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Archive 2014 · Nikon 500mm options

  
 
40Driggs
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikon 500mm options


I was formerly a canon shooter who now shoots with an a7 and manual prime lenses.

I am wanting to get back into wildlife photography and am trying to choose the best system to get into. I was disappointed in the 7d sensor and no real improvements have been made, so I have ruled out canon for now. I like the idea of using an all sony system, but I don't want the "slide show effect" for action shots. I was considering a d7100 and the new 80-400.

Another issue is upgrade path. I eventually want a 500mm lens and I'm not as familiar with the older 500mm options from Nikon. How is the older afs I and II? VR version I? The newest version seems awfully steep for that much weight...

Any information would be appreciated.



Sep 14, 2014 at 09:50 AM
Vinnie_VdB
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikon 500mm options


First of all, expect in the coming months (?) a new release of the tele's from Nikon. That is: the 400 f2.8, 500 f4 and 600 f4. The 800mm gives a taste on what to come and that is elements with fluorite.

I have the latest Nikon 500mm and the AF-S 400mm. I was last August on a safari in Africa and basically had my 500mm on my D4 and the 80-400 on my D700. The 500mm was nearly exclusively for birds and the 80-400 for the mammals. Both lenses do not disappoint me (but showed me it is time to replace my D700 :cool.

If you are really are into wildlife and considering a proper tele lens do I advice to stick to either Canon or Nikon as other brands do not offer these nice lenses.

In the Nikon camp is the combo D7100 and the AF-S 80-400 a great start and is this lens even allowing a 1.4TC.



Sep 14, 2014 at 10:29 AM
Steve Perry
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikon 500mm options


I too can give a big thumbs up for the AF-S 80-400G & current 500mm (and now 600mm). However, I'd caution you about the D7100. If you shoot RAW and like action, you're not going to enjoy the tiny buffer. Just over one second of continuous shooting and you're full. I'm hoping a D7200 comes out with a better buffer. For now, when I need reach, it's my D810 in 1.2X or DX mode. Much deeper buffer and the same speeds. (And WAY more expensive, unfortunately)


Sep 14, 2014 at 10:33 AM
40Driggs
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikon 500mm options




Steve Perry wrote:
I too can give a big thumbs up for the AF-S 80-400G & current 500mm (and now 600mm). However, I'd caution you about the D7100. If you shoot RAW and like action, you're not going to enjoy the tiny buffer. Just over one second of continuous shooting and you're full. I'm hoping a D7200 comes out with a better buffer. For now, when I need reach, it's my D810 in 1.2X or DX mode. Much deeper buffer and the same speeds. (And WAY more expensive, unfortunately)


I agree about the d7100 buffer. Nikon d810 is awesome, but higher than I'm wanting to go right now.



Sep 14, 2014 at 11:15 AM
henry albert
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikon 500mm options


The manual focus Nikon f4 500 P is an excellent lens. I bought mine with case and in terrific condition for $1800. It takes a 1.4 TC very well.


Sep 14, 2014 at 12:37 PM
Vinnie_VdB
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikon 500mm options


Everything in photography is a trade-off and we all want the best for our $.
If money doesn't stretch for a D810 is a D7100 just fine. Getting the best pictures is possible by knowing the limitation of your gear. What is the maximum ISO, what is the minimal shutter speed, ...?

The D7100 will do fine for wildlife and yes, the D7200, D9300, ... will all do better but none of them are yet announced so there is always the wait for the next best thing.



Sep 14, 2014 at 12:43 PM
groob
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikon 500mm options


I have the 500mm f4 AF-S II which I think you get the most bang for your buck with right now in the 500mm range. It's the 500mm version before the VR version. The AF-S II is lighter and has a closer MFD than the VR version, and I have never seen a reviewer say the VR version has better IQ. I'm sure Nikon will be replacing their super-teles soon but the price is also going to up and and I doubt the price for the previous versions is going to move much. The AF-S II version is usually about $1000 cheaper than the VR which combined with the lighter weight and closer MFD were more important than VR for me.
Also, if you're looking for a Nikon camera body, the D700 or D800 are spectacular deals for their current price.

