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nikon 800mm decision
3 months ago
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Well, Nikon is going to finally release the 800 mm lens in April so i was going to pre order one until i saw the 17,800.00 price!! As everyone knows you always need to get a little closer to get that shot. Well I am looking at other ways to accomplish this. Looking at Nikon's 600 mm (i have all the TCs, or sigma 300 - 800 or the sigma 800. I cant find any good comparisons any where as for sharpness ect. Has anyone out there used these and what are your thoughts. All my other gear is nikon, D800 E, D800, D 3, including largest lens being Nikon's 400mm f2.8 Thanks
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Re: nikon 800mm decision
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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Stephen Robinson wrote:
Well, Nikon is going to finally release the 800 mm lens in April so i was going to pre order one until i saw the 17,800.00 price!! As everyone knows you always need to get a little closer to get that shot. Well I am looking at other ways to accomplish this. Looking at Nikon's 600 mm (i have all the TCs, or sigma 300 - 800 or the sigma 800. I cant find any good comparisons any where as for sharpness ect. Has anyone out there used these and what are your thoughts. All my other gear is nikon, D800 E, D800, D 3, including largest lens being Nikon's 400mm f2.8 Thanks
I am in the same boat and 400mm is my main lens, I figured 10k maybe 12k for a 800 f5.6 lens.
With such long lenses the flexibility the Sigma offers does look really tempting, its pretty easy to find a location for the 400 but a fixed 800 might get limiting even for the Motorcycle racing I shoot. It is hard to find info on the Sigma , I live in NJ and figure B&H might let me give it a little test before buying $$$$ but if not I would have to rent one before spending that much on a lens.
I have never used LensRentals maybe there are better places but $300 for 5 days seem like a good deal considering.
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Re: nikon 800mm decision
In reply to Raymond Bradlau,
3 months ago
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Raymond Bradlau wrote:
Stephen Robinson wrote:
Well, Nikon is going to finally release the 800 mm lens in April so i was going to pre order one until i saw the 17,800.00 price!! As everyone knows you always need to get a little closer to get that shot. Well I am looking at other ways to accomplish this. Looking at Nikon's 600 mm (i have all the TCs, or sigma 300 - 800 or the sigma 800. I cant find any good comparisons any where as for sharpness ect. Has anyone out there used these and what are your thoughts. All my other gear is nikon, D800 E, D800, D 3, including largest lens being Nikon's 400mm f2.8 Thanks
I am in the same boat and 400mm is my main lens, I figured 10k maybe 12k for a 800 f5.6 lens.
With such long lenses the flexibility the Sigma offers does look really tempting, its pretty easy to find a location for the 400 but a fixed 800 might get limiting even for the Motorcycle racing I shoot. It is hard to find info on the Sigma , I live in NJ and figure B&H might let me give it a little test before buying $$$$ but if not I would have to rent one before spending that much on a lens.
I have never used LensRentals maybe there are better places but $300 for 5 days seem like a good deal considering.
Yea, i would be ok with the 12,000. the 17,8 is just to much. Like you said the 300 - 800 gives you more flexibility the the fixed 800. I shoot wildlife and always need that little extra. Just wanting to see if anyone has tried the both to see what the quality is like with the 300-800 to get me started on that big decision. I will probably do the rental thing as well.
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Re: My solution was the a Nikon 800/5.6...
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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it just happened to be the old manual focus version, LOL!! Plenty sharp, heavy as all heck, and 1/6 the price now days used vs. the price of the new AF version.
Judge for yourself if it's sharp:
And yes you can shoot action with it:
Did I mention it was sharp? LOL!!
Anyway, just another option for you to consider. I originally used it adapted to my various EOS bodies and then bought a D300 to use solely with this wonderful lens.
--
Long live the HMS Beagle Critiques always welcome!
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Re: My solution was the a Nikon 800/5.6...
In reply to jamesdak,
3 months ago
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GREAT, Now another option... Fantastic shots! sharp is the word, i can see why you still have that baby, Thanks
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Re: My solution was the a Nikon 800/5.6...
