Hi,
I am relatively new to digital photography and will appreciate some sage advice. I want a tack sharp, long prime lens primarily for stationary or slow moving birds and wildlife, plus limited landscape shots. I’ve seen old Nikon 500mm f/4 P lenses selling at prices I can afford on my retiree budget. I can manage without zoom, manual focus and VR; and I can handle the size and weight. What are your impressions about this lens on a Nikon D750 or D850? What should I expect in terms of metering, image quality, etc.? Will the high MP count on these cameras reveal any shortcomings in the lens optics? What are the best camera menu settings? Which, if any, teleconverters do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Kevin Murdock
DocMurdock wrote:
Hi,
I am relatively new to digital photography and will appreciate some sage advice. I want a tack sharp, long prime lens primarily for stationary or slow moving birds and wildlife, plus limited landscape shots. I’ve seen old Nikon 500mm f/4 P lenses selling at prices I can afford on my retiree budget. I can manage without zoom, manual focus and VR; and I can handle the size and weight. What are your impressions about this lens on a Nikon D750 or D850? What should I expect in terms of metering, image quality, etc.? Will the high MP count on these cameras reveal any shortcomings in the lens optics? What are the best camera menu settings? Which, if any, teleconverters do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Kevin Murdock
Hi, br I am relatively new to digital photography... (
show quote)
Check the specs, but I believe the high pixel count of the D850 may be overkill for your lens of choice. Although I have a D850 and use it with a couple of high end lenses, based on your post you may want to test the lens you mentioned with the D750. Be sure to get them from a place with a free return policy in case that combo doesn't meet your needs. In that case, if I was you, I'd go for the Nikkor 500mm F/5.6 PF and either of the bodies you mentioned. I own the D850 and 500pf so my advice might be biased.
Good Luck!
---
Bill,
Thanks for the good advice! I plan on testing the lens to check out the “overkill” issue.
I wish I could get the Nikkor 500mm F/5.6 PF, but it’s price is unfortunately beyond my budget.
So, I am looking at older lenses.
Take care,
Kevin
DocMurdock wrote:
Hi,
I am relatively new to digital photography and will appreciate some sage advice. I want a tack sharp, long prime lens primarily for stationary or slow moving birds and wildlife, plus limited landscape shots. I’ve seen old Nikon 500mm f/4 P lenses selling at prices I can afford on my retiree budget. I can manage without zoom, manual focus and VR; and I can handle the size and weight. What are your impressions about this lens on a Nikon D750 or D850? What should I expect in terms of metering, image quality, etc.? Will the high MP count on these cameras reveal any shortcomings in the lens optics? What are the best camera menu settings? Which, if any, teleconverters do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Kevin Murdock
Hi, br I am relatively new to digital photography... (
show quote)
I have been doing wildlife/birds for a long time now. I will tell you that on full frame you absolutely need 600mm with a possibility of going longer when needed.. But, on APSC you only need 400mm going to 560 or 600 if need be. I have used the Nikon 300mm f4.5 ED IF on a Sony crop frame mirror less with great success that I can recommend. In this regard, for you on a budget, I would recommend an APSC body with the Nikon 400mm f5.6 ED IF OR, if you have more money to spend and can carry weight , the Nikon 400 f3.5.
If you must have full frame, I would look at the Nikon ED IF 600 f5.6. The 400 3.5 or the 600 5.6 are each about $1000 when you find a decent one. I recommend cropping over using a tele-extender. The biggest problem with the older lenses IMO is they do show some CA's.
.
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Hi Doc. Ive been using the 500mm f4 ai-p for a few years now on a d810 and then a d850. It performs really well. For landscape work it gets problematic due to unstable thermals. I use it primarily for deep space astro work. Very crisp wide open. Key is obtaining sharp focus, use live view to nail it. Current generation teleconverters need to be modified. Does respectably on a tc14e-1.
I have tried all the other old super teles. 400 4.5, 400 5.6, 600 5.6. This is the best by far. Very challenging to find the drop in polarizer at a fair price. If you have a few months i will be selling mine after saving for the pf model.
Hi ImageMeister,
Thanks for the sound advice. It will help me make a good choice.
Best,
Kevin
Hi orphoto,
I appreciate the very useful information about the lens, camera bodies, and teleconverter. It gives me lots to think about.
