AF VR Zoom-NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED - opinions

[ZWolfe21]

I've added a few lenses since I bought my D300, 50mm 1.8, 105mm Macro (All nikkor), but the kit 18-200mm isn't giving me the telephoto I'm seeing I need (nature photography). Without 7 grand I'm willing to spend on a prime tele or a higher quality 200-400, I've started to ponder the 80-400. While the wide zoom worries me a bit on performance, most of the reviews found HERE on Nikon's website say it's a good lens, but the older AF system is slow, to be expected I suppose. But I was wondering what some others think? About the AF, it's overall performance, ext.

I may later get something like the 17-55mm dx 2.8 lens for portraits and landscapes but ATM I don't see the need for just the 2.8 aperture. But I do find I need a longer tele and want to know others opinions on the 80-400. Albeit being able to stop-down from 2.8 1-2 stops would perhaps help yield sharper images, but again that's not the priority.

Thanks for any help here folks!


AF VR Zoom-NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED from Nikon