I was hoping to be able to share some photos , a friend rented out a 500mm PF for a few days and brought it along to Waddington for us to try out . Amazing how small this lens is especially when its next to the 500mm f4G, its light as a feather too . Unfortunately the lens VR and focus was having issues with both my D500 and D850 . I tried a range of shutter speeds but it was extremely inconsistent in both normal or sport mode . The focus was ok for static but was really struggling with moving subjects , almost every shot was out of focus even after cranking up the speed and VR turned off. The other guys had same problem so it looks like this was a bad copy . We let the rental place know and they are supposed to be sending out another one when available , no idea when that will be . I was hoping to love the lens enough to buy one and get my name on the waiting list but think I'll leave it until we can try another . Has there been any reported problems ? Obviously being a rental it could have been damaged , just disappointed it hadn't been properly tested before sending it out
multibit wrote:
I was hoping to be able to share some photos , a friend rented out a 500mm PF for a few days and brought it along to Waddington for us to try out . Amazing how small this lens is especially when its next to the 500mm f4G, its light as a feather too . Unfortunately the lens VR and focus was having issues with both my D500 and D850 . I tried a range of shutter speeds but it was extremely inconsistent in both normal or sport mode . The focus was ok for static but was really struggling with moving subjects , almost every shot was out of focus even after cranking up the speed and VR turned off. The other guys had same problem so it looks like this was a bad copy . We let the rental place know and they are supposed to be sending out another one when available , no idea when that will be . I was hoping to love the lens enough to buy one and get my name on the waiting list but think I'll leave it until we can try another . Has there been any reported problems ? Obviously being a rental it could have been damaged , just disappointed it hadn't been properly tested before sending it out ...Show more →
Sorry about this. Same happened to me recently with another lens, I bought the Sony200-600mm. B&H was very nice, so the lens is in exchange, but on backorder again.
Then again, it could have been properly tested before sending out, but if it was shipped, a few bumps along the way could have knocked it out of whack. Fingers crossed for the replacement rental.
multibit wrote:
I was hoping to be able to share some photos , a friend rented out a 500mm PF for a few days and brought it along to Waddington for us to try out . Amazing how small this lens is especially when its next to the 500mm f4G, its light as a feather too . Unfortunately the lens VR and focus was having issues with both my D500 and D850 . I tried a range of shutter speeds but it was extremely inconsistent in both normal or sport mode . The focus was ok for static but was really struggling with moving subjects , almost every shot was out of focus even after cranking up the speed and VR turned off. The other guys had same problem so it looks like this was a bad copy . We let the rental place know and they are supposed to be sending out another one when available , no idea when that will be . I was hoping to love the lens enough to buy one and get my name on the waiting list but think I'll leave it until we can try another . Has there been any reported problems ? Obviously being a rental it could have been damaged , just disappointed it hadn't been properly tested before sending it out ...Show more →
Thanks, it’s not so bad if we could have got a replacement quick , just a shame we could be waiting weeks or months . I really wanted to see how the PF fared against the f4G . Has anybody compared these lenses ? Obviously the main difference is size and aperture but I’d love to know how sharpness and focus speed compares .
DO101 wrote:
Sorry about this. Same happened to me recently with another lens, I bought the Sony200-600mm. B&H was very nice, so the lens is in exchange, but on backorder again.
You could be right , it was double boxed with plenty of packaging in between the boxes but I guess a high drop could still knock things out
NightOwl Cat wrote:
Then again, it could have been properly tested before sending out, but if it was shipped, a few bumps along the way could have knocked it out of whack. Fingers crossed for the replacement rental.
multibit wrote:
Thanks, it’s not so bad if we could have got a replacement quick , just a shame we could be waiting weeks or months . I really wanted to see how the PF fared against the f4G . Has anybody compared these lenses ? Obviously the main difference is size and aperture but I’d love to know how sharpness and focus speed compares .
From what I have seen by those using the various 500 f/4 (AFS, AFSG, & AFSE), the biggest difference is the depth of field/bokeh when both lenses are shot wide open. While the 500PF has a surprisingly nice bokeh given its f/5.6 maximum aperture, it can not knock out background distractions when the subject and background (like grasses and shrubs) are close to each other.
The big surprise is that the 500PF is super sharp wide open and that detail is maintained whether the subject is near to or far from the camera. In this respect, With this respect, the PF lens behaves more like the newest 500mm f/4FLE than the 500mm f/4G (some of these copies have reduced performance with distant subjects). However, it you can move in close to your subjects and need to/want to shoot at f/4, the 500mm PF will not be the lens for you. In addition, if you need to use a teleconverter and rely on fast AF for birds in flight, then the 500PF may not be as effective as an f/4 lens w/ a converter.
I really love the handling of the 500PF off a tripod... the lens is pure magic under these circumstances. In contrast to the bigger and heavier 300mm f/2.8 / 200-400mm f/4 / 500mm f/4 tenses, the PF is a bit awkward on a tripod. For me, the balance is not quite right... this may be a little thing for some, but I have had to fidget a bit when using it with my ball head. All of this goes a way when using a sidekick gimbal... the perfect head for this lens.
I use the 500 PF with Gitzo GHF2W fluid head, and after a period of getting used to it, I really like it. The head has an adjustable counterbalance system so you can adjust it so that it is well-balanced. The head is really compact and lightweight. I also have the Sidekick and I find that to be better for fast and erratically moving subjects but it doesn't dampen vibrations as well as the fluid head. The Gitzo head helps pan smoothly when e.g. photographing divers taking off. I guess having both options is good, depending on the situation.
Jemini wrote:
What adapter did u use for this? Does it AF?
Commlite CM-ENF-E1 PRO at Amazon. For Nikon F mount to Sony E mount. V06 firmware.
It's known not to focus fast enough for moving wildlife. Nevertheless, it focuses and once it does, it gives crystal clear sharpness with this lens.
The firmware update reportedly even further slowed the focus acquisition for moving wildlife.
Just sad that none dares to make a good converter for the many good Nikon lenses for Sony. E.g. this is an amazing sharp combo, the pic quoted hardly needs any post processing. Architecture etc are great.
I understand that none is interested in users saving money over getting cross-platform access, but it's a shame we can't use Nikon lenses for Sony.
multibit wrote:
Thanks, it’s not so bad if we could have got a replacement quick , just a shame we could be waiting weeks or months . I really wanted to see how the PF fared against the f4G . Has anybody compared these lenses ? Obviously the main difference is size and aperture but I’d love to know how sharpness and focus speed compares .
I have used both. In my experience the f/4G is slightly better at color and contrast, and possibly at sharpness as well. I did not use them side by side, though.
ilkka_nissila wrote:
I use the 500 PF with Gitzo GHF2W fluid head, and after a period of getting used to it, I really like it. The head has an adjustable counterbalance system so you can adjust it so that it is well-balanced. The head is really compact and lightweight. I also have the Sidekick and I find that to be better for fast and erratically moving subjects but it doesn't dampen vibrations as well as the fluid head. The Gitzo head helps pan smoothly when e.g. photographing divers taking off. I guess having both options is good, depending on the situation.
Interestingly, I recently dumped my Wimberley and consolidated all my tripods into a single one (RRS 24L w/matching leveling base) and a Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head a la Hudson Henry. I use the fluid head for everything from video to landscape to wildlife shooting all the way up to the 600E. Smaller/lighter, it works great and having a single tripod for everything greatly simplifies my life.
