Lens Testing - Nikon 80-400 AF-S versus 80-400 AF versus 300F4 with Nikon 1.4 TC - page 12
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.
Minimum focus distance at maximum zoom test<br>AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F5.6 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/400, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 280<br>
Minimum focus distance at maximum zoom test
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F5.6 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/400, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 280
 Minimum focus distance at maximum zoom test<br>AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F5.6 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/400, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 360<br>
Minimum focus distance at maximum zoom test
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F5.6 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/400, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 360
 Minimum focus distance at maximum zoom test<br>AF 300mm f/4D, with Nikon 1.4 TC-EII<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/500, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm<br>ISO 560<br>
Minimum focus distance at maximum zoom test
AF 300mm f/4D, with Nikon 1.4 TC-EII
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/500, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm
ISO 560
Minimum focus distance at maximum zoom test<br>AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F4 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/320, focal length 300mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 300mm<br>ISO 140<br>
Minimum focus distance at maximum zoom test
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F4 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/320, focal length 300mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 300mm
ISO 140
 AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F8 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/500, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 480mm<br>ISO 500 - VR was on<br>
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F8 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/500, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 480mm
ISO 500 - VR was on
 Crop of previous image<br><br>AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F8 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/500, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 480mm<br>ISO 500 - VR was on<br>
Crop of previous image

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F8 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/500, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 480mm
ISO 500 - VR was on
Lens testing at more-than-usual distance, comparing AF-S 80-400vr to AF-S 300f4 with Nikon 1.4 teleconverter. Live View focusing, D800e, tripod, mirror-up.<br><br>AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F5.6 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1600, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200<br>
Lens testing at more-than-usual distance, comparing AF-S 80-400vr to AF-S 300f4 with Nikon 1.4 teleconverter. Live View focusing, D800e, tripod, mirror-up.

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F5.6 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1600, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200
 Lens testing at more-than-usual distance, comparing AF-S 80-400vr to AF-S 300f4 with Nikon 1.4 teleconverter. Live View focusing, D800e, tripod, mirror-up. CROPPED<br><br>AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F5.6 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1600, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200<br>
Lens testing at more-than-usual distance, comparing AF-S 80-400vr to AF-S 300f4 with Nikon 1.4 teleconverter. Live View focusing, D800e, tripod, mirror-up. CROPPED

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F5.6 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1600, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200
 Lens testing at more-than-usual distance, comparing AF-S 80-400vr to AF-S 300f4 with Nikon 1.4 teleconverter. Live View focusing, D800e, tripod, mirror-up.<br><br>AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F6.3 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200<br>
Lens testing at more-than-usual distance, comparing AF-S 80-400vr to AF-S 300f4 with Nikon 1.4 teleconverter. Live View focusing, D800e, tripod, mirror-up.

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F6.3 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200