As I stated in my first post that my 70-200mm VR has no vignetting issues on my D300 but it does have tons of vignetting problems on FX bodies (D700 and D3X) that I own.

All those four 70-200mm f/2.8 VR test shots were taken without Nikon NC filter on and with lens hood detached.

Vignetting is minimized at f-stop 8 to 11, but what I paid is primarily for 2.8.

The in-camera Vignetting Control on D700/D3X doesn't help at all. The only work-around is to use Capture NX2 to get rid of four dark corners, which takes a considerable amount of time because batching process can't fix the problems entirely due to different degree of the problems in each photo. If I must use f/2.8, I find myself using Sigma's 70-200mm f/2.8 instead.

In good lighting, however, I find Nikkor's 70-300VR performs much better on FX.

---------

Here are some test shots of 70-300VR f/4.5-5.6 G(with Nikon NC filter on and lens hood attached).

camera: D700

all focal length at 300mm, f-stops at 5.6

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3558/3355931610_ea36aee922_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3355929136_2785e974bd_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3417418768_646ec230dd_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3613/3416615009_67c11b1b45_b.jpg

gentoo - I have the same lens and never had any problems with overexposing - try to lower You iso, as it sometimes might be a problem, also You can try to restore Your camera settings to defaults and configure it from the beginning. BTW: nice photos.

Vignetting on 70-200 fully opened, especially on 200 end, is known thing, but is easily corrected.
On the other hand, nikonusersince1982 pictures are so bad that I suspect he was using some low quality filters.
One more thing; do not get me wrong, I would love something more from the zoom lens of this range, but this one is currently the best we have.

It looks better on DX that's for sure. It's a great lens to have. Here are a few of my shots taken with this lens:

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/107378226

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/108410621

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/109598817

Sorry, they're all bird shots. The only issue I have with this lens is it's ability to overexpose. I often have to take the exposure comp. down 1.0 or even to 1.5 stops down.

I just shot with the 700-200 2.8VR on a D700 and noticed the same vignetting. Not quite as bad as nikonusersince1982's but still very obvious. To be honest I've even noticed it on the 24-70 2.8. I'm going to try it again without the filter.

nikonusersince1982:

ouch! I always thought people were exaggerating about how bad stuff gets @ 2.8 but this is ridiculous. I understand no lens is perfect but how does nikon expect people to pay 2K for a supposed f/2.8 lens when you gotta stop it down to avoid such bad corners!. nearly 2K bucks of nikon glass normally gets you a heck of a lot more than that.

nikonusersince1982 - can You reshoot this pictures with f4 or with the vignetting control function on d700?

here are some test shots that i took with my 70-200mm VR f/2.8 on D700

you're the judge.

default vignetting control setting (normal)
f-stops all at 2.8
auto exposure
auto ISO
auto white balance
no flash used
shot in 14-bit raw uncompressed

No post-processing except export from Capture NX2

(1)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3428681447_a4e0ef82f0.jpg

(2)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3429491638_aa4ab437d6.jpg

(3)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3401/3429482656_28813d0d0c.jpg

(4)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3428664559_3856c2137e.jpg

(5)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3428659099_e166891fe3.jpg

This lens, though not as good as some of Nikon own telephoto primes, is currently the best zoom in this range made by anyone.
Eventually Nikon will revisit it, but do not expect it anytime soon.

episa, if You had sharpness problems with this lens on a DX body, than I suggest You to read this article from ByThom.com (LINK), as it is more likely a problem with Your technique not with the lens, as nikkor 70-200/2.8 vr is one of the sharpest lenses on DX.

Just sold mine because was not satisfied of the sharpness at f2.8 and at around 200mm. I have to say that I am very picky and spoiled. I would not bash this lens though. It served me well until I discovered the unmatch quality of the Leica 180mm APO-R Elmarit which I adapted on my Nikon D300 with a leitax adapter: if you do not mind manual focus this is outstanding quality. Also I have discovered the Zeiss ZF 100mm F2.0 whihc is also a marvel.
Again both lenses cannot be used in AF mode. So it is not a selection for sport photography but rather for portraits and landscape.

Also I wanted to sell the 70-200mm VR as I believe that Nikon will replace it this year with an improved version for FX format.

Actually I am just waiting for Nikon anouncements people say will be done next week. Maybe there is an worhtwhile FX body inclued in the package (assuming there will be an announcement and there will be more than one new gear), cheaper than D700 and I must say, looking close where world financial crisis is heading to. If you check my post in "Dear Nikon", I would be happy is a DX D90 version without movies capabilites (if I were interested in making films instead of shooting, I would buy a camcorder!), high sync flash and using Compact Flash cards - I am not a SD enthusiast.

70-200 VR f/2.8 has poor vignetting (four dark corners) problems on FX bodies especially at wide open f2.8, and this is known fact within professional community. if you use DX bodies, then there is no such problems.

