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For the provided lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including similar Nikon lenses.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat. increase.

Navigation

1. In short
2. History
3. Main Specifications
4. Assembly
5. Stabilizer
6. Focusing
7. Image quality
8. Sample Photos
9. My personal experience with the lens
10. Prices
11. Results
12. User Comments
13. Add your review or question on the lens

In this review, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat I will abbreviate as - Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S... Please note that there is a previous model Nikon ED AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6D Vibration Reduction, which is fundamentally different from the hero from this review.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

In short

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S is a super telephoto lens from the TOP line of Nikon Nikkor lenses.

Convenient set of focal lengths, relatively low weight, very high quality stabilizer and generally good image quality. Of the obvious shortcomings, only a high price tag and a few trifles described in the review below can be distinguished. Despite the high price tag, the Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S is in the mid-range super telephoto range.

The scope of application of such lenses is quite large - from reportage photography to specific landscapes. For everyone who is not satisfied with the classic 70-300 mm range, this lens should please with extra 100 mm focal length.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

History

Nikon has the following super telephoto lenses among zoom lenses for full-frame autofocus cameras:

1. Nikon Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6D AF VR EDsince February 2000
2. Nikon Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G AF-S VR ED Nsince March 2013
3. Nikon Nikkor 120-300mm 1: 2.8E AF-S VR ED FL SRsince January 2020
4. Nikon Nikkor 180-400mm 1: 4E AF-S VR ED N TC 1.4 FLsince January 2018
5. Nikon Nikkor 200-400mm 1: 4G AF-S VR EDsince July 2003
6. Nikon Nikkor 200-400mm 1: 4GII AF-S VR ED, since April 2010
7. Nikon Nikkor 200-500mm 1: 5.6E AF-S VR EDsince August 2015
8. Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 VR Ssince October 2021

All these lenses except Nikon 200-500 / 5.6E VR, have a gold ring near the front lens and are professional solutions.

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S is a logical continuation and successor for the model Nikon Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6D AF VR ED.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

Main Specifications Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat:

EGF lens for Nikon DX cameras is 120-600mm. There is no complete analogue of Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S for Nikon DX cameras. In the case of telephoto lenses, crop factor Nikon DX cameras, in most cases, are only beneficial.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

Assembly

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S is manufactured in Japan. The build quality is high.

On the mount side, the lens has a special rubber skirt that protects the lens from dust and moisture. Accurate official data on the protection of Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S can not be found. I tend to think that because of this rubber seal, the lens has a base dust and moisture protection. In more detail, the security issue of Nikon Nikkor lenses I have described here.

The focusing and zoom rings are rubberized, large and comfortable.

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S uses standard professional 77mm color filters.

The outer part of the frame near the front lens is rubberized, which is a kind of protective bumper.

There is a bayonet mount mark on the body and a mark for quick installation of the hood. The lens uses a large plastic hood, HB-65, which automatically locks into the grooves located near the front lens. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation. The hood moves with the lens barrel.

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S has a tripod foot. The clamp of the foot is fixed with a special clamp. The clamp can be rotated 360 degrees. To remove the foot - you need to turn it until the '->' mark on the foot clamp and the white dot under the golden letters of the lens name are aligned. The foot has a standard tripod socket. The clamp has a special fabric seal. There are 4 metal protrusions on the lens barrel for high-quality grip and weight distribution.

The tripod foot does not stabilize the lens well at the long end. Experienced photographers advise changing the standard tripod foot to something else with better lens support.

The Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S clamp and body have three marks for quickly setting the horizontal or vertical position of the lens and camera.

Enlightenment 'N' (Nano Crystal Coat)

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S has the letter 'N' in its full name. The letter 'N' stands for 'Nano Crystal Coat' - nanocrystalline coating of optics. Such enlightenment allows you to cope well with glare and flare, and also creates excellent color reproduction. Most likely, only one of the lenses of this objective has an 'N' coating. The rest of the lenses have a classic SIC enlightenment (Nikon Super Integrated Coating is a special super integral coating). It is a pity that Nikon does not indicate the number of lenses in the optical system that have such a coating.

