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Nikon 200-400mm f4 AF-S VR IF-EG  PDF Print E-mail
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User rating
4.4
out of 5
Editor's rating
1.0
out of 5
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Reviewed by:
Editor
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Average user rating: 4.4 
9 User reviews
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Lens Summary

Overview

The AF-S VR supertelephoto 2x zoom lens
Main Features
  • VR operation offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed 3 stops (eight times) faster*
  • Two VR modes are available; Normal and Active
  • Focus Preset function
  • M/A mode for quick switching between autofocus and manual focus operation
  • Four ED glass elements for higher optical performance
  • Constant f/4 maximum aperture through the entire focal range
  • Dust and Waterproof rubber sealing mount

    *As determined by Nikon performance tests.



Lens Specifications

Generic Lens Specifications
Lens Type: Zoom
IS / VR / OS: VR
Min Focal length (mm): 200
Max Focal Length (mm): 400
Number of Elements: 24
Element Groups: 17
Max Aperture: 4
Minimum Aperture: 32
Diaphragm Blades: 9
Closest Focus Distance (m): 2
Filter Type: Screw In
Filter Diameter (mm): 52
Diameter at widest (mm): 124
Lens Length (mm): 365
Weight (g): 3275

Details


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Editor review : Nikon 200-400mm f4 AF-S VR IF-EG
Overall rating (weighted)
1.0
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
1.0
Editor review will be updated shortly.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: Editor review
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Undecided

User Lens Reviews

Average user rating from: 9 user(s)

Overall rating (weighted)
4.4
Sharpness
4.8
Build Quality
4.4
AF Speed
4.1
Value for Money
4.2
 

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Not as sharp as expected., Wednesday, 07 July 2010


Overall rating (weighted)
2.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
2.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
2.0
This is a large and heavy lens with lots of features. It appears to be well constructed. I have only taken a few photos with it, but so far it isn't as sharp as expected. The photos were taken on a tripod with very little chance of excessive vibration. The Vibration Reduction was turned on and the shutter speed was fast. The purchase price is a LOT of money to spend on something that doesn't produce perfectly sharp photos. I am using it on my D300 for nature photography.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

An absolute jewel of a lens... if you only buy one, Wednesday, 14 October 2009


Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Conventional wisdom says that primes (lenses of a fixed focal length without the ability to zoom) have better optical quality than zooms, and that's almost always true. But in a few rare cases, zooms can be better than the available primes (see Nikon's incredible 14-24/2.8 for an example), and in others the difference in quality is so small that it becomes functionally irrelevant. So it is with this lens.

Both Canon and Nikon have phenomenal "long guns" in their lineup: 200/2, 300/2.8, 400/2.8, 500/4, 600/4. Each of these is bigger, heavier, and more expensive than the last, with the 200/2 and 300/2.8 being roughly 6 pounds and $5,000 while the 600/4 is closer to 11 pounds and $10,000. And they all deliver amazing image quality with near-instant autofocus performance... but none of them can zoom. And to cover the 200mm to 400mm range, you'd need to spend $18,000 and carry around nearly 22 pounds. You'd get lenses with larger apertures and could either shoot faster or in less light... but if you can live with f/4 (and I can absolutely live with it, even for wildlife in Botswana or airshows at dusk), then you can get that range for $6,000 and 7 pounds, or add in a 1.4x TC-14EII teleconverter to get a 280-560 f/5.6 lens that is still stunningly sharp.

If you're making enough money to buy the primes, and you don't miss the ability to zoom, and you're willing to carry two or three big primes around with you (along with 2-3 bodies to put on them), then this lens may not be attractive to you. But for everyone else, who either cannot or will not pay $18,000 and carry 22 pounds of glass, this lens is a bloody godsend. The image quality is incredible, the AF performance is extremely fast, and there is not much of a difference in either IQ or AF from this lens to any of the big primes. A little, yes; but not a lot. And no other zoom on the market, from any company and at any price, can offer the speed and quality this one does.

I've used this lens since 2007, on three different bodies: the D200, D300, and now the top-of-the-line 24-megapixel beast of the D3x. Even on the D3x, this lens provides more Resolution than what the camera can deliver. Don't try this lens if you can't buy it... it's absolutely addictive. The one thing to keep in mind if you're moving into the "big guns" is that 7 pounds does not sound like much, until you're holding it up with your left hand for a few hours, a foot away from your face, and trying to hold it steady. Even with VR, long lenses do take some practice, some strength, and some technique; so get lots of practice, and don't expect to be able to get the very best possible quality from this (or any comparable) lens in your first few days or weeks with it.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Very Pleased!, Sunday, 03 May 2009


Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have been eyeing this lens for quite a while when it was still being sold at $4900 at adorama (imported) free ship and then suddenly I saw the price soaring to $5900 to my disgust for my inaction. Patiently I continued to scout from amazon when I saw this lens posted at $5119.95 + $30 shipping fee from Cameta....and without blinking an eye I ordered and was very pleased to own this very fine performer in my arsenal now.

