Ok best of luck if you decide to fix it or put it towards the new VR2. I have heard the new VR2 is quite an upgrade especially for faster focusing. In particular, upclose focusing is supposed to be improved a lot. New version is bit heavier though but the VR1 is already a dumbell.

I bought the lens with a receipt and it was purchased in 2009. If it was hella used he probably have to replaces the whole lens except for the internal and all the rubber focus rings to make this lens look the way it does.

But anyways I will still take it in, probably next week. I hope the repair won't be too expensive. If so I might just sell this one and buy a new 70-200 VR2.

Don't forget a good cleaning, and changing gaskets can go a long way to making a lens look mint again. This model has been around the block since 2002 so any used sample needs to be purchased with caution. I'd play it safe and just take it in :)

Yes, the lens was mint. The guys bought it after winning some money in vegas. He bought it back in 2009, and by the looks of the lens I can tell hes not lying. The rubber on the focus ring was still black and didn't look worn off. I know that with the VR1 lens the rubber tends to fade to an off black.

I haven't brought it in a Nikon service department. I have one not too far from me, about 30 miles away in Escondido, Ca. The reason why I haven't brought it in yet was because I was hooping that the focus problem was me but I guess its not.

Interesting I had the exact same problem although my sample was quite used when I bought it back in 2008. I took it into my local Nikon after service center and they did a $125 lens re-calibration for me and the problem was solved. These lenses get used and abused however, you mentioned yours was mint and hardly used? Any chance you can take it into a shop to have it looked at? I realise that not everyone has a nikon service center around them, but it sounds like your lens could use an inspection.

I just bought a mint condition used 70-200 2.8G lens, seriously this guy have rarely used this lens. It looks like its never been touched.

I am suspecting that this lens has some focusing issues. For one reason, when shooting moving subject it tends to focus off my focus point. All shots were show in AF-C, Af-area in Dynamic area, high shutter burst mode, on my D90, about 5pm, shutter speed 1/500 up.

When the subject it not moving it focus right on spot and pictures are stunning. Here are some sample.

First 4 are the miss focus and the 5th is the still shot which is freaken clear.

The Clear shot