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Just wondering what experience people have had with the 200-400 VR.

Do you find you can handheld the lens for short periods, or is it simply too heavy and really needs support full time?

With the dollar currently strong I am looking at purchasing soon.

B&H have it for $4999 USD at the moment.

Wonder what my chances are of getting it through without the GST?

I think you should definitely budget on paying GST on this lens...

If you get through and not pay, awesome though

ps, if it's near or more than the weight od a 120-300 2.8 then i managed 20 mins handholding and that was it...

Spooky I have handheld one of anothers members here, you can do it for short periods but I would imagine that would get very hard over a few hours, even just holding for five, resting for ten. I would budget on a solid monopod

Hi Spooky,

I think not really many people here own this luxury lens. It is very hard for us who have no experience or very limited experience to give such an advice. There are quite a good number of this lens owners hanging around dpreview forums, you may wish to go around into the nikon lens talk forum over there and do a search or post your question there. I guess you will have bit more response from those people.

Chances to get away with the GST is only to get someone/yourself to bring it back from the US. Otherwise, maybe Poon or Gary can help you out if u import from HK.
Either way, good luck with your purchase.

I would not even contemplate handholding this lens.

It's HEAVY, and the focalk length, starting with a minimum 200mm, means that any hand movement will be exacerbated.

The price from B&H is good, but don't forget that this is a big beastie - shipping will not be inexpensive.

Always expect to factor GST into your costing. With the possibility of paying GST and shipping, consider the option of a weekend in HK.

Glen wrote:I have handheld one of anothers members here, you can do it for short periods but I would imagine that would get very hard over a few hours......

Say what???



It's possible to hand hold the 200-400 for a short period, but it really cries out for a monopod at least.

Des, not implying you could hand hold it for a few hours, more that if you were keen and spent a couple of hours watching a race you could hold it up when the cars came around. I spent about three quarters of an hour handholding this lens, by putting it up and down, it is heavy

No Glen, I was implying that the quote sounds hilariously filthy if read out of context

losfp wrote:No Glen, I was implying that the quote sounds hilariously filthy if read out of context

True, filthy glen!

Des, never noticed but have now!

Might be cheaper to fly to LA, get it sent to your hotel via courier from B&H, use it to catch a few sights while in LA, maybe a drive-by or two, and fly back with it. Send the boxes and manual back in the mail though.

Just joking of course.

well this guy has some fantastic shots with the 200-400 handheld !!!

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=22604447

cheers rob

This is the premier site for sample pics:

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/200-400_4g_afs_vr

I had a discussion with a guy living in London. He was contemplating purchasing 200-400mm lens and other photography gear. He was telling me photography gear is more expensive in the UK than in US. It’d be cheaper for him to buy a ticket from London to NY both ways, and buy the gear in US than purchasing it locally or importing the gear.

Thanks for the posts guys. I am planning on purchasing a BH-55 and wimberley sidekick for this beast but just was wondering about the handheld aspect as well.

That reminds me Gary What about that tripod!