Nikon 200-400mm f/4G AF-S SWM SIC ED IF VR II Nikkor Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

by Nikon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 20.9 x 11 x 11 inches ; 7.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 13 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003JBHSHK
• Item model number: 200-400mm f/4G II
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 26, 2010

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This versatile Nikon super-telephoto zoom lens is perfect for sports and wildlife shooting offering constant maximum aperture and VR II Image Stabilization.

Lens Highlights

Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization
Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and video capture.

Nano Crystal Coat
Further reduces ghosting and interior flare across a wide range of wavelengths for even greater image clarity.

4 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements
Offers superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings.

Three Focus Modes
A/M mode joins the familiar M/A and M modes, enhancing AF control versatility with fast, secure switching between auto and manual focus to accommodate personal shooting techniques.

Internal Focus (IF)
Provides fast and quiet autofocus without changing the length of the lens, retaining working distance throughout the focus range.

Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM)
Enables fast, accurate and quiet autofocus.

Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC)
Enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare.

Rugged Construction
Featuring enhanced dust and moisture-resistance, magnesium die-cast barrel construction and a protective meniscus front lens.

Close Auto Focusing to 6.6 feet at all focal lengths
Focus to 6.6 feet using AF or 6.4 feet using manual focus enabling striking image perspectives.

Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image areas.

Compatibility
Compatibile with Nikon TC-14E II, TC-17E II and TC-20E II/III Teleconverters. AF operation only with TC14E II.

Sample Photographs

Product Description

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Gun, July 19, 2010

By 

Kelly J Clark (Lincoln, NE, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikon 200-400mm f/4G AF-S SWM SIC ED IF VR II Nikkor Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

The 200-400VRII is a very large serious piece of glass. You will want a sturdy gimbal mount. I use Monfroto's. Using a D3s and this lens can be done handheld for a few shots, or a steady rest. It is easy to handle and takes very very clear pictures. The focus lock feature gets used a lot if I have something like a tree branch in the forground. The 1.4 teleconverter ( be sure you get the right one )
maintains auto focus nicely. The 1.7 loses auto focus, but reaches out further and the picture quality is very good even in lower light. This lens and camera combo is incredible.

A couple of items could be inproved with the set. It comes with a very padded case. Nikon still packages every thing skin tight and small. this is a little annoying. You have to work to get the lens out of the case! There are several lose parts and pads with in the case. These end up being stuffed back in the case when you are using the lens. Then you have to dig them all out before the lens goes back in. annoying. The lens cap is a nylon bag with a draw string which again is skin tight. I can't get it off with one hand. There is no hard lens cap. I have heard someone makes an after market cap. The hood on the lens is large and has to be reversed to fit in the case. The case is not big enought to leave the teleconverters on and get it zipped up.

To deal with all of this I plan to have some extra straps sewn on the lens cover, the case will be lenthened or rebuilt to have larger openings and longer storage. I will add acouple of pockets for the lens cap and extra filters.
I also plan to have a holster built that will hold the camera and the lens for quicker access.

This not a rant. The lens is very very good. Until Nikon fixes these nuiances or you do, plan on leaving extra minutes to get the lens out and set it up and put it away. This is all OK if you are setting up for the day. Much of my work is run and gun. I need quick access for grab shots. Be carful mounting this lens on your camera. It would be easy to cross thread it. I like to be setting down with the lens held between my knees then screw the camera onto the lens. This kit is large it sometimes scares people. Just interesting reactions.

I have only shot a few thousand pictures with the lens, so it is pretty new. So far the pictures are stunning.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Detail !, August 3, 2010

By 

Miles J. Smith, III - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon 200-400mm f/4G AF-S SWM SIC ED IF VR II Nikkor Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I've been using the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II for a little over a month now and have been extremely pleased by the results I've had. I'm a photo hobbyist/ enthusiast and have never had as large a lens as this before but it is quickly becoming a favorite. In the short time that I have had the lens, I've mainly taken wildlife photos. What has impressed me most is how quickly the lens focuses and how spot-on the focus is. People are amazed when they see the detail the lens provides. I've actually handheld the lens using the VR II feature and the images were just as sharp as the tripod-mounted photos. Very impressive!

All-in-all, I'm very pleased with the results and have no buyer's remorse whatsoever. I would recommend this lens to anyone looking to jump into the high power zoom category.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Lens for Wildlife, March 2, 2011

By 

K. Herman "Kenh571" (South Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon 200-400mm f/4G AF-S SWM SIC ED IF VR II Nikkor Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I mostly shoot birds and this lens is perfect for shooting birds in flight. My other long lens is a 400 f/2.8 which is too heavy to hand hold, The 200-400 gives me much better flexibility while being not to heavy. I normally use it with a 1.4 tele-converter and that gives me a very workable 580. It is extremely fast to focus either with or without the TC and works very well for birds in flight. Image quality is almost as good as the 400 f/2.8 especially on close subjects, say up to 100 Yards. The VRII allows hand held shots down to about a 250th of a second and slower if I can brace against something when shooting.

I have gotten some fantastic shots with it that I would have missed with the larger lens because of the time required to set up a tripod. The lens is very sharp and easy to use it also provides some interesting features such as memory focus that is excellent for shooting birds coming and going from a nest or other set spot.

I normally carry it with a Black Rapid R-strap and find this allows easy carrying and use.

Overall I am extremely satisfied with this lens. It has become my main wildlife lens.