Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR NIKKOR ED Lens

2025-03-10T07:29:23

I sold my Nikon 200-500mm, and bought this one to replace it. Although it doesn't have the range of a 500mm, I gained a much faster and crisper focusing result. I am able to focus on objects that are much closer than my other lens. Easier to maneuver, resulting in less missed shots.

Raymond T.

2024-07-27T15:44:37

This is my go to lens for wildlife and nature photography. Very fast and maneuverable. It's also excellent for close-up shots! I sold my Nikon 200-500 for this lens, and have absolutely no regrets. Much sharper and faster, with a better range. I missed a lot of shots with he old 200 mm lower end range. Having a lower end at 80 mm is definitely a plus.

Raymond T.

2023-07-14T15:53:47

I first have to admit I was a bit nervous buying this lens without renting beforehand. My concern was the lens would not be fast enough to auto focus on subjects. I read how this lens was an upgrade to the previous slow auto focusing version. After getting the lens and going to the zoo to test the lens out I was pleasantly happy with the results. The images were sharp, in focus and had a nice soft look. Take a look for yourself.

faust

Originally posted at

2022-10-06T06:18:20

The only reason it isn't five star is the weight, but that's to be expected for a long lens. With my other lens, I'm covered from 18 mm to 600 mm, if I change from FX to DX.

CHARLES B.

2022-07-09T12:19:08

Amazing lens. Item is exactly as described. Super fast shipping. Very happy with this purchase

MICHAEL M.

2022-02-05T08:44:03

when I was going to bought this lens I feel its slower. after use this I feel its not much slower when you shoot with viewfinder, in liveview its bit slower but its realy sharp and good in price. infact in this price its amazing.

Shami

Originally posted at

2021-11-19T08:00:27

I've owned this lens for a number of years now and am always amazed at the quality of the images I get with it. It provides a very useful range of focal lengths. I tend to use it mostly at the more telephoto end between 300mm and 400mm. The only downside is that it's a bit heavy. However, most lenses with that kind of telephoto reach are going to be heavy. The Nikkor 200-500mm is heavy and physically long, but it's less expensive. This Nikkor 80-400mm lens uses 77mm filters, which I find convenient since many of my other Nikkor lenses use that size.

FRED M.

2020-10-21T12:51:19

I took this on safari to Zimbabwe/Botswana/S Africa and got amazing results. Well worth the money.

BARRY C.

2020-09-21T09:00:03

Very sharp

SUPRIYA C.

2020-09-09T08:24:33

I was in the market for a super telephoto lens. I looked at several models that would fit on my Nikons. I opted for this 80-400mm model because: - It gives me a good range, which perfectly complements my 24-70mm lens - It's not too heavy - It's not too long, so fits well into my camera bags

Robert W.

2020-03-23T20:00:00

The AF VR Zoom-NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED is an excellent lens. It was Nikon's first lens to incorporate VR, which works so well I do not use a tripod. Granted it is slow to focus, but if you anticipate your shot and pre-focus this lens will give very good images of birds in flight. Zooming out to 400mm brings very nice close-ups and the lens is sharp throughout its range. This zoom purchased used and in great condition is much cheaper than Nikon's newer version and is an outstanding value!

NikonAl

Originally posted at

2020-02-23T19:00:00

I use this lens to shoot birds in flight and roosting, mainly with a DX body (D500). I have found this to be one of the sharpest lenses I've ever owned. The auto focus is very good.

photobear

Originally posted at

2019-12-06T19:04:40

Love this lens! Fast, accurate focusing. Great pairing with my Nikon D750. Lighter and easier to lug around than my Nikon 200-500mm lens. AND the 80mm on the wide end is more useful to me than the extra 100mm on the 200-500 lens

PATRICK M.

2019-11-14T19:00:00

i have used the original Nikkor AF 80-400mm for a little over 7 years and have always been frustrated by its slow and noisy focussing. Even butterflies would disappear before focus was reached; some birds would complain! This model has nice fast and quiet focus, so no more lost shots. As a bonus: it appears to be sharper than the old model as well!

Henk

Originally posted at

2019-09-06T08:50:06

All except the tripod mount collar is just great. Bought the KES Kirk replacement collar. Spending $ for the Kirk collar - Ouch! I’ve been shooting with the 80-400 for a week now and have been getting some nice photos from far and close. I wanted to extend my lens collection range previously 200mm f2.8. Although I now can reach 400 f5.6 it’s a compromise that I can live with. A 400 f2.8 is out of my budget’s range : )))

CY D.

2019-06-16T09:10:33

Excellent build and quality but I am a birder and sharp focus at a moving distance is my requirement. The images were acceptable but compared to the 500 F5.6 prime they were not as sharp. I am not a techie or pixel peeper however the speed of focus and image sharpness was better. BIF shooting really pushes both the photographer and equipment.

CRAIG E.

2019-04-11T13:22:47

It’s heavy but easy to use

WEBER B.

2018-06-13T14:53:01

Absolutely the most incredible lens I’ve ever used. Razor sharp at any focal length and easy to handhold.

MARIANN T.

2018-02-22T19:00:00

Used to see these kinds of lenses as sort of amateurish. Got one from NPS a few months to give it a try on a golf tournament. Wow! Loved it. So sharp, fast focusing and easy to carry. The fact that it's so lightweight compared to a 400 2.8 or 200-400 makes it so much easier on the body. Sure it doesn't blur the background as much as a 2.8 but it gives you so many more options than a fixed lens. I would have preferred the lens to have a fixed tripod collar because if you're not careful you run the risk of the lens sliding out of the collar, but you quickly develop habits to ensure that this doesn't happen. And I love the zoom barrel locking button.

