ebay has them for $500 to $700 used. I like this lens too, and the new mirrorless cameras with on screen focus highlighting make manual focusing even easier. a modified tc16a can also be used to get approximate af on older dslr cameras.
it is a combination of 400mm f3.5 + teleconverter 1.6 which gives 640mm f 5.6 and is semi-automatic. I work with a D800E body and have had great results with this combination. Additionally, I have a Nikon HE-2 hood that increases contrast. Perfect
Thanks for the "perspective". Tele was all the rage when I was getting going inthe late 60's. I finally got the 300 2.8 Tamron with ED glass. Amazing - and as an Adaptall, transfers among many bodies. I like shooting these to blow-out the backgrounds. At these focal lengths, the out-of-focus background elements become a huge part of the composition. People freak.
Your right again! The compression on this lens is totally unique. I was able to borrow one back when it was new. Of course I went out and shot motocross..Lol I sold a ton of prints. I don't need no stinking auto focus.. I love this lens..
Hi Ho Theo, Yes man, great lens! I purchase her some time back on ebay for $850.00 and got a 1.4 and a 2 x teleconverters to boot. Sharp, sharp, sharp!!! I use her with a 1.4 converter and a D300 with batter grip to offset the lens weight. I like this lens with my crop sensor camera and not the full frame d3 for most shooting. I want to be close!! I use on a cheap 60 dollar gimbal mount with a extra long Swiss Arca plate to balance her out. Love shooting wildlife, birds especially with her. Build quality is amazing and you are using a real part of Nikon and Nat Geo history!! The 500mm P lens is wonderful too.....! Peace, in SW Colorado.
my current favorite lens, by far. Amazingly sharp and I'm always amazed by how good these pictures look after I shoot with it! I pretty much use it all of the time with a D2Xs and a TC-16a teleconverter that turns it into a 640mm f5.6 with a bit of autofocus once you get the focus close. I use it mostly for birds -- Takes practice and with the D2Xs I have to be careful of shutter speed and light, but the results blow me away
Theoria, I've been watching many of your nikkor and nikon prime 300mm and 400mm lens reviews. I have a d7500 (for better or worse) and cant figure out what the best ~$1000 used lens is going to be that will retain functionality on the D7500. From what Ive read this lens will not be compatible with the D7500s metering system? If so, what is my best bet to get into a quality 3 or 400mm fast quality lens to work with the D7500?
I have, and use quite often, a 300mm 2.8 and a 600mm 4.0 Ais lenses. The 600 weighs 14#. The 300 isn't quite so bad. I take the 600 to a place to shoot eagles, flank by dozens of guys with new Nikons and canons. I miss some shots but I get my share of shots of birds in flight. As you said, they are Nikon as its best. Always shoot with a tripod. The 300 I almost always shoot with a 1.4 and less so with the 600. Love your videos.
+Michael Eitland thanks man.....ohhh even the 400mm 3.5 is a honker lens, .....more than that sucks the fun out of photography which is why i could never be a full time bird shooter
So I met up with a guy on Kijiji. He was selling this lens that showed its use but optically perfect, nikon f3hp, 2x teleconverter, and 28-85 for 100 bucks. Picked up right away
Hey Mr Angry Photographer. What do you think about nikon 600mm f/4 AF-S D ED lens vs its VR update? I just picked up non-VR version on ebay. Taking a chance here since all reviews i see are for vr version so was hoping non-vr version is still a good deal at 2K USD. And yes, the 400 f/3.5 that i already have is as stupid sharp as you have stated in this video.
I knew it! There isnt much left in the nikkor range you haven't talked about and this was it. Snagged myself a 400mm 3.5 6 months ago for $650aud ($500usd). Beats the pants off my 300mm f4
$200 is chump change, score. I have the 400 f4 afs, it focuses very quickly and accurately, still performs very well with TC14ii/iii. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the AFD. For manual focusing ai/ais, pre-focusing and not trying to shoot bird flying towards you helps to nail focus
@Theoria Apothasis, How does this lens compare to the Nikon 200-500/5.6? I'm looking to replace my primary bird and wildlife lens with one of these two lenses. Is there are real world imagine quality advantage (not just sharpness but rendering also), and speed advantage to justify this lens over the newer AF, VR etc etc lens. Will it be impossible to get BIF with this manual focus lens? Prefocus and continuous high?
I found one for 700 cdn. Has minimal dust towards the back. The throw seems super easy, almost too easy.notsure if that's an issue. Doesn't have the cap, just the 122mm glass and the cardboard cover. Any tips on checking the lens before I buy. I will be using the lens with a D85O.
