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I went to Camera House today and was looking at the Nikor AF VR ZOOM ED 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D, any one used one of these before and if so what are your thoughts on them? It looks like a nice lense.

Cheers

Scott

G'day Scott,

I've been using an 80-400VR for a while and think it's great for the $, the VR's terrific, works well and improves my keeper rate by an order of magnitude. It won't mean EVERY shot is sharp but it really does make a big difference. Just remember it's a screw drive focus and low geared so the auto focus isn't snappy like an AFS lens.

I mainly use mine for animal stuff, just remember that it will cater for camera shake very well and you may be tempted to use REALLY slow shutter times but it won't stop subject movement

I reckon it's great value, I'd be lost without it for my use... Out of curiosity, what's the price where you saw it?

Cheers.

BBJ could give you an answer as he has one in his case

mudder wrote:G'day Scott,

I've been using an 80-400VR for a while and think it's great for the $, the VR's terrific, works well and improves my keeper rate by an order of magnitude. It won't mean EVERY shot is sharp but it really does make a big difference. Just remember it's a screw drive focus and low geared so the auto focus isn't snappy like an AFS lens.

I mainly use mine for animal stuff, just remember that it will cater for camera shake very well and you may be tempted to use REALLY slow shutter times but it won't stop subject movement

I reckon it's great value, I'd be lost without it for my use... Out of curiosity, what's the price where you saw it?

Cheers.

$2700 for it!

Muzza22au wrote:...
$2700 for it!

Hooley bloody dooley They've gone up... Makes me smile though as I got in a while ago...

Scott, why would you want to pay that price when you could purchase this lens from out bery own Birdy as i did and many other no doubt. This is the price birdy has it for so you would have check first but around this figure. Nikon 80-400VR AU$1850.00

Now this lens is a good lens for the bucks, ok a bit slow but i have taken a lot of bike action shots with this lens. Take a bit of time to get to know it and what it can and cant do and i think it is fantastic, pending on what you are wanting it for but it is a good all round lens as i walked the track many a time with it hanging off my neck although i dont use the VR side of it but it is there. For this amount of bucks is it great unless you want a faster 70-200 F2.8 lens for just over a grand so depends on what you need reach or fast glass.

BBJ wrote:Scott, why would you want to pay that price when you could purchase this lens from out bery own Birdy as i did and many other no doubt. This is the price birdy has it for so you would have check first but around this figure. Nikon 80-400VR AU$1850.00

Now this lens is a good lens for the bucks, ok a bit slow but i have taken a lot of bike action shots with this lens. Take a bit of time to get to know it and what it can and cant do and i think it is fantastic, pending on what you are wanting it for but it is a good all round lens as i walked the track many a time with it hanging off my neck although i dont use the VR side of it but it is there. For this amount of bucks is it great unless you want a faster 70-200 F2.8 lens for just over a grand so depends on what you need reach or fast glass.

Well looks like I wasted $900 as I already purchased it!

I didn't think I was eligible yet to buy things here! As I understand you need to be a member to purchase anything? But ohwell I have bought it and am now stuck with it! I better put it to good use...

Next time I may ask here before I race out and buy a lense! I looked at the 70-200mm f2.8 for $1750 but thought the VR would be better! Might look into getting a faster lense in the new year!

Thanks y'all for your comments, I will test the new lense out at Rally Australia next weekend, and the 4wd and camping show tomorrow!

Cheers

Scott

No worries Scott, yeh well jumped the gun, oh well you only need to 50 post to qualify and share a pic or so with us and ask a mod and you would have been allowed into the bargain section, 70-200 Sigma F2.8 is just over 1g mark so maybe remember that next time.

Anyhow have fun with the new lens.
Cheers

if i were you i'd take it back if you can - $2700 is a serious rip off - you could buy it from adorama/b&h and have it landed for well under 2k.

Scott,

Muzza22au wrote:I didn't think I was eligible yet to buy things here! As I understand you need to be a member to purchase anything?

People wonder why I sometimes come across as being grumpy.

I think it's my bloody right to be grumpy when we have a perfectly functional FAQ that tells you about becoming a "member" here, and yet people flatly refuse to read the bloody thing!. Contrary to popular opinion, I did not put the FAQ there because I needed the typing practice.

Read it - especially, Scott, the bit that says "Special Access". Then look at the Lens Lust thread in our Bargains section.

And Sejanus, why in the world would one buy this great lens (I have one) from Adorama or B&H when it could be on your doorstep, most likely for less, but most definitely with far better service and support, in a day or two through our very own resources?

Sheesh!

I feel a VI coming on!

All I meant was that if he wasnt buying it from birdy, then at the very least he should import it from usa, as he'll still save a dollop over the local retailer ripoff scam with lenses.

Ok, that wasn't clear to me from your post, so thanx for clarifying that.

But I still fail to understand why people refuse to read the FAQ.

If they can throw around (and waste) that sort of money, perhaps they should be throwing it in my direction.

The 70-200VR would have been a better buy, and get the 2X TC to go with it, still would have worked out cheaper and a better rig.

I'm sure it will be once bitten, twice shy....

Tony

TonyH wrote:The 70-200VR would have been a better buy, and get the 2X TC to go with it, still would have worked out cheaper and a better rig.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

First of all, it depends upon the user's needs.

Second, the 2x converter isn't that good; the 1.7 is the way to go.

