photonthief wrote:
Posting 2 images to show results with the Z 50 f/1.8 S. I don't know how to calculate percent crop precisely so the easiest way is to show you.
This 50 1.8 S has me convinced to buy another S series lens. I won't compare it to the 50mm 1.8 G my copy of the G is not that great. Image is hand held (1/1250) Orchid show Missouri Botanical Gardens - We're neightbors UMSL12.
Great images, thank you for the samples! Great to know we are neighbors ;-). Either I buy this 50mm 1.8S or wait for 85mm1.8S because I think 85 would be very sharp lens as well. I like 35S but I'm lacking a portrait lens. I hope Nikon make a good 85 1.8S like SOny does with their 85 1.8 for only $600. Sony doesn't have any good 50/1.8 however.
Hello all Z6 people (and all others who shoot Nikon actually).
I have a somewhat weird question.
I am about to switch from m43 high end Olympus gear, for various reasons and my mind has been all over the place as regards to what system to switch to but it's leaning towards the Z.
Now, I have been looking for long lenses for my Olympus system for some time and if I had kept it I would've gotten a 300mm F4 (600mm FOV) to use for wild life and birding.
While looking at alternatives now my main idea was to get the Z and save up to, the 500PF for example if it ever comes in stock again, or possibly the 300PF with 1.4 and 2.0 tele converters.
However, I may be able to buy a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR ED 500mm 1:4 D for about $2000 and was wondering 1: If the lens would have OK focusing on the Z6 + FTZ adapter and 2: If the lens is worth the $2000 or if I would be better of with 300mm PF and TC 1.4 and 2.0 for example?
When was that version of the lens released? How's the optical quality compared to the newer versions?
Wilbus wrote:
Hello all Z6 people (and all others who shoot Nikon actually).
I have a somewhat weird question.
I am about to switch from m43 high end Olympus gear, for various reasons and my mind has been all over the place as regards to what system to switch to but it's leaning towards the Z.
Now, I have been looking for long lenses for my Olympus system for some time and if I had kept it I would've gotten a 300mm F4 (600mm FOV) to use for wild life and birding.
While looking at alternatives now my main idea was to get the Z and save up to, the 500PF for example if it ever comes in stock again, or possibly the 300PF with 1.4 and 2.0 tele converters.
However, I may be able to buy a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR ED 500mm 1:4 D for about $2000 and was wondering 1: If the lens would have OK focusing on the Z6 + FTZ adapter and 2: If the lens is worth the $2000 or if I would be better of with 300mm PF and TC 1.4 and 2.0 for example?
When was that version of the lens released? How's the optical quality compared to the newer versions?
I would get either the 300mm PF or the 500mm PF right now to pair with the mirrorless system. The 300mm if you want a nice light travel telephoto that can also get some pretty good reach with the 1.4 & 1.7 tc. The 2x tc doesn't focus well. You may be able to use the 2x for static bird shots but it is useless for birds in flight or anything that requires fast tracking.
The 500mm PF looks great but it is still large enough that I probably wouldn't want to travel with it. If you are just look for an amazing telephoto and don't really care about the added weight savings of the 300mm PF, then I would grab the 500mm PF in a heartbeat.
Hardcore wrote:
Nikon D lenses won't autofocus with the ftz adapter since these are screw drive lenses and require an in-body motor to drive them.
I would get either the 300mm PF or the 500mm PF right now to pair with the mirrorless system. The 300mm if you want a nice light travel telephoto that can also get some pretty good reach with the 1.4 & 1.7 tc. The 2x tc doesn't focus well. You may be able to use the 2x for static bird shots but it is useless for birds in flight or anything that requires fast tracking.
The 500mm PF looks great but it is still large enough that I probably wouldn't want to travel with it. If you are just look for an amazing telephoto and don't really care about the added weight savings of the 300mm PF, then I would grab the 500mm PF in a heartbeat.
I thought the fact that is was AF-S would allow it to focus with FTZ adapter but didn't know the D affected it as well.
That's all the info I needed!
I doubt I can find the 500PF (or afford it + Z6 right now) but the 300PF + TC 1.4 or 1.7 will be nice enough I guess and give a good enough reach. And very good to start with I think.
Wilbus wrote:
Thank you so much for the quick reply!
I thought the fact that is was AF-S would allow it to focus with FTZ adapter but didn't know the D affected it as well.
That's all the info I needed!
I doubt I can find the 500PF (or afford it + Z6 right now) but the 300PF + TC 1.4 or 1.7 will be nice enough I guess and give a good enough reach. And very good to start with I think.
Thanks again
/Rasmus
Ya, I like the 1.4x III on my 300m pf better than the 1.7x. Very little quality loss and still autofocuses really well.
I'm by no meaning an expert in these telephoto lenses. Nikon AF-S 500mm f4D ED II has been discontinued în 2007. If your lens is ED I it must be older.
Now, because it is AF-S and not AF-D, having a SWM motor, it will still have some AF with Z6/7, but do not expect to be on par with newer AF-S lenses. I do have Nikon AF-S 300mm f4D bought about 10 years ago who works on my Z6 but is a bit dabbling when aquiring focus. If you need your lens for BIF, forget about it. For static or slow moving subject, I really am impressed by my lens - the results are much, much better than pairing it with my D750. I suppose that is the IBIS the reason for that big improvement of the IQ.
