Article & photos by Denni Raubenheimer
Until relatively recently Yolande and I had
been shooting with Olympus gear. When we had the opportunity to change system
to Nikon we were very excited. Don’t get me wrong, Olympus is a good camera
manufacturer. Its mirrorless OMD series even challenges the previously
overlooked limitations of the digital SLR design. However, in the D-SLR arena
few manufacturers can keep up with Nikon and Canon. Moreover, for the time
being the pro-grade D-SLRs from these two companies are the most proficient pro
cameras on the market. Together with the monstrous D800 we acquired two Nikon
lenses, the Nikon 300mm f/4 and the recently launched Nikon 70-200mm f/4. Apart
from its excellent optics, the 70-200mm f/4 has a small minimum focus distance.
These two features in combination with Nikon’s latest 24 and 36 MP sensors (which
give much space for cropping) made me want to write an article on the use of
the lens for macro purposes (hence my article pre-view http://www.wildlifestockimage.blogspot.com/2013/08/article-preview-new-nikkor-70-200mm-f4.html).
I have aborted that intention and opted rather for this general review of the
lens.
 |
| African elephant. Nikon D800 + Nikon 70-200mm f/4; f/4, 1/800s., ISO-200, 200mm. |
 |
| Nikon D800 + Nikon 70-200mm f/4; f/5, 1/100s., ISO-1250, 160mm. |
When we bought the 70-200mm f/4 there were
not yet any official reviews on the lens. There was only the product information
given by Nikon, previews mainly based on specifications and sample galleries.
The three main reasons we went ahead and bought the lens was the lens’ MTF data
provided by Nikon, the zoom range and the price (costing roughly 1200 USD,
while the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII retails for roughly 2100 USD). Furthermore,
the lens’ minimum focus distance is only one metre and the vibration reduction
in the lens was quoted by Nikon as up to 5 stops (at the time one stop more
than any other lens).
 |
| Kalahari landscape. Nikon D800 + Nikon 70-200mm f/4; f/8, 1/320s., ISO-100, 70mm. |
 |
| African honey-bee. Nikon D800 + Nikon 70-200mm f/4; f/4, 1/4000s., ISO-1250, 200mm. |
Today we have owned the Nikon 70-200mm f/4
for more than a year. It is our sharpest lens, performs fast and accurate
focusing and gives super image quality on our Nikon D800. Furthermore, the lens delivers spectacular bokeh - as far as I'm aware, just as aesthetic as that from the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII at similar depths of field. The only criticism I
can actually give the lens is superficial – it does not look nearly as pro-grade
as the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII! Alas, I think the quality of our photos is more
important than how impressive our equipment looks :P. However, there is one
area where my reading has shown a weakness in the lens compared to the Nikon 70-200mm
f/2.8 VRII. The f/4 lens exhibits significantly distortion at close distances.
This distortion will generally go completely unnoticed, but when a close-up
frame gives clear indications of real parallelism, then this weakness becomes
evident.
 |
| Nikon D800 + Nikon 70-200mm f/4; f/5, 1/250s., ISO-2500, 200mm. |
 |
| 100% crop of above image (note high ISO of 2500). |
Shooting with the lens is a real pleasure.
Relative to its size it is quite light, making it easy to shoot hand-held for
long periods. Its quick focusing and excellent optics are apparent while
shooting. The lens seems robust in-hand and its zoom- and focus rings are
smooth and have well balanced resistance (i.e. aren’t too tight, or lose). The
lens does not exhibit noticeable focus breathing and zooming is internal to the
housing (i.e. its length stays constant while zooming).
 |
| Cattle Egret shot hand-held. Nikon D800 + Nikon 70-200mm f/4; f/4, 1/2000s., ISO-200, 200mm. |
 |
| 100% crop of above image. |
All-in-all the lens is an exquisite piece
of hardware that on a value-for-money basis outperforms its F2.8 predecessors.
I am not saying that it makes the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII redundant, an extra
stop of light is worth a hell of a
lot when you really need it and the f/2.8 VRII version does have quicker AF,
but if your budget is tight then the shortcomings of the f/4 become negligible.
Furthermore, a 70-200 mm lens that is as sharp as the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII at
less than two thirds of the cost is worthy of note in itself.
 |
| White rhinoceros. Nikon D800 + Nikon 70-200mm f/4; f/4, 1/800s., ISO-400, 200mm. |
 |
| Hovering African honey-bee. Nikon D800 + Nikon 70-200mm f/4; f/6.3, 1/2000s., ISO-900, 200mm. |
|
|
