A week ago, I had the chance to use the new Nikkor AFS 800mm/5.6 for a short time and shot a few hundred photos.
As said, I didn\'t have much time, but I thought it might be fun to compare the new AFS 800mm/5.6 VR with its Nikkor companions in the telephoto segment. While this decision was easy, execution was more demanding. 4 lenses, 2 bodies and one tripod seem like a normal load in the backpack. But not this time, as the 4 lenses were a
AFS 800mm/5.6 VR
AFS 600mm/4 VR
AFS 500mm/4 VR
AFS 400mm/2.8 VR
plus 4 TCs (TC1.25, TC-14, TC-17 and TC-20)
plus D800E and D7100 as cameras with the highest FX and DX resolution.
As said, it was a heavy, really heavy backpack.
The idea was to compare from wide open till f11
the AFS 800mm/5.6
the AFS 600mm/4 VR plus TC-14
the AFS 500mm/4 VR plus TC-17
the AFS 400mm/2.8 VR plus TC-20
on 2 distances 400 meters (440 yards) and 100 meters (110 yards) with both cams.
First, a few shots about the lens:
It is the first Nikkor with the focal length engraved
All super telephoto lenses had a mechanical ring to lock or unlock the VR elements. The 800mm uses a simpler to operate electric switch.
Be aware that the middle mounting hole is larger than the standard ones
There is a new rubber coverage on the lens foot. Very practical. For 2 reasons: 1) Better to carry and 2) switch it 180 degrees and hang it into a branch or other horizontal pole is better than hand holding the lens.
It is - relatively speaking - a compact lens. for 800mm at least ... Here with the D7100. Still impressive though
The set of 4 TC\'s. The TC1.25 is tighter to mount on the lens and camera. Not sure if this is only during the break in period or by design.
To put things in perspective:
Left, the old AiS 800mm/5.6, center the new AFS 800mm, right the AFS 600mm/4 VR
AFS 800mm, 600mm, 500mm, 400mm. See the pattern on the direction of the lens mount? The super heavy front lens of the 600mm and 400mm require a more forward mounted bracket. The 500mm and 800mm lens weight is more \"balanced\".
The same pattern continues with the lens hood. The forward mount of the 600 and 400mm lens requires a 2-part hood. The 500mm and 800mm take the simpler approach - one simple hood. With hood, the 600mm is a tad longer than the 800mm lens.
Most animals and sportsmen will see probably this perspective most often. The 400mm and 600mm lens have the biggest front element, followed by the 800mm, followed by the \"tiny\" 500mm.
A week ago, I had the chance to use the new Nikkor AFS 800mm/5.6 for a short time and shot a few hundred photos.
As said, I didn\'t have much time, but I thought it might be fun to compare the new AFS 800mm/5.6 VR with its Nikkor companions in the telephoto segment. While this decision was easy, execution was more demanding. 4 lenses, 2 bodes and one tripod seem like a normal load in the backpack. But not this time, as the 4 lenses were
AFS 800mm/5.6 VR
AFS 600mm/4 VR
AFS 500mm/4 VR
AFS 400mm/2.8 VR
plus 4 TCs (TC1.25, TC-14, TC-17 and TC-20)
plus D800E and D7100 as cameras with the highest FX and DX resolution.
As said, it was a heavy, really heavy backpack.
The idea was to compare from wide open till f11
the AFS 800mm/5.6
the AFS 600mm/4 VR plus TC-14
the AFS 500mm/4 VR plus TC-17
the AFS 400mm/2.8 VR plus TC-20
on 2 distances 400 meters (440 yards) and 100 meters (110 yards) with both cams.
First, a few shots about the lens:
It is the first Nikkor with the focal length engraved
All supertelephoto lenses had a mechanical ring to lock or unlock the VR elements. The 800mm uses just simple electric switch.
Be aware that the middle mounting hole is larger than the standard ones
There is a new rubber coverage on the lens foot. Very practical. For 2 reasons: 1) Better to carry and 2) switch it 180 degrees and hang it into a branch or other horizontal pole is better than hand holding the lens.
It is - relatively speaking - a compact lens. for 800mm at least ... Here with the D7100. Still impressive though
The set of 4 TC\'s. The TC1.25 is tighter to mount on the lens and camera. Not sure if this is only during the break in period or by design.
To put things in perspective:
Left, the old AiS 800mm/5.6, center the new AFS 800mm, right the AFS 600mm/4 VR
AFS 800mm, 600mm, 500mm, 400mm. See the pattern on the direction of the lens mount? The super heavy front lens of the 600mm and 400mm require a more forward mounted bracket. The 500mm and 800mm lens weight is more \"balanced\".
The same pattern continues with the lens hood. The forward mount of the 600 and 400mm lens requires a 2-part hood. The 500mm and 800mm take the simpler approach - one simple hood. With hood, the 600mm is a tad longer than the 800mm lens.
Most animals and sportsmen will see probably this perspective most often. The 400mm and 600mm lens have the biggest front element, followed by the 800mm, followed by the \"tiny\" 500mm.
rgds,
Andy
Apr 24, 2013 at 02:28 PM
Previous versions of AndreasE's message #11507852 « Photos of/with the AFS 800mm/5.6 VR »
