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Nikon 500mm f5.6 PC question re TCs recs
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Jun 8, 2021 13:47:43   #
alphadog
 
Am considering the purchase of a Nikon 500mm f5.6 PC

Does anyone have experience with this lens using the Nikon TC lengths 1.4x 1.7x and 2.0x?
I noticed the 1.4x is the most expensive

I am asking about how well this lens will work with the various TCs...thanks for any input or output

Reply
Jun 8, 2021 13:49:58   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
You need to mention what camera you're using. A 1.4x TC will lower the effective aperture to f/8. Have you checked your camera manual to confirm it supports Auto Focus at this aperture? If yes, now many AF points can be used at this configuration?

You probably can't expect AF support with the 1.7x and 2x TCs, if this is relevant to your needs. This table provides details and some footnotes about Z cameras and AF:

https://cdn-5.nikon-cdn.com/Assets/Common-Assets/Images/Teleconverter-Compatibility/en_US_Comp_chart.html

Reply
Jun 8, 2021 13:51:23   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
alphadog wrote:
Am considering the purchase of a Nikon 500mm f5.6 PC

Does anyone have experience with this lens using the Nikon TC lengths 1.4x 1.7x and 2.0x?
I noticed the 1.4x is the most expensive

I am asking about how well this lens will work with the various TCs...thanks for any input or output


From my experience with Nikon TC's they will take a great lens and effect the lens quality in a negative fashion.

Reply
 
 
Jun 8, 2021 14:18:22   #
alphadog
 
Yikes!

Thanks for the chart link! I previously owned a Nikon 500mm f4 IS and coupled it with TC1.4 II and it definitely slowed down the tracking on BIF, but AF still worked.

Currently am using Canon 5Dmark III w/Canon 500mm F4 L + TC 1.4 and am VERY PLEASED with its speed and sharpness...the issue has become THE WEIGHT and being able to hold it UP for more than 45 seconds. I do own a Gimbal set up but when I travel around and pop out of the car... monopods and tripods slow me down.

Should I just get a decent head for a monopod and suck it UP?

I am NOW not sure what to do, since 500mm alone will NOT cut it for me... I need/want the distance... do mostly birds of prey in wilderness areas... they are very wary, so will not let you get too close.

Have gotten used to a PRIME and be shown WITHOUT doubt in my mind, NO zoom will compete with a PRIME...

Let me know how YOU might sort out this conundrum... thanks!

Reply
Jun 8, 2021 14:31:37   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
alphadog wrote:
Yikes!

Thanks for the chart link! I previously owned a Nikon 500mm f4 IS and coupled it with TC1.4 II and it definitely slowed down the tracking on BIF, but AF still worked.

Currently am using Canon 5Dmark III w/Canon 500mm F4 L + TC 1.4 and am VERY PLEASED with its speed and sharpness...the issue has become THE WEIGHT and being able to hold it UP for more than 45 seconds. I do own a Gimbal set up but when I travel around and pop out of the car... monopods and tripods slow me down.

Should I just get a decent head for a monopod and suck it UP?

I am NOW not sure what to do, since 500mm alone will NOT cut it for me... I need/want the distance... do mostly birds of prey in wilderness areas... they are very wary, so will not let you get too close.

Have gotten used to a PRIME and be shown WITHOUT doubt in my mind, NO zoom will compete with a PRIME...

Let me know how YOU might sort out this conundrum... thanks!
Yikes! br br Thanks for the chart link! I pr... (show quote)


First, don't try to extrapolate the capabilities of other equipment when compared to EOS technology.

I've never used the 500L when not mounted to a tripod. Agreed, it's just too heavy for any really extended period.

If committed to Nikon to use this lens, I'd look at a larger sensor option, the D850 and Z7 / Z7II put you at 45MP and the Z7 offers AF support above f/8.

If you're doubled at 1000 and f/11, that's the same as Canon's RF 600 f/11 and RF 800 f/11 options, both particularly light and mobile, just needing either an R5 or R6.

Reply
Jun 8, 2021 14:39:08   #
Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC
 
alphadog wrote:
Am considering the purchase of a Nikon 500mm f5.6 PC

Does anyone have experience with this lens using the Nikon TC lengths 1.4x 1.7x and 2.0x?
I noticed the 1.4x is the most expensive

I am asking about how well this lens will work with the various TCs...thanks for any input or output


The following picture is an example.

