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

[Lance B]

Great shots, so clear and sharp

Thank you very much for your kind comment, Geoff!

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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).

Yes, it was moire, but I have fixed it. The reason is, this lens is so sharp that moire becomes more of an issue. Less sharp lenses tend to mask the fact that the sensor has no AA filter. In otherwords, the lens acts a little like an AA filter. However this lens is so sharp that there is no hiding from moire in fine detail. I wasn't going to worry about it, but now someone has decided to be critical I thought I would go the extra and fix it.

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.

No, the camera and lens were corrected for any front rear focus issues by Nikon and I have verified that it is spot on. If there is some front focus it is because my focus point was not perfectly where I wanted it as it is quite a challenge to handhold a lens of this length, many using TC's making it worse and be 100% perfectly accurate. If that is the worst you can criticise, then I am happy even of you are not.

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[QUOTE=cupic;1283316]

Thank you very much for your wonderful comments, Cupic!

Does that mean you will take me on as your apprentice

More than happy for you to tag along for some photoshoots.

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Seriously awesome shots!!

Thank you very much for your lovely comments, MissNarniee!

[bricat]

So I guess we might as well not enter any bird competitions now Lance.

[Lance B]

So I guess we might as well not enter any bird competitions now Lance.

LOL. I am sure ultimate resolution is only part of the story.

[bitsnpieces]

Ah, good info to know about the moire issue - I wasn't sure so was just curious Thank you

[CarlR]

Great shots displaying incredible sharpness and detail (no doubt aided by solid technique!).

[Lance B]

Great shots displaying incredible sharpness and detail (no doubt aided by solid technique!).

Thank you very much for your lovely comment, Carl!

[red2thebones]

Awesome performance, both man and machine
The skill you showed, I must say, is inspiring, thank you for sharing.

[Lance B]

Awesome performance, both man and machine
The skill you showed, I must say, is inspiring, thank you for sharing.

Thank you very much for your lovely comments, red2thebones! You are very kind.

[richardb]

Perfect shots
I have the 300mm f/2.8 VR2 got it at Grays of Westminster, London. Have not use it too often.

[Lance B]

Perfect shots
I have the 300mm f/2.8 VR2 got it at Grays of Westminster, London. Have not use it too often.

Thank you very much for your lovely comments, Richard!

The 300 f2.8 VRII is also one of Nikon's best ever lenses and is still one of my favourite lenses. According to DXO Mark, it is equal second for sharpness, along with the old 400 f2.8, on 33P-Mpix after the 200 f2 on 34P-Mpix. The new 400 will test sharper I am sure.

[sanger]

Those photo's are amazing and I cannot get over the sharpness.

I hope it's ok to post these just as a comparison between them.

Cheers

[Lance B]

Those photo's are amazing and I cannot get over the sharpness.

Thank you very much for your lovely comment, sanger!

I hope it's ok to post these just as a comparison between them.

Cheers

No problems, but what lens and camera are you using?

[sanger]

Thank you very much for your lovely comment, sanger!



No problems, but what lens and camera are you using?

This photo was taken on a Nikon D3100 55-200.

[Lance B]

This photo was taken on a Nikon D3100 55-200.

Ah, I see. The difference between an approximately $220 lens and a $12,500 lens. I would be sorely disappointed if there was not a difference!

[oneeyedphoto]

Lance - You may get into serious trouble with the authorities owning WMD's (weapons of mass detail)

[Lance B]

Lance - You may get into serious trouble with the authorities owning WMD's (weapons of mass detail)

LOL. I'll have to watch out in future, I might be invaded by the US!

[knumbnutz]

it looks like its the sort of lens which you just buy another camera for just so it is always mounted to a camera... always.

Very sweet.

Bokeh on nikon lenses for me is interesting in that in some conditions I don't really like it where as surprisingly the Sigmas i have had always rendered better in this department, but FWIW, the bokeh is no issue that i could see in the shots you posted which is good to see.

soooooo, now it looks like you have a super 800 f5.6 setup too !!

[Lance B]

it looks like its the sort of lens which you just buy another camera for just so it is always mounted to a camera... always.

Very sweet.

Bokeh on nikon lenses for me is interesting in that in some conditions I don't really like it where as surprisingly the Sigmas i have had always rendered better in this department, but FWIW, the bokeh is no issue that i could see in the shots you posted which is good to see.

soooooo, now it looks like you have a super 800 f5.6 setup too !!

Thank you very much for your lovely comments and thoughts, Neil. Much appreciated!

[Margaret]

Absolutely stunning!!

[Lance B]

Absolutely stunning!!

You are very kind, Margaret. Thank you for your lovely comment!