Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 fl Ed VR (JAA836DB), 180-400 mm

I took delivery of this lens the day before my trip to Taku River in Canada, where I was to photograph Brown, (grizzly) Bears. After the first day of shooting, I couldn't believe how sharp my images were. I have usually been using the 500mm f4E FL ED VR, and 300 f2.8, on my trips together with the 70-200 f/2.8E FL. The images produced by the 180-400 were sharper from edge to edge than the two primes and at 200mm than the 70-200. The inbuilt tc worked well with no visible difference to the sharpness achieved. What is more impressive, is that the lens is equally as sharp wide open as stopped down through all apertures. As you can tell, I am completely blown away by the performance of this lens. It is certainly not cheap but if you calculate the cost of the other ... MoreI took delivery of this lens the day before my trip to Taku River in Canada, where I was to photograph Brown, (grizzly) Bears. After the first day of shooting, I couldn't believe how sharp my images were. I have usually been using the 500mm f4E FL ED VR, and 300 f2.8, on my trips together with the 70-200 f/2.8E FL. The images produced by the 180-400 were sharper from edge to edge than the two primes and at 200mm than the 70-200. The inbuilt tc worked well with no visible difference to the sharpness achieved. What is more impressive, is that the lens is equally as sharp wide open as stopped down through all apertures. As you can tell, I am completely blown away by the performance of this lens. It is certainly not cheap but if you calculate the cost of the other lenses it replaces on trips, as well as the reduction in the weight of gear carried, it is a winner for me. I will add some images in the next few days.

Although I have a variety of lens, I wanted to try this lens out for the Memorial Day weekend air show. This lens does not disappoint. Having the extra reach with a flip of the switch to enable the 1.4x teleconverter was great. This lens is also great if you're a plane spotter, which gives you versatility, quick focus and sharpness. If you haven't tried this lens out, I recommend it!

I am a serious amateur who has been using Nikon lenses and cameras for 15 years. Before purchasing this lens, my most expensive and highest quality lens was the Nikon 400mmf2.8 E. Over the past 10 years I have made 15 trips to South Africa, mostly in Kruger National Park. Anyone who knows this park, is aware of the great amount of wildlife and birds that can be easily photographed from your rental vehicle. My 400mmf2.8 has made the trip three times but it is a challenge to transport this lens by plane. Any thing smaller or lighter would be most welcome. In addition, this lens is not always the ideal choice when the animals are not so far away.I was hoping for an alternative that would give me that razor sharp image quality, instant focus, with the plus of being a ... MoreI am a serious amateur who has been using Nikon lenses and cameras for 15 years. Before purchasing this lens, my most expensive and highest quality lens was the Nikon 400mmf2.8 E. Over the past 10 years I have made 15 trips to South Africa, mostly in Kruger National Park. Anyone who knows this park, is aware of the great amount of wildlife and birds that can be easily photographed from your rental vehicle. My 400mmf2.8 has made the trip three times but it is a challenge to transport this lens by plane. Any thing smaller or lighter would be most welcome. In addition, this lens is not always the ideal choice when the animals are not so far away.I was hoping for an alternative that would give me that razor sharp image quality, instant focus, with the plus of being a zoom, and a bit smaller. When the 180-400f4 was introduced, I knew I would eventually have to try it out.I purchased and received this lens on July 10th. During this time I was following the blog of Brad Hill who was doing some serious field testing of this lens. In three short weeks I was hooked. The versatility of this lens along with its absolute stunning image quality is a real game changer.This lens is sharp, sharp, sharp wide open, and sharp right to the corners, even on FX. It truly holds its own against the 400mmf2.8, and that is saying a lot! Everything you expect out of a prime lens, you get with this lens. Fast accurate focus, stunning VR, built like a tank, well balanced, and thoughtful layout of controls and switches.Vignetting is fine on DX cameras such as the D500. On FX cameras the vignetting is a bit more than one would desire as the focal length goes below 300mm. This is the only real flaw I can find. Fortunately, it is easily corrected in software. Do not let it worry you. In all other criteria, this lens is perfection.I own all of Nikon's Teleconverters, and have took them on and off my primes countless times. What a difference to just be able to flip a switch to engage the 1.4 TC. No more birds flying away as I mess with the TC on the 400mmf2.8.Couple the 180-400f4 with Nikon's newest 70-200f2.8 E and you have the best overall wildlife photography system there is, period.I never liked the bulkiness of Nikon's lens hoods so I fashion my own out of ABS plastic. It is just long enough to protect the lens front from impact. When inside a vehicle, this short lens hood makes handling of the lens far easier (especially when in tight spaces). The coatings on these professional lenses are so good that a long hood is seldom needed to prevent flair. I am also able to keep the lens weight to 7.7# and the overall size to only 5" in diameter. When traveling on planes, this lens is in my roller bag with just t-shirts wrapped around for protection. I just flew with it to Japan and back with no problems. I have a plastic lens cap that fits neatly in the lens hood itself. (The airlines never stop at making more restrictions for carry on items, so I keep it as simple as I can.)Like everyone else, I wish it cost less and weighed less. But it exudes quality and excellence like nothing I have ever owned before. If you ever have to sell it, you will get most of your money back.I am currently using the 180-400 lens with both the D500 and the D850. When using the D850 you can have a total range of 180mm to 1080mm (6x zoom!) if you are willing to accept that 12mp is enough for a good image. From 180-560mm you have a full frame image (45.4mp). From 560mm to 1080mm you will steadily have to sacrifice some pixels. At 840mm you are essentially using the D850 as a a cropped sensor (DX) with about 20mp. By 1080mm you still have just over 12mp. On many lenses such heavy cropping will not give good results. However, this lens is very, very sharp and you will get excellent images at 1080mm. Remember that not long ago, 12mp was the standard. Think of the Nikon D700 or D3.With the D500 you still get to 1080mm but you start out at 270mm due to the DX crop factor.Nikon made history with cameras such as the D5, D500 and the D850. It has now made the ultimate lens to go with those camera bodies.Think about this. Due to manageable weight, excellent VR, stunning image resolution, quick and accurate focus ability, one now has a lens that can get excellent 12mp images at 1080mm handheld! Yes, you can handhold this lens. With a D500 or D850 attached the weight is under 10 pounds. Go back five years and ask if this could have been possible. I don't think so.The only shortcomings for the 18-400f4. lens is the vignetting on full frame, the cost, and maybe the weight. (lighter is most always better). Everything else about this lens is perfection. (May I add that there is no focus breathing nor any focus shift)