Wilbus wrote:
I thought the fact that is was AF-S would allow it to focus with FTZ adapter but didn't know the D affected it as well.
FTZ will support the 16 "D" Nikkors that have internal motors. Most, but not all, of these are superteles and is an excellent route for Nikon newbies (or for occasional use) when budget is tight.
Looks like I have some thinking to do. Slow AF with superb optics (I guess at least) or disregard to lens and go for something newer like the 300PF with 1.4 and 1.7 TC's.
The lens I am looking at is, as far as my info digging has gone, most likely the first AF-S version, released in 1997 and discontinued in 2001.
At least I know it will focus, though most likely slow but not sure it will be worth $2000. Might be money better spent elsewhere.
Wilbus wrote:
Looks like I have some thinking to do. Slow AF with superb optics (I guess at least) or disregard to lens and go for something newer like the 300PF with 1.4 and 1.7 TC's.
AF-S does not guarantee AF speed, nor the lens era: I have lenses which are AF-S and modern but focus slowly, while my 300/2.8 AF-I predates SWM and acquires focus like greased lightning.
rico wrote:
AF-S does not guarantee AF speed, nor the lens era: I have lenses which are AF-S and modern but focus slowly, while my 300/2.8 AF-I predates SWM and acquires focus like greased lightning.
Thank you!
I thought AF-S lenses were normally faster due to a better AF motor and silent wave drives. So in reality, there is no way of really knowing without trying?
You have to research the lenses of interest, or try them. Even the screwdrive AF lenses can be fast, and more so with the powerful motors in the single-digit bodies.
A couple examples with the new 50mm from the frozen hike today. It rarely is cold enough in/near Vancouver for the lakes to freeze - so that was interesting to see.
Wilbus wrote:
Thank you so much for the quick reply!
I thought the fact that is was AF-S would allow it to focus with FTZ adapter but didn't know the D affected it as well.
That's all the info I needed!
I doubt I can find the 500PF (or afford it + Z6 right now) but the 300PF + TC 1.4 or 1.7 will be nice enough I guess and give a good enough reach. And very good to start with I think.
Thanks again
/Rasmus
You are correct... All of the autofocusing 500mm lenses are AF-S lenses and they will focus with the Z6. As another poster pointed out, the 300mm f/4 AF-S D will focus with a Z6/Z7, but mine hesitated "stuttered" a bit.
As an owner of the 500PF, I think that I would buy a 200-500 f/5.6VR for my Z6 to hold you over. In fact, this lens may be more than enough until you want to begin to invest the dollars into super-tele glass. My wife uses the 200-500VR with a D500 and it is superb. I have recently given her my Z6 for all of the benefits that mirrorless offers and I am sure that she will quickly decide to pair it w/ her 200-500mm lens.
Should you be curious, I have not given up on the Z6... just waiting for a body w/ FTZ to come back in stock. I like the camera a lot and will use it in conjunction w/ my two D500s.
Misstakes happen and I'm just happy the forum is filled with the skill, knowledge and will to help that it is.
I can't change my quote either it seems like but no worries. I was very confused about the D as well which led me to believe it might be a problem. But as it is AF-S it should focus. The real problem would be, would it be worth the chance?
I suspect, as many have advised, I am better of with the 200-500 though I am reluctant to invest in any "old" lens if I get in to Nikon Z. As I have no prior lenses I would find it somewhat of a drawback to invest in F glass but this is of course in my mind.
I'll stay away from the 500mm F4 non the less, uncertain about AF performance and AF motor quality with the age it is in might, with some use, just make it a big door stop. On the other hand, how many people have a 500mm F4 as a door stop?
Wilbus wrote:
I suspect, as many have advised, I am better of with the 200-500 though I am reluctant to invest in any "old" lens if I get in to Nikon Z. As I have no prior lenses I would find it somewhat of a drawback to invest in F glass but this is of course in my mind.
You're not alone here, I also have trouble looking at any new F-Mount glass because it you feel like you're throwing away money in some sense. However, if the focal length and speed that you need is not on Nikon's roadmap, then you're likely waiting at least 2 years or more, depending on what they're working on. That's a lot of missed shots, which makes it infinitely more easy to justify the expense.
blurredvision wrote:
You're not alone here, I also have trouble looking at any new F-Mount glass because it you feel like you're throwing away money in some sense. However, if the focal length and speed that you need is not on Nikon's roadmap, then you're likely waiting at least 2 years or more, depending on what they're working on. That's a lot of missed shots, which makes it infinitely more easy to justify the expense.
This is how I've been approaching these decisions as well. If it's a lens that I need and it isn't on the roadmap then I am ok losing a little bit of money to have the lens for the next couple of years and probably longer. For lenses that are on the roadmap I'm trying my best to wait for the Z mount lens.
I actually have a pretty easy time investing in the tele's since A: I don't think mirrorless is going to change their size, and B: the FTZ makes very little difference to their size. Also, I think it will be a whiiiiiiiile before Nikon makes something like a 200-500 in Z Mount. I would bet on a 70-200 2.8 & 4, a 70-300, and a 80-400 first