'LOCK 80' button

Frame (trunk) for Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S does not spontaneously change its size under its own weight (perhaps this only begins with time). To prevent such an unpleasant nuance from happening, there is a 'LOCK 80' button (the so-called 'lock') on the lens barrel, which firmly fixes the focal length at 80 mm. To fix the lens trunk, you must first set the 80mm focal length. The button is conveniently located under the thumb of the left hand, so the lens can be quickly and comfortably removed from the lock before shooting.

Also, note that while changing the focal length, the rear lens moves in the middle of the lens body like a pump - it draws in and pushes out air. This behavior of the rear lens is called 'effect' of a vacuum cleanerwhich can increase the amount of dust that accumulates in the camera. The Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S vacuum cleaner effect is quite noticeable.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

Stabilizer

The Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S has the Nikon VR ('Vvibration Reduction '- Vibration Suppression), which according to the instructions can compensate 4 stops by shutter speed... In numerical terms, this means that you can shoot at shutter speeds 16 times slower than required by a lens without a stabilizer. The stabilization system of Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S refers to second generation.

To enable / disable the stabilizer on the lens there 'VR ON / OFF' switch. There is a 'Normal / Active' switch to select a mode. The stabilizer can operate in two modes: 'Normal' and 'Active'.

• 'Normal' mode designed for most scenes and avoids movement when camera shake. Theoretically, the 'Normal' mode can still track the movement of the camera to create panoramas.
• Active Mode most suitable for shooting when the camera can not only shake, but also move in different directions. Most often it is advised to use this mode when shooting on the move. This mode does not track camera movement to create panoramas.

I was able to take pictures of stationary subjects without blur and great effort at 400 mm focal length and 1/60 of a second. When shooting with a monopod, you can shoot stationary objects and for 1/20 of a second. The stabilizer works very well.

Turn off the stabilizer when shooting with a tripod. At fast shutter speeds, below 1/2000 second, the stabilizer is also better off. The stabilizer is activated for some time (not instantly), which can worsen the picture at short shutter speeds (but this is not a fact, you need to get used to the behavior of the stabilizer). It is best to wait a few fractions of a second after activating the stabilizer for it to enter its normal mode. During switching on and off, the picture may twitch a little, which is normal.

During switching on and off, the noise from the stabilizer is clearly audible. In the on (active) state, the stabilizer works quite quietly.

Quite often Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S called 'VR II'to separate the old and new Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

Focusing

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S focuses thanks to 'SWM'-motor (Silent Wbird Motor is a quiet wave / ultrasonic focus motor) and refers to 'type lensesAF S'(with built-in motor focusing), and therefore it will automatically focus on any Nikon digital SLR camera... The lens uses a large annular SWM motor.

The lens will automatically focus on all Nikon DSLR cameraseven on amateur series models Nikon DXthat do not have a built-in focus motor: D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600as well as mirrorless cameras Nikon Z with adapter FTZ / FTZ II.

The motor performs its work quietly during autofocus, but still noise from the focus motor is clearly audible in videos recorded using the camera's built-in microphone.

Auto Focus Speed ​​- mixed, generally medium closer to high.

It's important: Focusing speed can be very slow when shooting in difficult lighting conditions. In such conditions, the motor rotates at about 2 times lower than usual. The speed also depends on the model of the camera used and on the settings responsible for focusing.

It's important: focusing speed is very fast depends on the focal length... The speed is noticeably higher by 80 mm than by 400 mm. At 80mm, the lens focuses very quickly.

I want to note the good focusing tenacity. On cameras Nikon D700Nikon D850 Nikon D3200, D40 the lens very rarely refocused again or was unable to focus accurately. Of course, during testing, I encountered focusing errors, but their number was insignificant. I had very few problems with accuracy and tenacity, even on camera Nikon D40 with the most simple phase focusing system.

During focusing, the front and rear lenses remain stationary, as the lens uses internal focusthat is indicated on the case by the letters'IF'-'Iinternal Focus' - 'Inner Focus'. You can easily use any filters, for example polarizing or gradient.

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S has a window with distance scale in meters and feet. There is no depth of field scale, as well as marks for working in the infrared spectrum.

The Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S has an optional 'Full ∞-6' switch that acts as a focusing distance limiter.

