Blacktop I have the Nikkor 80-200 2.8 D
I cannot recommend it enough - it is absolutely killer.
I believe I have a couple pics on my surf thread taken with the lens I believe I posted multiple pics shot with the lens in my D1 Basketball thread as well.....
I bought mine apparently unused from my trusted LCS with case for $500.
They pop up all the time on craigslist, folks think they need to tech up another $2K to get the shot. Advantage Blacktop on his quest.
Forgive the link to the reviewer who cannot be named but this is my lens.....
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D Review
His review in this case could not be more bang on.
Get one @
Blacktop you will thank me. I am dead serious I would not trade my lens straight up for a new 70-200 f 2.8 VR. Not a chance, I love this thing. With the 2.8 and the ability to bump up ISO a bit on the D700 I have zero need for VR with what I shoot. I can get big shutter speeds in nearly all conditions. The picture in the post below was at dusk and shot from about 150 yards offshore. Shot RAW and cropped via Nikon capture NX-D. As you can see I still had one full stop in reserve at ISO 800 at 1/800.
The lens is heavy but I am very old school and prefer heft in my serious shooting. With the MB -D10 attached the D700 / 80-200 f 2.8 pairing is beast mode.