Nikon 200-400mm f4G IF-ED AF-S VR NIKKOR Lens with Hood and Case - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.

2013-04-24T20:00:00

I have used this lens with my D3X for dynamic fashion shoots outdoors where it is very important to freeze a model while she is constantly moving under a directors orders and this lens tracks beautifully giving me tack sharp images, images with a pleasing Bokeh in the background for the client to view immediately on a nearby laptop. Every photo looks like a magazine cover! This is a MONEY lens when you want a telephoto that can perform to the highest expectations. I also use the 200-400 Zoom to photograph Mud Runs where I want to keep my equipment and myself as mud free as possible, with a little help from rain gear and other lens protectors, at the same time isolate the drama of these difficult races by capturing the expressions of the participants. This lens tracks and exposes flawlessly under some of the harshest, dusty conditions and always gives me sellable photos with my Nikon D3S. You must practice good telephoto technique for any long zoom lens. This lens, with it's excellent VR and fast focus allows you to relax a bit and enjoy the shoot. I use a different foot combination only because I prefer the Arca-Swiss style Tripod / Monopod Mounts. It is one of my permanent go to lenses.

Doc C.

Originally posted at

2012-10-28T20:00:00

I regularly shoot my wife's volleyball team in action. It is a hard sport to shoot in available light. By coupling this great lens with my D3 I am getting great results. It is pricy, heavy, but I still love it.

Texan

Originally posted at

2011-10-09T20:00:00

I am super happy with the lens. I should have bought it years ago.

Awesome b.

Originally posted at

2011-06-07T20:00:00

Having graduated from the 80-400 mm Nikkor to this lens, I can say that the speed of focus and lower apeture over the entire range make it ideal for photographing wildlife. Coupled with a DX SLR such as the D300, it enables the photographer to shoot in low-light conditions. It's worth the added expense.

Ed

Originally posted at

2011-05-25T20:00:00

I can;t say enough good things about this lens... but there is one thing I wish Nikon had ironed out: Distant Subjects. This lens does not pair well with older cameras like the D2Xs and subject distance is greater than 100 yards. It just falls appart. Images will be either soft or completely OOF. On the D3 it is a bit better but not by much. If you add a TC14 or TC17 things get much worse very quickly. Only the TC2 III seems to pair well with this lens, even correcting some flaws!! Flexibility and the cheapest way to get a quality 400mm lens from Nikon.

Manny

Originally posted at

2011-05-08T21:00:00

Great lens! Fast, long, strong, zoom versatility.

STEPHEN H.

2011-04-13T20:00:00

This lens is my go to lens for sports. The clarity and detail of images produced far exceeds the bulk and size of the 200-400 lens. It is fast, sharp and easy to shoot with using a monopod. I shoot primarily alpine ski racing during the winter months and in all kinds of weather. This lens was consistently the best gear choice for me.

Karen B.

Originally posted at

2010-09-21T20:00:00

Works great for the soccer, football and softball games I cover.

Dyno

Originally posted at

2010-08-12T20:00:00

This lens is fantastic. I saw another photographer using this lens on the sidelines last year and decided I had to have one. Very fast AF and tack sharp images. Was rather disappointed to find out ten days after I purchased the lens they were coming out with a new improved version. Hard to believe they could improve on this lens.

Mark

Originally posted at

2010-08-01T20:00:00

Great optic quality, fast focus, smooth optical movement. Could improve the tripod mount location closer to the center of gravity of the lens. Needs to extend the tripod mount foot so that it makes it possible to hand-hold this lens. Difficult to do this now as your hand must be so far forward that it is difficult to shoot many images without a tripod or mono-pod.

WyeKnot

Originally posted at

2010-08-01T20:00:00

I obtained this lens when it first became available so I have had several years experience. This is one of the best lenses I have every owned. I have used it primarily for sports and nature photography. For photographing crew races at very long distances a nikon 2x converter really brought in the subjects with a only slight decline in resolution. The versatiity made this my lens of choice over a prime 400 or 600 mm. Never a had a moments trouble with this lens.although it is slow to focus with the 2x converter but that was expected.

