p.19 #1 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
JasonTheBirder wrote:
I would love to see a serious test of the 800PF vs the 500PF....it does seem like the 800PF lacks some crispiness but it's quite hard to tell since I've never shot it.
Also waiting for this and maybe compared to other primes which can get close to the focal length with TC's.
p.19 #2 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
snapquacky wrote:
Interesting to read this, was expecting a bit more from the 800pf, autofocus speed isn't entirely surprising. If the 500pf is indeed sharper that is somewhat disappointing to me anyway, especially considering the price point of each lens. Some of the sample images I've seen looked pretty good from the 800pf but of course there could be sample variation
I don't expect sample variation to play any meaningful part with these Nikon prime lenses. I would stress though, that the 800PF is f6.3 at 800mm while the 500PF is f9 when cropped to the same image size, so the rendering is not going to be comparable. Doing a comparison by making the subject the same size in the viewfinder makes no real sense either, since you will be much closer to the subject with the 500PF, which will always produce better results.
The only meaningful ánd practical comparison that I can see, would be to set the 800PF to f9, and crop the 500PF image to make the size of the subject as big as in the full 800PF image. I know which lens will be the winner then
p.19 #3 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
ChrisMak wrote:
I don't expect sample variation to play any meaningful part with these Nikon prime lenses. I would stress though, that the 800PF is f6.3 at 800mm while the 500PF is f9 when cropped to the same image size, so the rendering is not going to be comparable. Doing a comparison by making the subject the same size in the viewfinder makes no real sense either, since you will be much closer to the subject with the 500PF, which will always produce better results.
The only meaningful ánd practical comparison that I can see, would be to set the 800PF to f9, and crop the 500PF image to make the size of the subject as big as in the full 800PF image. I know which lens will be the winner then ...Show more →
Personally I wouldn't bet against sample variation. I was thinking maybe more about comparing the 800pf to a 500f4 or 600f4 with TC's, of course there is no native equivalent 500 or 600 just yet from Nikon but even the older non Z would be interesting. I guess feedback from owners of such glass will filter through, once they get hands on the 800pf. Looking forward to more images in this thread, keep them coming
p.19 #5 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
ChrisMak wrote:
I don't expect sample variation to play any meaningful part with these Nikon prime lenses. I would stress though, that the 800PF is f6.3 at 800mm while the 500PF is f9 when cropped to the same image size, so the rendering is not going to be comparable. Doing a comparison by making the subject the same size in the viewfinder makes no real sense either, since you will be much closer to the subject with the 500PF, which will always produce better results.
The only meaningful ánd practical comparison that I can see, would be to set the 800PF to f9, and crop the 500PF image to make the size of the subject as big as in the full 800PF image. I know which lens will be the winner then ...Show more →
I agree with this. I don't think it's meaningful to make such a comparison in this sense. Obviously the 800PF will destroy the 500PF if you're in the same position and crop to 800PF size. What was going through my mind was, can the 800PF produce the kind of fine-feather detail like the 500PF can? Or maybe the 800 f/5.6? That's the kind of question that would be useful to me as a potential buyer because if it doesn't meet a certain standard, I'd rather just not have the shots at 800mm at all and stick with the shots for which 500mm is appropriate. I think it's likely that the 800PF would meet my standard, but I'm not completely sure which is why I'd like to see more controlled tests since it's such a big purchase.
p.19 #6 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
ChrisMak wrote:
I don't expect sample variation to play any meaningful part with these Nikon prime lenses. I would stress though, that the 800PF is f6.3 at 800mm while the 500PF is f9 when cropped to the same image size, so the rendering is not going to be comparable. Doing a comparison by making the subject the same size in the viewfinder makes no real sense either, since you will be much closer to the subject with the 500PF, which will always produce better results.
The only meaningful ánd practical comparison that I can see, would be to set the 800PF to f9, and crop the 500PF image to make the size of the subject as big as in the full 800PF image. I know which lens will be the winner then ...Show more →
Doing a comparison by making the subject the same size in the viewfinder does make sense for me. If I'm shooting hummingbirds within 10m, it's usually not a problem for me to just get 2m closer. Why would we assume that the 500pf will always produce better results in this situation simply by being 2m closer? There shouldn't be any atmospheric distortion between 3m and 5m from my subject. I would imagine the 800pf should outperform the 500pf at MFD...
