Does anyone have the Nikon 400 F2.8 lens, I am looking for a personal review.
Hello, I am looking for someone who has a Nikon 400 F2.8 lens who has used their lens for a few years. I would like to get some feedback on quality, ease of handling, how it works with the teleconverters...etc.
I have the Nikon 400/2.8 VR. Actually I've now owned it three different times. The one I have now I bought new last August. The other two I sold for a 500/4 and then a 300/2.8. But I finally decided the 400/2.8 works best for what I shoot, which is H.S. Sports 50% and Birds the other 50% of the time. Most of the time I use the lens bare or with the TC 14X II, I did just pick up a new TC 2X III but have not had a chance to really give it a go.
The 400 with the TC14x II is very good, can not tell the difference from the 500/4 bare lens that I owned previously.
If you haven't read any of Brad Hill's reviews of the Nikon 400/2.8 VR and TC's, that would be a good place to start.
I also have the 400/2.8, and like Terry use it with and without the 1.4x, mostly for sports. It's my go-to lens for baseball, soccer and anything long and low light.
It is extremely sharp, focuses almost instantly. It works well on a monopod or tripod (I use a ballhead). It is quite heavy and long and not a good choice for handheld use.
The 1.4x works great, it does not soften the result noticeably at all.
I previously had the 200-400, this is much sharper, even wide open. It does not focus as close - I miss the ability to do almost a macro shot with the 200-400, but that's minor compared to the benefits of the F2.8 and increased sharpness no comparison.
The hard case is a tank; it's also pretty useless unless you are travelling with trunks, you'll need a soft carry case.
The feet it comes with are also junk, buy a RRS foot and you'll need nothing else.