My new 400 f2.8E FL ED VR, sharpest lens I have ever used

[Lance B]

My favourite lens used to be the 300 f2.8 VRII, just stupid sharp and great overall IQ and this was backed up by DXO Mark which had it as the equal 2nd sharpest lens by Nikon, the 200 f2 VR being the sharpest @ 34 P-Mpix and the old 400 f2.8 VR and 300 f2.8 VR one point behind at 33 P-Mpix - nothing in it really. However, this new 400 f2.8E FL VR is just in another league, it is as sharp at f2.8 as it is stopped down! Put a TC on it, any TC, and you can hardly see it affect the IQ, even wide open!! There has been controversy about the new test site "Lenscore"

http://www.lenscore.org/

which rated the 400 f2.8E FL VR as the sharpest long tele they have tested, but I can vouch for it, it is ridiculously sharp and detailed with great overall IQ. Not only that, but every other aspect is a large step up. AF speed is blindingly fast and accurate, the bokeh is excellent as is contrast and colour balance.

The lens bare is stupid sharp and fantastic overall IQ.
Add the 1.4x TCIII and it is sharper than the 500 f4 VR, even wide open!
Add th 1.7x TCII and it is sharper than the 500 f4 + 1.4x TCIII, even wide open!
Add the 2x TCIII and it is sharper than the 500 f4 + 1.4x TCIII, even wide open!

My 500 f4 VR is now up for sale.

Some samples I took yesterday on my D810 to try it out:

@ f3.5, ISO224



100% crop of above



With 1.4x TCIII @ f5.6, ISO1425



With 1.4x TCIII @ f4 WIDE OPEN!!, ISO141



100% crop of above:



With 1.4x TCIII @ f5, ISO283



crop of above:



With 2x TCIII f7.1, ISO1008



100% crop of above:



With 1.7x TCII f4.8 WIDE OPEN!!, ISO400



100% crop of above:



Bare @ f3.2, ISO64



crop of above:



Bare @ f3.5, ISO64



100% crop of above:

[macmich]

well I agree wholly, that lens with your skill is a cracker

[Lance B]

well I agree wholly, that lens with your skill is a cracker

Thank you very much for your lovely comments, macmich!

[cupic]

Lance Lance Lance you making me cry .....
Clean Crisp Clear
This should be your Signature
Dropping some serious coin and with your skills .....
I want to be your understudy
My retina display is crying as well as being killer sharp

cheers

[mpb]

Yeah, yeah, but maybe a bit too sharp, they are soo sharp they make my eyes hurt.

[Lance B]

Lance Lance Lance you making me cry .....
Clean Crisp Clear
This should be your Signature
Dropping some serious coin and with your skills .....
I want to be your understudy
My retina display is crying as well as being killer sharp

cheers

Thank you very much for your wonderful comments, Cupic!

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Yeah, yeah, but maybe a bit too sharp, they are soo sharp they make my eyes hurt.

Is that possible?

[Dennis Estigoy]

That's really ridiculous! You can take macro shots with your objects 20 feet away. Congrats on your new weapon, mate!

[Unique Faces]

Wow ! What an incredible performer

[helmutk]

Lance congrats on your super Lens the images are great thanks for sharing

[Lance B]

That's really ridiculous! You can take macro shots with your objects 20 feet away. Congrats on your new weapon, mate!

Thank you very much for your kind comments, Dennis!

- - - Updated - - -

Wow ! What an incredible performer

Thank you very much for your lovely comments, Unique Faces!

- - - Updated - - -

Lance congrats on your super Lens the images are great thanks for sharing

Thank you very much for taking the time to look and for your lovely comments, Helmut!

[auz80]

Really impressive! Superb photos of beautiful birds. Thanks Lance!

Cheers, Don

[Glen1]

So sharp it's cut those birds in half. Have fun with your new toy.

Regards
Glen1

[Lance B]

Really impressive! Superb photos of beautiful birds. Thanks Lance!

Cheers, Don

Thank you very much for your kind comments, Don!

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So sharp it's cut those birds in half. Have fun with your new toy.

Regards
Glen1

Thank you vedry much fr your kind comments, Glen!

[salnel]

All I can say is WOW..all shots are so sharp and detailed ...just brilliant.

[feathers]

Can see why you love this lens sooo much. Great pics,.. and looking forward to seeing many more in the future Cheers.

[Lance B]

All I can say is WOW..all shots are so sharp and detailed ...just brilliant.

Thank you very much for your lovely comments, Sally!

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Can see why you love this lens sooo much. Great pics,.. and looking forward to seeing many more in the future Cheers.

Thank you very much for your wonderful comments, Feathers!

[bitsnpieces]

Definitely looks great, but I don't know if it's just me or does the head crop of the brown duck have some slight green colour fringing (or whatever it's called)?
Mostly noticeable between the eye and beak.

It doesn't occur on all images, just that one, and the tiny bird (absolutely extremely very little).

Anyways, just on a side note, do you think your D810 might suffer from a very very little bit of front focus?
I'm only making the observation because I'm presuming you focused on the eye for your images.

[geoff72]

Great shots, so clear and sharp

[cupic]

[QUOTE=Lance B;1282958]Thank you very much for your wonderful comments, Cupic!

Does that mean you will take me on as your apprentice

[MissNarniee]

Seriously awesome shots!!