Will, thanks for posting these shots. You and the others here have demonstrated the value of this lens.
I'd been on the fence about getting the 70-300 for quite some time. I almost bought the one mshi had on the board, then finally pulled the trigger a few weeks ago when another FMer offered one up. I stronly considered the Tamron version as well.
Given the talk (and reality) of sample variation, I'm curious how mine stacks up against the better copies so I devised a little test. I tacked a US $1 bill to a piece of foamcore and photographed it from a distance of roughly 9.5 feet (1/200s, f/8.0 at 300mm, iso100). Other data: D200, tripod, cable release, MLU.
Here's a 100% crop, unsharpened, no NR, of the upper right corner as rendered by ACR:
That sure looks pretty good to me Personally, I'm allergic to such testing...
but perhaps others will join in for you to compare. Shot around 9' eh?...D200 I've got a couple...
the B&S is stuffed with 'em....lots under $400. Just buy from someone with solid feedback, that will fully disclose
any issues. Ask for some pics at 300 wide open and you won't get hurt picking one up...when the time's right.
Beautiful shots everyone ... but I am convinced that Trenchmonkey could slap a freshly emptied jar of jelly on his d300 and still get fantastic results ... its not just the lens. -Jim
I agree that it is one of the best lenses nikon makes under $2000. I have the 70-200VRII and I cannot tell a difference in sharpness from the 70-300VR. I never hesitate to reach for my trusty 70-300VR when the light is good. Here are a few examples:
coferg wrote:
Beautiful shots everyone ... but I am convinced that Trenchmonkey could slap a freshly emptied jar of jelly on his d300 and still get fantastic results ... its not just the lens. -Jim A bit of a stretch...but thanks.
The more I think back on my experience with this lens, the more I believe that it really requires a lot of practice to shoot it well, but it performs when it's in competent hands!
corposant wrote:
The more I think back on my experience with this lens, the more I believe that it really requires a lot of practice to shoot it well, but it performs when it's in competent hands!
I think it's more a lack of good long lens technique. Here you have an effective 450mm f5.6 lens on DX.
Most consumers rarely have crisp 200-300mm shots down, handheld....this is a stretch for that skill set.
Even on a monopod, having no tripod ring exacerbates the problem. The web whining of softness from
200-300mm...proves my point. It's not.
trenchmonkey wrote:
I think it's more a lack of good long lens technique. Here you have an effective 450mm f5.6 lens on DX.
Most consumers rarely have crisp 200-300mm shots down, handheld....this is a stretch for that skill set.
Even on a monopod, having no tripod ring exacerbates the problem. The web whining of softness from
200-300mm...proves my point. It's not.
Speaking of poor long lens technique Will, I know it is hindering me with my 180/2.8. I hate getting images like this:
Do you have any pointers for someone who desperately wants to improve their technique? I get great results when I am using my tripod, but there are times when that option is unavailable.
Hate the extra weight during travels because I don't use it often and keep thinking of getting rid of it
But then when I have to, it delivers. Bleah
Just processed these... why did the monitor cross the road?
trenchmonkey wrote:
I think it's more a lack of good long lens technique. Here you have an effective 450mm f5.6 lens on DX.
Most consumers rarely have crisp 200-300mm shots down, handheld....this is a stretch for that skill set.
Even on a monopod, having no tripod ring exacerbates the problem. The web whining of softness from
200-300mm...proves my point. It's not.
I wholeheartedly agree with this. While the 70-300VR does suffer from a bit of softness at the long end, I have managed to get some pretty sharp images at 280mm. It doesn't happen often because I know my technique leaves something to be desired so that's what I work on when shooting at that length.
Versatility is the claim to fame for the excellent 70-300 VR. Great walkabout lens and my favourite kayaking Nikkor. Pretty darned good lightweight wildlife lens.
Personally, I'm allergic to such testing...
I've got a couple...
the B&S is stuffed with 'em....lots under $400. Just buy from someone with solid feedback, that will fully disclose
A bit of a stretch...but thanks. 
