NIKKOR AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR > MARCH 2013 !!


Got the lens as the 200-400 can be too heavy at times to bring around. In terms of focusing, did not feel the focusing was slow, but I cannot say that it snaps and locks into place instantly when compared to other lenses like the 70-200 (f2.8 & f4). Don't have any other slower lens, but it could be just the way a lens with this aperture works. Was using the D4. Did not test with any other body as the lens is rather heavy and best mated with a large sized DSLR.
 

Got the lens as the 200-400 can be too heavy at times to bring around. In terms of focusing, did not feel the focusing was slow, but I cannot say that it snaps and locks into place instantly when compared to other lenses like the 70-200 (f2.8 & f4). Don't have any other slower lens, but it could be just the way a lens with this aperture works. Was using the D4. Did not test with any other body as the lens is rather heavy and best mated with a large sized DSLR.

Slower AF speed compared to the 70-200 is expected due to the slower aperture. But not too bad, the experience is comparable to Canon's 70-300L (sorry for the comparison to a non-Nikon lens, didn't happen to own a slower than f/4 lens with Nikon).
 

I had some good experience with the 70-200 f/2.8 with the 2x teleconvertor. Did not think that the 80-400mm was better at the long end, but certainly more convenient.
 

Blind me! Cheapest around is $3370! I think it makes more sense to get the 70-200 f/2.8 with a 2x teleconverter.....
 

Blind me! Cheapest around is $3370! I think it makes more sense to get the 70-200 f/2.8 with a 2x teleconverter.....

Output similar ? If any chance of using, let us know the result.
 

The 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II when coupled with the TC-20E III is both limited in terms of sharpness and that is again limited by the distance to the subject.

Meaning, if the subject is more than 15 meters away, the sharpness tend to drop significanty. Even when it is lesser than 15 meters, according to reviews, the drop in sharpness percentage is 26%. Not to mention the need to drop the aperture to F8 to achieve maximum sharpness.

One also has to AF fine tune when both lens are coupled together.

Having owned and use this combination, i have to say that it really depends on the level of compromise one is willing take in terms of sharpness. For me, it is sharp enough for most applications but not for photographing birds when you want to see the details of the feathers or for viewing at 1:1

I have discussed coupling the 80-400 VR with the TC-14E II with an old friend of mine who is a renown Nikon photographer and we believe it should be a workable combination as the TC-14E II is known to only degrade sharpness by 5% and with bodies like the D600/800/D4 that can all AF at F8, it should be a workable combination.

Doing the maths:
70-200mm f/2.8 VR II + TC-20E III costs around 3,700 to 3,800 and gives 140-400mm f/5.6 thats needs to be stopped down to F8 for maximum sharpness
80-400mm VR + TC-14E II costs around 4,010 to 4,050 and gives 112-560mm f/8 that "IN THEORY**" should be able to be used wide open. (** Based on experience of the TC-14E II, it can be used wide open on all Nikon super telephoto lens like the 300mm f/4, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII and other exotic super telephoto lens)

For me, i wont be getting the 80-400mm VR because i already have the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II, 300mm f/2.8 VR II and the TC-20E III. I'll just mix and match and live with the compromise that i have accepted.


Output similar ? If any chance of using, let us know the result.
 

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As highlighted by CS, 80-400mm VR + TC-14E II should be a affordable, sharp combination currently in the market for 500mmm range..
 

No demand. Just chk with tk today, down below $3300
 

No demand. Just chk with tk today, down below $3300

That a good news. How much does tk quote? Thinking of getting one for my Nikon V1 with 1.4x.

Tested V1+80-400+1.4x at Nikon Centre. the VR is good. Hand held without tripod.

The auto-focus performance is good between 200 - 300mm, but is a little slow @ 400mm.
 

That a good news. How much does tk quote? Thinking of getting one for my Nikon V1 with 1.4x.

Tested V1+80-400+1.4x at Nikon Centre. the VR is good. Hand held without tripod.

The auto-focus performance is good between 200 - 300mm, but is a little slow @ 400mm.

You tested with D -old model or G -new model?? Both look similar..
 

You tested with D -old model or G -new model?? Both look similar..

New model. The latest model with SWM.

Old model does not have SWM, hence AF is not possible on V1.
 

That a good news. How much does tk quote? Thinking of getting one for my Nikon V1 with 1.4x.

Tested V1+80-400+1.4x at Nikon Centre. the VR is good. Hand held without tripod.

The auto-focus performance is good between 200 - 300mm, but is a little slow @ 400mm.

lol.... V1 with this..... buy a super zoom compact.
 

lol.... V1 with this..... buy a super zoom compact.

I have a P510. Overall this is a good camera. However, there are times, it focus on the object. it take a number of steps to switch from AF to MF. By the time, it is focused, the object (bird) has flew away,

Furthermore, P510 has a smaller censor, small lens, max 5 continuous shot, slow auto-focus...............

Therefore, we can not compare V1+80-400+1.4x with super zoom compact.
 

i am a long time user of the "70-200 f2.8 + 1.7x/2x teleconverter" and old 80-400mm --> seriously, there is no way i would say that the image quality coming from the teleconverter combo is good. or rather, there is no way i would say that the 70-200 f2.8 + teleconverter combo could come close enough to smell the fart coming from the 80-400 old version, and definitely not the newer version.

however, one thing which i m certain of is that the nikon's pricing for the new 80-400 is too high, and so much steeper than the old version..
 

Eyeing the new 80-400. Agree that the pricing is way off. Can't wait for a new Sigma 'C/S' series to compete in the similar FL/performance/IQ.
 

Anymore updates on this new AFS 80-400 mm G lens?
 

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