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 enlarge | Brand: Nikon
Category: Photography
List Price: $1,599.99
Buy New: $1,369.00
You Save: $230.99 (14%)
New (12) Used (5) Refurbished (1) from $1,089.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Optical Zoom: 5
Maximum Focal Length: 400
Minimum Focal Length: 80
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 6.7 x 6.7
MPN: 1996
Model: 1996
UPC: 018208019960
EAN: 0018208019960
ASIN: B00005LEOO
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
This Dog Will Hunt May 2, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I bought this lens after reading many reviews. So, I went into the purchase already knowing that this lens wasn't perfect. I own multiple cameras in several formats and have been a Nikon shooter since the 1980's. I guess you'd call me an "advanced amateur". However, I was slow to enter the digital world and have a lot to learn after about two years with a D70s and an 18-200 Nikon VR zoom.
I found the 18-200 very versatile, but wanted the greater reach that the 80-400 VR offers. After a few weeks of shooting small desert wildlife, birds and cactus flowers in our yard, I think I have a feel for the performance I can expect. While certainly not a fast lens, it produces very sharp photos when the lens is tripod or monopod-mounted. The VR function works well, but at the long end of the zoom I have experienced some blurring with this lens when it was hand-held. As noted by many others, this lens tends to "hunt" if the lighting is not strong or the contrast is low. While this is a bit frustrating, I knew this would happen. I just got tired of waiting for Nikon to announce an AF-S version and made the plunge.
Considering the price I paid for this lens versus what I would have to pay for a faster Nikon lens with a similar zoom range, I was willing to accept its weaknesses. Overall, I think this was a good purchase - not perfect - but good. I recommend this lens as a good value for serious amateurs.
 Better than competitors March 15, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
First I believed some reviews that the Sigma 80-400 would perform as good as the Nikon and cost 30% less. I bought one. After 2 years I bought this Nikon and it's much better than the Sigma. It's faster on focusing and it eats-up much less batteries. On Sigma using OS I could shoot about 100 pictures on a 10 Mp Nikon, now on the same Nikon D80 I shoot not less than 300 pictures always using VR.
Better finishing than the Sigma.
A bit heavy and maybe not up to the state-of-art. Focus could be faster and more precise comparing to other lenses.
I use it mostly with an f8 and that gives very sharp pictures.
I owe also a 400mm fixed f 3.5 but that's a completly differnt price class. Don't compare it to a fixed focus lens.
It's an excellent all-rounder zoom lens.
Would buy it again.
 AVOID! December 18, 2007
3 out of 81 found this review helpful
It might be a great lens, but I cant tell. The vendor cancelled the order without any explanation...leaving me in the lurch for Christmas. AVOID BUYING FROM DBROTH. They will dissappoint. Now I have no lens for my safari.
"Mostly" Good November 29, 2007
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
This review is mainly for anyone trying to decide between the 70-300mm VR and the 80-400mm. If you are like me, you have gone back and forth many times trying to decide if this lens is worth $1000 more, or if you can simply do a little cropping from 300 and achieve good results. I finally just bought both lenses to find out for myself.
After owning both for about 6 months, I will say that the 70-300 is on my camera more often. It does an excellent job tracking motion on my D200, focuses fast, and delivers results well beyond its initial cost.
That being said, I have to say this lens is a definite keeper. The relatively slow (and noisy) mechanical focus is my biggest complaint. This would be a stellar 5-star lens if Nikon had included AF-S. Everyone says this was to save cost and reduce size, but all you have to do is take one look at Canon's excellent 100-400 with USM and IS to realize that a much better lens can be made for this price point. When you have time to focus, the 80-400 delivers extremely high quality results and that is why it's staying in my bag.
I recommend you think twice if you are planning on tracking motion, shooting birds in flight, or spend much time in the low light of dawn/dusk. Other than those exceptions, I've achieved some excellent results and am also very happy with the size and weight of the lens.
Great glass November 12, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Great glass. A little outdated with regard to current technology (i.e. autofocus) but the glass is extremely sharp.
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