It is very fast, sharp and hmmm should I say heavy too?? I am very pleased with amazon for this and I can't complain at this time.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Simply amazing, Saturday, 21 March 2009


Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
This lens is incredible!!! I have been researching long lenses for several months now, my choices were between the Nikkor 500mm f4 and this piece. I had to ask myself how often I'd be shooting at 500mm? or 700 with a 1.4 TC, not very often unless I travel and currently that is out of the question.
Having owned this piece for 3 weeks now and having shot roughly 3000 images I have to say that I don't regret this purchase one Bit. The focus is fast, the image quality is incredible, the drop in filter and the memory set a very nice feature, the VR is a dream and I managed to shoot images which I would have otherwise not been able to get.
The only drawback is that it is pretty heavy, my shooting style, mostly wildlife, hand held, birds on the wing, had to change a bit. Oh and a good tripod is a must!!!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Worth every penny!, Monday, 01 September 2008


Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I purchased this lens a few days ago and now I see what all the fuss was about. I could have had the 80-400 but it focuses way too slow. Dreadful. I guess I have been spoiled with the AFS lenses. Well this one will not let you down.

THE GOOD:
The lens is balanced, you notice that right away. You can hand-hold the lens and it is not front-heavy like the 600/4 is. You point it somewhere and it will not try to leap out of your arms like a hyperactive terrier.

The build is very nice. None of the ugly cheap plastic on the barrel as you see on inexpensive zooms. This is well made, in Japan. No expense was spared.

The results are phenomenal. I zoomed in on the laptop and the image was pixelating and still retained sharpness! I will only hand-hold this lens but I am 6'4 and 240lbs.

THE BAD:
Amazon recommends Tiffen filters. I say stick with Nikon because the filter is part of the optical calculation (you need a filter and cannot shoot without one). Yes they cost more but this is not a time to get cheap.

It is heavy. It needs a very wide strap, like for a mailbag. Nikon should have included one if you ask me.

It needs the TC-14E II. The lens is a 200-400 zoom on my D700 but with a 1.4x it becomes a 280-560mm. Once you break 500mm a whole new world opens up for you.

Now I thought of the 300mm as well, and used to own one when the F5 came out. But I always used a TC to get to 600mm. This way I keep image quality and have many options for focal length. The results are worth every penny!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

One awesome lens!!!!!, Wednesday, 06 February 2008


Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have had this lens for about 4 months or so and just love it to death. If you have the money or not and you love wildlife photography then this is a must have lens. Lens works like a champ and takes sharp pictures. Work's very well with the Nikon TC-14E II converter and I would like to try the TC-17E also with it. I have mostly been using it to shoot Eagles in flight and have got some very nice shots. I would recommend and nice heavy duty carbon fiber tripod and the Bogen / Manfrotto 3421 Heavy Duty Gimbal Head.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Very happy, Friday, 25 January 2008


Overall rating (weighted)
3.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
4.0
The 200-400mm is a valuable lens if you like you wild-life photography. The performance of this lens is truly stunning and you forget sometimes that you are using a zoom. The f4 aperture could have been better, as soon as you use a teleconverter then you start to lose alot of speed. The colour redition is very very good as is the sharpness. This is a large lens and can take some lumping aorund, you will also need a good tiprod to make sure you get the best of it.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: I own it
Where did you buy this item?: Adorama
Price paid: 4,400
When did you buy this item?: Spring 07
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes
Pros: Sharpness, Color saturation, Speed, Rang, VR
Cons: None that I can think or, yet.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

It's a large and sweet telephoto lens, Wednesday, 16 January 2008


Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2AYXS0AUTUP6N Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras In this video I demonstrate how this lens works and show some of the details of the surrounding the lens body. Eventually I mount it to a camera body and sit it on top of a Tripod and recommend getting a heavy duty tripod vs a light-weight tripod.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Excellent zoom telephoto, Friday, 22 June 2007


Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
The image quality delivered by the 200-400 mm is excellent. The lens itself is very well constructed. While the 200-400 mm is heavy at 7 lbs+. it balances well on the tripod mount. The control buttons include AF lock, memory reset, sound warning on/off, AF range, VR mode, etc. The S-wave AFS operation is fast on the D2Xs, but slower on the consumer level D70. With the TC14-E teleconverter (max. to maintain autofocus capability) added, the focusing speed slows down on the D2Xs and becomes unacceptable on the D70. The VR feature works well on this lens. Images are well-saturated with excellent Contrast and crisp detail. A great lens for nature photography but pricey!
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