Showcase Nikon 200-400mm f/4 G IF-ED AF-S VR

[spalding12]

another lens which hasn't been mentioned much around THE CAFE lately

please show us your best AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED shots

thanks, as always, in advance

 

[John-O]

Rented the 200-400

I rented the 200-400mm f/4 for the USMotoGP at Laguna Seca. The lens was absolutely rock solid and did everything I expected. Just wish I could have spent more time to figure out the focus preset.
D200
200-400mm f/4
1/125sec. f/13
ISO 400

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[rsprouse]

The 200-400 VR is a favorite lens for the Zoo and Wild Animal Park:

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-- Russ

 

[Chris101]

Not only is this my best 200-400 shot, it's my only one!

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[genera]

Here are a few taken with the earlier 200-400VR-M monochrome version :biggrin:



1) +1.4TC

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2) +1.4TC

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3)

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[gugs]

This is a cut and paste of posts I have made on other forums...
my apologies for the huge number of pictures...

The First Series
These are among my first real pictures with the "bazooka".

First of all a few tests to check my hand holding capabilities:
#1 650mm with 1.7 TC fully open

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#2 BIF 450mm with 1.7 TC

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Then a real life experience in Ottawa (I got strange looks - I have been using the 200-400VR and the 70-200 on a second body)
#3 the guards in Ottawa 400mm fully open (f4)

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#4 a detail 400mm fully open

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#5 I really don't understand how they find their way and how they keep their distances...

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Wildlife in a nature park..
#6 for the eyes

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#7 400mm hand held

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#8 400mm again

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Concert shots in Tremblant (I was very far from the stage, and I was more or less the only person who could take decent pictures, I needed ISO6400, VR to the max (shutter speeds as low as 1/60 or 1/100 sec, @400mm, fully open... hand held ... not exactly the best conditions to take pictures with lots of people moving around you...)

#9 that guy was just awesome... incredible blues music... he is 95 !

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#10 wonderful bass guitar...

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#11 a pity you can't hear the music

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#12 another group

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#13 those two were incredible as well

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#14 and a last one - the details in those pictures are just incredible

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Thanks for watching

The D3+200-400VR seems to be a decent combo... not really my walk around lens but it really becomes manageable. The only issue is that many people are looking at you and asking questions ...

Guy
THE SECOND SERIES
This lens is really becoming one of my favorites...

The versatility is impressive. And IQ as well.

a few examples from my last travel:

#1 just one concert picture (this time Francofolies in Montreal), I have shown enough of those in my last post... D3, 200-400VR @f4 ISO6400, hand held

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#2 BIF - I have tons of them - I'll post the whole story in the nature forum soon - gannet colony on Bonaventure Island (ISO 1600 f6.3)

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#3 another one for the fun

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#4 a last gannet for today (there are some overexposed parts - these are the jpegs out of camera, I will reprocess from the raw files when I have time (around 7000 pics in three weeks )

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#5 something different - a lighthouse - Forillon park - Gaspesie

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#6 just simple flowers (there might be better and cheaper tools for this )

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#7 with the 1.7TC 650mm fully open - difficult to compose properly when using it hand held, but I could get pictures like this one

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#8 visit to the zoo (again I will post more soon in the nature forum)

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#9 zoo number two - looking for bugs

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#10 NFB (non flying birds )

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#11 last animal for this post

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#12 portrait can too (from a distance ) this is my best friend's daugther, we met over there in Canada

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#13 nature is so beautiful

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#14 the tool itself

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I hope I am not getting too boring with those pics. I just want to share my enthusiasm. The 200-400VR on the D3 is a real killer combo - highly recommended.

and for those who think the 200-400VR is huge... THIS is a lens
(Fresnel lens in the lighthouse in Rimouski, QC, Canada)
D3+Tamron 28-75 2.8

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thanks for watching

Guy

 

[general]

A Favorite lens

Here is one of many examples:

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[sonuj2]

Thanks for starting this thread Greg. I have been thinking about this awesome lens for quite some time now but have also been looking at the 300 2.8VR in combination with the 1.4TC. Raymond Barlow shoots with a 200-400 exclusively and his shots are legendary. Now that we have threads for both these lenses to give some kind of comparison I might take the plunge soon ..... all I need now is some excuse or justification to spend this large sum of money on something I do not really need but just want :biggrin:

 

[spalding12]

I rented the 200-400mm f/4 for the USMotoGP at Laguna Seca. The lens was absolutely rock solid and did everything I expected. Just wish I could have spent more time to figure out the focus preset.
D200
200-400mm f/4
1/125sec. f/13
ISO 400

i appreciate your posting here
nice shot
will you rent the lens again one day?

