Nikon 200-500mm is here, but I need a little encouragement
Oct 2, 2020 07:34:16 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Flyerace wrote:
I've wanted this lens from the moment it was first... (show quote)
1. use continuous auto focus
2. use either center or matrix metering
3. use GROUP AUTO FOCUS (important)
4. for BIF use at least 1/3000 sec. or higher
5. hand holding is very possible, however, I strongly suggest a Gimbal Head for a tripod and or the Wimberly MH-100 head if your on a mono pod. I do not use VR when on a tripod and use VR when hand holding or on a monopod and shooting less than 1/500 sec.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1513932-REG/wimberley_mh_100_monogimbal_head.html
6. practice panning on cars going past you. Remember to keep firing as you pan, DO NOT STOP the camera movement as you shoot.
7. When hand holding I rotate the tripod foot so it is on top of the lens, this will help you when putting your left hand under the lens.
8. Also, when hand holding, place your left hand as far forward on the lens as possible, just behind the lens hood. OH, keep the lens hood on your lens.
9. When out in questionable environments, carry a Walmart bag with you incase it rains.
10. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Oct 2, 2020 07:56:05 #
Flyerace.. Check out http://www.backcountrygallery.com with tutorials by Steve Perry!.. He is the BEST authority I have found on using his advice on long and heavy lenses!.. He has put out several info filled and very inexpensive E-B ooks. He's a GREAT teacher and VERY easy to follow.. BTW, I'll be 77 in February, and I mostly hand-hold my Nikon D500 Nikon with Grip and an attached Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.. For certain situations , I use a Gimbal headed tripod. When walking around with this rig ( without a tripod), I have a "Slide" strap made by http://www.peakdesign.com which allows me to carry the camera and lens across my chest or by my side, or behind me without "bouncing around" like the Black Rapid or it's many copies. Good luck with your new lens!
Oct 2, 2020 08:07:12 #
Thanks for all the ideas. My current tripod mount fits securely to the Nikon clamp and makes it easy to put it on and take it off. I am carrying it around with me as much as possible. The clamp makes it easier to carry. I'm sure it will get easier.
Looking forward to capturing all my little winged neighbors soon. Many stay around for the winter. I knew that I would have several good ideas from my fellow hedgehogs.
Looking forward to capturing all my little winged neighbors soon. Many stay around for the winter. I knew that I would have several good ideas from my fellow hedgehogs.
Oct 2, 2020 08:40:06 #
Gene51 wrote:
It gets lighter the more you use it. Have you trie... (show quote)
Thanks man....Perspective is Everything and great Cat-Crop B.T.W.
Oct 2, 2020 08:44:24 #
Blair Shaw Jr wrote:
Thanks man....Perspective is Everything and great Cat-Crop B.T.W.
Thanks!
Oct 2, 2020 08:57:20 #
Flyerace wrote:
I've wanted this lens from the moment it was first... (show quote)
That's a great lens at a great price but it's a beast. One trick I learned from Regis (here on UHH) was to get one of those PNC Pistol grips that attach to the Tripod Foot ($10 eBay) and it gives you the ability to shoot hand-held a lot better than grabbing the foot. Also if you rotate the foot-ring to nine-o-clock instead of six-o-clock and shoot in Burst Mode ,you'll manage the weight and time constraints a lot better and get quicker resultson those BIF's.
Congratulations on acquiring that fantastic lens and good luck with it.
Oct 2, 2020 08:59:50 #
doclrb wrote:
Great story. Good lens. But it is NOT fully weather sealed.
doclrb
doclrb
Thanks!
You must be thinking about the Contemporary. It is not weather sealed, but the Sport is.
https://photographylife.com/sigma-150-600mm-sport-goes-on-a-safari#weather-sealing
http://bodzashphotoastro.blogspot.com/2019/10/a-complete-list-of-weather-resistant.html
https://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/usb-dock-compatible/150-600mm-f5-63-dg-os-hsm-s
Splash and dust proof construction is the same as weather sealing.
https://jamesstuber.com/weather-resistant-mft-lenses/
Hope this clears up your misunderstanding . . .
Oct 2, 2020 09:04:42 #
The Nikon 200~500mmF:5.6 G VR lens IS NOT weather sealed at all. Carrying a garbage bag or shopping plastic is very important.
Oct 2, 2020 10:02:52 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
Mine came back yesterday from its second firmware recall. I’ll be testing it today with my Z50. You should check the Nikon site to see if yours needs the recall.
I mostly handhold it. The VR on it is awesome. But for sharpest images I use M mode with auto ISO. Shutter speed = 1/1000, fstop 5.6.
I mostly handhold it. The VR on it is awesome. But for sharpest images I use M mode with auto ISO. Shutter speed = 1/1000, fstop 5.6.
Oct 2, 2020 11:21:42 #
Oct 2, 2020 11:45:29 #
I've had mine for about three years. I use it with my D7200 also, mostly for BIF. I'm pushing 80 and still carry it on short hikes. I have a carbon fiber monopod with a Siuri tilt head to support the lens sometimes. It is a great lens! I'm having a GAS attack for a D500 to use with it.
Oct 2, 2020 12:16:12 #
This is a terrific lens. Just take some getting used to. Consider using it on a good heavy duty mono pod You will soon be surprised how well this works and how fast. Good luck
Oct 2, 2020 12:21:16 #
jsfphotos
Loc: New York, NY
Thanks for raising this issue. I have lusted after the Nikon 200-500 for a long time, but seeing it in person at Photo Expo a few years ago, I was surprised and pretty intimidated by the size and weight of the lens. Still don't know whether to spring for it, but seeing what folks had to say about support for mounting/carrying the lens is very helpful. I know it's a great lens, just not sure I'm up to it. I traded in the Nikon 750 for the 7200 because the 750 was just too big and heavy for me.
Oct 2, 2020 12:22:22 #
JFCoupe
Loc: Kent, Washington
As mentioned in another post, shutter speed with long lens is very important for sharp images, particularly birds in flight. Image or vibration stabilization does help significantly, but you absolutely need shutter speeds at 1/1500 or higher for sharp BIF images.
And when handholding the lens, rotating the tripod collar up to the top of the lens makes holding the lens more comfortable.
Enjoy it.
And when handholding the lens, rotating the tripod collar up to the top of the lens makes holding the lens more comfortable.
Enjoy it.
Oct 2, 2020 12:27:28 #
I ordered the PNC pistol grip. Might just make it easier to hold onto. The place is just fine for my tripod/monopod, but when I carry it, I think I would like a little more control.
I'm also going to boost the ISO up a bit until I can stop the motion. Birds will come later. My local hawks start coming around in the winter. The live on a golf course just 1 mile away during the summer. They actually have to hunt in the winter. Thanks.
I'm also going to boost the ISO up a bit until I can stop the motion. Birds will come later. My local hawks start coming around in the winter. The live on a golf course just 1 mile away during the summer. They actually have to hunt in the winter. Thanks.
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