Confirmation that the 200-500 Nikon DOES have and auto focus issue - http://nikonrumors.com/2015/10/06/some-nikkor-200-500mm-f5-6e-ed-vr-lenses-have-af-issue-must-be-sent-back-to-nikon-for-service.aspx/#more-98465
Mongo's lens' serial number is one of those affected.
In one way it is good to know Mongo and others who have tried his lens picked up that there was something wrong with it. In another way it is extremely disappointing that Nikon still do not seem to have their act together when introducing new equipment into the market. Nikon should learn to properly test its own products at its time and expense before boasting to the world that it has a great new product (that does not do what Nikon says it will do). Nikon should not be using its customers to be doing its product testing and development. One must seriously question how much real testing was done on this product before its released if customers noticed the problem virtually the first time they used the lens !! This is just one of a string of faulty issues Nikon products have had e.g D800 left side focus problem, D600 series oil/lubricant issue, 300mm AFS f4 tripod mount etc. Nikon should concern itself more with getting it right rather than getting it out to the market before it is right.
Subject to Mongo's lens being returned and operating completely as expected in relation to the AF acquisition speed and accuracy, Mongo thinks that the AF issue goes further than is admitted/described on the above link.
Irrespective of the outcome, this has left a very bad taste about buying new, untested Nikon equipment
Not happy Jan !!!