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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for birds,if you can afford it, go for it.
--
The Lightmagician
Sun is my eye
Winds my breaths
Sky my open Mind.
MTFBWY
http://www.lightmagical.com
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Re: nikon 800mm decision
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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Hi I have the nikkor 600 and have not long ago sold my sigma 800 prime to my friend if you go to www.wild-snaps.co.uk my web site most are taken with the 800 and 600 some with my 200 f2 and 200-400f4.
The sigma I had was better than the 400f2.8 nikkor + 2xtc wide open and as good as my 600 +1.4 the only thing it had wrong with it is you lost AF with a tc it is the same with the 300-800.
Phil.
Ps yes I do regret selling my sigma 800.
one from the 600 + 1.4 tc
one from the 800 with the nikon 1.7 tc.
--
NPS Member
One's life is not measured by the two dates upon your tombstone, but how you lived the dash in between them
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Re: nikon 800mm decision
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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Stephen Robinson wrote:
Raymond Bradlau wrote:
Stephen Robinson wrote:
Well, Nikon is going to finally release the 800 mm lens in April so i was going to pre order one until i saw the 17,800.00 price!! As everyone knows you always need to get a little closer to get that shot. Well I am looking at other ways to accomplish this. Looking at Nikon's 600 mm (i have all the TCs, or sigma 300 - 800 or the sigma 800. I cant find any good comparisons any where as for sharpness ect. Has anyone out there used these and what are your thoughts. All my other gear is nikon, D800 E, D800, D 3, including largest lens being Nikon's 400mm f2.8 Thanks
I am in the same boat and 400mm is my main lens, I figured 10k maybe 12k for a 800 f5.6 lens.
With such long lenses the flexibility the Sigma offers does look really tempting, its pretty easy to find a location for the 400 but a fixed 800 might get limiting even for the Motorcycle racing I shoot. It is hard to find info on the Sigma , I live in NJ and figure B&H might let me give it a little test before buying $$$$ but if not I would have to rent one before spending that much on a lens.
I have never used LensRentals maybe there are better places but $300 for 5 days seem like a good deal considering.
Yea, i would be ok with the 12,000. the 17,8 is just to much. Like you said the 300 - 800 gives you more flexibility the the fixed 800. I shoot wildlife and always need that little extra. Just wanting to see if anyone has tried the both to see what the quality is like with the 300-800 to get me started on that big decision. I will probably do the rental thing as well.
The Sigma 800 F5.6 prime (non AF) is very sharp and not too heavy (about 4.5Kg) but build quality is not quite of the same standard as the Nikkors. The rear lens filter tended to fall out on the sample that I tried a few years ago (could be taped over I suppose). Colour balance is surprisingly completely different from the Nikkors.
I haven't tried the 300-800 but I do know it is a very heavy beast!
Personally as a much more sensibly priced (although still expensive) alternative to the new 800 F5.6 I would consider the 600mm F4 AFS VRII and use a TC14EII or TC17EII if needed.
Frank
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Canon 800mm decision
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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I shoot Nikon and the only Canon I have is an S95 point and shoot, but given the huge price of the new Nikon 800 f/5.6 and given the quality of Canon's superb 800 f/5.6 USM IS, I would consider purchasing the Canon 5D MKIII and the 800 f/5.6 and still be a couple of thousand or so cheaper than the Nikon lens. I love my D800 but the 5D MKIII is no slouch and I could get to know it mounted on that one lens. One might also consider a new leftover Canon 5D MKII for an even greater savings. The Canon 7D might be a good choice for people wanting crop factor up front but a good body. There's nothing too embarrassing about shooting a Canon on occasion and the better bodies don't say Rebel or Kiss on the outside at least.
Who knows what goes into the R&D of a new lens and what needs to be amortized over what time, but I think Nikon has well overpriced this new lens. Unlike the D3X a few years ago, I don't think this 800 f/5.6 is going to sell well which means a hard time amortizing the costs.
I've never seen Nikon back down much on the price later either. They seem to stick it out until inflation catches up and makes the cost more reasonable. Anyway, nearly $18,000 is way too much for me. I'll have to continue with my 300 f/2.8 and 500 f/4, sneaking closer or using converters when needed.
--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile
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Re: Canon 800mm decision
In reply to Guidenet,
3 months ago
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Yes, I think getting closer is a better answer for me than to even consider a lens that costs $17,800. I will continue using my Nikon 500mm f4.0 vr lens with the tc1.4EII most of the time and tc1.7EII when the lighting here is good. For me the tc1.7EII is a little inconsistant on our dark cloudy days. Yes, Guidenet, I can't imagine that Nikon will sell very many 800mm lenses at the price they want for one. Heck, even with the Nikon 500 I have, with the tc1.4EII it gives me 700mm and this tc seems to perform good for me even with the large af fine tune adjustment I need with the tc, don't need any adjustment with the tc1.7EII.
Larry
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Re: Canon 800mm decision
In reply to larrywilson,
3 months ago
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Nice bird shot Larry. You can see the absolutely excellent feather detail with that combo. It shows what a good photographer can do even with a TC in use. Thanks for sharing.
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Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile
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Re: nikon 800mm decision
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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It seems there are several options for 800mm Nikon solution, though none are ideal.
FWIW I shot the Canon 800L regularly for a while last year and found it to be an excellent lens. But now that I'm back shooting Nikon, I'm finding my 500VR+TC14EII performs very well with my D800...so well in fact that I really don't miss having 800mm that much. A big part of that has to do with the D800, which seems to more than compensate for the 100mm net shortfall in focal length as compared to the 1D4 I was using on the 800L.
IMO the best solution is if/when Nikon release a light weight 600VRIII to compete with Canon - as I'd rather have a 600mm+TC14EII solution than a dedicated 800mm. It seems many (though certainly not all) in the birding community shooting Canon are thinking the same way, perhaps most notably Artie Morris who recently decided to to sell his 800mm in favour of the 600IS II.
While we don't have all those light weight option on the Nikon side right now, IMO their cameras more than make up for it. I'm finding the D800 is a great choice for birding, even for action shots.
Rough-legged Hawk, D800+500VR
http://www.pbase.com/garyirwin/image/148509768/original.jpg
Northern Harrier, D800+500VR+TC14EII
http://www.pbase.com/garyirwin/image/148702857/original.jpg
--
Gary -- Some Nikon stuff -- and a preference for wildlife in natural light
www.pbase.com/garyirwin
http://photographersonlinemagazine.blogspot.com
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Re: nikon 800mm decision
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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Stephen Robinson wrote:
Well, Nikon is going to finally release the 800 mm lens in April so i was going to pre order one until i saw the 17,800.00 price!! As everyone knows you always need to get a little closer to get that shot. Well I am looking at other ways to accomplish this. Looking at Nikon's 600 mm (i have all the TCs, or sigma 300 - 800 or the sigma 800. I cant find any good comparisons any where as for sharpness ect. Has anyone out there used these and what are your thoughts. All my other gear is nikon, D800 E, D800, D 3, including largest lens being Nikon's 400mm f2.8 Thanks
The new 35 mm 1.4 from Sigma is regarded by some as the best lens Sigma has produced to date and it is indeed a superb lens (I recently aquired one and I am extremely impressed, best wide lens i've ever had), but the 300-800 is optically at least as good, and in the right hands a match for the long primes from Canon/Nikon with the convenience of being a zoomlens.
A good friend of mine has used this lens for quite some years now and I think the photo’s on his site are a testament to his talent as a photographer but also proof of the optical quality of the Sigmonster
http://www.birdfocus.nl/Ijsvogel/ijsvogel%206.htm
P.S: the 800/5.6 is currently priced (in Holland that is) at 17.129 euro's. The 300-800 will cost cost you 6.350 euro's.
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How about pro-DX + 500mm f/4?
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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Stephen Robinson wrote:
Well, Nikon is going to finally release the 800 mm lens in April so i was going to pre order one until i saw the 17,800.00 price!! As everyone knows you always need to get a little closer to get that shot. Well I am looking at other ways to accomplish this. Looking at Nikon's 600 mm (i have all the TCs, or sigma 300 - 800 or the sigma 800. I cant find any good comparisons any where as for sharpness ect. Has anyone out there used these and what are your thoughts. All my other gear is nikon, D800 E, D800, D 3, including largest lens being Nikon's 400mm f2.8 Thanks
An alternate would be a DX + 500mm F/4. The main obstacle would be the lack of a current-sensor pro-level DX camera (e.g. the d400). Maybe the upcoming D7100 would be good enough?
The way the optics and math works is your framing, ISO and shutter speeds would be nearly identical for a D800 + 800mm F/5.6 vs a D400 + 500mm F/4. Dof is the same (not that it matters for these lenses), and you'd get the same IQ images (the FF "advantage" is "made up for" by the 1 stop faster lens).
And likely, the D7000 or D300 successor will be out long before you could get your hands on an 800mm
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Re: nikon 800mm decision
In reply to Geomaticsman,
3 months ago
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Geomaticsman wrote:
Rough-legged Hawk, D800+500VR
Both shots are great, but this one is unbelievable. It gets a bunch of WOWs!!
Thanks for sharing. I wished I'd been there even just to see it with binoculars if not a camera.
--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile
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Re: How about pro-DX + 500mm f/4?
In reply to hoof,
3 months ago
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hoof wrote:
Stephen Robinson wrote:
Well, Nikon is going to finally release the 800 mm lens in April so i was going to pre order one until i saw the 17,800.00 price!! As everyone knows you always need to get a little closer to get that shot. Well I am looking at other ways to accomplish this. Looking at Nikon's 600 mm (i have all the TCs, or sigma 300 - 800 or the sigma 800. I cant find any good comparisons any where as for sharpness ect. Has anyone out there used these and what are your thoughts. All my other gear is nikon, D800 E, D800, D 3, including largest lens being Nikon's 400mm f2.8 Thanks
An alternate would be a DX + 500mm F/4. The main obstacle would be the lack of a current-sensor pro-level DX camera (e.g. the d400). Maybe the upcoming D7100 would be good enough?
The way the optics and math works is your framing, ISO and shutter speeds would be nearly identical for a D800 + 800mm F/5.6 vs a D400 + 500mm F/4. Dof is the same (not that it matters for these lenses), and you'd get the same IQ images (the FF "advantage" is "made up for" by the 1 stop faster lens).
And likely, the D7000 or D300 successor will be out long before you could get your hands on an 800mm
One big problem. Crop factor doesn't give reach or magnification at all. It just crops a smaller rectangle from a larger one. You're not really any closer. 500mm doesn't magically become 750mm except in field of view.
That said, pixels on the target might be better in some instances and a crop camera might do that or might not. It might also be nullified by having to crop either FX or DX as well. Every shot is different with high pixel density helping sometimes and not others. Besides, the D800 has often mooted the point much of the time.
Then you have the downsides of DX like performance in early moring or early evening hours and lighting. A stop in ISO is often one less stop in dynamic range. FX cameras often suffer less in this respect. I'd also argue a prettier rendition with FX but that's personal oppinion.
The big point is that a 1.5 crop factor does not supply a 1.5 increase in focal length. I know many think it does, but it does not. That's why the sports photographer's pens and The Olympics still show lots of large lenses poking out of them with all professional sports cameras being Full Frame anymore. You just can't change the focal length by changing the capture size. What's projected from the back of the lens stays the same regardless of how much of it you grab.
Take care and have a great rest of the day. Promise.
--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile
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Here's what some of the canon folks have to say
In reply to Stephen Robinson,
3 months ago
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Stephen Robinson wrote:
Well, Nikon is going to finally release the 800 mm lens in April so i was going to pre order one until i saw the 17,800.00 price!! As everyone knows you always need to get a little closer to get that shot. Well I am looking at other ways to accomplish this. Looking at Nikon's 600 mm (i have all the TCs, or sigma 300 - 800 or the sigma 800. I cant find any good comparisons any where as for sharpness ect. Has anyone out there used these and what are your thoughts. All my other gear is nikon, D800 E, D800, D 3, including largest lens being Nikon's 400mm f2.8 Thanks
HI!
At the moment, we're not going to find a whole lot of Nikon 800 f/5.6 users to chime in!
However, though it might not be 100% the same, looking at what some of of the Canon folks have to say about their 800 f/5.6 lenses suggests a number of advantages over the 600 with TC's:
B&H Customer Reviews of Canon 800 5.6
Best Regards,
RB
--
http://www.dpreview.com/members/2305099006/challenges
http://www.pbase.com/rbfresno/profile
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Re: Canon 800mm decision
In reply to Guidenet,
3 months ago
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Guidenet wrote:
I shoot Nikon and the only Canon I have is an S95 point and shoot, but given the huge price of the new Nikon 800 f/5.6 and given the quality of Canon's superb 800 f/5.6 USM IS, I would consider purchasing the Canon 5D MKIII and the 800 f/5.6 and still be a couple of thousand or so cheaper than the Nikon lens. I love my D800 but the 5D MKIII is no slouch and I could get to know it mounted on that one lens. One might also consider a new leftover Canon 5D MKII for an even greater savings. The Canon 7D might be a good choice for people wanting crop factor up front but a good body.
I can't believe my eyes.........did someone gain access to Guidenet's PC or hijack his password? I've developed totally new respect for your broadminded way of thinking Craig...........
--
Regards,
Hank
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/638311471/photos/17792/night-launch
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Re: Canon 800mm decision
In reply to Hank3152,
3 months ago
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Hank3152 wrote:
Guidenet wrote:
I shoot Nikon and the only Canon I have is an S95 point and shoot, but given the huge price of the new Nikon 800 f/5.6 and given the quality of Canon's superb 800 f/5.6 USM IS, I would consider purchasing the Canon 5D MKIII and the 800 f/5.6 and still be a couple of thousand or so cheaper than the Nikon lens. I love my D800 but the 5D MKIII is no slouch and I could get to know it mounted on that one lens. One might also consider a new leftover Canon 5D MKII for an even greater savings. The Canon 7D might be a good choice for people wanting crop factor up front but a good body.
I can't believe my eyes.........did someone gain access to Guidenet's PC or hijack his password? I've developed totally new respect for your broadminded way of thinking Craig...........
Damn guys, we've got a Canon spy amongst us. Watch what you say. *wink*
--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile
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Re: Here's what some of the canon folks have to say
In reply to RBFresno,
3 months ago
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RBFresno wrote:
Stephen Robinson wrote:
Well, Nikon is going to finally release the 800 mm lens in April so i was going to pre order one until i saw the 17,800.00 price!! As everyone knows you always need to get a little closer to get that shot. Well I am looking at other ways to accomplish this. Looking at Nikon's 600 mm (i have all the TCs, or sigma 300 - 800 or the sigma 800. I cant find any good comparisons any where as for sharpness ect. Has anyone out there used these and what are your thoughts. All my other gear is nikon, D800 E, D800, D 3, including largest lens being Nikon's 400mm f2.8 Thanks
HI!
At the moment, we're not going to find a whole lot of Nikon 800 f/5.6 users to chime in!
However, though it might not be 100% the same, looking at what some of of the Canon folks have to say about their 800 f/5.6 lenses suggests a number of advantages over the 600 with TC's:
B&H Customer Reviews of Canon 800 5.6
Best Regards,
RB
Yeah RB, but most of those "reviews" are before the Canon MKII supertele's were released. Now that the MKII's are out, it's a different ballgame. I'd suggest heading over to BPN and read everything you can on the subject.
To be fair, and based on the specs, the Nikon 800VR looks to be "best-in-class" (at least until Canon release the rumoured 800IS II). But for me, 800mm is a very specialized lens, and even as a birder, and having shot the 800L for a while, having an 800mm is no longer a "slam-dunk" decision for me.
--
Gary -- Some Nikon stuff -- and a preference for wildlife in natural light
www.pbase.com/garyirwin
http://photographersonlinemagazine.blogspot.com
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