Even at f/2.8, it's scalpel-sharp from edge to edge. Remember that only a thin plane, not everything, is in perfect focus at f/2.8. VR ( Vibration Reduction) lets me hand-hold at almost any speed for when I need depth of field. No tripod needed! The Nikon 70-200/2.8 FL is made better than most other Nikon autofocus lenses. It's got metal where we need it, and plastic where we can save weight. Nano Crystal Coat (N): an anti-reflection coating which varies its index of refraction continuously to achieve even greater reflection reduction. It's probably only on one surface, and is used mostly for marketing purposes.

This 70-200/2.8 is lighter and focuses closer than any other 70-200/2.8. Yes, it's at least as sharp as any other 70-200, but when you earn your living with it every day, what really matters is weight and close focus instance All pro 70-200mm lenses are ultrasharp, but that doesn't matter if the subject is too close to get in focus! The camera reads the effective lens speed (f/5.6 maximum instead of f/2.8) and actual focal length (140~400mm) with a 2x converter. The lens' four AF buttons are much easier to reach than using the one on the camera. The lens' AF buttons are easy to use while holding the camera in any orientation. The only reason I don't have one myself is because I usually use my 80-400mm VR instead, since I shoot things that don't move and prefer the longer range. For less money, the B+W 77mm 010 is an excellent filter, as is the multicoated version and the basic multicoated Hoya filters or the 77mm Nikon Clear (NC - UV), but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.

This Nikon 70-200mm VR was Nikon's top professional zoom for news and sports photographers from its introduction in 2003 through the Fall of 2009 when it was replaced by the very similar 70-200mm VR II. Today this original 70-200 VR is still a remarkable professional lens. The only things the newer lenses do is focus a little more closely, weigh a little less, or maybe have a hair more sharpness visible only in the laboratory. The D500, D90, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D7000, D7100, D7200, D5, D4, D4s, D600, D610, D750, D800, D800E, D810, Df and all newer cameras can be set to correct the distortion automatically in-camera —so long as you have the latest camera firmware installed in your camera! you want to afford it by all means go get one. You'll love it. Everyone else I've met who owns one loves it to death.

The 70-200mm VR isn't very hot on the TC-20E. If you have all three TCs and do a direct comparison as I did, the results from the TC-20E and 70-200 VR combination are clearly inferior to any other combination, looking at D3 output at 100%. AF seems almost as fast and sure. It's not quite as fast as without a TC, but not much slower either. Look at how sharp is the metal mesh, even in the corners, and this is shot wide-open at f/2.8 at 36 megapixels. You can't get sharper than this.

prevents the lens from focussing closer than 5 meters (15 feet). Use this only if you're having a problem with the lens trying to focus too closely, for instance, if interfering objects are in the way. Pros laughed at that review. Pros wrote me from all over the world telling me how their 70-200mm is the best lens they've ever owned, how they earn their living with it day-in and day-out, in the dark, in the rain, indoors and outdoors, and how other pros call them asking what lens was used for such-and-such shot since it was so sharp. One pro wrote that he's glad he never read that review, since if he did he might never take his 70-200 out of his bag! It gets a little closer than that. AF stops just short of the manual focus stop, so if you're at the edge, twist the focus ring by hand and you may get what you need.

If you're a tripod-hugger who demands the very highest sharpness in the corners at 200mm, you'll prefer the 200mm f/4 AF Micro-NIKKOR instead at 200mm. Normal people and pros love the 70-200 VR.This 70-200 has very little focus breathing. It has none at 70mm, and very little at the longer focal lengths, where the image grow slightly as focussed more closely. Be sure your card has the same serial number as your lens, otherwise it's worthless. The serial number on the box should also match the lens and warranty card.