Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Comments

1. 1) philip
   March 26, 2013 at 11:26 pm

   I know, it’s expensive! But WOW,the IQ is truly superb. Bought mine Mar14, have shot over 1K images so far on both D600 and D7000. As a prior owner of the 80-400D for 12 years, the AF-S in continuous focus at 5FPS is tack sharp, CA is gone and mechanics flawless. AF is dead-on up to f8 and it is an absolute joy to use. Just stunning images. The best money I have ever spent. Congrats Nikon! (An advanced amateur).

   Reply
2. 2) William Jones
   May 20, 2013 at 7:00 am

   I waited to purchase (in case of launch failure, like with the D800 and D600), and finally bought. However, I either got a bad copy anyway, or I am asking too much of the lens (due to distances involved in polo). I shot over 4,500 pictures in two days of polo action, on a D800E, and had a hit ratio of less than 40%, even in cases of slow moving action (an instructional session for children). Both days were bright light, shutter speeds of 1/2,000th or 1/2,500th, all at f/5.6, with auto ISO. All shots were done handheld, some while standing, and others while sitting in a chair. Focus was set at AF-C, and I tried both Single Point and 9 Point Dynamic. Have used same camera with a 300mm f/4 and a 70-200 VR II, and gotten better hit ratios (same settings), so I don’t believe is either me or the camera.

   In testing, it seemed to me that if I used the AF Fine Tune feature, and set up the focus for distance X from me to the subject, then when I shot at that distance I had a better hit ratio. Hower, since I am using for sports, and the distance varies constantly, only a low portion of the shots are at that distance, and the hit ratio drastically dropped the further from distance X the subject was at. I tried shots both with and without VR on (at the above shutter speeds, VR should not be needed).

   Having used the old version of this lens on a D3X, and getting a 90%+ hit ratio with that combo (until I wore out the old lens), I am not happy with my copy (sending it back to Adorama today).

   Sample shots (unedited/uncropped) can be posted to my website if anybody wishs to see. Note: Will be at a photo shoot for few days, so could not post those samples before May 22nd or 23rd.

   Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

   WEJ

   Reply
   • 2.1) Tim Davis
     June 17, 2014 at 3:48 pm

     Hello,

     I have the lens and had problems with focus and found that nearby objects weren’t a problem but further items were. Suspected it may be the filter and swapped it out for a Carl Zeiss T* UV Filter and it’s performed to my expectations. I’m unsure if this advice is applicable.

     Thanks,

     Tim

     Reply
3. 3) Felix Staub
   May 24, 2013 at 5:11 pm

   When I saw the MTF chart for this lens I couldn’t wait to buy one. Sadly, I have been quite disappointed with what I got. The AF at first was rather pedestrian. However, changing the setting to Active AF improved this considerably to the point where I am actually quite satisfied with the AF.
   My real problem is the optical performance. Despite fine tuning my D800E, and using all the other tricks that I can think of, I have never managed to get a really sharp image from this lens. The optical performance is generally no better than that of its predecessor (that cost a lot less) and has severely dented my faith in Nikon’s ability to consistently produce top lenses for top dollars.

   Felix

   Reply
4. 4) Nacho
   December 1, 2013 at 7:46 pm

   Could you please make a review of this lens?

   Reply
   • 4.1) Nasim Mansurov
     December 2, 2013 at 1:54 am

     Please read this page once again and you will find a link to the review :)

     Reply