Ken, I have the Nikkor 400mm 5.6 ai ED lens that is the non-IF version. It was a hard decision between the 3.5 and this slower lens. The reason I went for this lens is that ii is relatively light and easy to carry. It is a slow lens but quite sharp even wide open. Have you ever used one?
+Ray Fenio yes, i have , and yes, youre right, but i wanted one thats fast enough, to go to 560mm with a 1.4 teleconverter thats STILL fast at F4.5+ true, this 3.5 is rather titanic
Hey Ken! I just got a d7100 again after regretting selling one about 6 months ago!! I wanted to ask you what you think of the Nikon 17-35 F2.8D lens? Does it compare to the 15-30 tamron?
I used to use mine on a Bolex H16 EL movie camera shooting birds for documentaries back in the day. It was a magnificent piece of glass and I do miss it. One of Nikons best ever.
Just found your channel. Great! I have one of these beasts and agree it is the sharpest lens I own. However, I got mine from Government surplus with a long story behind it and it did not come with a drop in filter. only a blank holder to fill the slot. I have not had an issue with focusing but I have no reference. Can you tell me what the Nikon filter part numbers are should I find one on ebay. I have the number for the polarizer. Thanks.
Omg... mate i just fiind one in at most like new just a few small marks on hood noot so chep becouse i bought from USA and i'm in uk but deserve every penny..... is..... omg... i don't think we can fiind the right word for this lens ....... is everything in 1 lens. I have to receive and the 300mm f2.8 next week i'm really curious how it is..... really many thx .....
Not an expert but in my f'ing around shooting birds in flight a shooter NEEDS a zoom lens anyways. A tele prime will just leave you constantly losing the subject and by the time you find it....its gone. Maybe people have WAY better skills than I but if you are out to shoot birds in flight, you need a zoom anyways.
GIANT NIKKOR?? I own the 400mm Nikkor 2.8 MF ED now that's a GIANT....lol I use it with a TC1.4 and this setup is SUPER-D-SUPER Sharp 900mm 3.9 on the DX sensor-(D300) LOVE IT No hand holding this....lol
Yes. You can get a “hacked” 1.6 ($100-$150) that will lock focus if you’re close. My hit rate will go up but I’ve not been that happy with the results. The sharpness of the lens is severely degraded. If you’re trying to shoot action you’re better off with a 100-400 sigma. For still objects - it’s not even close.
ebay has them for $500 to $700 used. I like this lens too, and the new mirrorless cameras with on screen focus highlighting make manual focusing even easier. a modified tc16a can also be used to get approximate af on older dslr cameras.
it is a combination of 400mm f3.5 + teleconverter 1.6 which gives 640mm f 5.6 and is semi-automatic. I work with a D800E body and have had great results with this combination. Additionally, I have a Nikon HE-2 hood that increases contrast. Perfect
Got myself a 300 ai ED f4.5 for less than a night at the strip club and it is fantastic.
strip club!!!!!! ROFL
LOL Nice!
Must’ve been a good night at the strip club
Thanks for the "perspective". Tele was all the rage when I was getting going inthe late 60's. I finally got the 300 2.8 Tamron with ED glass. Amazing - and as an Adaptall, transfers among many bodies. I like shooting these to blow-out the backgrounds. At these focal lengths, the out-of-focus background elements become a huge part of the composition. People freak.
Your right again! The compression on this lens is totally unique. I was able to borrow one back when it was new. Of course I went out and shot motocross..Lol I sold a ton of prints. I don't need no stinking auto focus.. I love this lens..
+John Feit AF is for pusses :)
ROFL
Hi Ho Theo, Yes man, great lens! I purchase her some time back on ebay for $850.00 and got a 1.4 and a 2 x teleconverters to boot. Sharp, sharp, sharp!!! I use her with a 1.4 converter and a D300 with batter grip to offset the lens weight. I like this lens with my crop sensor camera and not the full frame d3 for most shooting. I want to be close!! I use on a cheap 60 dollar gimbal mount with a extra long Swiss Arca plate to balance her out. Love shooting wildlife, birds especially with her. Build quality is amazing and you are using a real part of Nikon and Nat Geo history!! The 500mm P lens is wonderful too.....! Peace, in SW Colorado.
+Time Travel ps: like your vids!
my current favorite lens, by far. Amazingly sharp and I'm always amazed by how good these pictures look after I shoot with it! I pretty much use it all of the time with a D2Xs and a TC-16a teleconverter that turns it into a 640mm f5.6 with a bit of autofocus once you get the focus close. I use it mostly for birds -- Takes practice and with the D2Xs I have to be careful of shutter speed and light, but the results blow me away
Theoria, I've been watching many of your nikkor and nikon prime 300mm and 400mm lens reviews. I have a d7500 (for better or worse) and cant figure out what the best ~$1000 used lens is going to be that will retain functionality on the D7500. From what Ive read this lens will not be compatible with the D7500s metering system? If so, what is my best bet to get into a quality 3 or 400mm fast quality lens to work with the D7500?
