Hey, everyone.
Recently I was in the market for a new telephoto lens, mostly because I haven't got one for myself.
At first, I was dead set on getting the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II for its obvious reasons: very good range, large fixed aperture, superb build quality and its flawless image quality.
But then while I was on YouTube looking for reviews, I found out another lens with twice the range of the 70-200, the AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR.
I thought to myself that it would be fantastic for events, which is currently my main focus in my photography.
There was much to consider with both lenses, and there weren't many comparisons already
done between the two.
So then I decided to make a hands-on comparison of my own.
I didn't do a too intrinsic or in-depth comparison of both.
I only wanted to find out the practicality and feel of the two and which would be more suitable for me.
At first, I put on the 80-400.
In the hands, it was seemingly lighter than the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII and the 80-200 f/2.8D, which I've used before.
At 80mm, the bokeh is quite nice and the quality is also remarkable.
There was a bit of a problem with bright LEDs where the colour would bleed and show a defect in Lightroom.
Here's a sample:
At 400mm, the lens extends about two inches or so and because it isn't as heavy or as sturdy as a 70-200 f/2.8, I found myself shaking a little.
Maybe it was my nerves of using a new lens or maybe it was just the fact that I needed to work out more.
However, the lens does boast its VR that compensates up to 4 stops.
I don't know what this means but it didn't do much in reducing the vibration nor did it retain any sort of sharpness at the focus point.
I faced the same problem while using the 55-300 VR where most of my photos at 300mm weren't as sharp as at shorter focal lengths.
I didn't take a lot of photos with the lens and this is the only one left:
Next, I tried out the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII and as always, it was fantastic.
At 70mm, you get very smooth bokeh due to the large aperture.
Both lenses showed close to no distortion at all across the focal range and the colour retention was good.
The lens felt good in the hands as it was a lot sturdier than the 80-400.
It also doesn't extend throughout the focal range so you don't have to shift balance when shooting.
I automatically got better shots with the lens, but this may be due to my frequent use of the lens, too.
Best shot at 70mm:
At 200mm, the compressed background and large aperture make for a very smooth bokeh, even better than the one seen using the 80-200 f/2.8D.
To get the best sharpness, it is advised to shoot at least one stop lower, at f/4.0.
Sample photo:
Overall, I would choose the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII.
You get more value for your money, and it is also at least half a thousand RM cheaper than the 80-400.
You lose that extra 200mm range but the fixed large aperture is so much more useful!
Unless you're sticking to stalker distance with very good light, the 70-200 f/2.8 would be the better take.
Of course, on a crop sensor DSLR, the 80-400 is equivalent to 120-600 and with the Nikon D7100's 1.3x crop mode, it becomes a whopping 160-800!
This would be miles better than a 70-200 f/2.8 for birding, wildlife and sports photography that are generally outdoors with very good light.
In the same sense, on a crop sensor DSLR, the 70-200 is equivalent to 105-300 and with the Nikon D7100's 1.3x crop mode, it becomes 140-400, which is also a very good range for events and some sports.
At the end of the day, it's what you want to do with your photography that dictates the type of gear you buy.
Here are some other shots I took at the camera shop:
Check out all the FULL RES photos from the review at my Flickr here.
I had fun at the camera shop.
I recommend that you go to a shop that is customer friendly and gives you the freedom to try and explore things for yourself.
Loyalty brings good business for both the customer and the seller, so be loyal and most of all, a friend.
If you're ever in JB and in need of gear, I'll be happy to recommend you to my camera guy, Jacky.
Just hit me up for details!
Until the next trip to Johan Photo & Electronics, Plaza Angsana, this has been pretty cool.
Recently I was in the market for a new telephoto lens, mostly because I haven't got one for myself.
At first, I was dead set on getting the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II for its obvious reasons: very good range, large fixed aperture, superb build quality and its flawless image quality.
But then while I was on YouTube looking for reviews, I found out another lens with twice the range of the 70-200, the AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR.
I thought to myself that it would be fantastic for events, which is currently my main focus in my photography.
