Lens Testing - Nikon 80-400 AF-S versus 80-400 AF versus 300F4 with Nikon 1.4 TC - page 14
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.
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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F6.3 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm<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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F6.3 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm
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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F6.3 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm<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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F6.3 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm
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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F7 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm<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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F7 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm
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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F7 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm<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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F7 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm
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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F8 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1000, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm<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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F8 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1000, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm
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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F8 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1000, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm<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 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F8 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1000, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 420mm
ISO 200
December 5, 2013<br>When bad technique ruins a good photo... I know the lens is good, but sometimes you just don't handhold very well, and technology can't make up for bad technique.  VR was on for this image, but it really needed a lot faster shutter speed.  This is uncropped.<br>
December 5, 2013
When bad technique ruins a good photo... I know the lens is good, but sometimes you just don't handhold very well, and technology can't make up for bad technique. VR was on for this image, but it really needed a lot faster shutter speed. This is uncropped.
January 8, 2014<br>AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F7 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/800, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 900<br>VR is OFF<br>
January 8, 2014
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F7 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/800, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 900
VR is OFF
January 8, 2014<br>AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F7 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/500, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 900<br>VR is ON<br>
January 8, 2014
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F7 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/500, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 900
VR is ON