p.170 #1 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
bs kite wrote:
Welcome ....... very glad to see you
Would you please edit this post to check the box that includes the EXIF data? Thank you.
1. Regarding AF tuning:
I am one who would tune it up. I suspect your lens is capable of more and you won’t know unless you tune it up.
I've had mine for about 3 years and tuned it *several* times….. only in the first year. Now, I know what it can do and I may never tune it again. After every take, I review each image at 100%.
Imo, although these two mallard images are nice, those eyes should be sharper; i.e. “tack” sharp, especially at that close range. I could be wrong. You may have punched the shutter button. And maybe someone else can tell you how the D7200 plays in all of this. I just do not know.
I *do* know there are many factors that go into a sharp image, and most “less than sharp” images are due to user error (which happens often) even with the most expensive glass.
If it is my newly acquired 200-500, I am tuning it. No question. Did you just buy it new? If so, with most vendors, you have 30 days to decide if you are going to keep it. I know that Steve Perry did not get the 200-500 he wanted until the 3rd copy. It was the 2nd copy for me.
And it is not as if you can't go back and change the AF point at any time you feel like changing it.
2. I really love this lens.
Pros: Versatility (that variable focal length!); Very sharp at *all* focal lengths: Some will tell you differently, but you must come to your own conclusions. And at less than $1500, the 200-500 is an absolute steal!
Con: AF is not that quick, even in bright light. I doubt anyone would say it is quick. However, the AF speed is sufficient (ample, very acceptable) for most users, including me. And BTW, after it acquires focus, it’s been my experience that it holds the subject.
I do have the 500 PF coming (pre-order), if for nothing else than maneuverability (agility) and lightness. I am looking forward to attaching that sharp, lightweight one to my D850 and D500. In the meantime, there is no hurry; with the 500PF I will be surrendering the versatility I have been so pleased with.
p.170 #3 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Does anyone have carrying case/bag recommendations for the 200-500 plus a D850? I'd like to keep it in my car, and would prefer something that is more space efficient than the backpack it's now in.
p.170 #4 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
sungphoto wrote:
Does anyone have carrying case/bag recommendations for the 200-500 plus a D850? I'd like to keep it in my car, and would prefer something that is more space efficient than the backpack it's now in.
I asked the same question quite a long time ago on this Nikon Forum. I do not recall how long ago that was.
Just now, I persisted at trying to find that thread with the Search tool; I became frustrated. Perhaps someone who is more knowledgeable at this can find such threads here.
I believe I recall having posted it in its own thread. So, I encourage you to give it its own thread. There is no rule against that.
I would ask the same question in the title of a thread
p.170 #5 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
The Trenchmonkey (Will), likes to have it quickly available in the same way you describe. Or at least he did. Will will know for sure. As I recall, I think it was a Glass Taxi that he recommends. I will be watching that thread if you post it.
I am not the person to give you advice on this, because I ended up buying a LowePro backpack for it (long explanation as to why).
p.170 #6 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
bs kite wrote:
The Trenchmonkey (Will), likes to have it quickly available in the same way you describe. Or at least he did. Will will know for sure. As I recall, I think it was a Glass Taxi that he recommends. I will be watching that thread if you post it.
I am not the person to give you advice on this, because I ended up buying a LowePro backpack for it (long explanation as to why).
Haha thanks. I think the TT Glass Taxi would def do the trick - plenty of room for the 200-500 on the D850 from the looks of it. Challenge is that it's really not that much smaller than the Lowepro protactic 350 that I have it in now. I suppose I don't realllly need yet another bag.. I already have a couple shelves in a closet devoted just to backpacks and shoulder bags.. and my entry way closet for my big rollers
Haven't had a chance to shoot it a ton, but just took some shots of seagulls from my rooftop and it seems to be more than sharp enough for what I'll be using it for, and the image stabilization seems to work great - got sharp static shots of a sign at 1/250 handheld at 500mm - will be great for my convention photography, and I won't need miss lugging around the 200-400 f4 VR2 (that I'd always rent for conventions).
p.170 #7 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I was in the same quandary recently and was suggested Glass Taxi. I didn't find it at a good price nor did I like how it looked.
I found Think Tank Airport Essential and bought it locally. 200-500 fits in it with body attached along with numerous other lenses/gear. Its quite compact for the amount of gear you can fit in and has nice thick padding all around - my 2 cents.
p.170 #8 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I checked out the glass taxi too and I think I’m going to just stick with the protactic 350 to carry the 200-500 plus d850. I like that it easily fits the body and lens attached, has some semi-rigid cushioning on top, and I can fit the z7 plus a couple lenses next to it.
