Nikon Lenses

<p>I am so confused with Nikon, just less than two months after buying the 70-200MM F2.8 VR and the 300MM F2.8 VR, nikon decide to lunch a new 300MM F2.8 VR II where they also lunched last month the new 70200MM F2.8 VR II ?</p>

<p>What is wrong with earliest two lenses , to my use experinces for the last two months these lenses I bought are not of good quality and they might have some major design problems, specially where the auto focus is concerned, but I am of no expert to prove this and I might also be wrong.</p>

<p>Yestrday I had an expert to tune my camera, every single mode in the menu been tuned and this morning the same problem with the focusing is still there, I use the Sigma lens with my D3X and the focus was so great.</p>

<p>Did I buy the wrong lenses from the wrong manufacturers NIKON ?</p>

<p>Rashed,<br>

You don't mention it, but I have to ask if you're shooting with support. Personally, even with VR (I or II) I'd not be usiing a 200 or 300mm lens without at least a stick. That's some heavy glass to hold steady even at high shutter speeds.</p>

<p>That Nikon was overdue to replace the 70-200mm is not a surprise at all and was widely expected. On DX cameras that lens is wonderful but on FX the corner performance is compromised for a lens of pro aspirations and price. If you only shoot DX cameras you would never know this deficiency existed.<br>

As for the 300mm the changes are more subtle as optically it has an excellent reputation already and indeed the changes made are more to do with the operation of the autofocus and it also gets the new VRII.<br>

However neither of the lenses you have are known to have generic focusing problems so it seems like the problem is specific to something you are doing or a problem with the camera itself. Unless you give us much more detail on the problems you are experiencing nobody here can say.</p>

<p>The "older" 70-200/2.8 VR was known to have an issue with vignetting as well as with soft corners when used on FX cameras - the lens is an outstanding performer on DX cameras. I know of no problems with the 300/2.8 VR - it is generally regarded as among Nikon's finest. Your D3X is very demanding of lenses and will bring out any flaws - neither the 70-200 nor the 300 should perform poorly with it though (aside from the soft corners already mentioned for the 70-200).<br>

You can't blame Nikon for updating lenses that you have purchased two months prior - such is life.<br>

While it might feel good to rant - no one can help you with your AF problems unless you provide more detail as to their nature.</p>

<p>Well, those lenses have a very good reputation.... what I don't understand is why Nikon is replacing those lenses when there are so many wholes on the Nikon line up. I think they should update the AF 85 and 180 to AFS before improving the 300/2.8</p>

<p>My friend <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=5477009">Mark Mandell</a>, I was all of this time using a tripod or like today a mono pod.<br>

Last year during my holiday here in Thailand I did use the 70-200 F2.8 IS Canon and it was most of the time hand help and I got very sharp images, specially for people in the street, at a time where they are walking.<br>

My friend, if Nikon decide to build another 300MM F2.8 VR and already lunched a new 70-200MM VR in the market, there must be a good technical reason behind this, couldn't that be the failure with their same range previous lenses ?</p>

<p>My friend, I always used the Sigma also 70-200MM F2.8 HSM hand held and the result was superb.<br>

I am not sure my friend whats is happening but I am not happy with Nikon, I paid a lot for the system and totally failed because of the lenses.</p>

<p>My friend <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=488147">James Symington</a>, I used the 70-200MM F2.8 VR with tripod and with monopods, I had to bush the ISO up to 800 to maintain a high shutter speed, the lens I was shooting also at F4 not to operate on slow shutter.<br>

I fine tuned the camera by a Nikon Pro. Personnel , the camera also been tested yestrday and today with the Sigma 70-200MM F2.8 HSM and the result for the same catures at the same condition are amazing comparing them to Nikon Lenses.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Rashed,</p>

<p>The 70-200 was updated to moderate to poor performance on FX cameras. If you shoot DX, I wouldn't worry one bit. The 70-200 is a workhorse lens for pros so Nikon needs to make sure this one is tip-top.</p>

<p>As for the 300mm, it looks as though all it got was the new VRII system. Optics seem to be the same if I am reading the spec sheet correctly. It also costs more than the one you just bought. I wouldn't worry about the differnce unless you need some features the VRII provides.</p>

