New Nikon 80-400mm! f/4.5 - 5.6 G ED VR
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 08:27AM
It’s about time we had a replacement for the Nikon 80-400mm, and this looks like a worthy upgrade. I bought the original one when it came out back in 2001, and I never liked the lens. I sold it due to the atrociously slow autofocus. It is great to see that Nikon is updating this lens, which is a fantastic focal range for those wildlife photographers who don’t want to commit to larger and heavier (and more expensive) lenses.
Press Release
MELVILLE, N.Y. (March 4, 2013) – Today, Nikon Inc. introduced the AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, a versatile FX-format telephoto zoom lens designed to provide top-class performance and a long reach for a variety of shooting scenarios. Sporting a long 5x zoom range, the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G is capable of capturing vivid colors with exquisite sharpness, whether shooting stills or HD video. Ideal for sports and nature photography, the addition of the AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR reaffirms Nikon’s commitment to providing a stable of lensing options for all types of photographers.
“Nikon’s next generation of the 80-400mm lens gives advanced photographers yet another top-quality NIKKOR lens to help capture every precise moment with intense detail and exceptional clarity,” said Bo Kajiwara, Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Customer Experience, Nikon Inc. “It’s a one lens solution that combines a versatile 5x zoom range, long focal length and core Nikon technologies to help create beautiful stills and HD video.”
High-Performance, High-Power Zoom Nikon’s newest telephoto zoom lens features a versatile 80-400mm focal length (5x zoom equivalent) that offers photographers a high-power FX-format lensing option to help capture stunning stills and HD video. Whether birding or shooting from the stands, the lens is also compatible with DX-format bodies to extend the maximum reach to 120-600mm (35mm equivalent). Additionally, alongside a 1.4x teleconverter, the lens can be expanded to an f/8 aperture to retain compatibility with the AF system on the most recent Nikon D-SLR cameras.
The AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is loaded with essential NIKKOR technologies to help ensure top performance for the advanced photographer, including Vibration Reduction (VR) allowing for up to four stops of image stabilization while Auto tripod detection VR allows for effortless stabilization when mounted on a tripod. The lens sports Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat to prevent ghost and flare, a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to ensure fast and quiet AF operation, and two focusing modes including M/A (AF with manual override) and M (manual). A new optical formula features 20 elements in 12 groups and includes one Super ED Glass Element and four ED glass elements for maximum clarity in a wide variety of shooting environments.
You can pre-order the lens over at B&H.
80-400mm, Nikon in Photo Gear and Reviews
Reader Comments (2)
Hi Andy. I have been following your work for long enough to know that Camera's and lenses are tools but jou also use them as you have specific style and method. So please view my question from you're respective. I have a D800e that I use primarily with a 300f2.8 vr2 with a TC1.4 if needed. And a D4 that I use with a 70-200 vr1. As I travel mostly with my own transport in places such as KNP, Kgalagadi and Etosha, I don't get as close to animals as you do in the private lodges. So a great deal of my photography is at longer distances. I consider buying the 80-400 for Zoom flexibility but people warned me that if I am use to the quality of the 300 f2.8 I will be disappointed and recommend the 200-400? I can get a used 200-400 from a friend who stel dome used the lens for a very good price. But still about $1000 more than the 80-400. 200-400 is the vr1. Thanks for your time.
Jakes, that is an excellent question. First off, the 80-400mm performs best when stopped down. I think f/8 to f/11 is where you start to see all of the benefits. The 300mm f/2.8 is sharp from wide open, and if I am comparing the two lenses I would take the 300mm + 1.4x over the 80-400mm any day of the week. I hope this helps!
Andy