Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘200mm Lens’

Joby GP2 D1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras with Bubble Level

The Joby GP2-D1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod is designed for Digital SLR Cameras and it comes with a bubble to help you level your picture.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great travel tripod!
I love this little guy! I take it with me everywhere I take my Nikon D5000! It’s a quick way to stabilize your camera in a hurry without lugging around a full size tripod.

1 Star Make sure your camera isn’t too heavy!
We purchased this tripod for out Nikon D5000 fitted with a 18-200mm lens. The weight of the lens was too heavy for this particular tripod, causing the entire camera/tripod unit to keel over. Luckily, we tested it out on a table top at home rather than out in the field. We did not notice any weight/lens restriction in the packaging or amazon description which might have warned us about this.

5 Stars Great tripod. Make sure you choose the right one for your type of camera.
I don’t agree with the negative review about this tripod, because the wrong size was chosen by the buyer. There are different sizes of Gorillapods for different sizes of cameras and lenses. This one is specified for smaller cameras, and for that purpose it works great (at least for me it does). My advice: before you buy andy Gorillapod, check on Joby’s website which one’s right for the type of camera and lens you have, and then you can come back to buy it cheaper @ Amazon.

3 Stars Strong enough for a DLSR my ACE!!
Sorry, but this is a joke. Please don’t label something DSLR capable when it’s barely strong enough to hold a super zoom camera.

Maybe I got a poor copy, but if I didn’t, don’t expect much out of yours.

I LOVE the idea, I have other Gorillapods for standard size cameras and they are exceptional. I LOVE the quick release and the level that comes standard.

This thing can’t hold my canon 5d mark II with a tiny 50mm lens.

Sorry, but that’s disappointing!

I’m not returning it because it works well for so many other things.

Buy/More Info

Nikon 70 300mm f 4 5 5 6G ED IF AF S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

High-power 4.3x Telephoto Zoom-Nikkor lens (Approximates the picture angle performance of a 105-450mm lens on 35mm SLR) / Uses 67mm Filters Non-Rotating front element provides for convenient use of circular polarizing filters and the Nikon Wireless Close-Up Speedlight System A Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables fast and quiet autofocusing, along with quick switching between autofocus and manual operation (M/A and M) A nine-blade rounded diaphragm opening, out-of-focus elements appear more natural Accepts 67mm filter attachment size Focal length – 70-300mm (Approximates the picture angle performance of a 105-450mm 35mm SLR) Maximum aperture – f/4.5-5.6 Lens construction – 17 elements in 12 groups (with 2 ED glass elements) Picture angle – 34 degrees 20 feet- 8 degrees 10 feet (22 degrees 50 feet – 5 degrees 20 feet with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras) Focal length – scale 70, 100, 135, 200, 300mm Unit Dimensions – (approx.) 3.1 x 5.6 in. (80 x 143.5mm); Weight – (approx.) 26.3 oz (745g) Included accessories – LC-67 67mm snap-on front lens cap, LF-1 rear lens cap, HB-36 bayonet hood, CL-1022 flexible lens pouch

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Fantastic with Nikon D40
After owning a Nikon D40 with a 55-200mm lens, a larger lens was the next step.

This lens is much larger and heavier than the 55-200mm Nikkor. I had read the

reviews on the lens and was aware of the near 300mm difficulties. By compensating

for these issues the lens can be a remarkable instrument. Once in focus,

photos taken at 300mm can show excellent resolution and color. I’ve found best

results with the autofocus when the focus is close to the optimum setting before using

autofocus. The magnification is astounding, as much as I would want. The vibration

reduction is very effective. A tripod hasn’t been needed for daylight photos. When carrying

the pair, I cradle the lens instead of holding by the camera. The lens was a demo from

Cameta Camera for $379 with free shipping. It was indistinguishable from new and has

given no problems. A great bargain for its capability. Always get a UV filter!

It’s cheap insurance.

4 Stars Good compromise between performances, weight and costs
I had to do a long travel and I didn’t want to bring my Nikkor 80-200 AF-s 2.8 because of too heavy and too big size.

From Italy I ordered the 70-300 AF-s VR, asking the delivery to the hotel where I stayed in San Francisco. Perfect delivery and delivery time, so I have been able to enjoy the object.

Light tool, with good performances, above all if compared to his big brother 80-200 AF-s 2.8

The stabilizer, combined to the high Iso of my Nikon D700, helped me in a lot of critical situations so I have been able to catch good pictures.

5 Stars Glad I went for the 300
This is for my new D700. I will spare the technical jargon. Was thinking of the 70-200 f/2.8 but that thing is very huge and heavy. This seems like the perfect lens for the beach. Went there for a couple of hours with the dog and snapped about 200 pictures. Even though this is the first day using it, the 300mm really came in handy. I took many shots at 300mm and they came out great! It’s plastic but still feels substantial in your hand. Quality feels better that I expected. Focus is almost instant. I was concerned about the max 4.5 aperture but had no problems, had to turn down the ISO down to 400 as I had the aperture wide open most of the shots. I made full use of the 70-300 range as the dogs come and go very quickly. Took some pics of a friends dogs as well and they are tiny dogs. At 300mm I was able to get some good distance from the small dog, get an interesting perspective and background, shallow depth of field and sharp focus and filling the frame. Also got some good pics at 70mm for close ups. Point is that the 70-300 seems the perfect range when your going for casual wildlife photos.

