The only issue is the cost, in people’s minds, not mine! I have been shooting the lens on a 800E for a few months now, and it is amazing as far as I am concerned. I carry two lenses and a 1.4 converter and I have everything from 24 to 520mm. I am not a professional, but I do make money with my photography; the lens has paid for itself a few times over already. I shoot this lens on a monopod mostly, and that makes for many razor sharp shots. I wouldn’t sell it for half again as much as I paid!
Check out for loose barrel when fully extended, a common fault I found out. Mine is at a camera repair shop now for this very problem. The retainng screws are at the front end and to get to them is a complete strip down from the camera end.
I am renting the 80-400 because I'm not happy with the sharpness of my Sigma 150-500. You can see the difference in sharpness when you blow up a small portion of the image. It works great on my D610 and my D500. I am using it handheld and with a monopod.
This lens knocks Sigmas 150-500 lens out of the water...is also superior to Nikons older 80-400mm lens...even at the price..and this focal range is what you work with..you won't be disappointed... I am also looking at Tamrons new 150-600mm lens to replace my Sigma.
Good point, me and some friends were discussing this the other day. I plan to do a test in the future comparing this lens to a 70-200 with TC. I already have a 70-200 VRII so I know which one I would pick...
ues teleconverters .for quality lenses if you dont match the tc to your lens you may as well put a jam jar on the end of it .. the nikon tc1.4 ii is about £400 uk . but works great on the 70-200 ed g vr11 and 200-400 vrii . (made for these lenses)
This lens actually turns out to cost about the same as the first 80-400 on first release, if you allow for inflation. "...not as good as an older 300/2.8".....unless you need any of the other focal lengths between 80 and 400, at which point the 300 becomes useless.
Hi I like your review on this lens can you tell me would this work with the Nikon D3200 and would it work with auto focus as that would be the reason I would buy it. Thank you.
Hang on, I've been looking at buying a (very reasonably priced) second hand Nikkon AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D IF-ED VR, thinking it's the lens being reviewed in this video? I have a horrible feeling I've been looking at the previous version? Please tell me I'm wrong?
Jessie Me unfortunately if you are looking at the AF version that is the older version...the newer version reviewed here is the AF-S. They are both substantially different...
Thanks for the review. I would really like to see a direct comparison with the Sigma 150-500. I have that lens and am disappointed with its performance. I am thinking of getting the Nikon 80-400 to replace it with, but obviously it's way more expensive.
Hi, I have this lens and when my camera is in Full-time autofocus it makes big continuous focus noises. It is common? As per my lens service company they said it is.
Is It Real? Yes it will work great for wildlife photography on the D500...I would also look at the Nikon 200-500 as well though. The advantage of the 80-400 is that it also covers a wider angle but if you want the most reach the 200-500 makes more sense. As a bonus the 200-500 is also about $1000 USD less :)
for wildlife photography, consider the Nikon 200-500 also. It's slightly less expensive and can take teleconverters. The drawback is that it is a rather heavy lens, best used on a monopod or tripod.
its this new nikon 80-400 . sigma and tamron dont come close . with 6.3 at 400 mm. and the nikons sharp .. its between this and nikons 200-400 f4 vrii Fantastic lens .used which is similar priced ( used) but size its a beast and if your older or travel a lot the nikon 80-400 makes more sense ,
+Eric Mason Technically yes...ergonomically though it does make for a bit of a front heavy setup since the D5100 is so light. Ideally I would recommend using it with a D7XXX body or higher.
