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Archive 2016 · D500 and 80-400 AFS

  
 
Jawnath1n
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Does anyone have any feedback using the newer 80-400 AFS and a D500? Do you experience any autofocus chattering?

I am currently using the 80-400 AFS with a D600 and while in AF-C mode tracking moving objects I am experiencing the autofocus chatter that some people tend to run into with this lens. With this lens I primarily shoot moving cars so any lens I use will always adjust, but on this lens it just seems to constantly shift in and out of focus. My 70-300 VR didn't experience this. My goal is to continue to use the 80-400 but with more reliable focusing.

I have read a post on a different forum where someone used this lens on a few different bodies. Their feedback was that with the D500 'there was almost none', with other bodies it only occurred when the 'AF conditions were not ideal', and that on their D610 it 'was awful'. It seems as if the lens is very dependent on the body used, so this explains why some people see it and some others do not. I know the AF system on my D600 is a bit older and is not advanced so I am wondering if newer and very high end system found on the D500 would solve the chattering.

I would appreciate feedback from anyone who has used this combination. I would also appreciate feedback if you experienced chatter with this lens on an older body that was resolved by using a newer body.

Thank you.



Jul 10, 2016 at 11:56 PM
Steve Perry
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


I haven't used my 80-400 too much with my D500, however, when I did I did get some chattering. However, it was limited to tougher situations. In good light, good contrast it was minimal to none. Again though, I don't use the lens very much.


Jul 11, 2016 at 08:45 AM
Jawnath1n
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Thank you Steve, I appreciate the feedback.

I know you said you don't use it much but in your experience are you able to comment on whether the performance was better on the D500 than on other bodies with lesser autofocus systems?

I can totally understand a lens having a hard time focusing in tough situations, I don't fault the lens too much for that. Fortunately my usage is almost always in bright sunny outdoor conditions with bigger higher contrast targets. Cars driving around is not as challenging as BIF at dusk



Jul 11, 2016 at 12:33 PM
beesternikon
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


I have nowhere near the experience and competence of Steve Perry, and have only been using my Nikon 80-400 AFS for a few weeks on my D500. I haven't experienced any chatter whatsoever. While most of my BIF shots have been against a blue or overcast sky, several have been against heavy tree or bush backgrounds and I have been amazed at the speed and accuracy of the D500's autofocus with that lens. It appears significantly faster and more accurate than when the lens is on my D750, and that set-up was very fast and accurate in itself.


Jul 11, 2016 at 01:53 PM
MP79
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Like you and others here, I get some chattering with my 80-400mm VR AF-S when used on my D7200 in lower light situations but given the situation under which I thus encounter it I don't consider it much of an issue at all. I don't use the lens all that much on my D610 but I can say I have noticed the D7200 is a bit better than the D610 in terms of focusing in lower light with the lens and with the lens chatter situation specifically, though it's not a huge difference once again. I have not used a D500, but the fact that the D7200 seems that tiny bit more capable with the 80-400mm VR AF-S at least gives some hope to the idea that the D500 would be better still with this lens than a D7200. I do doubt any difference with the D500 would be like night and day, however. I hope someone out there has some more concrete experiences with the D500 and this lens for you but I think Steve Perry's observations probably represent what you are going to find-that the lens will experience this chattering on all bodies to some degree.


Jul 11, 2016 at 03:47 PM
Keiththom
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


(Another not as talented as Steve Perry guy here) I haven't heard any noise coming from my 80-400 either. I use it on the D500 and absolutely love the lens. It has good fast focus and I use it for action shooting.


Jul 11, 2016 at 05:29 PM
morrismike
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


no chatter here either with mine


Jul 11, 2016 at 05:43 PM
Jawnath1n
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Some great feedback here, thank you all, I really appreciate it. I am glad to hear the lens has performed well on the D500 with either a reduction or no chatter issues at all.

I really like what the lens is capable of. Good optics, long reach, snappy autofocus, with a the size/weight that is more tolerable than other long lenses so I'd really love putting it on a body where it can perform to its potential.

Now I need to decide if I really want to step into a D500 or not... decisions...

Thank you again.



Jul 12, 2016 at 01:42 AM
Steve Perry
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Jawnath1n wrote:
Thank you Steve, I appreciate the feedback.

