Nikon 400mm f/2.8 AF-I (1 Viewer)

[HigashiPete]

Does anybody use a Nikon 400mm f/2.8 AF-I? I'm thinking of treating myself, but don't want to lay out such money unless it's worth it! My camera is a Nikon D300S.

Cheers!

 

[Duke Leto]

Pete, cant comment on the AF-I, but I do have the next one the AF-S and love it, mated with a 1.4 TC there is no noticeable loss of quality and you get a nice 560/4. Been playing with a 1.7 & 2.0 TC's with nice results. My Gallery for the past year is full of images take with the 400/2.8 and either without or with various TC's. I suspect the glass is the same just the AF is different.
It all depends on the price as to whether or not its worth getting, an AF-S sold on eBay last week for £3600 and about a month ago a 600 non vr went for the same. If its a £2000 lens in A1 condition it may well be worth it..
I would do as I did, check with Nikon and ensure all parts are still available for it as that lens went out of production in 1998. If you know the serial number you can check its build date here

 

[Helios]

Depends upon it's condition and how much is being asked. It should be fine on a D300S, but it's a big heavy lens, with slow AF-I autofocus. It was the reason that most of the sports photographers switched to Canon in those days. Personally I would wait for an AFS version or at least try out the autofocus to make sure that you're happy with it.

 

[Duke Leto]

I wonder if Ken Rockwells impression is accurate ? he states focus is fast and furious check it out here

 

[swainsons]

Does anybody use a Nikon 400mm f/2.8 AF-I? I'm thinking of treating myself, but don't want to lay out such money unless it's worth it! My camera is a Nikon D300S.

Cheers!

Its a cracking lens. I bought one 3 months ago. Autofocus is frightfully fast, even with a 1.4 TC.

It does not like shooting wide open (f4) with the TC, you need to stop down by just 1 click and its superbly sharp.

Only drawback.... Its HEAVY.....

Just buy 1, you only live once.

Regards

 

[Duke Leto]

Its a cracking lens. I bought one 3 months ago. Autofocus is frightfully fast, even with a 1.4 TC.

It does not like shooting wide open (f4) with the TC, you need to stop down by just 1 click and its superbly sharp.

Only drawback.... Its HEAVY.....

Just buy 1, you only live once.

Regards

ru you talking about the original pre 1998 lens and not an AF-S version

 

[swainsons]

ru you talking about the original pre 1998 lens and not an AF-S version

Yes, the AF-I version. As per the pic in MR Rockwells review of this beast. http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/40028afi.htm

All the best.

Regards

 

[asiostygius]

Heavy, but fast focus and sharp

I have this beast, condition 8+ or 9 according to BHphotovideo rating, bought "cheap" (~US$ 2700.00) in an obscure repair shop here in Brazil.
Focus is fast enough, I would say marginally less than an AF-S. The main disadvantage is the weight, above 6 kg!!
This appears to be the only 400mm with 4 ED glasses, modern and older designs used 3 or less.

You can find very useful information and sample shots here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1030&message=33644149
and here, see particularly shots of Ronnie Gaulbert:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1030&message=34783051

Two of my shots are in my small gallery here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/galleries/9402450264/photos
look at Athene cunicularia and Alectrurus tricolor photos.
Hope this help you.

 

[stealthman_1]

I've shot this lens for about 3 years now. I got a very nice deal as the local paper sold off their big lenses when the VRs came out. Barely used as the paper photogs ain't dragging it anywhere. It is a very heavy lens at just over 14 pounds, but it produces magnificent results and works well with the TC-E 1.4 and 1.7II, the 2.0 II is not so hot even with AF fine tuning and precise LLT. I shot it off a Arca-Swiss and RRS ballheads and found them lacking for this beast, mounted it for a while on my large format geared head which worked well for big game in Yellowstone, but of course, isn't for birds. Put it on a gimbal head about 4 months ago and it came to life. Of course you've still got to carry it there, but once it's on the gimbal, it handles like a 70-200. My copy has very responsive AF mounted on a D3, responsive enough that it can be used to shoot dragon flies in flight with a good bit of practice (though there are easier to handle lenses for this torture...:-O). Mine needed the focus lock mechanism replaced when I got it and since I bought it on consignment through a Nikon dealer the fix was included in the price. I've read that AF motors are going and parts are getting scarce on well used versions, so you'd defiantly want to check that thoroughly. Good luck, it's an outstanding lens if you can bare it and the bokeh is wonderful.

 

[dnelson]

Stealthman_1, I have an opportunity to get a used 400 f2.8 AF-I for $3500, but I'm concerned about the AF motor going out and it becoming an expensive paper weight. Where do I find information on parts availability? I called Nikon repairs in El Segundo yesterday and they said no parts are available.

 

[Duke Leto]

Call Nikon direct this is from the website, id be surprised if the AF motor was only for the 400, probably stuck that motor in all the big guns of the day

Contact Nikon Product Repair

Email Nikon Service and Repair
1-800-Nikon US (1-800-645-6687)
Telephone Support is Available 8am EST to 2am EST 7 days a week.
Contact Nikon Parts Department

Phone: 1-310-414-8107
Fax: 1-310-322-6979
7am – 3pm PST Mon – Fri