The more I think about it, any smaller and I think I’d feel a little silly wearing it. I truly understand (some) women’s obsession with the perfect purse now.
Slowcaptain wrote:
I was in the same quandary recently and was suggested Glass Taxi. I didn't find it at a good price nor did I like how it looked.
I found Think Tank Airport Essential and bought it locally. 200-500 fits in it with body attached along with numerous other lenses/gear. Its quite compact for the amount of gear you can fit in and has nice thick padding all around - my 2 cents.
p.170 #9 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I think the much more likely culprit is that you shot at 1/100 and 1/80. Both are too slow to expect sharp results when shooting a live animal with a heavy-ish telelphoto lens. I've never needed to fine tune a lens. Of course, it won't hurt if you do it correctly. If you do not do it correctly, though, your results won't be quite as good as they could be. Before you expend a lot of effort doing so, I'd take some more shots with a faster SS.
p.170 #12 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
bs kite wrote:
Welcome ....... very glad to see you
Would you please edit this post to check the box that includes the EXIF data? Thank you.
1. Regarding AF tuning:
I am one who would tune it up. I suspect your lens is capable of more and you won’t know unless you tune it up.
I've had mine for about 3 years and tuned it *several* times….. only in the first year. Now, I know what it can do and I may never tune it again. After every take, I review each image at 100%.
Imo, although these two mallard images are nice, those eyes should be sharper; i.e. “tack” sharp, especially at that close range. I could be wrong. You may have punched the shutter button. And maybe someone else can tell you how the D7200 plays in all of this. I just do not know.
I *do* know there are many factors that go into a sharp image, and most “less than sharp” images are due to user error (which happens often) even with the most expensive glass.
If it is my newly acquired 200-500, I am tuning it. No question. Did you just buy it new? If so, with most vendors, you have 30 days to decide if you are going to keep it. I know that Steve Perry did not get the 200-500 he wanted until the 3rd copy. It was the 2nd copy for me.
And it is not as if you can't go back and change the AF point at any time you feel like changing it.
2. I really love this lens.
Pros: Versatility (that variable focal length!); Very sharp at *all* focal lengths: Some will tell you differently, but you must come to your own conclusions. And at less than $1500, the 200-500 is an absolute steal!
Con: AF is not that quick, even in bright light. I doubt anyone would say it is quick. However, the AF speed is sufficient (ample, very acceptable) for most users, including me. And BTW, after it acquires focus, it’s been my experience that it holds the subject.
I do have the 500 PF coming (pre-order), if for nothing else than maneuverability (agility) and lightness. I am looking forward to attaching that sharp, lightweight one to my D850 and D500. In the meantime, there is no hurry; with the 500PF I will be surrendering the versatility I have been so pleased with.
p.170 #15 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Reference the SlowCaptain issue:
I did not see the show shutter speeds before. My mistake. I think that *may* be a factor in those two mallard images. And I agree that those shutter speeds are not likely to render a sharp image of a living animal. Sometimes yes, more often not.
I am tending to agree with Groob on this; i.e. the less than really sharp eyes are more likely due to the show shutter speeds.
I am hoping to hear what others think, even if not in agreement. What do ya’ll think?
I would still do the tuning we talked about. Won’t you be very happy if/when you discover how sharp your 200-500 lens really is? I’ll still bet a nickel it is sharp.
Second, if I am shooting slow enough that I am depending on VR to reduce vibration, I would rather be holding a heavier rig than a lightweight one. A heavy rig is not going to vibrate as much (In the first place) as a lightweight one, simply because of its greater mass.
The tendency of an object to remain at rest is directly related to its mass.
p.170 #20 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Well, here are my pretty mediocre attempts at birding, as well as a crazy seattlelite that for whatever reason decided to go for a row in the middle of a snowstorm.
I am primarily a people photographer, with some commercial product work thrown in, so birding is a new genre for me and I have to say I'm kind of hooked. Shooting the D850 with the 200-500 f5.6, I am starting to understand why it's such a powerful combo. Primarily using auto area AF or 3d tracking mode when in AF-C, and just single point in AF-S. And now I need to get my hands on a 1.4 teleconverter..
Totally open to tips and feedback (and yes even, these pics are crap, stick to people haha). Pretty much all of these are at 500mm and f5.6-6.3, with a shutter speed of around 1/1000-2000 depending on whether they're in flight or slower moving. Unfortunately the overcast skies haven't given me much light to work with, so looking forward to taking this combo to Africa later in the year.
Also any recos for a 95mm filter? I usually just go with B+W but not sure if there are better options for this large of a filter.
