p.183 #1 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Lance B wrote:
Fantastic series!
Thanks Lance! I've since sold the lens and you now remind me to get out more with the 500 pf for some wildlife photography. I've been rolling through different photography genres these days!
p.183 #2 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
urbanwild wrote:
Thanks Lance! I've since sold the lens and you now remind me to get out more with the 500 pf for some wildlife photography. I've been rolling through different photography genres these days!
I always thought the 200-500 was a little underrated. Mine was sharp to 500mm and I was very happy with it.
p.183 #3 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Lance B wrote:
I always thought the 200-500 was a little underrated. Mine was sharp top 500mm and I was very happy with it.
Mine too. I've compared with the 500 pf and there's not a lot between the two of them (at least with my old 200-500 version). It was a match made in heaven with the D500, so I made sure I found a buyer who wanted both the camera body and the lens.
I haven't picked up the 180-600 yet but assume one day I will. Right now the 100-400 + 500pf combo is hitting the mark.
p.183 #5 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
During rain I would make a mistake if I forgot a dry towel. When the 2-5 lens is extended I use the towel to absorb the beads of water from the extended barrel. I've never detected fog or moisture inside it.
This nest is just past a sharp corner in the outlet stream to this basin. As I began entering the turn I was not aware of how close I would be to any loon nest. I would have felt responsible if this sitting/incubating loon slid into the water, and abandoned the nest.
The good news is that a single chick hatched from this nest and it flew from the basin in September 2023
p.183 #8 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Common Loon chick (close to 90 days of age) conditioning for its first flight. Parents need about 90 days to raise chicks from hatching to flight. As the first flight approaches, the chick gets excited (probably feeling the lift of its wings in the air). It spends days flying along the surface, back and forth until it finally becomes airborne.
NIKON D850200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6 lens500mmf/8.01/1000s320 ISO-2.0 EV
However, I'm getting some percentage 30-40% maybe which are slightly off and some are way off. How can I improve my hit rate in terms of max sharpness? I find that it helps to use 15-20fps bursts.
p.183 #10 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I seems to do something wrong with AF setup on my Nikon Z8 because I tested the lens again on my old Nikon D800 and my hit rate was almost 100% very sharp photos. Which I find strange because I don't think I have ever gotten such good hit rate ever on my Nikon D800 with this lens haha...
So the question is what I'm doing wrong?
The lens was setup with VR sport = On in both tests
Nikon D800 was 9-dynamic AF
Nikon Z8 was with wide-large area AF
Any ideas? I will of course investigate further.
p.183 #11 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
falconbach wrote:
I seems to do something wrong with AF setup on my Nikon Z8 because I tested the lens again on my old Nikon D800 and my hit rate was almost 100% very sharp photos. Which I find strange because I don't think I have ever gotten such good hit rate ever on my Nikon D800 with this lens haha...
So the question is what I'm doing wrong?
The lens was setup with VR sport = On in both tests
Nikon D800 was 9-dynamic AF
Nikon Z8 was with wide-large area AF
Any ideas? I will of course investigate further.
Maybe try VR Normal rather than VR Sports. I found that VR Sports is best when you are moving about, not for the more static shots.
p.183 #14 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
falconbach wrote:
Anyone tried to add 1.4x TC to the lens with mirrorless?
I have but it makes it an f/8 and it slows down the auto focus.
I think using it with crop frame or high rez FX in crop mode is a better option than a 1.4x TC especially with a high rez body like a Z8 or D850. (jmho)
p.183 #16 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I tried again today with my Nikon Z8 and the hit-rate is worse than with my D800. However, I'm in 20fps vs 4 fps, should that make a difference?
Nikon D800 = 90+%
Nikon Z8 = 60-70% but I find it always little bit softer than my D800 even when it hits.
Is the resolution of the lens not good enough for the Nikon Z8 or is this because I'm using it with the Ftz-ii adapter?
Or do I need better handholding technique with Z8 than D800 and the tracking is having problem because of lack of stable hands?
p.183 #17 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
falconbach wrote:
I tried again today with my Nikon Z8 and the hit-rate is worse than with my D800. However, I'm in 20fps vs 4 fps, should that make a difference?
Nikon D800 = 90+%
Nikon Z8 = 60-70% but I find it always little bit softer than my D800 even when it hits.
Is the resolution of the lens not good enough for the Nikon Z8 or is this because I'm using it with the Ftz-ii adapter?
Or do I need better handholding technique with Z8 than D800 and the tracking is having problem because of lack of stable hands?
I think you hit on something in your second sentence.
Yes, I think that 20fps vs 4fps does make a difference. There are so many fine variables/factors that must come together to achieve a tack-sharp image in an instant. In a 20 frame burst (even with a still subject) all of the frames will not be equally sharp, regardless of equipment or photographer. There'll be one or two frames that will “stand out” and the rest deleted.
I shot my D850 and 200-500 for years. Last year, the Z8 replaced the D850 and the 180-600 recently replaced the 200-500.
I like the D850’s sensor better than the Z8’s sensor. Maybe it’s the dynamic range; I don’t know. Or maybe I do not yet have the Z8 adjusted correctly. The D850 is much simpler to operate too. But its autofocusing capabilities in video mode are atrocious. I finally resorted to Focus Peaking for video. There are much-discussed reasons why to continue shooting mirrorless and video is a big for me. I like the Z8, even with its frustratingly complex menu). At this point, I believe I must keep learning the Z8 and Nikon is helping me with that.
The 200-500 copy I have, is very sharp. And I tested the 200-500 vs 180-600 side by side, the copies seem to be about equal. But the 180-600 has much more to like about it. This lens will probably become my single go-to lens for wildlife. I feel as Gary (sum1sgrampa) does: I want one lens for my work. I am considered elderly now and do not want the weight, bulk and expense of a group of heavy lenses. To each his own. I am a nature documentarian and this one lens does so much for my work.
Robert
ps....after re-reading your post: I assure you that the FTZ2 is not the problem. The device is perfect with my 200-500 and I am sure with all f-mount lenses. Handholding big glass leads to softness, regardless of photographer-strength or the smoothness of current VR technology. You might try a monopod to take the weight off. I'm now customizing my Giottos MML 3290B, by adding my fluid head atop it, and finding the best tripod foot for me. The butterfly season is nearly here (43-44 lat north), when I do a lot of shooting around my wildflower garden. The Monarchs will begin arriving here in mid-July!
However, I'm in 20fps vs 4 fps, should that make a difference?