• In the 'Full' position, automatic focusing is available over a range of distances from ∞ to 1.75 m.
• In the '∞-6m' position, autofocus is available in the range from 6 meters to ∞.

Note that during manual focus, the limiter does not work.

The minimum focusing distance depends on the focusing method:

• 175 centimeters in auto focus mode
• 150 centimeters in manual focus mode, while you can shoot with a maximum magnification of 1: 5.1.

During auto focus, the focus ring remains stationary. In manual focus mode, the ring rotates approximately 90 degrees, when the extreme positions are reached, it does not rest, but continues to slide, without affecting the focusing. Sighting manually is quite comfortable.

Rare switch 'A / M - M / A - M'

The lens has a rather rare focus mode switchA / M - M / A - M'. Typically, these lenses have a more common switch.M / AM'.

If you look, in the 'A / M' position, automatic focusing works with the constant possibility of manual adjustment / focus adjustment, but with the priority of auto focus. It means that 'A / M' mode avoids canceling the autofocus mode due to accidental rotation of the focus ring.

To cancel it during auto focus and switch to the manual focus method, you need to turn the focus ring some distance. The length of this distance is known only in practice.

'ModeM / A'disables automatic focusing immediately after the start of rotation of the focus ring, and the' A / M 'mode disables automatic focusing only after some prolonged rotation of the focus ring.

Nikon has made a distinction between 'A / M' and 'M / A'very fine. If we maximally generalize the difference between these modes, it all comes down to how sensitive the focus ring is to turn off the automatic focus and switch to manual focus mode. I advise you to leave the 'A / M' mode on and forget about this switch forever.

A focus mode switch 'A / M - M / A - M' is mainly found on Nikon's 'longest' telephoto lenses. You can view the various types of switches that Nikon autofocus lenses use. here. In general, Nikon likes to confuse users with various obscure autofocus modes.

A focus mode switch 'A / M - M / A - M' is mainly found on Nikon's 'longest' telephoto lenses:

1. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 200mm 1: 2G II ED VR
2. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR [overview]
3. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 2.8G II ED VR [overview]
4. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 400mm 1: 2.8G ED VR
5. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 400mm 1: 2.8E ED FL VR
6. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1: 4G ED VR
7. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1: 4E ED FL VR
8. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1: 4E ED PF VR
9. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 600mm 1: 4G ED VR
10. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 600mm 1: 4E ED FL VR
11. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 800mm 1: 5.6E ED FL VR
12. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8G II ED VR [overview]
13. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8E FL ED VR
14. Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6E ED VR
15. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G ED VR [overview]
16. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm 1: 2.8E FL ED SR VR [announcement]
17. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm 1: 4E FL ED VR TC 1.4
18. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm 1: 4G II ED VR

Focus Features:

1. Present 'Focus Breathing' effect (changing the angle of view during focusing). When focusing towards MDF, the angle of view decreases
2. The lens has a scale with a focusing distance in meters and feet in the form of a window.
3. The lens does not have a hard infinity mechanical stop for fast and accurate aiming at infinity in all operating temperatures.
4. Focus Shift (shift focus, changing the focus distance due to iris) is missing.
5. The lens must be well compatible with the Nikon FTZ adapter for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras and with a Nikon FT1 adapter for cameras Nikon 1
6. When used on cameras Nikon D3200, D40, D700, D850 the green dot confirming correct focusing is working correctly.
7. For teleconverters, it is best to use cameras that can focus with lenses with a maximum aperture of F / 8.0 (list here).

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

Image quality

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S in its optical design has a rare optical element - NIKON SUPERED (Super Extra-Low Dispersion). There are only a few lenses that use such optical elements:

1. Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6GN ED VR (from this review, 1 SED)
2. Nikon 200 / 2G ED VR (1 SED)
3. Nikon 200 / 2GII N ED VR (1 SED)
4. Nikon 70-300 / 4.5-5.6 N VR Nikon 1 Nikkor (1 SED)
5. Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 VR S (2 SED)

In addition to the SED element, there are also 4 conventional Nikon ED elements.

The lens came out when cameras with a very high pixel density already existed, and therefore, most likely, it is already designed for demanding sensors. FROM Nikon D3200 (24 MP, APS-C, CMOS) and Nikon D850 (45 MP, Full Frame, BSI CMOS) there are no problems with resolution. On Nikon D40 (6 MP, APS-C, CCD) it looks like a prime lens was used for the photo.

