Well, FINALLY we get an updated 80-400

1911131415

Comments

  • haroldpharoldp Posts: 984Member
    Mine arrived today and it includes the collar. It is a fixed rather than removable foot as on the 70-200 / 2.8
    D810, D3x, 14-24/2.8, 50/1.4D, 24-70/2.8, 24-120/4 VR, 70-200/2.8 VR1, 80-400 G, 200-400/4 VR1, 400/2.8 ED VR G, 105/2 DC, 17-55/2.8.
    Nikon N90s, F100, F, lots of Leica M digital and film stuff.

  • LockonLockon Posts: 13Member
    Mine arrived today and it includes the collar. It is a fixed rather than removable foot as on the 70-200 / 2.8
    It is removable... you just have to rotate it to align the marks and then slide it off the back of the lens. I took it off and ditched it for my most recent trip.
  • haroldpharoldp Posts: 984Member
    That removes the entire collar.
    On the 70-200/2.8 the foot can be removed from the collar with one release lever, leaving the collar in place.

    Regards ... H
    D810, D3x, 14-24/2.8, 50/1.4D, 24-70/2.8, 24-120/4 VR, 70-200/2.8 VR1, 80-400 G, 200-400/4 VR1, 400/2.8 ED VR G, 105/2 DC, 17-55/2.8.
    Nikon N90s, F100, F, lots of Leica M digital and film stuff.

  • LockonLockon Posts: 13Member
    Ah, Sorry. I don't have any experience with the 70-200 lens.
  • DenverShooterDenverShooter Posts: 416Member
    I got to try out the 80mm to 400mm at the Nikon Booth at the NAB Show in Las Vegas today and I was very impressed with it. I put it on a D800E body and compared it to the 400mm F/2.8 they had.

    Its sharp and it focuses quickly and its not too heavy.

    Probably going to get one as a result of demoing it for those situations where I don't need the speed of my Nikon 400mm F/2.8 or don't have the ability to transport it.

    Denver Shooter
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    @DenverShooter

    We must think alike....
    Msmoto, mod
  • haroldpharoldp Posts: 984Member
    Mine is quite sharp at 400 / 5.6, and adds some contrast stopped to F8 but resolution appears similar.

    It is also very good, even wide open with the 1.4 II Nikon extender, which I am convinced was part of the optical formula.

    Stopping down (one stop to F11 at 400 mm) with the extender improves resolution slightly, but visibly improves contrast.

    I will save it's cost in chiropractic fees not carrying my 200-400 f4 as often.

    ... H
    D810, D3x, 14-24/2.8, 50/1.4D, 24-70/2.8, 24-120/4 VR, 70-200/2.8 VR1, 80-400 G, 200-400/4 VR1, 400/2.8 ED VR G, 105/2 DC, 17-55/2.8.
    Nikon N90s, F100, F, lots of Leica M digital and film stuff.

  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    edited April 2013
    Just got mine. This really is a great lens and will replace my 70 -200 f 2.8
    I have tried it with TCs III needless to say, the auto focus does not work
    IQ very poor, one is definitely much better off cropping, at least with a D800
    Post edited by sevencrossing on
  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    edited April 2013
    @sevencrossing: I'm pleased to hear your are happy with this lens. If I may, don't be so quick to part with your 70-200 2.8 lens. I believe there are going to be many situation when a fixed 2.8 lens does serve a purpose and will come in handy.
    Post edited by Golf007sd on
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    yes a fixed f2.8 does have advatages. i will not be selling my 105 f 2.8 macro
  • haroldpharoldp Posts: 984Member
    I do a fair amount of theater shooting with stage lights only and the 70-200/2.8 is my staple rig, usually at F2.8 or F3.2) . If I need longer I use a200-400 F4 always wide open. The 80-400 is just too slow for this application.
    (on a D800e at ISO 3200 - 6400 , re-rezzed to 12 mp in post with C NX2, awesome low noise this way)
    .. H
    D810, D3x, 14-24/2.8, 50/1.4D, 24-70/2.8, 24-120/4 VR, 70-200/2.8 VR1, 80-400 G, 200-400/4 VR1, 400/2.8 ED VR G, 105/2 DC, 17-55/2.8.
    Nikon N90s, F100, F, lots of Leica M digital and film stuff.

  • adamzadamz Posts: 842Moderator
    As I can't afford the new 80-400 af-s I just got a used 300/4 and I guess I'll have to stay with it for some time, and as the comparison shots show the only one thing I'll use is the zoom factor (but I have the 70-200/2.8 for that, which honestly I wouldn't exchange for anything else on the market). anyway, this new 80-400 af-s looks really good and is a nice tool if You can afford it.
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member

    It is also very good, even wide open with the 1.4 II Nikon extender, which I am convinced was part of the optical formula.