But with the 1.7, you lose quite a bit of reach, and if reach is your priority - as it is for me - then the 70-200VR + (1.7) TC simply doesn't cut it.

Further, the 70-200 is a very big beast, and even bigger with the TC added. Big means heavy, and it's quite a good way to build up one's muscles, if that's what one is in to.

While the 80-400VR is not exactly small, it's a hell of a lot smaller and lighter than the 70-200, and it's also about half the price. And that's before you add in the cost of the TC.

Finally, there's nothing wrong with the 80-400; it's sharp, as tesitified by the images I've posted from it in the past, and it's responsive enough to focus accurately while tracking F1 race cars in full flight.

As you can see, I have no issues recommending this lens.

God, where was Muzza when I was selling my 70-200VR

I could of easily have gotten $2.7k!!!!

Read it - especially, Scott, the bit that says "Special Access". Then look at the Lens Lust thread in our Bargains section.

Gary my comment wasn't directed at any one, I've just got back from working away for 2 weeks and had read the Faq's prior to leaving!!! And seeing as though there was quite a commotion regarding what I asked last time I thought it best to keep my mouth shut and buy either online ie ebay or at a camera store here in Perth... I wasn't blatently disregarding the faq's...

And seeing as though I wanted a decent lense for this weekend I decided I would go out and buy one! This wont be the last time that I do this sort of thing! And next time I would love to buy from someone in this forum. As it is I am happy with the lense which I plan to use mainly for wildlife photography. My next lense I am thinking of a decent Macro but thats alittle way down the track! Ohwell only time will tell if I wasted my money.

Cheers

Scott

Scott, i dont think you have wasted your money ar all, just paid a bit more than other have. I think you will be very happy with this lens and i love mine for what it is, and well i am a bigg fellow and carry mine around all day. Now i have my 300mF2.8 now that heavier just the lens is 2.8kg and have spent a day walking around shooting with this hand held as my monopod was broken and the old arms were a bit sore at the end of the day and you know you have carried it.

Enjoy the lens and next time check out the bargain section and see if anything suits, and if not sure just ask. We look forward to seeing some pics.
Cheers
John

Muzza22au wrote:

Read it - especially, Scott, the bit that says "Special Access". Then look at the Lens Lust thread in our Bargains section.

Gary my comment wasn't directed at any one, I've just got back from working away for 2 weeks and had read the Faq's prior to leaving!!! And seeing as though there was quite a commotion regarding what I asked last time I thought it best to keep my mouth shut and buy either online ie ebay or at a camera store here in Perth... I wasn't blatently disregarding the faq's...

And seeing as though I wanted a decent lense for this weekend I decided I would go out and buy one! This wont be the last time that I do this sort of thing! And next time I would love to buy from someone in this forum. As it is I am happy with the lense which I plan to use mainly for wildlife photography. My next lense I am thinking of a decent Macro but thats alittle way down the track! Ohwell only time will tell if I wasted my money.

Cheers

Scott

Mate you didnt waste your money, waste is perception...in my eyes any new car, regardless of price, is a waste of money...your lense wasnt a waste of money! I also feel the same way sometimes regarding purchases, if ya want and need, go get I say! I got my D70s here in Perth, not off the forum, got a great price and it was FUN heading off to buy it. Did the same thing for my second and third CF cards, my SB600, my air blower, my filters etc etc....yep, paid more than I would have if I had got from this forum (with the exception of the SB600, got a hell bargain there), but I dont give a rats @rse, theres something about jumping in the car with a big gold box full of Nikon goodies

Oh and the 4WD show aint on till Nov 16????????

Escapism wrote:

Muzza22au wrote:

Read it - especially, Scott, the bit that says "Special Access". Then look at the Lens Lust thread in our Bargains section.

Gary my comment wasn't directed at any one, I've just got back from working away for 2 weeks and had read the Faq's prior to leaving!!! And seeing as though there was quite a commotion regarding what I asked last time I thought it best to keep my mouth shut and buy either online ie ebay or at a camera store here in Perth... I wasn't blatently disregarding the faq's...

And seeing as though I wanted a decent lense for this weekend I decided I would go out and buy one! This wont be the last time that I do this sort of thing! And next time I would love to buy from someone in this forum. As it is I am happy with the lense which I plan to use mainly for wildlife photography. My next lense I am thinking of a decent Macro but thats alittle way down the track! Ohwell only time will tell if I wasted my money.

Cheers

Scott

Mate you didnt waste your money, waste is perception...in my eyes any new car, regardless of price, is a waste of money...your lense wasnt a waste of money! I also feel the same way sometimes regarding purchases, if ya want and need, go get I say! I got my D70s here in Perth, not off the forum, got a great price and it was FUN heading off to buy it. Did the same thing for my second and third CF cards, my SB600, my air blower, my filters etc etc....yep, paid more than I would have if I had got from this forum (with the exception of the SB600, got a hell bargain there), but I dont give a rats @rse, theres something about jumping in the car with a big gold box full of Nikon goodies

Oh and the 4WD show aint on till Nov 16????????

I mean the 4WD and Fishing showheld at the Burswood. Should be good... Gonna be there after 1 ish today.

Cheers

And I think I will enjoy the new lense regardless of cost!

Scott

I also want to get this lens. It looks to be a really good investment. I havent yet had a chance to play with one, hoping to at the next mini meet.

I'd love to see some pictures posted with your new purchase though. Enjoy it and congratulations.