I shoot with a D3S and the 500mm AF-S II, here's a link to the avian section of my website where most of the shots are with that combo (some were with the 200-400): http://lylegruby.smugmug.com/Avian/



Sep 14, 2014 at 01:03 PM
40Driggs
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikon 500mm options




groob wrote:
I have the 500mm f4 AF-S II which I think you get the most bang for your buck with right now in the 500mm range. It's the 500mm version before the VR version. The AF-S II is lighter and has a closer MFD than the VR version, and I have never seen a reviewer say the VR version has better IQ. I'm sure Nikon will be replacing their super-teles soon but the price is also going to up and and I doubt the price for the previous versions is going to move much. The AF-S II version is usually about
...Show more

Thanks for the info. That version of the 500 certainly seems to hold up very well. D800 prices are getting very reasonable, but I would probably start with d7100 and then maybe save up for a d810 when the price comes down.



Sep 14, 2014 at 06:13 PM
Alistair1
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikon 500mm options


40Driggs wrote:
Thanks for the info. That version of the 500 certainly seems to hold up very well. D800 prices are getting very reasonable, but I would probably start with d7100 and then maybe save up for a d810 when the price comes down.


That is a good strategy if you do not need higher ISO's. I have considered the 7100 in the past but regularly use ISO's over 5000 and do not like the results from the 7100 at those levels. I stick with the 800e in 1.2 and 1.5 crop modes and consider ISO's up to 6400 quite acceptable, good even.
Another vote for the older AF-S lenses too. I use the 600mm. Just note though that they do not accept the latest 1.4 teleconverters which only work with the VR lenses.

Good luck.
Alistair



Sep 14, 2014 at 07:19 PM
40Driggs
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikon 500mm options


I wasn't aware of the tc issue with the older lenses. Thanks for the info


Sep 14, 2014 at 07:34 PM
TooManyShots
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikon 500mm options


Try the D7000 instead if you need more buffer memory. I have experiences with 500L in Canon but not the Nikon. One thing for sure, VR or IS is very useful here. You are shooting a 6lb lens over 3ft long and maybe over 10lb adding flash and camera body. Even on a tripod, you will experience vibration induced by wind. Obviously with a monopod your movement is minimized. Also, budget yourself with a gimbal head. It makes moving and shooting the lens a lot easier.

When I was shooting with a 500L, I use a gimbal head connected to a carbon fiber monopod.



Sep 14, 2014 at 07:56 PM
EB-1
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Nikon 500mm options


Steve Perry wrote:
I too can give a big thumbs up for the AF-S 80-400G & current 500mm (and now 600mm). However, I'd caution you about the D7100. If you shoot RAW and like action, you're not going to enjoy the tiny buffer. Just over one second of continuous shooting and you're full. I'm hoping a D7200 comes out with a better buffer. For now, when I need reach, it's my D810 in 1.2X or DX mode. Much deeper buffer and the same speeds. (And WAY more expensive, unfortunately)


+1. The D7100 NEF situation is really not good and very frustrating. Maybe with the 7D II on the way, Nikon now will wake up and give us a better long reach camera.

EBH



Sep 14, 2014 at 07:57 PM
40Driggs
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Nikon 500mm options




EB-1 wrote:
+1. The D7100 NEF situation is really not good and very frustrating. Maybe with the 7D II on the way, Nikon now will wake up and give us a better long reach camera.

EBH


Is the original d800 any better in the buffer department?



Sep 14, 2014 at 08:12 PM
thegame81
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Nikon 500mm options


40Driggs wrote:
Is the original d800 any better in the buffer department?


Much better. I get 21 compressed 14 bit raw shots using my Lexar 1066X CF cards and 16 of them using the Sandisk extreme pro SD cards. On the best case scenario that's over 4 seconds of continuous high quality RAW shooting before the buffer fills.



Sep 14, 2014 at 11:07 PM





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