AF-D 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AT-X 840 Lens - Nikon Mount Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is not a technical review. Just my personal observations. I've been taking pictures since I was 21 -- Pentax Spotmatic and then Canon F-1. I'm not a professional but I think I know what a good image looks like.
I purchased this lens with some trepidation. First the price did not indicate a great lens and there were some iffy reviews. Also it doesn't have VR. I took a chance and bought it to replace a lens that didn't have enough range. Its mounted on my D300. Frankly, if Tokina made this with a mount for equipment that had in camera stabilization it would be just about perfect.
This lens is very compact, and the smallest available in this range. You can handhold this lens with most applications or use a monopod if walking around. While it doesn't have VR, the long lenses that do are bazookas compared to this so that more or less cancels things out. One simply could not handhold the Nikon 80-400 (I know -- I tried); the Sigma 120-400 or 150-500 are also much too large to handhold.
This lens if very sharp except at the extreme 400 range where it gets a little soft, and that doesn't make much difference because sharpening in processing fixes that (distinguish here between the fact that the lens is a little soft at this range as opposed to shaky hands).
This lens even works with the Kenko 2x converter, but you have to have a good tripod and use good tripod technique (effective 1200 mm with the 1.5 crop factor -- any lens will be difficult). By the way, there is some discussion that the AF and metering will not work with the converter. Mine works just fine -- you simply have to have bright sun and use spot metering (Matrix has a hard time). My understanding is that the Nikon does not work with a converter (unless maybe its the super expensive Nikon version).
It is a slow lens, so you have to have a lot of light (not a problem in Arizona). If you are at the lower end and your image is not too far away, the on camera flash will work for fill light. This may be because the lens itself is very compact so does not interfere with the flash. I did this today inside an aviary at the zoo.
At the zoo today, intermittent sun and clouds. Using the bracketing function resulted in many fine images.
The build quality is remarkable for a lens in this price range. I know Tokinas get pretty good reviews, but I think you could pound nails with this. And, because of its size (and resulting reduced weight), you can carry this all day. I know; I just did.
All in all, this is a great lens for the money. Its much more lens for the money. I gave it 5 stars because its better than advertised. It doesn't purport to be what it is not -- its not a $5,000 lens. Its a good substantial lens. You would have to put down some serious bucks to get a better combination and versatility. It doesn't have VR. I think a VR in this range would be so much larger (and they seem to be) that you could not handhold it anyway.
Couple this lens with the 16-85 VR and the 50/1.8 (with some close up diopters) and you have a fine amateur kit without losing your entire inheritance.

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In 1996 Tokina created a new class of telephoto lens when it introduced the original AT-X 840 AF. This was the smallest zoom lens available that had a bright f/5.6 aperture at 400mm. Now Tokina has recreated the lens for the digital age.Still the smallest SLR lens available that zooms to 400mm, the AT-X 840 AF D has a smooth and quick internal focusing system that means the all-metal inner barrel that houses the heaviest glass elements does not have to rotate when the lens focuses, making it much faster than the previous models.Optically, the AT-X840 AF D has new multi-coatings applied to the elements that are formulated to compensate of the highly reflective CCD and CMOS sensors in today\'s Digital SLR cameras. The new multi-coating greatly reduces the chance of internal flare or ghost reflections.A built-in low-profile tripod collar makes for a well-balanced camera/lens combination when using a tripod or monopod. For best results, Tokina always recommends using a tripod or monopod with telephoto lenses.Another feature that makes the AT-X 840 AF D an excellent traveling companion is the zoom lock switch. The zoom can be locked at 80mm to so there is not chance of "zoom creep" when the camera and lens are being carried over the shoulder.Tokina kept ease of use in mind with the new AT-X 840 AF D, the new BH-725 lens hood with the a PL Assist spring loaded thumb wheel allows a circular polarizer or special effects filter to be rotated while the lens hood is in place. No more removing the hood to change the position of the filter.ITEMS INCLUDED. Built-in Tripod collar Dedicated lens hood (BH-725) fitted soft case 3 Year USA Warranty

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