Right now on my D200 I usually carry the 18-200VR. I also have the 18-70mm Nikon, 50mm 1.8 Nikon, and Sigma 10-20mm. I am debating getting rid of the 18-70 and replacing it with the 17-55. I tried it out this weekend and it performs well and produces a very nice picture. I can find it from a USA dealer, full warranty for right at $1100. This will help with portrait work, as well as standard shooting not requiring zoom.

BUT, I am also thinking that the 70-200VR might be very useful for my Macro photography as well as at events like the Monterey Historics, Motorsports Events, and Landscapes. I can also find that lens full USA warranty and dealer for about $1300-$1400. But I haven't shot with that lens to see if it is the right one yet.

I am also considering selling the 18-200VR as well and just getting the 17-55 and 70-200VR. Any thoughts advice from some people who shoot with the above stated glass? Thanks!

 

Itsdchz, I have the 70-200VR and really like it. I also have a 1.7x converter for it that works very well too. I don't have access right now to my photos of last year's SJ Grand Prix, or I'd post them for you. I only have some baby photos taken with this lens at a friends house. This will be the primary lens I'll be shooting with at the Monterey Historic Races. The focusing speed on my D2h is fantastic and I'd expect exactly the same result on your D200. Let me know if I can give you any further info.

 

Thank you for the reply, I am still on the fence, and most likely what will happen is I will end up with the 17-55, 18-200 and 70-200 and be done buying glass (I will at least give that perception to my wife...)

 

Famous last words. I keep trying to convince my wife the same thing, but no sale. Just had to explain yesterday that I ordered a $180 8GB CF 120x for the race weekend and justify it by it being a great deal.

 

Did that on a 4GB 2 weeks ago..... I really NEED another one or a 8GB, as 10GB of storage isnt enough especially when you have to change cards to get to that amount of storage!

 

It's not so good for that since the closes focus it can achieve is generally above 1 meter. You're not going to be able to take a detail shot of the edge of a quarter with it. If you're looking for that kind of performance, look elsewhere, the 70-200 VR is not it.

Great for those, though it is a telephoto so if there are people around you may have to back up too far (i.e. have people walking across where you want to shoot).
honestly, if you want to do landscapes, get the 17-55. The 70-200 is not a landscape lens. It feels way too tight for me (at least for my usage in landscape).

I haven't shot with the 17-55, but it is very nice glass.

I do own the 70-20 VR, and it is by far my favorite lens (other lenses in my bag are the 17-80 kit lens, and the 12-24 F/4 Nikon).

 

RAW files sure do suck up free space on memory cards quickly, eh? Seems kinda funny when I think about since it wasn't all that long ago we were having to change film canisters after 37-38 photos. We've become spoiled!

 

The 70-200VR is a great lens. I don't own it, but have shot with it on a number of occasions. Add the 1.7 converter & you've got some serous reach. Add a Canon 500D & it works for some macro work too. If you get the 17-55 along with the 70-200 you've got most of your bases covered.

 

As per Jimz68's suggestion, I'll be bringing a small step ladder with me to the Historic Races. That and I'll try and use my height to my advantage.

Oh, missed the landscape part... Yeah, I do have some examples of the 70-200VR lens for landscape. While my photos may not be the best examples, I do agree with Dave B.

Taken on the NorCal Minis run to Yosemite at Glacier Point.

Normal view with FF sensor 62mm, 1/250s @ f/8:


Same spot as above focusing on the lower falls with lots of atmospheric haze. 1.7x & 70-200VR at 340mm (FF sensor), 1/250s @ f/4.8:


Same photo, only 1:1 crop of image near top of the falls. Nothing to write home about, but detail of humans is pretty clear.

 

I think you may be remembering the sage advice of davez57

 

Great examples! Thats why I considered it for the landscapes, as I saw your pics before. As far as the macro's I have seen some people use it with a teleconverter and get amazing shots of dragon flies and bugs, as well as hummingbirds. I might as well get rid of the 18-70, and start with one, but everytime I get ready to pull the trigger, I see shots I know I want, and it is with the other lens I am not hitting "BUY" on. If I sell both, I can have almost a wipe for the 17-55mm, and that leaves me the ability to buy the 70-200, but then I know I may miss the 18-200... Damn I keep talking myself in circles...LOL:impatient :impatient

 

The stepladder will be good for the outside of turn 5 shot at Laguna Seca and the 70-200 would do nicely. Both the 17-55 and 70-200 are great lenses and my advice is, get both! Seriously, it's a great combination. I don't own the 17-55 yet but I've worked a lot with a borrowed one and I love it. For general motorsports stuff, the 70-200 is really useful. I don't know what to say for which one to get first but with Monterey coming up I'd think seriously about the 70-200.

And I'll see you (and Jim) at Monterey!

Mark

 

 

If only I had your dilemna.

You're going? Maybe we'll meet.


-Juan

 

Strictly amature, but I got the 70-200VR plus 1.7TCEII for the USGP in Indianapolis this past July. Wish I would have been there more days to shoot and analyze my photos and go back the next day and tweak (only there race day), but the lens was just awesome. A few pics here an more on my flickr page (see sig).

 

Yep, I'll be there. We'll have to get together!

Mark

 

Nice shots, supergimp. A tip: try to put the lens right against the fence, with the center of the lens in the center of one of the holes, and shoot as wide-open as possible. The wires will be on the edge of the frame and very out of focus so they often won't be visible at all.

Mark

 

Thank you again Juan for allowing me to even propose this dilemna, by giving me the opportunity to make it out to the Historics...

Well in the interest of ine photography, and contributing to the Gross National Product, I have purchased the 70-200VR AND the 17-55mm..... I am going to sell the 18-70mm, and see how I do with the new lenses before I make a decision on the 18-200VR. I will have the lenses tomorrow, thanks to all for the feedback, examples and help. It is nice to have such a wonderful community of people willing to help!

 

Wow. Nice.

 

I look forward to seeing all of you at the Historics. I'll be the guy swearing at the AF on my Kodak SLR. Now I need to study more tips on learning to not rely on the AF and go old school.

Itsdchz, not that you need it anymore, but did you read this review on your new lens?

 

Awesome review, thanks for the link!!!

 

The gross national product of Japan, that is. Though there's some profit in there for the store you bought it from and Nikon USA, too... .

I know they're expensive but you'll be very happy.

See you guys in Monterey! I'll be the guy with glasses, Nikon gear, and a SportsShooter hat. We should definitely try to get together.

Some stuff from last year:
http://www.scheuern.com/vintage/2005/monterey/


Mark

 

Mark, those are great shots; thank you for sharing them. They are contributing to further elevate my already high level of excitement for this event.

 

2 boxes, on vehicle for delivery.......:impatient :impatient :impatient

 

Nope, it was actually from the giant himself. However, I haven't forgotten your exceptional style in getting photos and even speednutz64 still needs a bit of vertical help too. Besides, I'm still drooling over your Nikon ML-3 wireless shutter release that Nikon can't seem to manufacture any more. Don't loose yours!