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Archive 2013 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

mmarconi
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

I'm shopping for a used 500 or 600mm telephoto. VR versions are out of my price range right now.

Both these lens were produced in AF-S 1 and 2 versions. I can look up the specs easily enough concerning weight, length, elements etc.

Finding little to no info on the actual differences between AFS 1 and 2. Can anyone offer any insight relating to the AF performance between the 2 versions?

Thanks Mike

Jun 08, 2013 at 07:08 AM

rd4tile
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

I'm looking forward to hearing some info on your question as well. I've read they are identical except for the construction of the II which uses lighter metal etc. I also read somewhere that one can have the AFS system updated to the "latest version" from 500VR FWIW.

I have an AF-S I and it AF's as fast as any Nikkor super tele I've owned (200 f2, 300 f2.8VR2, 200-400) so I'm not too concerned about AF performance. I really like the 500 focal length and am working my way up to a 500VR. The AF-S II is next on my list but they come up so rarely at a decent price I may end up with the VR version first.

Jun 08, 2013 at 08:32 AM

mmarconi
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

rd4tile wrote:
I'm looking forward to hearing some info on your question as well. I've read they are identical except for the construction of the II which uses lighter metal etc. I also read somewhere that one can have the AFS system updated to the "latest version" from 500VR FWIW.

Ya I've read that if a AFS I needs repairs related to the AF motor that Nikon actually will use AFS II parts leaving the lens essentially an AFS II version, least AF wise.

This won't be a popular thought on this forum, but I'm actually thinking I may be better off switching to Canon when it comes to long glass. I don't think there is a hill beans difference between Canon and Nikon when your looking at expensive glass and comparing IQ, build quality, service etc, in fact Canon may have a sight edge for build quality.

What is a attractive about Canon is that the used market is more active. You can readily find 500mm f4 AF lenses for sale. Just looking right now on the B&S forum there are 4 or five currently. You can get a 500mm with IS for roughly $5000 to $5500 where as if you can find a Nikon 500mm AF-S II without VR your looking at roughly $4800 to 5500, around $7000 for a VR version. Given the Canon is not equivalent to a VRII but still IS vI is better than no VR. Unless your heavily invested in other Nikon equipment (which I'm not) it's a very attractive alternative.

I mostly shoot wildlife, use a D7100 with Nikon 300 f4 AF-S and 500 f4 AI-P (selling it). I could probably pickup a used Canon 500 IS and 7D for less then a used Nikon 500 VRII assuming you can even find one. Just not sure I want to deal with switching between camera body interfaces while shooting.

Just thinking out loud.

Mike

Jun 08, 2013 at 09:51 AM

Grantland
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

hi mike,

a lot to think about. you really cannot go wrong with a Nikon or Canon 500mm f/4.0. I have owned both and both are excellent.

while i was making the switch to nikon i started out thinking i would shoot canon with my long glass (400 f/2.8 & 500 f/4.0) and nikon fro everything else. it worked . . . but . . . it became obvious that one system would be much much easier. so i sold my canon stuff and only shoot nikon.

i loved canon and i really like my decision to switch to nikon.

grant

Jun 08, 2013 at 10:42 AM

Jason_Brook
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

AF-I = cored motor, heavy as hell
AF-S = switch to modern coreless motor, new optical formula, new construction
AF-S II = lighter materials

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Jun 08, 2013 at 11:57 AM

harshaj1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

I had Nikon 600AF-II before I switch to 600VR. You will do fine with 600 non VR version. I had many super sharp images with that lens. VR helps in windy situations and when the subject is far away. JMHO
Harsha

Jun 08, 2013 at 12:14 PM

mmarconi
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

Grantland wrote:
hi mike,

it worked . . . but . . . it became obvious that one system would be much much easier.

grant

Hey Grant, thats exactly what is keeping from making the jump to excellent but ugly white lenses

Mike

Jun 08, 2013 at 01:18 PM

mmarconi
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

Jason_Brook wrote:
AF-I = cored motor, heavy as hell
AF-S = switch to modern coreless motor, new optical formula, new construction
AF-S II = lighter materials

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Hey Jason, I think you've got it, doing more research looks like difference between AF-S I and II is only in materials, as far as AF performance the consensus seems to be "pretty much the same".

Jun 08, 2013 at 01:22 PM

mmarconi
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

harshaj1 wrote:
I had Nikon 600AF-II before I switch to 600VR. You will do fine with 600 non VR version. I had many super sharp images with that lens. VR helps in windy situations and when the subject is far away. JMHO
Harsha

Thanks Harsha, not sure if I'm going to go with a 500 or 600 yet. If I can find a 600 AF-S II at a decent price I'll probably jump as my next body will be FF. The best deal out there for long Nikon glass is the 600 AF-S I. If you can live with the 13+ pounds they can be found at a decent price point.

