Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Bought this lens for Wildlife photography and am still getting used to it. I do find that to get sharp focus in dim light I have to use the manual focus. It is heavy but, I am using it on a tripod most of the time. I have never used a fixed focal length lens so I don't know how the sharpness would compare

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

The lens uses the motor drive on the camera for auto focus, so bit slow to focus. This is fine for wildlife, but may be too slow for sports and action. It offers excellent compromise ... you sacrifice a large aperture ... but this reduces the weight. And the Vibration Reduction feature seems to be excellent. I have got some great results using shutter speeds that would be much too slow to hand hold with the VR feature. Terrific lens.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

What else can I say,"A big toss to this super lense"....Clear, fast, and durable...won't let me down... A little heavy, but manageble...

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Before buying, I had mixed feelings since the reviews varied from 5 star to 1 star. After all, it was what I hoped for. You can get sharp pictures out of this lens as long as you follow the rules. Specifically, shoot at a shutter speed of 1/focal length or faster, i.e. 1/500 sec. at 400 mm. With VR on, count only on a 1 stop gain and leave the rest as a safety if at all possible. And finally, my monopod mounted shots with VR on turned out fantastic.

The focusing is loud and slow compared to my other 18-200 mm Nikkor but very acceptable for non action photography. When the focus limit switch is engaged focusing is actually quite decent. At the longer focal lengths, the limited depth of field makes for easy manual focusing too.

One thing that keeps confusing me is that the zoom and focusing rings are swapped compared to my 18-200 mm zoom.

I was also a little suprised with the lens size - the online pictures without a reference don't give the right idea. It definitely does not fit in my back pack.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Purchased this one for my wife for travel based on my experiance with the lens. Overall great product; VR does what they say it will. Very versatile; ok with extensions. Old style TC will fit, but goes manual and can be difficult to get good results. I use for intermediate nature work, flight, general when I want to avoid the weight of the bigger guns, i.e. 200-400. VR off for tripod use a must.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

This is a very high quality, useful lense. Because of the slow auto focus, it would likely frustrate action photographers. However, I bought it for nature and landscape photography and it has been great. I did replace the tripod collar with one from [...] The new collar has an integrated quick release plate for my Acratech ball head. This makes for a great combination.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Purchased this product to photograph birds from a distance. Even using a tripod with mirror up, I still have difficulty getting a sharp image.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

This is another fantastic lens by Nikon. There is so many uses, with some limations, as with all lens. There is a small learning level, as with most lens. I take this lens with me when ever I go out, carring it in it's own case. I also have a mono pod with me for more difficult shots, VR works great. When you look at what this lens can do, it's range, quality and Price, how can you not own this Lens.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Can be used hand-held, but really needs a tripod or support. Mounting ring has markers for horizontal/vertical rotation, but is visual only - no indent. Auto focus works well, but is slow and a little noisy. Auto Focus has a range limiter switch, though, for faster focus.Images seem sharp to me, but then, I've never used $6000 lenses. I think it is a good lens for the money.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

This lens has met all my expectations. It's excellant for outdoor sports photography and zooms in close to the action while producing extremely sharp and clear pictures.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

I'm overall very pleased with this lens...if I wasn't, I would have returned it! The auto focus is better than I anticipated. I heard from others it was dreadfully slow. But I feel it does fairy well when used with my d200. My biggest complaint about the lens is when you zoom from one extreme to the other a lot of twist is needed causing the need to twist some, and then release your hand and re-grip the lens in a comfortable position. Most of the time I have a 1.4 TC attached to it (Kenko pro 300 DG)
for more reach. The VR really makes a huge differance with freehand full telephoto shots being sharp most of the time.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

good for wildlife ,bird ,love the vr very helpfull ,just came back from african safari ,got somegreat result

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Can be used effectively with telextenders, contrary to Nikon disclaimer. Smart enough to track birds in flight with good vibration reduction. Accepts standard 77mm filters. Focus can hunt a bit in low light. Can get a proper tripod mount from Kirk Enterprises if needed. I just leave the tripod mount off all the time. Good Bokah.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

I thought the zoom range would off set the slowness. Wish I had bought a faster and easier to use 300mm or 400mm. First one I received lost its internal connections on first use. Replaced with no problem [...]. I love my other lenses and everything in my Nikon system but this lens is a dog.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

It's been a good tool in the field capturing wildlife images, work fine in a good variety of environment conditions and responded as expected according to the price that I paid for it. The VR works fine but I recomend the use of a tripod.

Size and weight are great for a 400mm lens.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

While it is a bit heavy, I find none of the problems that I have read about. ie slow focus etc. As long as you pre-focus, there is no problem, and the vr is great. Sharp, true colors, what more could you ask for?

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Super Sharp Images, Very solid when properly Mounted

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

I've really enjoyed this lens. For what it can do, it is reasonably priced and reasonably small and portable. It is a bit slow to focus and I'd love to have wider apertures available, but I also realize that it would cost twice as much and be twice as heavy if it were an f/2.8. The VR is fantastic and I can get good shots at 400mm handheld even with relatively long exposures. I haven't had a chance to play with the new 70-300 VR, but I imagine that it will put a lot of pressure on this lens at half the price and much smaller and lighter (plus AFS).

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

It is not the 200-400 mm lens.In bird & nature photography it can be handheld and get great pictures. Of course, it is better on a tripod, but nature and bird photography doesn't always allow for tripods. It is the biggest lens I have used that can still be carried and used.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

It works well with D100 - D200. I love to take grandchildren photos at sporting events. Bird photography is made easier. Photos are excelent quality.

Nikon does not make a teleconverter that works in automatic for this lense. I wish they would.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

I am very satisfied with this lens. It;s build quality and results are very good. This lens is easy to use, and takes very good images. It is quite compact despite its great focal length (120-600mm with my Nikon D2x camera). I use it to complement my Nikon 24-120mm VR lens. When I need that extra reach, the 80-400mm is there to do the job...

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

I have had good luck with this lens. Mostly I use it for wildlife captures and landscapes/outdoor images and a little sports photography. Lens seems to perform well- not much vignetting or optical distortion.

Biggest complaint is that the AF feature will use up your battery- it is a lot of glass to be moving around, so always carry an extra battery.

As with any telephoto lens, I always want it to be one stop faster and 100mm longer. It does make a nice companion to my 80-200 f2.0 zoom.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Excellent Lens, great for art and nature shots. The VR works fine with zero distortion. The lens may look heavy, but it is a fine piece of gear that works in any enviorment.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

I have used this lens for almost 5 years and found it well worth the cost. I look froward to Nikon's next generation of VR technology.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

The lens is very fast, focus is precisely, and the vibration reduction is ideal.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Great for daylight, slow moving subjectrs. NOT a lowlight lens. NOT a sporting lens. Very good images when properly used.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

This lense replaces several of my fixed lenses and zooms. I hate to travel with a big bag. This lense and a wide angle zoom is all I need. I shoot my best pictures with this lense. It's expensive but well worth the price.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Vibration Reduction) with Hood & Soft Case - Gray Market:

Expensive, big and heavy. Ssllooww autofocus. Sharpness is pretty good. Bokeh is not bad - far better than the 18-200VR which, for me, has very harsh bokeh. I use this lens for wildlife and like it. I don't think this is the best tool for fast moving objects although I did get some great surfing shots last month.