Less than 500 for this quality !! Could do better in this brightness range (4.5-5.6). The sharpness is very good throughout the focal range. Combined with an APS-C casing or DX format (D5000 in my case) the magnification is very comfortable. I was able to capture a woodpecker perched on an oak tree 40 meters. The objective was mounded to 300 mm, triggering done freehand (no distance). After serious crop in RAW (passage of a screen adjustment from 45 to 85%) and lègère correction light, I get a beautiful image. This means that AF (fast!) Is very precise and the stabilization system (VR twice!) Is infallible. But above all, what piqued! I am very excited about this stone, even if it weighs its weight (750g for a size of 8 x 14.5 cm; 2 times 55-200) on the move. I take off a star because it is not designed to be increased by an extension ring, whatever it is, which can be a source of frustration. This goal is highly recommendable, especially as the quality is very much higher than the 18-200 VR that has the air of a plastic toy next. I'm talking here about the quality felt during the takeover because the 55-200 was not ashamed of its services in terms of image given its frankly affordable price. I also recommend it for lack of resources for the 70-300, although I dropped in search of a stronger and better tele lenses. To find better, maybe we should ogle towards the 70-200mm f2.8 ... 3 times more expensive!
