Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

Unfortunately the version Amazon sent me looked like it was second hand (lens barrel dirty, front and rear elements dirty), so I sent it back for refund and got another from Jessops. But don't let that put you off, because this is an excellent lens. As others have said this lens is wonderfully sharp and doubles as both a macro and walkabout lens for portrait and other uses. Fully compatible with both FX and DX format, on DX cameras you will of course get a 1.5x boost in magnification compared to FX. It's expensive, but it's top quality glass and a good investment in my view. If you have a DX format SLR you will have a lens which will upgrade to FX if/when you decide to. One day I'm going to go for a D700 (or whatever semi-pro FX SLR Nikon is selling at the time), so when I do the 105 will step up with me without me having to pay again. A nice fast f/2.8 aperture, although you may notice the camera body showing a smaller aperture (higher f/number) when working in macro ranges - apparently the effective aperture at macro distances decreases (by 2x if working at 1:1 magnification). This is the law of physics and applies to all macro lenses, it's not a defect (and besides, you're unlikely to be using wide apertures when taking macros anyway, so nothing to lose sleep about). In normal ranges the AF is very quick on my D300, but this is with the limit switch on (which limits AF from 0.5M to infinity, therefore excluding macro). I found that at macro range or at normal range with the limit switch off that the lens can sometimes hunt. At macro I'm mostly working with manual focus anyway, so this isn't a problem for me. If you're using the reach of the 105 for fast action shots just keep the limit switch on. Simple. Bokeh on this lens is lovely - I've only had it a week, but have already taken some wonderful flower macros with it, with beautiful creamy bokeh. The lens is very sharp but at macro range the DoF takes some getting used to - the field of view changes at macro range with just minor movements of the lens (breathing), but given the results you get I'm prepared to live with that. It's a big lens, heavy and fairly large for a prime, but doesn't look out of place on my D300 (and well worth the size/weight inconvenience IMO). It's very well built, and looks like it would stand up to the roughest of treatment. More pro-like than the other (DX) lenses that I have. I haven't tried it on smaller SLRs, but I expect that on something like a D40 or D3000 it would make the camera feel very front heavy - my advice would be to try it out in person on the high street and see how you get on. Recommended.

- This lens perfectly compliments my Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 with performance that you would expect from a professional lens. - You don't need biceps the size of mount Everest to use it; It doesn't weigh a ton and can be easily used hand held for long periods, being about half the weight of the f/2.8 - VRIII really does help keep things steady, better than the VRII of the f/2.8 and this is really useful when you want to keep the ISO as low as possible for maximum image quality (Although the F/2.8 can have an advantage under certain conditions, especially if one needs a higher shutter speed in very low light). - Auto-focus is fast and deadly accurate and consistent; It locks on target like an Exocet missile: I gave this lens a real workout under a variety of demanding conditions and I was impressed by the auto-focus performance; it's not fool proof, but very nearly. There is a switch on the lens to limit the minimum focus to 3m for even faster focusing on more distant subjects; on full focus range setting minimum focus is 1m, better than the f/2.8 - Optical performance is truly excellent and the bokeh is really pleasing, the lens is very sharp wide open at f/4 (as is also the f/2.8). - It gives you a true 200mm zoom on close up and does not suffer from the focus breathing of the f/2.8 - It's significantly cheaper than the f/2.8 so it won't feel like it has cost you the Earth, although it's not cheap by any means. So what's no so good about this lens? Hmm! Nothing really as far as the lens goes, but there's one little niggle and that is Nikon only provides a soft pouch and not a professional case to protect this lens and for a professional grade lens at this price, that's a bit disappointing; Nikon provides a decent case with the f/2.8, but not for the f/4 model. The main reasons why I did not go for the f/2.8 was the focus breathing issue which does not give a true 200mm on closely focused subjects and also the fact that the minimum focus distance was limited to 4.5 feet. I could live with the weight of the f/2.8 but when you buy a 200mm zoom you expect to get 200mm no matter how far, or near the subject is and often one needs to get in a little bit closer; the f/4 model does the job nicely. The f/4 is in my view a very good lens for portrait work and more comfortable to use being lighter than the f/2.8

