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Archive 2014 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??

  
 
dartheyeball
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


Hello all. I am interested getting a Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED AI or AIS lens. Before I posted on here, I spent the last few days reading up on this lens on old posts here in on FM and on the web. I shoot mostly soccer and I find that longer reach is necessary. I won't even be able to touch a Nikon 400mm 2.8 any time soon, so I have been looking into alternatives. FRom what I have read, some people love this lens and some people hate it. I first learned to shoot sports using an old Minolta Maxxum 7000 AF camera. The AF was so slow that I learned to shoot while zooming and manually focusing. I don't know how the D70s does with manual lenses in regards to focusing, but I am hoping that it can be mastered with practice.

Eventually I do want to upgrade my dslrs, but right now I am opting to spend whatever pennies I have on investing in some good glass. Though my bodies at times will provide many handicaps, I believe that having good glass can over come some of the deficiencies of my older/slower camera bodies. (FYI I shoot with 2 D70s dslrs) My mantra has been 'do more with less'. Eventually I hope to be in a position where I can update my kit. Here are some examples with my older lenses and a rented nikon 300/4 AF-S. I was hoping to get some feedback from those of you that have used the Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED lens. Thanks for your help and consideration!
























Mar 23, 2014 at 12:57 AM
VinnieJ
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


If you get the 400 you will be adding a lot of weight and size needlessly. If you were going to shoot with a full frame camera then you would at least be taking advantage of the lens more. The 300 f/4 lens is also a full frame lens but at least it easier to maneuver with. Plus using manual focus for shooting sports seems like a needless handicap.

You would be better off shooting a D7100+300 f/4 than a D70s with a 400 AI lens. If you want the extra reach you can use a 1.4x teleconverter BUT you will be gaining a lot more cropping "head room" by switching to a D7100.

Regardless adding a manual focus 400mm for shooting soccer would be one of the last things I would want to do.



Mar 23, 2014 at 06:10 AM
georgms
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


Hi there, new 400/3.5-user here. Never tried it with a D70s, but shot some soccer-images with the 400/3.5 on a D7000 a few weeks ago.
I can't recommend this combo for fast moving team-sports - it's just really hard to nail focus with a MF-lens.
It's probably possible to get some great shots, but the rate of keepers will be much lower than with an AF-S 300/4 for instance.

Here are two snaps:

D7000 + Ais 400/3.5 IF-ED at f/4, cropped


D7000 + Ais 400/3.5 IF-ED at f/4, cropped

Sorry for my English.



Mar 23, 2014 at 06:14 AM
douter
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


I would verify that the manual lens would meter with the D70s. I have a D70 and one of the main reasons I purchased my D200 was so I could use my fast primes from film days, pre-AF.
Douglas



Mar 23, 2014 at 07:27 AM
the solitaire
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


No Ai lens meters with a D70 unless you chip the lens.


Mar 23, 2014 at 08:58 AM
dartheyeball
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


This would definitely be a full manual dslr/lens experience as you guys are correct that the lens won't meter with the D70s. Those are some really nice shots using the 400/3.5! It makes me want one even more despite the use of manual only focus! But I understand the added handicap of shooting with a manual lens. I guess I'm just trying to find out ways to get the extended reach without completely breaking the bank (which is very limited in funds.) I loved using the 300/4 AF-S lens when I last rented it, but I found that I needed more reach at times. I thought about getting a 300/4 AF-S and a 1.4tc after reading/seeing the many awesome images that fellow FMer Trenchmonkey has taken.

However the issue arise that the D70s proves to be a limiting factor. It's like one of those things where you can't win for losing. Definitely mcuh food for thought! Thanks!



Mar 23, 2014 at 12:47 PM
MitchSC
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


I can understand your lust for long fast glass on a budget. But trying to shoot action with no metering and manual focus is going to take a great deal of skill and there is going to be a lot of missed shots. Looking on eBay the 400 f3.5 is listed for $900 for a beater on up to $1500. So say you can get one for $1k. I bought a used 300 f4 for $850 and a TC 1.4E (same as EII) for $200. So basically about the same price, Just saying.


Mar 23, 2014 at 07:52 PM
bikemore
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


I would agree with going the route of a D7100, 300 f/4 AF-S and a TC 1.4.

The 400 f/3.5 has a nice look to it but shooting soccer with it would not be easy.



Mar 25, 2014 at 06:58 PM
Erie Patsellis
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


A 500 f4P would be a better bet, you'd gain metering. Manually focusing just takes practice, anticipation and some luck. Sports photography existed long before DSLRs and AF lenses. Hell, I've shot track with a Hassy and 500mm Tele-Tessar, now that was an experience....


Mar 26, 2014 at 11:35 AM
Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


It's really easy to make recomendations that cause budget (and mission) creep.

In order of priority, I'd focus on the body first, since the D70s is really long in thd tooth compared to more recent bodies. The 300/4 AF-S and a TC-14e are ideal, but for something closer to similar money, I'd take a D7100 with an older 300/4 over a D70s and a 400/3.5. Heck, a D7100 with a Tamron 70-300VC is awfully good....



Mar 26, 2014 at 12:01 PM
MitchSC
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


^^I agree with upgrading the camera first. For me the D7100 was the best upgrade from the D80. Depending on your needs and budget a D700 or D300 could be an option.


Mar 26, 2014 at 01:27 PM
dartheyeball
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


I looked at a 500P, but I think it would be a tad out of my budget. Honestly the 400/3.5 would be pushing it somewhat. If I were to get the 400/3.5, I would have it chipped. It'd be nice to use with any future dslrs that I may purchase without having to enter in the lens data on the newer bodies. I actually want to save up for a really nice dslr (D3 and D7100) but it will take time. I swore that I'd invest in some good glass before I got another body. I admit that it is a challenge shooting MF when it comes to sports; it can be done with practice and as you all said previously, the keeper rate will be much lower.

I have owned the 300/4 in the past. It was a great lens for me. Not as nice as the 300/4 AF-S, but it got the job done. After shooting sports for the past few years, I've come to understand that I need to get better glass to get to the next level. There is only so many tricks one can employ to get around the constraints of shorter glass. Thanks for all the feedback!



Mar 27, 2014 at 06:31 AM
Slug69
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


A D200 can drive big glass really well and has excellent focussing and IQ.


Mar 27, 2014 at 06:23 PM
dartheyeball
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


Just to update, I ended up getting a Tokina 300mm 2.8 ATX Pro lens. I hope to get a kenko 300dgx 1.4 tc very soon to use with the 300mm. After that I'll probably look to upgrade my camera bodies to the d7000. Thanks for all the help.


Apr 01, 2014 at 09:07 PM
pburke
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??


dartheyeball wrote:


However the issue arise that the D70s proves to be a limiting factor. It's like one of those things where you can't win for losing. Definitely mcuh food for thought! Thanks!


400mm f/3.5 = $1000+

AF confirm chip for Nikon D70 = $30.50

Shooting and metering old glass on D70 = priceless



Apr 02, 2014 at 08:27 AM
dartheyeball
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Nikon 400mm f/3.5 IF ED on a D70s??




pburke wrote:
400mm f/3.5 = $1000+

AF confirm chip for Nikon D70 = $30.50

Shooting and metering old glass on D70 = priceless


I'll still be keeping my eye out for one of these lenses!



Apr 02, 2014 at 09:35 AM





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