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Posted: 2/18/2017 4:38:06 PM EDT
Feast your eyes on probably the ugliest example of the finest lens Nikon has ever produced. The 400mm f/2.8 VR
My tripod foot will not arrive until Tuesday, so don't expect much in the way of test pics until then. Handholding this monster is NOT an option. I can monopod it, but even that's unwieldy. 
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Posted: 2/18/2017 5:16:36 PM EDT
[#1]
Nice!
Really doesn't look bad in the pictures. The foot and lens hood look a little scuffed up, but other than that it looks good. Enjoy. 
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Posted: 2/18/2017 5:31:33 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nice! Really doesn't look bad in the pictures. The foot and lens hood look a little scuffed up, but other than that it looks good. Enjoy. Phone pics, the body overall looks like hell. The glass is in good shape though. I couldn't resist trying to monopod a few test shots. These were ran through my usual post processing, no fiddling with fake depth of field bokeh etc, just the usual exposure, contrast, w/b/h/s, clarity, a bit of sharpening in photoshop. 
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Posted: 2/18/2017 5:35:14 PM EDT
[#3]
Jesus Christ.
That is huuuggggggggge! (Thats what she said  )
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Posted: 2/18/2017 5:37:06 PM EDT
[#4]
Looks great. Cute pup.
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Posted: 2/18/2017 5:45:30 PM EDT
[#5]
Holy shit.
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Posted: 2/18/2017 6:23:43 PM EDT
[#6]
Now that's a piece of glass!
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Posted: 2/18/2017 6:46:06 PM EDT
[#7]
Looking good.
I bet you will like it on the monopod. The 400 is the standard for sports shooters, and they always keep it on a monopod. And as a wildlife shooter, I think you will love how well the VR works. The VR my 300 /2.8 was incredible. Much better than any other lens I've tried. 1/60th or even slower was very realistic. |
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Posted: 2/18/2017 6:57:46 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Looking good. I bet you will like it on the monopod. The 400 is the standard for sports shooters, and they always keep it on a monopod. And as a wildlife shooter, I think you will love how well the VR works. The VR my 300 /2.8 was incredible. Much better than any other lens I've tried. 1/60th or even slower was very realistic. Monopod and birds in flight aren't really a thing. For more static subjects the monopod will be nice, sure. |
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Posted: 2/18/2017 7:46:52 PM EDT
[#9]
I really really want a big prime lens, my wife threatened to gut me when she saw me looking at the 800 f5.6
 I'll have to keep an eye on KEH, not too bad a prices on some of the 400,500,600mm models. Congrats! Can't wait to see some wildlife shots with it.
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Posted: 2/18/2017 7:55:18 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I really really want a big prime lens, my wife threatened to gut me when she saw me looking at the 800 f5.6 I'll have to keep an eye on KEH, not too bad a prices on some of the 400,500,600mm models. Congrats! Can't wait to see some wildlife shots with it.KEH is the shit when it comes to getting great glass at insane prices. Picked this one up for half what it retailed new for. Sure, it's ugly. Works 100% though. Those pics earlier are without any AF fine tune, and me having no familiarity with the lens at all. It only gets BETTER from there. 
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Posted: 2/18/2017 8:16:00 PM EDT
[#11]
Are you photographing satellites???
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Posted: 2/18/2017 8:38:27 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Are you photographing satellites??? Have never tried that. Mostly birds and other animals. |
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Posted: 2/18/2017 9:02:44 PM EDT
[#13]
You insured it, right?
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Posted: 2/19/2017 2:35:50 PM EDT
[#14]
I had the opportunity to shoot with a friends 300 F2.8 VR (newest version). WOW! simply amazing! even with the 2X converter on it it was stupid sharp and fast focusing. It was so good i dont think i would ever buy the 600mm which he also had. If the 400 is as good it will blow you away!
I ended up getting a used 300 F4 NON VR AFS cheap. Until i can move up to the 300 2.8 VR i will stick with what i have. The 2.8 VR lenses are just SOOOO nice! i am not getting anything else until i can go all out for one if that ever happens. |
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Posted: 2/19/2017 2:38:21 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
My tripod foot will not arrive until Tuesday, so don't expect much in the way of test pics until then. Handholding this monster is NOT an option. I can monopod it, but even that's unwieldy. |
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Posted: 2/19/2017 3:05:52 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Congrats! What foot are you putting on it? It's gonna be a wimberley foot, to match the wimberley head I'm having to order. Apparently, this 400mm does not like being side mounted on the kirk gimbal. 
There may be a kirk gimbal on the EE for a good deal, if someone was looking for one. 
