After much debate, I pulled the trigger.

[Quicklabs]

Kept going back and forth between the 80-200 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 VR. Went with the 80-200. I find myself using the tripod more and more. Though my current D80 will get the job done reasonably well for the landscape and dog sports photography I plan to do with this lens, I think the next camera will allow me to bump up the ISO without much trouble to compensate for the lack of VR. Plus, VR won't help with dog sports anyway.
It will be here on Thursday.

The photographer at our show over the weekend was using a monster 200mm 2.0 lens. I'm looking forward to her posting the shots on her site. I'm sure the money saved with going with the 80-200 rather than the 70-200 will buy me a few pictures of my Grace flying over the jumps. LOL

 

[annnewjerz]

Woohoo!!!!!

So excited you got the lens, you're my new hero. Can't wait to see what you think of it, since I've got it rented for our December trip. Will you be taking it to The World?

Congrats!

 

[Suburbanmom]

Good buy, Laura!!! I can't wait to see what you do with it.

 

[My2Girls66]

Aaawww! Way cool! Can't wait to see the photos
Can't wait until my kids get thru college so I'll have some extra $$ again to buy a way cool lens! Younger DD is 15 so I have a ways to go. Have fun!!

 

[JoeDif]

Congrats on the new lens

 

[YesDear]

NAS strikes again!
Congrats!

 

[spinetnglr]

Woohoo!! I like to help celebrate any photography related purchase. Cant wait to see some pics!

 

[Miller1412]

I bought one too on the advice of the good people here. Love mine, and it is great for portraits too! Now my NAS has me wanting a 24-70 f/2.8 then I'll have EVERYTHING I need

 

[IndyShutterbug]

Congrats! Gotta love new equipment.

 

[Evad]

Congrats on the new lens!! Do share the results with us please....