A quick specifications comparison between the new Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens that just started shipping and the significantly cheaper and very popular AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR:
| Nikkor 180-400mm f/4E | Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E | ||
| Type | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| F mount Type E AF-S lens with built-in CPU and built-in 1.4x teleconverter | F mount, Type E AF‒S lens with built‒in CPU and F mount | ||
| Format | |||
| FX/35mm | FX/35mm | ||
| Focal length | |||
| Without built-in teleconverter: 180 – 400 mm With built-in teleconverter: 252 – 560 mm | >200 – 500 mm | ||
| Maximum aperture | |||
| Without built-in teleconverter: f/ 4 With built-in teleconverter: f/ 5.6 | f/ 5.6 | ||
| Minimum aperture | |||
| Without built-in teleconverter: f/ 32 With built-in teleconverter: f/ 45 | f/ 32 | ||
| Lens construction | |||
| 27 elements in 19 groups (including 8 ED lens elements, 1 fluorite element, and lens elements with Nano-Crystal coatings) and 1 protective glass element (with fluorine coating); built-in teleconverter has 8 elements in 5 groups | 19 elements in 12 groups (including 3 ED elements) | ||
| Angle of view | |||
| Nikon FX-format D-SLR cameras, without built-in teleconverter: 13° 40‘ to 6° 10‘ Nikon FX-format D-SLR cameras, with built-in teleconverter: 9° 50‘ to 4° 30‘ Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras, without built-in teleconverter: 9° to 4° Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras, with built-in teleconverter: 6° 20‘ to 2° 50‘ | Nikon FX‒format D‒SLR cameras: 12° 20′ to 5° 00′, Nikon DX‒format D‒SLR cameras: 8° 00′ to 3° 10′ | ||
| Focal length scale | |||
| Graduated in millimeters (180, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400) | Graduated in millimeters (200, 300, 400, 500) | ||
| Minimum focus distance | |||
| 2.0 m ( 6.6 ft) from focal plane at all zoom positions | 2.2 m ( 7.22 ft) from focal plane | ||
| VR image stabilization | |||
| Yes | Yes | ||
| No. of diaphragm blades | |||
| 9 ( rounded diaphragm opening ) | 9 ( rounded diaphragm opening ) | ||
| Coating | |||
| Nano Crystal Coat, Fluorine coat | — | ||
| Diaphragm | |||
| Automatic electronic aperture control | Automatic electronic aperture control | ||
| Dimensions | |||
| Approx. 128 mm maximum diameter x 362.5 mm (distance from camera lens mount flange) | Approx. 108 mm maximum diameter x 267.5 mm (distance from camera lens mount flange) | ||
| Weight | |||
| Approx. 3500 g ( 7 lb 11.4 oz) | Approx. 2300 g (5 lb 1.2 oz), including tripod collar; Approx. 2090 g (4 lb 9.8 oz) without tripod collar | ||
| Autofocus | |||
| Yes | Yes | ||
| AF-S | |||
| Yes | Yes | ||
| Internal focusing | |||
| Yes | Yes | ||
| Focusing | |||
| Manual, Manual/Auto, Auto/Manual Nikon Internal Focusing (IF) System with autofocus controlled by Silent Wave Motor and separate focus ring for manual focus | — | ||
| Focus limit switch | |||
| Two positions: FULL (∞ to 2.0 m) and ∞ to 6.0 m | FULL, ∞ to 6 m | ||
| Focus distance indicator | |||
| 2.0 m to ∞ | Yes | ||
| Zoom | |||
| Manual zoom using independent zoom ring | Manual zoom using independent zoom ring | ||
| Supplied accessories | |||
| LC-K103 slip-on Front Lens Cap, LF-4 Rear Lens Cap, HK-41 Lens Hood, Dedicated slip-in Filter Holder, 40.5 mm screw-on Neutral Color (NC) filter, LN-2 Strap, CL-L2 Lens Case Dedicated accessories are not available for general purchase. Contact a Nikon-authorized service representative for spares or replacements. | 95 mm snap‒on Front Lens Cap LC‒95, Rear Lens Cap LF‒4, Bayonet Hood HB‒71, Lens Case CL‒1434 | ||
| Filter-attachment size | |||
| — | 95 mm (P = 1.0 mm) | ||
| Price | |||
| $12,396.95 | $1,396.95 | ||
The information in this table is taken from Nikon’s official website.
Another quick specs comparison including the 200-400mm lens can be found here.
