Help! Nikkor 200-500mm. Do I have a bad copy?
Oct 23, 2017 11:03:04 #
The diagonal “streaks” may be due to slight camera movement. Can show up, even at high shutter speeds. It could be due to the way you press the shutter button. I have the same problem and have to be careful. You might try using a remote shutter release, and when using a tripod, I concur with others to turn off the VR. The VR is a great thing to have, but in the absence of camera movement, it will hunt around looking for it and create its own kind of movement that shows up on the image.
Oct 23, 2017 11:42:24 #
Oct 23, 2017 11:43:11 #
NWolff
Loc: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
My lens gave excellent results for 4 months and now exhibits the same problems. I don’t know if I have damaged it or if it has gone out of tune. I took it to Shutter Bug and no problems could be found. More testing required. If no improvement I will have to send it back to Nikon.
Oct 23, 2017 13:07:22 #
The bokeh is horrendous. If you can still return it, i would do so. If you don't mind the extra weight and cost, go for the Sigma Sport.
Oct 23, 2017 13:31:13 #
What camera are you using ? I have that lens don't use that much but tack sharp. just wondering maybe it got damaged ? Mike
Oct 23, 2017 13:44:10 #
NWolff
Loc: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
One time I set the Nikon bag, with the lens inside, down on a table too heavily. The UV filter was smashed. Perhaps a lens inside was jarred and was pushed out of alignment.
Oct 23, 2017 17:25:31 #
I checked back and some of my 200-500 shots with dark background (at 1/1600 sec, 500mm, RAW no sharpening or other editing) have some of that streaky bokeh in the background too, though not nearly as objectionable as in your second shot. I've also noticed it in my 300mm f4 VR PF. Both of my lens copies are very sharp. Someone here reports it in their Sigma 150-500 and I found a similar report (with examples) on the Tamron 150-500.
I'm wondering if this isn't inevitable in some telephoto lens designs or even ALL long telephotos.
I'm wondering if this isn't inevitable in some telephoto lens designs or even ALL long telephotos.
Oct 23, 2017 19:30:43 #
I shoot a D5300 and rented this lens onec and had good results, however since then my camera was stolen and I have been renting varios cameras makes and models, and one that I tried was the D500 and rented the above mentioned lens. And had terrible results few in focus and or blurred, when I mentioned this to the renter they tested it and found I was right it was the lens. and in subsuqent research I read an article by Steve Perry from Back country Photogogrphy, and he commented that he had purchased this same lens and that the 1st 2 were bad right ot of the box. I am not sayin he I or you are just having bad luck but things happen and hopefully you can get a properly funtioning lens. and you can continue with your hobby. Best Of luck PS I also rented the Tameron 150 to 600 and found the Nikor to be superior in IG butthenI had only the G1 version.
photoMark wrote:
I used my Nikkor 200-500mm lens for the first time... (show quote)
Oct 23, 2017 22:41:07 #
NWolff
Loc: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
I checked the photos that were not sharp or had the streaky bokeh. In each case the lens was extended to 500mm and the shutter speed was lower; sometimes much lower. I had been taking the len’s capabilities for granted. In low light it seems I need to have fast shutter speed and high ISO. I took the lens out this afternoon/evening and set the shutter to 1/1250; aperture and ISO automatic. Much better results with comparatively sharp focus and the streaky wired bokeh was gone. Because the light was low the images came out a bit underexposed but that was easily fixed on the computer.
So my conclusion is that my 200-500 is not broken and I need to take more care about the light conditions more than I had been. Also I can’t rely on Auto setting to do the job for me.
So my conclusion is that my 200-500 is not broken and I need to take more care about the light conditions more than I had been. Also I can’t rely on Auto setting to do the job for me.
Oct 23, 2017 23:19:43 #
It appears that there are multiple images in the background but there would also hold true for the whole image . I believe it is also in the subject also , say the dog he to doesn't seem sharp could the vr be moving that fast to create multiple shifts in the image in a 1600/ th of a second maybe so , makes me wonder about using vr....they don't appear as streaks but multiple blades of grass all oriented parrallel to one another...what camera is this.?
Oct 24, 2017 12:45:42 #
photoMark
Loc: South Texas
Mike1017 wrote:
What camera are you using ? I have that lens don't use that much but tack sharp. just wondering maybe it got damaged ? Mike
I'm using a D500! The shots I've taken with my other lenses look great!
Oct 24, 2017 12:54:01 #
photoMark
Loc: South Texas
pmackd wrote:
I'm wondering if this isn't inevitable in some telephoto lens designs or even ALL long telephotos.
I sure hope not; I've never seen anything like this before! I hope it's something I'm doing, but if I can't figure it out soon, It's going back!
Oct 24, 2017 13:40:29 #
photoMark
Loc: South Texas
dyximan wrote:
I shoot a D5300 and rented this lens onec and had ... (show quote)
From what I've read, this lens and the D500 are supposed to be a great combination. I still have two more weeks to test it out before the return deadline. Thanks!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.