Mike

Jun 08, 2013 at 01:27 PM

rd4tile
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

this seems like a reasonable price for a 600 AF-S II:

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Autofocus-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-NA06999051672R?r=FE

Jun 08, 2013 at 01:55 PM

binary visions
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

rd4tile wrote:
this seems like a reasonable price for a 600 AF-S II:

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Autofocus-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-NA06999051672R?r=FE

<offtopic>
KEH drives me bananas. They have the worst categorization and search system. How is it possible that probably the #1 seller of used camera gear can have such a horrible website?

Search for 600mm in the search box. Not one single valid result. You get two Pentax MF lenses. You have to search without the "mm" and then deal with the fact that anything with 600 in the name will come up. Search for something like 200-400 and you get all kinds of weird stuff like 300mm tripod collars, battery chargers...

And what category do you pick? Nikon digital, or Nikon 35mm? Maybe I'm looking for a pretty newly released lens, so you might think that would mean digital... nope. By digital, they mean "DX." Gee, that makes sense.

Jun 08, 2013 at 02:36 PM

DGC1
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

Jun 08, 2013 at 03:42 PM

firealam
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

I have the AFS II 600mm and he the AFS I before... Both were spectacular... But the version ii was significantly lighter then the version one. Image quality was almost identical if not exactly the same... Hope this helps...

Also, my 600mm is the white version.... Anyone care to share if this was a limited production of the lens? Thanks!

Jun 08, 2013 at 06:49 PM

ScottSchupbach
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

Adorama shows they have a refurbished 600 AFS II in stock.

http://www.adorama.com/NK6004AF2R.html

Jun 08, 2013 at 08:02 PM

fpimentel
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

mmarconi wrote:
I'm shopping for a used 500 or 600mm telephoto. VR versions are out of my price range right now.

Both these lens were produced in AF-S 1 and 2 versions. I can look up the specs easily enough concerning weight, length, elements etc.

Finding little to no info on the actual differences between AFS 1 and 2. Can anyone offer any insight relating to the AF performance between the 2 versions?

Thanks Mike

The main potential problem with long lenses AF-S I is that Nikon may not have some parts (in case you need to repair the lens). I used to have a AFS-400 version I and I sold it (relatively cheap) since I sent the lens to Nikon for service and they told me that they could not provide some of the original parts. You may have less problems with AFS II lenses in case you need to repair it.

FP

Jun 08, 2013 at 08:50 PM

Christian H
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

Keep in mind that a 600 pretty much condemns you to a tripod and, more often than not, to shooting from fixed locations. Combined with a lightweight monopod, the 500 still makes for a decent walking-around lens that can also be handheld in a pinch (~12 lbs for the whole system.) That may be important if you like to get further afield than parking lots or wildlife drives. (But that's a good deal on the 600 AFS II, so if you really need one, go for it!)

Jun 08, 2013 at 08:56 PM

mmarconi
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

ScottSchupbach wrote:
Adorama shows they have a refurbished 600 AFS II in stock.

http://www.adorama.com/NK6004AF2R.html

Scott, thanks for the link, just not sure wether I want a 500 or 600.

Jun 08, 2013 at 10:59 PM

mmarconi
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

fpimentel wrote:
The main potential problem with long lenses AF-S I is that Nikon may not have some parts (in case you need to repair the lens). I used to have a AFS-400 version I and I sold it (relatively cheap) since I sent the lens to Nikon for service and they told me that they could not provide some of the original parts. You may have less problems with AFS II lenses in case you need to repair it.

FP

I heard that parts where non existant for AF-I lenses, haven't heard that about AF-S v1, that could put a wrinkle in my plans, I'll have to call Nikon repair next week.

Thanks FP

Jun 08, 2013 at 11:01 PM

mmarconi
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

Christian H wrote:
Keep in mind that a 600 pretty much condemns you to a tripod and, more often than not, to shooting from fixed locations. Combined with a lightweight monopod, the 500 still makes for a decent walking-around lens that can also be handheld in a pinch (~12 lbs for the whole system.) That may be important if you like to get further afield than parking lots or wildlife drives. (But that's a good deal on the 600 AFS II, so if you really need one, go for it!)

Thats exactly why I'm not sure about a 600mm, don't do much shooting from the truck, I like to be out in the woods, always use either a monopod or tripod. Also I think a 600 may force me to upgrade my tripod, have a Gitzo 3531, don't think it would be adequate for a 600.

Jun 08, 2013 at 11:05 PM

Jason_Brook
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · AF-S I vs AF-S II

mmarconi wrote:
I heard that parts where non existant for AF-I lenses, haven't heard that about AF-S v1, that could put a wrinkle in my plans, I'll have to call Nikon repair next week.

Thanks FP

I've always heard huge concern about no parts for AF-I lenses, but I haven't seen one incident where someone said they were screwed because there were no parts. The biggest concern is always the motor. Once I found out they were cored all care went out the window, anyone can fix a cored motor.

Jun 09, 2013 at 07:16 PM


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