p.3 #1 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
Javier Munoz wrote:
If the MTFs that nikon released are true I am not sure that the 600+1.7x combo would get you anywhere close. Still, I also think that this lens is more a "we-the-best" lens that would serve a tiny fraction of the market rather than a regular product.
If they are available at NPS I want to give it a try.
The insurance would be quite costly for a weekend.
p.3 #2 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
Finally, Nikon is getting into fluorite lens elements.
That 800mm lens looks nice, and its dedicated TC sounds like a very smart move in order to ensure a dependable quality of FL extension.
A goodly number of elements in the lens, i.e., 20, compared to Canon's 14 elements in their 8oomm lens. As a result, the weight of Nikkor 800 doesn't come as a surprise: about 100 g more than Canon 800. We were kinda expecting a bit better there.
Furthermore, both lenses have the same MFD....6m, which is often quite limiting.
However, in the end it will be IQ, and AF responsiveness to some extent, which will decide the lens' success. For $18,000 its performance should be truly excellent, but, as always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
p.3 #5 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
hijazist wrote:
The 16-35's MSRP is almost twice the price, that's one reason. Another reason is weight & size. Finally, I don't understand why would anyone judge this lens before it's even tested. The 16-35 is indeed an excellent lens but it has its flaws (huge distortion, corner sharpness). Who knows how this one would perform?
p.3 #9 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
binary visions wrote:
The electromagnetic diaphragm is interesting, looks like they might be shifting away from the lever operated aperture.
It opens up a number of questions, of course... will any current bodies be compatible with a firmware upgrade (i.e. is it using the same number of electrical contacts)? I have to assume the lens has an aperture lever for legacy compatibility?
Current tilt/shift lenses are also "E". The D3, D300, and probably all newer cameras support E lenses. Cameras more than five years old will not work properly.
p.3 #10 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
Ahh, interesting. I didn't realize that - thanks. I guess if you're buying an $18k lens, a few thousand for a current generation body is not a big stumbling block...
p.3 #13 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
Vox Sciurorum wrote:
Current tilt/shift lenses are also "E". The D3, D300, and probably all newer cameras support E lenses. Cameras more than five years old will not work properly.
Telecoverters other than the bundled one may not work properly either because they do not pass through the extra signal. If you're lucky the lens stays wide open, the opposite of the behavior of a "G" lens with a disconnected mechanical aperture.
p.3 #14 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
Avi B wrote:
Oh that 800 is a sweet lens and is handholdable too! Centre of gravity is quite nice. I'd say if you can handle a 200-400/4 you can do this baby.
Didn't see this new tele with it though. Anyway the lens on its own has lovely IQ.
Rodolfo, where are you? You will love this for your Airshows...
A couple of pages behind you, Avi... had a couple of client meetings so I'm behind the curve.
Yes, I would abso-blooming-lutely love this lens. I'm worried about the 10.1 pounds, since I handhold most of my long shots and the 7.8 pounds of the 500/4 is an effort already. Maybe I just need to work out more. When you said "it's handholdable too" where did you find any information on its center of gravity and balance? The 400/2.8 and 600/4 are not handholdable, but the front-heaviness of both lenses is at least as much a factor as the overall weight. I'm hoping the 800 is better balanced.
I've already spent a few minutes looking at the pre-order page on B&H. I will certainly end up buying one, but it's hard to say when. Doubtful I can swing it as a pre-order... I may have to wait a few months, or even up to a year. I was expecting $14K, not $18K.
p.3 #15 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
The 400/2.8 and 600/4 are not handholdable, but the front-heaviness of both lenses is at least as much a factor as the overall weight. I'm hoping the 800 is better balanced.
One of the main reasons for using fluorite instead of ED glass in super-telephoto lenses is that it weighs less. Since the fluorite elements in the AF-S Nikkor 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR (that name is embarrassing) are near the front, it will probably be less front-heavy than you expect.
p.3 #17 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
A couple of pages behind you, Avi... had a couple of client meetings so I'm behind the curve.
Yes, I would abso-blooming-lutely love this lens. I'm worried about the 10.1 pounds, since I handhold most of my long shots and the 7.8 pounds of the 500/4 is an effort already. Maybe I just need to work out more. When you said "it's handholdable too" where did you find any information on its center of gravity and balance? The 400/2.8 and 600/4 are not handholdable, but the front-heaviness of both lenses is at least as much a factor as the overall weight. I'm hoping the 800 is better balanced.
I've already spent a few minutes looking at the pre-order page on B&H. I will certainly end up buying one, but it's hard to say when. Doubtful I can swing it as a pre-order... I may have to wait a few months, or even up to a year. I was expecting $14K, not $18K....Show more →
p.3 #18 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
binary visions wrote:
I know MTF charts aren't the be-all, end-all, but if you're asking why the Nikon might cost more than the Canon, this is at least food for thought:
Nikon and Canon has a long tradition to present estimated/calculated MTF curves
A real MTF test will show the results and now I mean a MTF test by a real lab and of the lens by for example Hasselblads test center or others.
p.3 #20 · Nikon announced 18-35mm and 800mm F/5.6 lenses
Unfortunately, I have to say "yawn". I was notionally interested in the 18-35 back when I was thinking of going FX, but AFAIC the price is insane, though not as insane as the 24-85VR. Hopefully, though, it'll be much better than the last 18-35 3.5-5.6 or whatever it was.
The 800 is a different beast, it's a business expense for certain categories of pros. Namely, paparazzi, event/sport folks or really exotic wildlife photogs. (probably in that order) Or it's a toy for the mega-rich.......
Frogfish wrote:
Living in China , with their huge population of newly made mega-rich (some of which are fanatical bird togs), I can state unequivocally that the price tag would hardly even register - they can easily (and I've seen it many times) spend that a night on dinner with friends. I'm sure there is a huge market for it here. For the rest of us mere mortals without those 000000s on our bank balances it will merely be a dream lens such as mega-cars like a Ferrari or Aston Martin are for many of us
I'll believe that. But the dinner with friends comparison is a bit unfair - although I'm not up on the Shanghai haute cuisine scene, I doubt we're not talking about 1-2 dudes eating a quick meal, we're talking about 5+ big CEOs painting the town. But if the CEO of one company can reach a deal, lay the cooperative framework or learn enough about the competition then and there, it yields many times the returns.
Oh wait, it's a business expense. Or it's just bling for the mega-rich....
Seems a little high to me...IMHO...anyone else agree??
