It used to be that any lens with the gold ring on the front was all you needed to know, but I'm not sure if that is the case anymore. Some gold ring lenses do not have weather or dust seals.

To follow up on contacting Nikon:

I received basically nothing. Here is the part of the reply that covers it.

"While no particular specification is published regarding water or dust protection our higher end cameras and lenses are designed for professional use and can withstand the rigors of that type of photography.
The consumer level models, while built to withstand normal usage are not as sealed and protected as the higher end models.
It does end up being the user's judgment, however, to decide how much exposure their camera or lens can have."

They did say that the Japan site may have additional info but other than what was in the manuals, they did not have any other information available.

krevlingoodspeed said:
Basically I am going to see if the 80-200 AF-S is weather sealed and if it is, I might get that over the 70-200. VR doesn't matter so much for me since I mostly shoot in light.

I am fairly sure it has good weather seals. That level of lens always do.

So far this is what I'm getting from Nikon.

"no particular specification is published regarding water or dust protection our higher end cameras and lenses are designed for professional use and can withstand the rigors of that type of photography."

It went on but just continued. I replied to see if they have categorized the different Consumer, pro, and mid range lines but I'm not sure if I'll get anything different.

Well this does help narrow my choices.

Basically I am going to see if the 80-200 AF-S is weather sealed and if it is, I might get that over the 70-200. VR doesn't matter so much for me since I mostly shoot in light.

AF ver 1 certainly does - probably the best sealed lenses I own.

I did something odd - I actually sent this question into Nikon to see if I get a response. What the hell?

krevlingoodspeed said:
Hrm... which version of the 70-200? Both?

I believe both versions, although I think the new one likely has better seals.

From what I have been told is that any zoom and prime who's body does not elongate (Zoom or focusing) is considered weather resistant.

If you takes pb pm's list, add the 85mm 1.4, 105VR, 400, 500, 600, possibly the 50 AFS-G?

That would be a good list to get.

Hrm... which version of the 70-200? Both?

Niko is right, the gasket has nothing to do with weather sealing, it is a dust/moisture reduction barrier at best. As far as I know the only weather sealed/resistant lenses are the 14-24mm F2.8, 24-70mm F2.8, 70-200mm F2.8, 200mm F2.0, 300mm F2.8 and other high end glass. I think the new primes are weather resistant, but I'm not sure. The weather sealed lenses don't just have the gasket at the back, but also on the front and rear elements as well as around any moving parts.

The 18-70mm has a gasket yet I wouldn't call it "weather sealed". So having a gasket around the lens mount doesn't mean a thing.

Yikes, I didn't even think about TC's not being weather sealed.

Is the 20E WS?

Also yes, the f/4.5 at 80 is too slow for me. I mean I am fine with f/5.6 at 400mm since I have no choice with either of the f/2.8 + TC but I at least get f/2.8 to 200.

I don't know if I'd like primes because I really do like the 200-400mm range and buying those primes is WAY out of my budget.

Just looked at my 70-200 VrI and 105 vr and both have the gasket. Two of my favorite lenses. My 1.7TC does not though.

Depending on what you mean by "slow" I find I use the 70-300vr allot for general stuff. Focus is fairly quick but tends to hunt if you have anything in the foreground. If you want the faster f-stop, the 70-200vr certainly hits that mark.

I love my primes - 35, 50, 85. You may want to consider one of those for indoor fast, bokeh options.

TaoTeJared said:
Good question - never seen one. I really don't pay much attention to be honest. The pro-lenses I own have the the gasket at the mount. It is a good bet that all the $1k+ lenses do.

I would not call it "sealed" maybe weather resistant. I wouldn't expect the same sealed like the Olympus E-5 if you follow other brands. Basically it just means that if it get's rained on for a short time or if you are in blowing dust, it will not get into the camera. (as long as you keep the lens on.) ;)

Personally I wouldn't worry about lens choices based on a gasket but more on what your needs as a photographer are.

I get that it isn't really weather sealed, such as bullet proof vests aren't 100% bullet proof.

Also I am not saying I only want to buy weather "sealed" lenses. Heck right now I don't even own any Nikon glass (NAS is kicking in) so it's not a real big concern for but I figure I want at least one lens that is weather sealed since it's a feature the camera has, so why not utilize it.

As for my needs, I really have none. I do this as a pure hobby, not for money (sometimes I wish I did, it would make purchases less painful to the wallet!) but I do seem to like the telephoto end which is why I purchased the Tokina 80-400.

Sadly it's just too darn slow for me and I've been trying to sell it + other stuff to get the D7000. Luckily sold off my D80 for a good price, so the D7000 just needs to be released but it leaves me kind of torn.

Once I sell my D90 I could either buy the Nikon 105mm VR micro and keep the 80-400 or sell the 80-400 dirt cheap and get the Nikon 80-200 AF-S + TC or just the Nikon 70-200VRI.

I'm hoping I can help narrow my choice by seeing which one is weather sealed or not.

Right now I know that I'll miss the long end and with the Tokina 16-50 my wide end is covered.

Good question - never seen one. I really don't pay much attention to be honest. The pro-lenses I own have the the gasket at the mount. It is a good bet that all the $1k+ lenses do.

I would not call it "sealed" maybe weather resistant. I wouldn't expect the same sealed like the Olympus E-5 if you follow other brands. Basically it just means that if it get's rained on for a short time or if you are in blowing dust, it will not get into the camera. (as long as you keep the lens on.) ;)

Personally I wouldn't worry about lens choices based on a gasket but more on what your needs as a photographer are.

So I finally have sold off my gear and can now purchase the D7000.

However to take advantage of the weather sealing, I'd need a lens that is weather sealed as well.

Is there a master list or something?

My googling has come up with lists people have made up, but not definitive list.