Taken with D500 500mm f5.6 PF and 1.4TC
Taken with D500 500mm f5.6 PF and 1.4TC...
(Download)

Reply
Jun 8, 2021 15:16:12   #
alphadog
 
Thank you for your reply.

So IF going with Nikon 500mm f5.6 + TC 1.4... wouldn't that make it f7.1?

and you recommend a better or higher mp body... I failed to mention I do own an 800e which I used with the Nikon 500mm f4 Is and it worked fine UNTIL the old Nikon lens broke...the D850 may have better sensors and a few more MBs.

One friend of mine switched to the Canon R5 + 100 - 500 lens + TC1.4, and even added the 1000mm lens you have noted [ money not being any concern] .. he's 80 yrs old and is delighted with the change. He could not hoist the Canon 600mm f4 II he used with tripod anymore. This upgrade would be fairly costly to me at this time. I was surprised HE liked the zoom over his prime, but am not certain IF this has more to do with lightening his load v the quality of an image.

Reply
 
 
Jun 8, 2021 15:27:01   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
alphadog wrote:
Thank you for your reply.

So IF going with Nikon 500mm f5.6 + TC 1.4... wouldn't that make it f7.1?

and you recommend a better or higher mp body... I failed to mention I do own an 800e which I used with the Nikon 500mm f4 Is and it worked fine UNTIL the old Nikon lens broke...the D850 may have better sensors and a few more MBs.

One friend of mine switched to the Canon R5 + 100 - 500 lens + TC1.4, and even added the 1000mm lens you have noted [ money not being any concern] .. he's 80 yrs old and is delighted with the change. He could not hoist the Canon 600mm f4 II he used with tripod anymore. This upgrade would be fairly costly to me at this time. I was surprised HE liked the zoom over his prime, but am not certain IF this has more to do with lightening his load v the quality of an image.
Thank you for your reply. br br So IF going wit... (show quote)


Without using <quote reply>, the internet is left to wonder who you're talking to.

A 1.4 extender is a 1-stop impact. A 2.0 expender is a 2-stop impact. The 1.7 is a 1.5 stop impact.

The reviews and images I've seen for the RF 100-500 show it's a better result than the 100-400L II, but not so much better as to sell the EF lens and replace with the RF lens, if money is any sort of limiting factor. And that 'better' assessment is maybe the intersection of lens and mirrorless more than lens alone.

I prefer my EF 300 f/2.8L IS II with a 2x over the 100-400L II with the 1.4x III. They're both about the same size / weight, both very handhold-able. But the prime, even doubled, comes out slightly sharper. Also, with my older 5DIII, I have access to the entire AF array at f/5.6 as compared to only the center AF points of the extended config at f/8.

I expect better AF performance out of the D850, not just more pixels to crop from vs the D800e.

Reply
Jun 8, 2021 15:53:01   #
alphadog
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Without using <quote reply>, the internet is left to wonder who you're talking to.

A 1.4 extender is a 1-stop impact. A 2.0 expender is a 2-stop impact. The 1.7 is a 1.5 stop impact.

The reviews and images I've seen for the RF 100-500 show it's a better result than the 100-400L II, but not so much better as to sell the EF lens and replace with the RF lens, if money is any sort of limiting factor. And that 'better' assessment is maybe the intersection of lens and mirrorless more than lens alone.

I prefer my EF 300 f/2.8L IS II with a 2x over the 100-400L II with the 1.4x III. They're both about the same size / weight, both very handhold-able. But the prime, even doubled, comes out slightly sharper. Also, with my older 5DIII, I have access to the entire AF array at f/5.6 as compared to only the center AF points of the extended config at f/8.

I expect better AF performance out of the D850, not just more pixels to crop from vs the D800e.
Without using <quote reply>, the internet is... (show quote)


New Reply

IF staying with Nikon
Z7 or 850 will be upgrades

I just now am looking at some online videos of the Z7 + 500 f5.6 + TC1.4x
the cost of this transition [ selling my 5D+Lens+TC + even maybe the 800e] will make this a little less expensive I think?

IF staying with Canon [ would sell the 500f4 L, 5D, TC1.4x ]

IF going to R5, would need to get a new R lens, as the older EF lens, like the one I own, are too heavy
​so it appears this transition would cost more

Am going out now, will check back later for any response...thank you!

Reply
Jun 8, 2021 19:00:24   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
alphadog wrote:
Yikes!

Thanks for the chart link! I previously owned a Nikon 500mm f4 IS and coupled it with TC1.4 II and it definitely slowed down the tracking on BIF, but AF still worked.