Is there a significant difference in the D5100 and the D7XXX camera that would make it worth the purchase? I have not had a chance to do comparisons. Thank you in advance for your advice. I am trying to wade in to the professional side of this pool and could use all the guidance I can get. -Eric Mason
Since you are looking to get into things in a professional capacity the D7xxx series definitively makes sense. Aside from the larger better built body you also get better controls. This is important because during a professional shoot you want to be able to use your manual controls effectively. The D5XXX and D3XXX cameras don't have dedicated manual controls so you have to go through a lot of menus to change things. Other than controls the dual card slots, better AF, and greater battery capacity also make a huge difference. Take a look at this video and you will see in more detail what I mean about controls. ua-cam.com/video/00-akDWdHNk/v-deo.html
+Jeremy Smith I have acquired a D7100. It is heavier lol it also brought to life a lens I thought was not good while working with my D5100. The lens i am referring to is a Nikon AF 70-300mm can you tell me more about that match up and if the 80-400 would offer that much of an improvement
Eric Mason I am assuming you have the 70-300 VR...if so it is a good lens but isn't the best at 300mm. The 80-400 is a much better lens all around (AF speed, sharpness, VR performance). I will say though if you don't need the wider 80mm focal length I would go for the new 200-500 f/5.6. It is just as sharp as the 80-400 but gives you more reach...it also happens to be about $1000 less.
The only issue is the cost, in people’s minds, not mine! I have been shooting the lens on a 800E for a few months now, and it is amazing as far as I am concerned. I carry two lenses and a 1.4 converter and I have everything from 24 to 520mm. I am not a professional, but I do make money with my photography; the lens has paid for itself a few times over already. I shoot this lens on a monopod mostly, and that makes for many razor sharp shots. I wouldn’t sell it for half again as much as I paid!
Check out for loose barrel when fully extended, a common fault I found out. Mine is at a camera repair shop now for this very problem. The retainng screws are at the front end and to get to them is a complete strip down from the camera end.
I wonder what the performance is like compared to the hugely expensive 200-400 F4 ? Also Jeremy can you do a review of the Nikon 200-500 f5.6
I am renting the 80-400 because I'm not happy with the sharpness of my Sigma 150-500. You can see the difference in sharpness when you blow up a small portion of the image. It works great on my D610 and my D500. I am using it handheld and with a monopod.
This lens knocks Sigmas 150-500 lens out of the water...is also superior to Nikons older 80-400mm lens...even at the price..and this focal range is what you work with..you won't be disappointed... I am also looking at Tamrons new 150-600mm lens to replace my Sigma.
Go for Tamron 150-600 mm G2 version..
Good point, me and some friends were discussing this the other day. I plan to do a test in the future comparing this lens to a 70-200 with TC. I already have a 70-200 VRII so I know which one I would pick...
ues teleconverters .for quality lenses if you dont match the tc to your lens you may as well put a jam jar on the end of it .. the nikon tc1.4 ii is about £400 uk . but works great on the 70-200 ed g vr11 and 200-400 vrii . (made for these lenses)
Great video Dxomark just did a review of the 80-400 vs the Bigma
Hi Jerremy thank you for your help it's much appreciated.
Hi Jeremy , Would Love to see the compare to sigma 150-500 is the sigma OS? Thanks
Jermy do you have any comparision done between this lens vs old vs tamron 150-600mm?
This lens actually turns out to cost about the same as the first 80-400 on first release, if you allow for inflation. "...not as good as an older 300/2.8".....unless you need any of the other focal lengths between 80 and 400, at which point the 300 becomes useless.
😂
Sweet! I will have to go and check it out.
Hi I like your review on this lens can you tell me would this work with the Nikon D3200 and would it work with auto focus as that would be the reason I would buy it. Thank you.
+Wayne Trestain Hi Wayne, it will work perfectly with the D3200. Since it is an AF-S lens (it has a focus motor built in) autofocus will work also.
Thanks for sharing.
Is this lens great for indoor and outside pictures?
Hang on, I've been looking at buying a (very reasonably priced) second hand Nikkon AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D IF-ED VR, thinking it's the lens being reviewed in this video? I have a horrible feeling I've been looking at the previous version? Please tell me I'm wrong?
Jessie Me unfortunately if you are looking at the AF version that is the older version...the newer version reviewed here is the AF-S. They are both substantially different...
Jeremy Smith
Ahh shucks that's a let down... But thanks so much for getting back to me and averting a crisis!
Thanks for the review. I would really like to see a direct comparison with the Sigma 150-500. I have that lens and am disappointed with its performance. I am thinking of getting the Nikon 80-400 to replace it with, but obviously it's way more expensive.
Is this ok for D810 and a 1.5 or 2x teleconverter ?
