Lens Testing - Nikon 80-400vr - page 1
Non-scientific, seat-of-the-pants shots with a Nikon 80-400vr lens. Tripod mounted 80-400vr, with Really Right Stuff tripod collar and remote release. Care was taken to maximize image quality. These are a series of shots out of a D300 and a D700 camera at different F-stops to see how center sharpness varied. Converted from NEF to JPG with CaptureNX2. For more information, view the EXIF data. Images are not resized.

Note: When I took the D300 samples, the lens was probably front-focusing just a bit, and some increase in sharpness as I stopped down was due to getting better depth of field coverage. There was also some wind blowing the subject's feathers in some shots.

Sure can see dust spots when you stop down a lot... You can see why I generally shoot at F9 to F14: Lack of sharpness below that, lack of shutter speed above. My experience says "Shoot this lens at F9-F11, and no less than F8. on a D300"

The lens looks better to me on a D700. Three sets of test images were done - the first set with VR off. The second set at 1/200th shutter speed with VR on. The third set at 1/100th shutter speed with VR. All were taken with mirror-up and remote release. I shot in manual mode with auto-iso, so the images with a high F-stop number also have pretty high ISO to take into consideration.
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F6.3, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/1600, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F6.3, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/1600, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F7, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/1600, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F7, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/1600, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/1250, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/800, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/800, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/640, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/640, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F11, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/640, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F11, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/640, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F13, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/400, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F13, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/400, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F14, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/400, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F14, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/400, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F16, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F16, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F18, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F18, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/250, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F20, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/160, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F20, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/160, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F22, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/125, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F22, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/125, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F25, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/125, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F25, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/125, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F29, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/80, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F29, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/80, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F32, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/60, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F32, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/60, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F40, ***<br>NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/50, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F40, ***
NIKON D300, shutter speed 1/50, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 600mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F5.6, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F5.6, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F6.3, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 250
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F6.3, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 250

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F7, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 280
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F7, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 280

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 360
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 360

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 450
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 450

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 560
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 560

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F11, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 640
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F11, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 640

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F13, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 800
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F13, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 800

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F14, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 1000
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F14, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 1000

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F16, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 1250
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F16, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 1250

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F18, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 1600
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F18, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 1600

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F20, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 2000
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F20, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 2000

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F22, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 2800
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F22, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 2800

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F25, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 3600
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F25, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 3600

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 360
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 360

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F5.6, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F5.6, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F6.3, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 220
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F6.3, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 220

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F7, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 250
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F7, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 250

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 320
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 320

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 400
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 400

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 500
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 500

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F11, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 640
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F11, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 640

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F13, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 800
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F13, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 800

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F14, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 1000
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F14, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 1000

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F16, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 1250
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F16, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 1250

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F18, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 1600
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F18, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 1600

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F20, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 2000
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F20, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/200, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 2000

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F5.6, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F5.6, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F6.3, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F6.3, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F7, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F7, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F8, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 200
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F9, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 200

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 280
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F10, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 280

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F11, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 360
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F11, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 360

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F13, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 450
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F13, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 450

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F14, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 500
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F14, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 500

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F16, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 640
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F16, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 640

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F18, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 800
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F18, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 800

AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F20, ***<br>NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm,  effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm<br>ISO 900
AF VR Zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, *** Aperture: F20, ***
NIKON D700, shutter speed 1/100, focal length 400mm, effective focal length on 35mm film 400mm
ISO 900