Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens. This professional-grade telephoto zoom lens is designed for Nikon F-mount DSLR cameras, offering a powerful combination of speed, reach, and optical quality. It is ideal for a wide range of photographic situations, including sports, events, weddings, wildlife, and portraiture. This manual provides essential information for the proper setup, operation, and maintenance of your lens.

2. Product Features

• Focal Length Range: 70-200mm, providing versatile telephoto capabilities.
• Constant Aperture: A fast f/2.8 maximum aperture maintained throughout the zoom range, excellent for low-light conditions and achieving shallow depth of field.
• Vibration Reduction (VR): Optical image stabilization offering up to 4 stops of shake correction, ensuring sharp images even at slower shutter speeds or in challenging lighting.
• Advanced Optical Design: Incorporates 6 ED glass elements, Fluorite, and HRI elements to minimize chromatic aberration and maintain sharpness and contrast.
• Fluorine Coating: Applied to the front and rear elements for easier cleaning and protection against smudges and dirt.
• Weather-Sealed Construction: The lens barrel is sealed against dust and moisture, making it suitable for use in various environmental conditions.
• Electronic Diaphragm: Ensures accurate exposure control, especially during high-speed continuous shooting.
• Close Focusing: Minimum focus distance of 3.6 feet (1.1 meters) for detailed close-up shots.
• Customizable Function Buttons: Four focus function buttons on the barrel for quick engagement or locking of focus.

3. Setup

3.1 Attaching the Lens

1. Ensure both the camera and lens are powered off.
2. Remove the rear lens cap and the camera body cap.
3. Align the mounting mark on the lens with the mounting mark on the camera body.
4. Rotate the lens counter-clockwise until it clicks into place.

3.2 Attaching the Lens Hood (HB-78)

1. Align the lens hood mounting mark with the mark on the front of the lens.
2. Rotate the hood clockwise until it clicks into place.
3. To remove, press the release button on the hood and rotate counter-clockwise.

Figure 1: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens mounted on a Nikon DSLR camera body. The lens features a black finish with gold accents and various control switches on the side.

4. Operating the Lens

4.1 Focus Mode Switch

• A/M (Autofocus with Manual override): Allows for quick manual focus adjustment after autofocus has been achieved.
• M/A (Manual override with Autofocus priority): Similar to A/M, but requires more rotation of the focus ring before manual override engages.
• M (Manual Focus): For full manual control of focus.

4.2 Focus Limit Switch

• FULL: Allows focusing over the entire range from minimum focus distance to infinity.
• ∞-5m: Limits the focus range from 5 meters to infinity, speeding up autofocus when subjects are distant.

4.3 Vibration Reduction (VR) Switch

• OFF: Disables vibration reduction. Recommended when using a tripod.
• NORMAL: For general shooting, compensating for camera shake in various directions.
• SPORT: Ideal for shooting unpredictable subjects, such as sports, allowing for easier panning and tracking.

4.4 AF-L/AF-ON Buttons

These customizable buttons can be programmed via your camera's menu to perform various functions, such as autofocus lock (AF-L) or autofocus on (AF-ON), providing quick access to critical controls without moving your hand from the lens barrel.

Figure 2: Close-up view of the control switches on the side of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens, including focus mode, focus limit, and VR mode selectors.

5. Maintenance

• Cleaning the Lens: Use a soft, lint-free cloth and lens cleaning solution to gently wipe the front and rear elements. Avoid touching the glass with bare hands.
• Cleaning the Lens Barrel: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the exterior of the lens. Do not use organic solvents.
• Storage: Store the lens in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Use lens caps when not in use.
• Dust and Moisture: The lens is weather-sealed, but avoid prolonged exposure to heavy rain or dusty environments. If exposed, wipe clean immediately.

6. Troubleshooting

• Autofocus not working:
  • Ensure the lens focus mode switch is set to A/M or M/A.
  • Check if the camera's focus mode is set to autofocus.
  • Verify that the focus limit switch is not restricting the focus range too much for your subject.
• Images are blurry:
  • Ensure the VR switch is set to NORMAL or SPORT if shooting handheld.
  • Check your shutter speed; it might be too slow for handheld shooting without VR.
  • Verify that the lens and camera are securely mounted.
• Lens not recognized by camera:
  • Ensure the lens is properly attached and locked onto the camera body.
  • Clean the electrical contacts on both the lens and camera body with a clean, dry cloth.
  • Restart the camera.

7. Specifications

8. Warranty and Support

For warranty information and customer support, please refer to the official Nikon website or contact your local Nikon authorized dealer. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase for warranty claims.