Nikkor Lens Decision

Nyfty

I'm considering a longer lens to use with a Nikon D90. My goal is to get to the 400 mm range (600 mm with the 1.5 crop sensor) It will be used mostly for wildlife and some sporting events. What I'm considering is either the AF VR Nikkor 80-400 4.5-5.6D or an AF-S VR Nikkor 70-200 2.8 with the AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III. I understand that the 80-400 is an older design and is focused by the camera body and focuses slower, while the 70-200 is focused by the lens and as such is much faster focusing. Using the TC-20E will slow down the 70-200 2.8 to 5.6. That would make it the same maximum aperture as the 80-400. I know that there will be a price difference between the two setups. The question that I'm having is that while both arrangements will get to the 400 mm range, other than focusing speed is there an advantage of one over the other? Am I missing something?

Qarik

the 70-200 with TC will be superior as the base lens is just optically superior to begin with.

angevin1

Nyfty wrote: »

Am I missing something?

I think you're missing considering other lenses. Such as Nikon's 300 f/4 and a 1.4TC. Which will get you there better than what you mentioned I believe. Oh, and you'll have enough money left over to take a trip if you were comparing to the 70-200Vr/I/II

Harryb

I have used the 80-400 quite a bit and have a love/hate relationship with it. The bokeh on the 80-400 can be rather funky when shooting wide open. Its AF isn't as bad as some make it out to be and it gives you marvlous flexibility. I've found the AF speed to be a tad better than reported but I had more difficulty with it staying focused on a subject and usually have to regain focus on a subject while shooting. Stepped down its IQ is very good. The 80-400 was my main wildlife lens for a couple of years. I took a workshop with a pro and he told me to try the 300mm B/4. He said that once I tried the 300mm f.4 I would never use the 80-400 again.

He was partly right. I got the 300mm f/4 and it still is one of my main lenses while the 80-400 has been loaned out to another shooter.

For my trip to Kenya I rented out the Nikon new 2.0 TC and used it wth my 70-200 2.8. This set up really surprised me as I had tried the earlier version of the 2.0 TC and wasn't happy with it. The AF performance was very good, much better than the 80-400, and the IQ was still excellent.

I would recommend that you consider either the 300mm or the 70-200 2.8. These lenses with TCs are, IMHO, a much better option than the current 80-400. I'm still hoping that Nikon upgrades the 80-400 in the near future but that hans't happened yet.

Nyfty

Thanks for the feedback and insight. I am going to acquire the 70/200. Now to find the teleconverter in stock some where.