Author Topic: 200-500 f/5.6  (Read 30440 times)

Tersn

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #30 on: October 18, 2015, 13:04:35 »
The dramatic lens flare issue was mostly new to me. However, some flare was noticed by Roy Mangersnes in his real life review from Svalbard. Some nice ice bear photos in that review by the way:

https://roymangersnes.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/field-test-nikkor-200-500mm-f56e-ed/
Terje S.

Jan Anne

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #31 on: October 18, 2015, 13:21:48 »
Some nice ice bear photos in that review by the way:
The polar bear photos are nice but the image of the three walruses on the ice would make my day for sure, simply breathtaking.

Thanks for the link btw, slowly warming up for this lens :)
Cheers,
Jan Anne

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #32 on: October 18, 2015, 14:08:08 »
It will not work on your Sony Jan Anne, until someone out there makes a Nikon E to Sony E adapter ...

I'm familiar with the works of Roy Mangersnes, and know him personally too. I don't shoot wildlife of course, so my testing of the 200-500 tries instead to provide insights into the optical and mechanical workings of the lens.

His review adds two points of interest: are the blur circles less constrained at distance, and why were his images not equally deteriorated by excessive lens flare? True, he does mentions the propensity for flare in backlit conditions, but still managed to get acceptable picture quality.

The first issue, of the shape of blur circles being a function of focused distance is testable and I'll look into that. The second question, that of lens flare,  being detrimental in some situations and only mildly annoying in others, might be less easy to solve by testing. The Arctic autumn sun is much less intense of course, so that might have changed the outcome. Here in my part of mainland Norway, there is no way I could avoid intense flare if sun rays struck the front element of the lens. 

Tersn

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #33 on: October 19, 2015, 11:13:15 »
Most people are likely to use such lenses under non arctic light conditions, so it is useful to know about the flares before a possible purchase of the lens.
Terje S.

elsa hoffmann

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #34 on: October 19, 2015, 18:54:05 »
Our local store received 3 copies of the 200-500, but all 3 are with the serial numbers which needs updating.
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Ron Scubadiver

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #35 on: November 13, 2015, 20:04:31 »
This morning B&H had these in stock, so I ordered one.

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #36 on: November 13, 2015, 20:21:07 »
The firmware update takes < 10 minutes, Elsa. You have a Nikon repair facility nearby, so don't let that minor issue hold you back :D and a lovely opportunity to drop in to Orm's and sample their delicious coffee ...

elsa hoffmann

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #37 on: November 14, 2015, 16:45:11 »
Bjørn - apparently the software or whatever they use is only arriving in SA end of the month - so I might as well wait.
Dont ask me WHY that is.... like it makes NO sense whatsoever!
"You don’t take a photograph – you make it” – Ansel Adams. Thats why I use photoshop.
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Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #38 on: November 14, 2015, 17:07:34 »
It's just a small cream white box with electronics inside ... Shouldn't be difficult to mass produce and distribute to all national Nikon repair facilities.

Ilkka Nissilä

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #39 on: November 14, 2015, 17:58:42 »
My 200-500 was of the early serial numbers but the store had nicely enough sent it for the firmware upgrade before putting it on sale. In the repair sheet it says (translated from Finnish) "Firmware verson 1.01.2" and "105 circuit adj." the latter suggests to me that they did some kind of hardware adjustment as well, though I can't be sure from the few words.

Tersn

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #40 on: November 14, 2015, 18:10:17 »
This one is taken with the right serial number :) Still working to get used to the lens. It might be front focusing a bit at 5-6 meters.

D3s + 200-500/5.6 E @ 400mm, 1/2000, f/5.6, iso 6400, -0.7eV, no flash, handheld (as usual).
Terje S.

Tersn

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #41 on: November 27, 2015, 20:34:16 »
Brad Hill has compared the new Nikon 200-500  f/5.6 with the Sigma 150-600mm Sport (and the Nikon 80-400) with respect to hand-holdability:

http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html
Terje S.

MILLIREHM

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #42 on: January 11, 2016, 00:00:09 »
Size comparison of different Telezooms
from left to right, 70-300VR, 80-400 VR, 200-500 VR, 200-400 VR
weight 745g, 1.570g, 2300g,  3360g

Maybe some of you will find it useful
For me the question was and ist whether there is a lens that is significantly lighter and more compact than the 200-400 but better and with more range than the 70-300
The 200-500 appears to be a good lens - but due to its size and weight not the right one for THAT purpose

Wolfgang Rehm

Jan Anne

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #43 on: January 11, 2016, 00:25:02 »
Thanks for sharing the comparison image Wolfgang, really helpful.
Cheers,
Jan Anne

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 200-500 f/5.6
« Reply #44 on: January 11, 2016, 01:16:44 »
The 200-400 is biased because the lens hood is on .... Better to use the actual weights.

By the way, with its hood mounted and fully extended to 500 mm, the 200-500 is a pretty impressive and big piece of gear.