On 6/03/2013 1:08 AM, Floyd L. Davidson wrote:
Rob wrote:
The new 80-400mm costs $2700. [...]

Just looked and I would not buy one at that price.

If you don't need a lens like that, the price makes
little difference.


I was considering the old 80-400 some time ago but the focusing wasn't
to smart, and what I did see was poor results from a couple who were
using them, not very suitable for sporting events (attributed to slow
focus).

The 70-300 is quarter the price. Half the weight 745gms/1570 gms

If that lens is satisfactory, then you have no need at
all for the new 80-400mm lens. But the 70-300mm is not
equal to the older 80-400mm AF-D lens, and is no where
near the same as the new lens.


I do have the 70-300 lens and find it light to carry and stay mobile,
running up and down a beach.


Here are the specification pages for each:



http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens...g_if/index.htm
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens...-56d/index.htm
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens...d_vr/index.htm

Here are the MTF charts for maximum focal length at maximum aperture for each:

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens...if/pic_003.gif
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens...6d/pic_003.gif
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens...vr/pic_003.png

Some data points from those MTF charts tp show the significance:

S30 M30
70-300mm G @ 10mm 0.72 0.55
80-400mm D @ 10mm 0.72 0.52
80-400mm G @ 10mm 0.81 0.81

70-300mm G @ 15mm 0.74 0.55
80-400mm D @ 15mm 0.80 0.47
80-400mm G @ 15mm 0.73 0.74

70-300mm G @ 20mm 0.69 0.43
80-400mm D @ 20mm 0.80 0.47
80-400mm G @ 20mm 0.65 0.67

Clearly for a DX camera body the new lens is *vastly*
sharper at 10mm from the center of an image that is
24mm across. It is apparently significantly sharper at
15mm from the center too. Compared to the older AF-D
version the new lens does not exhibit the same
astigmatism (that is also present in the 70-300mm to a
lesser degree).

Given the faster focusing speed expected from AF-S
compared to the older AF-D version, plus the second
generation VR, this lens looks like a real winner. The
70-300mm of course doesn't do well with a 1.4x TC, so
there is no real comparison at all if 400mm is needed.
On top of that, it does appear that the new lens will
probably work very well with a 1.4x TC on newer Nikon
bodies that can AF at f/8, and be much sharper than the
older AF-D with a TC.

Hence, while any given photographer may not find this
lens useful at that price, there is little doubt that
many wildlife and bird photographers are going to snap
these up in a heartbeat.


I have no doubt that the new 80-400 is a far superior lens to its old
counterpart, just the AF-S alone. I can't imagine that Nikon would
release a new lens which was an inferior replacement.

I hate lugging weight around nowadays, I'm over that and having all the
toys with me, just in case.