I can't rate it as excellent due to the focal breathing. Nor can I rate it average. So 4 stars is a compromise. Sorry, Nikon.

Stunning IQ; beautifully built

Awful focus breathing that will matter a good deal to some shooters

Was a little reluctant to shell out the best part of 2 grand on this lens, but boy was it worth it! The Pros say that good lenses improve your photos. Couldn't agree more. Love it. Sharp, big constant aperture and is just a top quality item. Only downside?

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

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 ...

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

Nikon's long-awaited successor to its 70-200mm F2.8 VR was always going to be held up to very close scrutiny when it finally saw the light of day. Because while the original was a superb lens on DX cameras, it suffered from some well-publicised optical defects on full-frame cameras which became...

Excellent image quality on both DX and FX formats; especially at 200mm; Superb build quality with dust and moisture sealing; Excellent optical image stabilization; Excellent autofocus with manual override

Pronounced focus 'breathing', i.e; widening of the angle of view on focusing closer, Reduced maximum magnification compared to previous version, Somewhat susceptible to flare with direct light sources in or close to the frame, Poorly-designed lens hood - too shallow, and with curved ends, Slightly...

The Nikon AF-S 70-200 VR II is a very good zoom lens that delivers excellent sharpness wide open already, at least in the image center. Vignetting is very well controlled and CAs as well as distortion are typical for a lens in this class.

Nikon's 'Mark II' 70-200mm telezoom fixes the problems suffered by the previous version on full frame bodies, while updating to the latest and greatest VR system. It's an equally accomplished performer on both DX and FX that will satisfy the most demanding of photographers.

Professional shooters and advanced amateurs demanding the finest optical performance available in a telephoto zoom;

Anyone who values portability and convenience over all-out image quality;

Few lenses have been as eagerly anticipated as Nikon's flagship AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 GII ED telezoom and even at £1999, orders have flooded in. In this exclusive preview, we see how it matches up with its predecessor

Resolution; Low distortion and flare; Fast aperture; Handling throughout

Price; It's heavy

Nikon's pro zoom is a stunning beast of an optic, with consistently excellent results across the focal range

Consistent high resolution

Fiddly M/AF switch