marc2307 wrote:
Have found AF quite fast, sure one cannot possibly compare it to my lightening AF fast 400 2.8E or 70-200E and should never have even thought it would, but found it faster than my 300PF, and kills the 200-500 (as it should) plus let's not forget once you have the 8M limiter set it's fast indeed and still makes for a perfect BIF lens, it just rocks on my D5 I can tell you!
I have to wonder what would be the most killer combo with this lens for birds.
D5 with extender
D850 with extender
D500 (no extender).
Colin F wrote:
I have to wonder what would be the most killer combo with this lens for birds.
D5 with extender
D850 with extender
D500 (no extender).
Are you referring to "extender" as with a 1.4tc OR in camera DX crop?
Regardless, I'll likely grab my D500 first, then the D850, crop later if required, then my D5, however IF we're specifically
talking about BIF it would be my D5 first, primarily for the AF speed and AF acquisition, IMO.
Colin F wrote:
I have to wonder what would be the most killer combo with this lens for birds.
D5 with extender
D850 with extender
D500 (no extender).
My vote is for D850 bare or D7200 bare since those are the two I have I'm not really too impressed with my TC1.4, and even less impressed with f/8. I figure the D850 will be my primary since I can crop down when needed, and use more pixels when I don't need to crop.
Colin F wrote:
I have to wonder what would be the most killer combo with this lens for birds.
D5 with extender
D850 with extender
D500 (no extender).
I'll couple with the D850. My D500 is now a backup body for BIF. Unless something changes my mind, I will avoid the TC and f8.
I may not keep this 500 PF, but of course, I probably will. I still like my 200-500 and will keep it, though it may be rarely used now. I will not know until I have used the 500 5.6 quite a bit on the water.
This lens seems to be shipping faster than the D850 did last year. It may still arrive in time to catch the loons before they leave for the coast. If not, I'll catch them there.
D850 is same pixel density as D500 so extended on D850 is same as extended on D500. Or no extender is the same on either. D5 with “only” 21MP FX would be the one to consider an extender on.
I was a big fan of the D500 and when I got D850 it took me a while to warm up to it. I now rarely touch the D500. I find the versatility of having the reach and the FF FOV when I can take advantage of it to be the best of both worlds.
I’m most likely to sell D500 and add D5 to the D850. But I’m sure I’ve told you all this on a foggy mountain before😉
Therefore if I could fill an FX frame I’d go for the D5 and TC as needed. If I need to crop I’d go D850 and probably TC also...you can never have too much reach.
Colin F wrote:
I have to wonder what would be the most killer combo with this lens for birds.
D5 with extender
D850 with extender
D500 (no extender).
I sold my D500 as soon as I got the D850, but will admit the D500's AF is a tad better as is the ISO performance around 800. But having 54MP to play with is priceless.
As for extenders, no way I'd consider using an extender on an f5.6 lens, except for static shots and even then only if I was desperate.
I don't think 500PF is in my future but if it was it would be really cool to try it with the D5 for BIF...decent reach with the best AF and high ISO performance in the business should yield some pretty amazing shots in all weather.
OwlsEyes wrote:
@Lance.... drooling!
I wish stores would make mistakes like that for me
Based on what I am seeing here Lance, I think you are correct. This lens will sell well. While not everyone has nearly $4000 to blow on a piece of camera equipment, those Nikon shooters who want to photograph wildlife and sports will finally have an "affordable" pathway to telephoto quality that seems to be the hallmark of a quality prime lens.
Still hoping I get one by the end of next week.
bruce
The good... quick focusing, light, ‘compact’, handles well, VR is solid
The bad... I owned it for 2 hours before my mom took ownership of it. I’m trying to be the good son as she was contemplating the 200-500. But I’ll put some mileage on it Sunday, looks like I’ll make a run to the gulf coast sunday morning.
I have the 200-400VR2 to hold me over if I decide to order one for myself.
My wildlife setup for this lens is a D500. Total weight of D500 + 500mm PF is just under 6 lbs. That's less than my old 500mm F4 AFS-II lens by itself. VR on this lens is excellent when compared to my 80-400mm afs-vr. Haven't had a chance to test it outside yet. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this weekend.
Downside with this lens is it will not AF with the early version TC-14E I or TC-17E II. I will need to upgrade to the TC-14E III. Also, filter size of lens is large (95mm) and a little pricey although given the cost of the lens, it's a no-brainer investment.
=====
Correction on the AF using the TC-14E I and TC-17E II. They both AF but under low light they do hunt a lot. The AF on the TC-17E II is really slow and with both you need to stop it down a couple to get sharp images.
eyelaser wrote:
I am told by a very reliable source at BH that there is only one queue...so I am not sure why Owleyes ordering at 6:30 gets shipped out before yours 4 or 4:13 like mine...there are not enough lenses to cover the pre-orders so need to put on my patience pants....if I can find them
Eric
Most Canadian retailers are now saying they will not be receiving the lens until the end of December or until January.
Imagemaster wrote:
Most Canadian retailers are now saying they will not be receiving the lens until the end of December or until January.
I didn't hear anything from TCS yesterday about my order. Not surprised. If it is Dec/Jan till more arrive then I guess that gives me more time to evaluate other options and get more gear sold to fund the lens.
BestBuy shipped overnight, maybe something they do,I didn't ask for it. I'm still 500 mikes away playing with an adapted 300PF. I'll pick up the 500 Tuesday when I get home.
The timing for the Canadian market seems crazy stupid to me. One would think that with the popularity of the 200-500 and 300mm pf, there would be huge interest in the 500mm PF. Furthermore, Canada has a thriving community of nature photographers and many have the income to make a purchase like this... seem like a giant miscalculation by Nikon, especially if they are serious about regaining market share in the photo-industry. Lenses like these and cameras like the D500 are what enthusiasts are craving.
Hope that both (arbitrage & Imagemaster) your pre-orders get filled soon.
I'm not really too impressed with my TC1.4, and even less impressed with f/8. I figure the D850 will be my primary since I can crop down when needed, and use more pixels when I don't need to crop.
