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Archive 2017 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?

  
 
Sayeret18
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


For reasons of cost and portability, and for general use (odd portrait, zoo trip, travel, nature hike) this is an either/or question: Buy either a 300 PF to use with my D750 or a D500 body to use with my 70-200 2.8 VR II. Goal is to have the 300mm option. Thoughts?

Edited on May 22, 2017 at 10:12 AM · View previous versions



May 22, 2017 at 08:55 AM
alarsen77
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


I haven't used the D500 extensively and don't do much in terms of wildlife photography, but if it were me and I had that choice I would go for the D500. The reasons I would do that is it is always nice to have a second body and the upgraded focusing system and faster fps on the D500 would be nice for wildlife and action shots. So for me it would compliment my D750 very nicely and also serve as a backup body. Where as the 300mm lens is just a lens that would be used in only certain situations. I feel the D500 would get more use than the the 300mm in other situations. But again that is just my thoughts and what I would do.


May 22, 2017 at 09:10 AM
ckcarr
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


300 PF is a solid lens purchase.

A D500 will depreciate. And be yesterdays news in a few years.

IMO, you want to build a solid lens kit, that will last you through your photography days.



May 22, 2017 at 09:43 AM
Photozack81
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


I normally advocate glass over body.

In this case, however, I vote for the D500. It pairs nicely with the D750 as said above, and can do a few very interesting tricks not matched by anything aside from the D5.



May 22, 2017 at 10:01 AM
Sayeret18
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


Thanks. The second body may be the better way to go.



May 22, 2017 at 02:07 PM
BSPhotog
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


Not really an even comparison. D500 + 70-200 gives you 105-300mm FOV, @ f/2.8. Do you now or will you ever benefit from the zoom? If you're shooting long often, or sports/wildlife/action, then the D500 might be the smart way to go.


As a third option, and much cheaper, what about the TC-14e III? Use that with the D750 & 70-200 for a 98-280mm FOV, and approximately f/4 light level.



May 22, 2017 at 02:13 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


300 f2.8 and a D500


May 22, 2017 at 02:13 PM
Sayeret18
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


Yeah, after I win the lottery.


May 22, 2017 at 02:56 PM
tntcorp
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


what's wrong with using the 70-200 on the d750 in dx mode?


May 22, 2017 at 04:00 PM
arbitrage
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


I'd go 300PF. If you aren't shooting action or BIF then no reason to need D500. D750 has better FX IQ and if you want to you could buy a 1.4TC and have 420 also.

In fact just buying a 1.4TC and adding it to the 70-200 on the D750 would be the easiest way to get to 280 for lots less money.



May 22, 2017 at 04:24 PM
Sayeret18
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


I have the 1.4 tcIII -- IQ is ok but I haven't been thrilled with focus performance.


May 22, 2017 at 04:55 PM
lorac
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


The 300mmPF gives you more portability at a higher cost than the D500. If possible I personally would always want to own a FX and DX body. The D500 will give you the "reach" equal to 300mm plus better AF performance, bigger buffer, higher fps for action photography. OTOH the 300mmPF is an outstanding lens in a small light package if weight is a consideration.


May 22, 2017 at 06:13 PM
Two23
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


Sayeret18 wrote:
Thanks. The second body may be the better way to go.



If you don't have a back up body for trips anyway, that's becomes the priority right there.


Kent in SD



May 22, 2017 at 06:24 PM
Sayeret18
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


Thanks everyone - I appreciate the input!


May 22, 2017 at 06:26 PM
Photozack81
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


tntcorp wrote:
what's wrong with using the 70-200 on the d750 in dx mode?


Aside from giving up practically all of the advantages of using a FX camera, nothing but a greatly reduced resolution. Although you could just as easily crop in post to get to the same place.

I personally advocate to avoid cropping, especially a FX sensor, as much as is possible. If you can't get the subject size you need, get closer, switch to DX (preferably a DX camera - you get full sensor resolution to start with), add a TC, basically anything but cropping. Cropping is a last resort (aside from minor framing adjustments, composition, artistic effect etc of course)

Cropping is less harmful on a DX but it's still to be avoided whenever possible.

Just one guy's opinion though.



May 22, 2017 at 11:04 PM
ariel777
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


The 300PF is an excellent lens, and my favorite for birding and many other uses. The portability is unrivaled and it works exceedingly well with the 1.4 TC. As others have stated, you accomplish little by adding the 500 body unless you do BIF. My 300PF pairs extremely well with the 750 (as well with 810) and is virtually locked on with the 1.4tc. Don't dismiss its usage for LS work if your objective is a distant area where you seek specific detailed and sharp distant coverage.


May 23, 2017 at 12:24 PM
Sayeret18
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


So just to close the loop, I went the crop body route, but I picked up a D7200, not the D500. The D500 is a spectacular product but totally overkill for my intended use (as several suggested above). I had the D7200 before I went full frame, and always found it to be a very competent all-round camera - - excellent file IQ, very good AF, and decent to very good high ISO performance. Not newest tech certainly, but I saved over $1200 off the cost of a 300 PF or D500 for a really solid piece of kit (and perhaps even a 35 1.4 g in my future with the savings! ).


May 23, 2017 at 01:30 PM
Danner
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


300 PF, without hesitation, IMHO.


May 23, 2017 at 11:57 PM
Pixphatic
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · 300 PF or D500: Best way to 300mm?


I saw this post yesterday, but somehow failed to respond....then today while scrolling down the responses I saw this today...
Sayeret18 wrote:
So just to close the loop, I went the crop body route, but I picked up a D7200, not the D500. The D500 is a spectacular product but totally overkill for my intended use (as several suggested above). I had the D7200 before I went full frame, and always found it to be a very competent all-round camera - - excellent file IQ, very good AF, and decent to very good high ISO performance. Not newest tech certainly, but I saved over $1200 off the cost of a 300 PF or D500 for a really solid piece of kit (and
...Show more

Personally I would have (actually did) gone with your final choice,i.e. the superb D7200.
The options are now wide open to you...right from 70mm (105mm on D7200) to 200mm (300mm on 7200), then with 1.4 X tc, 420mm (300*1.4x) to nearly 550mm (300mm *1.4x tc*1.3x crop ), with nearly 7 fps, & least 15.4 mp. Even if you decide to take full advantage of the f2.8, you might have max 390mm. That would be wonderful.
Having said that, the 300mm f4 PF is a great package by itself, but compared to 70-200 f2.8, it limits the scope somewhat, esp for the purposes sighted. The 70-200 f2.8 just elaborates your options, esp with the 1.4X tc .
As you said, the files from the D7200 are so good...SOOC. The low light performance is also great.

All the best....



May 24, 2017 at 09:21 AM





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