I've used this lens now for two years or so. Overall it's an amazing piece of design. The focus is lightning fast and razor sharp at all focal lengths. The VR is effective, minimizing the need for a tripod or monopod. The lens is really fast too. It's one of the best lenses I've ever owned. But ...

Use for general photography, but think twice about taking it with me if I have any distance to walk, will always see if lighter lens will do the job

Good

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II ($2,399.95) is the company's pro-level telezoom lens. It covers a zoom range that's essential for wedding and event photographers, and maintains a maximum f/2.8 aperture through its entire zoom range.

Sharp throughout zoom range; Doesn't extend when zooming; Focus limiter switch; In-lens vibration reduction; Includes tripod collar

Some pincushion distortion; Close focus limited to 4.6 feet

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II ($2,399.95) is the company's pro-level telezoom lens. It covers a zoom range that's essential for wedding and event photographers, and maintains a maximum f/2.8 aperture through its entire zoom range. Add in vibration reduction, a sturdy build quality, and an integrated tripod collar and you have a lens that pairs well with Nikon's full-frame D-SLR camera lineup. It's not perfect; its close-focus capability is a bit limited when compared with the competition, and there's some pincushion distortion when zoomed in. The Nikkor is a fantastic lens for Nikon shooters, but our Editors' Choice 70-200mm is still the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM ($2,199.00 at Amazon) , which is just a bit better. The Nikkor lens ($2,424.00 at Amazon)  measures 8.1 by 3.4 inches (HD), weighs 3.4 pounds, and supports 77mm front filters. Its metal barrel is cool to the touch, and there's a gasket around the lens mount to protect the lens and camera from the...

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II is the go-to lens for many an event photographer, and it's a good one.

Sharp throughout zoom range; Doesn't extend when zooming; Focus limiter switch; In-lens vibration reduction; Includes tripod collar

Some pincushion distortion; Close focus limited to 4.6 feet

Fantastic edge to edge Image Quality: -Compared to the previous VR I version, image softness on the edges has been greatly improved thanks to the professional optics that Nikon has implemented in this lens.

Easy to use; Build quality

Bulky

As an amateur photographer, with an 80-400mm zoom lens already in my bag, this lens was a purchase of the heart, not the head. Any regrets? None. This lens is superb. While it may be a similar weight and length to the 80-400mm zoom, it is thinner, making it a little less obtrusive.

Love love the lens. I have tested it on my D700 and D7000. It is so sharp and smooth. I regret that I have waited for this long to get it. It is sure heavy. I am thinking of getting a monopod to go with it.

Easy To Use; Fast / Accurate Auto-Focus; Good Image Quality; Good Image Stabilization; Sharp

Expensive; Heavy

Matched up with my D810. Wanted a quality versatile lense to match up with a quality camera. This was the ticket. Lense is heavy but manageable.

Clarity; versatiltiy

Heavy

I happy with this GLASS :D

Fast focus,sharp; very good contrast

Heavy