billnikon wrote:
Contrary to most folks here I have found the 200-500 to be sharper than the 80-400, and, it is less expensive. But not weather sealed. But again, I never shoot in the rain so it makes no difference to me. Also, on a full frame camera like the 810, you get 100 more mm with the 200-500. And, to be honest, the older 80-400 did not have a good reputation. I had one an quickly got rid of it.
I agree with Bill. I shoot with a D810, which is full frame and relatively high resolution (36MB)...and it DEMANDS good glass. I have culled my lens selection down to: a 24-70mm f/2.8; a 70-200mm f/2.8; a 200-500 f/5.6; and a 105mm f2.8 Micro....all Nikkor and all VR. These lenses cover the range of 24-500mm without overlap and are of excellent optical quality. Although other companies produce very excellent lenses....I stick with Nikkor which provide fast and accurate autofocus, and a build quality that will last a lifetime. Warning: None of these lenses are lightweight nor inexpensive....except for the 200-500mm (which sells new for approx. $1,400).
I have attached a jpeg of a Wood Stork taken with the 200-500mm. Sorry, but it is the only example I have on this computer. It was taken hand-held, at 500mm, in very harsh early morning light, and I missed the intended focal point (the eye). I have additional and better examples of images taken with the 200-500....but not on this computer. Try double download.