I've just bought a good one with a TC14B for £650. Thanks for the heads up Ken
I have, and use quite often, a 300mm 2.8 and a 600mm 4.0 Ais lenses. The 600 weighs 14#. The 300 isn't quite so bad. I take the 600 to a place to shoot eagles, flank by dozens of guys with new Nikons and canons. I miss some shots but I get my share of shots of birds in flight. As you said, they are Nikon as its best. Always shoot with a tripod. The 300 I almost always shoot with a 1.4 and less so with the 600. Love your videos.
+Michael Eitland thanks man.....ohhh even the 400mm 3.5 is a honker lens, .....more than that sucks the fun out of photography
which is why i could never be a full time bird shooter
+Theoria Apophasis www.flickr.com/photos/62750181@N07/23651122895/in/dateposted-public/
oooooooh, awesome baldie with a fish shot!
EPIC WINNER U R :)
So I met up with a guy on Kijiji. He was selling this lens that showed its use but optically perfect, nikon f3hp, 2x teleconverter, and 28-85 for 100 bucks. Picked up right away
Where did he steal the items?
Hey Mr Angry Photographer. What do you think about nikon 600mm f/4 AF-S D ED lens vs its VR update? I just picked up non-VR version on ebay. Taking a chance here since all reviews i see are for vr version so was hoping non-vr version is still a good deal at 2K USD. And yes, the 400 f/3.5 that i already have is as stupid sharp as you have stated in this video.
I knew it! There isnt much left in the nikkor range you haven't talked about and this was it. Snagged myself a 400mm 3.5 6 months ago for $650aud ($500usd). Beats the pants off my 300mm f4
***** it was a bargain got lucky in ebay. Prices were cheap on ais lens before Ken started flapping his lips.. Bless him
+Eternal Torture true true, he STOLE it , likely used a sharp object and threats to get it at that price
kidding :P
***** nothing that drastic..just old fashion bidding at the last minute
$200 is chump change, score.
I have the 400 f4 afs, it focuses very quickly and accurately, still performs very well with TC14ii/iii. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the AFD.
For manual focusing ai/ais, pre-focusing and not trying to shoot bird flying towards you helps to nail focus
don't be sticking weird appendages in the cavity and you'll be fine
@Theoria Apothasis, How does this lens compare to the Nikon 200-500/5.6? I'm looking to replace my primary bird and wildlife lens with one of these two lenses.
Is there are real world imagine quality advantage (not just sharpness but rendering also), and speed advantage to justify this lens over the newer AF, VR etc etc lens.
Will it be impossible to get BIF with this manual focus lens? Prefocus and continuous high?
Completely agree!
I rented a nikkor 400mm FLED VR and hung it off the front of my z7 with an ftz converter. Did I f**k up my z7 or the ftz converter?
Oh and the bokeh is really, really good on this big baby.
I might have to pick me up one of these... not my style of shooting but a nice option. Thanks for the review man.
For Canon users a very affordable lens is the Canon EF 5.6/400mm L USM, which I can highly recommend!
I don't know why you wouldn't let that lens hang from your camera, I let my sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 hang from mine all the time.
+Michael Stephen you keep doing that and youll find out why U shouldnt
i used to repair cameras remember........ ROFL
Oh,goody! Focal length wars!! Let's escalate!! 600,800,MOARR!!
+William Power 400mm is already too huge, no 600s or 800s
+Theoria Apophasis Oh Pooh!! Nothing a few years of weight training+anabolic steroids wouldn't set right!!
ROFL NOW THAT IS FING FUNNY !!!
U had the lens but hadnt used it yet? :)
understood :)
I found one for 700 cdn. Has minimal dust towards the back. The throw seems super easy, almost too easy.notsure if that's an issue. Doesn't have the cap, just the 122mm glass and the cardboard cover. Any tips on checking the lens before I buy. I will be using the lens with a D85O.
Ken, I have the Nikkor 400mm 5.6 ai ED lens that is the non-IF version. It was a hard decision between the 3.5 and this slower lens. The reason I went for this lens is that ii is relatively light and easy to carry. It is a slow lens but quite sharp even wide open. Have you ever used one?
+Ray Fenio yes, i have , and yes, youre right, but i wanted one thats fast enough, to go to 560mm with a 1.4 teleconverter thats STILL fast at F4.5+
true, this 3.5 is rather titanic
This would work great for boxing! Putting it on my list.
