Nikon 200-400 F4 VR 2

[Spudnik510]

I’m looking into the Nikon 200-400 F4 VR2, I have currently got the Nikon 200-500 but I am wanting something with a bit more apature for the early mornings and evenings. I really like the look of the Nikon 200-400. However I’m not sure about the quality of the images of the long end of 400mm. I have heard the lens struggles with sharpness at this point. Has anybody got any experience with this lens any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[welshwizard645]

Interested to hear what is said. I also have 200-500 having agonised over the the 200-400 - put off by the cost and weight - but that extra stop is useful for wildlife, I find f5.6 limiting.

 

[wookie6262]

I’m looking into the Nikon 200-400 F4 VR2, I have currently got the Nikon 200-500 but I am wanting something with a bit more apature for the early mornings and evenings. I really like the look of the Nikon 200-400. However I’m not sure about the quality of the images of the long end of 400mm. I have heard the lens struggles with sharpness at this point. Has anybody got any experience with this lens any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks

I had the V1 and it was fine as long as subjects were fairly close. It is a well document issue when focusing further out that images are soft. I ended up selling it and getting a much older 400mm F2.8 which I loved and was way better at F2.8 than the 200-400 was at F4. For wildlife the longer focal lengths tend to get used far more often unless it is bigger mammals. The 200-500 aren't the nicest lens to handhold either(better than an old 400mm F2.8 though) as they are front heavy.