Best,
Kevin
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
DocMurdock wrote:
Hi,
I am relatively new to digital photography and will appreciate some sage advice. I want a tack sharp, long prime lens primarily for stationary or slow moving birds and wildlife, plus limited landscape shots. I’ve seen old Nikon 500mm f/4 P lenses selling at prices I can afford on my retiree budget. I can manage without zoom, manual focus and VR; and I can handle the size and weight. What are your impressions about this lens on a Nikon D750 or D850? What should I expect in terms of metering, image quality, etc.? Will the high MP count on these cameras reveal any shortcomings in the lens optics? What are the best camera menu settings? Which, if any, teleconverters do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Kevin Murdock
Hi, br I am relatively new to digital photography... (
show quote)
That lens will work on either body. You could have fun and shoot the same image from both camera's, then enlarge them on your computer screen and look at the differences (if any) for YOURSELF.
It is the best way to learn about how that particular lens works on BOTH camera's. Every lens works differently on each body.
I am confident that you will like the images on the D850 better, many here claim to only use the BEST Nikon glass on the D850, I say poppycock, I have found that the D850 IMPROVES ALL NIKON GLASS.
Try it and see if I am wrong, you are going to be amazed at who sharp that lens is on the D850. The D850, IMHO, was the best DSLR ever produced, USE IT.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
PS. Just for fun the image below on a Icelandic Puffin was taken with the D850 and 500 5.6 E lens.
BillNikon,
Thanks for the encouraging feedback. I plan to test a seller’s lens on my D850 on Tuesday. I am eager to see the results.
Best,
Kevin
joer
Loc: Colorado/Illinois
billnikon wrote:
I am confident that you will like the images on the D850 better, many here claim to only use the BEST Nikon glass on the D850, I say poppycock, I have found that the D850 IMPROVES ALL NIKON GLASS.
I couldn't agree more.
I have been chasing pixel count ever since my first full frame digital camera (D800E) and every lens improved with the higher pixel count. The D850 was a step above the D810.
I have since moved on to Sony and the same is also true, A7r3, A7r4.
It is true that to take full advantage of the higher pixel count you will want superior glass. However the notion that your existing glass will not perform as well is nonsense.
JoeR,
Thanks for the supportive comments. I’m looking forward to checking out the lens.
Best,
Kevin
imagemeister wrote:
I have been doing wildlife/birds for a long time now. I will tell you that on full frame you absolutely need 600mm with a possibility of going longer when needed.. But, on APSC you only need 400mm going to 560 or 600 if need be. I have used the Nikon 300mm f4.5 ED IF on a Sony crop frame mirror less with great success that I can recommend. In this regard, for you on a budget, I would recommend an APSC body with the Nikon 400mm f5.6 ED IF OR, if you have more money to spend and can carry weight , the Nikon 400 f3.5.
If you must have full frame, I would look at the Nikon ED IF 600 f5.6. The 400 3.5 or the 600 5.6 are each about $1000 when you find a decent one. I recommend cropping over using a tele-extender. The biggest problem with the older lenses IMO is they do show some CA's.
.
.
I have been doing wildlife/birds for a long time n... (
show quote)
Just to elaborate a bit on my prior comment .....IMO, 500mm (prime lens) on crop frame is too long and on full frame it is too short. 500 on full frame sounds like a lot, but you will always be cropping or using an extender. This is MANY years of experience talking. And, yes the higher pixel counts will reveal more lens deficiencies.
.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
imagemeister wrote:
Just to elaborate a bit on my prior comment .....IMO, 500mm (prime lens) on crop frame is too long and on full frame it is too short. 500 on full frame sounds like a lot, but you will always be cropping or using an extender. This is MANY years of experience talking. And, yes the higher pixel counts will reveal more lens deficiencies.
.
I quite agree, I found myself on the 200-600 sony zoom always full out at 600. That is why I purchased the Sony 600 f4 instead of the 400 2.8.
However, I carry the 200-600 on a spider belt holder with another a9 attached for those times I run into something closer, which happens.
DocMurdock wrote:
Hi,
I am relatively new to digital photography and will appreciate some sage advice. I want a tack sharp, long prime lens primarily for stationary or slow moving birds and wildlife, plus limited landscape shots. I’ve seen old Nikon 500mm f/4 P lenses selling at prices I can afford on my retiree budget. I can manage without zoom, manual focus and VR; and I can handle the size and weight. What are your impressions about this lens on a Nikon D750 or D850? What should I expect in terms of metering, image quality, etc.? Will the high MP count on these cameras reveal any shortcomings in the lens optics? What are the best camera menu settings? Which, if any, teleconverters do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Kevin Murdock
Hi, br I am relatively new to digital photography... (
show quote)
I like the D850 or Z7 with the 500mm pf. Here's a shot with the D850.
Remember, the old Nikon lenses like the 600 1:5.6 ED were pro lenses and are still capable of doing fine work. I have one, used on the D750 with or without the correct extender, it delivers. It is large and heavy, and for most things will require a tripod or monopod. Can't say a bad thing about the D750. With budget to consider, that pair, or the same lens with D7200 would get you very close to what you want.
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