Now that Nikon is coming out with a zoom IS lens, anybody have an inkling about AF-S telephotos with IS. The Olympics are coming in the fall and Nikon usually introduces a telephoto for use there by photo journalists. A 400mm 2.8 with IS would be great for sports photographers and for wildlife photographers with a 1.4x or 2x. Anybody hear anything?

-- mark r. haflich (jhaflich@erols.com), April 22, 2000

Answers

I've heard something, but how much credence will attach to rumors?

Here is what I've heard: a 300f/2.8 AF-S VR and a 500f/4 AF-S VR are scheduled to be released prior to the Olympics. But seeing that 80- 400 was announced in January and won't hit the shelfs until August, and the two AF-S VR, assuming they are indded in the cards, haven't even been officially announced yet, their chances of making it in time for the Olympics is anyone's guess. There is also rumors of a 28-105f/2.8-4 AF-S VR and a 70-250 f/4 AF-S VR. But again, rumors.

-- Chuck (chaohui@msn.com), April 24, 2000.

Hello, keep in your mind that the 80-400VR can be used with the new bodies (F5, F100, F80, D-1) only. The VR function does not work with older bodies.

-- Ralf Grambrock (101.51955@germanynet.de), April 27, 2000.

Chuck, where *do* you get your information from? I am really curious. I, for one, would lap up the fast 28-105 if at all they make it. As for the other lenses, I wouldnt be surprised if they make us wait for another two years, seeing how they are baiting us with the 80-400 since the beginning of this year. I sincerely hope they would get some smart engineers on the job and kick some ass, and *deliver* stuff to us pronto, instead of playing catch-up with other unnamed rival brands.

-- Steve (Steve_Smith@mauimail.com), August 21, 2000.