Gary Wolstenholme reviews the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II lens.

Excellent sharpness; Fast silent focusing; Very low CA; Low distortion; Weather sealed; Effective VR system

Could be considered expensive at current prices

I've just completed my full field test of this lens. Here's the "Executive Summary": The AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 VR is a significant and worthwhile upgrade from its predecessor. It's an incredibly versatile lens that will meet most of the needs for many, many nature and wildlife photographers.

Solid optical quality throughout the entire focal range; very "hand-holdable&quot

Just acceptable build quality; horrendous tripod collar; poorly designed hood

For a 5x zoom, the AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is an excellent performer. Centre sharpness is very good to excellent at all apertures throughout the zoom range, with the borders also being impressively sharp at most zoom settings.

As the Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR's £2500 list price suggests, there is a lot of technology packed into Nikon's latest telephoto zoom. With 20 elements (including four with ED glass and one with Super-ED glass), AF-S focussing, four-stop VR and technical test results that are consistently...

5x zoom range; Sophisticated VR system; High MTF results; Fringe-free images; Reliable AF system; Focus limiter; Weatherproof design; Tripod mounting collar

Rather heavy; Costly

This lens offers a both a considerable zoom and great image quality. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens is perfect for those wanting to upgrade who enjoy shooting subjects at long distances.

I have been using this lens for more than a year now and it stays on my camera all the time except for when I have special projects. I am mostly into birds and other wildlife. This lens is light enough for me to carry all day and sharp enough for great detail. Contrast and detail are very good.

"With some financial trepidation, I explored the internet reviews of this lens and decided to buy it in the late fall of 2013. I am not disappointed!! On a photo shoot in Cuba, it performed superbly in capturing birds and para-sailers.

This lens takes excellent high resolution photographs throughout the zoom range and has a fast enough maximum aperture to work even on cloudy days beyond the flash range.

Excellent quality and fine detail images

Non that I can see

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR ($2,299.95) is an appealing walkaround lens for nature photographers and sports shooters working in bright light who appreciate a long range of coverage, but don't need to shoot in the dim lighting that makes event photographers reach for a fixed f/2.8...

Strong sharpness through most of range; Long telephoto reach; Optical stabilization; Minimal distortion; Relatively lightweight; Includes tripod collar and hood

Sharpness dips at 400mm and toward edges of frame; Pricey

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR ($2,299.95) is an appealing walkaround lens for nature photographers and sports shooters working in bright light who appreciate a long range of coverage, but don't need to shoot in the dim lighting that makes event photographers reach for a fixed f/2.8 lens. It covers nearly twice the range as the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II ($2,424.00 at Amazon) for about the same price, at the cost of a narrower maximum aperture that puts more limits on depth of field control and light-gathering capability. Image quality is strong through most of the zoom range, with a drop at 400mm that can be compensated for by stopping down, making it a solid option for Nikon photographers in want of a telezoom. It's not quite the equal of the less expensive Sigma 150-600mm DG OS HSM Contemporary ($899.00 at Amazon) , our Editors' Choice telezoom. But the Sigma trades some wide-angle coverage for telephoto reach, and is notably heavier, which will stee...

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens offers the convenience of a long range and doesn't show a lot of distortion, but images lose some crispness when zoomed all the way in.

Strong sharpness through most of range; Long telephoto reach; Optical stabilization; Minimal distortion; Relatively lightweight; Includes tripod collar and hood

Sharpness dips at 400mm and toward edges of frame; Pricey