Buzzillions.com - Nikon 200-400 mm f/4G VR IF-ED AF Zoom Lens Reviews www.buzzillions.com

The perfect wildlife lens

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:00:01 GMT

The perfect wildlife lens

Dustin from San Jose, Ca

This lens is the sharpest lens I have ever seen. The reach you get is so much more when you consider how great crops look! I've made prints from huge crops that were better than full frame images with the 80-400. It is a bit heavy, but hand holding is no problem. The AF-s provides very fast AF, especially when the focus limiter is set. Even with a 1.4x TC the focus is fast and accurate. Speaking of TC's, this lens still out-resolves the sensor on my D200 even with the TC-14EII attached. If you are big on nature photography (what I use it for) you won't find a more versatile lens. Larger mammals can be taken care of at the wide end, while birds and things far off can be taken care of with the long end. The VR works great too! And the lens balances very nice on the tripod mount (though I did replace it with a RRS foot). Read more

remarkable lens, VR= excellent

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:01 GMT

remarkable lens, VR= excellent

Yannick from Brittany, France

The 200-400 VR replaces my "old" 4/500mm AIP; it took me some time to dare use this lens without a tripod, when I did I was amazed, the images of birds in flight are tack sharp. I had replaced the palce though by a Kirk one which enables me to carry it more easily Read more

Get it.

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Get it.

electrictommy from Pittsburgh, PA

Great lens. sharp. attach to D3 or F4s and skip the gym that day. images are almost 3D. if in doubt, rent it first like i did. Read more

Nothing Comes Close...

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Nothing Comes Close...

drcb from Springfield, VA

[...] I shoot it on a D300, which gives me a lot of ISO at low noise. Combine this fast lens with a great sensor and you get photos that capture the action (I shoot rowing), are absolutely tack sharp, have no discernable CA, can be cropped and still make large enlargements, can accommodate a range of subjects (since it's a zoom), and can still be shot hand-held (did I mention this?). Wow! All I can say about focus, is that I found that shooting with a single point focus and exposure helped capture the rowing action with crystal clarity. The backgound bokeh is exceptionally pleasing behind a portrait (you just have to stand back a bit). ...and did I say "WOW" If you shoot high school sports, expect other parents to come ask you to email them photos of their kids -- you can't hide this lens. And while I did say thay you can hand-hold it, I greatly prefer not to when I'm somewhere that I can set up a tripod. I use the Wimberly gimble head and thoroughly enjoy effortlessly followin … Read more

If Nature Photography Is Your Biz.....

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:01 GMT

If Nature Photography Is Your Biz.....

Those Two from Upper Midwest, USA

BUY THIS LENS!! It's incredible, plain and simple. It's fast, accurate and produces superb images at every focal length. Matched with the proper gear and you'll amaze not only yourself but your editors as well.As a walking lens, it's not too bad. The real pro in this family is about 5'7" and 125 lbs, but she can still tote this thing around for about 2 hours...then it's time for the tripod or monopod.With a camera attached, in our case a D2Xs and a D3, it weighs in at about 10 lbs. The D3 is just a tad heavier than the D2Xs, but honestly, the weight factor for handheld isn't too bad. All you need to do is have support handy.As a handheld, it still amazes me, the VR is tight tight tight. Match it with the appropriate type of legs (Gitzo 1325 or equivalent), a gimbal worthy of its place alongside the lens (Wimberley or Mongoose) and you're off to the races. If you can afford this lens, why cheapen its existence with a set of [$]legs and a cheap head? It shines even more than it already d … Read more