Comments on: Nikon 200-400 VR faq

By: LOU

LOU — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:44:01 +0000

Hi, Richard:

The BH-55 can travel, but it’s not a light-weight companion. The RRS BH-40 will certainly handle the 200-400, but you’ll need to take more care when clicking the shutter. Still, the BH-40 would be my first choice for travel. You can put it on a Gitzo 25– series, and it’s a great combo. It’s less cumbersome to operate than the BH-55/35– series, and about as stout for the 200-400. More vibration sensitivity, though, so technique critical.

Personally, I’ve gone from having three Gitzo’s (1128, 1325 & 1545) pods down to one: The 3530S – now the 3531S – w/BH-55 & Gitzo leveling base. I’m about 5′-11″, and this pod at full extension just right for stand-up shooting. But, the BH-40 on the Gitzo 2541 an awesome travel/everyday setup, with a smaller footprint, which is great for interior shots. It’s a bit more than some would consider “traveling”, but it’s just enough if your largest lens will be the 200-400/300 2.8. I like the BH-40 on the 2541 best of any compromise.

Manfrotto has some decent ball heads, but the RRS has more payload, and just a great head that stays put and works consistently, without any excuses. Also, if you’re not using RRS’s L-brackets and lens plates, I’d have to ask: Why not? I have the replacement foot from RRS on my 200-400; it’s the way to go, mate. Wimberly plates work with RRS clamps, too. But, RRS has the best overall system/product quality going. Never was a company more aptly named.

I’m just using the enl3e batteries, which have about 1/2 the life of the enl4 series. But, they have 1/3 the cost & lower weight. I’m not sure I’ll get into the D- series, so I don’t want to concern myself/spend for the larger battery/charger. I try to avoid the VR “addiction” when possible. Faster shutter speeds – and monopod – can solve this.

By: Richard Peters

Richard Peters — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:15:41 +0000

Lou, thanks for your thoughts…I’m thinking about picking up the Really Right Stuff BH-55 for use with the 200-400 when travelling (and for use with other lenses for landscape etc). You seem to have a pretty good user knowledge of various head and lens setups – would you agree the BH-55 is a good choice? With regards to battery life, on one of my trips to Florida I managed almost 1,500 shots on a single charge with my D3 battery in the MB-D10 grip with exclusive 200-400 usage and at least 50% of the time with VR (one of my older D3 batteries only manages about 800 shots though so battery age plays a big part).

By: LOU

LOU — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:46:03 +0000

I’ve owned – and loved using – this lens for the past five years. It’s versatile and relatively portable. I’m fit, but I don’t recommend using this lens hand-held. VR sucks battery life on this honker, even with the improved charge life on Nikon G3 bodies. Instead, get a “real” monopod; the Manfrotto 681 being the least common denominator. A Gitzo 3—/5— the cat’s meow. For air shows/birding, get the Really Right Stuff (RRS) MH-01 hi-capacity swivel head. This allows for stable vertical movement, with all the control – except for static balance – of a gimbal head on a tripod. The whole issue with tripods, big glass & following action: Body movement. It’s just NO fun dancing around three sticks, with a big, finicky setup on top. I’ve owned, used and sold a lot of gear over the years. I have to say a gimbal head NOT necessary/recommended for this lens. For a 500-600… maybe. Depends on how left footed you are. Teleconverters? The TC 14… Barely. The TC17…NO! Autofocus tanks. You get caught in no-man’s land on sharpness, between slow shutter speeds & sensor diffraction. If you need more reach, you have to cough up the dough, and do some serious persuasion with your spine.

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:40:12 +0000

Hi Richard, thank you, every advice is welcome as im flying to Belize in february 2010 and by that time i would like to have equipment i can fully rely on (IQ)…Peter

By: Richard Peters

Richard Peters — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:05:06 +0000

Hi Peter, sorry for the slow reply. I'll have a dig around in my image archives and see if I can find something to show you.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:12:39 +0000

Hi Richard, i currently own Nikkor 300mm f2.8 VR and use it with nikon 1.7 TC but never been fully satisfied with the IQ…thinking to get a little bit longer reach plus 1.4x TC and 200-400mm seems to be an ideal partner as i cannot really afford new prime 500mm VR…wondering if the IQ of 200-400mm+1.4TC is better than 300mm+1.7x…would like to see a full size image (or crop 100percent) of a bird (detail in feathers) from a distance…the cormorant you published in here looks good but it is very close to judge it…if you can help i will be happy…cheers

By: Richard Peters

Richard Peters — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:14:32 +0000

Hi Alan, I used to use the MANFROTTO 393 but I now use the WIMBERLEY MKII if I am using a head for flight shots etc. A lot of the time though I just use a beanbag like THIS ONE from Wildlife Watching Supplies. I hope that is of some help.

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:58:48 +0000

Hi, Do you mind me asking which tripod head you use with this lens?
Thank You.

By: Meik Bergmann

Meik Bergmann — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:17:39 +0000

Hi, Thanks for taking time to write this FAQ!
Your thoughts about the carrying aspect are really nice, and helped me alot to come to a final decision.

Very helpfull How about the CL-L2 modifications!

Cheers!
Meik

By: Richard Peters

Richard Peters — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:11:30 +0000

Great stuff Mick, you will love what this lens can do! A little late but thank you to all those who have commented above, I'm glad you found the review helpful.