Since you seem to have both the 500PF and the 500 f4E, how do these compare in your opinion? I have the 500PF on the Z7, and think it is a great combo, but when putting on the 1.4TC, I feel it is less compelling. I would really like a 700mm option that is more than just acceptable. I am debating whether I should get a 500f4E after all next to the 500PF, for dedicated birding trips and for use with the 1.4TC. I would love to hear from people who have both these lenses and how they compare bare, but especially with the 1.4TC.
ChrisMak wrote:
Since you seem to have both the 500PF and the 500 f4E, how do these compare in your opinion? I have the 500PF on the Z7, and think it is a great combo, but when putting on the 1.4TC, I feel it is less compelling. I would really like a 700mm option that is more than just acceptable. I am debating whether I should get a 500f4E after all next to the 500PF, for dedicated birding trips and for use with the 1.4TC. I would love to hear from people who have both these lenses and how they compare bare, but especially with the 1.4TC.
Personally, I think at close distance, sharpness is not that different but the longer the distance, the more obvious the difference is when you pixel peep. 500/4E also retain contrast better against the sun. Of course 500/4 will have better separation.
I would not hesitate to put tc14e iii on 500/4 at all but also think that it is still very good on 500PF but at f8, light could be
come more of a problem.
Generally, if I can use 500/4, I would prefer to use 500/4 but its weight and size is not always practical and in that case, I
would gladly use 500PF for sure.
Thanks,
I find that the "crispness" and auto focus suffer noticeably with the 1.4TC on the 500PF in lower-medium contrast light. Auto focus does not always lock on accurately, but then I am referring to larger distances. It's my experience that distance shooting is most affected by the use of a teleconverter. I noticed that to a large degree with the Canon 400DOII. I.m.o. the 500PF is best without 1.4TC, and works but does not exite with the 1.4TC in anything but very good, bright light. I will rent the 500f4E in due time to see if it is worth the hefty price and weight. Perhaps Nikon releases the 600PF, 600mm bare is enough with the cropping power of the Z7.
suteetat wrote:
Personally, I think at close distance, sharpness is not that different but the longer the distance, the more obvious the difference is when you pixel peep. 500/4E also retain contrast better against the sun. Of course 500/4 will have better separation.
I would not hesitate to put tc14e iii on 500/4 at all but also think that it is still very good on 500PF but at f8, light could be
come more of a problem.
Generally, if I can use 500/4, I would prefer to use 500/4 but its weight and size is not always practical and in that case, I
would gladly use 500PF for sure. ...Show more →
Same experience here after testing the 500PF this week.
Very sharp lens, but when shooting with the 1.4TC III in bad light, but AF was surprisingly bad. Now also thinking about renting a 500f4 as I need the extra reach from the TC.
ChrisMak wrote:
Thanks,
I find that the "crispness" and auto focus suffer noticeably with the 1.4TC on the 500PF in lower-medium contrast light. Auto focus does not always lock on accurately, but then I am referring to larger distances. It's my experience that distance shooting is most affected by the use of a teleconverter. I noticed that to a large degree with the Canon 400DOII. I.m.o. the 500PF is best without 1.4TC, and works but does not exite with the 1.4TC in anything but very good, bright light. I will rent the 500f4E in due time to see if it is worth the hefty price and weight. Perhaps Nikon releases the 600PF, 600mm bare is enough with the cropping power of the Z7.
I had the Canon 400DOII with both 1.4tc and 2.0tc on the 7DII before I switched to Nikon, and even with the 2.0tc that combo had better (more consistent) AF than the 500PF + 1.4TC.
I now use the 500PF on the Z7, but even then, I find AF performance (consistency) and IQ (fine detail) not satisfactory.
The 500PF is perhaps best to shoot bare, especially at larger distances.
So I really hope that the 500mm f4E does significantly better with the 1.4TC AF wise but also for fine detail.
buseyphoto wrote:
Same experience here after testing the 500PF this week.
Very sharp lens, but when shooting with the 1.4TC III in bad light, but AF was surprisingly bad. Now also thinking about renting a 500f4 as I need the extra reach from the TC.
ChrisMak wrote:
I had the Canon 400DOII with both 1.4tc and 2.0tc on the 7DII before I switched to Nikon, and even with the 2.0tc that combo had better (more consistent) AF than the 500PF + 1.4TC.
I now use the 500PF on the Z7, but even then, I find AF performance (consistency) and IQ (fine detail) not satisfactory.
The 500PF is perhaps best to shoot bare, especially at larger distances.
So I really hope that the 500mm f4E does significantly better with the 1.4TC AF wise but also for fine detail.
the 1.4 is invisible on the 500e, AF and IQ
even the 1.7 works very well
[edit] isn't the canon f/4 ? I've never had a 5.6 lens take a TC well. For me I'll use the 1.7 and 2x on f/2.8 lenses and the 1.4 on f/2.8 and f/4 lenses, primes only and nothing greater than f/4, I'd rather get closer
Thanks, that sounds positive. The 500MM E is so expensive that it has to be right as it won't allow me to purchase anything else for quite a while. But if it takes the 1.4TC as well as the Canon 400DOII does, than it will be worth it. The 400 DOII is F4 yes, but still works great at 800mm F8
RandyR wrote:
the 1.4 is invisible on the 500e, AF and IQ
even the 1.7 works very well
[edit] isn't the canon f/4 ? I've never had a 5.6 lens take a TC well. For me I'll use the 1.7 and 2x on f/2.8 lenses and the 1.4 on f/2.8 and f/4 lenses, primes only and nothing greater than f/4, I'd rather get closer
ChrisMak wrote:
Thanks, that sounds positive. The 500MM E is so expensive that it has to be right as it won't allow me to purchase anything else for quite a while. But if it takes the 1.4TC as well as the Canon 400DOII does, than it will be worth it. The 400 DOII is F4 yes, but still works great at 800mm F8
Talk to Geoff (arbitrage), he has experience with both lens you are wondering about, the canon and the nikon
