Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Product Description:

Nikon's first AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED lens with Nikon's advanced Vibration Reduction (VR) technology and highly regarded Silent Wave Motor technology incorporated into a compact design that is easily hand held. Designed for news, sports/action, wildlife and nature photographers, this innovative new lens is based on a new optical system that features four ED glass elements. Nikon's advanced VR technology overcomes one of the fundamental problems photographers face while photographing under conditions where it is difficult to hold the camera steady. VR technology eliminates image blur caused by camera shake, particularly when shooting in low-light conditions, allowing photographers to use shutter speeds up to three stops slower than they would ordinarily use to get sharp, well exposed images. The VR technology in the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED lens offers users a choice of either Normal or Active mode. Normal mode detects camera shake when the lens is hand held and the photographer is on a stable base. The Active mode goes a step further to detect vibration caused by photographing from a moving platform, such as a car or a helicopter.
Product Details
  • Feature:
  • Vibration Reduction (VR) operation offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed 3 stops faster. Two VR Modes - normal or active for taking pictures with extreme movement - Automatically detects when photographer is panning and compensates.
  • Compatible with Nikon TC-14E II, TC-17E II and TC-20E II Teleconverters. AF operation only with TC14E II.
  • Exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables ultra-high-speed auto focusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful super-quiet operation.
  • 4 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements minimize chromatic aberration and provide higher resolution and superior contrast.
  • Minimum focus distance of 6.2 feet at all focal lengths.
  • BatteriesIncluded: 0
  • Binding: Electronics
  • Brand: Nikon
  • EAN: 0018208021468
  • IsFragile: 0
  • Label: Nikon
  • LensType: Telephoto zoom lens
  • Manufacturer: Nikon
  • Model: 2146
  • MPN: 2146
  • PackageQuantity: 1
  • ProductGroup: Photography
  • ProductTypeName: CAMERA_LENSES
  • ProductTypeSubcategory: zoom
  • Publisher: Nikon
  • Studio: Nikon
  • UPC: 018208021468

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Customer Reviews

Worth every penny!2008-09-01
I purchased this lens a few days ago and now I see what all the fuss was about. I could have had the 80-400 but it focuses way too slow. Dreadful. I guess I have been spoiled with the AFS lenses. Well this one will not let you down.

THE GOOD:
The lens is balanced, you notice that right away. You can hand-hold the lens and it is not front-heavy like the 600/4 is. You point it somewhere and it will not try to leap out of your arms like a hyperactive terrier.

The build is very nice. None of the ugly cheap plastic on the barrel as you see on inexpensive zooms. This is well made, in Japan. No expense was spared.

The results are phenomenal. I zoomed in on the laptop and the image was pixelating and still retained sharpness! I will only hand-hold this lens but I am 6'4 and 240lbs.

THE BAD:
Amazon recommends Tiffen filters. I say stick with Nikon because the filter is part of the optical calculation (you need a filter and cannot shoot without one). Yes they cost more but this is not a time to get cheap.

It is heavy. It needs a very wide strap, like for a mailbag. Nikon should have included one if you ask me.

It needs the TC-14E II. The lens is a 200-400 zoom on my D700 but with a 1.4x it becomes a 280-560mm. Once you break 500mm a whole new world opens up for you.

Now I thought of the 300mm as well, and used to own one when the F5 came out. But I always used a TC to get to 600mm. This way I keep image quality and have many options for focal length. The results are worth every penny!
One awesome lens!!!!!2008-02-06
I have had this lens for about 4 months or so and just love it to death. If you have the money or not and you love wildlife photography then this is a must have lens. Lens works like a champ and takes sharp pictures. Work's very well with the Nikon TC-14E II converter and I would like to try the TC-17E also with it. I have mostly been using it to shoot Eagles in flight and have got some very nice shots. I would recommend and nice heavy duty carbon fiber tripod and the Bogen / Manfrotto 3421 Heavy Duty Gimbal Head.
It's a large and sweet telephoto lens2008-01-16
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2AYXS0AUTUP6N Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras In this video I demonstrate how this lens works and show some of the details of the surrounding the lens body. Eventually I mount it to a camera body and sit it on top of a Tripod and recommend getting a heavy duty tripod vs a light-weight tripod.
Excellent zoom telephoto2007-06-22
The image quality delivered by the 200-400 mm is excellent. The lens itself is very well constructed. While the 200-400 mm is heavy at 7 lbs+. it balances well on the tripod mount. The control buttons include AF lock, memory reset, sound warning on/off, AF range, VR mode, etc. The S-wave AFS operation is fast on the D2Xs, but slower on the consumer level D70. With the TC14-E teleconverter (max. to maintain autofocus capability) added, the focusing speed slows down on the D2Xs and becomes unacceptable on the D70. The VR feature works well on this lens. Images are well-saturated with excellent contrast and crisp detail. A great lens for nature photography but pricey!

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