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Guidenet
Posts: 239 Officer
Nikon 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 AFS VR
Guidenet
Posts: 239 Officer
Nikon's first VR (vibration reduction) lens was the venerable Nikon 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 AFD VR which became available in 2001. It didn't have a built-in motor so would not autofocus on the Nikon beginner cameras from the D40 - D5300. It was priced somewhere around $1400 and had a reputation for inexpensive optics.
Nikon finally upgraded this lens with an all new design and build last year to compete with Canon's 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L model which sells for around $1700 and has a great reputation. This new Nikon brings to the table all the new and interesting technologies including a built in ultra sonic focusing motor and Nano Chrystal coatings. This new lens is a much more technologically advanced lens and is fitted with the 24c gold ring. The price is $2700.
I had been looking for a smaller and lighter long range lens for my birding to take the place of my 300 f/2.8 and 500 f/4 Nikkors for times when I just couldn't stand the weight and because of my current medical condition. My thought was that if it exceeded the Canon 100-400 in optical goodness, I could justify the high price. Well, it does and I did. This has become my primary birding and wildlife lens. With its new extra low ED glass and Nano coating, the images are just brilliant to say the least.
If you want some long glass but don't want to spend the money for an exotic prime, you might want to save some money and get this like I did. Here's a couple of images, one with the lens extended and the other racked all the way in to give you an idea as to the size.
Take Care, everyone. - Craig
Nikon finally upgraded this lens with an all new design and build last year to compete with Canon's 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L model which sells for around $1700 and has a great reputation. This new Nikon brings to the table all the new and interesting technologies including a built in ultra sonic focusing motor and Nano Chrystal coatings. This new lens is a much more technologically advanced lens and is fitted with the 24c gold ring. The price is $2700.
I had been looking for a smaller and lighter long range lens for my birding to take the place of my 300 f/2.8 and 500 f/4 Nikkors for times when I just couldn't stand the weight and because of my current medical condition. My thought was that if it exceeded the Canon 100-400 in optical goodness, I could justify the high price. Well, it does and I did. This has become my primary birding and wildlife lens. With its new extra low ED glass and Nano coating, the images are just brilliant to say the least.
If you want some long glass but don't want to spend the money for an exotic prime, you might want to save some money and get this like I did. Here's a couple of images, one with the lens extended and the other racked all the way in to give you an idea as to the size.
Take Care, everyone. - Craig
Nikon D800, D3S, D700, D300, Canon G1X, Sigma 15 f/2.8 Fisheye, Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6, Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR, Nikon 28 f/1.8G AFS, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 AFD, Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 AFD, Nikon 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR, Nikon 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 AFS VR, Nikon 35 f/2, Nikon 50 f/1.8 G, Nikon 60 f/2.8 G Micro, Nikon 85 f/1.4 AFS G, Nikon 105 f/2.5 AI, Sigma 150 f/2.8 APO Macro, Nikon 300 f/2.8 AFS VR, Nikon 500 f/4 -P, Interfit Stellar X complete six light studio
Replies
= miss
Can we lift it up a level or two?
:huh
Yup, me too. I'm not sure what he's speaking to.
Chuck, I don't know. A number for folks have described its performance to be similar to the 300 f/4 with a 1.4 Nikon converter. I find the IQ to be a little short of my 300 f/2.8 VR but not by much. If it were that much below my long primes, I'd not have purchased it. It's as simple as that. One nice thing is that this new 80-400 takes teleconverters too. I see little degradation with either my 1.4 or 1.7 converters, but I do see some. Oh, and I've noticed that Nikon just lowered the price by $400, so that's a nice touch.
There are a lot of cheaper solutions out there these days. Tamron just released a 150-600 VC lens for Canon now and soon for Nikon. That should be interesting at just a little over $1000 from what I hear. I just prefer Nikon gear and was waiting patiently over the years for this update. Unfortunately, I've not had the opportunity to use it much yet because of my stroke.
Take care, my friend.
Unfortunately, I suffered a medical condition and haven't used it as much as I anticipated, but hopefully this year. Here's some I took early on.
Here's a lonely intruder from Key Largo
Pelican Portrait
Dad feeding Mom
Yellowlegs at Blackpoint Drive
i always loved that image, or you have an older one that's just about identical....
so you really expect me to believe nikon makes glass better than canon "L" glass????
riiiight.....LOL....
tim
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
There are some park benched along where the bird sanctuary is bordered by Florida Bay. I like to relax there and watch the antics. Almost all types of Florida wading and water birds are represented. They tend to hang close to the facility after they've recovered from their injuries. Lots of opportunities for bird photography here.
That new Tamron 150-600 sounds interesting!!!
a noble venture...
this is an image of a frigate bird rookery down at new harbor islands which is part of the chandeluer chain....
about 35nm south of the ramp...
there are also a huge population of brown pelicans nesting with the frigates....
i have some better images, just need to find them....
tihs is a tern rookery a few miles to the north....
sandwich terns, royal terns, least terns and a few shearwaters (that's you call black skimmers down your way)
tim
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
no it doesn't...about the same as my ef-l 100-400IS....
tim
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
Looks heavier than that
Diehard
A "bit" !!
yeah, it's banded...
it belongs to Larry and he loaned it to Craig...:grin
tim
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
I like this one too. That image will make me start to consider the 1700$ investment
The last thing you see if you're a tadpole who's not paying attention.
Is it a tri colored Heron?
I AM NOT A RACIST
best money i've spent on glass except my ef-L 50-200 IS USM f-4, which i bought used from keh...
the 100-400mm is an incredible piece of glass and i have shot some impossible shots from a long distance, in a rocking boat with it...
shot from 100yds+
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
I AM NOT A RACIST