BIF Lens Recommendation from Nikon Shooters

[James Graham]

would like recommendations for Nikon BIF lens. Fast and light would be best. Have a 200-400, but it's too heavy.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
James Graham

[Nancy A Elwood]

Well James I use the Nikon 70-300VR for a lot of my BIF. It is very fast and light attached to my D300. I think it is one of Nikon's little jewels with ED glass, AFS and VR. Examples below.

[James Graham]

Thanks Nancy...great pictures!

[Dan Brown]

I have had decent luck with the 80-400vr. I try to shoot at f8, as I like the results, but f5.6, given the higher SS is ok. Some say this lens isn't the sharpest and it won't take any TC's but it is much smaller than your 200-400. Wana trade!:D

[Doug Brown]

Half joking, half serious: buy a Canon 7D or 50D and a 400mm f/5.6. Nikon doesn't have anything that can compete with the 400mm f/5.6. And it's reasonably priced.

[arash_hazeghi]

I have good results with 300 f/4 + 1.4X TC.

One example here

[Desmond Chan]

I was about to suggest 300f4 + 1.4TC, too. That's the Nikon's equivalence of the Canon 400f5.6 right there :) Many people use this combo with very good results. You should be able to find Fab's purple martin flight shots taken with this combo here on BPN.

[Fabs Forns]

I used to love the 300/4. Light, sharp as tack and very good IQ.

[Bill McCrystyn]

Gee Doug, looks like Nikon isn't hurting for options if the 200-400VR w/1.4 as above, is too heavy. :p My rig wieghs exactly 10 lbs total, but I am 6' and broad shouldered. If you do wanna sell yours, you won't have any problem getting top $ for it. Looks like the 300mm is a clean machine.

[Marc Mol]

Another vote for the 300 f/4 + 1.4tc.
Hopefully the VR version will be released next year AND/OR even better a 400 f/5.6VR :D.............he says, living in hope :(

[Bill McCrystyn]

The lens I owned before my 200-400 was the 70-200VR f/2.8 That's fast and light (same wieght as 300). A little short at times but optically very clean and for BIF I think the VR is a must. With a 1.7 you do the math. Personally I would prefer it again over a fixed 300. It just depends on what you shooting most of the time and the body it's going on.

[James Graham]

Thanks all for the great advice. Looks like I'll stay with the 200-400 and use a monopod for support. I also have an 80-400VR which would be great to use. But I have never been impressed with its sharpness.
Thanks again!

[Graham Smith.]

Good choice James,
I use both the 300 f/4 + TC combo or the 200-400 alone. I prefer the 200-400 alot more for BIF than the combo as the focus is quicker and the IQ better without the TC. It does get heavy after a while, which is when I bring out the tripod/monopod for support. The 300 + TC combo only comes out when I'm off the beaten path and weight is an issue.

[Van Hilliard]

I have most of the aforementioned equipment (300 f/4 with converters), the 200-400 vR, the 80-400 VR, the 70-200 with converters. I've had a fair amount of success with all of the combinations but I did what Doug Brown half-jokingly suggested above. I got a Canon camera body specifically to use with the 400 5.6. It's my favorite BIF combo. I shoot about half-and-half Canon and Nikon. My most used lens overall is the Nikon 200-400. Lately, I've been carrying Nikon with the 200-400, with the Canon/400 5.6 along for possible flight shots. I know, it's strange carrying two 400mm lenses from different manufacturers but it works for me.

[Glenn Forbes]

I use a 70-200 f2.8 with the 1.7 TC. This is a very sharp combo with excellent AF lockup and much cheaper than the 200-400.