Needing some advice: Nikon 70-200 2.8 VRII or Nikon 80-400

[Charleen Ratcliff]

I have a Nikon D7100 and the 70-300 VR lens. Am thinking about a faster lens...any suggestions? Thanks

[Ian Cassell]

What do you shoot, Charleen?

[Charleen Ratcliff]

What do you shoot, Charleen?

I shoot birds and other wildlife mostly - shoot landscapes but have lenses for that work.

[Randy Stout]

Charleen:

For most situations, the 70-200 is too short for birding. I have one, but never use it for birds. I also have the 80-400, which is slower, but the reach with the crop framed D7100 is very useful. The image quality is good, VR good, tripod foot horrid. But as a handheld option, very useful. A 300 f/2.8 is certainly fast, but too short for the smaller birds, at least in my area.

Cheers

Randy

[Morkel Erasmus]

Hi Charleen!
I own a 70-200mm f2.8 and I have shot extensively with the new 80-400mm.
The 70-200 is better suited to larger wildlife species, animals-in-environment type shots, VERY close action shots and of course longer telephoto landscape work.
The 80-400 will be better suited to your need for something that CAN do birds (if used on large birds or coupled with an APS-C sensor crop factor camera), and works very well for most wildlife at decent distances.
Image quality on both is great! I think the D7100 and 80-400 is a great combo to pair up.
:cheers:

[Norm Dulak]

I shoot birds and other wildlife mostly - shoot landscapes but have lenses for that work.

Are you interested in BIF, or mainly wading or perched birds? If you are interested in flying birds, the new 80-400mm lens should be your choice. But if photographing wading or perched birds is your interest, I strongly recommend Nikon's older 80-400mm lens. It is still available and costs half as much as the newer lens. Focusing with the older lens is not fast. But it is accurate and sharp. I have one and definitely plan to keep it.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Are you interested in BIF, or mainly wading or perched birds?

I have yet to meet someone who says "I only want to photograph perched birds" :w3

[Dperkell]

I agree with Morkel. The 80-400mm is the way to go! Hands down.....