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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Nikkor 80-400 f/4.5
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 09/20/2012 12:30:24 PM · #1
Hello everyone.

I'm looking for a descent lens to use on wildlife photoggraphy. One of the lenses thats caught my attention is the Nikkor 80-400 f/4.5 and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with it How does it stand up against others? I've searrched the web for reviews on it but there are only a handfull compared to other lenses which have page after page of reviews on Google. I dont want to be dropping the $6000 on the 200-400 f/2.8, and the primes in this focal range are just way too expencive but want this extra reach, at least 400mm.

Any input is apreciated!

Regards,

Sapper

Message edited by author 2012-09-20 12:31:36.
 09/20/2012 12:37:21 PM · #2
I have one and it is a decent lens. But to be honest, it is not that great in the 300-400mm range (not extremely sharp). At 400mm, the lens is actually f5.6. I have found you can tighten up sharpness a bit when you stop it down to around f8, but then you are talking about a pretty slow lens for wildlife.

I use mine mostly for outdoor daytime sports and it focuses reasonably fast, but it isn't tack sharp enough to do much pro quality work.

If I were to do it over again, I would have bought the 70-200mm VRII and a 1.4 to 1.7 teleconverter.

An alternative for you might be to buy a f4/ 300mm prime and a teleconverter.



Message edited by author 2012-09-20 12:40:13.
 09/20/2012 12:47:11 PM · #3
Originally posted by bassbone:
I have one and it is a decent lens. But to be honest, it is not that great in the 300-400mm range (not extremely sharp). At 400mm, the lens is actually f5.6. I have found you can tighten up sharpness a bit when you stop it down to around f8, but then you are talking about a pretty slow lens for wildlife.

I use mine mostly for outdoor daytime sports and it focuses reasonably fast, but it isn't tack sharp enough to do much pro quality work.

If I were to do it over again, I would have bought the 70-200mm VRII and a 1.4 to 1.7 teleconverter.

An alternative for you might be to buy a f4/ 300mm prime and a teleconverter.


To follow up with what Peter said, try getting the 300 f4 with a teleconverter. Yes you will loose a little speed by stopping down with the converter but the 300 is an excellent lens.
 09/20/2012 01:03:26 PM · #4
Link to the equipment page: Nikon 80-400 lens.

You can check out images taken with that lens by users/members of this site... Hope it helps.
 09/20/2012 01:24:45 PM · #5
Thanks guys.

I'd love to get my hands on the 70-200 VRII. I rented the VR version a few months ago and loved that lens. Extremly sharp and fast. I may have to go this route with a 1.4 teleconverter. It will escentialy become a 147-420 on my D90. That reach will work.

Cheers,

Sapper
 09/20/2012 01:26:29 PM · #6
I have one and the best I can say is that I have a love/hate relationship with it. When it cooperates, I love it. The reach you get with the 1.5 crop factor is unmatched in its price range. It is a bit soft at the longer extent of its range, but that doesn't bother me as much. What frustrates me the most with it is that the focus hunts terribly, especially in low contrast situations. It can be very difficult to focus on moving subjects, even if they are not moving very fast.

That said, the more I practice with it, the better I can compensate for its short-comings. You can limit the focus range, which can help with the focus hunting issue a little. The controls for the focus limit are neither intuitive nor quick to work with, though, so switching it on and off can make you miss opportunities.

I think all of the shots in this gallery from earlier in the year were with this lens. Some I think are good, some less so, but it gives you an idea of the results. //www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio.php?USER_ID=30508&collection_id=39972
 09/20/2012 01:49:49 PM · #7
I have this lens, and I'm quite fond of it. ::Beams::

I have bonded well with this lens, but only after a lot of technique practice.

Generally, I use this lens almost entirely in manual focus which (for me anyways) has been a learned art.

I have used it primarily to photograph egrets, pelicans, and my kids.

For me, it's a keeper.
 09/20/2012 01:51:55 PM · #8
Originally posted by hihosilver:
I have used it primarily to photograph egrets...For me, it's a keeper.


But you can't say you have no egrets! ;-)
 09/20/2012 03:34:29 PM · #9
Originally posted by kirbic:
Originally posted by hihosilver:
I have used it primarily to photograph egrets...For me, it's a keeper.


But you can't say you have no egrets! ;-)


LOL...okay, that was cute! ::Beams at Capt. Kirbic::
 09/21/2012 12:58:13 AM · #10
I never did follow up on selling this one and still have it if you are interested:

Nikon 80-400

I agree with what has been said here but do not underestimate the quality of shots you can get with the lens if you stop down a bit in good light. It is not a fast lens and can not be compared to the likes of the Nikon 200-400 or the Nikon 70-200 (look a the cost difference) but it has served me well for a number of years.
 09/21/2012 06:58:14 AM · #11
A good not so expensive alternative is the Sigma 100-300 f4.

For what I've read it's quite sharp and reasonably fast to focus. I was really hoping nikon could come out with something like this in this price range.
 09/21/2012 01:09:43 PM · #12
Thanks everyone.

I was speaking with a Nikon Rep at an event in Calgary last week. I asked him specifically about the 80-400 and if Nikon has any plans on an update for it. He told me that yes there had been plans to redesign and update the lens but form some reason unknown to him Nikon decided to scrap the overhaul. So it seems for the time being we are stuck with this model.

Sapper
 09/21/2012 01:17:19 PM · #13
Originally posted by sapper:
Thanks everyone.

I was speaking with a Nikon Rep at an event in Calgary last week. I asked him specifically about the 80-400 and if Nikon has any plans on an update for it. He told me that yes there had been plans to redesign and update the lens but form some reason unknown to him Nikon decided to scrap the overhaul. So it seems for the time being we are stuck with this model.

Sapper


I really recommend looking at the 300mm f4 with a 1.4 teleconverter as a better alternative to the 80-400mm. The price will be very similar to the 80-400mm and the image quality will be much better. If you don't need the full reach of 420mm effective, that f4 will be plenty open enough for many great shots.
 09/21/2012 02:44:22 PM · #14
Originally posted by Nuno:
A good not so expensive alternative is the Sigma 100-300 f4.

For what I've read it's quite sharp and reasonably fast to focus. I was really hoping nikon could come out with something like this in this price range.


It is by far the best wildlife lens I have in my arsenal. Sharp, fast focus tracking for BiF on the D90 (effective 150-450mm f/4). If you can get a 2nd hand one go for it you will not be disappointed. Sadly the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG APO is long discontinued.
There is a replacement, the 120-300mm f/2.8 but it is considerably more clams.
I also use the new 150-500mm f/5-6.3 OS but it is not as fast or sharp and technique is far more critical to get a sharp image.
Here are a few images taken with the Sigma 100-300mm f/4.
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