<p>Rashed,<br>

Just for laughs and giggles, retry your 70-200 on the tripod with the VR switched "off." I've used 2 Nikon VR lenses and BOTH lens manuals said to turn off the VR when shooting on a tripod. I would also try setting your sensor to DX format option (if you can) even though your 70-200 doesn't have "DX" in its name. I've seen any number of comments about the D3X getting the worst out of lenses and the 70-200 actually being a DX lens<br>

Remember, you're now shooting full frame, and that format has been ignored in lens design while the manufacturers race around trying to pack more and more MP's into the DX sensors. Maybe (just maybe) the FX format will get some more attention now. I had to go to "old" film glass to get decent performance on my D700 at prices I could afford.</p>

<p>My friend <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=5477009">Mark Mandell</a>, thank you a lot for your input which is very much approciated.<br>

I understand that the 70-200 and the 300MM are mostly used by serious photographer all over the world and these two lenses spouse to be doing the horse job for those photographers, the question is why Nikon when they brought up the a camera like the D3X for those photographers, why didn't pay attention to make those cameras work well with those lenses, Nikon only have one pro. film camera on line at the moment which is the F6 while they have more than one pro. digital camera on line.<br>

Only now Nikon is concedring to come with a new line of VR lenses, isnt that too late my friend for those photographers ?<br>

I am so sorry my friend as my English is not real good to say whats go inside me about my problem, I sitll have one week left out of my holiday and I will try to covence my self that my nikon lenses can do a better job than what I had out of them so far and I will also see nikon specialist tomorrow and for second time to check my camera against my lenses.</p>

<p>Thank you my friend a lot.</p>

<p>Rashed,</p>

<p>Your English is just fine; your message comes through quite clear. Plus, I neither speak nor read a word of Thai.</p>

<p>Your comments are quite valid, and "I feel your pain," having been there myself although with far less of an investment. While I wouldn't doubt they read this forum, I wouldn't hesitate contacting Nikon directly to voice your disapproval. Here in the US, goods are sold with an implied warranty that they are fit and proper to be used for the particular purpose that they are sold for. While your remedies in Thailand may be different, after trying your expert's "services," I wouldn't hesitate seeking to return the items that are not performing to their reputations and your reasonable expectations, even if the return is for credit against an upgraded model more compatible with your camera. Worst they can say is "no."</p>

<p>My friend Mark, I bought the Nikon F5 battery charger with two batteries, for more than 1200 USA dollars, this is directly from Nik Thailand, not from an out side shop, I thought I bought them at relatively correct price, then some one here on photo net brought to my attention other wise, the charger did not cost more than 150 USA dollars.<br>

This is one of the other problems I have gone through, I am from Qatar and on holiday here, people here are so friendly and so nice, every one will give help, its just nikon been going other wise.<br>

Tomorrow I will try again although I am sure I did have everything in according to the book with both the lenses and the camera.</p>

<p>I do approcaite your help my friend a lot and do hope some one from nikon come though this thread and give me some solid assistant in what to do next.</p>

<p>First of all Rashed. Return to Nik Thailand and complain about the US $1200 you paid for a charger and batteries. You are being taken advantage of. Ask them to show you proof of the suggested retail price from a Nikon Internet source.</p>

<p>Next, you have not told us if you are using your new Nikon lenses tripod mounted <strong>with the VR turned off</strong>. Make sure the VR is turned off except when hand holding the camera lens combination. </p>

<p>I have to believe that there is a problem with your shooting technique because the chances of both of these fine Nikon lenses being defective is remote. However, I can't explain why you get such good results with the Sigma lens.</p>

<p>"I am from Qatar"</p>

<p>My Arabic is no better than my Thai, but please enjoy your holiday! I trust you'll be using your Sigma to capture the memories.</p>

<p>|;-}}</p>

<p>My friend <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=992102">Robert Hooper</a>, I switch off the VR when using a tripod and I keep it active when using monopod or when hand held.<br>

