I finally got my hands on the “new” Nikon 200-500f5.6VR lens these last couple of days. I have one for a couple of weeks for the express purpose of hopefully answering the many questions that have come in from your folks about this “inexpensive” Nikkor telephoto lens. Many ask, “Is it worth the price?” IMHO, it’s a great lens for the price. “Is it as good as Nikon’s “expensive” telephotos?” That’s the big question I want to put a quantitative answer to but might not succeed. I shot with the lens this past weekend for the first time at the Oklahoma Zoo and my first two big impressions of the 200-500 is 1: not very well balanced and 2: the AF is slow. And as you can see from these shots taken handheld though, the lens produces results. First impressions, it’s a really nice lens! mtc
