p.144 #1 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
1.4x TC III gives good results when used with my D500 & 200-500. Certainly sharper than upsizing in post-processing. Have not fine-tuned any of my Nikon lenses because none have front or back-focused.
p.144 #2 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
squon wrote:
I rented this lens over Christmas for a weekend but unfortunately it just wasn't enough time for me to fully test it. So I rented it again for a couple more days and I find that I am having difficulty trying to pan with this thing. I find I have a love hate relationship with this lens so far (mostly love so far). But it's freakin huge and heavy.
If I was to buy this lens I would be mostly panning with it very close to the ground to shoot fast action outdoors, with me laying on the ground.
I find it very hard to zoom in and out and pan with it because the zoom requires two full cranks with your wrist to go from 200-500 and vice versa. I did find that removing the collar does help though, it's one less thing in the way but then it really hinders your ability to comfortably set the camera and lens on any surface.
For those who have this lens and shoot fast action sports with it outdoors, can you give me tips on comfortably and smoothly panning with it?
Even when I am not on the ground panning with it, I find my arms get tired really quick....Show more →
For a 200-500 f5.6 zoom lens, it is NOT freakin huge and heavy. Don't know what you expect for the price. Want to try something bigger and heavier, try a Nikon 500 f4. If you want to comfortably and smoothly pan with it, do what most others do and use a tripod. Sit on something low and have your tripod set low. If you insist on shooting laying on the ground, that is your problem.
Why do you think MOST pro sports photographers that shoot with the big primes for extended periods of time use monopods or tripods?
p.144 #3 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Imagemaster wrote:
1.4x TC III gives good results when used with my D500 & 200-500. Certainly sharper than upsizing in post-processing. Have not fine-tuned any of my Nikon lenses because none have front or back-focused.
p.144 #5 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
For fast action, I sit down and look down into the DR5 right angle finder. I will continue to crab about Nikon's LiveView for action. It is way, way too slow. And Silent shutter has far too long a black-out for action. If you shoot weddings I am sure it is fine...but not for action. No way Nikon!
Just two days ago I called Nikon and complained about the DR5. Ok, I know they are not listening. I want them to redesign it. I love a right angle finder, but the DR5 (unlike the DR6) takes way too long to mount/dismount. DR5 screws in...DR6 slide on.
So. I make no attempt to shoot while lying on the ground. Almost impossible to do and bad for the cervical vertebrae and nerves.
I sit down and then look down. And this is far easier on the arms and back....
I may set up this super-rigid Enduro carbon fiber tripod, or I am just as likely to cradle D500/200-500 between my legs, in as comfortable a position as I can get.
You are not going to be able to zoom this lens during fast action. Not available. However, if you think about it long enough, you will get creative. I am not going to bore you with every detail. You can figure out what is best for you.
That is it. Others here have helped me with many things. So, I hope this is helpful for others too. It works!
Robert
squon wrote:
I rented this lens over Christmas for a weekend but unfortunately it just wasn't enough time for me to fully test it. So I rented it again for a couple more days and I find that I am having difficulty trying to pan with this thing. I find I have a love hate relationship with this lens so far (mostly love so far). But it's freakin huge and heavy.
If I was to buy this lens I would be mostly panning with it very close to the ground to shoot fast action outdoors, with me laying on the ground.
I find it very hard to zoom in and out and pan with it because the zoom requires two full cranks with your wrist to go from 200-500 and vice versa. I did find that removing the collar does help though, it's one less thing in the way but then it really hinders your ability to comfortably set the camera and lens on any surface.
For those who have this lens and shoot fast action sports with it outdoors, can you give me tips on comfortably and smoothly panning with it?
Even when I am not on the ground panning with it, I find my arms get tired really quick....Show more →
p.144 #7 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
bs kite wrote:
So. I make no attempt to shoot while lying on the ground. Almost impossible to do and bad for the cervical vertebrae and nerves.
Thanks, this is exactly what I was thinking as well. It would be super bad for my back with a 4.6lb lens (5.2 with the collar). The Tamron 100-400 suits this purpose a lot better because it's a lot lighter, smaller and won't kill the back.
I sit down and then look down. And this is far easier on the arms and back....
But what if you can't sit down?
You are not going to be able to zoom this lens during fast action. Not available. However, if you think about it long enough, you will get creative. I am not going to bore you with every detail. You can figure out what is best for you.
This is the conclusion that I came to as well, that it's just not going to be possible to zoom this lens during fast action. Just no way. First, you'd have to for sure remove the collar as it just gets in the way and even then the barrel is just too big and requires two full wrist turns. You will seriously strain your wrists.
p.144 #8 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
squon wrote:
This is the conclusion that I came to as well, that it's just not going to be possible to zoom this lens during fast action. Just no way. First, you'd have to for sure remove the collar as it just gets in the way and even then the barrel is just too big and requires two full wrist turns. You will seriously strain your wrists.
You do realize that you can zoom the 200-500 by simply using the push/pull method without having to twist your wrist at all, don't you?
Simply hold the lens in front of the rotating part of the barrel and push or pull.
p.144 #9 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Imagemaster wrote:
For a 200-500 f5.6 zoom lens, it is NOT freakin huge and heavy. Don't know what you expect for the price. Want to try something bigger and heavier, try a Nikon 500 f4. If you want to comfortably and smoothly pan with it, do what most others do and use a tripod. Sit on something low and have your tripod set low. If you insist on shooting laying on the ground, that is your problem.
Why do you think MOST pro sports photographers that shoot with the big primes for extended periods of time use monopods or tripods?
Well I found the lens heavy holding it for 5mins in the store. I was getting serious arm strain after a few mins of holding it up. I think this lens has to be used on a monopod or shoulder rig.
p.144 #11 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
After switching to Nikon 4 or 5 years ago, I totally stopped paying attention to equipment, and had written off long telephoto after seeing the size and price of the exotics. Somehow Nikon released this puppy two years ago without me noticing until now, but I'm excited about my copy that's on its way from B&H.
This time of the year in Washington, we get lots of bald eagles wintering to feed on salmon runs, as well as snow geese from Siberia. I'm looking forward to taking it out after it arrives :-)
