Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f2G ED VR II Lens

Professionals covering weddings, sporting events, and fashion shows will appreciate its reach, image quality, and fast aperture. The lens features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) II system, which can deliver up to three stops of correction — allowing you to shoot in dimly-lit environments, without sacrificing image sharpness.

The lens features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus. Its Internal Focusing (IF) system allows for the movement of the optical elements internally, eliminating the need for the barrel to extend or retract during focusing. Three focus modes are available — A/M, M/A, and M. A/M mode ensures that autofocus is always active, even when the focus ring is moved manually. M/A mode allows you to override the autofocus system by moving the focus ring, and M mode provides good ol’ fashioned manual focus.

The lens features both focus memory and limitation settings. You’ll be able to lock focus on a specific item and save the focus point in your camera’s memory by pressing the “Memory Set” button on the lens. Simply press “Memory Recall” at any time to set the lens back to that focus setting. This is a great choice for sports photographers who are in a stationary position but would like to quickly return focus to a point of frequent action — such as a basketball hoop or home plate. The focus limitation function allows you limit the distance at which the lens has to hunt for focus, speeding autofocus operation.

A nine blade aperture smoothes the out of focus background of an image, delivering bokeh that is extremely pleasing to the eye and dramatically separating your subject from the background. The lens also boasts Nikon’s Tripod Detection Mode, which allows you to leave VR on when shooting on a tripod. The minute vibrations associated with tripod use are compensated for, further increasing image sharpness.

You needn’t be an optics expert to appreciate the care that Nikon has taken in designing this lens. It is constructed of 13 optical elements arranged in 9 groups. These include 3 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and one Super ED glass element, which work to minimize chromatic aberration — even at f/2. The lens features Nikon’s exclusive Nano-Crystal Coat, which minimizes flare — even in backlit situations. It is also coated with Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC), which further aids flare reduction and improves color consistency.

The lens can be used on Nikon FX and DX DSLRs. It is a “G” series, which means that there is no physical aperture ring — the aperture must be controlled by the camera. When used on a DX camera, the lens provides the equivalent field of view of a 300mm lens in the 35mm format, which is a boon to nature and sports photographers looking for a little extra reach and increased depth of field.