Sharpness

• confident sharpness at open aperture in the center of the frame in the range of 80-300
• slight drop in sharpness in the range of 300-400 mm
• high resolution at around f / 8 across virtually the entire focal length range
• weak drop in sharpness to the edges and corners (good resolution over the entire field of the frame)

Distortion

• the overall level of distortion is at a level typical for such high-quality lenses
• at 80 mm, a small barrel distortion, after 100 mm pincushion

Vignetting

• the overall level of vignetting is at a level typical for such lenses
• vignetting is most pronounced when focusing at infinity with open apertures and 400 mm

Aberration

• the level of longitudinal and transverse chromatic aberrations is at a low or medium level

Rest

• the lens behaves confidently in backlight

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

Examples on the Nikon D750

Examples of my work on Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S and a camera Nikon D750 shared a photographer Olga Rudchenko (instagram) [be sure to check her profile!]

You can find more of Olga's works in her profile on the website 35photoand on Facebook.

Sample Photos on the D850

Converting original RAW files with Nikon D850 original utility Nikon Capture NX-D v 1.4.6. Special thanks for the D850 Daria Khoroshavtseva.

The original photos in RAW format ('.NEF', 14-bit) can be downloaded from this link (15 photos, 130 MB).

Sample photos on Nikon D40

I love contrast kits with a cheap camera and a quality lens, it's kind of fun for me. Examples without processing. Converting original RAW files (12-bit) with the original Nikon Capture NX-D v 1.4.6 utility.

Original RAW ('.NEF' 12-bit) photos can be download from this link (24 photos, 120 MB).

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

My experience

The best 70-300 is the Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S!

I absolutely love the Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S. It is quite easy to operate and manage.

Without a tripod foot, it's not so heavy, it was quite comfortable for me take off... Light weight and size, especially when compared to the big brother 200-400 / 4, is a very useful feature of the Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S.

Choosing a super telephoto lens for those who constantly work with these focal lengths is a very difficult task. There are many trade-offs between Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S and lighter 200-300mm fixes paired with teleconverters and bright 70-200 / 2.8 / 4 zooms and teleconverters, third-party lenses, more expensive solutions represented by 200-400 / 4, etc. In my opinion, the Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S is one of the best solutions in terms of overall efficiency, price and quality.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat

Prices

The current prices for Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S lens can be look at E-Catalogue at this link.

Results

Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S is a professional lens with high-quality assembly, powerful stabilizer, confident focusing, and pleasant picture. In general, this is a good lens that you can safely take and use for its intended purpose.

10 main advantages

1. high-quality assembly, protected body (with rear seal and front bumper)
2. detachable tripod foot, bayonet hood included
3. built-in 4-stop image stabilizer, works well
4. built-in SWM focusing motor (critical for owners of Nikon DX cameras from a younger lineup)
5. internal focusing, support for A / MM / AM modes, focusing distance window
6. focusing distance limiter + focal length lock for 80mm
7. special optical elements in the optical scheme: 4 ED and 1 rare Super ED + Nano Crystal Coat
8. professional lens with the ability to use teleconverters
9. nine rounded aperture blades
10. generally good optical performance

10 main disadvantages

1. high price tag (about $ 2200 for the Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6G AF-S and, for example, $ 800 for Sigma 100-400 / 5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary)
2. the lens is heavier than the previous version Nikon 80-400 / 4.5-5.6D AF VR ED
3. on MDF the lens focuses only manually (1.75 meters with AF, 1.5 meters with MF)
4. no focus lock buttons (there are, for example, Nikon 70-200 / 2.8 VR1)
5. zoom is not internal (for example, Nikon 200-400 / 4GII VR he is internal)
6. perceptible air pump effect during focal length changes
7. 'Focus Breathing' effect, which increases the angle of view while focusing towards the MDF
8. the tripod foot does not stabilize the lens at 400 mm
9. not focusing fast enough at the long end
10. perceptible vignetting at 400mm focal length and f / 5.6, slight drop in sharpness after 300mm

For the provided lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G Super ED VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including similar Nikon lenses.

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.