So have you bought it yet? What are you waiting for? I was going to way a few months ago and figured that I'd be better off having it than not. It's a great lens. If a newer version comes out, just sell the current model, buy the newer one but in the meantime buy the lens, use it and enjoy it!

You are all are responsible for making me love this glass - the more I hear, more I wish it. It seems that soon passion will overpass reason ... thanks guys !

The 70-200 2.8 VR is a premium lens with a premium price point. Unlike some other Nikkor, items this one is certainly not over priced given it's build and performance.. Although technology has advanced rapidly in the areas of camera and sensor design, the fundamental principles and engineering of great optics remains essentially unchanged.
Nikon, like Canon and others, are locked in a mega pixel and bells and whistles war with each other. It's unlikely that they will invest significant resources to make a marginal improvement in a lens of this calliper. If Nikon does invest in new glass it will likely be to improve a number of their DX offerings.

The bottom line is that This lens is spectacular now just as it will be for rest of its functional life. Make the investment.

Photozone.de classified this lens as higly recommended: http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/247-nikkor-af-s-70-200mm-f28-g-if-ed-vr-review--test-report

As for waiting for a better price ... if you have the means and the need, then just buy it. If the price does go down after you got the lens then consider it a royalty for the privilege of getting to use the lens compared to sitting around and waiting for the price to drop.

BTW: If they do issue a rebate, I expect it will take the price down to about $1700 which would be the normalized 2007 price. If their is a lot of inventory built up in the channel, it might be even more.

Difficult to say. There are no American Camera companies that are competitive in the DSLR game. Pretty much all of them are out of Japan so their is no healthier competition able to force Nikon's hand in a price war.That said, Nikon's camera division runs at a profit, Where they are getting killed is in their semi-conductor fabrication (they make the lenses that make the chips). Nikon will want to do everything they can to preserve the profitable camera unit.

As the dollar strengthens against the yen, the $'s you spent on your 70-200 becomes worth more yen. In October, the 70-200 was selling for $1600, and you could get 107 yen per dollar meaning Nikon books 171,000 yen as revenue. In Then the dollar tanked down to 89 yen/dollar so they were only able to book 142,000 yen on the same sale. So they had to jack the price up to $1900 (169,100) to compensate for the lost revenue. Now that the $ has rallied, that same $1900 is worth 187,625 yen (98.75 yen/dollar according to Google). That's alot of extra money in Nikon's pocket.

With all this volatility, you might be wondering how Nikon can manage its business with 10% currency fluctuations happening every quarter. The short answer is that they can't. To manage the risk they lock in an exchange rate using options. These options will guarenty them a fixed exchange rate for fixed amount of time (usually a quarter). When those rates expire, they have to go lock in a new rate which is why you saw the dollar tank in December, but the prices didn't go up until late Jan. Fast forward to April, and its about time for Nikon to go lock in a rate again. This time with the dollar in better shape then it was in January. Nikon will probably pass (at least part) of the savings on to their distribution network in the form of rebates (which are easier to adjust in these crazy times). The network in turn will pass some of the savings on to you so that you will buy their stuff.

Once more, thanks a lot for all your opnion, but I have got a question to Willis: as a Chemist, I have no idea about the future of dollar/yen ratio. Due to the world financial crisis (which I have heard might demolish Japan), won't you expect Nikon increase gear prices to compensate ?

If I had the money, I'd get it. I'd probably use it on a DX body anyway (where it really looks nice).

As far as timing goes, I'm going to differ from the rest of the crowd and say definitely wait. I expect that as the dollar continues to strengthen against the yen, you will see last year's rebates come back, probably in mid-Q2

Once again, I don't know what some people wants from the Nikon 70-200/2.8vr, it's a great lens. Vignetting (if) visible can be eliminated by stopping down this lens by 1 (or by using the build in vignetting reduction on D3), corner softness (guys, do You shoot Your pictures with the main subject in the corners? or maybe some of You just read tests and haven't used this lens). I doubt that Nikon will replace this lens soon, as it's sells quite well. OTOH, even when You buy it right now, and Nikon will release a new 70-200 soon, than You can sell this for around 80% of the paid price.

Yep! Everybody is correct (including me !) but and if Bart Montinola were correct? How handle that loss? Is there any chance Nikon "downgrade" this glass or the actual version is unbeatable?

"Just get it now. If we knew when the economy as going to change and the prices were going to go up and down, we'd be playing the stock market and making millions. In the absence of specific information to the contrary (an announced price increase, impending release of new models, etc.) , "Now" is always the best time to get new equipment. Sometimes it will be the right decision, sometimes the wrong decision, but it all averages out in the end. :)"

That's basically what I was trying to say :)

Just get it now. If we knew when the economy as going to change and the prices were going to go up and down, we'd be playing the stock market and making millions. In the absence of specific information to the contrary (an announced price increase, impending release of new models, etc.) , "Now" is always the best time to get new equipment. Sometimes it will be the right decision, sometimes the wrong decision, but it all averages out in the end. :)