Nikon 180-400mm
FX AF-S f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR
Nikon 180-400mm f/4E VR TC (built-in switchable 1.4x teleconverter, 40.5mm drop-in filters, 123.5 oz./7.72 pounds/3,500g, 6.5'/2m close focus, about $12,397.) bigger. I'd get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used lens for your 12-plus grand. Get yours only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
January 2018 Nikon Reviews Nikon Lenses Nikon Flash All Reviews
Canon 200-400mm f/4 w/1.4x extender (2013-today)
Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR II (2010-2018)
Nikon 200-400mm VR (2003-2010)
Nikon 180-400mm f/4E VR TC. bigger.
Introduction
Top Intro Format Compatibility
I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
This new 180-400mm replaces the old 200-400mm f/4 VR II of 2010. This lens has a fluorite element and a magnesium alloy body.
This new lens adds a built-in 1.4x teleconverter that switches-in with a finger without taking your eye from your finder. It converts this lens to a 250-560mm f/5.6.
Used on DX, this lens sees the equivalent of a 270-600mm lens on FX, which becomes the equivalent of 380-840mm with the teleconverter.
The VR mechanism offers a normal and sports mode, with up to four stops of compensation to help create sharp images, even when handheld.
This 180-400mm became available in March 2018 for $12,397.
I'd get my 180-400mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
New
● Built-in switchable 1.4x teleconverter makes this a 250-560mm f/5.6 lens, too.
● Fluorite element.
● Ball-bearing tripod collar ring for fast, smooth swapping from horizontal to vertical shots.
Format
Top Intro Format Compatibility
I'd get my 180-400mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This is a full frame FX lens, and I'm reviewing it as such.
It works great on DX cameras, too, on which you may make the usual inferences.
Compatibility
Top Intro Format Compatibility
I'd get my 180-400mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
It has a new electronic diaphragm; that's the "E" designation.It works on all FX Nikons, and works well on DX Nikons introduced since about 2007.
YES: As of January 2018, this 180-400mm works only on the D5, D4, D4s, D3, D3s, D3P, D3x, Df, D850, D810, D800/e, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300, D300s, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500, D5600, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3400, D3300, D3200, D3100, Nikon 1 J1, J2, J3, J4 with FT-1, Nikon 1 V1, V2, V3 with FT-1, and Nikon 1 S1, S2 with FT-1.
NO: The electronic diaphragm of the 180-400mm will not work on the D1 or D2 series, D100, D200, D90, D80, D70 series, D60, D50, D40 series, or the D3000, and will not work on any 35mm camera. The diaphragm will stay wide-open, which may or may not be a problem for you. If you don't mind shooting wide-open — which is almost always how we shoot this lens — go ahead and shoot it on older cameras if you like. Even on a 1959 Nikon F you can focus manually and shoot wide open.
It won't work with any of the Pronea cameras — but who cares?
See Nikon Lens Compatibility for more.
Specifications
Top Intro Format Compatibility
I'd get my 180-400mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Nikon calls this the AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR:
AF-S and SWM: Silent Wave Autofocus Motor.
NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for all their lenses.
E: Electronic diaphragm. Silent operation, but only works with cameras introduced since about 2007.
TC: Integral teleconverter.
FL: Fluorite element.
ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration.
VR: Vibration Reduction.
Also has:
D: Couples distance information to the Matrix Meter.
IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.
G: Gelded; has no aperture ring.
N: Magic anti-reflection "nano" coating that has a variable index of refraction that's far more effective against ghosts and internal reflections than traditional multicoating.
∅40.5: 40.5mm filter thread in drop-in holder.
Optics
Nikon 180-400mm internal construction. Fluorite and ED elements. bigger.
Nikon 180-400mm internal construction, with teleconverter switched-in. Fluorite and ED elements. bigger.
27 elements in 19 groups.
Teleconverter adds 8 elements in 5 groups.
One front protective element, fluorine coated to resist dirt and smudges.
One fluorite element for extreme sharpness, nano coated.
One drop-in rear filter.
8 ED extra-low dispersion elements, which help reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration.
No aspherical elements.
Diaphragm
9 rounded blades.
Electromagnetic control.
Stops down to f/32 (f/45 with teleconverter).
Focal Length
Without Teleconverter
180-400mm.
When used on DX cameras it sees the same angle of view as a 270-600mm lens sees when used on an FX or 35mm camera.
See also Crop Factor.
With Teleconverter
250-560mm.
