Nikon AF-S VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 ED

introduction

original AF D version introduced in Jan 2000 was the 1st VR lens and replaced with the AF-S G version in 2013 which has nano coating, 2nd generation VR (“4EV” not 2-3EV), MF override, closer, quieter and faster AF as well as being bigger, heavier and more expensive
when used on DX cameras, gives field of view of 120-600mm in full frame terms

80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
3-4EV image stabiliser
20 elements in 12 groups incl. 4 ED and 1 Super ED
77mm filter
9 rounded blades
Nano coating Nikon Integrated Coating
Silent Wave Motor AF
focus limit switch to limit to 6m to infinity
5.7'/1.75m close focus (1.5m if manual focus)
55.1 oz./1,563g, 51.9 oz./1,470g without collar
95.5mm x 203mm and lens extends on zooming using pump action design in which air, and thus dirt, are pumped in and out all the time into both your lens and your camera
plastic bayonet lens hood
$US2299

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80-400mm.htm
http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1602
- much sharper at 400mm than its predecessor
- full-frame images past 200mm at the widest apertures appear to have more corner softness
- Unfortunately, we had difficulty obtaining good IS results at 400mm
- tripod foot not as good as AF D version
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-80-400mm-F45-56G-ED-VR
http://photo.net/reviews/nikon-80-400G/