Lens Budget Problem (Page 3): :sm24: :sm24:...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

imagemeister wrote:

Personally, I would forget the 500 use the 100-400 and optimize the native IQ and CROP - and use well applied pixel enlargement software if needed. I would also do a focus cal of the 100-400 at 400 and at a long distance as part of the optimization. This way, you spend nothing.
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Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Bobspez wrote:

Not good at all. You will do better with a used Ni... (show quote)

I believe his moon shot is Sharper than yours. I opened both in Nikon view nxi. I even wore my glasses. Lol. Like them both.

tvhasben Loc: Chattanooga, Tennessee

I took the same shot of the moon three nights ago with a vastly inferior 500 reflex lens. This image is cropped to about 45%. My Sony SLT makes manual focusing fairly easy. Back in my film days I had access to a 500 Nikon reflex and got great shots with it. If I could put a Sony A mount on it I'd have one in my bag of lenses for those shots that I couldn't get otherwise.

(Download)

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

tvhasben wrote:

I took the same shot of the moon three nights ago with a vastly inferior 500 reflex lens. This image is cropped to about 45%. My Sony SLT makes manual focusing fairly easy. Back in my film days I had access to a 500 Nikon reflex and got great shots with it. If I could put a Sony A mount on it I'd have one in my bag of lenses for those shots that I couldn't get otherwise.

Just get the Sony/Minolta 500 f8 AF Reflex - SIMPLE !
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dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

rehess wrote:

Often you end up with more pixels on subject when you use in-camera.

You should read up on in camera cropping.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

amfoto1 wrote:

No, you don't. br br Regardless whether you use ... (show quote)

dsmeltz wrote:

You should read up on in camera cropping.

I guess it depends on how you define “in camera”. I was thinking in terms of my APS-C camera, which has smaller, closer-together pixels than the comparable “Full Frame” camera.

RichKenn Loc: Merritt Island, FL

Wow!I an overwhelmed. So much information and a few opinions. Thanks to you all. I really appreciate the response to my dilemma. I think I will keep the lens and live with it until someone gives me a better one. LOL.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

rehess wrote:

I guess it depends on how you define “in camera”. I was thinking in terms of my APS-C camera, which has smaller, closer-together pixels than the comparable “Full Frame” camera.

In camera cropping is a specific "feature" often called a "crop mode" of some cameras where only a portion of the sensor is used to achieve a different aspect ratio. It actually uses a less of the sensor. Some people cannot visualize what part of the image they will use and these modes help them. Personally I have no use for crop mode and can't imagine ever wanting to use one.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

dsmeltz wrote:

In camera cropping is a specific "feature" often called a "crop mode" of some cameras where only a portion of the sensor is used to achieve a different aspect ratio. It actually uses a less of the sensor. Some people cannot visualize what part of the image they will use and these modes help them. Personally I have no use for crop mode and can't imagine ever wanting to use one.

If you want to use that definition - fine.

There are people with a “FF” camera for whom their only “long” lens is an appropriate “crop” lens; for example, if someone purchases a Nikon D850 and already owns a ‘long’ DX lens, I see no reason for them to drain their checking account further to get a similar FX lens just so they can crop in software instead of in hardware.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

rehess wrote:

If you want to use that definition - fine.

There are people with a “FF” camera for whom their only “long” lens is an appropriate “crop” lens; for example, if someone purchases a Nikon D850 and already owns a ‘long’ DX lens, I see no reason for them to drain their checking account further to get a similar FX lens just so they can crop in software instead of in hardware.

It is not an I want to use that definition thing. It is simply what in-camera cropping is.

And if you put a crop lens on a FF camera (a very different issue), you are still not using the full sensor. The APS-C lens image does not cover the FF sensor area.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

dsmeltz wrote:

It is not an I want to use that definition thing. It is simply what in-camera cropping is.

And if you put a crop lens on a FF camera (a very different issue), you are still not using the full sensor. The APS-C lens image does not cover the FF sensor area.

Nobody claims it uses the full sensor, but does use the full lens, and that may be all some people can afford right now. If they seldom use a long lens, that may be all they ever get, and that should be OK

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

dsmeltz wrote:

The APS-C lens image does not cover the FF sensor area.

That DEPENDS - some actually DO......

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RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

RichKenn wrote:

I think I will keep the lens and live with it ...

That Reflex-Nikkor should serve you well. Nikon recommended the TC-14A or TC-14B 1.4X, and TC-201 2X teleconverters. I think you’ll lose too much image quality with any 2X.
Since you’re focusing manually, proper diopter adjustment is critical. I believe your camera has the plain Type B screen, which I find ideal for most purposes. If you cannot see the screen etchings clearly, you might want to consider one of the magnifying attachments Nikon makes for your camera.
How’s your post-processing skill? Check this out: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-206902-1.html
Note what Searcher did with that tiny 8-bit JPEG, and imagine what you could achieve with a RAW file.

RichKenn Loc: Merritt Island, FL

Thanx. Good story. I am a devout user of the haze filter among others in PE-14 for long shots.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

rehess wrote:

Nobody claims it uses the full sensor, but does use the full lens, and that may be all some people can afford right now. If they seldom use a long lens, that may be all they ever get, and that should be OK

But what you said was

rehess wrote:

Often you end up with more pixels on subject when you use in-camera.

And you do not. You end up with fewer.