Now starts the \"boring\" part - the comparison shots I mentioned above.
I don\'t have time to process all the pictures, so I made it very simple to those who are interested. I\'ve uploaded the original RAW files of the D800E here. So, don\'t take my words, take my pictures for your personal assessment ...
I\'ve taken most of the time 2 shots with the same settings and selected the visually better picture for uploading. Yet, don\'t get the results as \"final\", as I might have introduced errors in my rather \"fast\" 800mm shooting. I tried to work as precisely as possible, but there is always room for mishaps.
All shots were taken with a Gitzo 3540 plus a Wemberly II head.
Shots taken with a remote, MUP, Live View and contrast AF.
I\'ve uploaded 2 pictures of 5 lens/TC combinations each. One is with the respective max aperture and the second one with f8. All candidates are able to produce photos with f8, giving a nice baseline to compare kind of optimal resolution.
You have my explicit permission to republish snippets or pictures of interest you identified, or comparisons you made based on my pictures in this thread so we can all learn and discuss the differences and similarities.
Summary:
To state the obvious. The AFS 800mm/5.6 is at 800mm with a body the resolution like the D800E and at max aperture a class in itself Lower resolution bodies like the D3 will blur the differences, as the sensor might be the limiting factor.
Excluding the impact of sample variation (which is more prevalent than people normally believe) I would rank my 500mm second, the 600mm third and the 400mm last (all with TCs).
At f8 the differences vanish to a point, that those who have already one of the great telephoto lenses shouldn\'t loose sleep over the differences. Those who are in the process to enter this field might look twice which route to go. I understand that the price is for many of detrimental (including me) but as one professional photographer in another forum wrote - \"With one right photo, the lens pays for itself ...\"
What I haven\'t checked, but should be considered as well are reflections, glow and flare TCs normally are increasing as well. Light conditions weren\'t complex during the time I had the lens. What I saw in the night was very well controlled Coma and CA, basically non-existing. But this need further analysis.
Basically, I didn\'t achieve my personal goal. I wanted to try and test this lens to get the reassurance, that my existing stable of tele lenses is on par with the newcomer and there is no need - now and forever - to consider this lens. Unfortunately, I was wrong. So I have to find another reason and venue to stay strong.
What is the scene?
The golden globe of the Gloriette, approx. 100 meter apart.
You will see 10x this globe (didn\'t I say \"boring\"?)
What is in the folder?
Each RAW file is about 40 MB in size
AFS 800mm/5.6 VR plus TC 1-25
D8E_8112.NEF: f7.1
D8E_8115.NEF: f8
Thanks to all your positive comments. Really appreciated.
Now starts the \"boring\" part - the comparison shots I mentioned above.
I don\'t have time to process all the pictures, so I made it very simple to those who are interested. I\'ve uploaded the original RAW files of the D800E here. So, don\'t take my words, take my pictures for your personal assessment ...
I\'ve taken most of the time 2 shots with the same settings and selected the visually better picture for uploading. Yet, don\'t get the results as \"final\", as I might have introduced errors in my rather \"fast\" 800mm shooting. I tried to work as precisely as possible, but there is always room for mishaps.
All shots were taken with a Gitzo 3540 plus a Wemberly II head.
Shots taken with a remote, MUP, Live View and contrast AF.
I\'ve uploaded 2 pictures of 5 lens/TC combinations each. One is with the respective max aperture and the second one with f8. All candidates are able to produce photos with f8, giving a nice baseline to compare kind of optimal resolution.
You have my explicit permission to republish snippets or pictures of interest you identified, or comparisons you made based on my pictures in this thread so we can all learn and discuss the differences and similarities.
Summary:
To state the obvious. The AFS 800mm/5.6 is at 800mm with a body the resolution like the D800E and at max aperture a class in itself Lower resolution bodies like the D3 will blur the differences, as the sensor might be the limiting factor.
Excluding the impact of sample variation (which is more prevalent than people normally believe) I would rank my 500mm second, the 600mm third and the 400mm last (all with TCs).
At f8 the differences vanish to a point, that those who have already one of the great telephoto lenses shouldn\'t loose sleep over the differences. Those who are in the process to enter this field might look twice which route to go. I understand that the price is for many of detrimental (including me) but as one professional photographer in another forum wrote - \"With one right photo, the lens pays for itself ...\"
What I haven\'t checked, but should be considered as well are reflections, glow and flare TCs normally are increasing as well. Light conditions weren\'t complex during the time I had the lens. What I saw in the night was very well controlled Coma and CA, basically non-existing. But this need further analysis.
Basically, I didn\'t achieve my personal goal. I wanted to try and test this lens to get the reassurance, that my existing stable of tele lenses is on par with the newcomer and there is no need - now and forever - to consider this lens. Unfortunately, I was wrong. So I have to find another reason and venue to stay strong.
What is the scene?
The golden globe of the Gloriette, approx. 100 meter apart.
You will see 10x this globe (didn\'t I say \"boring\"?)
What is in the folder?
Each RAW file is about 40 MB in size
AFS 800mm/5.6 VR plus TC 1-25
D8E_8112.NEF: f7.1
D8E_8115.NEF: f8
Lower resolution bodies like the D3 will blur the differences, as the sensor might be the limiting factor.
