AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

I had the original VR version of this lens, and it has served me well, but after spending just a week with the newest version I am impressed beyond belief. The vr is better, the focus is faster, and it´s wonderfully sharp. (and that´s before fine tuning!) I am a weakling of an ´´old lady´´ and have no problem getting super sharp images at slow shutter speeds handheld. It has just become my favorite lens.

Owned nearly every Nikkor made in the past 40 years and professionally review and test lenses. This new NIKKOR 70-200 f2.8E FL has 1. incredible bandwidth (saturation). 2. unbelievable resolution 3. stellar bokeh 4. 25% approx faster AF tracking 5. Is very lightweight 6. higher T-stop than prior version.
Out of countless 100s of lens reviews, this NIKKOR 70-200 f2.8E FL is the ONLY very expensive I´ve rated as a must-own masterpiece. Kudos to Nikon on this divine optical gem! Its work EVERY penny

I was a bit skeptical because I heard they reversed the focus and zoom rings, which they did, but it makes not difference. Who lines up a shot then moves their hand in the split second before they take the shot? Anyway, this lens is lighter, faster, and sharper than it´s predecessor (already a legend). Virtually no more focus breathing either. It´s pricey but you get what you pay for. Great lens, pull the trigger.

I have only had this lens for a day, but so far from the test shots / portraits I´ve taken... wide open performance is extremely sharp on the D810 at all focal lenghts. Super fine detail and great contrast at f/2.8 make stopping down something I will only ever do if I need extra depth of field.

This thing is built like a tank and the reversed rings are something to get used to... but I personally use the tripod collar to support the lens and, in doing so, i´m able to place it on the palm of my hand and reach the zoom ring with my fingers and never worry about accidentally moving the focus ring.

The ability to add AF-ON or other features to the Fn buttons on the lens is nice, but nothing I plan on using any time in the near future... perhaps one day I will find a use for them.

Now... the moment we´ve all been waiting for with Nikon´s upgraded 70-200...

FOCUS BREATHING!!
So, i did a test of the Nikon 180mm 2.8D and the 70-200 2.8E from 5 and 10 feet away.

****At 5 feet the 180mm lens is slightly longer than the 70-200 at 200mm... meaning focus breathing is alive and well as the 200 appears to be somewhere along the line of 175mm (guestimate based on 180mm framing)

****At 10 feet the 180mm is very very slightly shorter than the 70-200 at 200mm... Now... I´m not scientifically measuring the results... but the 70-200 @200mm - 10ft looks roughly about 185mm compared to the 180mm 2.8D lens (as far as comparing image results and assuming the prime does not breathe)

I will do further tests at 15, 20 feet, but from the first 2 close focusing tests... focus breathing is alive and well, although significantly improved over the VRii breathing issues....

Incredibly frustrating that Nikon still has failed to fully correct focus breathing but at least its a marked improvement...