Ke best I can do for the early morning is the 400DOii for F4 or the Nikkor 300/4 PF. But truthfully I'll be happy just to witness the 'blast off' first hand.
Congratulations on your 400GM.
MedicineMan404 wrote:
Chris do you mean a match for the D500? In my view D500 is not anywhere near the a9 and I think the mini a9 will trounce it.
My future hope is mini a9 plus Commlite plus 500PF.
Mini A9 might get a 26MP sensor, and given how good the A9 does with the 100-400+1.4x the mini-A9 would still have more reach with the bare 100-400 and even better IQ and I'll bet be a tough competitor for the D500 + 500 PF and not give up too much reach to the latter combo and be even lighter.
^PP and the mini-a9 will have better battery management than the D500 which is a battery hog! Old news to most I'm sure but I'm still very new to Nikon land but shame to any Nikon D500 owner who slams Sony battery life these days.
26mp, well I'm hoping for 30mpx/BSI.
I think (for me) the FE100-400GM on crop will negate the need for a lesser FE200-600mm unless the 200-600 is a standout. But since the a9 can focus a Coke bottle I bet it will work a charm with the FE 1.4TC+FE200-600.
Well I'm ready for this mythical unicorn of an a7000 and have been since I sold the a6500 4 months ago.
Joe Marquez wrote:
Nikon D850, 500mm PF and 1.4TC III
Brown pelicans at La Jolla, California.
Focus acquisition a bit better than before.
Probably due to better light.
Joe, awesome Pelican work. You could do retinal exams on most!
MedicineMan404 wrote:
^PP and the mini-a9 will have better battery management than the D500 which is a battery hog! Old news to most I'm sure but I'm still very new to Nikon land but shame to any Nikon D500 owner who slams Sony battery life these days.
26mp, well I'm hoping for 30mpx/BSI.
I think (for me) the FE100-400GM on crop will negate the need for a lesser FE200-600mm unless the 200-600 is a standout. But since the a9 can focus a Coke bottle I bet it will work a charm with the FE 1.4TC+FE200-600.
Well I'm ready for this mythical unicorn of an a7000 and have been since I sold the a6500 4 months ago....Show more →
I haven't followed all the messages about D500 battery woes, but my impression was that only certain cameras or batteries have real problems with the battery management?
The D500 is still on top of my list for a new camera, especially if they can add a few updates for the Liveview and battery management. But if Sony can make a mini-A9 that works well with the lenses I want, that would be great. 26-30MP instead of 20 MP would help improve reach compared to a D500 (if the High ISO performance keeps up as well), even better if Sony makes a native tele prime with more modest aperture and weight. The industry is changing, I hope Sony surprises us because competition is good
Native tele prime. Well the a9+Commlite+Nikkor 300/4 PF surprised me, even with the 1.4TCii, good enough for me to check off the 300mm prime need box. I was surprised, in that the combo worked so well but completely failed with the 500PF. Commlite will do an update and all will be well, just a matter of waiting it out.
Yeah I think it was certain batteries and Nikon did an updated version. I've got one 'good' battery and one so-so battery.
MedicineMan404 wrote:
Native tele prime. Well the a9+Commlite+Nikkor 300/4 PF surprised me, even with the 1.4TCii, good enough for me to check off the 300mm prime need box. I was surprised, in that the combo worked so well but completely failed with the 500PF. Commlite will do an update and all will be well, just a matter of waiting it out.
Yeah I think it was certain batteries and Nikon did an updated version. I've got one 'good' battery and one so-so battery.
It is a dream combo. But I had good light that day....Show more →
Now wait a minute! You mean that the Nikon 300PF + 1.4tc works (very?) well on the Sony A9 by means of the Commlite?
I was just getting the upcoming Sony "mini A9" out of my head and was reading up on the Nikon D500 for use with the 500PF + 14TC.
If it is only a mattrr of a firmware update on Commlites part, then I am turning 180 degrees again: I woul much, much prefer a mirrorless APSC body with the 500PF, especially when it has A9 level performance. How would you rate Nikon D500 + 300PF performance vs. Sony A9 + Commlite + 300PF performance?
Remember Arbitrage didn't have quite the good feeling I have with the a9+Commlite+300PF, and note I was shooting large slow birds in good light.
D500+300PF vs. a9+Comm+300PF. D500 wins as native always will but for me the a9+Comm+300PF was certainly usable.
It all boils down to tolerances....what an individual can live with.
I started adapting lenses long ago via Metabones and the A7Rii which basically sucked. Look at an a9+MC-11+400DOii today and it is amazing how far adaptation has come=for the a9 and 400DOii almost native.
There is no gaurantee that Commlite will up the firmware for a9+500PF just like a firmware update can seriously screw up a combo that is working.
Yep, my dream too, the a9 and the 500PF.....better the mythical mini-a9.
In the meantime I'll keep experimenting and playing.
Chris I'll get another image posted to Flickr today via the a9+Comm+1.4TCiii+300PF. It will make you wonder
MedicineMan404 wrote:
^PP and the mini-a9 will have better battery management than the D500 which is a battery hog! Old news to most I'm sure but I'm still very new to Nikon land but shame to any Nikon D500 owner who slams Sony battery life these days.
