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Archive 2014 · Q about the new 400/2.8

  
 
sritri
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Q about the new 400/2.8


I would like to call myself primarily a birder though I have hardly much to show

The question is if one were to have a choice between the new 400/2.8 ( less heavy) and the 200-400 VR-II what would be a better choice ?

I have shot extensively in my Canon avatar with the 500/4 and loved it very much. As I age not so gracefully, my arms are telling the strain of lugging a heavy lens pretty quickly.

The only camera I have now is the D810 and I may add a 7100 or a 750 (if it materializes) later.



Sep 04, 2014 at 08:07 PM
BenV
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Q about the new 400/2.8


400 2.8, IMO 400 isn't enough for some birds, and a 1.4x will give you that extra reach without much (if any) degradation in quality.


Sep 04, 2014 at 08:10 PM
sritri
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Q about the new 400/2.8


Thanks Ben. I currently have the 2.x III but no idea how good that will be. I have read on various forums about the sluggish AF and lesser IQ with the 200-400 + 2,x III combo


Sep 04, 2014 at 08:12 PM
matthewo
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Q about the new 400/2.8


if I could afford the new 400mm i would own in. after shooting the 500mm f4 vr at 8.5 lbs handheld a lot, the new 400 is 8.2 lbs and shorter, it would be great to handhold a 2.8 400mm lens.

it should still be decent with a 2x converter at 800mm. as even older 300mm 2.8 do pretty good, but obviously it will really shine with the new 14 iii

as far as comparing the Nikon 200-400 to any of the primes i wouldn't even bother, stick with a 300, 400, 500, or 600.

i guess it comes down to what you shoot, i think a 300 or 400 is nice if you want a good MFD and don't just shoot small birds. with the new tc14e iii, i think it may bring out more people using say the 400mm and the new tc14e iii and possibly a d7100 to still have great reach, but the also being able to slap the 400mm on a ff body like the d4 or d800 and cut the reach in half. that is what i am doing now with my 300mm, but maybe in a few years when these new 400mm start showing up used i may have a good reason to upgrade.



Sep 04, 2014 at 08:31 PM
sritri
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Q about the new 400/2.8


Thanks Matt.

I had almost pulled the trigger on a 300/2.8 but then I guess a new 300/3.8 with the "E" may not be far away. So even though pretty pricey I am leaning towards the 400 as I don't see myself buying another supertele.



Sep 04, 2014 at 08:36 PM
tntcorp
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Q about the new 400/2.8


sritri wrote:
I would like to call myself primarily a birder though I have hardly much to show

The question is if one were to have a choice between the new 400/2.8 ( less heavy) and the 200-400 VR-II what would be a better choice ?

I have shot extensively in my Canon avatar with the 500/4 and loved it very much. As I age not so gracefully, my arms are telling the strain of lugging a heavy lens pretty quickly.

The only camera I have now is the D810 and I may add a 7100 or a 750 (if it materializes) later.


w/ all due respect...

is the new 400/f2.8 handheldable over the current 500/f4 or the 200-400/f4? if your arms & shoulder feel the strain of the 500mm, would it be wise to go with the heavier 400mm? please fill me in on the weight if i am incorrect... :-)

for small skittish birds in the field, anything below 600mm is not enough unless you are using blinds, baits, or have plenty of patience, imho.

a heavier faster lens will not be used less often if it cannot be easily field carried, and more than likely you will reach for the lighter lens. i would prefer to have the 500 & 1.7x combo or a 200 - 400mm & 2x if i cannot handle the heavier 400/f2.8.






Sep 04, 2014 at 09:43 PM
tntcorp
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Q about the new 400/2.8


matthewo wrote:
if I could afford the new 400mm i would own in. after shooting the 500mm f4 vr at 8.5 lbs handheld a lot, the new 400 is 8.2 lbs and shorter, it would be great to handhold a 2.8 400mm lens.

it should still be decent with a 2x converter at 800mm. as even older 300mm 2.8 do pretty good, but obviously it will really shine with the new 14 iii

as far as comparing the Nikon 200-400 to any of the primes i wouldn't even bother, stick with a 300, 400, 500, or 600.

i guess it comes down to what you
...Show more

well, someone just educated me on the weight. :-) wow, the new 400/f2.8 is lighter than the current 500/f4. it's time to start stacking converters...



Sep 04, 2014 at 09:45 PM
John Skinner
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Q about the new 400/2.8


I own the 200-400 VRII and use a 400 2.8 regularly.

I can't speak to the new 400 as it's just too dam cost prohibitive in my opinion. I would not lay out that kind of dosh for glass just because they've bundled a tele and made it a few ounces lighter.

The 200-400 is a good worker in and of itself. It plays well with a 1.7, although it could be better. If it's my money? I'm looking for a used 400 f/2.8 and would combine that with a new 1.7.

If we're talking about 'birding'. Your never going to have all the glass you want. 600...whatever. Every time you head out, you're always pissed your just that little bit short and not able to fill a frame. I do a shite load of sports and birds. So the 200-400 works well for me.



Sep 04, 2014 at 10:41 PM
matthewo
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Q about the new 400/2.8


I have the new 1.4 on order and a tc2.0 already. I know the old version of the 1.4 could stack on the 2x directly. But I'm not sure I want to modify the tab on the new 1.4 for something I may rarely use. But it probably wouldn't be half bad for stationary objects on a crop body camera stopped down to f8 or so


Sep 04, 2014 at 10:45 PM
matthewo
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Q about the new 400/2.8


Yes and please make a 1.7 version 3. I found 500mm on a d7100 enough for the birding I do so that along with my current 300mm 2.8 would fit just fine


Sep 04, 2014 at 10:48 PM





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