Shopping for a Telephoto Zoom

I am currently shopping for an auto focus telephoto zoom lens in the 50-250mm range. A 70-210mm would do, as would an 80-200mm. I am not interested in a 50-300mm because of the long range distortion and fall off. I want the lens to have a speed of at least 4.5. I want a durable lens with a metal mount.

Although it is available new for a little over $200 at amazon.com, the Nikon 55-200mm ƒ/4-5.6G VR is out because of the plastic mount. I don't like the thin manual focus ring, plus the lens is made in China. VR would be nice to have, but I don't think I need it that badly. It would likely be just another thing to go wrong. I want an aperture ring anyway, and G lenses don't have one.

The Nikkor 70-210mm ƒ/4 is a constant aperture zoom lens that is the fastest lens in my price range. It's rather difficult to find, but I located one used for $285. However, it has a skinny manual focus ring as well, and Ken Rockwell tells about some auto focusing errors.

The Nikkor 70-210 ƒ/4-5.6 D is a distinct possibility. It supposedly focuses twice as fast as comparable lenses due to it's gearing, a major plus for me. Its a push-pull zoom. I like that. It seems to be unusually well made for an auto focus zoom lens in its price range. According to Ken Rockwell:

"It is extremely well made. It's from the same family as the 35-70/2.8 zoom. It has a great solid metal filter thread, metal jacket over one half of the lens barrel, and assembled with screws, not mushed together plastic."

I found a used one from a reputable dealer for $199.