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Posted: 2/19/2017 3:12:28 PM EDT
[#17]
i checked out a cannon lens that size with a wimberly gimbel mount for a week from work
it's not a traveling rig fer sure most of the shooters were working them from blinds |
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Posted: 2/19/2017 4:28:33 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I had the opportunity to shoot with a friends 300 F2.8 VR (newest version). WOW! simply amazing! even with the 2X converter on it it was stupid sharp and fast focusing. It was so good i dont think i would ever buy the 600mm which he also had. If the 400 is as good it will blow you away! I ended up getting a used 300 F4 NON VR AFS cheap. Until i can move up to the 300 2.8 VR i will stick with what i have. The 2.8 VR lenses are just SOOOO nice! i am not getting anything else until i can go all out for one if that ever happens. That's kinda how I ended up with this one. Found one on KEH for a stupid low price. I expected it to be pretty rough looking, but the glass is top condition. I almost feel like I stole this lens.
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Posted: 2/19/2017 4:57:00 PM EDT
[#19]
Holy. Shit.
But, what do you have, some little girly arms? Can't hold that thing without support? What's it weigh, 20 lbs? |
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Posted: 2/19/2017 8:03:00 PM EDT
[#20]
Holy crap that lens is sharp
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Posted: 2/19/2017 8:06:04 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Holy crap that lens is sharp keep in mind it has not been AF fine tuned, and I'm not even using it on a gimbal yet. Also, I'm still not very familiar with how this lens likes to be shot. It only gets better from here
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Posted: 2/19/2017 9:29:52 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It's gonna be a wimberley foot, to match the wimberley head I'm having to order. Apparently, this 400mm does not like being side mounted on the kirk gimbal.
There may be a kirk gimbal on the EE for a good deal, if someone was looking for one. |
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Posted: 2/24/2017 11:39:05 PM EDT
[#23]
Crop of the above b&w
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Posted: 2/25/2017 3:32:33 AM EDT
[#24]
Congrats on your purchase!! Looks like a ton of fun!
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Posted: 2/28/2017 5:58:29 PM EDT
[#25]
Zack
What grade did KEH give your Megazoom? |
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Posted: 2/28/2017 7:12:17 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Zack What grade did KEH give your Megazoom? I actually no longer own any zoom lenses. But, if you're giving the 400mm a silly nickname, it was BGN. AKA Beat up but still fully functional. |
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Posted: 2/28/2017 8:58:16 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I actually no longer own any zoom lenses. But, if you're giving the 400mm a silly nickname, it was BGN. AKA Beat up but still fully functional. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Zack What grade did KEH give your Megazoom? I actually no longer own any zoom lenses. But, if you're giving the 400mm a silly nickname, it was BGN. AKA Beat up but still fully functional. Really? Other than the better image quality, why go all primes? I'd think a variable power would still be useful for a lot of stuff. |
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Posted: 2/28/2017 9:02:08 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Really? Other than the better image quality, why go all primes? I'd think a variable power would still be useful for a lot of stuff. Well, my lens collection looks like this: 400mm f/2.8 105mm f/2.8 50mm f/1.8 35mm f/1.8 I've been kicking around the idea of getting a mid telephoto zoom like a 70-200 (yeah, again) but I don't want the VRII because of the focus breathing shit. As it stands now, these 4 lenses cover the vast majority of the shooting I do, and anything they don't do, I can either crop or step back.
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Posted: 2/28/2017 9:07:02 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well, my lens collection looks like this: 400mm f/2.8 105mm f/2.8 50mm f/1.8 35mm f/1.8 I've been kicking around the idea of getting a mid telephoto zoom like a 70-200 (yeah, again) but I don't want the VRII because of the focus breathing shit. As it stands now, these 4 lenses cover the vast majority of the shooting I do, and anything they don't do, I can either crop or step back. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Really? Other than the better image quality, why go all primes? I'd think a variable power would still be useful for a lot of stuff. Well, my lens collection looks like this: 400mm f/2.8 105mm f/2.8 50mm f/1.8 35mm f/1.8 I've been kicking around the idea of getting a mid telephoto zoom like a 70-200 (yeah, again) but I don't want the VRII because of the focus breathing shit. As it stands now, these 4 lenses cover the vast majority of the shooting I do, and anything they don't do, I can either crop or step back. Would you believe that I'm your long lost son and put me in the will for your camera gear?
And fair enough. I just had to ask, but if it works for how you shoot, nothing wrong with primes only.
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Posted: 2/28/2017 9:11:28 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Would you believe that I'm your long lost son and put me in the will for your camera gear?
And fair enough. I just had to ask, but if it works for how you shoot, nothing wrong with primes only. I might just end up adding another mid range prime in the 200-300mm range and call it good.
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Posted: 2/28/2017 9:23:26 PM EDT
[#31]
Dayummm. If you could afford that, you could at least stand to replace the vanity top.
If you are looking to add a zoom back into your collection, get a Nikon 200-400 F/4.
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Posted: 2/28/2017 9:28:35 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dayummm. If you could afford that, you could at least stand to replace the vanity top.