I think it goes without saying the 800pf will outperform the 500pf at the same distance (I will still test this though so we have something to look at). But, maybe there is an optimal distance from subject for each lens to perform at it's peak? I don't know. I just know that at close to MFD or within 10m specifically, the 500pf does seem to be the better lens - again just my experience so far.
It's raining today, so maybe I'll break out some lights and do a little livingroom studio setup to test both lenses... I think my hallway is 5m long, will measure after my coffee
p.19 #7 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
JasonTheBirder wrote:
I agree with this. I don't think it's meaningful to make such a comparison in this sense. Obviously the 800PF will destroy the 500PF if you're in the same position and crop to 800PF size. What was going through my mind was, can the 800PF produce the kind of fine-feather detail like the 500PF can? Or maybe the 800 f/5.6? That's the kind of question that would be useful to me as a potential buyer because if it doesn't meet a certain standard, I'd rather just not have the shots at 800mm at all and stick with the shots for which 500mm is appropriate. I think it's likely that the 800PF would meet my standard, but I'm not completely sure which is why I'd like to see more controlled tests since it's such a big purchase....Show more →
From what I have seen from the 800PF so far, the images absolutely look worthwhile to me. I understand your sentiment, I still wonder whether the images from the Sony 200-600 meet my wish for fine detail and micro contrast, but I see enough of both in the 800PF images posted.
p.19 #9 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
AccessDenied wrote:
Doing a comparison by making the subject the same size in the viewfinder does make sense for me. If I'm shooting hummingbirds within 10m, it's usually not a problem for me to just get 2m closer. Why would we assume that the 500pf will always produce better results in this situation simply by being 2m closer? There shouldn't be any atmospheric distortion between 3m and 5m from my subject. I would imagine the 800pf should outperform the 500pf at MFD...
I think it goes without saying the 800pf will outperform the 500pf at the same distance (I will still test this though so we have something to look at). But, maybe there is an optimal distance from subject for each lens to perform at it's peak? I don't know. I just know that at close to MFD or within 10m specifically, the 500pf does seem to be the better lens - again just my experience so far.
It's raining today, so maybe I'll break out some lights and do a little livingroom studio setup to test both lenses... I think my hallway is 5m long, will measure after my coffee ...Show more →
Going by what you describe, it is a valid comparison for you, but I don't think it is a very relevant comparison for most users, including myself, who intend the 800PF mainly if not solely for reach, and will hardly ever use it in the situation where they can easily get closer, close enough to fill the frame with the 500PF. It may very well be that the 800PF design was not optimized for optical performance at MFD, but for more typical distances where this lens will find most of its use.
p.19 #10 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
ChrisMak wrote:
Going by what you describe, it is a valid comparison for you, but I don't think it is a very relevant comparison for most users, including myself, who intend the 800PF mainly if not solely for reach, and will hardly ever use it in the situation where they can easily get closer, close enough to fill the frame with the 500PF. It may very well be that the 800PF design was not optimized for optical performance at MFD, but for more typical distances where this lens will find most of its use.
That is a fair assessment. I intend to keep the 800pf for now because I have nothing else that is as capable at those distances. I just posted a full-res image above at close to MFD with the 800pf and the image quality is really nice in my opinion.
p.19 #15 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
Apparently on or about July 12th, Nikon is suspending orders for the 800mm and the 400mm...
"“Nikon has received an unexpectedly large number of orders for the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S and the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3VR S lenses. To better assist our customers and retailer partners, we will temporarily suspend taking new orders of these two lenses as we work to fulfill our current backorders. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this delay may cause customers eagerly awaiting these products. Please know we are doing all we can to deliver these products as soon as possible, and we ask for your understanding and patience in this matter.”
p.19 #18 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
AccessDenied wrote:
Those owls are incredible!
I'm always on the lookout for owls but never find any!
Nice photos! They are inspiring me to not give up on my search!
Thanks. I am lucky that there are at least 6 spot owlets in the park next door to me.
There are a couple of other types of owls that can be found in parks around the city here
but I have not spot any other at this park yet. Keep my eyes out when I go for a run there
and luckily another good friend walk there almost everyday and usually let me knows if he
found anything interesting
