Handholding the AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 zoom lens for wildlife

During the past several weeks I have been using this lens, handheld, for birds and other wildlife. There has been a lot

of discussion in this forum about the ability of this lens to autofocus quickly enough to accomplish shots of moving

subjects as well as whether handholding a large lens, such as this one, is even possible. Please refer to the

following previous threads for details if you are interested...

 

http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00QZ1N

 

http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00QJwM

 

http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00Q1vw

 

I was encouraged during these discussions and my research that this was a sharp lens and that it could produce

excellent results, handheld. I have also found that the autofocus works quite quickly if you use the focus limit switch

and if you pre-select your distance so that the focusing system has to travel a very small distance to adjust. I'm

using this with a D300 body which may provide some advantage. I offer these images and this information for

discussion and to assist others who may be trying to decide what lens to purchase if they are not ready to step up

to the $5000+ required for the 200-400mm f4 VR.<div></div>

next image...<div></div>

I LOVE that first one! Both are nice

These have been very helpful threads, Richard. It should be a relief to folks who want a good zoom but cannot afford or justify the expense of the big guns.

 

FWIW, in my informal tests at a local camera shop I found the 80-400 VR to be an impressive lens for the money on my D2H. The image quality was nearly equal to the 70-200 VR (keep in mind the limits of the D2H), so for either casual use or even daylight action oriented use the 80-400 VR would be a good value.

 

The main drawback I found wasn't the autofocus speed or resolution but the inability to shoot at a wide enough aperture to throw a distracting background out of focus. This would be of concern to some, but not all, photographers. Sometimes it's the main difference between a good sports photo and a really professional looking shot, all other factors being equal.

Thank you, Peter and Lex for your comments. I think that the background in the first example is sufficiently out of focus at f5.6 with the camera panning with the bird, but I can see your point, Lex.

My circunstances are the same. I bought this lens a month ago, and I can´t be happier with it. I´d been shooting handeld all the time walking aroundYes, it can be slow in some circunstances, but delivers a high quality pics handeld, and it´s cheap (compared to other niikkor)-<div></div>

Jose, what an excellent image and a great addition to the information about the capabilities of this lens! This is exactly why I posted this information and I appreciate your sharing your results, thank you!

Thanks Richard! A shame this image is rated 3/3 . I thought it didn´t deserve it.......

Jose, I think there must be a 3/3 troll lurking out there in cyberspace...pay no attention...your image is great!

I agree, this is a beautiful photo!, raf

All of the above photos, especially 1 and 3...awesome!

Richard, nice post and pics, thanks!

 

Jose, great portrait, and beautiful light well done!!

 

Here is an interesting review of the 80-400mm lens:

 

http://nikonglass.blogspot.com/2007/12/af-80-400mm-f4.html

 

PK

Thank you, Peter! It is an interesting review and seems to echo my conclusions so far about this lens.

<p>Here are a few I have taken with the 80-400, D300, handheld from the kayak. Still working on technique with this lens. </p><div></div>

<p>Sorry, didn't upload as large as I wanted. Try these links -<br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdld/sets/72157621401081839/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdld/sets/72157621401081839/</a><br />All the eagle ones are with the 80-400. <br>

Also this one of a loon with outstretched wings =<br /><a href="

Not from the kayak, but handheld -<br /><a href="