Fine tuning the Nikon 200-500 mm zoom
Aug 2, 2016 14:52:20 #
I have made it a habit to fine tune all my lenses in order to get precise auto-focus performance. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this lens did not require any adjustment; I have used different methods and charts to fine tune it and I am amazed at the repeatability when used in conjunction with my D700. This however, is not the case with my D500, which in spite of its highly touted self-fine-tuning system, has not proven to be reliable at this point. Are there any members of this forum experiencing the same good luck with the 200-500 mm zoom?
Aug 2, 2016 17:59:32 #
Julian wrote:
I have made it a habit to fine tune all my lenses ... (show quote)
I consider my D500 and Nikon 200-500 lens about as perfect a combo as I could ever imagine. Mine needed no tuning at all.
Aug 2, 2016 20:24:32 #
MT Shooter wrote:
I consider my D500 and Nikon 200-500 lens about as perfect a combo as I could ever imagine. Mine needed no tuning at all.
Great to hear. I'll keep working with mine. Thanks for your input.
Aug 3, 2016 05:50:58 #
MT Shooter wrote:
I consider my D500 and Nikon 200-500 lens about as perfect a combo as I could ever imagine. Mine needed no tuning at all.
Agreed Nikon D 500 with Nikon 200 500 is the best wildlife and action combo I have ever used !!!
Aug 3, 2016 06:15:19 #
Aug 3, 2016 06:22:51 #
Aug 3, 2016 07:03:35 #
MT Shooter wrote:
I consider my D500 and Nikon 200-500 lens about as perfect a combo as I could ever imagine. Mine needed no tuning at all.
I was only referring to the D500's self fine-tuning method which I and others have found somewhat inconsistent. I also agree that the combination is perfect for wild life shooting.
Aug 3, 2016 07:38:56 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Julian wrote:
I have made it a habit to fine tune all my lenses ... (show quote)
I have not had to fine tune the 200-500 on my D4s, D800, D750, or the D7100. This said I just got the D500 and have just started testing it. Got really sharp photo's so far. On a dim morning I was shooting at 1/160 sec and photo's suffered as you might think but still managed to get one or two real sharp Finch photo's. I will continue to test this lens on the D500 body at a higher shutter speed, I usually shoot at least 1/1000 sec. I will report back on the results. This said, at 1/160 sec. I got a really sharp photo of a Purple Finch when it stood still. Photo's to follow soon.
Aug 3, 2016 07:56:13 #
billnikon wrote:
I have not had to fine tune the 200-500 on my D4s,... (show quote)
Thank you. Would publish some of your images? I'll be very interested.
Aug 3, 2016 08:48:23 #
Julian wrote:
I have made it a habit to fine tune all my lenses ... (show quote)
No AF Fine Tune needed on my D500, 200~500 combo. Works like a charm, only grouse, I would have liked it to be slightly faster acquiring focus. I guess my D500 with the 300 f4E has me spoiled.
Aug 3, 2016 08:49:56 #
My D500 and D5s both work very well with my 200-500. I did not see the need to fine tune at all. I guess I just bought a lucky lens.
Aug 3, 2016 09:15:33 #
Julian wrote:
Thank you. Would publish some of your images? I'll be very interested.
No fine tuning needed at all with my D7200... Awesome combination D7200 & Nikon 200-500 !
Attached are 2 test photos
I'm going to like this combo !
Download for full view
Aug 3, 2016 09:19:14 #
Julian wrote:
I have made it a habit to fine tune all my lenses ... (show quote)
You may have messed it up fooling with fine tuning. There have been many warnings out there to leave it alone. In almost 50 years of doing photography, I have never had a problem with a lens or camera being accurate in its auto focus in good lighting. The lens barrel markings may not be exact, but the focusing is. The old saying is for the wise here : "if ain't broke, don't fix it"!
Aug 3, 2016 09:20:59 #
I calibrated mine with Lens Align and it did need a touch of fine tuning (+7 I think). The built in tuning is erratic - but it can be OK if you do it a bunch of times and note the calibrations each time and then average them out. Personally, I like Lens Align a lot better.
Aug 3, 2016 10:09:01 #
Pete K wrote:
No fine tuning needed at all with my D7200... Awesome combination D7200 & Nikon 200-500 !
Attached are 2 test photos
I'm going to like this combo !
Download for full view
Attached are 2 test photos
I'm going to like this combo !
Download for full view
Great work. Thank you.
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