Lens Testing - Nikon 80-400 AF-S versus 80-400 AF versus 300F4 with Nikon 1.4 TC - page 11
I got a new Nikon 80-400vr AF-S lens, and I wanted to see if it was better than the old one (should be little doubt there) or the 300f4 AF-S with Nikon 1.4 teleconverter.

I took all three lenses and the teleconverter into the desert to shoot my favorite owl nest in a big cactus. The feather detail will really show differences between good and mediocre lenses, and the cactus spines help show issues with depth of field or focus point problems.

I tested all three lenses first with a D800s, then a D300, then a Nikon V1. I also put the 1.4 TC on the 80-400vr for a few test shots on the D800e.

These are preliminary shots. I found issues with the testing, and I need to repeat the test.

You can identify the new AF-S 80-400vr by the 'G' in the lens name.
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F14 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 640<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F14 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 640
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F16 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 640<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F16 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 640
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F18 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/160, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 800<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F18 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/160, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 800
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F20 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/125, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 800<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F20 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/125, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 800
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F22 ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/125, focal length 420mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm<br>ISO 800<br>
AF 300mm f/4D, *** Aperture: F22 ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/125, focal length 420mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 630mm
ISO 800
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F8 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 550mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 550mm<br>ISO 500<br>
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F8 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 550mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 550mm
ISO 500
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F10 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/800, focal length 550mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 550mm<br>ISO 500<br>
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F10 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/800, focal length 550mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 550mm
ISO 500
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F14 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 550mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 550mm<br>ISO 640<br>
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F14 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 550mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 550mm
ISO 640
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F16 ***<br>NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/320, focal length 550mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 550mm<br>ISO 640<br>
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, *** Aperture: F16 ***
NIKON D800E, shutter speed 1/320, focal length 550mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 550mm
ISO 640