 

[spalding12]

The 200-400 VR is a favorite lens for the Zoo and Wild Animal Park:

-- Russ

russ,
those are awesome
i appreciate your contribution here, very much

 

[spalding12]

Not only is this my best 200-400 shot, it's my only one!

terrific capture, chris
glad you got a chance to shoot with it

thanks for adding that image here

 

[spalding12]

Here are a few taken with the earlier 200-400VR-M monochrome version :biggrin:

Gene,
those are wonderful shots
love the "monochrome version" comment :smile:
i appreciate you taking the time to look and comment

 

[spalding12]

This is a cut and paste of posts I have made on other forums...
my apologies for the huge number of pictures...

The First Series
These are among my first real pictures with the "bazooka".

First of all a few tests to check my hand holding capabilities:
#1 650mm with 1.7 TC fully open
#2 BIF 450mm with 1.7 TC

Then a real life experience in Ottawa (I got strange looks - I have been using the 200-400VR and the 70-200 on a second body)
#3 the guards in Ottawa 400mm fully open (f4)
#4 a detail 400mm fully open
#5 I really don't understand how they find their way and how they keep their distances...

Wildlife in a nature park..
#6 for the eyes
#7 400mm hand held
#8 400mm again

Concert shots in Tremblant (I was very far from the stage, and I was more or less the only person who could take decent pictures, I needed ISO6400, VR to the max (shutter speeds as low as 1/60 or 1/100 sec, @400mm, fully open... hand held ... not exactly the best conditions to take pictures with lots of people moving around you...)

#9 that guy was just awesome... incredible blues music... he is 95 !
#10 wonderful bass guitar...
#11 a pity you can't hear the music
#12 another group
#13 those two were incredible as well
#14 and a last one - the details in those pictures are just incredible

Thanks for watching

The D3+200-400VR seems to be a decent combo... not really my walk around lens but it really becomes manageable. The only issue is that many people are looking at you and asking questions ...

Guy
THE SECOND SERIES
This lens is really becoming one of my favorites...

The versatility is impressive. And IQ as well.

a few examples from my last travel:

#1 just one concert picture (this time Francofolies in Montreal), I have shown enough of those in my last post... D3, 200-400VR @f4 ISO6400, hand held
#2 BIF - I have tons of them - I'll post the whole story in the nature forum soon - gannet colony on Bonaventure Island (ISO 1600 f6.3)
#3 another one for the fun
#4 a last gannet for today (there are some overexposed parts - these are the jpegs out of camera, I will reprocess from the raw files when I have time (around 7000 pics in three weeks )
#5 something different - a lighthouse - Forillon park - Gaspesie
#6 just simple flowers (there might be better and cheaper tools for this )
#7 with the 1.7TC 650mm fully open - difficult to compose properly when using it hand held, but I could get pictures like this one
#8 visit to the zoo (again I will post more soon in the nature forum)
#9 zoo number two - looking for bugs
#10 NFB (non flying birds )
#11 last animal for this post
#12 portrait can too (from a distance ) this is my best friend's daugther, we met over there in Canada
#13 nature is so beautiful
#14 the tool itself

I hope I am not getting too boring with those pics. I just want to share my enthusiasm. The 200-400VR on the D3 is a real killer combo - highly recommended.

thanks for watching

Guy

GUY....
WOW
1. i hope that you will post these images in other sections of this fine forum
2. i am glad that you are a member here
3. HOLY COW.... a more awesome series of images has rarely, IF EVER graced this fine place
4. how nice of you to read this thread and take the GREAT AMOUNT OF TIME to post all of these stellar images
5. i've been to Tremblant... love that place

thank you, guy.... thank you

 

[spalding12]

Here is one of many examples:

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i'd LOVE to see that shot
somehow, you smugmug account isn't working at the moment

 

[spalding12]

Thanks for starting this thread Greg. I have been thinking about this awesome lens for quite some time now but have also been looking at the 300 2.8VR in combination with the 1.4TC. Raymond Barlow shoots with a 200-400 exclusively and his shots are legendary. Now that we have threads for both these lenses to give some kind of comparison I might take the plunge soon ..... all I need now is some excuse or justification to spend this large sum of money on something I do not really need but just want :biggrin:

i can FULLY identify with your dilemma
i have a feeling that this thread is going to cost a bit of money to some folks.... including me :smile:

 

[Doug]

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[spalding12]

gorgeous shots, doug
i'm so glad you saw this thread and contributed these wonderful images

why o why am i lusting after this lens.... AGAIN? :biggrin:

 

[tono1954]

This lens is outrageous..!!

 

[spalding12]

This lens is outrageous..!!

welcome to THE CAFE
glad to have you here

yes... the 200-400 is an amazing hunk of glass

 

[Tim O]

Outstanding images everyone!Ok Commodorefirst please be nice and share some of your 200-400 images with us:smile: