Nikon 80-400VR G (after two weeks)

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Sambr

Senior Member
I promised a review of this lens when I bought it ten days ago. I like it very much mostly for the versatility of the range, I find it's perfect for my purposes. I shot it mostly with the D800 & D4. I find it works the best with the D4 almost like they were made for each other. Lighting fast focus with the D4 and it locks on to a subject like a sparrow missile from an F-18. Sharp yes very even wide open at 400mm. Most people like me will most like use it at the long end. I find it handles very well with both the D800 & D4 weight wise it's not bad at all I can still carry it for most of the day without being sore or tired.

Nikon has thrown every thing into this lens every bit of lens technology is in it albeit it's a 5.6 lens rather than a 2.8. I find with the D4 & D800 it really doesn't matter. Works well with the D800 however I prefer it on the D4. The reach & cropping factor with the 800 is insane.Now question is it better than the 300mmF4 & 1.4 TC - Yes and no??? Let me explain. Mounted on the D4 it's on par maybe a slightly better than the 300mm combo. On the D800 no. The 300mm combo wins by a slight margin. So why buy it if the 300mmF4 & 1.4 TC is cheaper. My reason is versatility of the FL I can go from 80-400 in a nano second. All I carry in my bag now is the D4 and 3 lens 24-70 2.8, 80-400VR & a 50mm 1.8 with these 3 I can shoot almost anything I want.

I think it's worth every penny I can tell already it will be my most used lens for many projects. It's definitely(for me) not a travel lens I will gladly take the smaller more compact 28-300VR for trips. $2700.00 is lots of $$$ I would suggest that if you are considering one rent on first. Judge for yourself if you need one or just want one.

D4 & 80-400VRG

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D800 & 80-400VRG
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stmv

Senior Member
interesting,, you mentioned several times the perfect match for the D4,, but not the D800,, but not the reason,, is it that the sharpness is not holding up to the 36 MEG sensor compared to the 300 mm F4 and teleconverter?

I have the older 80-400 VR,, and love it for my D800,, I find the wight balance to be perfect. I switched out to the KIRK aftermarket collar and the grip is perfect.

I have the 300 F4 lens too, and its sharp on the d800,, but I often get great shots with the 80-400,, so much so, that lately
I have been carrying it around as my walkaround zoom (keep it in a small backpack until needed),, along with the 24-85 lens.

its a great combo:

24-85 and 80-400,,, throw in an ancient 55mm 2.8 Macro (because it tiny, tough,, and sharp sharp sharp). and you are ready
for just about anything.
 
C

canux

New member
First Post... from a rank amateur.

I have the D800e and this lens and I'm still working out the kinks (with my understanding, not with the lens). I really like the reach it affords me (I can get some shots that I would otherwise not have been able to make). I personally don't mind the weight of it at all, and took the collar off it and will often trek around with it on the camera in a sling bag. Some shots:

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This one (female cardinal) was taken at maximum zoom, and while I wish it was better I was happy to get it at all.
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All the pics in this gallery were taken with the D800e and the 80-400 lens.

I have also found that I don't have any issues with power consumption, even while hauling it around Iceland and bagging several hundred pictures a day with it.

I do find the AF difficult, but that would describe AF for me in general on any lens. I was capturing birds in flight over some cliffs in Iceland and had to go purely manual to get the shots I wanted. But again, it's more likely the operator than the lens.
 
S

Sambr

Senior Member
stmv said:
interesting,, you mentioned several times the perfect match for the D4,, but not the D800,, but not the reason,, is it that the sharpness is not holding up to the 36 MEG sensor compared to the 300 mm F4 and teleconverter?

I have the older 80-400 VR,, and love it for my D800,, I find the wight balance to be perfect. I switched out to the KIRK aftermarket collar and the grip is perfect.

I have the 300 F4 lens too, and its sharp on the d800,, but I often get great shots with the 80-400,, so much so, that lately
I have been carrying it around as my walkaround zoom (keep it in a small backpack until needed),, along with the 24-85 lens.

its a great combo:

24-85 and 80-400,,, throw in an ancient 55mm 2.8 Macro (because it tiny, tough,, and sharp sharp sharp). and you are ready
for just about anything.
Click to expand...

The 80-400 seems to work better with the D4 - however I shoot it more with the D800 ( crop ability of the 36mps) since bumping the SS when using it with the D800 the IQ is stellar: D800 80-400 @ 400mm f7.1 iso 200 SS 1/1000
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