26mp, well I'm hoping for 30mpx/BSI.
I think (for me) the FE100-400GM on crop will negate the need for a lesser FE200-600mm unless the 200-600 is a standout. But since the a9 can focus a Coke bottle I bet it will work a charm with the FE 1.4TC+FE200-600.
Well I'm ready for this mythical unicorn of an a7000 and have been since I sold the a6500 4 months ago....Show more →
MM...
I shoot my D500's for days and can get up to 2000 pictures on a battery. I think that you need to go to the wifi settings and turn "Airplane" mode on. This will shut down the bluetooth. The D500 will continually look for a wifi connection if Airplane mode is not activated... I'll bet this will more than double your battery life.
Regarding the Sony and 100-400... all of this may be true, but if you are not a multi-system photographer, and Nikon is your thing, then the D500 / D850 are really good options for producing amazing work of wildlife subjects. Sure Sony has an A9, but at what price? The "mini A9" is vapor until it is not... As for the Nikon system... well you've got a tiny 300mm lens, tiny 500mm lens, super affordable 200-500mm lens, and a world of high end tele-zooms and "elite" primes. It is difficult to ignore the value of a deep and flexible system like the one offered to Nikon shooters.
Final point... I have a friend who is a well known wildlife photographer / workshop leader / gear blogger who is testing the chops of the Z7... I have seen some sample action pictures shot w/ top glass, and things are looking promising for Nikon shooters who might be interested in mirrorless.
technic wrote:
I haven't followed all the messages about D500 battery woes, but my impression was that only certain cameras or batteries have real problems with the battery management?
The D500 is still on top of my list for a new camera, especially if they can add a few updates for the Liveview and battery management. But if Sony can make a mini-A9 that works well with the lenses I want, that would be great. 26-30MP instead of 20 MP would help improve reach compared to a D500 (if the High ISO performance keeps up as well), even better if Sony makes a native tele prime with more modest aperture and weight. The industry is changing, I hope Sony surprises us because competition is good ...Show more →
I don't know what these battery woes are, sure at the release there were issues but not now. My D500 gets a crazy amount of shots. I did 3000 shots at an airshow and still had plenty of life left.
Not sure what high ISO would be like on a 30MP APS-C, but if it's no worse than D500 then bring it on. Still the 30MP sensor being mentioned at one time is an industrial sensor only. I was thinking Sony might use a variation of the sensor they supplied Fuji in the XT-3. 26MP in DX is still 58.5MP FF equivalent. So plenty for my liking.
OwlEyes, I got into Nikon because of the 500PF....I instantly pre'd it when I saw it......then bought the D500 to go with it....and bought some el cheapo batteries at the same time just to get a double charger for the campervan. I think the el cheapos are my biggest problem....but problem is really overstating the issue. I still got 700 images. I'll def. make sure Airplane setting is optimum for battery life; thanks for the reminder.
I began in Sony land long ago, never left Sony, but did venture into Canon land for several years until the weight got to me. Even with my short time with Nikon I feel it better than Canon.....so why Canon? They had a 5:1 macro and lots of astro (PHD-Guiding, EOS Backyard) software.
But NO to any more DSLRs. I figure the D850 is as close to my A7Riii eh, and the D850 weighs 1/2 pounds more Photography is hobby/stress relief from work. It's ok if I don't get the shot (and I live that often
ChrisMak wrote:
Now wait a minute! You mean that the Nikon 300PF + 1.4tc works (very?) well on the Sony A9 by means of the Commlite?
I was just getting the upcoming Sony "mini A9" out of my head and was reading up on the Nikon D500 for use with the 500PF + 14TC.
If it is only a mattrr of a firmware update on Commlites part, then I am turning 180 degrees again: I woul much, much prefer a mirrorless APSC body with the 500PF, especially when it has A9 level performance. How would you rate Nikon D500 + 300PF performance vs. Sony A9 + Commlite + 300PF performance?
I should be testing the A9+300PF some more today and tomorrow...heck, I'll just force myself to use it for the day and see what it is like....I've always got seagulls to test on
The 300PF was the best performer on the A9+Commlite out of my three lenses with 200-500 close behind and 500E so bad it was comical
I just don't think anyone should base a system around Nikon adapted lenses on Sony at this point in time and even though I've spent my last two outings shooting adapted Canon on the A9 (which is pretty good once you learn the limitations), I don't think anyone should base an entire system switch on that sort of combo either....although if one has lots of Canon lenses then I do think just adding the A9 to the mix with the MC-11 is an option to consider but so far (with very, very limited testing time) I don't think someone with a lot of good Nikon lenses should add an A9+Commlite to their kit.
I'm getting closer and closer to a 500PF cancellation and 400GM order....closer and closer.....Oct 16th will be the big decision day I think if Sony announce relevant gear for my type of photography.
Have to agree.
I wouldn't add a9/Commlite to Nikkor glass if not for fun.
But anyone considering the 500PF should consider the 300PF and 1.4TCiii. I think this is known and understood by most playing this game.
