Thinking about a little more reach...Anyone here have the Nikkor 80-400mm?

[Quicklabs]

The reviews I've read have indicated that it's pretty slow. I want to use the lens for shots at agility trials (outdoors not a problem, but some of the indoor venues have very poor lighting and those doggies are moving--would have to capture at no less than 1/500.) Also, would like to do a little bit better on wildlife shots (like on the Safari ride). I still like my Nikkor 18-200, but it just doesn't get enough reach...
What do you think of the IQ?
Is it fast enough for moving four legged things (And their handlers)
How hard to hand hold maxxed at 400?
Your pros and cons about this lens much appreciated...
Thanks in advance.

 

[annnewjerz]

I don't have this lens (because trust me, if I did---you would all know about it ), but I believe Jeff does. I've seen it listed in his signature and if it was the one he used in the bird shots he has been posting recently, I'd say it seems like it would be a veeeery nice addition to your gear.

Have you considered the 75-300 VR as well? Don't know how much more reach you are looking for, but it seems to get great reviews from people on here.

 

[Quicklabs]

An extra 100 mm from what I have wouldn't seem "worth" it to me--I want MORE!

I'd say it seems like it would be a veeeery nice addition to your gear.

Have you considered the 75-300 VR as well? Don't know how much more reach you are looking for, but it seems to get great reviews from people on here.

 

[MICKEY88]

The reviews I've read have indicated that it's pretty slow. I want to use the lens for shots at agility trials (outdoors not a problem, but some of the indoor venues have very poor lighting and those doggies are moving--would have to capture at no less than 1/500.) Also, would like to do a little bit better on wildlife shots (like on the Safari ride). I still like my Nikkor 18-200, but it just doesn't get enough reach...
What do you think of the IQ?
Is it fast enough for moving four legged things (And their handlers)
How hard to hand hold maxxed at 400?
Your pros and cons about this lens much appreciated...
Thanks in advance.

with very steady hands you probably need 1/500th shutter speed to eliminate blur of stationary objects,, with quick moving dogs, probably higher...

 

[Gdad]

I sold my 80-400vr because the auto focus was painfully slow. Birds in flight were next to impossible to lock onto even with the D700. Instead I opted for the 300mm f4 prime which is AF-S and extremely fast to acquire and hold focus- a world of improvement. You can grab one for about the same price and add a 1.4x Teleconverter which gives you a nice sharp 400mm f5.6. Even with a 1.7x TC (500mm f6.8) it is 10 times faster to grab focus than the 80-400 was.

I have only had it for a few weeks but here are some shots:

300mm f4 1/320

300mm f4 1/1000

500mm f8 1/800

500mm f8 1/500 (Huge Crop)

A few more are HERE.

 

[spinetnglr]

Thanks for asking this question. I have been considering something too that would give me more reach. My current longest lens is the 55-200VR and I have been spending a lot of time at the local state park photographing water fowl and wildlife and I just dont have the reach I'd like either. I was wondering what you were using Jeff for those awesome bird shots you have been posting.
The NAS bug seems to have bitten me again.

 

[YesDear]

FYI there is a 300mm f4 on sale at nikonians and the extension tubes etc as well.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A close friend just bought the Nikon 200-400mm and he won't shut up about how much he loves it. It's painfully heavy and scary expensive, but it's an awesome lens. It and the Nikon 14-24 are the two lenses that sometimes make me wonder if Canon was the right choice.

 

[Quicklabs]

Thanks everyone. Based on your insights, it seems pretty clear that this this lens wouldn't meet my needs. Thanks for the recommendation on the fixed 300, though, Jeff. Beautiful shots there--thanks for posting them. I'll be looking into that one. That Nikon 200-400 would probably be perfect, but at six grand, I don't think it will be in my kit anytime soon. You warned me, Mark--scary expensive is right.

 

[spinetnglr]

Shots like this one are why I need more reach. This one is cropped about as far as I can crop it. If he had been just a little closer LOL or my lens was a little longer .... but this is the one that really got me to thinking about going longer

 

[Gdad]

Thanks everyone. Based on your insights, it seems pretty clear that this this lens wouldn't meet my needs. Thanks for the recommendation on the fixed 300, though, Jeff. Beautiful shots there--thanks for posting them. I'll be looking into that one.

Hey look- It works on doggies! Taken this afternoon at my parents house as he ran right to me- I snapped off a half dozen shots and the AS-F had no problems.

 

[Quicklabs]

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Hey look- It works on doggies! Taken this afternoon at my parents house as he ran right to me- I snapped off a half dozen shots and the AS-F had no problems.