Customer Reviews:
 Spectacular Zoom by Nikon ... Great in Bright Conditions April 15, 2007
Peter Penberthy (Bournemouth, UK)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
I owned this lens for more than a year, and due to lack of use, (and a temptation to purchase the Nikon D200 (best purchase I've made for a superb camera!) to replace a great D100) I decided to sell my 80-400VR before the re-sale value of the D100 dropped too low!
I agree with the earlier review, initially I didn't find results, with slower speeds, what I expected, but, on a bright summer's day ... WOW! I have some of the best air display shots I could ever have wished for ... crystal clear! (VR lenses do take a bit of 'getting used to'!) With the addition of a polarising filter, the background deep blue sky and white clouds enhanced my photos superbly! I'm even proud enough to show them at my local camera club!! I miss this superb lens, so, guess what? It's on my want list again! I must say, though, my Nikon 18-200VR is also one of the best lenses I've ever owned. (Thank you Ken Rockwell's superb website for his recommendation!)
The 80-400VR is not the fastest lens in the world (hence the need for bright sunshine) but for it's price it's excellent value! Just make sure you buy your wife/girlfriend a superb present/holiday prior to 'appearing' with this 'monster' lens one day!!
razorblade sharp, somewhat slow December 21, 2006
Erik De Koster (belgium)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I have had this lens for a year now, and I still am extremely pleased with it. Even wide open it is quite sharp at 400 mm (some other reviewers say it is sharp until 300 mm but becomes soft at 400mm, mine does not). Focusing is not as fast as on AF-S lenses. Nikon alternatives are a. the 400mm F4, b. the ueberzoom 200-400 (a. and b. cost a multiple of the 80-400), c. a 2 times teleconvertor on the AFS 70-200VR which gives faster focusing but slightly softer images and is more expensive, d. a 1.4 times teleconvertor on a 300 F4, which costs about the same as the 80-400, does have AFS although the teleconvertor slows it down, but lacks the convenience of a zoom, or e. a 1.4 times teleconvertor on the glorious 300 F2.8, but this once again costs a multiple of the price of the 80-400.
To be short: the 80-400 is an affordable way to get excellent results up to 400 mm, if speed is not important. If speed is important and zoom is not, the most affordable alternative is the 300F4 + 1.4TC.
Excellent lens but focussing is very slow. December 15, 2005
Dave E (UK)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
The title says it all really. Highly recommended unless you need fast focussing for action.
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