D3 2.0

If you've shot with the D3, you're going to find the D3s to be very familiar. The 70-200mm VR II, on the other hand, is noticeably, though not significantly, different in design from its predecessor.

Like the D3, the D3s is a solidly built workhorse. Jordan tried a D700 with the 70-200mm VR II first but he found that stripped down, full-frame DSLR a bit dainty with the long zoom attached. For him, the rugged and weatherized D3s matched much better with the 70-200mm VR II.

I also liked the serious pro combination of the 2 3/4th-pound D3s and nearly 3 1/2-pound 70-200mm VR II lens. For the first half of the MLS Cup Final, I handheld the D3s to test its new VR II stabilization capabilities but by halftime, my shoulders had gotten pretty sore and I switched to a monopod.

While the lens is about half an inch shorter than its predecessor, it's approximately 2.5 ounces heavier. The 70-200mm VR II is also wider and slightly rounder but more consistently even profile than the non-VR II version. The previous model was skinnier overall but it had a wide glass element on the end, giving it an awkward appearance. We both preferred the design of the new lens to the older version.

The D3s also has some very slight changes from its predecessor and from Nikon's current crop of cameras. Most significantly, the Live View function is off the mode dial and now on a dedicated button on back. Smart move.

I do wish Nikon would find a new place for its ISO button. Especially on a camera such as the D3s where you're going to want to play with the various ISO settings, having it on the bottom left forces you to use a second hand.