Nikkor 180mm f2.8 IF-ED

Specs

8 elements in 6 groups. Close focus, 5ft or 1.5mtrs.  f/2.8- f/22

Hood is great, except when using Polarizer, 72mm, bit of a pain when changing from horizontal/vertical etc, means pulling back hood, having said that, at least it retracts, more than can be said of 20-35 zoom which is murder in comparison.

Performance

Solid performer, and until I dabbled in AF-S lenses this was one of my prime choices, but now personally I find this lens too slow to use for anything on the move. Animals, birds, sport etc, yes you can use it but its too slow for real pro use. You can miss too many shots. Once you have used an AF-S anything else is just too slow.

That aside, when you do get a subject that's prepared to wait around, its great,  even wide open, its extremely sharp, I read that its a little soft below 15m, but havent noticed.

For its size & weight this is a great lens, just don't expect lightning fast reaction.

In the end, for all my gripes about speed, I rarely travel without it!! The fact it quite small and discreet makes life easier sometimes. Just wish Nikon  would come out with AF-S version with same optics.