70-200 2.8 VR help

I rented the AF-S VR Nikkor 70-200 2.8 G lens for a big game this weekend. I felt like a kid on xmas morning when it showed up in the mail today. However, I soon felt like an adult on xmas morning when I realized there wasn't an instrctional manual to go with it. I plan on using it on a monopod and free-hand for a football game in the Carrier Dome this weekend which is low light at best. Has anyone got experience with this lens? Any suggestions on settings, etc? I'm using a D-70, btw.

all right, since you are dealing with low light:

1) use VR ON Normal- NEVER use ACTIVE unless you're on a moving car, boat, or plane. Even on a monopod

2) get a high shutter speed regardless of VR- remember it cannot compensate for subject motion.

3) focus limiter should be set to ∞-2.5m

Thanks for the help - I did searches on the web for the booklet that comes with the lens to no avail. People want to sell me the lens or tell me how great it is but there is barely no info on how to actually use it to its best abilities. I usually use a 70-210 4/5.6 D lens for outdoor sports events so this is a huge change for me.

Just three more qustions - what does the focus limiter do and for what benefit does it offer? What are the three buttons around the front of the lens for? Do you suggest a monopod or do you use it free hand until what conditions (shutter/ap readings) occur?

All right. The lens, in my experience, tends to work best at f/4-5.6ish, but f/2.8 is plenty good. It does flare when pointed at the sun, but you'll be likely to have a loss of contrast before any actual flare effects. It's pretty heavy moving up from the 70-210- I'd suggest using the monopod 100% of the time if you can, if for no reason other than it takes some stress off your arms. The three buttons around the front of the lens are AF-Lock buttons. they will lock the autofocus wherever it is when you push it down. keep it held down as long as you want the lock. Great for pre-focusing for say a kickoff.

Focus limiter has the function of restricting the focus range to go from infinity to a distance a bit further out than the physical minimum focus distance. the difference is about a meter, but the end result is the focus speed is DOUBLED. This is because on a focus ring, as you focus closer, the amount you need to turn the ring for the same change in focus distance increases exponentially or logarithmically or something complicated-sounding like that. Basically the focus range from 1.5m (minimum focus distance) to 2.5m is literally half of the entire focusing range of the lens.

It is definitely possible to use the lens freehand, but with that amount of weight, even with VR it can be tough to handle especially for long periods of time. Good technique is key, even with VR. Just remember VR is not a cure-all and you'll be way better off than you would be otherwise :)

Thank you Deckcadet for all of your valuable help. I had the lens for a week and almost cried when I shipped it back out to rentglass.com yesterday. I don't mean to turn this into a commercial but I highly recommend this company.

As soon as I get the chance I'll update my site and then post examples from the game.