Economy/versatility

Operational mechanics

I ordered this lens prior to a sports related photo shoot. Overall the image quality was good, but I didn't care for the lens mechanically.

The push-pull zoom was very stiff and unweildy to manipulate, increasing lens length dramatically from 200 to 400 millimeters. The manual focus ring rotated while the lens autofocused, and while I had the lens on a monopod, my left hand index finger often contacted it. The lens also has the arc form drive AF motor, which is noisy after getting used to Canon USM lenses.

The slowish speed of f5.6 I accept given the reasonable price tag, but ergonomically, the lens is lacking for me.


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New York Giants
scrimmage practice/

200-400 5.6 LD

Customer Service

Not Needed

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 70-210 2.8 APO
Canon 70-200 2.8L
Sigma 400 4.6 APO

Great for getting close up photographs without having close to your subject. Still fits into most camera bags. Tripod mount on lens helps balance lens and camera.

Detachable lens hood, can become a storage problem. Lens is a bit slow. Under lower light conditions, autofocus becomes a problem. Slightly heavy in weight.

Great lens for outdoor photography. Well made. Very good quality and value.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar 100-400

A rather capable lens for the money I paid for it. 400/5.6 is fast enough for some applications.

With this size and weight it could be faster at 200mm. No built-in huud, so you ave to struggle with five poinds in one hand and the hood and a filter (or a cap) in the other should you need to put it on or take it off. Tripod mount is not removable. Sometimes it is somewhat hesitant when focusing in difficult conditions (a bird surrounded by small leafless brunches, for instance). I am not sure what to blame, though - the lens, or a Minolta 9xi AF system

For $350 that I paid for it, it had a reasonable set of features. Make sure you use a tripod when it is not bright sunshine.

Customer Service

did not need

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 75-300/4.5-5.6 LD
Sigma 75-200/2.8-3.5
TAIR 300/4.5 (Russian made)

Fairly fast for the price; heavily constructed, reverse the hood and it stores in its own length.

At 2-1/2+ pounds, it's heavy. The manual focus ring is not textured, making it hard to get used to finding it. Manual focus is a bit stiff at times.

This is a heavy lens; don't buy it thinking you can hand-hold 400mm at anything less than 1/500th, and that's pushing it. I shoot wildlife, and chose this lens to move up to 400-800mm with doubler, giving f/11. Yes, you may need higher speed film, but you can't get better results without going to a really fast prime (300-400mm f/4) at three or four times the price.
If you just want to hand-hold, you'd probably be better off with a good used 80-200mm f/2.8 of f/4 and doubler, at a good one pound lighter, and half the price.
On the other hand, on a heavy tripod, this is hard to beat for the money. I shot several rolls of Ektachrome 100 and 200 with doubler (f/11) at 1/125 and got great results. No vignetting, even at 800mm. Since I use only MF cameras, the focusing is tough with a split screen at 800 mm (this is a problem with any lens as focal length increases).
Don't think this lens will make your photos better; only time and practice will. But for those (most of us) on a budget, it's hard to beat. If cost is no concern, your local dealer will be happy to clean your pockets for Canon or Nikon professional lenses; if you are a talented amateur, this lens may be what you need.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM, FE
Tokina RMC MF 80-200mm f/4
Tokina RMC 2x Doubler

Good Prize.
I like the zooming sistem.

Slow AF and innacurate AF, specially in low light (even with new Nikon bodies as F100).
Average Sharpness.

I only keep it to shot from 300 to 400mm.
Trying to use this AF is a waste of time.

Customer Service

I haven't tried it.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 70-300D ED 4-5.6
Nikkor 75-300 4.5-5.6
Sigma 75-300 4-5.6 APO
Tamron 70-300

Very Sharp, Good zoom range, relatively fast speed for the money paid. Have newer version so grip for zoom is really good

Bit heavy, detachable hood

Great lens, very sharp for the money spent

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Have a manaual focus sigma 400 f/5.6

light enough to backpack; reasonable price; good sharpness at any focal length

significant light falloff at 400 mm/f5.6;
some problems with color accuracy in lower light; have seen same problem with both Canon A2 and EOS3, although both cameras autofocussed with this lens under most conditions (branches, grass in the way confuse thes sensors). I suspect this lens is actually a 6.3;

If you're really hiking out in the backcountry and take along a monopod/walking stick, and keep in mind the need to bracket exposures maybe a third stop slower, this lens is pretty slick.

Customer Service

Never used it;

Similar Products Used:

only primes plus telecconverter: 200 F4 pentax or 200 f2.8 canon.

Sharpness is great, good contrast, lightweight, good value for money (very good to begin with bird photography)

Slow Autofocus, especially for photographing middle tone to dark birds against a dark background.

It's a very good lens to start with bird photography, don't try to get birds in flight, this lens is just to slow for that, and also don't try continuous AF on your camera. For the rest the quality of your pictures are making up for the price of this lens because these are very good, from a natural base or a tripod, this lens can be used handheld with let's say 1/800 sec and faster.

Customer Service

Never Needed

Similar Products Used:

Sigma APO 5.6 400 mm MF

Light-weight compared with quicker lenses
Very sharp, especially at 200 mm
Quick AF (use the Canon EOS version)

A bit soft at 400 mm

I got it new very cheap and it has all in all performed very well. It is an ideal lens for concerts, nature and sports, if you don't mind using a fast film. Recommended!

Customer Service

Not necessary

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 100-300mm/4.5-5.6 USM

relatively cheap, but not equaly for that price you have to pay light, sharp at f8 and more

slow, very slow autofocus with Nikons, F5

This is a not good lens, I have get it like a present, but it is very slow and I´m looking for a new nikkor, because it is not a good lens for my F5. It is not PRO lens and this is really true, you can forget auto focusing.
I think, you can get even better lens for that money, maybe used, but better and faster. But true is, that the picture makes a photographer and NOT a CAMERA or the LENS, those things can maybe help you, but the IDEA is up to you and your talent. I think that people do forget it sometimes...

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

NIKKOR 80-200 2.8 ED
NIKKOR 80-200 4.5-5.6 D
NIKKOR 70-300 4-5.6
SIGMA 70-210 4.5-5.6 D