Nikkor AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D vs. AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G specifications comparison

Here is a quick comparison between the old and new Nikkor AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses based on the specifications listed on Nikon’s website:

Nikon-AF-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6D-ED-lens Nikkor-AF-S-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6G-ED-VR
Nikkor-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6D-ED Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR lens design
 Nikkor lens  AF 80-400mm
f/4.5-5.6D ED VR
 AF-S 80-400mm
f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Focal Length Range 80-400mm 80-400mm
Zoom Ratio 5x 5x
Max Aperture f/4.5-5.6 f/4.5-5.6
Min Aperture f/32 f/32-40
Max Angle of View (DX) 20° 20°
Min Angle of View (DX
Max Angle of View (FX) 30°10′ 30°10′
Min Angle of View (FX) 6°10′ 6°10′
Max Reproduction Ratio 0.42x 0.2x
Lens Elements 17 20
Lens Groups 11 12
Compatible Format(s) FX
DX
FX in DX Crop Mode
35mm Film
FX
DX
FX in DX Crop Mode
35mm Film
Vibration Reduction Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Nano Crystal Coat Yes
ED Glass Elements 3 4
Aspherical Elements
Super Integrated Coating Yes Yes
AF-S (Silent Wave Motor) Yes
Internal Focusing Yes
Minimum Focus Distance 7.5ft.(2.3m) 5.74ft.(1.75m)
Close Range Correction
Focus Mode Auto
Manual
Auto
Manual
Auto/Manual
Rear Focusing
Filter Size 77mm 77mm
Accepts Filter Type Screw-on Screw-on
Teleconverter Use no (source) yes
Dimensions 3.6×6.7in. (Diameter x Length)
91x171mm (Diameter x Length)
3.8×8.0in. (Diameter x Length)
95.5x203mm (Diameter x Length)
Weight 47oz.(1360g) 56oz.(1570g) incl. tripod collar
 Price $1,348 after rebate $2,696.95

The interesting part comes when we compare the MTF chart with other Nikon lenses with a similar focal length range – the new Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G has a very good (if not the best) MTF diagram:

Nikkor-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6G-ED-VR-lens-MTF-chart

Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G (new version)

Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-70-200mm-f2.8G-ED-VR-II-MTF-chart

Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-70-200mm-f4G-ED-VR-MTF-chart

Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/4G ED VR

Nikon-AF-S-VR-Zoom-Nikkor-70-300mm-f4.5-5.6G-IF-ED-MTF-chart

Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED MTF charts

Nikkor AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR (old version)

Update – How to read the MTF chart from Nikon’s website:

MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) is one of the measurements that evaluate a lens’ performance; it shows contrast reproducibility of the lens using characteristic spatial frequencies. Spatial frequencies indicate the number of lines per mm.

In the MTF chart of this website, the horizontal axis is in millimeters and shows the distance from the center of the image toward the edges, and contrast value (highest value is 1) is shown in the vertical axis, with fixed spatial frequencies of 10 lines/mm and 30 lines/mm.

The MTF chart for each lens is based on the value at the maximum aperture of the lens; the red line shows the spatial frequency of 10 lines/mm and the blue line, 30 lines/mm.

In the off-axis field, contrast reproducibility of the lens for sagittal direction and meridional direction varies with astigmatic affection. The path of 10 lines/mm indicates the contrast reproducibility of the lens (the higher and straighter is better). The higher and straighter the 30 lines/mm-path is, the higher the resolution of the lens.

Note that the lens performance can not be measured only with MTF chart. Softening or blurring of color also governs measurement.

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