Michael Sampson wrote in message <35984CA9.7784@ibm.net>...

>Has anyone tried the new 70-300 AF-D Nikkor? I've looked at one in the
>camera store but wanted to find out what others had to say before I
>consider buying one.

OK, here goes...! ;-) Contrary to the almost universal praise
I've heard for this new Nikkor, I think it is mediocre, at best...
I have tried three samples of this lens, and I was not satisfied with
any (anyone want a well-aligned sample, LN, $350 plus $5 shipping?;-).
The first two samples were clearly out of alignment (opposite sides
of the frame had a different focus with the same subject at a constant
distance - mostly evident at the short end of the zoom range). At some
FL's overall sharpness was not particularly good. Edges and corners
throughout were not good at the widest stops. I was going to write up
a review of this lens, but performance was so disappointing that I
will not bother... An 80-200mm f2.8 on a TC14C was much more than
subtly better, so, though it is much heavier and larger (and a stop faster at the long end...), I will continue to use that for my near-300mm work (I also have a fine AIS 300mm f2.8 to sell, but
that's another story...;-).