Nikon lens: I know this is an older lens but what is your opinion on the Nikon 80 to 400 ? I have a 300 but want a little longer lens.the 500 is a little too heavy to have to carry...

kcj Loc: Seneca SC

I know this is an older lens but what is your opinion on the Nikon 80 to 400 ? I have a 300 but want a little longer lens.the 500 is a little too heavy to have to carry around. I also sometimes shoot inside large buildings and smaller rooms so I like the 80 on this. I am using on a D610 or D 850

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Plenty of very good reviews out there:

https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/nikon-af-s-nikkor-80-400mm-f45-56g-ed-vr

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-80-400mm-F45-56G-ED-VR-mounted-on-Nikon-D850__1177

https://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/lenses/nikon_80-400_4p5-5p6d_vr/user-reviews

ricardo00

Other alternatives are the Sigma or Tamron 100-400mm lenses. They are lighter than the 80-400mm but a little slower.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

kcj wrote:

I know this is an older lens but what is your opinion on the Nikon 80 to 400 ? I have a 300 but want a little longer lens.the 500 is a little too heavy to have to carry around. I also sometimes shoot inside large buildings and smaller rooms so I like the 80 on this. I am using on a D610 or D 850

The 500mm f5.6 pf is actually .24 pounds lighter than the 80-400mm. I have both lenses and use them fairly regularly. The 500mm PF is a great lens, but there are times when I need a shorter focal length and that's when the 80-400 is really useful. Also, you could always put a 1.4 TC on your 300mm and have a focal length of 420mm with the equivalent maximum aperture as on the 80-400 at 400mm.

Edit - I shoot with a D500, Z9, and my ancient & much-loved D7200.

NikonRocks Loc: Sydney

kcj wrote:

I know this is an older lens but what is your opinion on the Nikon 80 to 400 ? I have a 300 but want a little longer lens.the 500 is a little too heavy to have to carry around. I also sometimes shoot inside large buildings and smaller rooms so I like the 80 on this. I am using on a D610 or D 850

Just thinking a bit laterally - you are already familiar with your existing 80-400 lens. If you don't need the full resolution of your camera's sensor then you could operate in DX mode thereby giving an effective increase in the focal length of the lens by a factor of 1.5

Thus your lens would appear to operate as a 120 to 600mm lens.

kcj Loc: Seneca SC

I have a 28 to 300 and it will now except a converter

NikonRocks Loc: Sydney

NikonRocks wrote:

Just thinking a bit laterally - you are already familiar with your existing 80-400 lens. If you don't need the full resolution of your camera's sensor then you could operate in DX mode thereby giving an effective increase in the focal length of the lens by a factor of 1.5

Thus your lens would appear to operate as a 120 to 600mm lens.

I misread your question - you have an existing 300mm lens. The effective focal length in DX mode would be 450mm which would meet your requirements without costing you a nickel.

kcj Loc: Seneca SC

Thanks a million for that o never gave that a idea so should go knit the menu and switch to dx? I never did this so I am just checking how to do it. Thanks again

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

NikonRocks wrote:

Just thinking a bit laterally - you are already familiar with your existing 80-400 lens. If you don't need the full resolution of your camera's sensor then you could operate in DX mode thereby giving an effective increase in the focal length of the lens by a factor of 1.5

Thus your lens would appear to operate as a 120 to 600mm lens.

Good idea! I missed that one - can't seem to ever remember about the availability of DX mode. It's something I should be using on my Z9 in certain situations.

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

I own one and love it. Very fast AF, nice IQ, and works well with a 1.4TC. It's a keeper IMO.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

kcj wrote:

I know this is an older lens but what is your opinion on the Nikon 80 to 400 ? I have a 300 but want a little longer lens.the 500 is a little too heavy to have to carry around. I also sometimes shoot inside large buildings and smaller rooms so I like the 80 on this. I am using on a D610 or D 850

Personally speaking version I of that lens was a looser. The II was a little better but it still lacked performance.
A much better lens would be the Nikon 200-500 f5.6, a very sharp lens throughout it's zoom range. A bit heavier but better reach and better results.
I have used all three extensively in Florida Wetlands and personally I got much better results with the 200-500.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I almost bought one a few years ago but found the focus to be very slow. That was a version 1. I heard the version 2 was much better but never went back to thinking about one since I had acquired the 200-500.

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

I also have the 200-500... which I love. But the 80-400 is much easier to handhold during long outings, and I find it acquires focus faster than my 200-500 on the D500 (I also like the wider aperture of the 80-400). That being said, the IQ of the 200-500 is slightly better IMO, and the additional 100MM on the long end is certainly nice. If you want a wider range of focal lengths, some good reach (especially when paired with a 1.4TC), and (again IMO) above average AF performance, a newer 80-400 will certainly fit the bill.

mrozzoo Loc: Illinois

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/refurbished-camera-lenses/af-s-nikkor-200-500mm-f%252f5.6e-ed-vr-refurbished.html

Nikon just did or currently has the 200-500mm lens on sale refurbished at $999.00

I used the 80-400 V one.... dumped it and bought the 200-500mm and used it for years. After using it the size was getting to me. Plus most of most images were at 500mm +DX crop now and then. Sold it and now own the 500mm PF 5.6. Lighter sharper and better for me. Bought it used from ROBERTS CAMERA in INDY. I feel must happier and lighter, sharper and confident.

pendennis

I've owned both 80-400 lenses, and the later "G" model is superior, at least to my eyes. The earlier "D" seemed soft on the edges at most focal lengths, so I sold it. I also own the 200-500 f/5.6, but it's by and large used on a tripod. The newer 80-400 is easily hand-held, but I do prefer a tripod after the 300mm mark.