Sticking zoom problem 200-500vr, was it resolved by Nikon?

[captain birdseye]

I am considering re purchasing the Nikon 200-500vr , I owned one in the past but sold all my gear to pursue other interests at the time and am now returning to photography.
At the time I was using it with a D500 and had great results so, as I have now purchased a D850 I would like to have some good reach from a lens.
My question is, did Nikon ever officially resolve the issue of the zoom action sticking on th 200-500vr?
Was it common on just the earlier copies of the lens or is it an issue with later copies too?

 

[Browncoat]

I do remember a lot of complaints about that lens when it came out, as it was very popular with bird watchers. Mostly the zoom ring sticking and issues with the VR. Nothing recent comes to mind, though...aside from the weight and the AF seems a bit slow. It's probably 10-ish years old by now, so I would imagine they've got the kinks worked out. I'd be cautious if buying used, but the new ones should be fine.

 

[captain birdseye]

Yes, I was thinking that it would have been worked out by now and it does still seem to be in production.
What always makes me laugh is people saying it is heavy, I had no issue even with my puny elderly arms.
In fact, it is lighter than the sigma sport and nikon 200-400vr, also the 500 f4.
What I really loved was the close up performance when shooting dragonflies.

 

[Clovishound]

I have owned the 200-500 F5.6 for several years now. I have found it to be a very good performer. I got mine to use on my new, at the time, Z5. There were no affordable long teles for the Z cameras at the time, so I got this lens and an adapter. It has seen quite a bit of use, and a little abuse, over the last couple years with no issues either mechanical, or electronic. I have considered switching to the new(ish) Z 180-600, but everything I have read online says if you are happy with the 200-500, stick with it. I have since moved on to the Z8, but have no plans to replace the 200-500 anytime soon. It has long been considered one of the best bang for the buck long lenses for Nikon, and adapts well if you decide to move to mirrorless in the future.

 

[Woodyg3]

There were problems with sticking zoom on that lens, but I haven't heard that complaint for quite a while, so maybe they addressed it in production. I had to have the VR fixed once when I owned that lens. Not a bad lens for the price. Certainly better than the Tamron 150-600 in my experience. Sharper and faster AF.