Is this lens really worth this? AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR. Can't you just get the D800 a 200-2.8 lens-crop it and get the same results, or is this just look what I got- $20,000...

Swede Loc: Trail, BC Canada

AF-S NIKKOR
800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR.
Can't you just get the D800 a 200-2.8 lens-crop it and get the same results, or is this just look what I got- $20,000 give me a break- but then again a friend recently spent $80,000 for a truck (and a Ford)
Where does this all stop>

Swede

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

When you're dead.

Allen Hirsch Loc: Oakland, CA

Swede wrote:

AF-S NIKKOR
800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR.
Can't you just get the D800 a 200-2.8 lens-crop it and get the same results....

Swede

What do you think? If a 200mm lens could get you the same quality image cropped as the 800mm produces uncropped, how many $20K lenses do you think they'd sell??

You don't photograph any small wildlife or birds, do you?

Dan L Loc: Wisconsin

Hard to say, other hoppy enthusiast such as cigar boats, drag races, sailors, small planes spend a lot more.

mtparker Loc: Cape Charles & Springfield, Virginia

It is an impressive lens. I was at Conowingo Dam last week photographing eagles and a guy from Hong Kong was there right next to me. He was using this Nikkor 800/5.6 on a D800 and I had my Sigma 300-800/5.6 on a D800E. It focused quicker than my Sigma but I could not tell much difference between our similar images in preview mode, even with a loupe. Shoulda asked to take a couple pics on one of my cards.

Dan L Loc: Wisconsin

That's hobby!

Dan L wrote:

Hard to say, other hoppy enthusiast such as cigar boats, drag races, sailors, small planes spend a lot more.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

ottopj wrote:

When you're dead.

Like a wall. :lol:

I will never know. (about the lens)
But I am more apt to see the lens than the Kremlin. Of that I am sure. ;)

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

I would doubt many individuals would purchase such a lens like a Nikkor 800mm. I can see Sports Illustrated, NatGeo and the like getting them for their staff photographers, while writing it off as business expenses.
The rest of us are content to buy Sigma's for 2K and are glad we have them. Besides that 800mm Nikkor weighs over 10 pounds making my 6.3 pound 600mm SigZilla seem lightweight.

Swede Loc: Trail, BC Canada

Why do you think I asked the question, let me think--- maybe I don't know
Yup that's it!

Allen Hirsch wrote:

What do you think? If a 200mm lens could get you the same quality image cropped as the 800mm produces uncropped, how many $20K lenses do you think they'd sell??

You don't photograph any small wildlife or birds, do you?

Swede Loc: Trail, BC Canada

Thanks Don I was just wondering if you won a lottery would you buy 1?
Swede

Nikon_DonB wrote:

I would doubt many individuals would purchase such a lens like a Nikkor 800mm. I can see Sports Illustrated, NatGeo and the like getting them for their staff photographers, while writing it off as business expenses.
The rest of us are content to buy Sigma's for 2K and are glad we have them. Besides that 800mm Nikkor weighs over 10 pounds making my 6.3 pound 600mm SigZilla seem lightweight.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Swede wrote:

AF-S NIKKOR
800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR.
Can't you just get the D800 a 200-2.8 lens-crop it and get the same results, or is this just look what I got- $20,000 give me a break- but then again a friend recently spent $80,000 for a truck (and a Ford)
Where does this all stop>

Swede

Answer is no. You cannot get the same result. However, you can get similar results with a 600mmF4 and a 1.4x TC.

SirAlistair Loc: Gingin Western Australia

I did not buy the Canon 800mm for my 5D3 as with my back, I could not lift it, if you have a strong back, or do not need to take it far from your car, then buy it, I bet most people's car's cost more here, and don't even look at power boats if this lens seems expensive to you.. Nothing worth while in life is cheep! Go to the shop and see how heavy it is, look online at everyone's reviews, then decide if you want some amazing close up of birds etc
I have the Canon 500mmF4iiit takes excellent photos, but I often wish I had more reach...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Swede wrote:

AF-S NIKKOR
800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR.
Can't you just get the D800 a 200-2.8 lens-crop it and get the same results, or is this just look what I got- $20,000 give me a break- but then again a friend recently spent $80,000 for a truck (and a Ford)
Where does this all stop>

Swede

If someone needs good quality images at that focal length, and he's making money shooting them, then that's what he'll get. If money isn't a concern, and he wants a big lens, he'll get one. I'm satisfied with my 28-300mm, my longest lens.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Swede wrote:

AF-S NIKKOR
800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR.
Can't you just get the D800 a 200-2.8 lens-crop it and get the same results, or is this just look what I got- $20,000 give me a break- but then again a friend recently spent $80,000 for a truck (and a Ford)
Where does this all stop>

Swede

A real solution would be not to buy but to rent. Not many photographers actually buy $20,000-40,000 lenses, but they may rent one for a wildlife assignment. Though it seems like some do buy hyper priced lenses on the UHH.

cuzinvin Loc: Reno, Nevada

"When you're dead" sounds about right to me.