AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

I just got this lens to replace my 70-200 f4. I wanted a lens I could use with my Z8 and my older D780. My main z600 f6.3 is great but needs 13' of minimum distance. This 80-400 is ideal for shooting small bugs, flowers as well as Peacocks fanning out. I thought about the z100-400, as both get similar good ratings. This lens was a bargain and can be used with mirrorless and dslr bodies. The autofocus is fast and sharp. It is a little weighty but with a shoulder sling its no problem. You would still need a 600mm or more for serious birds in flight shots in my experience. You can't go wrong with this lens.Photos all shot with my D780. The Z8 should be even sharper.

I first have to admit I was a bit nervous buying this lens without renting beforehand. My concern was the lens would not be fast enough to auto focus on subjects. I read how this lens was an upgrade to the previous slow auto focusing version. After getting the lens and going to the zoo to test the lens out I was pleasantly happy with the results. The images were sharp, in focus and had a nice soft look. Take a look for yourself.

very good lens for long distance focusing, does not do well with chain link fence up close though but from a distance shoots straight through it.

I use this lens to shoot birds in flight and roosting, mainly with a DX body (D500). I have found this to be one of the sharpest lenses I´ve ever owned. The auto focus is very good.

i have used the original Nikkor AF 80-400mm for a little over 7 years and have always been frustrated by its slow and noisy focussing. Even butterflies would disappear before focus was reached; some birds would complain! This model has nice fast and quiet focus, so no more lost shots. As a bonus: it appears to be sharper than the old model as well!

I have been shooting Nikon lenses for many decades, and shooting with this lens for over six years. It has performed flawlessly! Color, contrast, aberration control and sharpness for its 5X range is utterly astounding. Big, BIG congratulations to the optical, mechanical and electronics teams for their superb understanding and balance of the issues they faced and their incredible solutions, and the management who probably approved the design/performance parameters. Much newer competition, given the same challenge would not be able, in my opinion, to match Nikon´s achievement. This is what separates Nikon apart from all the others! Keep up the great and innovative work, Nikon! The world is waiting.

Used to see these kinds of lenses as sort of amateurish. Got one from NPS a few months to give it a try on a golf tournament. Wow! Loved it. So sharp, fast focusing and easy to carry. The fact that it´s so lightweight compared to a 400 2.8 or 200-400 makes it so much easier on the body. Sure it doesn´t blur the background as much as a 2.8 but it gives you so many more options than a fixed lens. I would have preferred the lens to have a fixed tripod collar because if you´re not careful you run the risk of the lens sliding out of the collar, but you quickly develop habits to ensure that this doesn´t happen. And I love the zoom barrel locking button.

This lens is expensive, but worth it. I got mine used, and so cut the cost a bit. Even so, I have had no problems with it, and it has produced some fine images. On my DX camera it has the field of view of a 120-600mm lens. I love it.

Was looking for a telephoto lens that had the range this lens fills, 80/400MM. A very well made product which has proven its self to me with the many photos I´ve shot with it. Worth the asking price.