After a couple of months without a long lens I received my 600VR.
Last weekend I went out to a Nature Reserve not too far away (Oostvaardersplassen) and had a great time.
All are with the D300, the last one is with a 1.7x TC. The TC makes the image a little soft (or is it me ).
IWhen I looked at the images I saw I need to practice more with the D300, I had several unpredicted soft images.

You lucky SOB. Beautiful images. I'll justify buying that lens before the year is out.

I gave up on the 600 and "settled" for a 500mm VR - just got it and I can't wait to try it! I hope I don't regret not getting the 600!

Hope you enjoy it!

Steve

Am I missing something here? They don't look sharp at all on my screen - especially the 2nd and 3rd image. And it's low contrast.

Very nice and yeah, I would imagine a 600mm + 1.7TC mounted to a DX format could be a challenge to get them all tack sharp.

Oostvaardersplassen = one large road sign.

bobbytan wrote:
Am I missing something here? They don't look sharp at all on my screen - especially the 2nd and 3rd image. And it's low contrast.

^^^ what he said

I am however v.v. jealous ! More practice perhaps needed with the huge piece of glass you now own.

Please keep posting more pics as you go along though !

Andy

What an awesome piece of glass, I wish I would have the spare money to get one
I am sure you will have lots of fun with that lens!

Maybe a dumb question, but why the VR on such a huge lens? Don't we usually turn off VR when shooting from a tripod?

VR is for hand holding.

Edited by James R on Jul 07, 2008 at 08:28 PM GMT

VRII can be used on a tripod to help if the conditions are unstable (windy, etc)

Steve

James R wrote:
VR is hand holding.

But would anyone actually hand-hold with that lens??

after having the 600 vr for several months I'm not exactly excited w/ the 600 + 1.4 tc w/ the d300 either (w/o the tc its awesome!). the d3 w/ 600+1.4 tc is exceptional though(at f6.3 at least)..perhaps the af is a little more precise w/ the d3 (??)

Vr seems to work well w/ panning shots w/ a tripod/monopod; seems to work well for low shutter speeds on mono/tripod (~320 sec and lowwer) for non moving objects also, Evan w/ VR i wouldn't try to hand hold the 600 at lowwer shutter speeds (and i'm a guy who doesn't mind handing a 400 on a short mono)...

bobbytan wrote:
Am I missing something here? They don't look sharp at all on my screen - especially the 2nd and 3rd image.

First very sharp, second sharp, third not sharp.
It's user error It will take some time to get used to this combo.
I used a monopod, probably a tripod will do better.
With Canon I used a series-1 with a 500mm and this combo was easier to work with.

Todd Adamson wrote:
Maybe a dumb question, but why the VR on such a huge lens? Don't we usually turn off VR when shooting from a tripod?

The new superteles have a special "tripod position".
It sure helps, you can see VR working thru the viewfinder.
The Canon superteles detect automatically if you using a tripod or not.

Todd Adamson wrote:
James R wrote:
VR is hand holding.

But would anyone actually hand-hold with that lens??

I can handhold it but not too long

Do check if your lens needs any micro AF adjustment. The DOF is very very thin on the superteles and you want it to be bang on.

Agree with the above about the pics, but there certainly is a learning curve. IS/VR from a tripod is almost a must with the big guns.

About handholding - yes it can be done for short periods at a time (my experience with the Canon 600IS).

Having just purchased a 600mm that isn't VR .. It.s a beautiful / BIG piece of glass.

For sure there is a lil learning curve with these big lens ....

have a 1.7 but found I really need to shoot the 600 sharp as a tack before moving on and using the TC .... mine appear soft also with TC

Shooting big glass with a TC is tough. It's not unusual for me to use the mirror lockup with a cable release if the animal is stationary (one thing I LOVE about Nikon over Canon - I can switch to mirror lockup and back in a second). I also try to use a cable release whenever possible even without the mirror up - just one less thing to cause vibrations.

You might also consider a Wimberly mount for your lens - it lowers the center of gravity and makes it more stable. Plus it has a built-in arca-swiss style plate! Seems to help a little. The foot on Nikon's big glass looks like a monopod it's up so high.

Steve

Steve Perry wrote:
You might also consider a Wimberly mount for your lens - it lowers the center of gravity and makes it more stable. Plus it has a built-in arca-swiss style plate! Seems to help a little. The foot on Nikon's big glass looks like a monopod it's up so high.

Steve

I have the Wimberley head, the next time I'll take it with me.
I use the RRS replacement foot which makes it more usable.

Geez it must be nice to have that kind of dough eh? What is that bad boy around $9k? Nothing like an unlimited budget. I'd be happy with the 500vr however.

traveler wrote:
Geez it must be nice to have that kind of dough eh? What is that bad boy around $9k? Nothing like an unlimited budget. I'd be happy with the 500vr however.


I had the Canon 500mm, but over here it's all about focal length. Birds are very shy overhere

Chris Dees wrote:
IWhen I looked at the images I saw I need to practice more with the D300, I had several unpredicted soft images.

Sorry to hear about that mate... Seems the grass isn't always greener on the other side

Just kidding of course

Glad you finally got your 600

Don't want to sound like an a$$, but those pictures are really poor
and prove nothing... I wish FM wasn't just another place to post "amazing"
or "great" to any average quality image postings...

snowboarder wrote:
Don't want to sound like an a$$, but those pictures are really poor
and prove nothing... I wish FM wasn't just another place to post "amazing"
or "great" to any average quality image postings...

You do sound like an a$$. He only just received the lens and went to take some pics and wanted to share his first day results.

Jesus, I thought he did exceptionally well with that combination including the fact he used a monopod and not a tripod.

I am grateful someone has actually given us a bit of results on such a brand new lens.