    . H
    Harold - is using the x 1.4 noticeably better, than just cropping ?



  • haroldpharoldp Posts: 984Member


    Harold - is using the x 1.4 noticeably better, than just cropping ?
    It appears to me at casual examination that it is better , which is not true of extenders and many other (Particularly zoom) lenses on high res sensors like the D800.

    I have not run any disciplined tests, but will because I will be going to a known eagle sanctuary and want to optimize my rig.

    I will keep the forum informed.

    ... H

    D810, D3x, 14-24/2.8, 50/1.4D, 24-70/2.8, 24-120/4 VR, 70-200/2.8 VR1, 80-400 G, 200-400/4 VR1, 400/2.8 ED VR G, 105/2 DC, 17-55/2.8.
    Nikon N90s, F100, F, lots of Leica M digital and film stuff.

  • dissentdissent Posts: 1,355Member
    Looks sweet, autofocus. I may have to put this lens on my "want" list.
    - Ian . . . [D7000, D7100; Nikon glass: 35 f1.8, 85 f1.8, 70-300 VR, 105 f2.8 VR, 12-24 f4; 16-85 VR, 300 f4D, 14E-II TC, SB-400, SB-700 . . . and still plenty of ignorance]
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    edited April 2013
    This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite lenses
    cropping to equivalent of 800mm, gives quite acceptable results for personal use
    a very small improvement if stopped down to f 8, but very acceptable result wide open
    in a completely different league to my 70 -200 f 2.8 + 2TC which I am selling
    very nice for candid portraiture the D800 rapidly focuses on the nearest eye
    Post edited by sevencrossing on
  • haroldpharoldp Posts: 984Member
    This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite lenses
    cropping to equivalent of 800mm, gives quite acceptable results for personal use
    a very small improvement if stopped down to f 8, but very acceptable result wide open
    in a completely different league to my 70 -200 f 2.8 + 2TC
    I agree, I think for me, this lens has replaced any shorter lens with a TC.

    ..... H

    D810, D3x, 14-24/2.8, 50/1.4D, 24-70/2.8, 24-120/4 VR, 70-200/2.8 VR1, 80-400 G, 200-400/4 VR1, 400/2.8 ED VR G, 105/2 DC, 17-55/2.8.
    Nikon N90s, F100, F, lots of Leica M digital and film stuff.

  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    I am at a Photo Workshop in the Smoky Mountains and one of the Nikon individuals just took delivery of his new Nikkor 80-400mm lens. Now remember, he got this lens just a few days ago and this was the first he had used the lens. He was using it yesterday and the pro Nikon instructor and several Nikon users were asking questions on what he thought of the lens. All positive comments.

    We had some down time late yesterday and he showed m about 30 pictures including several of the tree tops against the fog. The branches were "tack sharp". We were both impressed with the sharpness, zoomed in to the max on his D800 to check sharpness. He did not own the older model and has no idea if it is faster at focusing but he is very satisfied.

    I road with him today and checked out the lens. Really nice. The tripod appeared to be family sturdy. Focus ring and zoom ring were smooth. Love the ability to lock the lens in manual focus or auto focus mode or just leave it so you can switch rapidly.

    It's a heavy beast but nicely balanced. If you were on the fence about buying this money I would suggest you push it up your priority list as soon as the price drops this summer. Very impressive lens.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    Playing with the 80-400. Shooting the moon. D800, ISO 400, 1/200sec, f8 @400mm

    WebMoon1
  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    Very nice photo. Thanks for sharing.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    @autofocus

    Can you link this to a full size image? Or post the link?

    Thanks
    Msmoto, mod
  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    Msmoto, here is the link to Flicker for the full version. I'm not a Flicker expert so I don't know how to upload the full res file. It limits this to 2084 on the long side. Anyway, here is the original converted to JPG.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/americanphotoshoot/8674636935/
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    For those of you complaining about the price

    how about the new canon 200 -400 - only $649 FOR THE CASE

    http://photorumors.com/2013/05/14/canon-ef-200-400-f4l-is-usm-1-4x-lens-announced/#more-43190
  • adamzadamz Posts: 842Moderator
    it's a BIG step for all Canonians as it's a dream lens for safari, but for $11799 it's... expensive as hell... You could actually get Nikon 200-400 + TC + D800 and still have some cash left for flight ticket to some nice destination.
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