[ScottBuckel]

I think that both of these lenses have roles, just not the same one.* I have had the 80-400 since its initial release and if you do nature photography it can be a great lens.* If you have the Canon 500D diopter it becomes a good macro lens.* I have shot flying birds with it - well the slower flying birds with it and a few of these images have won several photo contests.* I used it the most in my film days. You have to use very good technique to be successful with this lens - the 70-200 is much more forgiving.

I have a love/hate relationship with the 70-200 well it was with the earlier 80-200's I think I owned all of the versions over the years. The new one with VR is a good all around lens in my opinion. Like Jon I have shot portraits, models and nature with it a lot and with the advent of digital I use it more and more all of the time. The only lens that see more use for nature is the 200-400VR.

Almost all lens discussions, in my opinion, shoud start with some one's photographic vision and the problems they need to solve. Over all my 80-400 has sat on the shelf for a long time, but I will use it when weight is an issue and I need the reach. The 70-200 goes with me for nature and portraits all of the time these days.

Scott