So for Chris who appears on the verge here's one with the 300PF+1.4, just ignore it was with the a9.
I'm too new to 500PF and 300PF but I didn't do any better with the 500....and you all know I'm new to Nikon and don't take photography as seriously as most.
This shot much like the other twenty or so wingbeats captured BUT this was pan-tracking and most also know that is a different ballgame then oncoming tracking.
MedicineMan404 wrote:
Have to agree.
I wouldn't add a9/Commlite to Nikkor glass if not for fun.
But anyone considering the 500PF should consider the 300PF and 1.4TCiii. I think this is known and understood by most playing this game.
So for Chris who appears on the verge here's one with the 300PF+1.4, just ignore it was with the a9.
I'm too new to 500PF and 300PF but I didn't do any better with the 500....and you all know I'm new to Nikon and don't take photography as seriously as most.
This shot much like the other twenty or so wingbeats captured BUT this was pan-tracking and most also know that is a different ballgame then oncoming tracking....Show more →
Nice shot, but the exiff says this was not the A9, but the D500 😏
Anyway, the Nikkor 500PF is looking 100% sure, as it will enable me to take a birding lens with me on occassions where my present Pentax DA560 is too large and heavy. The reported good performance with 1.4TC (ok. not in morning light), seals it for me. I néver zoom, so have little apetite for a Sony 100-400, and really need the reach of 700mm APSC for the small and shy birds.
Bcause I don't like DSLR's since getting familiar with the Sony A7rII, I wanted a Sony mini A9, but I guess that Nikon may in future make a mirrorless D500. So the investment in the Nikkor 500PF and 1.4TC seems a solid investment. That means I will be getting a D500 for now, but will closely be following mirrorless high end APSC from Sony and Nikon. I think a mirrorless D500 is inevitable in coming years. Mirrorless has the inherent ability to beat the pants off SLR, due to só many things.
ChrisMak wrote:
Nice shot, but the exiff says this was not the A9, but the D500 😏
Anyway, the Nikkor 500PF is looking 100% sure, as it will enable me to take a birding lens with me on occassions where my present Pentax DA560 is too large and heavy. The reported good performance with 1.4TC (ok. not in morning light), seals it for me. I néver zoom, so have little apetite for a Sony 100-400, and really need the reach of 700mm APSC for the small and shy birds.
Bcause I don't like DSLR's since getting familiar with the Sony A7rII, I wanted a Sony mini A9, but I guess that Nikon may in future make a mirrorless D500. So the investment in the Nikkor 500PF and 1.4TC seems a solid investment. That means I will be getting a D500 for now, but will closely be following mirrorless high end APSC from Sony and Nikon. I think a mirrorless D500 is inevitable in coming years. Mirrorless has the inherent ability to beat the pants off SLR, due to só many things.
I'm not so sure about a "mirrorless D500" in the near future because of the vast differences in the AF systems. You are probably dreaming of a "mini-Z9" or something in that direction.
If you plan to buy just one capable APS-C body plus a few lenses, the cost of a mini-A9 plus mount adapter might be much higher than a D500, with (for now) uncertain future compatibility. The weight of the Sony combo might be a little higher too because of the weight of the adapter (and extra battery) ... W'll see what Sony can pull off with the A7000 and how well AF works with mount adapters and Nikon lenses, and who knows what other lenses Sony are planning (I don't think much was mentioned about that yet).
MedicineMan404 wrote:
Native tele prime. Well the a9+Commlite+Nikkor 300/4 PF surprised me, even with the 1.4TCii, good enough for me to check off the 300mm prime need box. I was surprised, in that the combo worked so well but completely failed with the 500PF. Commlite will do an update and all will be well, just a matter of waiting it out.
Yeah I think it was certain batteries and Nikon did an updated version. I've got one 'good' battery and one so-so battery.
It is a dream combo. But I had good light that day....Show more →
Have you tried the 300 PF with the a7r iii? I’m curious if it would work well. I’m thinking of upgrading my a7 to a7 iii and it would be nice to share lenses between my Nikon and Sony.
40Driggs Yes I have.
For perched bierds it's OK. This is a slight...1/4-1/8 second my best guess....hesitation when going from 10 feet to 20 feet and back to 15 feet etc.
Sharpness of the 300PF is wonderful eh. I'd reckon it a tie with the EOS 300mm F2.8 ISii I sold (and don't miss the weight at all).
Geoff I kinda feel I'm derailing the 500PF emphasis of this thread?
Only excuse I can think of is that many are comparing the two lenses.
I certainly find the combo fine for perched bierds. BIF I don't know. I bet it could be done but
probably not so easy as other contenders.
40Driggs here's a downy using the same A7Riii+Commlite+300PF+1.4TCiii I just posted to Flickr.
I'd def. use this say on a trip to Costa Rica for the bierd feeding stations.
Does Geoff only have a say? I think an Image Quality comparison between the 300pf w/ TC vs. the 500pf is worthy of a slight derailment. I would fully expect for AF to be better on the 500pf vs any lens with a TC mounted (but open to be surprised here as well).
Photography is hobby/stress relief from work. It's ok if I don't get the shot (and I live that often 
