Latest Edition Nikon 80-400mm Lens (Page 2): I bought this lens when it first came out. I use it on a D7100 and a D800E, with or without a TC 1.4. Most of my hawk and bird pic's are...

howlynn Loc: pueblo west, co

I bought this lens when it first came out. I use it on a D7100 and a D800E, with or without a TC 1.4. Most of my hawk and bird pic's are with this lens. Also only weights 56oz.

picsman Loc: Scotland

I use this lens for school ski racing and mountain bike shots, just be sure you have a monopod (or tripod), it gets heavy. I like the clarity, speed of focus and it beats all my other lens except my Tamron 24-70 for close work.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Saleavitt10 wrote:

Thinking of getting this lens while Nikon still has the rebates on lenses. Anyone want to share their experience, pros/cons of this lens. Will be used on both DX & FX formats for birds and wildlife. TC recommendations/experiences?

Thanks for any input.

Forget about the TC. And you might want to compare it to the Tamron and Sigma 150-600s. I found the 80-400 to be better than the previous version, but not quite as crisp as the Tamron, and I have not checked out either of the Sigmas. Using any of these lenses with a TC is going to be frustrating at best.

howlynn Loc: pueblo west, co

Gene51 wrote:

Forget about the TC. And you might want to compare it to the Tamron and Sigma 150-600s. I found the 80-400 to be better than the previous version, but not quite as crisp as the Tamron, and I have not checked out either of the Sigmas. Using any of these lenses with a TC is going to be frustrating at best.

Gene when would you use a TC 1.4, with prime lens ?

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Excellent lens with great reach. The shot of the owl was taken with the lens mounted on a Nikon D710 at 75 feet from subject and hand held.

Saleavitt10 wrote:

Thinking of getting this lens while Nikon still has the rebates on lenses. Anyone want to share their experience, pros/cons of this lens. Will be used on both DX & FX formats for birds and wildlife. TC recommendations/experiences?

Thanks for any input.

80-400mm Nikon

(Download)

Walt R Loc: eastern tn

Got the new verison when it first came out , I use it for sports and
BIF . A great lens . If anyone would like more info just pm me .

Walt

SueMac Loc: Box Elder, SD

I recently purchased the new version and so far I've been very happy with it. I need more practice to get as sharp of photos as I do with the 70-200 that hubby has taken over. Here's a shot from the 80-400. I use it on a Nikon D810 so if I need to do some cropping, it still looks good.

B-17G Sentimental Journey

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

howlynn wrote:

Gene when would you use a TC 1.4, with prime lens ?

with any telephoto or tele-zoom lens that is at least F4 or faster, and not one that changes aperture as you zoom out. So, you will get your best results with 80-200 F2.8, 70-200 F2.8 or F4, 180 F2.8 200 F2, 300 F2.8 or F4, 200-400 F4, 400 F2.8, 500 F4. 600 F4.

Focusing speed and dark viewfinder will make it difficult to use a TC on a lens that is F5.6 or F6.3 at the long end, and the times I have tried it, I experienced lots of frustration. Image quality is not an issue, the 1.4x TC does not really rob much sharpness (5% or so).

torchman310 Loc: Santa Clarita, Ca.

Saleavitt10 wrote:

Thinking of getting this lens while Nikon still has the rebates on lenses. Anyone want to share their experience, pros/cons of this lens. Will be used on both DX & FX formats for birds and wildlife. TC recommendations/experiences?

Thanks for any input.

I have this lens. All I can say is that it's a great lens. And yes, the TC's will work with it. This lens is F 4.5 - 5.56, but it is so much lighter that an F 2.8 lens. It has the new Super E.D. glass along with 2 or 3 standard E.D. elements. Photos are tack sharp. I also use the T.C. 20E111 bringing it up to 800 MM. Grab it now while they are still cheaper than what I paid for it.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

mborn wrote:

I used this lens in costa rica with a 1.4x converter I did have to increase the ISO to get the speeds I wanted.

You also pushed the aperture for a very narrow DOF in order to get the speed. In doing so, the back of the closest humming bird is out of focus. This is critical to the image. I also find that there is too much PP with saturation and contrast. Easily fixed. Great shot, unique interactions and a good example of the 80-400 which has great AF, VR and other features. That being said some of the newer signma and tamaron 100-600 mm deserve consideration especially since you put a 1.4x for 560 mm. Many think the 400 mm is enough reach. As an owner, in many situations, it is not. I have a 500 mm with a 1.4 and 2x and even then it is not enough.

steffro1 Loc: Murrells Inlet, SC

I have older one and think it is a great lens for birding. Maybe a little slower focusing than a prime, but still worth owning. The conveniance of.the zoom is a plus for me!
Robert

jerryc41 wrote:

Ken Rockwell says it's a miracle lens, and that was the older version.

http:/b/www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80400vr.htm

CO

I have the new Nikon 80-400mm lens. It's a great lens. The autofocus is very fast. With my camera in 3D tracking mode it's been able to keep the focus locked on birds as small as terns in flight. I really think the Nano crystal coating on the glass gives it slightly higher contrast than the standard multi-coatings.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Saleavitt10 wrote:

Thinking of getting this lens while Nikon still has the rebates on lenses. Anyone want to share their experience, pros/cons of this lens. Will be used on both DX & FX formats for birds and wildlife. TC recommendations/experiences?

Thanks for any input.

About a year ago I answered an ad where someone was selling the older version of that lens. It was in great shape -- not a scratch or anything so I tried it on my camera. Good sharp lens but it was so slow focusing I declined. This past Oct. I tried the new version at the photo show in NYC. To me it was like night and day. It was as sharp or sharper and the focus was almost instantaneous. I would gladly have bought this lens but just couldn't part with 2400.00 at the time. It and the 300 f2.8 are the two lenses on my short list for future purchase.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Saleavitt10 wrote:

Thinking of getting this lens while Nikon still has the rebates on lenses. Anyone want to share their experience, pros/cons of this lens. Will be used on both DX & FX formats for birds and wildlife. TC recommendations/experiences?

Thanks for any input.

Excellent lens. Very sharp and fast focus for BIF. Use mine all of the time.

Saleavitt10 Loc: Maine

Thank you all for the responses. I appreciate everyone taking the time to give their thoughts and experiences with this lens. I am leaning towards it but have to consult my piggybank!