Bones74 wrote:
Hi Wayne, could you maybe clear up the whole "soft at infinity" thing? I always hear that the nikon 200-400 is sharp, but soft at infinity (@400mm). Paired with a D4 it comes in at under £10k, which is still £2k less than just a 200-400L so its definitely a viable option for some. How do you find it performs with the 1.4 x tc? Cheers
I've only had the Nikon for 5 months now and don't have the 1.4x tc yet. Most of my shooting with it is outdoor field sports where I don't shoot near infinity much. The only shot I could find is this 100% crop from a D800E of Jupiter and the moon from January. It was shot at 1/30sec on a monopod with no post process sharpening.
I have a Nikon to Canon adapter. If I have some free time maybe I'll try mounting my 200-400G and 400 2.8IS on a 5DIII.
PetKal wrote:
That's my latest BIF test target for new lenses........will be used on 200-400L
It's simply amazing your training talents, getting those large Canadian Pijuns to freeze in mid flight while you wait for your 200-400 to arrive...sure hope you bring those beautiful honkers some snacks, they must get awful hungry hovering about
Hell, I certainly haven't got the Burningheart's copy of 200-400L today, and I wonder who has ? Perhaps Ron Scheffler has had his little fingers in the switcharoo scheme ? Has he received a lens today ?
Regarding the soft performance of the Nikon 200-400: from the info I've read, some say this is caused by the optional front protective filter. If not used, performance should be good. In any case, while one could buy a used D3s or D4 and 200-400 for roughly the same price as the Canon 200-400, it would be like tying up ~$5k to use with one lens, unless one is to spend even more on additional Nikon lenses. Then it starts to sound like a system switch. The way I look at it, if I'm shooting field sports, and starting out, I'll be spending about $10k on a lens anyway, whether it's a 400 prime or a 200-400 zoom. I've used a prime for the last 20 years and want to give it a try with the zoom. Maybe it'll work out, maybe not. My biggest concern is that with the prime I am comfortable shooting tight. But with a zoom and knowing I can zoom back, that I'll end up constantly shooting too loose. We'll see...
As indicated by several posters, the pros will purchase this lens since it is part of their working gear. The rest of us hobbyists will either have to go with out it, or rent it.
For me, photography is a hobby and I can think of a lot of other things to do with $12K. I might rent one for a safari trip, and that will be fine with me.
PetKal wrote:
I live about one hour drive from the Canon Canada warehouse.
My 200-400 seller's shop is 1.5 hr drive from the warehouse, but not in my direction.
How long does it take to process and ship a few medium size cartons locally ? A week ?
Must be nice to have a captive market. Cushy employment, almost as good as Senators' jobs, to stretch the meaning of the word "job" in that case.
PetKal wrote:
I live about one hour drive from the Canon Canada warehouse.
My 200-400 seller's shop is 1.5 hr drive from the warehouse, but not in my direction.
How long does it take to process and ship a few medium size cartons locally ? A week ?
It is time to initiate project Retrieve Peters 200-400! We cannot wait any longer, release the ninja-ducks and let them bring it home!
PetKal wrote:
I live about one hour drive from the Canon Canada warehouse.
My 200-400 seller's shop is 1.5 hr drive from the warehouse, but not in my direction.
How long does it take to process and ship a few medium size cartons locally ? A week ?
Must be nice to have a captive market. Cushy employment, almost as good as Senators' jobs, to stretch the meaning of the word "job" in that case.
In talking to my contact this morning, I am next on the list at my dealer. Don't know how long the waiit will be but at least I have reached the top.
Though I am having a vision of a dark van with blackened windows pulling up to the warehouse tonight and all the trained Piguns inside will be released out of the back and they will fly in and carry back one box containing a 200-560 for their master.
