Today’s fun involves giving a bit of love and attention to my workhorse lens…the 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR telephoto lens. This lens has accounted for over half of the pictures I’ve snapped through my various Nikon bodies through the years because it not only has really nice reach on the telephoto end of the range but also that big f/2.8 aperture throughout the entire focal-length range means I can shoot in near darkness without a flash or cranking the ISO through the roof.
This particular lens was one I stumbled upon quite by accident. I had stopped into Southeastern Camera in the middle of 2010 to pass some time and see the selection of used lenses. I wasn’t necessarily looking to buy but when I saw that gold badge on this lens mostly hidden in the back of the display case and then was quoted a price half of what this lens goes for new…well, it didn’t take long to decide that it was coming home with me!
It had been left on consignment about 15 minutes before I had arrived at the store by a news photojournalist and the fact that it still looked pretty new in spite of being built in 2005-2006 and beaten on by a reporter and the price being way lower than I’d ever dreamed possible made it an easy decision and one I’ve never regretted.
Yes, there are other lenses out there with a greater reach but if you’re going to be serious about shooting live action or sport or anything in low light without using a flash…the 70-200mm f/2.8 should be one of those “must-have” lenses in your bag along with the 50mm f/1.4 prime lens.
The new rubber grips covers for the manual focus ring (closest to the end of the lens) and the focal length adjustment ring (just above the gold nameplate) are installed on the lens.
The ones they replaced are on top…
And yes…the new rubber grips feel like an absolute dream and there’s no reason this lens doesn’t have another few years of near daily use left in it! 🙂
