p.12 #1 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I don't have any big tele because I don' want to spend too much money on a lense I won't use much but this could be a great lense for me! Not up to my other lenses but good enought for what i'll use it for. If af is not bad, this will be a killer lense!!
Looks like it beats the Sigma, both at 500mm f6.3 quite handily. I'd say it's even sharper than the Sigma wide open, at 500 f5.6 vs 500 f6.3. Also seems to handle TCs pretty well - I'm surprised at how well it holds up with the 1.7x.
Definitely looks like a promising piece of glass so far.
p.12 #5 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
A Nikon Canada ambassador has some shots from a soccer game up. Low-res, but looks like on the D4s at least the AF is workable for sports. http://nickdidlick.com/nikkor-200-500mm/
Lauchlan Toal wrote:
A Nikon Canada ambassador has some shots from a soccer game up. Low-res, but looks like on the D4s at least the AF is workable for sports. http://nickdidlick.com/nikkor-200-500mm/
Those look amazing! Drives me crazy when non-action shooters (on Dpreview) comment on AF speed when they really have no idea what they'e talking about. But that is Dpreview for you.
p.12 #9 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Yes, sc_john - You'll be good to go.
This from the Nikon web site:
*Compatible with TC-14E series teleconverters (AF is only available when used with DSLR cameras that offer f/8 support. These include: D4, D4S, Df, D600, D610, D750, D800, D800E, D810, D7100, D7200). Compatible with TC-17E and TC-20E series teleconverters (AF not possible).
Also worth noting this individual is selling his Sigma 150-600C and Tamron 150-600 in favor of the 200-500 (I am not sure how some people end up with all 3 haha).
He has a shot taken at 1000mm and 1/6 second handheld haha (it's far from perfect but it's much better than one would expect under such conditions). Seems to have high praise for the VR.
He says AF speed is faster than the Tamron, but slower than the Sigma. The 6m - infinity setting apparently speeds things up significantly for distance work.
Apparently the tripod collar/foot is nice and sturdy.
Also worth noting this individual is selling his Sigma 150-600C and Tamron 150-600 in favor of the 200-500 (I am not sure how some people end up with all 3 haha).
He has a shot taken at 1000mm and 1/6 second handheld haha (it's far from perfect but it's much better than one would expect under such conditions). Seems to have high praise for the VR.
He says AF speed is faster than the Tamron, but slower than the Sigma. The 6m - infinity setting apparently speeds things up significantly for distance work.
Apparently the tripod collar/foot is nice and sturdy....Show more →
Not sure about the tripod collar, it has some flex in it just like the 80-400's and the older 80-400 and 300/4
p.12 #18 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
My Nikon 200-500mm arrived this morning and I was able to spend about 15 minutes in the backyard with a few of our resident Anna's Hummingbirds. AF is FAST on my D810, I am easily tracking hummingbirds with center point AF-C. Here's an example of one, note this is a heavy crop, only 4MP so roughly 12% of the original 36MP image, in the shade under clouds and underexposed to keep my shutter speed up (though 1/800 is far slower than I usually shoot hummers, I'm usually up closer to 1/1600-1/3200 with the sun out). I've included uncorrected version and then one with a little post processing applied...exposure corrected, a little noise reduction and a little saturation to bring back the color lost in the shade. Hoping to get something closer to full frame this afternoon when I have more time to get closer without startling these little guys
I don't really understand how others are measuring AF speed...it seems they are using the Ken Rockwell measurement of how fast it takes to rack focus from MFD to infinity which to me is not a realistic way to do so and only done by people who do not shoot moving objects...which is the whole point of AF speed. Ironic, right? Going from defocused to a moving hummingbird is instantaneous even with center point only, it is probably faster with GRP, D-9 or D-21 though I was using only center point for accuracy to keep the eye as sharp as possible. My D810 is set to AF lock setting #2, everything else AF related is as-is from the factory.
Looking forward to getting out to the local state park for some Ospreys this week.
FYI I had to host these to imgur as they are over this site's 750kb limit:
p.12 #19 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Finally a picture of a moving subject that is a bit erratic and difficult to track.
Nice shot... I am curious about how the lens compares to the 200-400mm f4 VR. If I am correct, you also own one of these lenses... once you've spent time with you new lens, please offer a bit of insight about how these two lenses compare to each other.
regards,
bruce
p.12 #20 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
OwlsEyes wrote:
Finally a picture of a moving subject that is a bit erratic and difficult to track.
Nice shot... I am curious about how the lens compares to the 200-400mm f4 VR. If I am correct, you also own one of these lenses... once you've spent time with you new lens, please offer a bit of insight about how these two lenses compare to each other.
regards,
bruce
Absolutely and great memory, I do own the 200-400mm f4G VR1 which I use 99% of the time with a TC-14E III attached. I'm most interested in seeing how well the 200-500mm does with fast approaching birds, e.g. hunting Ospreys, which the 200-400+TC handles very very well. Sharpness so far I'd give a nod to the 200-400mm bare lens but it is pretty darn close when comparing the 200-400mm with TC attached. And my 200-400mm + TC is AF fine tuned for extreme sharpness from MFD to great distance/infinity. I have not attempted any AF fine tuning yet with the 200-500mm but I will this afternoon after I get some work done at my non-photography day job
For $1400 I am absolutely blown away and can't wait to really get out in the field with this one. What's even better is that in no way will I need to bring a monopod/tilt head/shoulder pad and I plan to remove my vertical grip, making this an easily hand holdable combo for anyone used to carrying a 200-400, 500 f4, 300 2.8, etc. Additionally, the 200-500mm is not front heavy at all and MUCH easier to hold and balance than the extremely front heavy Sigma Sports 150-600mm which I owned for a short period of time when I had my Canon gear earlier this year (unfortunately I do not have hands-on experience with the Sigma Contemporary or Tamron 150-600 lenses). Sharpness so far looks better than the Sigma Sports as well which is really impressive, the Sigma Sports is no slouch for what it is. The 200-500mm also has much quieter image stabilization and focus motor noise, it is near silent in all operation which is really cool for close-quarters bird shooting. Total stealth mode with the D810 set to quiet shutter
