Agonising over 80-400 ED VR

[Richard_Coyle]

Have always had very good results from my 80-400 VR on D70 and D200, but using it for rather stationary daytime shooting, not for my sports or anything action. However, I'm very impressed with it's performance in initial testing with the D300, and I assume it will be the same with the D3 as well. It's much quicker, and is sharp as a tack! Although it's still not quite up to the level of my AFS lenses in focus speed, it's fast enough for most situations, again in initial testing. The resolution at 200mm is really close to my 80-200 AFS, and the resolution at 400mm is better than I remember it. I'll have to check it against my 200-400 VR again. All in all, I'm glad I have it to use!

[Dennis_Vied]

I have to agree with you, Richard, in everything you say. I had similar results with my 80-400, except I really like it for air shows, hardly stationary shooting. I'm shooting Canon now, but I find the 100-400 range a great air show lens.

[billsstills]

Originally Posted by Roger_Martin

What rumors? Where? Internal or telescoping Zoom?

There will be lots of new AFS VRII lens but will any of them be 80-400 or 50-500?

Can you imagine what an internal focusing (non telescoping) Nikkor 50-500 f/2.8 AFS-VR lense would look like. My guess is 18+ inches long 6+ inches in diameter and 15+ lbs.

I'm gonna buy the lens after the new year and put it to the test. There's enough information under this post for me to respect including yours Roger.

But there are rumours and predictions on most of the savvy sites.
Whatever the combination I look forward to a modern zoom in this configuration or close.


Bill.

[Roger_Martin]

Just to confirm how good the 80-400 is, we used two of them exclusively at a recent 12-15-07 MotoCross Event: http://assuredphotos.com/photocart/i...wGallery=12420
You may have to login with email & name first
http://assuredphotos.com/photocart
The pictures with a k in them are shot with a D3 by my wife. The 121507r#### pictures near the bottom of each folder were shot with the backup D2X by me. I used the D3 the next day at Hollister Hills. I just picked up my second D3 yesterday. The lense is quite a bit faster on the D3.

[Roger_Martin]

Here is a sample with the D3 80-400 f/5.6 at 400mm ISO 400 exposure 1/2000s and shot from about 300 feet.
resized 800 & cropped 800x800

[JohnChoong]

I love this lens and its on my 14N since 2003 using for close up, portrait, landscape, sport and wildlife too.

If rumors and predictions are true, I do hope Nikon did consider the 80 - 400 with ED AFS VRII f4 or f2.8!


I wonder what to Sigma 200-500 f2.8 announced sometime March 2007?


Choong

[Roger_Martin]

Originally Posted by JohnChoong

I love this lens and its on my 14N since 2003 using for close up, portrait, landscape, sport and wildlife too.

If rumors and predictions are true, I do hope Nikon did consider the 80 - 400 with ED AFS VRII f4 or f2.8!


I wonder what to Sigma 200-500 f2.8 announced sometime March 2007?


Choong

Sigma "GodZilla" 200-500 f/2.8 Notice the funny looking handle on top. It ain't light and must be about a foot in diameter. Sigma APO 200 - 500 mm F2.8 lens: Digital Photography Review

Even Swartznigger in his prime could not hand hold this monster.
I do however see two advantages: it comes with a doubler and appears to be more compact than my Nikkor 200-400 f/4 and a lot shorter than my Sigma 300-800. It would be faster & easier to swing on a heavy duty Gitzo tripod with full Wimberly head.

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