Nikon 70-200 f4 vs. 70-200 f2.8: After some posts here, I began scanning E-Bay for these lenses and was surprised at many of the f2.8 versions (both VR & VR-II) bid at lower prices...

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

After some posts here, I began scanning E-Bay for these lenses and was surprised at many of the f2.8 versions (both VR & VR-II) bid at lower prices than the f4 version. Am I missing something?

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Perhaps the 2.8 is refurbished?

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

DaveyDitzer wrote:

After some posts here, I began scanning E-Bay for these lenses and was surprised at many of the f2.8 versions (both VR & VR-II) bid at lower prices than the f4 version. Am I missing something?

Sorry, I forgot to add that the listings I looked at were all used lenses.

MauiMoto Loc: Hawaii

DaveyDitzer wrote:

After some posts here, I began scanning E-Bay for these lenses and was surprised at many of the f2.8 versions (both VR & VR-II) bid at lower prices than the f4 version. Am I missing something?

Not really. The newer f4 version is sharper and has 5 stops of vr. I just returned the f2.8e, it wouldn't lock focus at infinity and 200mm. It's so heavy though, so I'm replacing it with the f4.

geezer76 Loc: Prineville, Oregon

MauiMoto wrote:

Not really. The newer f4 version is sharper and has 5 stops of vr. I just returned the f2.8e, it wouldn't lock focus at infinity and 200mm. It's so heavy though, so I'm replacing it with the f4.

Have had the f2.8E for about 3 weeks shooting Hunter/Jumper horse events and the sharpness at all zoom ranges is fantastic. Best and sharpest lens I have ever had. I also have the 24-120 nikon f/4 and the 16-35 nikon F/4 and neither is as sharp. Good luck with the 70-200 f4!!

MauiMoto Loc: Hawaii

geezer76 wrote:

Have had the f2.8E for about 3 weeks shooting Hunter/Jumper horse events and the sharpness at all zoom ranges is fantastic. Best and sharpest lens I have ever had. I also have the 24-120 nikon f/4 and the 16-35 nikon F/4 and neither is as sharp. Good luck with the 70-200 f4!!

I agree, the f2.8e is the sharpest lens I have ever used and the AF is blazing fast. When I said the f4 is sharper I was talking about the older versions, not the new efl lens. The OP is asking why they are priced less than the f4 so what I was trying to say is the newer lenses are sharper and have better vr, so that may be why the older ones have dropped in value, that and the used market may be getting flooded with them since this new efl is such a show stopper. I really don't know why, other than, even used, you get what you pay for and the market sets the price.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

DaveyDitzer wrote:

After some posts here, I began scanning E-Bay for these lenses and was surprised at many of the f2.8 versions (both VR & VR-II) bid at lower prices than the f4 version. Am I missing something?

The F2.8 VR and VR II each had some issues with image quality, and the VR II had issues with severe focus breathing - at 200mm and minimum focus distance, it was only giving you a field of view of a 120mm lens.

The new FL is oustanding, and better than it's predecessors in almost every respect. It's coming onto the market immediately put downward pressure on the VR and VR II resale prices.

But, when you are looking in eBay, are you looking at asking prices or have you used the advance search tab to look at what they have actually sold for?

I just took a quick look and saw that the F4 is typically closing between $600 and $800, the VR between $600 and $900, and the VR II between $700 and $1100.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

DaveyDitzer wrote:

After some posts here, I began scanning E-Bay for these lenses and was surprised at many of the f2.8 versions (both VR & VR-II) bid at lower prices than the f4 version. Am I missing something?

Depends on model and condition. The 4 is lighter and their seems to be a current trend toward lighter gear. This could all change next week. No, you are not missing anything.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

DaveyDitzer wrote:

After some posts here, I began scanning E-Bay for these lenses and was surprised at many of the f2.8 versions (both VR & VR-II) bid at lower prices than the f4 version. Am I missing something?

Older vs newer? There are several versions of the 70-200mm lens. Nikon Inc, vs import? Condition? There's no shutter count on a lens, so you have to examine the body carefully for signs of wear. It takes a lot of use to put wear marks on a good lens.

Sold listings on eBay -
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=nikon+70-200+mm&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

A Frame

I have been studying the 70-200 lens for several months now and am now suddenly finding that the FL version has suddenly dropped in price from something over $2700.00 dollars now down to right around $2100.00 dollars (new). Has anyone an answer to this price drop?
Thanks

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

A Frame wrote:

I have been studying the 70-200 lens for several months now and am now suddenly finding that the FL version has suddenly dropped in price from something over $2700.00 dollars now down to right around $2100.00 dollars (new). Has anyone an answer to this price drop?
Thanks

It is called Marketing.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

A Frame wrote:

I have been studying the 70-200 lens for several months now and am now suddenly finding that the FL version has suddenly dropped in price from something over $2700.00 dollars now down to right around $2100.00 dollars (new). Has anyone an answer to this price drop?
Thanks

Guess that they can't sell them at $2700 so try $2100 and see how many customers bite.