I really can't recall the last time I became so emotionally involved with a lens. This affordable Nikkor telephoto zoom is sharp, easy to hold, and at under $1400 you simply cannot go wrong. If I sound excited, I am!

It's been a tempting couple of years for sports and wildlife photographers, with a flurry of very affordable super-telephoto zoom releases. First Tamron impressed with its game-changing 150-600mm f/5-6.3, then Sigma released its own brace of widely acclaimed 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lenses.

The age of the relatively affordable super telephoto zoom lens is upon us. Nikon's entry into the foray, the AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR ($1,339.95), combines crisp optics with a narrow aperture that helps to keep its weight manageable and its price down to earth.

Sharp optics; Long telephoto reach; Fixed f/5.6 maximum aperture; Optical stabilization; Includes removable tripod collar

Competing lenses zoom further; Edges soft at 200mm; Not compatible with some older D-SLRs

The age of the relatively affordable super telephoto zoom lens is upon us. Nikon's entry into the foray, the AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR ($1,339.95), combines crisp optics with a narrow aperture that helps to keep its weight manageable and its price down to earth. It is, after all, a bargain compared with the shorter, but faster, AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II. The 200-500mm's development and release is no doubt in response to a spate of third-party zooms that are cut from the same cloth. Our favorite of those, and the reigning Editors' Choice for this class of lens, is the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary, which outguns the Nikon, while undercutting its cost. DesignThe 200-500mm is a hefty lens, which is not surprising given its range of coverage. It measures 10.5 by 4.25 inches (HD), has a huge front element that accepts 95mm filters, and weighs 5.1 pounds. It's heavier than some of the competition—the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary is lighter at 4.3 poun...

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR is a long telezoom lens that nets sharp results, but there are better values available.

Sharp optics; Long telephoto reach; Fixed f/5.6 maximum aperture; Optical stabilization; Includes removable tripod collar

Competing lenses zoom further; Edges soft at 200mm; Not compatible with some older D-SLRs

With a long zoom range at a tempting price, Nikon's AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens could be outstanding. Phil Hall tries it out on a wildlife photography trip

I can't say enough good things about Buydig service it was excellent. They sent me an RMA and a return label and credited my account right away. I have been a Buydig customer for years and this is the first time I have had to return anything. The lens gets two stars but Buydig gets Five!

Well made; solid build

Focus problems that Nikon could not determine why or figure out how to correct; It continuously back focused and since my particular camera does not have adjustment for that, subjects were always soft if they were at any distance; Ran any number of tests and this lens continued to underperform.

I would highly recommend this lens to anyone who does what it's designed to do: wildlife photography, distant landscape and architectural detail. It's not too hard to carry, even with the neck strap, although some kind of sling would help.

Extremely sharp; remarkable VR; excellent contrast and color rendition; reasonable price

Heavy; long; clumsy

After using 3rd party lenses for a long time, I made the decision to switch over to this lens. And boy, ain't I glad I made the switch? There is a vast difference in the image quality.The f 5.6 is a just apt for making beautiful images at a long end 500 mm.

The lens is heavy, but can be hand held. The the photo quality is best at close range.

Very happy to purchased the Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 VR lens. It is very sharp in 500mm too. (Muy contento en haber comprado el lente Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 VR. Es muy nítido en 500mm también)

Great in 500mm and Excellent VR

Heavy Weight