Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED AF VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? PLEASE HELP ME?

Answer 1

The codes? Okay, bit by bit:
80-400mm: the zoom range
f/4.5-5.6: with a max aperture of f/4.5 at 80mm and f/5.6 at 400mm.
D: this lens has an aperture ring. Nikon's G lenses don't.
ED: one or more elements have coatings to reduce glare, etc.
AF: it's an auto-focus lens.
VR: and it has vibration reduction (image stabilization).
For more information and reviews of this lens:
http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_zoom_03.html#AF80-400VR
http://www.bythom.com/80400VRlens.htm
http://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/tests/testdetail.cfm?test_id=445
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/nikkor_80400_4556/index.htm
http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/nikkor-80-400mm/review.html
http://shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/lenses/0801sb_afvr/
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Hi, Sam!
(MAVERICK, Yahoo Answers isn't always this fast or good, so don't get your hopes up :-)

Answer 2

80-400 mm is the focal range. This is quite a bit of zoom and 400 mm is a very strong telelphoto length.

f/4.5-5.6 is the maximum aperture range, meaning f/4.5 at 80 mm and 5.6 at 400 mm.

ED is Nikon's designation for the "good glass" with "extra low dispersion."

AF is autofocus.

VR is vibration reduction, which is a very good thing. Nikon claims it will add the effect of 3 more stops (let in more light) because you can hold it still enough for slow shutter speeds. It looks like Rockwell would say it adds maybe 2.5 stops.

This is a very good lens for nature photography, etc. The autofocus is slow, according to Ken Rockwell, so it might not be good for sports.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=207360&is=USA&addedTroughType=search

This page will be especially helpful to you. Be sure to click on the various links to learn more about the details.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80400vr.htm