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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Nikon 400mm?
Daniel Mullan, Student/Intern
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Plymouth | Devon | UK | Posted: 10:40 AM on 03.11.10 |
->> Hi Guys,
I have been offered the chance to purchase the AFS version of the Nikon 400mm, not the series ii or the VR, but the original AFS.
Just wanted your thoughts on the lens, or whether you think i should hold on a little longer for a newer version.
A little background information, I shoot a lot of rugby and football over here (thats soccer to most of you). I do have access to a 300, but it lacks reach sometimes, especially on a full frame.
The price is good, and seems the ideal opportunity to add my first long glass.
Thanks
Dan |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 10:59 AM on 03.11.10 |
| ->> I don't own one but have rented in the past. Great lens although one copy that I rented had severe chromatic aberration at 2.8 up to about f4. If I were buying one I'd want to test it out first and have some assurance that I'd be able to hand it back if it wasn't up to par. |
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Thomas Boyd, Photographer
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Portland | OR | USA | Posted: 12:17 PM on 03.11.10 |
->> I owned one for about 8 years. It's a very good lens. I'd buy another now if I needed it. I never saw CA in my lens. It focuses great. If it's a good deal, I'd go for it.
Just make sure that you can still get it repaired. I think they still work on that lens, but I don't know. |
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Ian Halperin, Photographer
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Plano(Dallas) | TX | USA | Posted: 5:03 PM on 03.11.10 |
| ->> Just FYI: I sent mine to NPS in January and it came back "No Parts Available." But it may depend on what you need repaired. |
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Keith Coward, Photographer
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Charlotte | NC | USA | Posted: 3:14 AM on 03.13.10 |
| ->> A friend of mine inquired at Nikon Repair just this week, about how long they offer factory service on their lens line-up. He was told they stock parts for seven years after a lens is discontinued. However, as Ian indicated, if they have the parts available, they'll repair the lens. |
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Richard Orr, Photographer
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Longmeadow | MA | USA | Posted: 4:38 PM on 03.13.10 |
| ->> Great lens. Heavy as hell. A real fun thing to lug around all day long. I had one for years, but in the end I found that the 300 allowed me to get where I needed to be. I do a lot of D3 and D2 sports, so access to the sidelines are not really the issue they would be at the D1 or NFLs levels. So instead of getting my shoulder repaired in five years, I sold it. |
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Chris Hutty, Photographer
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Brighton | East Sussex | UK | Posted: 6:06 PM on 03.13.10 |
| ->> Hey Daniel, Always good to see a fellow Brit on here. I only rented the original 400 a couple of times, great lens but as others have said the weight really is an issue and not to be underestimated if you're going to use it on a regular basis. Some great music shots by the way. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:40 PM on 03.13.10 |
| ->> Daniel, I always post this when these questions come up. I had a lens like this in mint condition four years ago. I slipped off a perch and the lens mount broke. I thought the camera would have been the part to break but it wasn't. Although the lens cost me $4,000 and was in perfect condition (a dentist owned it) it could not be repaired (no parts available). I think it sucks that these manufacturers sell us this extremely expensive equipment but don't keep parts to repair them. I mean, gimme a break you can buy parts for cars that are 80 years old. It's a horrible disservice to us professionals. And it's not a Canon verses Nikon thing. They BOTH do it. My point is. If you're going to spend a lot of money on this remember that it can't be repaired if broken. I've been trying for four years to find someone who can either a) repair it or b) buy it for used parts....so I still have a 15 pound paperweight in my gear closet at home. Be careful. |
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Daniel Mullan, Student/Intern
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Plymouth | Devon | UK | Posted: 11:17 AM on 03.14.10 |
->> Thanks guys, definitely going to check about the availability of parts if and when it would need repairing.
The advice is much appreciated, especially for a young photographer like myself. |
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Stanley Leary, Photographer
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Roswell | GA | USA | Posted: 1:24 PM on 03.14.10 |
->> Chuck:
This is what insurance is all for. If my equipment breaks I just pay the deductible and get a new lens or camera.
The lesson is have insurance or you do have a paper weight. |
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