Nikkor AFS VR 200-400mm f4G IF-ED

The Nikon 200-400 is a nature photographer’s best friend. It has s great zoom range, fast aperture, and vibration reduction, all the things we need to solve many of the problems associated with outdoor photography.
In a strong wind long lenses bounce around like crazy, this is where the VR come in extremely handy. You can create sharp images at shutter speeds that would otherwise be straight for the trash when you lens is being nudged all over the place. The image does jump in the viewfinder when the VR activates and you can never tell what way it is going to move. It moves so much some times that you will need to recompose but this is a minor problem compared with what it over comes.
The sharpness of the 200-400 is superb also throughout the zoom and from the MFD to infinity. The zoom and focus are great and due to the fast f4 aperture it works with all Nikon teleconverters. You may not get AF all the time with the TC-20e but the TC17e is an awesome combination.
Another feature of the 200-400 that I really find useful is the Memory Set. It permits you to focus at a specific distance. This is great for working hides where you can set the focus for a certain branch, then shoot normally. When you subject hops to the chosen branch you can press one of the AF buttons on the lens and the subject snaps into focus. Fantastic.
This lens isn’t as big as you might expect. It is large and hand holding, although a chore is possible. Normally you will see this lens on the 1538 tripod and Wimberley Head but I do not hesitate to use it on the 3540XLS with the Sidekick.