Nikon

Recently I had to test the Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR, which is one of the trinity of the new Nikon lenses. This time I came into the hands of Nikon AF-S 200-500 ED VR lens is designed for distance shots. Objketiva range from 200mm to 500mm. Light intensity is fixed 5,6 weight objektva is still manageable 2300g, length lens is 267.5mm.

This time I will be more brief descriptions and prefer to publish several test photos. Let me at the outset say that I was very positively surprised lens with quality optics. A few months ago I had the opportunity to photograph with the Nikon lens AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm ED VR f4.5-5.6G and I was very impressed by the quality of photos. This time, the overall picture is completely different, the lens is sharp at open aperture and 5,6 all focal lengths. All of the test pictures I made with the Nikon D7100, which has an image sensor DX format and resolution 24Mpix. On the FX sensor such a density of pixels represented around 55Mpix resolution, therefore, more demanding test as to the quality of the optics could not be done.

Quality of workmanship

The lens is made from high quality materjalov, use no squeaks or let some unnecessary sounds.Both rings to move smoothly and have just the right degree of tension. Praise goes perfectly designed tripod. The lens has a built-in switch (lock) which mechanically locks the lens to 200mm, which prevents automatically stretched during downloading.

Avomatsko wall (AF)

In the system of automatic focus would otherwise be a little bit more effort and made it a little faster, but the lens in this price range (about 1,400 euros) we can not expect the AF system that you have 6000 euros more expensive lenses. Auto Focus is completely useful for shooting moving subjects equally, when shooting fast-moving sports would be likely insufficiently responsive AF. For the entire tour from the nearest adjustment AF-ROM to infinity and back (2.2m - infinity - 2.2m) AF consumes 1.7 seconds with the mixing limiter 0.8 seconds. But I must emphasize that AF is very accurate without major deviations in focus.

VR Image Stabilization

Optical Image Stabilization is the lens focal length with such urgently needed. If the image is not stabilized is already bracketing strongly it complicates a system of automatic focus works much worse by movement and vibration present when shooting with such focal length. Image stabilization works great, sharp pictures, I can be more readily made in times that were up to 4 stops slower than would be needed for shooting without a tripod. In short, at 500mm (750mm on DX sensor) I can without problems in the hands photographed with times of about 1/50 of a second.

Ghosting and flare

The lens is supplied with a large hood, and not without reason. Taking pictures in a strong side or direct light, a significant effect on image quality. Otherwise, with such focal lengths tend to avoid shooting in strong light has the opposite because of the narrow angle covered by such lenses, but the use of the lens hood certainly contributes to the quality of recordings. In the pictures below are examples of photography in the opposite light.

Chromatic aberration CA

Already in the test Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR I noticed that in this area, Nikon's engineers managed to make considerable progress. Obviously, some of these new solution implemented in Nikon AF-S VR 200-500mm 5,6 ED. In telephoto CA correction is particularly important. The longer the focal length of the lens is greater distortion at different wavelengths of light, and consequently leads to worse sharpness and contrast, and color fringing visible in strongly contrasting motives. In the pictures below you can see how even in the most extreme conditions CA almost not visible in the photos. All photos were taken at the 500mm focal length and aperture 5,6 photographed 100% cut-out.

Sharpness and contrast

Sharpness is excellent, the lens is sharp from aperture 5,6 and almost imperceptibly slightly less sharp at the 500mm focal length, short, insignificant difference in FX sensors will not be observed. Contrasts are great as well as the quality of the Unsharp (bokeh). The main lens is sharp constant for all focal lengths and all distances, even at close range was not observed differences in sharpness. In the pictures below are 100% cutouts from originanih photos.

Almost all the pictures in the test are recorded at open aperture 5,6 to be in such a lens longer apply. Again I emphasize that the sharpness and excellent optical quality of the lens, the lens in this price range and with such a focal range of this would not have expected. At the end of the article it published photos Gallery close that you can see in full resolution. From the pictures it can be seen that the lens is very sharp as to give an excellent contrast, and color, the quality of the unsharp (bokeh) is excellent.

Finishing thought

This time, Nikon has truly proven. For more than 1,400 euros was made telezoom lens, which is the quality of the optics can be one of the lenses, which are several thousand more expensive.Given that I have tested the lens with Nikon D7100, which has a smaller sensor DX format and 24Mpix resolution (approximately 55Mpix sensors on FX), the results are even more impressive.The lens is sharp even at maximum aperture 5,6 when using appliances with a DX sensor to give a lens that has a focal length of 750mm and finally a diaphragm 5,6. Speed ​​AF system could have been a bit better but would then Nikon AF-S 200-50mm 5,6 ED VR is already heavily intervened in the segment, which covers 6,000 euros more expensive Nikon AF-S 200-400 f4 VR.Stabilization is excellent and in real situations lets you capture up to 4 stops slower times without using a tripod. It is true that in this segment lenses offer significant, Sigma has offered two lenses with a focal length of 150-600mm, it is also the Tamron offered its new lens with a focal length of 150-600mm, but this time for Nikon users will dilemmas which lens you choose. For a slightly higher price than Tamron lens is available excellent Nikon lens that time really surprised by the quality of optics and lens price.

In the bottom of photo reportage also take it to see how the lens works in everyday shooting subjects. Most of the photographs are made at open aperture 5,6. Clicking on the photo will open photo in full resolution. 

For those with slower internet connection are also photos on Flickr: Flickr picture gallery Nikon AF-S ED VR 200-50mm 5,6

The author and photographs: Bojan Stepnačič

Click on photo for full gallery and Resolution photo. 

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