TM

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

In 1990 when I switched to Nikon, I was envious of those few photographers who had been able to get their hands on the older manual 200-400 lens at a cost of $10K used. When Nikon came out with this new model which is just as sharp with incredibly fast AF and image stabilization for only a bit more than $5K, I had to buy it and it changed my life. I achieved more first-class tele shots in my first year with the lens than I had gotten in 20 years with other, less versatile lenses, including several that I have sold to national calendars. Pairing this with the 18-200 and converters, I can travel just about anywhere and come back with great nature photos. Lastly, it's ability to focus very closely makes it useful for some macro applications, especially with a converter. A versatile gem of a lens!

Cedarisland

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

One fantastic lens! I have had this for a few years now. I have used it on my former D2hs' as well as my current D3's. Jaw dropping quick focusing and tack sharp. I do quite a bit of racing photography and love the ability for a nice tight shot and to pull back for a wider shot without having to run to a more distant location. I use this in combination with a 70-200mm f2.8 VR on the other D3 and could not be happier at the combination.

Nikon s.

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

I have had the Nikon 200-400 VR lens for a couple of years now. I added it to my camera bag when I began making regular trips to Grand Teton and Yellowstone NP to photograph wildlife. This lens produces incredibly sharp images, and the zoom range is great for wildlife photography whether in the field, or shooting with a bean bag from a vehicle. The VR is fantastic as I have hand-held this lens on many occasions and still produced great images. I also carry the Nikon TC-14E II and use it regularly with this lens giving me a 550mm f/4. The extra zoom gives me the reach I need to make pictures of wildlife further away. I also use this lens regularly for sporting events. The zoom range is great for action. I HIGHLY recommend this lens!

obidon

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

Purchased the lens to photograph bears and other wildlife in Alaska. The lens worked great in all conditions. It was extremely sharp, with blazing fast focus and incrediably sharp, even handheld in less than desirable light. The color and contrast is amazing.

lcl3

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

Possibly the greatest lens I have ever used. I used this lens for about 5 weddings and I must say that it was great. At first you think , oh no, this lens is heavy, but the performance of the lens is staggering. I bought a harness so that I could carry this lens on my D300 as well as a D90 with a wide lens. Switching between the two I had the best of all worlds. The focusing of the lens is nearly instant and the clarity is great. Taking low light photos with or without VR, I got razor sharp images every time. I didn't use the ballistic nylon case much, but the construction also looked really rugged and professional. I would recommend this lens to serious professionals and others that can afford it. A++

andy838

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

The AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED lens is simply one of the most extraordinary lenses I have ever used in my career as a nature photographer. Sharp, quick, and easy to handle. With the smaller sensors in the D300s, the lens is more like a 600mm lens. The VR technology helps both on and off the tripod to ensure a sharp image. It has become my go-to willdife lens when I'm traveling...it's much lighter than my 600mm and saves space when flying. For any nature photographer, this is a must have lens.

JMC

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

Great close focusing lens I have used for Pro Hockey, and wildlife images. Just about the best lens out there for wildlife and scenics, light enough to carry around with out getting tired. Being 200-400 mm focusing down to 6.5' gets some nice wildlife full body and head images in one great lens!

Mcphoto

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

I purchased the old model before VRII & Nano Chrystal coating. Had I known, I would have opted for the new model. The Nikkor 200-400 is simply one of the best lenses I have owned. It is Heavy but still hand holdable. I have shot handheld when I simply didn't have a tripod handy & the images were sharper than some lenses on a tripod. I am 73 years old & have had Nikon products since 1980 & I am pleased with Nikon.

Buster

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

This was good investment for me. I take sports pictures and usually in the evening. The pictures are crystal clear. The only draw back - the lens and camera get heavy later into the shoot. Since I'm moving all the time, a tripod or monopod gets in the way. I have no regrets with this len purchase.

LynnB

Originally posted at

2010-07-29T20:00:00

This lens does amazing things, but if you are using a tripod - it might be best to turn the vibration reduction off. You will get blurry images. Also, the images are not quite as perfectly clear as I would expect for the high price of the lens. Overall, it is a truly amazing lens with lightening fast focus and near perfect optics.

whatsthedeal

Originally posted at