25
Jan
Nikon 80 400 Vs 200 500. Especially on a. The Nikon 400mm f28 - also very heavy and expensive. The minimum focus of the 80-400 is 575 feet compared to over 7 feet for the 200-500 - and this results in slightly more magnification. I really enjoy hiking and the 200-500 isnt too heavy to carry for a few miles.
The MFD of the 200-500 is 7 feet and the 300 F4 is 46 feet. Ive used even heavier lenses for hand-holding but lighter ones are still more enjoyable to use. I am undecided which gives sharper shots in the field handheld at moderatelow shutter speeds. That leaves the Sigma 50-500mm or 150-500mm lenses but i n January 2014 Tamron announced the 150-600mm f5-63 VC super telephoto zoom lens which has received good reviews so far so maybe that could be an option. Nikon 200-500mm f56E vs 200-400mm f4G vs 80-400mm f45-56G These are the Nikons top three Big Guns in zoom sections. Though they have similar reach at the long end inside they are quite different.
The 200-500 is much cheaper than the 80-400 and is probably the best value for a long lens.
The aperture you choose depends a great deal on the specific lens and lighting. You can take a look at the key differences between the three Nikkor lenses. 2162021 Id go with the 300 F4 TC especially since you can get pretty close to the backyard hummingbirds. Ill probably keep my 200-500 forever because it is so cheaplight and the IQ is great for what it is. 1192016 IMO the 200-500mm is sharper than the 80-400mm. It has excellent center sharpness at the widest aperture and it outresolves the 80-400mm in the mid-frame and corners as well.