Hey Ken! I just got a d7100 again after regretting selling one about 6 months ago!! I wanted to ask you what you think of the Nikon 17-35 F2.8D lens? Does it compare to the 15-30 tamron?
+Jakub Wojtkiewicz no , it doesnt compare to the Tammy 15-30, not even the 14-24 does.
Is the 400mm 5.6 ed ais worth buying.?
So with the converter on a D7100 with the crop factor that would make this 840mm, would that be correct
I used to use mine on a Bolex H16 EL movie camera shooting birds for documentaries back in the day. It was a magnificent piece of glass and I do miss it. One of Nikons best ever.
This is one of your best videos. I let me Niece watch this because you did not use alot of Curse Words Good job.
+Foto Guy thanks man, i try not to curse since at least 1000 videos ago
Hey Ken I just got the 400mm a-is ed f5.6 for 310. One stop less light and manual focus. But less than a third the price. Same reach.
I own ED AF version and I love it. Should I replace it with this one?
+Mr. Swada no need to ditch anything
Theoria Apophasis
Yea... I wouldn't do it anyway. Without AF it would be almost impossible to operate the lens of that size of the tripod.
I want one! Just ordered one in good condition from eBay. It wasn't cheap but I'm totally psyched.
Orange tint on the glass. Another radioactive lens? :P
+Chris Hay not this one, no :)
Just found your channel. Great! I have one of these beasts and agree it is the sharpest lens I own. However, I got mine from Government surplus with a long story behind it and it did not come with a drop in filter. only a blank holder to fill the slot. I have not had an issue with focusing but I have no reference. Can you tell me what the Nikon filter part numbers are should I find one on ebay. I have the number for the polarizer. Thanks.
Nice! my Dad has a 600 5.6 Nikkor wich is very similar to this 400
I have owned this lens since 2013 and it's a gem of a lens. My copy is sharp at f5.6 on even small birds.
Hi Ken. What is your opinion about nikkor AF-S 17-55mm F/2.8 DX lense?
+David Blomberg hehhhhh, i just made the video on that lens yesterday, isnt it odd you ask. great lens, ONLY if you find one used cheap.
Hey Ken, I just found a Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 for a good price. Do you have any experience with this lens? Would you buy for $1300?
canon lens, Ur asking wrong person
Do you know any resources for these kinds of things? Thanks.
Sounds cheap for a 2.8 lens, check Ebay for prices.
Hi
Can you please review Nikkor 600mm f5.6 ed?
Great! I was looking for one of these everywhere in good condition.... Now everyone is! :P
+Darwinsgift Muahahahahaahahahaah
hard to find not, many of these 400mm 3.5 floating in the ether at the best of times
people just dont know about this lens really
+Theoria Apophasis That's a good thing Mate!
Omg... mate i just fiind one in at most like new just a few small marks on hood noot so chep becouse i bought from USA and i'm in uk but deserve every penny..... is..... omg... i don't think we can fiind the right word for this lens ....... is everything in 1 lens. I have to receive and the 300mm f2.8 next week i'm really curious how it is..... really many thx .....
Nice street lens, for giants..
+roki977 tru dat, it weighs a ton
I just ordered a Nikon 180mm f/2.8 AI-s. 5 element lens of 100% silky smoothness.
Not an expert but in my f'ing around shooting birds in flight a shooter NEEDS a zoom lens anyways. A tele prime will just leave you constantly losing the subject and by the time you find it....its gone. Maybe people have WAY better skills than I but if you are out to shoot birds in flight, you need a zoom anyways.
I found one of these on eBay for $589 in what looks like a pretty good condition. I kind of want to buy it :P
Sounds like it would be a fun lens to work with.
Sample shots?
why Theoria Apophasis
what is that means?
Can this lens be mounted to a tripod stand?
I just answered my own question. I found one on eBay with the tripod mount.
f3.5 to f4.5 is 2/3 stops of light. f3.5 to f5 is 1 stop.
Wonder how it would do in astrophotography.
GIANT NIKKOR?? I own the 400mm Nikkor 2.8 MF ED now that's a GIANT....lol I use it with a TC1.4 and this setup is SUPER-D-SUPER Sharp 900mm 3.9 on the DX sensor-(D300) LOVE IT No hand holding this....lol
I have never seen a 500 mm 2.8 certainly not by nikon
u can turn it into an 800 without a stop of light withe Nikon 1 series and FT1 adapter
will it work on D500?
does it support autofocus converter?
Yes. You can get a “hacked” 1.6 ($100-$150) that will lock focus if you’re close. My hit rate will go up but I’ve not been that happy with the results. The sharpness of the lens is severely degraded. If you’re trying to shoot action you’re better off with a 100-400 sigma. For still objects - it’s not even close.
Cool