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KPDX
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Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:04 am

Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Sat Jan 30, 2021 4:13 pm

Hello all.

I'm a Nikon guy but one lens I've always been super envious of the Canon 100-400. What a perfect range for aviation. My go to is my 200-500, but the base of 200mm makes it limited when shooting photos of anything close, so I'm trying to find a decent equivalent to the 100-400.

Does anyone here have any experience with the latest versions of the Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR and/or 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II? I have the latest iteration of the 70-300 from Nikkor, and while it is a very solid lens, it doesn't have the image quality of my 200-500. I have read some say the 80-400 is a great lens but lacks the image quality of the 200-500, so I'm also considering the 70-200 f2/.8.

Thanks in advance!

Dylan
 
dutchspotter1
Posts: 532
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:24 pm

Re: Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Sat Jan 30, 2021 8:54 pm

KPDX wrote:
I have read some say the 80-400 is a great lens but lacks the image quality of the 200-500

I think you're answering your own question here. I'd go for the 70-200 in addition to your 200-500. With two bodies you'll avoid the hassle of changing lenses.
 
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Smoketrails
Posts: 77
Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2011 7:31 pm

Re: Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:55 pm

I have the 80-400, love it but it does start to suffer quality wise when reaching over 320/350mm. A real steady hand is needed and you have to take in account that at over 350mm you will have banding. Like dutchspotter mentions, I use two bodies, my old and trusty D90 for my closer range work and my D610 for the long range stuff.
 
SFO2SVO
Posts: 309
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2004 4:56 pm

Re: Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Sun Jan 31, 2021 9:34 pm

I have the first generation 80-400VR and getting a ton of soft and blurry with it. Also found that you need to stay at F 8 for decent results.
Pretty much switched to Tamron 150-600 - results are surprisingly good for the price.
 
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julianrv
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 8:11 pm

Re: Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Mon Feb 01, 2021 6:20 am

80-400G has a lot of quality variations between samples, I had one and was never happy with its performance especially from 300mm as it tended to be quite soft for a lens in that price range but I know a couple other people who are happy with it.

If you already own a 200-500 I think the 70-200 would be a great fit, if you don't really needed the 2.8 aperture or the ability to use teleconverters have a look at the 70-200 f4 as it's practically as sharp as the 2.8 VRII and you'll save money and weight on your bag.
 
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seahawk
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Re: Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Mon Feb 01, 2021 6:46 am

I have the AF-S 80-400G and it has 100% replaced the 80-200 2.8 as I find 70/80-200 on a FF camera of very limited use for aviation. And imho the 70-200 is too big and heavy to make a good lens on a second boy. It is fantastic for the IQ and just great for portraits or animals that come close, but if I would look at lens to parter the 200-500 with, it would be the 28-300VR. It is a solid performer stepped down to F8 and superbly versatile.
 
45272455674
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Joined: Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:46 am

Re: Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Sun Feb 07, 2021 4:37 am

KPDX wrote:
Hello all.

I'm a Nikon guy but one lens I've always been super envious of the Canon 100-400. What a perfect range for aviation. My go to is my 200-500, but the base of 200mm makes it limited when shooting photos of anything close, so I'm trying to find a decent equivalent to the 100-400.

Does anyone here have any experience with the latest versions of the Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR and/or 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II? I have the latest iteration of the 70-300 from Nikkor, and while it is a very solid lens, it doesn't have the image quality of my 200-500. I have read some say the 80-400 is a great lens but lacks the image quality of the 200-500, so I'm also considering the 70-200 f2/.8.

Thanks in advance!

Dylan


I have the 70-200mm 2.8 VR II lens, it’s one of my favourite lenses. When the light goes down, that lens shines. I use F2.8 and slow shutter speeds for great low light photos.

I have 16mm Fisheye Nikkor, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8 VRII and 200-400 F/4.0 and still the D3S and D800e.

Of all those, the 70-200 is the favourite.
 
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yerbol
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Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:18 am

Re: Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Tue Feb 09, 2021 4:15 am

Hi Dylan,
I had Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 both VR1 and VR2 in the past and they worth every penny.
It is a dream lens.
 
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KPDX
Topic Author
Posts: 2513
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:04 am

Re: Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:11 pm

Thanks all for the replies! I'll start looking at the 70-200 II. :)
 
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KPDX
Topic Author
Posts: 2513
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:04 am

Re: Nikkor 80-400 vs 70-200

Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:56 am

Thanks for the suggestions all. I purchased the latest 70-200 f/2.8 and so far I'm thrilled with it!





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