When used on DX cameras it sees the same angle of view as a 380-840mm lens sees when used on an FX or 35mm camera.
See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View
Without Teleconverter
13.7º ～ 6.2º diagonal on FX.
9º ～ 4º diagonal on DX.
With Teleconverter
9.8º ～ 4.5º diagonal on FX.
6.3º ～ 2.8º diagonal on DX.
Autofocus
Internal focus.
No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Focus Scale
Yes.
Close Focus
6.5 feet (2 meters).
Focus Range Limiter
Yes, one setting limiting it to a 6m (20 foot) close-focus distance instead of the usual 2m (6.5') close-focus distance.
Maximum Reproduction Ratio
1:4 (0.25 ×).
1:2.8 (0.36 ×) with teleconverter.
Image Stabilizer
Rated 4 stops improvement.
NORMAL and SPORT modes.
Filters
40.5mm × 0.5mm screw-in filters in a rear drop-in holder.
Hood
HK-41 hood included.
Case
CL-L2 included, same as used by Nikon since at least 2003 with their 200-400mm lenses.
Size
5.04" maximum diameter × 14.27" extension from flange.
128.0 mm maximum diameter × 362.5 mm extension from flange.
Weight
123.5 oz. (7.72 pounds or 3,500 g).
Nikon's Model Number
20071.
Announced
9 PM NYC time, 08 January 2018.
Promised for
09 March 2018.
Included
● LC-K103 front cap ($65 replacement cost; Nikon part number 4197).
● LF-4 rear cap.
● HK-41 hood.
● Rear drop-in filter holder and 40.5 mm threaded neutral color NC filter.
● LN-2 strap.
● CL-L2 case (same as used by Nikon since at least 2003 with their 200-400mm lenses).
Price, USA
$12,397, January 2018.
Performance
Top Intro Format Compatibility
I'd get my 180-400mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
As with all $10,000 and up ultra-tele lenses from Nikon and from Canon, it's essentially optically perfect — even with the teleconverter switched-in. This lens is ultra-ultra sharp, especially wide-open. The only limitation to picture sharpness will be your skill as a photographer.
Nikon's MTF charts at 10 cyc/mm and 30 cyc/mm:
Straight
 |
 |
MTF at 180mm at f/4. bigger. |
MTF at 400mm at f/4. bigger. |
With Teleconverter switched-in
 |
 |
| MTF when set to 180mm at f/4 with teleconverter, which is now equal to 250mm at f/5.6. bigger. | MTF when set to 400mm at f/4 with teleconverter, which is now equal to 560mm at f/5.6. bigger. |
Compared
Top Intro Format Compatibility
I'd get my 180-400mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
|
|
|
|
|
| Introduced | 2016 August |
2020 January |
2009 December |
2018 January |
| Speed | f/2.8 |
f/2.8 |
f/2.8 |
f/4 |
| VR rated | Four stops |
Four stops |
Three stops |
Four stops |
| Close-focus | 3.6' 1.1m |
6.6' 2m |
8' 2.2m |
6.5' 2m |
| Max. Repro. Ratio | 1:4.76 0.21 × |
1:6.25 0.165 × |
1:6.4 0.16 × |
1:4 0.25 × |
| Front protective optical plate | none |
none |
Yes |
Yes |
| Front filter thread | 77mm, metal |
112mm |
none |
none |
| Rear Filter Slot | none |
none |
52mm |
40.5mm |
| Outside Diameter | 3.4" 88.5 mm |
5.1" 128 mm |
4.9" 124mm |
5.0" 128 mm |
| Length (from flange) | 7.9" 202 mm |
12" 304 mm |
10.5" 268 mm |
14.3" 362 mm |
| MTF, short end (click to enlarge) |  |
 |
(there is no short end) |
|
| MTF, long end (click to enlarge) |  |
 |
 |
|
| Weight, w/collar | 50.3 oz. 1,425g 3.1 pounds |
114.6 oz. 3,250 g 7.2 pounds |
102.3 oz. 2,900 g 6.4 pounds |
123.5 oz. 3,500 g 7.7 pounds |
| Price per pound, 01/2020 | $850/lb. |
$1,320/lb. |
$860/lb. |
$1,610/lb. |
| Price, 01/2020 |
Recommendations
Top Intro Format Compatibility
You people know who you are. If you're on the fence, also give thought to getting the Canon 200-400mm f/4 w/1.4x extender instead, which does the same thing — except on Canon — for $1,600 less.
I'd get my 180-400mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used $13,000 lens. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
© Ken Rockwell. All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
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