Nikon AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6d IF-ED VR

IF BLAZING AUTOFOCUS SPEED ISN’T ON YOUR LIST OF ‘MUST-HAVES’, THIS IS A CLASSIC LENS

RELEASED: 2000 PRICE NEW: £649/$599 SECONDHAND PRICE: ‘Excellent’ £449/$495 ‘Good’ £395/$425

Vibration Reduction has revolutionized handheld shooting and this lens kicked off the whole VR era as Nikon’s first ever stabilized lens. Although designed for 35mm film cameras, it’s compatible with all FX digital bodies, as well as up-market DX cameras. But as an AF rather than AF-S or AF-P lens, it has no internal AF motor and won’t autofocus on bodies like the D3500. Some old AF lenses manage speedy autofocus but this isn’t one of them. It probably has the slowest AF of any Nikon lens ever made, so it’s not up to tracking fast-moving action. If that’s not on your agenda, it’s an excellent lens.

Key points 1. Vibration Reduction

First in Nikon’s illustrious line-up of VR lenses, it has a 2-stop optical stabilizer with auto panning detection.

2. Dual VR modes

VR has two modes, working just during exposures or for longer periods to give a viewfinder preview.

3. Manual/auto focusing

A separate ring with a locking button is featured just behind the focus ring, to enable selection of auto or manual focus.

Focal length (DX):

120-600mm Minimum aperture: f/32 VR: 2 stops Min focus distance: 2.3m Max magnification: 0.42x Filter size: 77mm Dimensions (dia x length): 91x171mm Weight: 1.36kg