This lens is amazing -- the closeups that I got with it are simply second to none. I can't imagine getting a longer lens -- 400mm was almost too much.

Very, very awkward to move quickly. Because the focal length is set, movement is often required in order to get good framing, and even with a monopod, my shoulder hurt after about an hour.

A great lens, but very bulky and almost overkill for my situation. As has been already said, I got lots of comments -- "Hey, that's a big lens," or "Do you work for The Star (the local paper)?" It is kinda fun to set up the lens and see how far away you can read stuff. After spending nine hours shooting with this lens in a hot, humid nadatorium, I'd be hard pressed to do it again. While the combination of this lens and the F5 is simply unreal (it's as if I was one with the camera), the utter inconvienience of lugging the equipment around got old. Unless you're a pro, I don't think this lens is what you're looking for.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

None

I quickly found out that when my son started playing soccer that the 80-200mm wouldn't be enough even with the TC-20E teleconverter for 400mm @ F/5.6. I shoot nature and wild animals as well, using both 1.4X and 2X AF-I/S teleconverters. Sharp and fast as hell.

When I ordered this lens, I had no idea how huge it was, having owned only the 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S previously. I went out and bought a Gitzo monopod and tripod for it, and it's not so bad after all. Also, explaining the "$7800 for that thing?" to my wife wasn't so easy. People keep coming up to me and asking if I work for Sports Illustrated or National Geographic which gets tedious after a while.

With or without teleconverters, an excellent lens. I'm no expert, but the pictures look great to me. AF is really quick with the F5. Shallow depth of field and sharp as a tack.

Customer Service

None needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8, AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8

very sharp lens that is fast and light for a big lens.

I focus from the bottom and the tripod mount makes it more difficult to it comfortably.

This is one great lens. I was shooting a basketball game and this guy was going up for a dunk. My reflex pressed the shutter even though he was out of focus after the shutter opened back up he was in focus. I did not know until I prosessed my film he was tack sharp. Thats how fast this lens is, it faster than I could ever hope to be, capturing images close and tight with amazing accuracy.

Customer Service

none

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400 AF-I

2.8!!!!
Flawless images..

Price, weight, theft.(to be expected)

in regards to the post before this one. You should not downgrade a lens becaus eit is heavy, or expensive, if that what all lenses of this type are. Because a lens is "not for you" does not mean it is a bad lens...
Onwards, this lens is pretty much flawless.
The pics are superb. If its what you are looking for, get it. You will not find a comparable 400mm lens anywhere, except for the leica($12000)
If you dont know if you want 400mm, do your research. If you do want 400mm buy this lens without reserve. It really is that good...

Customer Service

Friendly, but slow

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 500mm f/4p
Nikkor 400mm f/3.5

the mfd (minimum focus distance) is about 9 feet great for bird photos super fast AF use all the time with 1.4 tc

tough to use with large ball head on birds in flight can be done, best with a gimble design

great construction, super fast, mfd a great asset

Customer Service

have not needed on this product

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500 f4P, 300 2.8

Super fast autofocus (faster than 80-200 af-s as far as i can tell). Razor-thin depth of field is excellent for isolating the subject. Bright aperture for fast shutter speeds.

Heavy, $$$

I take NCAA sports photos with this lens often, and always come up with great results. It is large and sturdy enough that i would be temped to beat any would-be muggers over the head with it.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 80-200 AF-S (with doubler)
Tamron 28-300
Sigma 28-200

Fast, fast, fast, and light. Scans the entire focusing range, from infinity to a few meters, in just over 1/4 second. 10.6 lbs.

No problems with the lens whatsoever.

If you're a Nikon sports shooting pro, this is the lens you should have. Tack sharpwide open, very fast focusing, terrific focus tracking (w/F5&F100), along with compact size and low weight (for a 400/2.8) make this lens a winner. This lens is better than the previous AF-I version for two reasons. First off, the AF-S is much lighter (three pounds), and much less front-heavy. Second, the motor on the AF-S disengages instantaneously in M/A mode, where it takes a bit of focus ring rotation to get the AF-I to go manual. It is undoubtedly a little faster focusing also, but I don't have the capability to empirically test this.

Customer Service

Nikon's continuing inability to deliver the matching TC-14E and TC-20E teleconverters will alienate more and more pros until the problem is solved. Add to that their unwillingness to follow Canon's technical envelope-pushing (eye-controlled focusing and image stabilization) and Nikon's looking to lose more pros.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 400/2.8 AF-I