The Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D ED VR is a great all purpose telephoto zoom lens some really usefull features. It has a high quality optical design featuring three extra low dispersion elements for superior imaging performance. It pulls in a lot over a broad range from the start of the short telephoto range at 80mm to long telephoto at 400mm also. The variable maximum aperture of 4.5 to 5.6 means you get decent light gathering capabilities and can blur backgrounds significantly. It also features a Nikon's VR (Vibration Reduction) technology that helps minimize lens/camera shake an important advantage at the high magnifications this telephoto provides. It's a considerably more compact package than larger aperture long telephotos and generally a better option than shorter focal length lenses paired to teleconverters. The rotating tripod mount is a major convenience. When you need something with more reach than a 200mm or 300mm it's a solid and popular option.