Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF VR Lens

The 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Nikkor is the latest evolution of nikon's 80-200 range lenses. Over the years many versions have existed, but this is without a doubt the best.
The lens is ergonomically designed for ease of use- a nice control panel on the side controls AF and VR functions, while the raised zoom ring is on the thinner part of the lens barrel. This is much more comfortable than the large diameter of the older AF-S 80-200 f/2.8D that I previously owned. The focus ring is easily distinguished, and contains the transition to the larger portion of the lens at the front. This makes it easy to hold and manipulate. Ring type AF-S means that you can instantly change and override autofocus with just a move of this ring.
AF-S also results in blindingly fast focus with even the slowest digital bodies, and ever improving with the higher models. On my D70, the focus could cycle from infitity to 1.5m (close focus) and back in around 2 seconds. with the focus limiter, it can cycle from infinity to 2.5m and back to infinity in A SECOND OR LESS!
Vibration reduction brings a whole new level of use to this telephoto- now a photographer can use their great lens in low light handheld- fast response time, no need for a tripod all the way down to 1/5 second at 200mm if used with proper technique and VR is allowed to stabilize for around 5 seconds for maximum correction.
Extremely useful for static work, also useful for action shots when the light gets tough- it is easier to stop motion than camera shake- VR gives that added bit of help on a monopod or handheld once the shutter speed drops below that critical point.
But that is just the feature set of the lens....
Actually speaking about quality, there is no comparison. The 70-200 VR is amazingly sharp- practically lethal! It is fine at f/2.8, though I often stop down a bit to f/3.5 for a bit better quality while maintaining shallow depth of field. At F/4.0, the lens is brilliant, and at f/5.6 and f/8 the lens performs beyond even the highest expectations.
The 'Bokeh', or out of focus character, of the lens is praised extensively, with a 9 bladed diaphragm to provide a very smooth rendition. It is excellent for portraits as such.
Color rendition is very pleasing, with contrasty and vibrant images produced. Chromatic Aberration exists at very wide apertures, but isn't a problem in my opinion and once you stop down.
This lens outperforms my AF-s 80-200 f/2.8D ED-IF that was its immediate predecessor and up to now the best in the range.

One key improvement is also the tripod collar- instead of a flimsy completely removable rotating collar, the 70-200 VR now has a permanently integrated rotating tripod collar with quick release mounting foot! This is very useful as the lens can be removed quickly from a tripod or monopod for handholding, and the foot can be removed if it is in the way for handheld shooting. It also has opened the door for such comanies as Kirk's and Really Right Stuff, for example, to make replacement feet with an integrated Arca-Swiss style dovetail Quick Release for tripod heads with that sort of QR clamp.
The only problem is the rather small and hard to reach knob for tightening the collar's rotation- there are larger aftermarket replacements available.