p.45 #2 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
After reading the generally glowing reports on this lens, I bit the bullet and purchased one to replace my Nikon 300mm f4 AF-S telephoto. I have to agree that this lens has the best implementation of VR yet as far as my kit is concerned. The former title holder was my Nikon 70-200mm f4 VR. This shot is a quick, hand held test of infinity focus and the VR capabilities of the lens. I used my D7100 to see how far 500mm "reaches". I also shot wide open, again to see how sharp the lens is at the aperture I'll be using most.
On the next clear night, I intend to further test the lens on my D750, with and without the TC 14E-II and also my Nikon V2 on a tripod, closing down the lens a little into its "sweet spot". But for now, this is all I've got...
p.45 #3 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I got a question for the folks who have the Nikon 200-500. How do you carry the lens with a camera attached if you are not hand carrying it by the tripod foot? Putting a strap on the camera body may seem too heavy for the lens mount with the weight of the lens. I see that some folks use a Black Rapid strap to attach to the tripod foot via fastener, like the picture below. Are there better options?
p.45 #5 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
birdied wrote:
Sorry, can't help as I hand carry by the tripod foot.
Birdie
Thanks Birdie for the reply. Handholding by the tripod foot is a good option if I have nothing else to carry. When I go to airshows I carry two cameras with lenses attached to them.The security measures in some of the shows don't allow camera bags in, so hand carrying two cameras all the time is cumbersome. The Sigma 150-600 C and the Sports have built-in strap attachment mechanism but the Nikon doesn't, unless I use a fastener on the threading hole of the tripod foot. But the fastener could come loose without me noticing it
p.45 #6 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Good morning, I will like to introduce myself to the group. A Nature Photographer from Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean. I have been following this thread over a month now, and I was encouraged by all the wonderful feedback regarding this new lens release by Nikon. Prior to purchasing the Nikon 200-500mm, especially for my bird and wildlife photography I have used the Nikon 300mm f4 -afs along with TCEII 1.7X on a D7200 body when I need more reach. I shoot hand held the majority of the time, and in spite of no VR on the 300f4, with enough practice and proper technique I am able to get sharp and good results as low as 1/80th sec in low light situations since I do a lot of bird photography in the dark rain forest.
So with all the good reads on this forum, I decided to purchase the 200-500f/5.6, I was left with no option but to see how it would compare in particularly to my 300f4 prime. I have been playing with this lens for over a month now, and my first impressions are as follows.
PROS
1. Sharp wide open at f/5.6
2. VR is absolutely amazing.
3. Light enough to hand hold, feels balanced even when extended to 500mm.
4. Works with both 1.4x & 1.7X TC
5. Great Price
Cons
1. Not weather sealed
2. Auto focus not as fast as 300f4 afs, a lot slower but still functional even with 1.4 & 1.7 Teleconverters
3. Zoom not internal so front barrel extends.
Being one who likes to push my equipment to its max possible performance, I am sharing these images taken with Nikon 200mm -500mm f/5.6E attached to the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II. I did auto focus fine tune this set up for 850mm max reach on a 1.5X crop body for the equivalent of 1275mm. These captures were taken hand held.
p.45 #7 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
kdrk888 wrote:
I got a question for the folks who have the Nikon 200-500. How do you carry the lens with a camera attached if you are not hand carrying it by the tripod foot? Putting a strap on the camera body may seem too heavy for the lens mount with the weight of the lens. I see that some folks use a Black Rapid strap to attach to the tripod foot via fastener, like the picture below. Are there better options?
TIA,
Douglas
I use Arca Swiss style plates/clamps so I just screwed my Black Rapid connector into the
bottom of one of these...
Easy on, easy off, and you can balance it just the way you want by sliding the Arca Swiss plate
in the clamp... Great for long lenses when you clamp to the Arca Swiss plate on the tripod foot...
p.45 #8 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I just got this lens yesterday. And today was my first day out with it. Unfortunately, it was overcast and zero wildlife anywhere. However, when I was heading back along the Colorado River I spotted this weird thing across on the other side in a very inaccessible location. An old, rickety, broken down wooden ladder from the 40's or the 50's. Never seen it before. Ha, not a ladder I'd be climbing!
p.45 #9 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
kdrk888 wrote:
I got a question for the folks who have the Nikon 200-500. How do you carry the lens with a camera attached if you are not hand carrying it by the tripod foot? Putting a strap on the camera body may seem too heavy for the lens mount with the weight of the lens. I see that some folks use a Black Rapid strap to attach to the tripod foot via fastener, like the picture below. Are there better options?
TIA,
Douglas
I use the option shown with my Canon 100-400, but attached to the camera base. The newer version fastener from BR now has a plastic lockstar that is flipped in place to prevent the screw collar from loosening by itself. I frequently check all connections while shooting to make sure all is secure. On the times where I have my camera dangling at my side, which is not while walking, the weight of the lens is directed downwards so stress is evenly distributed around the camera mount.
Regardless of whether you attach to the camera base or tripod foot, if you are the least worried about the lens becoming detached from the body, you can always have a fastener on both, with a short safety strap connecting the two.
p.45 #10 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
A few from the last couple of days. The Cardinal and Towhee were shot with a D7200 and the kinglet was with the D7100. I just got the D7200 on Friday and have not had a chance to dial in the AF yet. But using the same +4 adjustment I had on the D7100 seems to be pretty close. Edit- Added a Mockingbird from today after I dialed my lens in with the new body. +3 so pretty close guess from yesterday.
p.45 #11 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I use a Black Rapid strap attached to the tripod foot of the 200-500.... then my second body hangs from my neck using a padded Optech strap. Works for me..
p.45 #13 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Stephen-Jay wrote:
Good morning, I will like to introduce myself to the group. A Nature Photographer from Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean. I have been following this thread over a month now, and I was encouraged by all the wonderful feedback regarding this new lens release by Nikon. Prior to purchasing the Nikon 200-500mm, especially for my bird and wildlife photography I have used the Nikon 300mm f4 -afs along with TCEII 1.7X on a D7200 body when I need more reach. I shoot hand held the majority of the time, and in spite of no VR on the 300f4, with enough practice and proper technique I am able to get sharp and good results as low as 1/80th sec in low light situations since I do a lot of bird photography in the dark rain forest.
