Nikkor 80-400 AF-S VR II vs. 300 PF +1.4X extender for aviation / BIF photography?

One_Oh_Four

Hi guys 'n' gals,

I'm not sure if the new 300mm f/4 PF VR is generally available yet. If it is, has anybody that knows the 80-400 VR II used the lens (with 1.4X extender) for BIF or aviation? Can a comparison be made?

Cheers,
Erik.

heartyfisher

I have neither :-) but I don't understand your question. are you trying to get a comparison between the 300F4 with the 80-400 + TC14. ?

squoop

I've been wondering the same. I'm considering getting 300/4 PF + TC-14E iii and would like to know how it compares with 80-400 G at the long end. Also when will it be back in stock?

sevencrossing

I dont have the 300 f 4 nor the 80-400 VR II ( i don't think there is one)
but I do have the 80-400mm AF-S VR G ED N
It is an excellent lens but I have found a bit short for both BIF and aviation

I would look at this thread

http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/4006/need-telephoto-advice-for-my-d750#Item_14

jimo

I have both lenses. I really love my 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, it is sharp and focuses very fast. But carrying for three to four hours gets to be tiring for this old man, it is a heavy lens. The 300mm f/4E PF ED VR is just as sharp and as fast focusing as the 80-400mm, but it’s a lot lighter to carry around. I have used it with my TC-14E III and the TC-20E III. With the TC-14 I have not noticed any decrease in sharpness but there is a slight loss of focus speed. On the other had with the TC-20 there is a sometimes a slight decrease in sharpness and a very noticeable loss of speed with its focus. I have missed a few shots with this combination, but I love the weight and the reach of it. On a nice sunny day there is no doubt I will be using the 300mm w/the TC-20 and be using the TC-14 on the not so sunny days. Be the judge and check out my Flickr page, I have been posting images there using the 300mm w/ both TC’s since February 11.

www.flickr.com/photos/joskam

Photobug

@jimo - thanks for the posting and including your flicker account. I am particularity interested in the 300mm PF images.

Wow. Excellent work. I just looked at a bunch of your images with the 300mm & 80-400 lens. Appreciate the work you did with various TC too. The sharpness on all the images were excellent and a few just blew me away. Really nice work. Again, thanks for sharing. Please consider posting to PAD to share them with the NRF members.

One_Oh_Four

I have neither :-) but I don't understand your question. are you trying to get a comparison between the 300F4 with the 80-400 + TC14. ?

Heartyfisher, I'm trying to get a comparison between the 300 f/4 and the 80-400. I have the latter but it's quite a hefty lens that overlaps my 70-200. I really bought it for it's 300-400mm part, to use in photographing aircraft in flight on airfields and airshows. Seeing all the magnificent photos of BIF, I feel attracted to that too, although my experience in that field is quite small.

I dont have the 300 f 4 nor the 80-400 VR II ( i don't think there is one)
but I do have the 80-400mm AF-S VR G ED N
It is an excellent lens but I have found a bit short for both BIF and aviation

I would look at this thread

http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/4006/need-telephoto-advice-for-my-d750#Item_14

sevencrossing, thank you for the link!

I have both lenses. I really love my 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, it is sharp and focuses very fast. But carrying for three to four hours gets to be tiring for this old man, it is a heavy lens. The 300mm f/4E PF ED VR is just as sharp and as fast focusing as the 80-400mm, but it’s a lot lighter to carry around. I have used it with my TC-14E III and the TC-20E III. With the TC-14 I have not noticed any decrease in sharpness but there is a slight loss of focus speed. On the other had with the TC-20 there is a sometimes a slight decrease in sharpness and a very noticeable loss of speed with its focus. I have missed a few shots with this combination, but I love the weight and the reach of it. On a nice sunny day there is no doubt I will be using the 300mm w/the TC-20 and be using the TC-14 on the not so sunny days. Be the judge and check out my Flickr page, I have been posting images there using the 300mm w/ both TC’s since February 11.

www.flickr.com/photos/joskam

Thank you jimo! Excellent! I'm at work now, but when home I'll take a good look at your photos! I'd think you or your family has a Dutch background?

Cheers,
Erik.

Msmoto

Just for informations sake:

The old 80-400


New 80-400


And, the new 300mm f/4 PF


OK, MTF charts only give us a theoretical quality, as the image one captures depends upon many things, especially how much of the center is used. But, what I am seeing is that the new 300mm f/4 PF with the new TC-14EIII should perform better at 420mm than the new 80-400 at 400mm.

However, in spite of the MTF chart of the old 80-400 this lens when stopped down performs extremely well, especially for the price.

snakebunk

I found this review: http://cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_Nikkor_AF-S_300mm_f4E_PF_ED_VR/

Photobug

Thanks @snakebunk for the link. We all or should I say most of us know about this issue on the old lens (quoting from he author of the review):
"The old 300/4.0D is the predecessor of the 300/4.0E VR and it always had a good reputation for image quality if you were able to eliminate shake. Which was quite a challenge if you had to use the supplied tripod mounting, which was simply too flimsy to eliminate shutter-shock on even the sturdiest tripods."

The reviewer made no comments on the new 300mm PF if it needs a tripod mount or not. Hopefully other reviewers will address this question. Thanks again for the link to the camera lab review.

One_Oh_Four

Thank you Msmoto & snakebunk!