In article <09970021232614.OUI63.rainer_strehlow@compuserve.com>, rainer_strehlow@compuserve.com says...
[most of post deleted...]
>Has anybody else experience with this lens yet? For my own part I am a
>little disappointed. I had expected more from a Nikkor that costs more
>than DM 2000 (US$ 1400). My dealer noted the focus variation and the
>distorsion, too (and was scared with the distorsion) and she (yes, it's
>a lady!) promised she will ask the Nikon rep about it. I will ask her to
>have a closer look at future deliveries and once there will be a lens
>with at least less focus variation (that may vary from lens to lens
>while I understand the distorsion to be a design fault) I will have a
>look at it again. For the time being I will stay with my 4.5/80-200.

If you were using an FM2 to judge linear distortion (by checking
in the finder), you should be aware that most modern SLR's have
considerable pincushion linear distortion in the viewfinder
itself... The Nikon F, F2, F3, F4 (and probably F5) are free
of VF linear distortion, and can therefore be used to evaluate
lens distortion easily (though using a grid screen in other
bodies can help, but it still doesn't allow you to check
distortion at the frame edges).
Focus shift with zooming is unfortunately common with Nikkor
zooms, and is sample-dependent. Since focus often shifts smoothly
more beyond infinity with zooming toward the short end of the
range, it is sometimes possible to add thin shims under the
lens bayonette to even out the focus (easier with MF and AF non-D
zooms than with AFD's, though, due to the presence of some wiring).
Hope This Helps