So with all the good reads on this forum, I decided to purchase the 200-500f/5.6, I was left with no option but to see how it would compare in particularly to my 300f4 prime. I have been playing with this lens for over a month now, and my first impressions are as follows.
PROS
1. Sharp wide open at f/5.6
2. VR is absolutely amazing.
3. Light enough to hand hold, feels balanced even when extended to 500mm.
4. Works with both 1.4x & 1.7X TC
5. Great Price
Cons
1. Not weather sealed
2. Auto focus not as fast as 300f4 afs, a lot slower but still functional even with 1.4 & 1.7 Teleconverters
3. Zoom not internal so front barrel extends.
Being one who likes to push my equipment to its max possible performance, I am sharing these images taken with Nikon 200mm -500mm f/5.6E attached to the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II. I did auto focus fine tune this set up for 850mm max reach on a 1.5X crop body for the equivalent of 1275mm. These captures were taken hand held.
Welcome to the forum! What an excellent set, beautiful light and detail . I never thought the 1.7 TC would do so well . Totally agree with your assessment of this wonderful lens.
I hope we get to see more of your work. You really should post on the nature and wildlife forum.
p.45 #14 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
birdied wrote:
Stephen,
Welcome to the forum! What an excellent set, beautiful light and detail . I never thought the 1.7 TC would do so well . Totally agree with your assessment of this wonderful lens.
I hope we get to see more of your work. You really should post on the nature and wildlife forum.
Birdie
Thanks for the warm welcome Birdie, indeed the 1.7 TC surprised me as well, considering its not a fast lens, but I think the constant aperture is what makes it so work pretty decent. I will look into sharing some images on the Nature & Wildlife forum as you suggested.
Here is one of "Blondie" (Brown Pelican Male) taken today with the TCE14II
p.45 #16 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Gooday all! I just got this lens a few days ago and have only taken a few shots with it.... happy so far. Thought I'd post a hand held moon as a test of the VR. Taken on a D7100...
p.45 #17 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Great images everyone This lens reminds of the good old 300 AF-S F/4 in terms of rendering, sharpness as well as its incredible value for money. It just hits a very sweet spot.
p.45 #19 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Stephen-Jay, those first two you posted the lighting and composition are beautiful!! Is Blondie the local mascot?
GNMink, some nice portraits there.
ckcarrm, nice to see a 210mm picture taken with that lens. Looks good at that focal length.
dhamments, those are some impressive Moons shots!
Birdied, lighting and comp on the first is wonderful and gorgeous detail on that little finch!!
I have seen a lot of excellent portraits with this lens here, but not nearly as many in flight shots. Birdied I believe it was you that said it was a little slow using the 1.4tc and having to stop it down 1 stop to get it sharp. Birded or anyone with a 500mm f/4, how would you compare the focusing speed of the 500mm prime stopped down to 7.1 to this lens. I am just trying to get a point of reference on what slow means and its ability to track a bird in flight. On many trips I take, shipping or limiting my choice of which lenses to take is a pain. This looks like the ideal solution for such trips.
It doesn't surprise me to have to go a stop down from wide open to get sharp photos with this lens, it's a small price to pay for the benefits you get.
p.45 #20 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
GSteele wrote:
Stephen-Jay, those first two you posted the lighting and composition are beautiful!! Is Blondie the local mascot?
GNMink, some nice portraits there.
ckcarrm, nice to see a 210mm picture taken with that lens. Looks good at that focal length.
dhamments, those are some impressive Moons shots!
Birdied, lighting and comp on the first is wonderful and gorgeous detail on that little finch!!
I have seen a lot of excellent portraits with this lens here, but not nearly as many in flight shots. Birdied I believe it was you that said it was a little slow using the 1.4tc and having to stop it down 1 stop to get it sharp. Birded or anyone with a 500mm f/4, how would you compare the focusing speed of the 500mm prime stopped down to 7.1 to this lens. I am just trying to get a point of reference on what slow means and its ability to track a bird in flight. On many trips I take, shipping or limiting my choice of which lenses to take is a pain. This looks like the ideal solution for such trips.
It doesn't surprise me to have to go a stop down from wide open to get sharp photos with this lens, it's a small price to pay for the benefits you get.
Hi Gary, I have shot the 200-500 with hummingbirds in flight ( some of which are posted in this thread). I did not have a problem with the autofocus. It is not as quick as the 500 f/4 VR, but certainly nothing that is not workable or prevented me from getting a shot. I also posted a couple with swallows in flight. Now, they are very quick and have an erratic flight pattern. On the swallows , I had to use the focusing ring on occasion to help get the focus. Not sure if it was the lens or my inability to just track those speed demons. All in all, I have not found the lens a hinderance to getting birds in flight . In fact, I have found it a real pleasure to use , as I can handhold for in flights , something I never could do with the 500 f/4 .
I have some pelicans in flight , no problem with those at all. Will post a shot shortly. My only other experience with the birds in flight has been the quick small ones, hummingbirds and swallows. I was able to get shots, and shots in a sequence so once locked on , as long as I could follow it got the shot .
This lens reminds of the good old 300 AF-S F/4 in terms of rendering, sharpness as well as its incredible value for money. It just hits a very sweet spot.
