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Archive 2013 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC

  
 
Steve Perry
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Whew, just got finished comparing the new 80-400 to the 300 F4 with a 1.4TC and the 70-200 2.8 + 2X TCIII.

Lots and lots of carefully shot comparisons, check it out and let me know what you think:

http://www.backcountrygallery.com/photography_tips/nikon-under-3k-tele-comparison/

Edited on Apr 05, 2013 at 08:06 PM · View previous versions



Mar 31, 2013 at 05:27 PM
davidnholtjr
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Great test Steve. Looks like the new zoom is the winner to my eyes. I'm loving the lens.


Mar 31, 2013 at 06:04 PM
LMT1972
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Nice job Steve. Looks like the new 80-400 is a keeper. Would be interesting to see how the new and old versions compare head to head, though based on these tests I would say the new version would win handily in most respects.

Cheers
Leigh



Mar 31, 2013 at 06:04 PM
Celbrett
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


IMO, great effort and job well done. If there was a round 2 for a sub $3500 duo with a 200-400 VR I, I would be happier than a pig in slop.

Brett



Mar 31, 2013 at 06:05 PM
binary visions
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Thanks so much for the great comparison.

Any chance you could slap the 1.4 on there and do some comparison shots? I'm interested to see how much the TC degrades the zoom.



Mar 31, 2013 at 06:17 PM
ckcarr
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Thanks Steve!
That's so helpful. We know now it's not a dog.



Mar 31, 2013 at 06:37 PM
Steve Perry
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Thanks

@David - Yup, it's a keeper for sure

@Leigh - Back in the film days I used the old 80-400 and yup, I'm pretty sure the new one destroys it optically.

@Brett - I had a 200-400 VR I, and as long as my subject wasn't too far away it was like using primes. I think it might be close, but I'm pretty confident that 200-400 would prevail in any tests



Mar 31, 2013 at 06:38 PM
Steve Perry
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


binary visions wrote:
Thanks so much for the great comparison.

Any chance you could slap the 1.4 on there and do some comparison shots? I'm interested to see how much the TC degrades the zoom.


I actually did try that combo and something just doesn't look right to me. The 100% crop of the prestone bottle is below. It almost looks like a little lens movement during exposure, despite mirror lock up and, in this case, waiting a good 5 seconds before tripping the shutter. I need to do some more testing to see if this is really as good as it gets or if there was another issue.

Here's the photo:









Mar 31, 2013 at 06:40 PM
Steve Perry
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


ckcarr wrote:
Thanks Steve!
That's so helpful. We know now it's not a dog.


Yup, I was very pleased with the results. Should be a great lens.



Mar 31, 2013 at 06:41 PM
M635_Guy
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Steve - awesome comparison! Thanks for being a great resource!


Mar 31, 2013 at 06:50 PM
binary visions
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Sigh @ the 1.4x TC sample. Would be interested in the follow-up results but I appreciate your testing thus far.


Mar 31, 2013 at 07:02 PM
rd4tile
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Great test Steve! I recently saw another comparison with posted shots from the 80-400 and 300 + 1.4 with very similar results. Like your test it was tough to tell the the 2 apart other then the 80-400 having a bit more contrast. I haven't really used the 80-400 with the 1.4 much yet but I did grab the following shot with it. There's detail there but the contrast does seem to take a hit.












Mar 31, 2013 at 07:28 PM
Lance B
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Fantastic write up, Steve. All good subjects and real world. Well done!


Mar 31, 2013 at 07:35 PM
Doug Maclean
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Wow! I love my 300 f4 with 1.4tc.But this new zoom looks like it is going on my wish list.Looks as sharp as the combo and really nice contrast.Also getting sick of not having VR on the 300 f4. Doug


Mar 31, 2013 at 07:43 PM
Sambru
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Thanks Steve good job. I will be getting this lens by summer I hope.


Mar 31, 2013 at 09:38 PM
mco_970
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Really nice article, Steve!

Only addition is a con of the 80-400 is the focus breathing issue for close in shooting.

I would love to see a comparison pair of shots of the 80-400 and 300+1.4x near MFD to see the difference focus breathing makes. (totally not expecting you to shoot it, but it never hurts to ask)

Cheers,
Michelle



Mar 31, 2013 at 10:02 PM
Steve Perry
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Thanks for the kind words everyone - glad to help (and besides, I was curious too )

@rd4tile - I see what you say about the contrast. Personally, I'll probalby never use this lens with a 1.4TC - that's what my 600 is for. It would be nice if it took the TC better than it seems to take it. I did another shot (birdhouse) with it that was just as bad. I was able to push it to the point of "OK" in post, but overall it's not a great combo. That, and an effective F8 is just too slow for my purposes (I seldom venture beyond ISO 1600).



Mar 31, 2013 at 10:03 PM
Ghostinz
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


I think this lens will be a keeper. Right now I think my poor results are due to poor techique instead of poor equipment performance.





first with 80-400




Apr 01, 2013 at 01:07 AM
kevinho
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


Steve,

Great writeup. Appreciate the time you took to do the review. My biggest question has been "is the 80-400 $1000 better than the 300 + TC?" In the review you made some fair, objective observations in that regard.

In the end, given my budget constraints, I'll go for the 300 + TC. Now only if Nikon would do the upgrade to Vr for the 300 f/4.



Apr 01, 2013 at 01:55 AM
Steve Perry
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · UPDATE: Tested - 80-400 Vs 300 + TC Vs 70-200 + TC


kevinho wrote:
Steve,

Great writeup. Appreciate the time you took to do the review. My biggest question has been "is the 80-400 $1000 better than the 300 + TC?" In the review you made some fair, objective observations in that regard.

In the end, given my budget constraints, I'll go for the 300 + TC. Now only if Nikon would do the upgrade to Vr for the 300 f/4.


Thanks

I agree - the 300 F4 really needs VR. When it happens, that lens coupled with a 1.4 TC will be the best low budget wildlife bargain out there if they can keep the price close to current levels.



Apr 01, 2013 at 07:31 AM
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