Lens-Zooka!

I had been sitting a store credit at Castle Photo for a while, ever since I returned the Powershot G7. That credit had been burning a giant hole in my pocket and causing all kinds of confusion in my over active imagination. I had thought at one point that I must have the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8. Then I was totally convinced that I needed a Nikon D200 Camera because the price had been sliding slowly downward. In a swift moment of clarity I decided to hop on the VR bandwagon and grab this not so little fellow.
The Nikon 70-300 VR is the newest in a 3 part line of zoom in this range. This one has been upgraded/ redesigned to include not only a new optical formula but the VR (Vibration Reduction) System. This system allows solid hand held performance at the full 300mm by giving you a claimed 4 stop improvement in (virtual) shutter speed by compensating for hand shake.
When you hit the shutter to initiate autofocus you hear the VR kick into action or more accurately hiss into action. The VR engine makes a noise like quiet static that you can faintly hear and feel through the camera body. It is plainy evident that the VR is amazing if you reach out to the 300mm mark with it turned off then flip the switch to turn it on. That telephoto shimmy shake gone. The optics then take on a unique thick fluid feel and your image kind of gloops around out there like its suspended in molasses. Well maybe.
The official verdict will come along as time passes initial impressions are that this lens is a solid choice if you didn't want to wait for the $900 18-200 VR to get in stock or get into a heavy as heck pro level 80-200 f2.8 or its newer and even heavier big brother the 70-200 f/2.8 VR.