Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

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Archive 2009 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

Nachtkinder
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p.1 #1 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

Does anyone have or have used this lens?

I need a super tele for reach (mostly bird nests and things of that nature). There is no need for AF really. (I currently use a 300mm F4 w/ 1.4x tc on a D300, but always find myself wanting more reach).

I'm stuck between the 500mm F4 P and the 600mm F4. Other than a fairly large weight difference, are there any specific pros/cons for each?

Thanks

Jun 04, 2009 at 08:52 PM

Hanh
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p.1 #2 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

I would choose the 600mm f4 - for the reach. IQ wise they are comparable and are excellent.

Jun 04, 2009 at 11:42 PM

tc95
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p.1 #3 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

I have a 600mm f5.6 ED-IF....actually very good lens...and you can handhold it....a little slower than the two above but on the D300 you get a great 900mm f5.6 lens...built tough and a lot less in price....

I know this is not want you asked for...but thought it might be a consideration...

Tony C.

Jun 05, 2009 at 03:09 AM

plubbry
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p.1 #4 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

I have eyed the 500 P and would personally choose it over the 600 for a number of reasons.

1). Size
2). Weight
3). Automatic metering
4). 500+1.4x = 700mm f5.6 which seems like it would be sufficient. Add 1.5x crop factor and this would be like having a 1050mm.

I guess it depends on your priorities. From most accounts both have comparable image quality. I would prefer portability and automatic metering over an additional 100mm.

If you don't have to haul the lens long distance and would primarily be using it for nest shots then perhaps you would be better off with a bit better reach even if you have to haul a bigger lens and adjust the exposure a bit more.

Hmmmm... not much help then am I...

Jun 05, 2009 at 06:21 AM

Nachtkinder
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p.1 #5 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

I decided to go for the 500mm. I think the metering did it for me. Thanks all

Jun 05, 2009 at 06:59 AM

tc95
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p.1 #6 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

The D300 will meter any of the lenses you have asked about...you just have to program the lens into the manual section in the menu...

Tony C.

Jun 05, 2009 at 12:53 PM

tc95
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p.1 #7 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

I have used a D300 with

200mm f2 ED-IF
300mm f2.8 ED-IF
600mm f5.6 ED-IF
800mm f5.6 ED-IF
55mm f1.2 IF
200mm f4

Plus a lot of old Tamron Adaptall Lenses.....

I think the D700 and D3 are the same way but all the other cameras are not....my D90 does not have that ability yet....

Jun 05, 2009 at 12:59 PM

plubbry
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p.1 #8 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

I am aware that the D300, once provided with lens information, can meter with a 'non metering' lens. I have not had a use for this feature yet so I haven't looked into it much. What information does the camera need? Is it just focal length and max aperature? If this is the case then is seems that it would work reasonably well with a long prime. How does this metering work in practice? Do you find any limitations or circumstances where it doesn't work well when compared to a lens that supports matrix metering? I think it is a neat feature but don't know much about it.

Jun 05, 2009 at 01:33 PM

jbledsoe
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p.1 #9 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

Metering on the 600mm F4 Ai-S (MF) works fine on D200 and newer. Just choose 600mm and f4 and you're off and running. It's a beast but if you need 12x magnification then it's great. A Wimberley is the only way to go for this one and I find the Lens Trekker 600 AW II works well with it, lens with body attached and off you go. (tripod in hand of course). No I'm not advertising for them, just find this combo works well and my back thanks me.

Here's some good info on it.
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/telephotos/600mm.htm

Jul 28, 2009 at 06:07 AM

ToeTag
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p.1 #10 · Nikon 600mm F4 MF vs. 500mm F4 P

Some great info above.
One thing that's left out is that the cpu chip in the 500/4.0 P will provide focus-distance info to cameras that can use it (as least: F5, D200, D300, D2, D3, etc.) for color-matrix metering, which is usually quite good. Without the correct chip, this info is not available to the camera which will fallback to a lesser metering scheme.

I just got the 500/4.0 P and think it's really great. I've only been fooling around so far as I'm recovering from a cold and can't get out in the wilds - yet. Looking forward to it.

This lens seems to be pretty stiff at both ends of the focusing range (near and far) for about and inch in from infinity and and inch in from the closest focus, it gets hard to turn the ring. Anyone familiar with this or the cure?

Thanks.

Nov 13, 2009 at 11:23 PM

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