PRO: Very good sharpness even in the peripheral areas, even at full aperture, outstanding from Aperture 5.6. Extremely fast, quiet and accurate AF thanks to SWM (Silent Wave Motor). Focus limitation. VR works perfectly. Tack-sharp shots at 200mm with 1/30, with a practiced and steady hand even at 1/15 no problem! Have even sharp shots at 1/8 hingekriegt !!!. Very good color reproduction and brilliance. ME almost distortion. Very solidly built (has already survived a ski crash in backpack harmless!). Very pleasant finish, grip adjustment rings, good ergonomics is well in hand. Focus Preset buttons on the front of the lens to the "panning" (keys could be positioned somewhat closer towards the camera). Zoom ring runs very smoothly and accurately. Manual focusing very pleasant and accurately, focus ring running light and supple, has no game. Stable tripod collar, exactly in focus with a F100 or D200, can be assembled / disassembled easily. 77mm filter thread (standard for professional lenses). Supplied Soft Case Bag (spacious, can be attached to the lap belt of a backpack, a practical access). Works well with the TC-20E converter? CONS: power-hungry (but is excusable considering the technical equipment such as SWM & VR and to be expected). Game on a bayonet F100 and D200 (awakened in this point the impression faulty workmanship, but apparently does not affect the operation or image quality). VR must be turned off before turning the camera off or before unlocking the lens - no automatic shutdown! In forgetting the previous shutdown of the VR loose rattling in the lens. Whether this can cause damage to the VR, I do not know, but there is at least cause for skepticism. No excuse for bad pictures !!! Striking among the public, attracts attention to passers-by. Therefore, little suited for snapshots from "unobserved" position. No lens for Backpack Individual Travel (too big, too heavy, too precious) - is the price of a professional tool. NOTES: The last "Kick" would be even if Nikon would enhance the proven VR 80-400 with the above properties. In principle, this optic lacking actually only the SWM (and maybe a little more intensity). RECOMMENDATION: Definitely one of the best viewpoints that Nikon has ever produced. For professional use definitely a Buying tip. Those who want to save money and can do without VR, the reach safely to 80-200 / 2.8 - visually equivalent, equally robust and despite missing SWM very quickly and accurately in focus!
