Why I Love the Nikkor 400 2.8

[david cramer]

Mine is an old AFS vers 1 model. The list of pluses includes great IQ and very fast focus acquisition, but the other benefit is its adaptability to teleconverters. This shot, with the 2.0, shows how well this prime maintains its sharpness, even with this tc. This was taken from a bean bag on the car windowsill, not on a tripod. The redtail is sharp from wingtip to wingtip. The 300vr 2.8 works just as well with a 2.0, and both lenses work even better with the 1.4 and 1.7.

D300 with 400 2.8mm + 2.0tc, f/8, 1/1000, iso 400, ev -0.33

http://davidwcramer.smugmug.com/photos/420340788_6vLmn-O.jpg

Of course I'm lusting for the VR model!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the gliding pose and eye contact and would sharpen the bird a bit more as it looks as if there is some motion blur and would also crop a bit off the bottom.

[Alfred Forns]

Agree with Axel and just wish for a little more of a bank to see more wing !!!

Glad you are giving the 2.0X a try, most people stay away I find it produces sharp images but is very (very) slow in AF !!!

[david cramer]

I probably put this in the wrong forum as I was making a gear point rather than seeking feedback on the image, but your feedback is appreciated anyway. Thanks Axel and Alfred. I find that this combo can lead to more hunting for focus, so prefocusing helps move it along.