An f/2.8 zoom is per se nothing cheap. So, either I want quality or save money. Used lenses come at a risk, but not a much bigger one as I can also bu lemons new.
Going on a budget with 70-200 for Nikon means to me, get the 70-200/4, use VR and stay away from third party stuff.
70-200/2.8 Tamron G1: 1170.-
70-200/4 Nikon: 1400.-
70-200/2.8 Tamron G2: 1700.-
70-200/2.8 Nikon 2600.-
A lens like that is in use for long time and pays over the years
Hm, well, the reason to get one of the 2.8 zooms (for me) would be shallow DOF. Plus AF precision.
So, a 70-200/4 VR wouldn't fit.
-- Markus
Editor
opticallimits.com
Eglobal Nikon 1,269 euros
Canon 1,248 euros both guaranteed for one year somewhere in Asia
Both are grey market, they are a bargain.....are you say..."I don' trust grey market".......but..
there's no guarantee when you buy S/H either....so we all like a bargain ....however the G2 is just sooo much better than the G1!
In spite of it all G2 grey market or S/H G1?........... grey market wins it for me!
I almost bought this this lens last month.
I expect from test results rare who would be able to tell which photo was taken by which lens on anything smaller than A4 prints, the former one was a decent performer.
Most important aspects for me are by order :
focus accuracy, what's the point having a sharp lens if focus is off
build quality
weight
colors and flare resistance
sharpness
vignetting
distortions
Now I see what I always did wrong when choosing a lens.
My orders are
Color black
Some rings to turn
Mixture of glass, metal and plastics, eventually microchips
Visible screws, not only glued together
Lens pouch, could be rated two steps higher
Lens caps, and make them slippery so I can do a bit DIY