see also:

• Nikon F camera system lenses
• super telephoto lenses
• Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/4 lenses

• the traditional pro photographer's go to telephoto zoom lens and the 7th evolution of the world's 1st 80-200mm f/2.8 lens made by Nikon in 1982
• metal, solid build for pros
• f/2.8 aperture for lower light and shallower depth of field (DOF)
• f/4 versions for more compact, lighter weight shooting

• announced Oct 2016
• Improvements over its predecessor include a complete optical redesign (22 elements, including six ED, one fluorite and one high refractive index element) and fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements
• 100g lighter than the VR II and easier to hold as with the shift in the center of gravity, with more weight moved towards the mount
• the 'E' in '2.8E' denotes an electronic aperture actuator
• closer focusing at ~1.1 meters giving 0.21x
• AF-L / Off / AF-ON switch as well as focus limiter switch and weathersealing and “4EV” VR
• $US2800

• replaced old version in 2009 with improved VR and nano coatings, new optic design and more expensive and no longer has AF-Lock buttons nor 200mm FOV at close focus
• has significant focus breathing

Image courtesy of Ken Rockwell

• “4EV” VR II
• 21 elements in 16 groups incl. 7ED
• nano coating
• 9 rounded blades
• 77mm filter
• 4.6'/1.4m close focus HOWEVER effective focal length range contracts, effectively becoming a 65-135mm lens giving only 1:8.3!
• 54.3 oz/1,540g
• 87mm x 206mm
• $US2099

• http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70-200mm-ii.htm
  • only half the distortion of the earlier lenses
• http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-70-200-2p8-vrii-n15
• http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/834-nikkorafs7020028vr2 - on DX cameras
• http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_afs_nikkor_70_200mm_f_2_8_g_ed_vr_ii_review/

• 2003-2009
• replaced the AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8 which lacked VR, and in turn this replaced the AF-I 80-200mm f/2.8 which lacked the silent, fast AF as well as no VR

• 77mm filters
• “2-3 EV” VR
• 21 elements in 15 groups incl. 5ED
• multicoated
• 9 rounded blades
• close focus to 5 feet (1.5 meters) giving 1:5.6 with manual focus, 1:6.1 with AF
• 3 AF-Lock buttons to lock focus when pressed and held
• 51.8 oz/1,468g with tripod collar
• 87mm x 215mm

• http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70200vr.htm
• http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-70-200-2p8-vr-n15
• http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/247-nikkor-af-s-70-200mm-f28-g-if-ed-vr-review--test-report
• http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/AF-S-VR-Zoom-Nikkor-70-200mm-f-2.8G-IF-ED-mounted-on-Nikon-D800__792

• 1999-2004
• no VR
• bigger and more expensive than the AF-D version it replaced but gives faster, quieter AF

• 1997 onwards, replaced the push-pull version of 1993-1997
• see http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200.htm
  • “is about as sharp as, and focuses 80% as fast as the 70-200/2.8 VR II, which takes the same pictures but costs twice as much”