D80 and Nikon 80-400mmf4.5/5.6D ED VR

[Sussex bird man]

I'm currently using a three year old D70 with, primarily, a Tamron 200-500 ED zoom, which are both showing signs of age, not helped at all by my rucksack unzipping and spilling both out on to a concrete track recently. I''m don't mean to tempt fate but they are still producing results. However I know that the time will come that replacement is the only option and so I'm thinking now so as to be best prepared. So, my question: are there any users of the above combination (D80+Nikon 80-400) out there and if so would you share your experience of this combo. To me the D80 represents a value DSLR with much improved resolution while the Nikon lense would probably score well given that firstly its a Nikon and secondly the VR should push it ahead of the Tamron. Anyone got thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[Duke Leto]

Hi, there are a number of well subscribed threads in this forum already, check out the one 2 below yours as it has recent stuff on lens combos and what people think are hot and whats not.
For what its worth friends who have the D80 find it an excellent body, but the problem with the 80-400 is the lack of AF-S, Sigma do a similar 80-400 with os that gets good reviews and I believe has a HSM.
I prefer a fixed combo for birding and the 300AF-S mate to either a 1.4 or 1.7TC works very well and gives you either a 420/5.6 or a 510/6.3 and with the crop factor another 50% on top in old money

Seasons Greetings

[Sussex bird man]

Thanks DL. My theory, maybe flawed, is that Nikon presents muc better quality than a "third party" offering (Tamron/Sigma). aving said that my present Tamron has been excellernt but I want more in terms of speed in AF. I only ever use AF-C and so AF-S is not an issue. With that though put aside would you have any more ideas? It seem,s, maybe wrongly, that the Nikon lens is also compsact and easy for travel>

[ccsial]

Thanks DL. My theory, maybe flawed, is that Nikon presents muc better quality than a "third party" offering (Tamron/Sigma). aving said that my present Tamron has been excellernt but I want more in terms of speed in AF. I only ever use AF-C and so AF-S is not an issue. With that though put aside would you have any more ideas? It seem,s, maybe wrongly, that the Nikon lens is also compsact and easy for travel>

I believe when you mention AF-C you mean continuous mode. AF-S refers to Nikons "Silent Wave" focus motor as opposed to the screwdriver type focus that the Nikon 80-400VR has. I do believe the D80 has that scew driver feature. I know the D40 does not.

I use the Nikon 80-400VR lens on a D200 and it is nice but it is a bit soft at 400. I doubt there is a big difference between the Sigma and Nikon. Someone with experience in both lenes might chime in here.

[bkrownd]

ISo, my question: are there any users of the above combination (D80+Nikon 80-400) out there and if so would you share your experience of this combo.

Yeah, I've had them since late February. I've heard the 80-400VR is not at its best at 400mm, but I really can't complain about the results after using a superzoom the previous year. The screw drive autofocus that people complain about doesn't cause me much problem, either. (I don't try for close-in photos of birds in flight) Don't expect the camera and lens to work miracles for you, but it's about as good as you can get at 400mm for handheld use before before you start spending serious money - lens prices go up in $1000 or $2000 increments beyond this. This is the last budget option with VR.

My most significant comment is that the 80-400VR will require some extra care in the wilderness. Mine is showing some wear after 9 months of outdoor use, and it's obvious it has a limited lifetime at this rate without serious $$$ overhauls. The telescoping zoom and external focus action leave the mechanicals vulnerable to impact damage, and can introduce dust and moisture inside the lens. I'd be very happy to have the same optics in a far more rugged and dust/moisture sealed fixed 400mm design.

To its credit I've dropped the lens snout-first on rocks a few times, even as far as breaking the lens hood, and hit the snout hard with my knee or branches many other times, but I don't see any obvious effect other than a bit of roughness in the manual focus gears. Autofocus and images still look fine. Unfortunately I've got a couple big dust particles on either side of one of the internal lenses, or I'd say mine is still optically in like-new condition.

[Jaff]

I've used a D80 with a Sigma 135-400mm (both for sale with other bits if you're interested) and before that a Nikon 70-300mm ED and got reasonable flight shots (I see you have too :t: ). AF-S is not necessarily a must have for taking flight shots (although it would help).

I think it comes down to what you like to shoot. Static portraits and birds in trees with the occasional flight shot is more suited to the 80-400mm, with its VR you have a good hand-held setup, another important factor if you don't want to use a tripod. Otherwise it's the 300mm F4 with the option of a TC, as discussed on the other thread mentioned by Steve, which would probably need some support for best results and would maybe more suited to action type shots. This is why I'm moving to Canon, you can get the best of both world's in one lens package.

Those are my thoughts anyway. If you're interested in the gear the thread's in the classifieds.
Adam

[Sussex bird man]

THanks Jaff. So if I was to go over to CAnonb what's the best match for what I'm looking for? i.e. one step up from a D70 plus a telephoto at 400 or 500mm (not necessarily a zoom). I'm considering it on a tight but reasonable budget - maybe optomistic but £500-700 camera body and up to £1000 for the lense. Bear in mind I'd have to reconsider how to replace my Nikon 70-300 too!!! Thanks.

[Jaff]

Oh well, I've torpedoed yet another chance to sell my gear without even trying.

Anyway. That's a decent budget to be shopping with. Camera wise the 40D's the best bet and after that it's either the 300mm F4 L IS USM, the 100-400 f4-5.6 IS L USM and the 400mm f5.6 L USM. It's a question asked many a time in the Canon forum so best look in there (I don't think the Nikon die-hards will appreciate discussing it here, kinda like swearing you see 3:-) ). I personally got the 300mm F4, with the option of using a TC, and I'm waiting to sell some stuff before I can get a 40D.

Best of luck.
Jaff