Introduction

Fourth test series is with the D800 but this time using 400mm focal length. This test allowed me to include the Nikkor 200-400 without a TC.

The full pictures

The camera was set to 200 ISO, it’s native ISO setting. All pictures taken with an aperture of f6.3 for the Nikkor, Sigma and Tamron, the Nikkor with TC-17II resulted in f6.7. I also did f4 on the Nikkor without TC but the results were similar to the step-down aperture.

First example showing the Nikkor without TC.

Nikkor 200-400 on D800 at 400mm

This time the Nikkor had the TC17II attached and was set to approximately 235mm resulting in 400mm@35mm equivalent. As the setting had to be made with the scale on the Nikkor, I didn’t exactly hit the desired value, resulting in exif data of 390mm

Nikkor 200-400 with TC17 on D800 at 400mm

Using the Sigma compared to the Nikkor, again showing a slightly closer angle of view as with the D2x.

Sigma 150-600 on D800 at 400mm

The Tamron has similar angle as the Sigma has. Therefore showing again a little bit more than the Nikkor.

Tamron 150-600 on D800 at 400mm

 

The details

Shooting distance was approximately 8 meters. Order is always Nikkor, Sigma, Tamron.

Comparing the horizontal lines of the testchart.

Next compare is the vertical lines of the testchart.

Next one is showing the small circle with round lines and the numbers.

Looking at the plastic puppet for the thin synthetic hair.

Last compare is on the dream-catcher to have a closer look at the feathers and the thin grid inside the ring.

Conclusion

I did several comparisons using the iMac Retina and the MacBook Air in Lightroom. Looking at 1:1 crops but also 2:1 crops, so at 200%. My ranking is:

  1. Nikkor without TC
  2. Sigma
  3. Tamron
  4. Nikkor with TC17II

Testpictures

Download of Lightroom DNGs for Nikkor, Nikkor with TC, Sigma and Tamron. Rightclick on the link and choose “Save as…” to store to disk.