There was much to consider with both lenses, and there weren't many comparisons already
So then I decided to make a hands-on comparison of my own.
I didn't do a too intrinsic or in-depth comparison of both.
I only wanted to find out the practicality and feel of the two and which would be more suitable for me.
At first, I put on the 80-400.
In the hands, it was seemingly lighter than the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII and the 80-200 f/2.8D, which I've used before.
At 80mm, the bokeh is quite nice and the quality is also remarkable.
There was a bit of a problem with bright LEDs where the colour would bleed and show a defect in Lightroom.
Here's a sample:
f/4.5 | 1/40 sec. | ISO-2000 | 80mm
At 400mm, the lens extends about two inches or so and because it isn't as heavy or as sturdy as a 70-200 f/2.8, I found myself shaking a little.
Maybe it was my nerves of using a new lens or maybe it was just the fact that I needed to work out more.
However, the lens does boast its VR that compensates up to 4 stops.
I don't know what this means but it didn't do much in reducing the vibration nor did it retain any sort of sharpness at the focus point.
I faced the same problem while using the 55-300 VR where most of my photos at 300mm weren't as sharp as at shorter focal lengths.
I didn't take a lot of photos with the lens and this is the only one left:
f/5.6 | 1/40 sec. | ISO-2000 | 400mm
This is a very bad photo. Couldn't stop shaking, although not vigorously, and the lens wasn't quick to focus. The VR was on but wasn't really effective.
Next, I tried out the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII and as always, it was fantastic.
At 70mm, you get very smooth bokeh due to the large aperture.
Both lenses showed close to no distortion at all across the focal range and the colour retention was good.
The lens felt good in the hands as it was a lot sturdier than the 80-400.
It also doesn't extend throughout the focal range so you don't have to shift balance when shooting.
I automatically got better shots with the lens, but this may be due to my frequent use of the lens, too.
Best shot at 70mm:
f/2.8 | 1/160 sec. | ISO-2000 | 70mm
At 200mm, the compressed background and large aperture make for a very smooth bokeh, even better than the one seen using the 80-200 f/2.8D.
To get the best sharpness, it is advised to shoot at least one stop lower, at f/4.0.
Sample photo:
f/2.8 | 1/160 sec. | ISO-2000 | 200mm
Evidently, even with its heaviness, the VRII works really well in reducing the shakiness of the photo. Also, a word to photographers out there: do NOT neglect exercise!
Overall, I would choose the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII.
You get more value for your money, and it is also at least half a thousand RM cheaper than the 80-400.
You lose that extra 200mm range but the fixed large aperture is so much more useful!
Unless you're sticking to stalker distance with very good light, the 70-200 f/2.8 would be the better take.
Of course, on a crop sensor DSLR, the 80-400 is equivalent to 120-600 and with the Nikon D7100's 1.3x crop mode, it becomes a whopping 160-800!
This would be miles better than a 70-200 f/2.8 for birding, wildlife and sports photography that are generally outdoors with very good light.
In the same sense, on a crop sensor DSLR, the 70-200 is equivalent to 105-300 and with the Nikon D7100's 1.3x crop mode, it becomes 140-400, which is also a very good range for events and some sports.
At the end of the day, it's what you want to do with your photography that dictates the type of gear you buy.
Here are some other shots I took at the camera shop:
Shot using the Nikon D7100 + 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 at 80mm
Shot using the Nikon D7100 + Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 at 10mm
The only thing I bought today: MB-D15 battery grip.
Check out all the FULL RES photos from the review at my Flickr here.
I had fun at the camera shop.
I recommend that you go to a shop that is customer friendly and gives you the freedom to try and explore things for yourself.
Loyalty brings good business for both the customer and the seller, so be loyal and most of all, a friend.
If you're ever in JB and in need of gear, I'll be happy to recommend you to my camera guy, Jacky.
Just hit me up for details!
Until the next trip to Johan Photo & Electronics, Plaza Angsana, this has been pretty cool.
"Bro, do you even lift?"
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