Nikon AF Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR Lens

- images are sharp throughout the range
- works best in good light and with a good flash (SB800)
- focusing is slow if the light is not good....but the AF assist by SB800 helps. it is still ok, i have shot herons at night before.
- it may run faster on a d2x but i don't know (i use a D70)
- VR works great
- really good bang for buck, $$$$ for focal length.....

this lens suits my shooting style. i need a long lens, quick to deploy and not a pain to carry around.

this lens is great if.....
1. you have a reasonable budget (ie. you don't want to blow big money on 600mm primes and f/2.8 glass!)
2. you don't want to lug a monster around and STILL get 400mm of glass
3. you want to have a long tele lens on travel trips and don't want to break your back.
4. you are progressing from 70-300mm zooms

i always shoot at 400mm with VR. pictures are so much better that at 300mm handheld. so i guess VR works in terms of camera shake.

hope this helps, from a user who owns and uses this lens.

bottomline: Get it. price represents good value - where else can you find 400mm of quality glass with VR.