Lens Testing - Nikon 80-400 AF-S versus 80-400 AF versus 300F4 with Nikon 1.4 TC - page 10
I got a new Nikon 80-400vr AF-S lens, and I wanted to see if it was better than the old one (should be little doubt there) or the 300f4 AF-S with Nikon 1.4 teleconverter.

I took all three lenses and the teleconverter into the desert to shoot my favorite owl nest in a big cactus. The feather detail will really show differences between good and mediocre lenses, and the cactus spines help show issues with depth of field or focus point problems.

I tested all three lenses first with a D800s, then a D300, then a Nikon V1. I also put the 1.4 TC on the 80-400vr for a few test shots on the D800e.

These are preliminary shots. I found issues with the testing, and I need to repeat the test.

You can identify the new AF-S 80-400vr by the 'G' in the lens name.
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 320<br>
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 320
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 320<br>
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 320
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 320<br>
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 320
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F22 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/20, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 200<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F22 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/20, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 200
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F8 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/320, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 250<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F8 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/320, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 250
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F9 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/320, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 400<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F9 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/320, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 400
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F10 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 400<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F10 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 400
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F11 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 400<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F11 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 400
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F13 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 500<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F13 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 500