Much of the time in sports photography you're shooting with a panning camera anyway, so VR is perhaps less useful for that... Not my area of expertise, though. I do remember when I was shooting sidelines for the SD Chargers way back when we all used monopods, for what that's worth. But then again, there was no such thing as VR then either :-)
The lens is amazing. I have it but have the VR version.
I didn't know there was a VR version. How does it compare to the first 70-200 VR?
I'm still deciding on my wedding/portrait lenses for next year. I've currently got the new 105mm 1.4 on hire which is an amzing lens but i'm thinking that when I come to buy, a 70-200 might be more versatile. Bear in mind this is on DX of course.
The 80-200 and the 70-200VR are two entirely different lenses. The 70-200VR is Nikon's current style, development, & technology, whilst the 80-200 is one of those hit-it-out-of-the-park old standards that remains timeless and carries on the reputation of Nikkor lenses as the finest of the fine. The 80-200 has been in constant production since the mid-90s, and soldiers on as both an incredible strong, fast lens, and a Nikkor standard.
I'm lazy and I shoot mostly stuff where I use the other ends of a super-zoom, otherwise I'd have the 80-200 over the 70-200VR. The fact that it's half the money 'cause it's been in production for two decades doesn't hurt, either
The lens is amazing. I have it but have the VR version.
I didn't know there was a VR version. How does it compare to the first 70-200 VR?
I'm still deciding on my wedding/portrait lenses for next year. I've currently got the new 105mm 1.4 on hire which is an amzing lens but i'm thinking that when I come to buy, a 70-200 might be more versatile. Bear in mind this is on DX of course.
Actually, Jeb is right. My lens doesn't have VR. It is a tank, and those extra 10 mm is the only downside because there's that gap in coverage. I've never had an issue with it. It's a phenomenal portrait lens. Incredibly fast. Haven't used it for sports, so I can't speak to that.
I have the 80-200 too. It is super heavy and big but it's a stunning lens. Bokeh is creamy and images are sharp considering that we are talking of an "old" lens.
