On 80-400G /D800 combo.

[tommiejeep]

LZ, more really good images.  I have high hopes for the D500, 80-400 afs.  It really does not work well with theD7100 even after sending the combo to Nikon.  Works well with all of my other cameras.
Tom

[longzoom]

LZ, more really good images.  I have high hopes for the D500, 80-400 afs.  It really does not work well with theD7100 even after sending the combo to Nikon.  Works well with all of my other cameras.
Tom

    Hi, Tom! In my experience, D500, while really nice, is not resolving enough for such the  sensor "killer" 80-400 G lens. The lens is outresolving this 20MP sensor easily, as well as D800-810 sensors. As for today, the D7200 is more sufficient for 80-400 G lens. Of course, the low-resolving D7100 sensor is eating alive by so demanding and extra-high resolving 80-400 lens. Please notice it is my own opinion, your way may vary! Thank you for your comment!  LZ

[tommiejeep]

LZ, I am buying he D500 primarily for fast birds and soccer.  I have many favourite images with the D300/D300s/D700 and D3s. I seriously thought about the D7200 , half the price, but this will very likely be my last Dx camera,   I still get a kick from shooting the D300/300s and D700.
 
It is more important for me to get a good image than high resolution.  People have printed frame filling life size sports images of mine from the 12/13 MP sensors as posters.

Dx camera.  Funny, the D610 handled the TC2III very well with the 300 2.8vr, not the D7100.  I've just never really bonded with it. I am hoping for a fast 20-24MP FX.  D750 is a great camera. Maybe Nikon will introduce a D760 with increased FPS, better AF and buffer.   I very rarely shoot long bursts any mor but the speed of a 3 or 4 shot burst is important as well as a big buffer.  I often shoot many short burst with almost no time gap.   That is the nature of an exciting soccer match    Boring matches mean shooting the fans, Official or birds
Tom

[MILLIREHM]

I have made good experiences with the D500 and the 80-400G for travelling and hiking and still have bird animals and action-photography capability. Havent seen any need for higher pixel density so far, teh D500s densitiy ist higher than those of the D8xx series anyway, would run into more noise troubles probably. I dont see the more pixels of the D7200 too advantageous, AF performance (speed and accuracy) cache size and high fps of the D500 are considerably more important factors to me.

[longzoom]

Thanks God, all of us have our own way in photography, Ladies and Gentlemen! As more we share our experience, as much we gained! As for my style, speed and buffer are not that important, but quality and quantity of the pixels and their density  is extremely important for me!  It is very interesting to read your comments, Gentlemen! THX!  LZ

[MILLIREHM]

Photographic habits and styles form diffierent priorities
I also feel enriched by reading about other peoples approaches and insights

[longzoom]

20161104-2016-11-04 067 by 20161104-2016-11-04 067-2 by longzoom, on Flickroom/]longzoom[/url], on Flickr20161104-2016-11-04 033 by 20161104-2016-11-04 033-2 by longzoom, on Flickr20161112-2016-11-12 011-2 by longzoom, on Flickr20161112-2016-11-12 011-2-2 by longzoom, on Flickrlongzoom, on Flickr. Autumn colors, crops... LZ

[longzoom]

20161104-2016-11-04 038-4 by 20161112-2016-11-12 010-2 by 20161112-2016-11-12 009 by longzoom, on F20161112-2016-11-12 006-2 by longzoom, on Flickrlickrngzoom/]longzoom[/url], on Flickrgzoom/]longzoom[/url], on Flickr.   Something from mine...   LZ

[Roland Vink]

You certainly get excellent results with this lens.

Curiously the AFS 80-400VRII does not measure up so well compared to primes or the Canon 100-400 at LensRentals. Their tests are among the best and most reliable - they measure multiple copies so you can't say they cherry picked a good copy, or have a bad sample. See: https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2016/08/the-sort-of-great-400mm-shootout/

"Commonly called the 80-400 VR II, this lens has been the Nikon 400mm zoom for some time now. It’s, well, it’s better up to about 300mm, but it’s just not that good when you stretch it out to 400mm. Not a great performance for a lens that demands a premium price."

[longzoom]

True, indeed! Some tests doesn't cost the paper it was written on - I mean 80-400G or 28-300 Nikkors.  People, sometimes, do want look more knowledgeable than they really are! Nobody never ever can make any conclusion based on one only copy of anything - lens, car, wife/husband - you name it, hah-hah! That's why I am staying - do speak about your own copy, never make bold statement about anything.  The 80-400G lens is fantastically good thru the range, especially at 400mm, as you can see. The main reason, even respectful tester can make wrong conclusion on this lens, is lack of time - they can't perform the FT as precise as it must be. This operation on 80-400G lens requires a lot of time and efforts. Mistake of 1-2 units could lead you to a tunnel effect at 400mm - so-so sharp center and progressively softer sides. Do not make rush, guys, with this lens!  Thank you for your comment!  LZ

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20161114-2016-11-14 003 by 20161114-2016-11-14 003-2 by longzoom, on Flickrgzoom/]longzoom[/url], on Flickr20131120-girl picture copy-2 - Copy by 20131120-girl picture copy-2 - Copy-2 by longzoom, on Flickrlongzoom, on Flickr     Illustrations to above:  Old man at 400mm, f6.7,  crop.  Baby image - 28-300 Nikkor, at 135mm, f8.0.  Crop. Both images are a little crops from originals. Go to Flickr for full resolution. LZ

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20161113-2016-11-13 003 by 20161113-2016-11-13 003-2 by longzoom, on Flickr/]longzoom[/url], on Flickr20161112-2016-11-12 002 by 20161112-2016-11-12 002-2 by longzoom, on Flickrlongzoom, on Flickr.  Couple more images with crops.  Full EXIF on the Flickr.   THX!   LZ

[longzoom]

20161113-2016-11-13 010 by longzoom, on Flickr.   It was the Night when the Moon stood still... Was taken at 400mm, wide open, 1/30 hand held.  It is huge crop, of course, about 100%.  Thank you!   LZ

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20161117-2016-11-17 036 by 20161117-2016-11-17 036-2 by longzoom, on Flickrom/]longzoom[/url], on Flickr20161123-2016-11-23 014 by longzoom, on Flickr    Upper image with crop. Oh yes, autumn is gone, completely...  LZ

[longzoom]

2017-03-16 012-1-3 by 2017-03-16 012-1-4 by longzoom, on Flickrlongzoom, on Flickr2017-03-18 004-1 by 2017-03-18 004-1-2 by longzoom, on Flickrlongzoom, on Flickr.  Couple more images with crops. Since this post, no more D800 in use, but D810 only. THX!  LZ