Nikon 400f2.8 AF-S

Nikkor 400 AF-S Ever since the very first manual 400f2.8 EDIF lens came into the country and I shot with it, I have been in love with this focal length and f/stop. The problem though with that lens was its size, weight and balance, a problem not fixed IMHO in the AF-I version, but a problem blown out of the water with the new 400f2.8D EDIF AF-S lens! This is one sweet lens!!! (my wallet has the shrinking feeling again)

Now I know folks are going to ask why do I own the 400f2.8 AF-S and the 600f4 AF-I? The reason is because of my personal tastes and projects I'm setting for myself. When it comes to photographing big game such as bighorn sheep, moose or mammals such as wolves in the wild (not in pens), the feeling the 400m lens gives me in my images is what I'm looking for. It's strictly a personal thing I feel so strongly about, I have the lens now permantly in my bag when going after that subject.

Others wonder why not get rid of the 600f4 and rely on teleconverters to get to 560mm or 800mm with the 400f2.8. While it's true you can achieve those focal lengths, you won't get the depth-of-field. DOF is a critical part of my photographic style and I don't get what I need at those focal lengths putting a teleconverter on the 400f2.8. If you're not sure what I mean or don't know really how DOF effects your images, I strongly suggest you subscribe to the BT Journal because you'll find in the Vol. 4 Issue 1 the most comprehensive article on DOF you'll ever find in print.

Here's all of its specs:

Lens Construction: 11 elements in 9 groups, + dust proof glass front
Picture Angle: 6 degrees 10 minutes
Distance Scale: Graduated in meters and feet from 3.8m/15ft to infinity
Aperture Range: f2.8-22
Aperture blades: 9 rounded blades
Focusing: Internal
Autofocus Motor: Silent Wave
Autofocus time:from infinity to MFD, 0.27 second (flying dude!)
Filter: 52mm drop-in
Dimensions: 160mm x 350mm (13.7" long)
Weight: Tad over 10lbs

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