Nikkor 80-200 2.8 Color and Washout Problems

[Garbz]

I have not had an issue with this lens on a D200 at all. (Also the MkIII model). The optics are superb. Could it be that the optics are damaged slightly? Scratches or the coating removed by, for instance cleaning with a benzine solution, would cause contrast issues. Compare the images to what I have below. Are the worse or better?

Here's an example, under exposed and curves not touched. Just saturation bumped slightly:

Slightly over exposed shot again curves untouched. There is low contrast in this shot, but comparable with every other great lens I have used: