens. I’m baffled!

I’ve run into this exact thing before, which I’ve dubbed Dead Battery Syndrome. The first time was during a long hot shoot in the sun, so I thought it might be heat related. But I’ve since run into it two or three other times, the most recent having been a few days ago on a cool day with my Nikkor 17-55/2.8. Turning the camera on and off allows it to work fine again for a short time, but I found that taking the lens off momentarily has generally solved the problem for the day. I just turn the lens enough to unseat the electronic contacts, and reseat them, then things seem fine. Frustrating and inconvenient. —Jeffrey