This lens fits perfect in the Tamrac MX5378 lens case as long as you don’t have the hood on the lens. I shot many pictures into the sun had no flare at all. I guess the coatings really work so I don’t think I will carry the lens hood as I like to travel light. On the other hand…I just tried putting the lens in the case with the lens hood attached (reversed) and it still fits but is tight. Tamrac recommends the Pro100 lens case for this lens and that will be better if you like a loose fit. Problem is those cases are a lot larger and if you are using the Tamrac modular belt, then smaller is better I think.

My opinion, if you have an FX format camera you can’t go wrong with this lens. My three lenses I will most often use are:

70-300 (this lens) Hiking, beach, etc.

24-70 f/2.8 Walk around, candid, indoors without flash.

50 f/1.4G Indoors low light with no flash.

5 Stars Great lens; Great price.
Some of the reviews I’ve read about this lens say it doesn’t autofocus well, but I have not found that is a problem at all. This lens has worked great for me so far. The vibration reduction is definitely worth it. On my 18-105mm I couldn’t see the difference, but on this lens the difference is very obvious. It is definitely worth the extra money.

5 Stars Pro quality for bargain price…
This lens is tack sharp on my D90 all the way out to the corners at all aperature settings and focal lengths. On the D700 it’s a little soft zoomed all the way out to 300mm and @ f/5.6 but stop it down one stop and sharp all the way out to the corners. This lens isn’t meant to be a low light lens anyway so stopping it down shouldn’t be a problem. For the price this is one incredible lens. If you want pro performance and sharpness in low light situations pay the big bucks and get either the (now old) 70-200 f/2.8 or wait a couple months and get the brand new 70-200 f/2.8 with VRII. I will tell you in decent light or tripod situations this lens is just as sharp as the 70-200 f/2.8 (stopped down one stop from wide open) on my D700 and just as sharp at all aperatures on my D90. Pro quality for a bargain price for sure!

Buy/More Info

Canon EF 70 200mm f 2 8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Incorporating Canon’s second-generation Image Stabilization technology, this 70-200mm telephoto zoom responds in as little as 0.5 seconds while providing up to three stops of correction for camera shake. As a result, you can easily capture the far-off action of fast-paced sports or zoom in for an intimate portrait with a blurred background. The lens’s autofocus (AF) system, meanwhile, has been refined for better response time and tracking speed. And photographers will love the new eight-blade circular aperture, which offers a more pleasing out-of-focus image. Constructed to pro standards, the EF 70-200mm lens is highly dust- and moisture-resistant and carries a one-year warranty.

• Focal length: 70-200mm
• Maximum aperture: 1:2.8
• Lens construction: 23 elements in 18 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 34 to 12 degrees
• Focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
• Closest focusing distance: 4.3 feet
• Zoom system: Rotating type
• Filter size: 77mm
• Dimensions: 3.4 inches in diameter, 7.8 inches long
• Weight: 3.24 pounds

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Canon Lens worth every penny
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens was the best purchase I have every made. It performs better than I could every imagine. If you need a great telephoto lens this one is for you.

5 Stars A heavy hitter

I’ll keep this simple and to the point. The lens is bullet proof. It produces beautiful images even in low light situations and that’s even hand held.

Only one minor complaint, it’s pretty heavy. I guess that’s a small price to pay for beautiful photos and dependability. You get a bit of a work out, but who isn’t in need of that.

5 Stars Cheaper Elsewhere
This same exact lens can be purchased for $1900 at B&H. Why pay the $2500 when you can save $600.

5 Stars great lens
The lens is great – the pictures are so clear and vivid. The only drawback is the weight.

5 Stars Perfect for most situations!
Rented this lens for a trip to New Mexico (didn’t hav3 $2000 under the mattress). I was going to shoot a friends wedding and a few days of camping in the high scrub desert of Bandelier National Monument, NM. I knew I needed something versatile for the wedding. As it seems with most wedding, I had very little idea of the lighting situations I would be dealing with. From sunrise shots the day of to the full ceremony and reception, this lens worked flawlessly. The huge aperture, great focal range, and lighting quick USM focus handled every situation. Following the wedding, the lens took a camping trip and continued it’s great performance. The build quality is amazing and the optics are superb. The only “cons”, that are just innate aspects of the lens really, are that it is quit heavy and with the low end of 70mm on a 1.6 cropped sensor, you are shooting more like 116mm. So, judge your distance carefully. On this trip, all I needed to carry was this lens and the 35mm f2 (plus medium and 35mm format film). The combination was great for all the challenges encountered.

Buy/More Info