Hi, I have this lens and when my camera is in Full-time autofocus it makes big continuous focus noises. It is common? As per my lens service company they said it is.
That sounds like the sound of the VR mechanism. Turn the VR off and half press the shutter to focus then do the same with the VR turned on to verify.
Is this lens compatible to DX camera?
While it is a full-frame lens it will also work on a crop sensor body.
Put it on a Nikon1 camera with FT1 and it would become a monster.
can l use on D5200
Great! I have the lens to. I use a D800 and its great. Nikon recommends this lens on the D800. :)
This lens is a little old on the tooth now , needs a refresh , not at sharp as the Canon 100-400 L II lens at 400mm
excellent review.
Is this lens great for wildlife photography?
and can I use it with Nikon d500?
Is It Real?
Yes it will work great for wildlife photography on the D500...I would also look at the Nikon 200-500 as well though. The advantage of the 80-400 is that it also covers a wider angle but if you want the most reach the 200-500 makes more sense. As a bonus the 200-500 is also about $1000 USD less :)
for wildlife photography, consider the Nikon 200-500 also. It's slightly less expensive and can take teleconverters. The drawback is that it is a rather heavy lens, best used on a monopod or tripod.
yes it can be used on the APS-C d500 also.
Hi nikon d3100 and the lenses 80=400 is ok to work whith it
Yes the 80-400 will work well with the d3100.
its this new nikon 80-400 . sigma and tamron dont come close . with 6.3 at 400 mm. and the nikons sharp .. its between this and nikons 200-400 f4 vrii Fantastic lens .used which is similar priced ( used) but size its a beast and if your older or travel a lot the nikon 80-400 makes more sense ,
Can I use this lens on a Nikon D7000 ?
Yes it will work very well on a D7000.
Jeremy Smith thank u for your answer :)))
thanks very much for this great review!
What do you shoot with? D800?
And D600.
that tripod mount looks a bit sparse ! for something the size of a 70-200 2.8
does the lens work well with a d5100?
+Eric Mason Technically yes...ergonomically though it does make for a bit of a front heavy setup since the D5100 is so light. Ideally I would recommend using it with a D7XXX body or higher.
Is there a significant difference in the D5100 and the D7XXX camera that would make it worth the purchase? I have not had a chance to do comparisons. Thank you in advance for your advice. I am trying to wade in to the professional side of this pool and could use all the guidance I can get.
-Eric Mason
Since you are looking to get into things in a professional capacity the D7xxx series definitively makes sense. Aside from the larger better built body you also get better controls. This is important because during a professional shoot you want to be able to use your manual controls effectively. The D5XXX and D3XXX cameras don't have dedicated manual controls so you have to go through a lot of menus to change things. Other than controls the dual card slots, better AF, and greater battery capacity also make a huge difference. Take a look at this video and you will see in more detail what I mean about controls. ua-cam.com/video/00-akDWdHNk/v-deo.html
+Jeremy Smith I have acquired a D7100. It is heavier lol it also brought to life a lens I thought was not good while working with my D5100. The lens i am referring to is a Nikon AF 70-300mm can you tell me more about that match up and if the 80-400 would offer that much of an improvement
Eric Mason I am assuming you have the 70-300 VR...if so it is a good lens but isn't the best at 300mm. The 80-400 is a much better lens all around (AF speed, sharpness, VR performance). I will say though if you don't need the wider 80mm focal length I would go for the new 200-500 f/5.6. It is just as sharp as the 80-400 but gives you more reach...it also happens to be about $1000 less.
Can I use this lens on my D7000.
Norman Santos yes it will work very well on a D7000.
If you have a 70-200 2.8 just buy the Mk3 2x converter results look the same except cost
As an owner of the 70-200 VRII that's exactly what I would do if I needed this range!
cheers buddy .good vid 👍
Great video, thanks!
another great review Jeremy good work! for the price of this lens I would buy a 70-200 2.8 plus 2x teleconverter instead. not worth it in my views.
Nikon D700.
Please project your voice a bit louder.
are you a brother of Will Smith???
Are you the twin brother of Will Smith?
I hate the way you say Nikon :P
I can't help it...that's the way they say it on this side of the pond ;)
I guess :)