SantaMonicaShooter

Originally posted at

2018-02-09T15:46:33

My old 80-400 Nikkor zoom was stolen several months ago, so I replaced it with the newer version. I found the new Nikon 80-400 to be lighter, sharper and faster to focus, especially using back button focusing. I use it on my D-750, and, while I have only had it for a month, it is one of my go to lenses. It is great, even in low light situations.

Walter C.

2017-11-19T17:17:25

I had my first NIKON 80-400 for over 12 years. It still works. However the improved quickness (and quietness) of the new focusing system and the VR are well worth the money to upgrade to the new one. I have had the new one for about 3 weeks. I have had a lot of success capturing great pictures of birds in flight. The quickness of focus is important to me, and sharpness is excellent taking you down to Fine (D500) pixels for resolution limitations. My first new 80-400 had a defective VR, but Adorama took immediate ownership of the problem and got me a replacement in two days. That is the one I am reviewing.

BRUCE H.

2017-09-29T20:00:00

This lens is expensive, but worth it. I got mine used, and so cut the cost a bit. Even so, I have had no problems with it, and it has produced some fine images. On my DX camera it has the field of view of a 120-600mm lens. I love it.

Ejay64

Originally posted at

2017-08-23T08:49:36

Best long zoom ever made. It delivers 95% of what you'd get with a prime telephoto up to 400mm but at a fraction of the cost and hassle...and in a remarkably compact package. I sold my Nikkor 300mm and 400mm primes after using this for just a few months!

Michael H.

2017-07-06T09:09:19

I'm a birder so I need a lens that is tack sharp and focuses fast in some tricky situations. The zoom is smooth and just what I need and when I need to stretch it with a Nikon doubler I still get great results. Many compliments on my work including one shot which extended the known range of endangered Heron. Great Buy!

JOE L.

2017-05-31T20:00:00

Was looking for a telephoto lens that had the range this lens fills, 80/400MM. A very well made product which has proven its self to me with the many photos I've shot with it. Worth the asking price.

Bill3

Originally posted at

2017-05-26T15:26:10

I love this lens. This is my second copy, first was the original, and it's so much better. It has better VR, better optics and now focuses very fast. The lens is light enough that I can use it hand held in my kayak and long enough that I can get decent wildlife images. All in all, a bit expensive, far better than the original version and easier and sharper than the 200-500.

KEVIN B.

2017-05-13T20:00:00

I have been a dedicated Nikon user for 40+ years. This is my first refurbished Nikon product namely and 80 to 400mm g lens. Upon receipt of the lens I examined it very closely regarding any imperfections in the material and workmanship of the refurbishment . I was astounded that the product looked as good as any factory 'new' lens. With the first tests of the lens, again I was very pleased regarding its performance and true Nikon historical excellence.

Reflections

Originally posted at

2017-05-08T22:02:54

I researched and decided on the Nikon 80-400mm lens. I almost bought the 200-500mm but decided on the 80-400 for a couple reason. Great reviews, sharp image quality. I talked with Sy at Adarama regarding a refubished 80-400mm lens they had and decided to buy it. I use this lens with my Nikon D500 mainly to take pictures of wildlife in Florida. Fantastic lens for shooting birds in flight and I also attend and take pictures of car racing (mainly GT type cars). recently attended NAB.org convetion on Vegas then my wife and I went on a short vacation to Death Valley, Yosemite and Kings Canyon CA. The lens performed fantastic and I got sone great shots. I appreciate Adorama and their good sales guys like Sy. I feel I have gotten good deals (have purchased a number of items including the Sony A6000 for my daughter to use on our upcoming trip to S. Africa safari we are taking in June. I can't wait for that trip to take great shots with the 80-400mm using my Nikon d500. Happy camper and we will be camping in the parks.

Jeff C.

2017-04-30T20:00:00

I bought this lens from a friend who wanted to purchase a 200-500 for Birds. I am a nature photographer so the big zoom range, lightweight, compact body was a major attraction. Since the day I received the lens I was impressed. I use it in conjunction with my 300 f2.8 vr2 that I always use with the TC 2.0iii. The image quality is very good, light to use, very flexible, great as a hiking lens. I shoot day events, family shoots and sport with it. On a recent trip to Kruger National Park in South Africa, I was restricted to take 1 camera and 2 "lightweight" lenses. I took the 24-120 f4 and the 80-400 with D810. Coming back from the trip I seriously questioned some of my equipment choices. It is a very good lens. I have a very good copy and is sharp, focus is fantastic. The first lens I pack for a trip.

JamesPics

Originally posted at

2017-04-02T20:00:00

Bought this lens as an upgrade to my 55-300mm. Only negative thing about it, it's quite heavy but worth it. It's great at any distance and amazing for wildlife, I get that extra reach that I needed. I don't use a tripod much but I do handheld quite a bit and this lens sure holds up to it. It's worth the money, pricey but in the long run you'll have some amazing photos. After reading reviews and some research I'm glad I bought this lens. It is my go to lens. I would definitely recommend buying this if you are thinking about it, it's a great investment.

AnnJamesPhotos

Originally posted at