Just got this lens for my Nikon D7000. A Coopers Hawk decided to have dinner in my yard so I grabbed this lens. The enclosed shots are handheld, with the ISO at 1250, 1/320 @ f6.3, with VR on. I'm happy and can't wait to see the performance once I can mount it on a tripod.

Fast focusing; Quality Glass

Tripod foot

A word of warning-this is absolutely a LAYMAN'S REVIEW. I am not a professional, and not even a serious amateur, but I have been dabbling in wild-life (particularly birds) photography for almost 5 years.

I traded my 70-200 f 2.8mm lens for this new Nikon 80-400mm lens and in some way am a little disappointed with the decision, as the quality achieve with this lens despite what others may say, is still a mile off the quality you will be able to achieve with your prime lenses.

I have been using this lens for more than a year now and it stays on my camera all the time except for when I have special projects. I am mostly into birds and other wildlife. This lens is light enough for me to carry all day and sharp enough for great detail. Contrast and detail are very good.

"With some financial trepidation, I explored the internet reviews of this lens and decided to buy it in the late fall of 2013. I am not disappointed!! On a photo shoot in Cuba, it performed superbly in capturing birds and para-sailers.

This lens takes excellent high resolution photographs throughout the zoom range and has a fast enough maximum aperture to work even on cloudy days beyond the flash range.

Excellent quality and fine detail images

Non that I can see

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR ($2,299.95) is an appealing walkaround lens for nature photographers and sports shooters working in bright light who appreciate a long range of coverage, but don't need to shoot in the dim lighting that makes event photographers reach for a fixed f/2.8...

Strong sharpness through most of range; Long telephoto reach; Optical stabilization; Minimal distortion; Relatively lightweight; Includes tripod collar and hood

Sharpness dips at 400mm and toward edges of frame; Pricey

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR ($2,299.95) is an appealing walkaround lens for nature photographers and sports shooters working in bright light who appreciate a long range of coverage, but don't need to shoot in the dim lighting that makes event photographers reach for a fixed f/2.8 lens. It covers nearly twice the range as the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II ($2,424.00 at Amazon) for about the same price, at the cost of a narrower maximum aperture that puts more limits on depth of field control and light-gathering capability. Image quality is strong through most of the zoom range, with a drop at 400mm that can be compensated for by stopping down, making it a solid option for Nikon photographers in want of a telezoom. It's not quite the equal of the less expensive Sigma 150-600mm DG OS HSM Contemporary ($899.00 at Amazon) , our Editors' Choice telezoom. But the Sigma trades some wide-angle coverage for telephoto reach, and is notably heavier, which will stee...

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens offers the convenience of a long range and doesn't show a lot of distortion, but images lose some crispness when zoomed all the way in.

Strong sharpness through most of range; Long telephoto reach; Optical stabilization; Minimal distortion; Relatively lightweight; Includes tripod collar and hood

Sharpness dips at 400mm and toward edges of frame; Pricey

This lens offers a both a considerable zoom and great image quality. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens is perfect for those wanting to upgrade who enjoy shooting subjects at long distances.

Gary Wolstenholme reviews the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II lens.

Excellent sharpness; Fast silent focusing; Very low CA; Low distortion; Weather sealed; Effective VR system

Could be considered expensive at current prices