Currently am using Canon 5Dmark III w/Canon 500mm F4 L + TC 1.4 and am VERY PLEASED with its speed and sharpness...the issue has become THE WEIGHT and being able to hold it UP for more than 45 seconds. I do own a Gimbal set up but when I travel around and pop out of the car... monopods and tripods slow me down.

Should I just get a decent head for a monopod and suck it UP?

I am NOW not sure what to do, since 500mm alone will NOT cut it for me... I need/want the distance... do mostly birds of prey in wilderness areas... they are very wary, so will not let you get too close.

Have gotten used to a PRIME and be shown WITHOUT doubt in my mind, NO zoom will compete with a PRIME...

Let me know how YOU might sort out this conundrum... thanks!
Yikes! br br Thanks for the chart link! I pr... (show quote)


IMO, you should switch to a 90D and the Canon 400 DO II with 1.4 and 2X ........and use a monopod or bodypod. Soon, maybe, there will be a 20 FPS mirror less crop frame camera of 24MP or more.

The Nikon Z50 with the 500 PF should also be a consideration BTW.
.

Reply
Jun 8, 2021 20:52:23   #
alphadog
 
imagemeister wrote:
IMO, you should switch to a 90D and the Canon 400 DO II with 1.4 and 2X ........and use a monopod or bodypod. Soon, maybe, there will be a 20 FPS mirror less crop frame camera of 24MP or more.

The Nikon Z50 with the 500 PF should also be a consideration BTW.
.


Thank you for your input... I will look into these as well... one of my good buddies and great nature photographer uses a Canon 1x + 300mm f2.8 with TC 1.4, BUTT he is crazy and gets VERY CLOSE to very dangerous critters regularly...

thanks again, regards, richard

Reply
 
 
Jun 9, 2021 05:23:21   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
I use my Nikon 500mm PF with the D500, meaning that the effective field of view is 750mm with the crop factor. I haven’t used a TC stronger than the 1.4, but the results are acceptable. Most of the time, however, the results afe just fine without the TC.

Reply
Jun 9, 2021 06:49:29   #
ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA
 
alphadog wrote:
Am considering the purchase of a Nikon 500mm f5.6 PC

Does anyone have experience with this lens using the Nikon TC lengths 1.4x 1.7x and 2.0x?
I noticed the 1.4x is the most expensive

I am asking about how well this lens will work with the various TCs...thanks for any input or output


My birding combo is the D850 with Nikon 500mm pf lens. I have the 1.4 TC and with that combo the auto focusing is slower than without, so I don't use the TC for BIF. There's no loss in image quality (IQ) with the TC. Based on reviews that I've read, there's no loss in IQ or auto focusing speed when the 500mm pf / 1.4 TC are on the Z cameras (specifically mentioned was the Z6ii).

Reply
Jun 9, 2021 06:54:37   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
alphadog wrote:
Yikes!

Thanks for the chart link! I previously owned a Nikon 500mm f4 IS and coupled it with TC1.4 II and it definitely slowed down the tracking on BIF, but AF still worked.

Currently am using Canon 5Dmark III w/Canon 500mm F4 L + TC 1.4 and am VERY PLEASED with its speed and sharpness...the issue has become THE WEIGHT and being able to hold it UP for more than 45 seconds. I do own a Gimbal set up but when I travel around and pop out of the car... monopods and tripods slow me down.

Should I just get a decent head for a monopod and suck it UP?

I am NOW not sure what to do, since 500mm alone will NOT cut it for me... I need/want the distance... do mostly birds of prey in wilderness areas... they are very wary, so will not let you get too close.

Have gotten used to a PRIME and be shown WITHOUT doubt in my mind, NO zoom will compete with a PRIME...

Let me know how YOU might sort out this conundrum... thanks!
Yikes! br br Thanks for the chart link! I pr... (show quote)


Do what I did, I put my Nikon 500 5.6 prime on a D500 and have an effective field of view of a 750 mm f5.6 lens. Will that do it for you?

Reply
Jun 9, 2021 06:56:36   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
alphadog wrote:
Am considering the purchase of a Nikon 500mm f5.6 PC

Does anyone have experience with this lens using the Nikon TC lengths 1.4x 1.7x and 2.0x?
I noticed the 1.4x is the most expensive

I am asking about how well this lens will work with the various TCs...thanks for any input or output


I put my Nikon 500mm f5.6 PC on my D500 and get a field of view of 750mm @5.6, will this do it for you?

Reply
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