Nikon 1996

Pros: Acceptable image quality at most apertures, VR works well in most circumstances.

Cons: Small minimum apertures, image quality not great, slow autofocus, minor durability issues, not best value.

The Bottom Line: Conditionally recommended for amateur use, not professional. Slow focus, no internal zoom, small minimum apertures, not as sharp as Nikkor f2.8 zooms or telephotos, durability questionable.

Review: Introduction

The requirements of a recent assignment sent me looking for something longer than the end of my Nikon AF 80-200mm 2.8D ED zoom lens. The...

Pros: Great quality optics, small and easy handling, great reach and VR.

Cons: Slower optics and focusing, not cheap to buy!

The Bottom Line: Buy it if you need it. It loses a star because of the focusing, but that's arguable depending on application. This is a 1st rate lens.

Review: Yes, we expect quality from Nikon and get it here with the 80-400. But there are enough mixed reviews out there from people who just don't know enough to write a proper review, so let's address that first.

1) The 80-400 is NOT FAST GLASS...

Pros: Good overall range and sharpness. VR works as advertised. Aspherical. Causes lens envy amongst friends.

Cons: For the price no real cons. Heavy.

The Bottom Line: Wide zoom range, great optics, good vibration Reduction, produces crisp pictures of nature or action. This lens is cool so you'll also produce great "lens envy" to your fellow shutterbugs.

Review: The pros and cons I mention sum it up: This lens is heavy, especially with the tripod collar attached. It is lighter than other 400mm long lenses, however. The zoom is a little stiff; the focus ring is smooth and silky. This lens has an easy way to...

Pros: Great lens. VR works. Use for moving nature photos.

Cons: Price and weight.

The Bottom Line: If you can afford the price, buy it.

Review: I bought this lens right after it became avaible. I used it extensively off my boat for shooting whales. I was pleasantly surprised at the sharpness of the photos, even under adverse rocking conditions. Off the coast of Maine I shot an eagle at full...

Pros: Reasonable weight for the focal range, VR outstanding, Bokeh amazing, solid build, my favorite, Recommended.

Cons: Your other lenses just won't get much use anymore.

The Bottom Line: On a digital SLR you have 120-600mm with VR that works, at a price that won't break the bank. If you need a lens for fast action I recommend VR70-200mm.

Review: I have been using this lens on my Nikon D70 since I got it 2 months ago, in fact, it's the only lens I've used since I got it. I researched long zooms for months before deciding on this lens. I looked at the Sigma 50-500mm, the Nikon VR 70-200mm...

Pros: Decent performance even at 400mm, from 80 to 300 mm, superb.

Cons: A tad heavy, but I kept the tripod mount at home :)

The Bottom Line: I would recommend this lens even though technology is a bit older, as new technology will carry much bigger price tag.

Review: Bought this lens recently although it has been around for quite some time. Someone asked me to wait for the AF-S version which may come out, but then it would probably be too heavy to carry and too expensive to own one. VR takes a second or less to...

Pros: Great telephoto range, VR feature works

Cons: Relatively small aperture, slow auto focus, heavy

Review: This is simply a superb lens for daylight sports photography or other telephoto applications. OK, at f/4.5 to 5.6, this is not a lens to shoot night sports with. But neither is it a $5-6,000 lens like Nikon's fixed focus f/2.8 versions. The VR...

Pros: Small, stabilization works. Low flare

Cons: Slow AF, pictures a little soft at full aperture.

Review: I bought this lens second hand at a photo fair and have tried it with a Nikon D70.
I then compared it with a couple of prime lenses: a 400mm f/5.6 AIS ED and a 300mm f/4 AF both by Nikon.
Both primes were definitely sharper especially on a...

Pros: Compact, sharp, great economic alternative to 400mm prime lenses, VR

Cons: Relatively slow focusing if compared to the AF-S lenses, as expected.

The Bottom Line: A recommended purchase for wildlife.

Review: A very compact zoom for this focal range.
A very good buy. The VR system allows for slow shutter speeds impossible with the typical 400mm lenses.
Very sharp and crispy, contrasty images can be produced from a monopod or handheld.
I...