AFS 200- 400 mm f/4 ED-IF VR G Nikkor
5
(D2H,
D70)
This might well be the finest telephoto or zoom lens I've ever tested. The image quality delivered by the 200-400 is absolutely marvellous and should put the legendary predecessor MF 200-400 f/4 Nikkor to a deserved rest (well, almost. See above for the manual version).
The lens is physically quite long, built with a craftmanship often lacking from other current "pro" Nikkors. However, the lettering should be engraved, not just printed, on such an expensive lens.
The 200-400 balances nicely on its tripod mount. Thanks to the IF feature, the length is constant at all settings. The tripod mount is barely adequate, and I'd like to see it improved further since this lens is quite pliable due to its overall length and weak foot
Environmental sealing is provided by a rubber gasket in the rear. There is a generously sized zooming collar to the rear of the lens and the focusing collar is moved in front of that, and set off by a wider diameter. There are a plethora of control buttons for AF lock (in front of the lens), memory reset (sic!), sound warning on/off, AF range, VR mode (normal, active, as on the 70-200 VR lens), and so on.
AFS operation is blindingly fast on the D2H, not equally responsive but nevertheless fast on D70. With the TC14-E added, focusing speed slows a trifle on D2H and become sluggish on D70. VR action is smooth and positive, and might even be used on a tripod if the tripod head is given some slack.
Images are vividly saturated, have high contrast, and tremendous detail. There is hardly any trace of chromatic aberrations anywhere across the zooming or focusing range, a remarkable feat indeed. Sharpness is exquisite even wide open, improves slightly when the lens is stopped a little more down, and holds up well to at least f/16. I obtained acceptable images at f/32 as well, although going this far isn't something I'd recommend. Bokeh is superb.
Despite a tremendous number of lens elements (24 elements of which no less than 4 are ED, in 17 groups), flare is very well controlled. However, you may get significant ghosting when shooting strongly backlit subjects, so wait for that big sun disc until the sun nearly sets and you'll be OK.
The only drawbacks of this lens are the price and weak tripod mount (not everyone will agree to the latter). Otherwise it already is slated to become a legend in its own time. Compared to the manual version the newcomer is selling like the proverbial hotcakes.
http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html
Gerrit
met nikon!
.
