New 70-200/f4 first impressions and samples

I was able to shoot a few shots with the 70-200/f4 this weekend. I had been trying to decide
between the new f4 and f2.8 VRII version. I ended up going with f4. The smaller size of the lens
was a big plus when it came to carrying it in my photo backpack. I think the difference in size
between the f4 and f2.8 vrII comes down to what you are willing to put up with. The 2.8 would
have definitely been too big for convenient carrying by me. I think size was a bigger factor for
me than weight. I was able to slip it attached to my D600 into a fairly narrow carrying slot in
my Tamrac case. It would have been impossible with the 2.8. However, I could *not* fit the
camera+lens into my Lowepro 200aw. It was too long. Keep that in mind if you have that same
backpack.

With regard to actual shooting, I found the close focus and magnification improvement over the
f2.8 to be very useful. For instance, in the close quarters of our breakfast table I was able to
use the lens at 70mm and fill the viewfinder with the face of my subject. In my testing of the
70-200 f2.8 vrii, @70mm I could not focus closely enough to fill the viewfinder with just the
face. It was more of a face and 1/2-torso shot. For shots beyond the minimum focusing distance,
I could definitely see where f2.8 would have been useful for subject isolation. It's a trade-off
that will depend on your priorities.

The improved VR of the f4 lens was noticeable as was its quickness to focus. I found it very
easy to hand hold down to 1/30th of a second. Nice. Anyways, here's some photos I shot this weekend. I missed the focus on the old wood pattern, but I still liked it.