Camera Labs

Looking forward to it Thomas!

This one is on my wishinglist, so I'm also looking forward to it.

Looking forward to your review Thomas, they are always very detailed.

_________________
Nikon D90 (Primary), Nikon D40 (Backup)
AF-S DX 35mm f/1,8
AF-S 60mm f/2,8 micro
AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6 VR
2 x Speedlight SB-600

Thanks for your eager anticipation. Hope the delivery date will not disappoint everybody
---
As a measure of keeping the review and the comments section more easy to read and followed I've split out your comments from the review thread.
So please continue here if you have any remarks or questions with regard to the review or this lens!

_________________
Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Is the New 70-200 really worth the extra 500 bucks?

_________________
I have a variety of gadgets that capture and create light... people tell me their cameras, lenses, strobes, and speedlights...who knows

I assume on DX the benefits will be minimal.
But if you have or plan to get a D3(x), D700(x) for landscape work you might find the expected IQ improvements in the corners useful.
Also the VR system is of a newer generation that might help improve microcontrast/sharpness in (shake-)critical situations.

Unfortunately I don't have the current version to directly compare it. This will be the task of other testers.

---
The (P)review is here.

_________________
Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I've heard that the better VR will add at least a stop or two better than the first iteration of VR, would you say that's accurate?

_________________

I cannot say and will not be able to test it, as I have no access to the current version of the lens.
Nikon is touting a 1 stop advantage of VRII vs. first VR. I think this is a realistic claim, when you improve upon the first generation.
But testing the efficiency of image stabilization is a very tedious statistical process which requires many images to be taken, if you want to be sure.

But I will give you my impression of VR-efficiency, but your mileage may vary.
---
The (P)review is here.

_________________
Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I did not quite get it. Will you test it on the D300 and/or an FX body?

I have not yet made the switch to FF/FX as I'm still waiting for the D700x
---
The (P)review is here.

_________________
Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I think VRII lenses have a bit larger image circle, which allows the VR element to shift more aggressively. It might be around 51 mm (if optimised for 35 mm), which could also be one of the reasons for less vignetting.
If I get the new 70-200 before you get the D700x then I'll throw in some light fall-off samples on full frame. I am not thinking of ordering before early 2010 though.

You're welcome, Ernie!
The assumption about VRII lenses having a larger image circle to allow for more shifting never occurred to me. But you must be right.
---
The (P)review is here.

_________________
Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

When looking at the charts you posted I was wondering whether the sagittal and meridional contrast might actually change when VR is applied. Like when rising the 24mm PC-E the full 10 mm the corners get alot worse too.

After thinking again about your comment on VR and image circle I'm not so sure that VR actually "shifts the image to another place in the image circle" or whether "it bends the image towards the sensor".
The first would require a larger image circle and with that you can answer your last question easily by yourself. Because the further off-center you go the worse the IQ gets (normally).
If VR works more like the second mechanism you don't need a larger image circle and the IQ-deterioration normally associated with off-center positions might not occur. But bending/tilting surely has other consequences e.g. a corresponding tilting of the plane of sharpest focus.

Honestly, I don't know. But anybody asked about how to produce best IQ from a VR/IS lens says: "Put it on a sturdy tripod and switch VR/IS off."
---
The (P)review is here.

_________________
Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Just asked my dealer where in the waiting-line I'm sitting with my order. Well, the answer didn't make me happy
Lot's of people are obviously ordering the latest (and hopefully greatest) 70-200mm zoom from Nikon. And many of them have placed their orders before mine. So we have to be patient...
---
The (P)review is here.

_________________
Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses