The zoom is perfect for portraits and equine photography

Clear resolution at maximum zoom just keep your 18-55 for those close shots

I received the Feb 2015 version of this lens with gold VR and "1:4-5.6G II ED".)Pros: for the price point, this is a very sharp telephoto zoom lens.

Zoom is very good, as well as the Vibration Reduction

This is a really good zoom lens, especially for the price

Pairs well with the standard kit lens (18-55mm) or more modest zoom lenses

Love the zoom in this lens.