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

Nikon F (DX/FX)

Review

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is a versatile telephoto zoom lens, ideal for wildlife, sports, and landscape photography. With its extended focal range and robust build quality, this lens is a solid addition to any Nikon F (DX) shooter’s kit. It offers the flexibility of capturing distant subjects while ensuring sharpness and clarity across the frame.

Build Quality and Design

The lens features a rugged construction that is weather-sealed, making it suitable for outdoor use even in challenging conditions. Its relatively lightweight design helps in portability, which is an essential trait for outdoor photographers. The zoom mechanism is smooth, and the focus ring is adequately damped, allowing for precise adjustments when needed. However, the lens length can be intimidating when fully extended, which might affect handling for some users.

Optical Performance

Optically, the Nikon 80-400mm shows impressive performance across its focal range. The inclusion of Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements helps minimize chromatic aberration, resulting in clear images with high contrast. Moreover, the Vibration Reduction (VR) technology proves beneficial in stabilizing handheld shots, especially at longer focal lengths. That being said, at f/5.6, it might struggle in very low-light situations, pushing photographers to use higher ISO settings.

Autofocus System

The autofocus system on this lens is another standout feature. It utilizes Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology, which ensures fast and near-silent focusing. This is particularly useful for wildlife photography, where noise can scare away potential subjects. Although the autofocus is generally reliable, there might be occasional hunting in challenging conditions, such as low light or when dealing with complex backgrounds.

Versatility

The versatility of this lens is one of its greatest assets. The 80-400mm range allows you to capture both wide scenes and distant subjects without needing to change lenses frequently. A teleconverter can also be used to extend the reach further, albeit with a trade-off in maximum aperture. This flexibility makes it a great option for various photography genres.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent optical performance with sharp images.
• Weather-sealed construction for outdoor photography.
• Fast and quiet autofocus with SWM technology.
• Versatile focal length range from 80mm to 400mm.
• Effective Vibration Reduction (VR) for handheld shooting.

Cons

• Maximum aperture of f/5.6 can limit low-light shooting.
• Lens length when fully extended may be cumbersome for some.
• Autofocus can occasionally hunt in challenging conditions.

Verdict

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is an outstanding choice for photographers looking for a robust and versatile telephoto lens for their Nikon F (DX) system. With its excellent optical performance, solid build quality, and effective VR, this lens can handle a variety of photographic situations. While there are minor drawbacks, such as its maximum aperture and size, the benefits far outweigh these concerns, making it a worthy investment for serious photographers.