My friend, it is too late to talk to Nik Nikon about the charger and battries cost although I have the receipt for them, it couldnt be a person over charging me and given me an offical paper for what I have paid, this is real Nikon, it is not just a shop but a manufacturing plant as far I know, there are many nikon stuff manufactured here.<br>

My friend as long as I have my lenses work, I really do not demand anything from nikon, I do not like to switch again to another camera mark, that will be very costly again.</p>

<p>I just though of something else. If you are using a light weight travel tripod, perhaps it is inadequate for the weight of your camera and lens combination. You need solid support. Throw a towel over a window sill or wall at your hotel and brace your camera on it. Take some test photos and see if you notice any improvement in performance. Also, use some high shutter speeds and see if that makes a difference in the sharpness of your images.</p>

<p>I know how frustraited you must be Rashed. I wish I could be there to try and help you with this problem. Perhaps someone here will come up with a solution. Insha'Allah.</p>

<p>My friend <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=992102">Robert Hooper</a>, my monopod is Manfrotto 682b and the head is Manfrotto 322RC2 while the tripod is Manfrotto 055XPROB , these two which I take out both of them on all my trips and also I have with me a Silk tripod which some times I do also use, that one also very large tripod.</p>

<p>sorry that was repeated my friend, I approcaite your help a lot, I am lucky to have 2 sigma lenses with me here, if not my 2 months photography would have been all spoiled by now.</p>

<p>I just remembered in my D2X menu I have sharpning options, do I have one on the D3X menu, please as I can not find it in the operating manual ?<br>

Thank you all</p>

<p>D3X manual, Picture Controls, p 161.<br /> Sharpening shouldn't be your problem though since the images with the Sigma lens are sharp. Unless you describe the problem in more detail and maybe post a few images that show the problem, I doubt anyone will be able to help you.<br>

It appears that all your equipment is new and that you are not very familiar with it - so chances are rather high that the problems you are having are operator errors. It's always a gamble to take unfamiliar equipment along for a major shooting event.<br>

BTW, I wouldn't consider the 322RC to be an adequate head to support a D3X with 300/2.8 attached. Could even argue that the 055XPROB will barely be able to cope with the task at hand - in particular when the center column is extended. Wouldn't explain though why the Sigma 70-200 gives good results and the Nikon 70-200 doesn't. Can you post some comparison shots of the two please...</p>

<p>Have you considered front focus/back focus issues? Is everything soft, or just the spot you are expecting to be in focus? If your camera is calibrated to the Sigma, perhaps it is just having some focus issues with the Nikkors. I believe on the current generation of cameras you can program the focus on each individual lens, instead of having to send it off to get this done.<br>

Also, are you using any filters?</p>

<p>I will post some images my friends and I also only use an UV filter on the 70-200MM lens, the 300MM only rear drop filter is there since I bought it.</p>

<p>I am sorry my friends but I did expect the 70-200 VR should work fine with hand held, why should I need a one tone tripod head to get a sharp image ?</p>

 

<p>I have used the old 70-200mm VRI lens on my D700 for a long time and it is sharp and clean. Yes, there are issues in the corners, but for portrait work, it really is not bothersome and for some, it could be considered a benefit. Autofocus issues---- On the D700, the only focus point that works with lines/contrast in both the horizontal and vertical positions is the center one. All the others have a stronger performance in one of the two orientations. I discovered this by trying to focus on a 3x3 inch white square on a dark wall. In one orientation the camera would not autofocus, but rotate the camera 90 degrees and it focuses instantly. It is a design element in both the D3 and D700. I can't comment on other bodies<br>

There was a recent discussion on photo.net comparing the new 70-200 with the old 70-200. You might take a read on this thread<br>

http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00V9pI<br>

After initial testing, I was not all that impressed with the new lens. BUT, I have now used the new lens in real world applications and it is clearly much superior in terms of sharpness and image quality over the older version and at 200mm, I would not hesitate to shoot at 1/50 second and if pushed would do 1/25 of a second. I am very glad that I upgraded to the new lens.<br>

I should add that I almost always shoot handheld and rarely use a tripod or monopod. And I did not fine tune the lens in the camera... this is right out of the box.<br>

I sold my old 70-200mm for $150 less than what I paid for it 5 years ago. So that is something to consider.</p>