Nikon 200-400 f/4 VR ll

[cerett]

I am very interested in this lens for wildlife photography. i've looked at a couple of reviews that say it is not very good (compared to primes) at 400mm for distant subjects. It is not clear as to what is meant by distant subjects. Are we talking about 100 yards or more? I would like to hear from people who have used the new version and under what circumstances. Canon's 200-400 f/4 should be out later this year at a price tag probably close to $11,000 (vs. $7000). I wonder if I should wait?

[Ellis Vener]

I have only shot with that lens briefly at the 2010 Albuquerque Balloon Festival. Attached is a full frame plus 100% resolution crop. The camera and lens were mounted on a tripod as I was shooting a series from this vantage point   Although I think the results are pretty impressive I did not have a chance to micro-adjust the autofocus on the D3s to this individual lens.

[Ellis Vener]

One more from the 2010 Albuquerque Ballon Festival. Look at the detail in the stitching in the balloon.