Nikon 80-400 5.6 Nikon 400 2.8G

[jimva]

$1600.00 for a Nikon 80-400 4.5 / 5.6 $6300.00 for a 200-400 Nikon F4 G. Is it all in the glass? I know it has always been this way but it keeps the average Joe a average Joe?

[sthuman]

I have the 80-400. It's a very good lens, but doesn't even come close to the image quality the 200-400 produces. That is perhaps the best long zoom lens made. Well worth the money if you can afford one. If you can't, the 80-400 is very good. If that's too expensive, the Nikon 70-300 VR is a wonderful lens. And the difference between 300mm and 400 mm isn't as much as it would seem. By all means get the long lens if you can afford one, but don't for a second hesitate to go with a 300mm if it fits your pocket book better.

And yes, to answer your question, it's mostly about the glass.

[bug322]

If u want good performance at 420 mm at a low price forget the 80-400 or 70-300 get the 300MM f4 with a 1,4 extender.
Quality comes near or is as good and probably even better at 300MM f4 as the 200-400 zoomer.

The construction of this lens is also panzer quality.
Compare that with the plastic 80-400 and 70-300

[sthuman]

Read the reviews on the 200-400 F/4 VR and you'll find that most reviewers say that it may be the best zoom lens ever made. But it's expensive. The 300 f/4 is a great lens also, but doesn't measure up to the image quality the 200-400 produces even when not using a TC on the 300. Darn close though. Plus, the 300 doesn't give you the benefit of VR. In a perfect world a tripod could always be used, but for shooting wildlife it's not always an option, so there is a definite benefit from having the option of VR. When you consider quality vs price the 300 is perhaps a better value than the 200-400. It's close to $1500 though, so by no means cheap. My point was that if a person couldn't afford a $1500ish (or higher) lens, they'd do quite well with a 70-300 VR

The 80-400 is not a plastic lens. The zoom and focus rings are plastic, but the rest (body) is metal.

[adz929]

I use a 300f/4 + 1.4TC and I'm really happy with the results:



Wide open at 420mm