I know you said you don't use it much but in your experience are you able to comment on whether the performance was better on the D500 than on other bodies with lesser autofocus systems?

I can totally understand a lens having a hard time focusing in tough situations, I don't fault the lens too much for that. Fortunately my usage is almost always in bright sunny outdoor conditions with bigger higher contrast targets. Cars driving around is not as challenging as BIF at dusk


Yes, it is better on the D500 than other bodies (D810, D800, D7200 etc). It seems much more confident when focusing hooked to a D500



Jul 12, 2016 at 08:12 AM
Jawnath1n
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Awesome feedback. That is exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks again!


Jul 12, 2016 at 02:22 PM
cohenfive
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


What is af chattering? I was just about to hook up my 80-400 to the new d500 I just got, want to know what to look out for. Thx.


Jul 12, 2016 at 02:54 PM
Jawnath1n
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


The AF chattering that many folks are referring to is when the lens is rapidly adjusting it's focus on the subject. It'll hit focus, then become unfocused, then becomes focused again, many many times. It just never seems to 'lock' onto the target. When you shoot during this behavior, you'll get some in focus photos and some out of focus photos (back or front focused usually).

This primarily occurs in AF-C mode with moving subjects. On AF-S or static objects I haven't experienced this issue.

To reproduce, try to shoot some moving targets such as BIF, moving vehicles, airplanes, bike riders, etc. Any sort of 'action' or subject movement that needs AF-C mode should suffice.




Jul 12, 2016 at 03:15 PM
cohenfive
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Thanks. I have used this lens with other bodies of mine, haven't had any problems. I'll keep a lookout for it with the d500.


Jul 12, 2016 at 03:35 PM
Keiththom
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Jawnath1n wrote:
The AF chattering that many folks are referring to is when the lens is rapidly adjusting it's focus on the subject. It'll hit focus, then become unfocused, then becomes focused again, many many times. It just never seems to 'lock' onto the target. When you shoot during this behavior, you'll get some in focus photos and some out of focus photos (back or front focused usually).

This primarily occurs in AF-C mode with moving subjects. On AF-S or static objects I haven't experienced this issue.

To reproduce, try to shoot some moving targets such as BIF, moving vehicles, airplanes, bike
...Show more

It's odd to see the completely opposing experiences we have with this lens. I shoot 90% action stuff and 85% or more is done with this lens. It will continue to be my favorite action lens.












Jul 12, 2016 at 04:51 PM
davidnholtjr
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Jawnath1n wrote:
Does anyone have any feedback using the newer 80-400 AFS and a D500? Do you experience any autofocus chattering?

I am currently using the 80-400 AFS with a D600 and while in AF-C mode tracking moving objects I am experiencing the autofocus chatter that some people tend to run into with this lens. With this lens I primarily shoot moving cars so any lens I use will always adjust, but on this lens it just seems to constantly shift in and out of focus. My 70-300 VR didn't experience this. My goal is to continue to use the 80-400 but with
...Show more

After I got my D500 I haven't really noticed any of that autofocus chattering, like I had with my D300, D700 and D3. The AF is that great and fast on the D500 it's pretty much gone.




Jul 12, 2016 at 05:13 PM
Jawnath1n
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Thank you for your photos Keith, they're great. Was this with your D500?

For clarity, the experience with chattering I have shared is using my D600. I believe a part of the issue is due to the less advanced and older (3-4 generations old now) AF system on my D600 (which is based on the D7000 system).

My interest in the D500 is primarily based on it's advanced autofocus system that would eliminate or greatly reduce the chattering issue with this lens.

Thank you.
Jonathan



Jul 12, 2016 at 05:20 PM
Jawnath1n
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Thank you David. That is very encouraging feedback. I have been able to use my 80-400 on my D600 but my keeper rate has been lower than expected due to the chattering. It does sound like the D500 would help increase my keeper rate.


Jul 12, 2016 at 05:24 PM
multibit
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


The 80-400G chatters on my D7000 also when using the 105mm Sigma with the D7000, it can be very annoying . This along with poor AF in lower light is are the reasons I want to upgrade


Jul 12, 2016 at 05:30 PM
Jawnath1n
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · D500 and 80-400 AFS


Thanks again everyone for all of the assistance. I just put in my order for a D500 and I can't wait to try it out. The autofocus system sounds amazing!


Jul 13, 2016 at 01:49 AM





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