p.84 #2 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
CanadaMark wrote:
I bought a 200-500 today and don't currently have a bag large enough to accommodate it.
Do any of you 200-500 owners have a holster style bag that perfectly fits just the 200-500 and a body attached? I know the lens on it's own fits perfectly into a Lowepro 13X32 case but I want to be able to keep a body attached if possible. I was looking at the Lowepro Toploader Pro 75 AW because I have a smaller version and I love it, but it looks like it might be just a hair too small. Would anyone happen to have that combo and can tell me if it fits in a Toploader Pro 75 with a body attached without being forced? Thanks!
...Show more →
A modified response from a response I posted about a question about carrying equipment when hiking....
Here's where I have ended up - designed to handle my specific needs (hiking in Yellowstone and Glacier)... I am using a Think Tank Pro-Speedbelt with a harness from Home Depot that puts some of the weight on to my shoulders but evenly. Had this for awhile and it works well. On the left side I have Think Tank Skin Body Bag and on the right a Think Tank Digital Holster 50 attached to the belt but also supported with a cross body strap.
This lets me carry body with a 70-200 with the hood and a 1.4x in place. The holster will handle a body with a 200-500 if one changes the hood to a shorter, screw-in metal hood. The hood doesn't have any vignetting issues and seems to protect from flare pretty well. That may change when I add a B&W filter to it to protect the front element because the hood is much shorter than the Nikon issue and I am somewhat concerned about branches and such. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WOLTNC4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Out of stock at Amazon but available from others. The quality of the felt light trap sucks so be prepared to glue it back in place.
In the Body Bag I will be carrying a 16-35 and probably water and bear spray for short hikes. On longer hikes, I'll add a small sling bag across the back for some extra water, lunch, weather and layer clothing.
* This keeps the camera nearly instantly ready. Reach down into the holster and pull up the camera. Recommend a wrist rather than neck strap.
* Get the holster made for pro-sized bodies even if yours isn't. The smaller holsters are very tight and hard to get the camera out.
* This system makes it very easy to change lenses. Lift the camera up a bit and disconnect. The lens drops back into the holster (softly). Reach into the Body Bag on the left and pull out the other lens to mount. Haven't had a bag that makes it any easier and safer than this.
* The Think Tank strap that comes with the holster was designed by someone whose distance relative must have been a designer for the Spanish Inquisition. Describing it as awful would be too kind. I replaced it with an Op/Tech SOS strap and my neck and shoulders started to cheer. If you are taller than 5'10" this strap may be too short for you.
* I have found that I can walk a long way with this set-up with very little strain. Not saying it is weightless but it is way better than my Flipside 300 with the same gear plus much faster access to a protected camera.
* Wouldn't use this to hike the PCT but for this scenario I'm very satisfied.
* Going to work great for multi-day sporting events as well.
p.84 #6 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
architect7 wrote:
Yes, the 1.4x makes it a 280-700mm f8 with AF on compatible bodies. Nikon says the 1.7x and 2x can also be used, though no AF with those.
I have the AFS 200-500mm and I would not use it with a TC (not even the 1.4X). This is not a "fast" lens and the IQ would decrease significantly with an extender.
p.84 #7 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
fpimentel wrote:
I have the AFS 200-500mm and I would not use it with a TC (not even the 1.4X). This is not a "fast" lens and the IQ would decrease significantly with an extender.
FP
This thread is pretty good evidence that the IQ with the 1.4 TC is pretty amazing given good lighting conditions of course. Just have a look a the King Fisher on the previous page or several other good examples.
p.84 #8 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Hrow wrote:
A modified response from a response I posted about a question about carrying equipment when hiking....
Here's where I have ended up - designed to handle my specific needs (hiking in Yellowstone and Glacier)... I am using a Think Tank Pro-Speedbelt with a harness from Home Depot that puts some of the weight on to my shoulders but evenly. Had this for awhile and it works well. On the left side I have Think Tank Skin Body Bag and on the right a Think Tank Digital Holster 50 attached to the belt but also supported with a cross body strap.
This lets me carry body with a 70-200 with the hood and a 1.4x in place. The holster will handle a body with a 200-500 if one changes the hood to a shorter, screw-in metal hood. The hood doesn't have any vignetting issues and seems to protect from flare pretty well. That may change when I add a B&W filter to it to protect the front element because the hood is much shorter than the Nikon issue and I am somewhat concerned about branches and such. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WOLTNC4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Out of stock at Amazon but available from others. The quality of the felt light trap sucks so be prepared to glue it back in place.
In the Body Bag I will be carrying a 16-35 and probably water and bear spray for short hikes. On longer hikes, I'll add a small sling bag across the back for some extra water, lunch, weather and layer clothing.
* This keeps the camera nearly instantly ready. Reach down into the holster and pull up the camera. Recommend a wrist rather than neck strap.
* Get the holster made for pro-sized bodies even if yours isn't. The smaller holsters are very tight and hard to get the camera out.
* This system makes it very easy to change lenses. Lift the camera up a bit and disconnect. The lens drops back into the holster (softly). Reach into the Body Bag on the left and pull out the other lens to mount. Haven't had a bag that makes it any easier and safer than this.
* The Think Tank strap that comes with the holster was designed by someone whose distance relative must have been a designer for the Spanish Inquisition. Describing it as awful would be too kind. I replaced it with an Op/Tech SOS strap and my neck and shoulders started to cheer. If you are taller than 5'10" this strap may be too short for you.
* I have found that I can walk a long way with this set-up with very little strain. Not saying it is weightless but it is way better than my Flipside 300 with the same gear plus much faster access to a protected camera.
* Wouldn't use this to hike the PCT but for this scenario I'm very satisfied.
* Going to work great for multi-day sporting events as well.
p.84 #9 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
CanadaMark wrote:
Thanks for the detailed reply - I have been looking at the ThinkTank Digital Holster 50 V2,
One thing that I forgot is that the tripod foot needs to come off to fit in the holster. You might be able to force it in but it won't be a smooth fit.
Also, tested yesterday, there is no vignetting with the lens hood described above with a protective filter on the lens.
p.84 #13 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
fpimentel wrote:
I have the AFS 200-500mm and I would not use it with a TC (not even the 1.4X). This is not a "fast" lens and the IQ would decrease significantly with an extender.
FP
When you quote a post from over a year ago, you should read the other 83 pages of excellent examples first. And based on what experience? I, like many others, use my 200-500 with a TC-14EIII on my D810 and the results are very good. I recommend reviewing the rest of the thread, lots of great work here.
p.84 #14 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Managed to get a bit of BIF with a belted kingfisher. Wasn't expecting him to fly off so my shutter speed's a bit low, but still managed to get a decent shot.
p.84 #16 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
fpimentel wrote:
I have the AFS 200-500mm and I would not use it with a TC (not even the 1.4X). This is not a "fast" lens and the IQ would decrease significantly with an extender.
FP
Agreed that the image quality decreases, but with proper technique it is not significant, especially when the light is good. Check the following examples....
p.84 #17 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
The lens really impressed me with the speed it acquired focus even under less than optimal conditions. The first frame in bursts at 1050mm (200-500mm at 500mm, with TC-14e-II on D500) usually is already in focus. Probably mostly due to the D500, but the lens keeps up with the best of them. My old 70-300mm VR is junk compared to this lens.
