Sell me on your favourite 400mm AF zooms

So I've been musing on building up a somewhat decent 35mm SLR kit. And seeing as my favourite 135 format lenses are 400mm+, I did a quick search for 400mm zooms. Here are the ones that might be on my shortlist:

 

Sigma 80-400

Sigma 100-400

Sigma 120-400

Sigma 135-400

Nikkor 80-400

Nikkor 200-400

 

But there's another option, too. How about an f/2.8 tele zoom with a 2x TC? For example:

 

Sigma 70-200

Nikkor 70-200

Tamron 70-200

 

I do care about performance, but one thing I don't need here is outright sharpness. If I'm shooting, say, Portra 800 which is now my favourite film, I don't need these lenses to resolve detail at the molecular level. One thing I can't tolerate is noticeable vignetting wide-open.

Nikkor 80-400

There are two - the older AF-D lens and the newer AF-S version; the former has an aperture ring, the latter is a G model and does not. The AF-D model is slow focusing and optically quite weak towards the long end; the AF-S version does better in both aspects but given its performance, I consider it overpriced. I owned the AF-D and still have but rarely use the AF-S. Both most likely suffice for film; the AF-D is OK up to 10/12MP on a DSLR.

 

Nikkor 70-200

I only have experience with the initial 70-200/2.8 VR and how it took to the TC-14E. In a word - poorly. Both the TC-17EII and every version of the TC-20E are a waste of money pretty much behind any lens.

 

Nikkor 200-400

There are again two versions - both are large and heavy. Both are f/4 and both are IF designs. V1 can be had used for under $2k; new the V2 version is almost $7k. Clearly a specialist lens and not intended for casual use. Same goes for the excellent but less expensive Nikon 200-500/5.6 (as an E lens you could only use it wide open on any Nikon film SLR).

 

Not familiar with any of the other lenses you list.

Edited April 2, 2022 by Dieter Schaefer

Those are very useful answers. Thanks!

Are you only looking for a zoom? The 300mm F/4 AF-S is fairly inexpensive these days and performs ok with the TC-14EII teleconverter. I use mine often with a TC-17E.

I picked up a used Sigma 'Apo' 135-400mm zoom quite cheaply, not expecting it to be optically up to much. I was pleasantly surprised, and I've had some respectably sharp pictures from it. Better than those from a Tokina 80-400mm zoom that I bought new (not recommended BTW), but not having the Tokina's build quality.

 

An old Ai-S IF-ED 400mm f/5.6 Nikkor would be on my list too, if I didn't already own one.

Honestly, buy a Canon and the EF 100-400L mk II. It’s a wonderful lens, and quite addictive. I’ve owned long lenses before but never one that produces such pleasing images.

frankly, barryreid +1

 

However, there are myriad 400-500mm simple T-mount, refractor, pre-set lenses that are very good, especially when stopped down a little. They cost practically nothing. Sold for party favor kind of prices on eBay. Certainly less than a full tank of gas.

 

particularly. Spiratone 400mm f/6.3.

For purposes of prestige you can blacken out the Spiratone name:rolleyes: