Nikon 400mm f2.8e fl does bikes........

[antonoat]

I've been shooting bikes with my new lens, really pleased with the results and it's very much
hand holdable compared with the older heavier version, the balance of the new lens really helps.
All but the last are with my d4's, I do like the image quality from my d800e but af is very hit and miss, I've tried
every combination of settings and it's virtually impossible to get consistent results, perhaps the newer d810 is an improvement in this regard.

Here's some of the images, nothing very exciting, I was just concentrating on getting technically accurate rather than artistic images on this occasion.

1


2


3


4


Get it right with the d800e and 70-200 vrII f2.8 and the detail possible is wonderful !
5

[tommiejeep]

Tony, great crisp images.  Looks like you pretty well nailed them.   I like that the speed still allows a tough of blur to the spokes.  Were you panning on the last?   Handheld, very cool even if it is a tad lighter now  . 
Thanks for sharing,
Tom

[antonoat]

Tony, great crisp images.  Looks like you pretty well nailed them.   I like that the speed still allows a tough of blur to the spokes.  Were you panning on the last?   Handheld, very cool even if it is a tad lighter now  . 
Thanks for sharing,
Tom

Hi Tom,
thanks for your comment.
Yes I was panning on them all, I've had a fair bit of practise at panning over the years but obviously using 400mm focal length is not so easy, important to get a balance
between sharp and slow enough to still get some sense of motion.
With my 70-200 I can pan down to about 1/60th and get sharp results, not using my d800e though as it's af is very hit and miss, it seems to get initial focus ok then it moves
around regardless of focus lock on settings or any combination of single or multiple af points. I still think my old D3 gave the most consistent results re af, even my d4s isn't infallible.

[Jacques Pochoy]

Ah, as a biker myself I really appreciate those pictures... :-) Nice panning (and models) :-)

[Tersn]

This excellent series is very easy to appreciate, even for a nonexpert.
Your experiences with the D800E AF appear to match very well with my (early) impresseons of the D810 and the  70-200mm VR II: it's much hit and miss. (I will soon try out the D810 with my 300/2.8 VR II).

[elsa hoffmann]

This excellent series is very easy to appreciate, even for a non-expert.

this is true. I am not a sports photographer but truly enjoy the beauty of the images.
I dont know what the heck you  are doing - but you are doing it right.

[arthurking83]

Great images Tony.
Muchly appreciated as an ex biker myself.

I can't help but think that #4(the old Honda) would have looked great in mono too.

#1 has a fantastic rendering to it.

[tommiejeep]

Tony, I thought you were panning all but a couple stand out more than the others.  I can see where it would certainly be easier with the 70-200vr handheld.    I've played with panning soccer players and extremely low speeds trying to get one player sharp while all around is a blur.  Can't say I've been very successful  l but have had some fun results with very unusual motion Blur  .  Panning a slow vehicle, bike, scooter , while all others are going faster, can give some very interesting result.  Fun to play with   
Keep up the great images.
Tom

[HCS]

... I was just concentrating on getting technically accurate rather than artistic images on this occasion. ...

It seems you're coming close to becoming the panning Jedy master 

Great panning stuff!

[PedroS]

 
Very, very nice!!

[Erik Lund]

I think you nailed these to perfection!

[antonoat]

Thanks for your comments guys, they are much appreciated.

With reference to some threads I've seen regarding mirrorless, I don't think there is currently a system
available that can keep up with our dslr's when it comes to this type of photography.
I'm not being negative or trying to start a discussion about the comparisons but it's still very much having the right tool for the job,
for me there is no alternative.

[Erik Lund]

Well... almost anything is possible, I have even done it with Leica M, although you need to know exactly where (how far away) the subject will be passing to nail focus Just like in the good old days before AF and this and that... I did it with bicycle riders on a track, they drive on the line for timed laps, then shoot when they pass your marker... I actually often cheat the AF in similar ways; I use a fixed good AF target at the same distance before the subject enters 'the kill zone'

You bikers should be on the 'track line' so similar...

I'm sure a mirror less system can do this! It's just a matter of how... The Sony A7n seems quick?

Yes. Please, someone who knows go and show us how it is done with mirror less!

[Jørgen Ramskov]

You certainly nailed it. #3 is an interesting vehicle.

[Lance B]

Fantastic crisp sharp images, Tony. That 400 is da lens!