If you are looking to add a zoom back into your collection, get a Nikon 200-400 F/4. It's about as hand holdable as my 400mm is. That's to say..practically not hand holdable. I know there are people that do it, but I'm not one of them.
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Posted: 2/28/2017 9:30:02 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It's about as hand holdable as my 400mm is. That's to say..practically not hand holdable. I know there are people that do it, but I'm not one of them. That's what VR is for. 
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Posted: 2/28/2017 9:34:30 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's what VR is for. No amount of VR will fix my back getting upset at me for trying to hold a lens that big. |
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Posted: 3/6/2017 8:52:50 AM EDT
[#35]
A monopod is a good idea. You can probably handhold it. Maybe not for long at first but if you approach it like you would lifting weights you can do it unless you have a physical condition that prevents it. I'm 65, 150 lbs., and I can handhold my Canon 1 DX with 800 lens and 1.4 teleconverter. Pick up your camera and lens combo the first day and hold it up as long as you can. Do it a number of times in a row after a short rest each time. Give it a couple days and repeat. As you do this over time you'll find it easier to do. Will you be able to hold it up for long? I can't, but I'm old. There are times it's good to be able to use it this way, especially if I'm after birds and on the move. I sling it over my shoulder and balance it with one hand as I'm walking. There are probably slings that would work better for carrying it but that's what I'm used to.
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Posted: 3/6/2017 8:56:20 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I don't want the VRII because of the focus breathing shit. |
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Posted: 3/6/2017 9:43:54 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Crop of the above b&w https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56693/IMG-20170219-084350-643-153430.jpg Wow!!!! |
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Posted: 3/6/2017 1:44:23 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Can you expand on the VR? I was looking at my Sigma this weekend and thinking it's time to upgrade to the Nikon. I don't think it's ever been the same since coming back from the shop From what I understand the sigma has even worse focus breathing than the nikon but in short when focused close, think portrait distance, that 200mm isn't really 200mm. It's more like 135mm. It is a result of how they implemented the internal zoom and internal focusing. Close to infinity or using an extension tube you can eliminate the focus breathing. Or find an honest lens. Which isn't easy. |
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Posted: 3/6/2017 2:42:19 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
From what I understand the sigma has even worse focus breathing than the nikon but in short when focused close, think portrait distance, that 200mm isn't really 200mm. It's more like 135mm. It is a result of how they implemented the internal zoom and internal focusing. Close to infinity or using an extension tube you can eliminate the focus breathing. Or find an honest lens. Which isn't easy. I have a 70-200 VRII. I had a 70-200 VR before that. I've used it a lot and was aware of the focus breathing "problem". It doesn't impact me when shooting pictures. |
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Posted: 3/6/2017 2:52:49 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have a 70-200 VRII. I had a 70-200 VR before that. I've used it a lot and was aware of the focus breathing "problem". It doesn't impact me when shooting pictures. At longer distances it doesn't matter, but when you're at 200mm and trying to shoot close up, you really aren't at 200mm. That's my problem. A side by side test with a lens that doesn't exhibit focus breathing would reveal just how much is lost. That said, it often isn't a problem outdoors and aside from that it's a great lens. I just couldn't ever get the lens to give me the close view of the subject like what I expected a 200mm lens to do that and I often found myself needing more than 200mm anyway are the reasons why I sold it.
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Posted: 3/6/2017 5:44:20 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
At longer distances it doesn't matter, but when you're at 200mm and trying to shoot close up, you really aren't at 200mm. That's my problem. A side by side test with a lens that doesn't exhibit focus breathing would reveal just how much is lost. That said, it often isn't a problem outdoors and aside from that it's a great lens. I just couldn't ever get the lens to give me the close view of the subject like what I expected a 200mm lens to do that and I often found myself needing more than 200mm anyway are the reasons why I sold it.I've used it plenty of times close up (receptions, events, etc.) Again, I just don't think that it is a "real problem" when you are using it. Of course side by side comparisons will show the problem, but it's clearly not enough of one or else Nikon wouldn't be selling a metric crap ton of them. I'm kind of equating it to pixel peeping and white wall hunting. |
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Posted: 3/6/2017 7:29:05 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Phone pics, the body overall looks like hell. The glass is in good shape though. I couldn't resist trying to monopod a few test shots. These were ran through my usual post processing, no fiddling with fake depth of field bokeh etc, just the usual exposure, contrast, w/b/h/s, clarity, a bit of sharpening in photoshop. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56693/DSC-4313-Edit-149148.jpg https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56693/DSC-4315-Edit-149149.jpg https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56693/DSC-4360-Edit-149150.jpg https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56693/DSC-4363-Edit-149152.jpg Nice dog |
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Posted: 3/6/2017 9:26:50 PM EDT
[#43]
Thanks for the info guys. I've been shooting the Sigma for years and never noticed a problem. Then again I probably don't use it much in that context so I don't realize it.
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