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?
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...
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.
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.
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.
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?
