You've got to be kidding, that lens is amazing!! Sharp as a tack with great overall IQ! I suppose you have to expect that from such an expensive lens, though!
Thank you for the very interesting comparo and great sample shots.
I had the opportunity to use a pre-production sample of this lens from a friend, last November. It had really great IQ and was actually very handholdable. Similar to the 200-400/4 in weight distribution. Used it on the D3 and D800.
Yeah, if I was shooting wildlife or Air-to-Air, I'd get this lens. After I won the lottery .
Very cool, thanks for taking the time to share this with everyone.
Ad hoc testing a lens like that is an interesting proposition, because atmospherics come into play so quickly, and the slightest deficiency in technique or equipment is going to show up.
AndreasE wrote:
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.
rgds,
Andy
I'll take one of your reports over most of the reviews out there anytime! Amazing is the only way to describe that lens!
Andy, thanks for posting this. A question for you...I own the 'tiny' 500vr and handhold it probably 90% of the time. I was wondering what you thought about the ability to handhold the new 800vr, especially for relatively long periods of time. I end up hiking to shoot wildlife pretty often and while I may have a tripod with me, just find that I almost always hold the lens myself. Thx.
Thanks to all your positive comments. Really appreciated.
Now starts the "boring" part - the comparison shots I mentioned above.
I don't have time to process all the pictures, so I made it very simple to those who are interested.
I've uploaded the original RAW files of the D800E here.
So, don't take my words, take my pictures for your personal assessment ...
I've taken most of the time 2 shots with the same settings and selected the visually better picture for uploading. Yet, don't get the results as "final", as I might have introduced errors in my rather "fast" 800mm shooting. I tried to work as precisely as possible, but there is always room for mishaps.
All shots were taken with a Gitzo 3540 plus a Wemberly II head.
Shots taken with a remote, MUP, Live View and contrast AF.
I've uploaded 2 pictures of 5 lens/TC combinations each. One is with the respective max aperture and the second one with f8. All candidates are able to produce photos with f8, giving a nice baseline to compare kind of optimal resolution.
You have my explicit permission to republish snippets or pictures of interest you identified, or comparisons you made based on my pictures in this thread so we can all learn and discuss the differences and similarities.
Summary:
To state the obvious. The AFS 800mm/5.6 is at 800mm with a body the resolution like the D800E and at max aperture a class in itself Lower resolution bodies like the D3 will blur the differences, as the sensor might be the limiting factor.
Excluding the impact of sample variation (which is more prevalent than people normally believe) I would rank my 500mm second, the 600mm third and the 400mm last (all with TCs).
At f8 the differences vanish to a point, that those who have already one of the great telephoto lenses shouldn't loose sleep over the differences. Those who are in the process to enter this field might look twice which route to go. I understand that the price is for many of detrimental (including me) but as one professional photographer in another forum wrote - "With one right photo, the lens pays for itself ..."
What I haven't checked, but should be considered as well are reflections, glow and flare TCs normally are increasing as well. Light conditions weren't complex during the time I had the lens. What I saw in the night was very well controlled Coma and CA, basically non-existing. But this need further analysis.
Basically, I didn't achieve my personal goal. I wanted to try and test this lens to get the reassurance, that my existing stable of tele lenses is on par with the newcomer and there is no need - now and forever - to consider this lens. Unfortunately, I was wrong. So I have to find another reason and venue to stay strong.
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
Upon review, my response sounds a little harsh. Sorry if it came off that way, it was unintentional: just meant to answer the question.
No Prob, its I didn't find the 3540 model over at B&H and wanted to verify it...
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