I feel for ya, I just got my baby's back and already have way to many pics to edit. The D2H/70-200 or 80-200 combo is the bomb Nikon service aint so bad. Good luck and hope your bill is reasonable. You will definantly get back a newer lens worth many years of service.
Sorry to hear about that. Seriously though, what goes around comes around. If he really did it intentionally, I honestly believe that he will get what he deserves. Maybe some 300lb player ran into him and break his ribs? Duh no...
Also, $hit happens in life. Sometimes we get physically injured, and sometimes we suffer from material lost. Sometimes things are gone and they are not replaceable, old family photos for instance or junks that has sentimental values to you.
In your case, money can pretty much solve 99% of your problems, you can send the lens in for repair, or you can even get a 70-200 VR and fix the 80-200 AFS on top of that. I know that money doesn't come easy, especially for young people like us, but trust me bro, it could've been a lot worse. Besides there are always money are there waiting for you, you just have to work for it.
I spent all my money to buy the lens, so it is taking a bit to make enough money back to repair the lens. I would love the VR model, but I can't see spending another 2000 on the same focal length lens...
I wish you the best Daniel, you've had a tough run of it lately. I followed your post about you and the ref, and hopefully that will work out too. If it makes you feel any better, I lost a customer this week that I've had for 18 years, so I've lost a $4400 annual service agreement. So, come the first of the year, I got that much less in the bank
Post up what Nikon has to say Daniel. I am curious and I also wish you the best of luck in getting the lens back all nice and shiney and as painlessly as possible.
Jack I understand that kind of loss. Attrition sucks. Hope you have some prospects in development.