So, the big decision was the f4 or the f2.8 70-200mm lens? I wasn't so worried about the price difference, although I can appreciate this will be a consideration for some. I wanted to choose the right lens on practical merit and suitability to my needs. I am a keen (amateur) photographer, been a Nikon user for over 20 years and historically used Nikon primes or Sigma zooms. I read the global reviews on this lens and after careful consideration, decided the f4 would be utilised far more than the larger and heavier f2.8. So the purchase was made. Well, to say I am impressed with this lens is an understatement! Extremely sharp with an almost 'tripod like' VR system, I love using this lens. In fact, I have not taken it off my camera since purchasing it a month ago! The controls are well placed, have a quality feel, as does the reassuringly smooth zoom ring. Focus is quick and accurate. I am using the lens mainly at f4, as this was a crucial deciding factor in purchasing a 70-200mm lens. I am more than pleased with the results, so much so, that I now have the difficult decision of deciding whether to purchase the 24-120mm f4 or to go with my original thoughts, the 24-70mm f2.8? I really do not think the additional stop makes a huge amount of difference, for my needs anyway (particularly these days with great VR & high ISO's), although I do love good bokeh and the 70-200mm f4 does a great job in this area! Very pleasing results. Another consideration for some is the lack of tripod collar on this lens. Trust me, you do not need it - the lens is so well balanced on the camera and the VR so impressive, that I understand why Nikon, and Canon, have kept this as an optional extra. I'm even sure if the lens did come with the collar, I would have removed it as I do not use a tripod very often and the lens sits nicely in my hand. This lens will most certainly be a travel companion, across the UK and abroad and to be honest, that sums up my decision to buy - it will get lots of use and that justifies the spend. Highly, HIGHLY recommended!

I got this lens for Yule and I'm very happy with it. It's nice and sharp for both macros and portraits and feels solid on the camera. So why 4 star? It does hunt a lot! I don't use auto focus in macro mode for obvious reasons but even in half decent light it doesn't always like to focus despite a contrasty subject. Aside from that though there's little - if any - fault with it. It's a challenge and a half getting used to shooting with such a tiny DOF (and has made me realise I really need to clean my sensor as with shooting at f16 and above you see every spot) but when you do get the focus spot on the images are sharp and crisp.

Awesome lens! I know it's expensive 'for a zoom' but the reality is that the quality of zoom lenses has been getting better and better.....this is as good as it gets for a zoom with a great zoom range. It is sharp, you can look at loads of reviews and try and pixel peep but stop wasting your time and just buy it, then get out and use it, you'll love it!! OK, at f5.6 it isn't as fast as we would like, but for the weight and relative size (in comparison to a f.28 prime it is compact), and price realistically we can cope with that....especially with the ISO performance on DSLR's now. Do I still want a 500mm f4?? Yes of course!! I want the 600mm and to 800mm too......but try travelling with them all!! Only ok on a road trip, you're gonna pay to get them all on a plane! This is ideal for travelling with. I know you want to know if it works with TC's.......the good news is that with a 1.4 it is fine, but you do have to use good long lens technique; sturdy tripod, cable release, mirror lock up etc... I haven't tried it with a tc above this but think it would start to get unusable. With 1.4 you can print and it is sharp enough......just, it isn't a prime. Overall though if used for what it is mean't for, you'll love it.

I’ve got my ‘new’ lens delivered yesterday only to find that it’s not new and that it’s used. It didn’t say anywhere that it was used in the description! Very disappointed!

This is two reviews in one, firstly it is one for Amazon, I ordered this lens at 5.15pm on a Wednesday and it arrived by 3pm on the Thursday. less than 24 hrs that is good, so thanks to Amazon. Now for the lens, after reading various reviews including the ones on this page I went for this lens as I have the Nikon AFS 80-200 F2.8 (non VR) and a 3 week visit to USA planned for October I didn't relish the thought of carrying the f2.8 around New York and elsewhere for a day. So I ordered the 70-200 f4 just before a 5 day trip to France with a day walking around Paris, and it was such an easy to use light lens, and as for the quality its absolutely stunning, I was getting pin sharp photos inside the Opera house at 1/15 of a second, I know I didn't believe it either. So its goodbye to the F2.8, aching neck muscles, tripods, taking the lens in its case and then leaving it in the boot because I can't be arsed to carry the thing around. So if you need a 70-200 lens go for the f4 its half the weight, size. it'll fit in your camera bag and its as sharp as a very sharp thing. and what's more its quick to focus, sharp edge to edge, good Bokeh, the VR is very very good, plus it fits in the Billingham Hadley with my D600, 16-35 f4 plus 24-120 f4 also both very good lenses. I thoroughly recommend this lens to anyone looking for a Quality zoom who is not worried about one f stop. and wants to save £600, that would buy a TCii1.4 (my next purchase).

This is quite an expensive lens, but results so far make me believe it is worth every penny. I am using it on a D300, which being a DX camera, means this is equivalent to a 120-600mm lens. The VR system is excellent; as you look through the viewfinder whilst holding the lens, it obviously waivers around a bit, but as soon as you slightly depress the shutter release, the image in the viewfinder is rock solid; its fantastic. I have achieved great results at 1/60th sec whilst handheld, which for me is very good going. The autofocus system is very quick; but I also find it very easy to use on manual focus. As you would expect with all the electronics and glass, its a fairly hefty weight, but not uncomfortably so. The lens comes with a good quality case, which is useful for me as it will not fit in my gadget bag. This is the most expensive item of photographic equipment I've ever bought, but I am very happy with the results I'm getting, so I think its worth the money. Highly recommended.