Camera Labs

When looking at long tele-zooms for Nikon I naturally stumbled across the venerable 80-400mm/F4.5-5.6 VR lens from Nikon.
It got some nice tests/reviews:
- http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80400stv.htm
- http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses ... /index.htm
- http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80400vr.htm
But all stumbled across the same negative points:
- AF is slow, sometimes hunting. AF-S would be very welcome!
- manual switch between AF and manual focus. This is outdated!
- tripod-collar: crappy!

My question, as the lens is a big investment (around 1500 EUR) and is a 2000 design: Are there any rumours about Nikon updating this fine lens with AF-S + the latest VR-incarnation in the near future

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

There are rumors about 15 new Nikkor lenses!!!
One of them could be an AF-S, VR II version of the 80-400...

Personally, I'm so upset with Nikon not announcing anything on their 90th birthday that I started looking at Sigmas... I need a fast "autofocus on the D40" prime - a 28mm (1.4 if possible, or at least 1.8 ) which is the normal lens for a D40. I'll also check the reviews on the new 18-50 2.8 HSM...

Darrin

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Nikon D40 | Nikkor 18-55 VR | Nikkor 55-200 VR | Voigtländer Ultron 40mm SL-II | Nikon Speedlight SB-400

Very interesting, Darrin! Where have you found these rumours?

I thought that - as the 80-400 is a FF-lens - perhaps they (Nikon) find it appropriate to update it when the new (equally rumoured) FF-body arrives

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

On the forum where all the rumors are started

Darrin

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Nikon D40 | Nikkor 18-55 VR | Nikkor 55-200 VR | Voigtländer Ultron 40mm SL-II | Nikon Speedlight SB-400

Yeah I would like a f1.8 or lower lens with 25ish mm or below.

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Nikon D80 | 18-135mm Kit Lens | 50mm f/1.8 | 4GB 150x Card | SB-600
http://flickr.com/photos/antmanisfubar

I have used my friends' 80-400mm lens and in practice the autofocus is decent, but sometimes it does hunt, not good if you use it for wildlife or sports, however I do recommend the Nikkor 70-200mm VR it has a constant aperture of f/2.8 (decent) also if you think the range isn't enough I use teleconverters with helps, and I like the vibration reduction buisness. However there is one thing that I like the best, it's AF-S and it has a whopping 5 ED glass elements (insted of 3 in the 80-400). I also like the size it's pretty compact and for me- it comes in two colors

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Assistant News Photojournalist
Nikon and Canon Systems
A variety of f/2.8 lenses from 10.5 to 400mm
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I know th e VR 70-200mm/F2.8 is a fantastic lens, and I would have it if it was not for the 18-200mm. Also it's a bit steep in price (add the 2x Nikon teleconverter) and you're well north of 2000EUR, and not even especially short or light.
Cornelius is also very fond of this lens: http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=462

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses