A week ago, I had the chance to use the new Nikkor AFS 800mm/5.6 for a short time and shot a few hundred photos.
As said, I didn't have much time, but I thought it might be fun to compare the new AFS 800mm/5.6 VR with its Nikkor companions in the telephoto segment. While this decision was easy, execution was more demanding. 4 lenses, 2 bodies and one tripod seem like a normal load in the backpack. But not this time, as the 4 lenses were a
AFS 800mm/5.6 VR
AFS 600mm/4 VR
AFS 500mm/4 VR
AFS 400mm/2.8 VR
plus 4 TCs (TC1.25, TC-14, TC-17 and TC-20)
plus D800E and D7100 as cameras with the highest FX and DX resolution.
As said, it was a heavy, really heavy backpack.
The idea was to compare from wide open till f11
the AFS 800mm/5.6
the AFS 600mm/4 VR plus TC-14
the AFS 500mm/4 VR plus TC-17
the AFS 400mm/2.8 VR plus TC-20
on 2 distances 400 meters (440 yards) and 100 meters (110 yards) with both cams.
There is a new rubber coverage on the lens foot. Very practical. For 2 reasons: 1) Better to carry and 2) switch it 180 degrees and hang it into a branch or other horizontal pole is better than hand holding the lens. http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/149710967/original.jpg
AFS 800mm, 600mm, 500mm, 400mm. See the pattern on the direction of the lens mount? The super heavy front lens of the 600mm and 400mm require a more forward mounted bracket. The 500mm and 800mm lens weight is more "balanced". http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/149710974/original.jpg
The same pattern continues with the lens hood. The forward mount of the 600 and 400mm lens requires a 2-part hood. The 500mm and 800mm take the simpler approach - one simple hood. With hood, the 600mm is a tad longer than the 800mm lens. http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/149710973/original.jpg
Most animals and sportsmen will see probably this perspective most often. The 400mm and 600mm lens have the biggest front element, followed by the 800mm, followed by the "tiny" 500mm. http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/149710975/original.jpg
Update:
A comparison between AFS 800mm, 600mm, 500 and 400mm lenses is here
Thanks for the kind words.
As you might imagine, it was a pleasure to be able to use the lens.
Just to clarify, this is not meant to be a review, it was never intended just sharing first and rather quick impressions. Basically I had only 3 hrs to shoot and what I can tell, shooting at 800mm requires more care than with shorter focal length lenses ... Not a problem in itself, it just slows things down.
But with the opportunity offered, I could not resist and accepted immediately.
As much fun as it would be having it. I have 0% chance of actually using it for anything lol. I think I'd just walk around with it mounted on my camera to start conversations.
The girl was only 2ft "in front" of the focal plane, just to show the narrow DOF at f8.
It is hard to convey the huge distances all these shots were made ....
Due to the time constraints, I could not wait for a better time (like in the morning). The blur is from the warm air over the city and this long distance. In the full size image the "airwaves" as very visible. Yet, the "base" resolution is very, very high. The letters are approx 3-4 ft high, 0.9 miles away. http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/149743498/original.jpg
thanks for your review and pictures - stunning results on the D7100. Now only if I could afford to get an 800mm. Not happening right now. If I win the Lottery, maybe.
