Nikon 300mm f4 or 80-400g

paulm2930

paulm2930

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Enthusiast Nikon user with a D610 and 70-200 2.8 vr1 and TC17 with a conundrum. I would like more reach whilst keeping sharpness and have been considering the 300 f4 (non PF) against the 80-400g. I could stretch to keeping the 70-200 and adding the 300mm if I decide on that option but would have to trade the 70-200 for the 80-400 if I decide on that. But as I have a budget going with the 80-400g option would mean that’s all I’d have for the time being. I shoot motorsport occasionally and lately becoming more keen on wildlife/birds.

I’m after opinions as to what you’d do.
If I go 80-400 will I miss the 70-200. Will I miss the vr at that focal length if I go 300mm prime.

Focus speed will play a part too, I’m used to the speed of the 70-200 focus speed and don’t want to sacrifice that as much as possible.

Any one here own both that I’m considering able to give their thoughts on each.

Paul
 
Personally I’d keep the 70-200mm and buy the Tamron 100-400mm. Not much matches the AF speed of the 70-200mm f2.8’s but the 100-400mm is fast enough imo and under £500 grey.
 
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The 300 af-s is a great option to go with a 70-200. Very sharp and focuses quickly, when paired with a 1.4tc is makes for a great wildlife lens. The 300 af-s also has a short minimum focus distance and works really well with skittish bugs and dragonflies etc. If paired with a close-up lens like a Canon 500d, it works as a great true macro option. Had one as my wildlife option for years before upgrading to the PF version, optically there is nothing to chose between them, just size.
 
snerkler said:
Personally I’d keep the 70-200mm and buy the Tamron 100-400mm. Not much matches the AF speed of the 70-200mm f2.8’s but the 100-400mm is fast enough imo and under £500 grey.
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Thanks for your opinion snerkler, a good suggestion but I had a look at the Tamron and didn’t get on with it. I’m trying to stay within Nikon as well.
 
I replaced an old sigma 100-300 with the Nikon 300mm f/4, very sharp and works great with the 1.4 TC. I have the Nikon 70-200 f/4 which made a great combo with the 300mm and 2 bodies but I missed the flexibility of a longer zoom so I bought a Nikon 200-500 f/5.6 which also takes a 1.4 too and haven't used the 300mm since.
 
Have you considered saving a lot of money and instead invest in AI Gigapixel which can give the equivalent reach of a 400mm by upscaling your 200mm by a factor of 2?

It's free to try for 30 days so I would try it to see if it suits.

https://topazlabs.com/downloads#ai-gigapixel
 
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