Author Topic: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced  (Read 26280 times)

longzoom

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #60 on: January 26, 2018, 00:08:21 »
Detailed take on PL by Nasim Mansurov of the specs of this new super-zoom

https://photographylife.com/nikon-180-400mm-f-4e-tc1-4-fl-ed-vr-announcement#more-152569

to quote re TC performance: "The above MTF charts are extremely impressive. Looks like the built-in 1.4x teleconverter mostly negatively affects the wider focal lengths, where there is a visible drop in sharpness. However, if you look at the MTF charts of the Nikon 200-400mm f/4G VR II above, you will realize that the 180-400mm with the 1.4x performs as good as the 200-400mm without one! I honestly did not expect the built-in teleconverter to be this good, but as I have pointed out earlier, that’s what happens with a teleconverter is specifically made for a lens. Now take a look at the right two graphs, where performance at 400mm is shown with and without a teleconverter – this is where I was blown away when I first saw the MTF chart. With these MTF charts, Nikon is basically saying that the built-in 1.4x teleconverter will not affect contrast or sharpness, since the lines are practically unchanged! Only towards the mid-frame and edges of the frame is where we can see a slight drop in performance, but otherwise, this looks unbelievably good. To me, this looks like an invitation to stack another 1.4x on top of the lens…"
   This TC is placed in the middle of the optical composition, not on the back, that's why it is so unusually good!  LZ

chambeshi

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #61 on: February 14, 2018, 15:48:14 »
Latest from Brad Hill on more affordable alternatives to 180-400 f4 Nikkor

http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html#Nikon180-400_alternatives

JKoerner007

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #62 on: February 14, 2018, 16:27:20 »
Latest from Brad Hill on more affordable alternatives to 18-400 f4 Nikkor

http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html#Nikon180-400_alternatives


Photography Life isn't as kind about the Sigma 120-300 as Hill.
(Login to see the comparison chart below compared to the 300mm VR II below:)


Seapy

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #63 on: February 22, 2018, 10:38:24 »
Yesterday at the Manchester Nikon Roadshow I was able to use and handle the 180-400 mounted on a D5.  Unfortunately although it was tripod mounted it may as well have hung from a piece of string, the tripod head was as unstable as you can imagine.  However, I did get the feel of it, one thing sticks in my mind was the smooth way the TC switches in and out, with a right finger, while maintaining a full grip of the camera. It can be locked in the on or off position.

I can't speak for the sharpness, a distant road sign which defined clearly with another D5 and a 600mm FL lens, was almost unreadable, even allowing for the floppy mount, so I can only conclude the lens and body AF systems were mis matched.
Robert C. P.
South Cumbria, UK

Ilkka Nissilä

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #64 on: February 22, 2018, 12:08:27 »
I can't speak for the sharpness, a distant road sign which defined clearly with another D5 and a 600mm FL lens, was almost unreadable, even allowing for the floppy mount, so I can only conclude the lens and body AF systems were mis matched.

Was the TC in place when you got that result? I'm wondering if the TC requires its own fine tuning (this is usual). A check with LV AF on a static subject would give an idea of what kind of performance can be expected in the absence of focusing errors (provided there is enough light).

While a zoom may not quite match the performance of a prime, I would expect relatively small differences here given the high cost of the zoom.

Wobbly tripod certainly doesn't help. VR might be expected to help to cope with it though.

Seapy

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #65 on: February 22, 2018, 14:19:23 »
The road sign was central and barely visible through the viewfinder, measured on Google Earth as 240 Metres, text 25mm high?

I tried both with and without the TC, the lack of sharpness was only visible by zooming in to 100%.  It had the appearance of overall blur rather than motion blur which tends to have more effect in one direction and a semblance of a double image. The VR was doing it's stuff apparently, or could it have caused the blur?  I don't have experience of modern VR lenses.

My take was the AF needed fine tuning but maybe it was down to other causes.  I don't believe it was the lack of quality in the lens.

This is the road sign taken from Google street view and the line of sight from the third floor point where the camera was situated.

As I said it was clearly readable with a 600 FL on a D5?  Perhaps they didn't bother calibrating the AF.
Robert C. P.
South Cumbria, UK

Bent Hjarbo

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #66 on: February 22, 2018, 14:48:16 »
The road sign was central and barely visible through the viewfinder, measured on Google Earth as 240 Metres, text 25mm high?

I tried both with and without the TC, the lack of sharpness was only visible by zooming in to 100%.  It had the appearance of overall blur rather than motion blur which tends to have more effect in one direction and a semblance of a double image. The VR was doing it's stuff apparently, or could it have caused the blur?  I don't have experience of modern VR lenses.

My take was the AF needed fine tuning but maybe it was down to other causes.  I don't believe it was the lack of quality in the lens.

This is the road sign taken from Google street view and the line of sight from the third floor point where the camera was situated.

As I said it was clearly readable with a 600 FL on a D5?  Perhaps they didn't bother calibrating the AF.
If they wanted to sell optics in that price range they should have bothered!

RoyC

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #67 on: February 22, 2018, 16:54:45 »
Common for VR being an issue at certain SS. My super telephotos have ever had the VR turned on.

MILLIREHM

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #68 on: February 22, 2018, 22:52:06 »
Rarely use VR as well - not too helpful on a weak tripod with short shutterspeed either.
I can imagine the setup with one of this mass- ware tripods with extended center column and 3way head frequently observed at presentations.

I dont expect the IQ of the 180-400 to equal the 600/4
Wolfgang Rehm

Seapy

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #69 on: February 22, 2018, 23:29:37 »
The tripod heads have had their rotation lock screws removed.  The tripods themselves were adequate, but all of the heads were floppy the rotation axis, to say the least.

The 800mm FL wasn't sharp either, on the same road sign.  I am sure the 180-400 should have made that sign readable if it were set up properly.  I couldn't focus manually because it was impossible to hold it steady enough.
Robert C. P.
South Cumbria, UK

RoyC

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #70 on: February 23, 2018, 00:56:08 »
If the 180-400 will be as sharp (or equally unsharp) as the 800mm E FL, I should go preorder one.

MILLIREHM

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #71 on: February 23, 2018, 13:27:58 »
Its the weakest points that count, good tripods with poor heads does not bring you any further. Then it is better (but not possible in exhibition enviroment) to use the lens handheld or place it somwehere. Based on the experiences with the 200-400 it shouldbe doable with the 180-400 as well, it is possible but more difficult with the 800/5,6.
The 800 f/5,6 FL has proven that it can deliver sharp results from the 180-400 we can expect it. But the sharpness differences coming from lens design will be smaller than the effects on sharpness by external factors
Wolfgang Rehm

Gary Irwin

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #72 on: February 23, 2018, 14:23:59 »
If the 180-400 will be as sharp (or equally unsharp) as the 800mm E FL, I should go preorder one.

Me as well, but I don't think that's going to be possible...way too much glass & moving parts involved. But for sure it should be much better than the 200-400.

John G

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #73 on: February 25, 2018, 10:27:26 »
Wondering if the Stacked Teleconverter assembly is usable, Internal 1.4 TC + TC 1.4E III.
Will this give a 2.8 TC with a sharp image ?
John Gallagher

Ilkka Nissilä

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Re: Nikon AF-S 180-400mm f/4 announced
« Reply #74 on: February 25, 2018, 14:25:08 »
f/11 won’t AF well (it may AF in live view). I think for the money a 600 would be better if you want to add further TC. With 600/4 + 2X you get f/8 so you get some AF.