Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200 400mm F 4G ED VR II Avis | 54 Données comparées

The ePHOTOzine review of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II highlights its unique status as a constant-aperture super-telephoto zoom, delivering excellent central resolution, high contrast, and effective flare reduction through Nano Crystal Coating. Updated VR II stabilization offers a four-stop advantage, paired with a fast, professional-grade autofocus system that includes a convenient A/M focus priority mode. Conversely, the lens is noted for being exceptionally heavy and bulky, making handheld shooting difficult, and its very high price point limits accessibility. Optically, the lens exhibits a noticeable drop in resolution at the edges and corners when zoomed to 300mm and 400mm at the maximum f/4 aperture.

The ePHOTOzine review rates the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 G ED VRII as a superb, ruggedly constructed professional lens, offering excellent sharpness, high resolution, and outstanding contrast throughout the zoom range. Key features include advanced VR II stabilization, Nano Crystal Coat to minimize ghosting, and an added A/M autofocus mode to prevent accidental overrides. Despite stellar performance, the review highlights the lens's immense weight and very high, premium price tag as significant drawbacks that often require a monopod or tripod. Ultimately, the review concludes that while it requires a substantial financial and physical investment, it delivers uncompromising, top-tier results for professionals and affluent enthusiasts.

The Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR II is a highly specialized super-telephoto zoom lens designed for photographers who need extreme reach, compositional flexibility, and reliable speed. Its standout pro is its unique 2x zoom range that seamlessly takes over where a standard 70-200mm f/2.8 leaves off. It delivers superior image quality and faster performance than pairing a 70-200mm lens with a teleconverter. Additional strengths include exceptional optical sharpness at concert-shooting distances, an effective HK-30 carbon fiber lens hood that completely eliminates lens flare, and built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) modes specialized for both normal and tripod use. Furthermore, its relatively slim profile makes it just barely light enough to hand-hold for short periods in tight shooting environments like concert pits. However, the lens presents several notable cons stemming from its physical size and design compromises. It is exceptionally long and heavy compared to professional f/2.8 zoom lenses, making handheld shooting a demanding, "necessary evil" rather than an ideal long-term choice. To achieve its zoom flexibility, it compromises on speed with a maximum aperture of f/4, losing the faster f/2.8 gathering capabilities of...

The DXOMARK review of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II highlights it as a highly popular and uniquely versatile super-telephoto zoom lens tailored for sports and wildlife photographers. Originally upgraded in 2010 to include VR II stabilization and a Nano Crystal Coat, this 3.36kg (7.4lbs) lens achieved an overall DxOMark score of 25. Its key pros include very good across-the-frame sharpness at full aperture throughout the zoom range—peaking at 250mm f/4—along with exceptionally low levels of chromatic aberration. Furthermore, compared to its primary competitor, the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L, the Nikon lens is praised for being significantly more affordable at a retail price of $7,000 versus Canon's eye-watering $11,799. On the downside, the review outlines several prominent optical and physical cons. Structurally, the lens is described as quite hefty, making hand-held shooting a physical challenge. Optically, its peak sharpness falls short when compared directly to fixed focal length prime equivalents, and its light transmission is notably lower than its stated f/4 maximum aperture. Finally, when stacked against the newer Canon alternative, the older Nikon design displays less...

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II is a high-performance telephoto zoom lens designed specifically for sports and wildlife photographers who need an expansive reach without compromising on lighting capabilities. Retailing at a premium price point, the lens delivers exceptionally sharp images with a consistent maximum aperture of f/4 throughout its entire zoom range. It features a robust internal zoom design that eliminates lens extension, an advanced vibration reduction system for steadier tracking, and practical inclusions like a dedicated carrying case, strap, and rotating tripod collar. Furthermore, its versatile autofocus system includes an AF limiter switch and focus memory recall settings, making it highly responsive when shooting action at predefined distances. Despite its superior optics and professional-grade build, the lens presents clear trade-offs in terms of physical size and handling, weighing in at a heavy 7.4 pounds and measuring over 14 inches long. This massive footprint makes handholding the lens for extended periods deeply tiring, necessitating a monopod or a secure cross-body strap to relieve mounting stress. Optically, the lens experiences some minor edge softness and slight color...

In this review, Wayne Kliewer shares his real-world experience using the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm F/4G ED VR II during a three-week African photo safari. Paired primarily with a full-frame Nikon D3S, the lens successfully covered the massive focal gap between his 70-200mm and 500mm lenses, proving to be an exceptionally versatile tool for capturing sunsets, birds in flight, and large mammals. The reviewer heavily praises the lens's build quality and fast, low-light autofocus performance. It effortlessly endured bumpy, dusty safari conditions with daily cleanings, demonstrating outstanding durability and delivering a nearly 50:50 usage split compared to his 500mm prime lens. Unique Photo The lens boasts substantial pros, including very fast and accurate autofocus, a versatile zoom range that offers composition flexibility, and an impressive close minimum focus distance of about six feet. It is also smaller, lighter, and easier to travel with or handhold than giant prime telephotos, and its fast f/4 aperture serves well for shallow depth of field or landscape framing. However, Kliewer also notes notable cons: the lens is quite pricey for a maximum 400mm reach,...

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II is a heavy, high-end telephoto zoom lens designed for sports and wildlife photographers who need a bright aperture over a long range. Priced at a premium MSRP of $6,999.95, it measures 14.4 by 4.9 inches and weighs 7.4 pounds, making handholding difficult for long periods without the aid of a monopod. The lens features a true internal zoom design, meaning its barrel does not extend when changing focal lengths, and it includes advanced controls such as an focus limiter switch, a vibration reduction (VR) toggle with Active and Normal modes, and a customizable memory recall button. In lab testing paired with a 36-megapixel Nikon D810, the lens demonstrated excellent center-weighted sharpness across all focal lengths at f/4, with image quality remaining strong when stopped down to f/5.6 and f/8. The lens's primary advantages include its outstanding sharpness, wide constant f/4 maximum aperture, internal zoom build, and robust vibration reduction system. It also provides a versatile minimum focus distance of 6.4 feet in manual mode and comes packaged with a carrying case,...