Nikon 80-400

[KimC]

Hi. I was asked to photograph the K-9 Olympics again this year, so I thought it might be nice to have an 80-400 on hand, in addition to my beloved 70-200/2.8. So, I rented the 80-400/5.6 and gave it a try last night and I was rather disappointed. I found the zoom to be rather tight (meaning I had to use some muscle to turn it) and it wasn't at all smooth. Has anyone else used this lens? Am I just spoiled by my 70-200 and the other nice zoom lens I own? Is what I'm feeling perhaps related to the circumference of the lens not fitting my small hand well?

I have an email into the company to see if I can send it back early and get some money refunded, as I can't imagine using this when being quick is key.

[Mike Buckley]

Just out of curiosity, who did you rent the lens from? (Sorry, but I've never used that lens or anything comparable.)

[Manfred M]

Kim, I own the older "D" version of the 80-400mm lens as well as the G version of the 70-200mm.

The difference you have noted is definitely there in these lenses. The 70-200mm is a internally focusing (and zooming) lens so the amount of mass that one has to move when zooming is far less than on the 80-400mm, so the force to do so is relatively small. The 70-200mm lens does not get any longer (or shorter) when zooming, where as the 80-400mm is noticeably so. The 70-200mm lens only zooms 2.9x while the 80-400mm zooms 5x.

Zooming the 80-400mm (and the same can be said about my wife's 150-500mm Sigma) takes a lot of force when compared to the 70-200mm. It's just the different approaches used in the design of the lenses; the 80-400mm is a consumer lens whereas the 70-200mm is a pro lens.

I cannot comment on the most recent 80-400mm G and 70-200mm E lenses, as I have not shot either.

[KimC]

I thought you could only rent from local camera shops, and since we don't have any, I never considered renting a lens. Then I was having dinner at a friends house and her husband is into photography and he mentioned renting. He gave me the name of three places he has used Mike - cameralensrentals.com; lensgiant.com; lensrentals.com. He told me to compare as there were big fluctuations in price (which there were). I used lensrental.com and have been very impressed with the way it was delivered (they even include the shipping tape for return) and customer service. I'll give them another try as I have wanted to play with a fisheye and some of the Sigma Art lens.

Just out of curiosity, who did you rent the lens from? (Sorry, but I've never used that lens or anything comparable.)

[KimC]

Thanks for sharing this information Manfred. Makes sense, now that you described it. The company I rented from did get back to me and tell me that's how that lens feels, so the experience with the newer version is the same as yours. I'm glad I rented it; I would have been kicking myself if I had purchased it.

Kim, I own the older "D" version of the 80-400mm lens as well as the G version of the 70-200mm.

The difference you have noted is definitely there in these lenses. The 70-200mm is a internally focusing (and zooming) lens so the amount of mass that one has to move when zooming is far less than on the 80-400mm, so the force to do so is relatively small. The 70-200mm lens does not get any longer (or shorter) when zooming, where as the 80-400mm is noticeably so. The 70-200mm lens only zooms 2.9x while the 80-400mm zooms 5x.

Zooming the 80-400mm (and the same can be said about my wife's 150-500mm Sigma) takes a lot of force when compared to the 70-200mm. It's just the different approaches used in the design of the lenses; the 80-400mm is a consumer lens whereas the 70-200mm is a pro lens.

I cannot comment on the most recent 80-400mm G and 70-200mm E lenses, as I have not shot either.

[Mike Buckley]

Interesting info about the rental companies, Kim. I almost always use LensRentals.com even when their price is somewhat higher than others. The owner of the company is highly regarded for the testing they do to ensure the products are in proper order and for his basic write-ups about the realistic quality of a particular model. If any company is 100% reliable when it comes to doing everything they promise to do, I would place my bet on that company.

[KimC]

Good to know! I had a great experience with them and will def give them another try.

Interesting info about the rental companies, Kim. I almost always use LensRentals.com even when their price is somewhat higher than others. The owner of the company is highly regarded for the testing they do to ensure the products are in proper order and for his basic write-ups about the realistic quality of a particular model. If any company is 100% reliable when it comes to doing everything they promise to do, I would place my bet on that company.