VR feature. Instantaneous response. Much, much quicker than my previous two ring version of the same lens. Nicely constructed. Can switch to manuel focus immediately.

None. Marks may show up more easily, because I have bought a white version of this lens.

I bought this lens from another photography enthusiast recently. Having sold the previous version of the same lens several months ago. Not that I am not happy with the old one, but I found the focusing speed cannot keep up with the action sometime. To me the picture quality is the same between the two, maybe the colour of the older version is very slightly warmer ? Could be due to the photo. lab. process, but the older version is definately has a slight 'warm feel' to it. Skin tone on this current version is very accurate. The VR feature is a bonus on this lens, it really does help to eliminate blurry pictures. Then again the use of a good solid tripod, and a cable release or self-timer does the same thing too. But it is good to know, the VR feature is availiable for those spontaneous moment. Yes, I still use the regular film to do my photography.

Customer Service

None needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

AF Zoom-Nikkor ED 80-200mm f/2.8D two rings non-AFS version.

Sharp and sharper, fast, build is superb.

No excuses. Bad pictures will be your fault!

Yes, this lens is already legend, and no, it's not just a bunch of people trying to justify spending a whole lot of cash on a lens. Make no mistake, this lens is BIG and expensive. It's not fitting into your travel bag nor is it at home at a friend's party. For that bring the 18-70mm, 28-200G or just bring a cheaper P&S type camera in case you spill beer on it! The 70-200 VR is a pro level lens that gets almost everything right. It's size is the byproduct of an optical design that really makes few, if any compromises. This lens is SHARP...as sharp as my 50mm prime and sharper wide open that you might believe or expect. On a D70 the focus is lightening fast and quite exact. Color rendition is the best I've seen. I do much less post processing when this baby is on the D70. On the problematic side, this lens is BIG. It's heavy and in the way, though reasonably easy to grasp. I added a Harbortronics portrait grip and the handling/balance is improved. It needs a big bag and focuses down to a bit under 5 feet. While it's a fantastic portrait lens, you need room to get the most out of it. My first shots with this lens put my more experienced lenses to shame. The bokeh, or quality of out-of-focus areas were creamy and pleasing. Subjects had a 3D quality to them. The VR system is exactly what you'd expect. I sat on my couch, framed the text on my DVD player about 8 feet away and shot at F/2.8 ISO 200 for a 1/2 second exposure. At 200mm (300mm on the D70) the image was sharp. Without VR I got a big blur. The real question is: Do you need a 1700 dollar lens? Answer: Only if you want it. The quality is all there at a level that has people talking about this lens like it's magic. I have friends who shoot pro with Canon and Nikon. Even the Canon users say the 70-200VR is the best of it's kind. Sell a kidney and buy one!

Similar Products Used:

Tokina 80-400, Nikon 28-200G, Nikon 70-300ED, 18-70mm Kit lens and so on..

Best in Class

None

The best lens in this range. Sharp! Fast! VR! Heavy, but not unacceptably so. I wouldn't want to hike 20 miles with in on a shoulder strap though. Great flexibility. Becomes a Macro with extension tubes (get the Kenko's). The 1.4x tele-extender is as sharp at 300mm f4 as the Nikon 300mm f4 prime. Spanks the 80-400mm VR in every way except price. Cool looking hood. It really is one of the greats.

Customer Service

A bit slow. Lens had a minor issue that took them weeks. Flawless repair.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 80-400mm VR

Sharp High-speed focusing Best colors VR

Heavy Expensive

Well, since I have purchased this lens' I can't take it off from the camera ... The results are amazing, so sharp, best colors ... And on top of everything - the VR - helps you take the sharpest pictures at 200mm in slow speeds when shooting without any tripod. In order to achive all thsi best, prepare to carry this 1.5 Kg on your camera body (and no, It's not so convenient just to hang it on your neck ...). I am very glad that I did not compromise, and waited a while until I could afford it. I recommend it to anyone who can, even if you are not a pro.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

SIgma 70-300 APO II

Fast focus Strong build VR does work but only for static subjects

Dissapointing quality control, sharpness varies widely across the frame. Very Long Focus hold buttons are way out on the end of the lens, who holds the lens out there?

I was very dissapointed with the performance of this lens. I had the 80-200mm af-s which was dropped, so I plunked down the cash to get this one. The optical quality is not too good on this lens. I can only suspect that with 21 elements, it is extremely hard to get them all aligned. My sample had extreme softness to the right side of the frame. I will have to send mine in to Nikon and wait a few weeks to get it back. You figure for a $1500 lens, quality control would be much better! If you don't shoot static subjects in low light, you don't need VR and should just buy the 80-200 af-s model if you can still find it.

Similar Products Used:

80-200mm af-s Sigma 70-300 4/5.6 ($150 and sharper lens)

- Sharp optics - Focus speed - Vibration reduction - Fast lens (f/2.8) - Nice balance - Built quality

- price (expensive) - at bout 26cm it is longer than old afs 80-200 f/2.8 (i had to change one of my carrying bag) - flare/ghosting (BUT! it has 21! elements)

bought this lens to replace afs 80-200. sharp optics, shot in (light) rain during last outing with my f5. balance nicely with f5. solid tripod mounting, able to get it off even your tripod does not have quick release. focus speed you expect from afs optics. taken some pics at night without flash with help of vibration reduction (handheld) at 1/4 and still sharp enough to be put on 8R photos. nice flare/ghosting considering it has 21 elements (it won't be nice compared to older afs 80-200).

Customer Service

not needed so far

Similar Products Used:

nikkor afs 300mm f/2.8 (seldom used) nikkor afs 80-200mm f/2.8 (good optics) nikkor afs 28-70mm f/2.8 (good optics) nikkor afs 17-35mm f/2.8 (good optics)

as above

none noticed yet

Sold my Nikon 80-200/f2.8 one touch and Nikon 300mm/f4.0 to buy this lens and have not been disapointed. I use it on a Fuji S2 and am thrilled with the focusing speed, brightness, ability to pan with VR turned on,detachable tripod foot (very solid) and overall build quality. I heartily recommend this lens to serious shooters.

Customer Service

not needed yet

Similar Products Used:

first VR lens

As stated above.

Puts a big hole in your wallet.

Short and sweet. It's about perfect. Superb sharpness, fast, and the VR does work great. Though it's not a guarantee I've landed some sharp shots at very slow shutter speeds. Even at 200mm. I have to wonder if someone who rates this lens a 3 even has one?

Good handling, relatively light weight, sharp and fast focusing.

Slight softness wide open. No apature ring

A superb tele zoom, my first.. This lens is amazingly handy,focussing is fast and accurate on the Fuji S2Pro. VR is very good, 80% of the shots are acceptable even at 1/10 sec. Sharpness is good, some slight softnes wide open.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 105/2.5 - 180/2.8 - 300/2.8

Image-quality. Af-speed and vr

Compatibility with my F4 and F90x bodies.

I used to have the 80-200 d ed and the 80-400 vr, but traded them in for the 70-200 and tc 20 converter. first of all i am putting less weight in my camerabag, i have a more flexible solution, and i have a lens that focuses really fast.The image quality of the lens, both with and without the converter is very good with a nice colour tone. I have never been clever bringing my tripod with, so the vr is a gift from Nikon.

Similar Products Used:

80-400 80-200