Nikon 200-400

Hi all

Looking from some 'hands on' advice from those who have actually used this rather lovely lens.

I value advice based on the practical experiences of NPN "guys" over any number of the review sites

I'm talking about the original version and not the latest "silly money" version (though Nikon prefer to call it the Mark II I believe )

Thanks all

Barrie

What do you want to know?
The only slight problem I have with this lens, which I have used extensively for the last 18 months, is that like most zooms, it is rather prone to flare when shooting backlit and when compared to a prime.

Thanks Phil

I was hoping to her about image quality, sharpness through the range (wide open and stopped down) etc

Usual "lensy" stuff

Hi Barrie,

I have the "silly Money Version " but its the same as the old version apart from VRII and Nano coat

I am very impressed both wide open and stopped down, it works well with the 1.4tc as well.

I not used it too much as yet but so far I am very impressed, to the point of thinking of selling my 300mm 2.8 and 400mm 2.8.

Thanks Ian "rich as croesus" Macdermott

If and when you want to sell your 300mm - think of me as I got rid of mine at the beginning of the year and have regretted it ever since

Hi Barrie
I have the el cheapo version and wouldn't swap it for anything except the new version, The nano coating does make a difference, If you look at my website at the Virginia opossums they were all shot with the 200-400-some with a 1.4x-Great wide open, The only criticism i have seen is that it softens off at infinity but as i don't use mine for that its not a problem for me
Dave

I use mine with the cropped chip cameras and it's an amazing bit of kit. Pin sharp, amazing bokeh small enough to carry all day. VR means I can drive it of a monopod. Go you know you want one. I am not sure if it would give me enough reach with a full sized chip though.

I knew you guys would come up trumps

Thanks for the input. I know Dave loves his but it's a big chunk of money and whilst I would normally get a prime at this length, I really want to use it for various subjects (not just nat. hist.) and the zoom will be of huge benefit. The reach 'thing' is a moot point of course as a non-full frame chip doesn't increase reach anyway (only gives you increased pixel density which helps to an extent when cropping but at the price of greater noise).

I'm wanting a 300mm too for business but that might have to wait unless Ian is feeling very altruistic

Thanks again - this is the sort of stuff that is really useful and so much better than so called 'professional' review sites