Photo answers review
Photo answers rating 
The Nikon 70-200mm AF-S Nikkor f/2.8G ED VR II has been launched with a completely redesigned interior to help improve the optical performance. The lens uses ED (Extra low Dispersion) optics, of which there are no less than seven elements in the construction. Talking of which, the lens has 21 elements in 16 groups and there are nine diaphragm blades creating a nice round aperture. The front optic takes a 77mm filter and the lens weighs a cool 1540g.
One of the key features offered by this lens is the VR (Vibration Reduction) technology that helps keep any potential camera shake at bay. This is a Mark II version, with normal and active vibration reduction control for different types of moving subjects. The VR gives you something equivalent to a 4-stop advantage when in use, so it’s a great tool to have available. The Nikkor lens is also sealed against the elements and has a rubber mount seal too, which sits between the lens and the camera body. The optics themselves feature a Nano Crystal coating to help reduce ghosting and flare, plus for focusing there’s the SWM (Silent Wave Motor) giving fast yet quiet autofocus performance from this impressive lens. This is not the closest focusing of the lenses on test, as the minimum distance is a rather disappointing 1.4m. You get a soft case and lens hood included with this lens. It’s not a cheap lens but it is very well specified.
Sharpness It won’t come as any great surprise to hear that the Nikon 70-200mm offers a very good level of sharpness across the frame. This lens is designed to meet a very high standard and it certainly delivers. It's not always pin-sharp, especially at the larger apertures, but the centre-to-edge detail is well maintained. On both APS-C and full-frame bodies, the lens produces nice sharp images.
Aberration This Nikon lens is not immune to the problems of aberration. There’s still purple and yellow fringing visible along the edges of black test chart lines. Like the other optics, it’s not at an excessive level, and therefore it’s more than acceptable. You probably would only ever notice this level of aberration when photographing subjects against very contrasting backgrounds.
Distortion Distortion isn’t a major issue on this lens, but it’s still visible at both ends of the focal length. At 70mm, there’s a touch of barrelling creeping into the top and bottom of the test chart shot. At 200mm it’s the opposite, with a mild amount of pincushioning visible. Don’t panic though, as this is quite normal for a lens like this, and well below what you may find on cheaper optics.
Design Having just been redesigned by Nikon, the Nikkor 70-200mm has a great feel to it. It also looks very nice, with a really high quality finish. No fewer than three switches grace the side of this lens. One for focus selection, one for the VR and there’s also a focus limiter. These are all easily accessed when you’re holding the camera, making the lens a very easy optic to handle and use.
Overall verdict Thankfully, the Nikon 70-200mm has dropped in price since it was launched, so it now represents much better value for money for Nikon DSLR owners. The lens is really nice to use and has the handling any serious enthusiast or professional photographer will demand. Nikon produces some quite superb optics, and this one is no exception. The lens is very sharp across the range of apertures and focal lengths. Aberration control isn’t faultless, but that’s the only minor criticism we can actually make.
Specifications Filter diameter 77mm
Weight 1540g
Dimensions (HxW) 209x87mm
Max. aperture f/2.8
Min. aperture f/22
Min. focus distance 140cm
Lens hood Yes
Image stabiliser Yes
Format & fittings (FF=full-frame) APS-C & FF; Nik D