Lenses and D100

Laurie123 · Jul 16, 2002

I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Glenn Barber · Jul 16, 2002

My favorite family outing lens is the 18-35. Very versatile and lightweight.

F.U. Bee said:
I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Laurie123 · Jul 16, 2002

The unit I tested had bad vignetting. Couldn't live with it. Was a pity: nice size and weight.

Glenn Barber said:
F.U. Bee said:

I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Click to expand...

Joe Gruber · Jul 16, 2002

F.U. (btw, are those really your initials?)

I have a D100 and just ordered the 80-400VR yesterday. Just my luck that I read a bad review for it today. Summary of the review was that you couldn't use VR on a tripod but that it did work great in a hand-held mode. Wondering what your experience is. Here's the link to the review.
thanks
jg

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2_PC.html

F.U. Bee said:
I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Ron Frank · Jul 16, 2002

FU,

Pray tell how a lens (18-35mm) that is designed to work on a 35mm film camera can have bad vignetting on digital?

Either a defective lens, or defective user???

I have the 18-35mm until I can upgrade to the 17-35mm, or whatever is out then. The lens is very sharp at 18mm, and other than it's slower than most of my other lenses, it is a good performer.

Rather than trashing a model (someone may actually belive you know what you are speaking of) I'd suggest that you make sure if you test a lens, that you get one that works properly!

Also the 85mm f1.4 is heavier thant the 60mm macro, but similar in feel. Why does the 60mm feel heavier? And did Nikon ever make a 100mm macro? 105mm has been the standard in AF for some time.

Ron

F.U. Bee said:
Glenn Barber said:

F.U. Bee said:

I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Ron Frank · Jul 16, 2002

I read reviews that really put down the tripod mount, and the VR in general.

My buddy then purchased one on the advise of a long time friend, and pro photographer who has one. I have used this lens on several occassions, and the tripod collar is solid, and the VR works even if it takes a bit of getting used to. As for it NOT working on a tripod, IMExperinece, that's rubbish. It may not work well when follow focusing, but I have not used it enough to determine that.

I have little use for VR, but the 80-400 is a very good lens given the range.

Ron

J.Gruber said:
http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2_PC.html

F.U. Bee said:

I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Click to expand...

Glenn Barber · Jul 16, 2002

Ron Frank said:
FU,

Pray tell how a lens (18-35mm) that is designed to work on a 35mm
film camera can have bad vignetting on digital?

I don't get vignetting - but there is visible darkening in the corners wide open.

Ron Frank said:
Either a defective lens, or defective user???

I have the 18-35mm until I can upgrade to the 17-35mm, or whatever
is out then. The lens is very sharp at 18mm, and other than it's
slower than most of my other lenses, it is a good performer.

Rather than trashing a model (someone may actually belive you know
what you are speaking of) I'd suggest that you make sure if you
test a lens, that you get one that works properly!

Also the 85mm f1.4 is heavier thant the 60mm macro, but similar in
feel. Why does the 60mm feel heavier? And did Nikon ever make a
100mm macro? 105mm has been the standard in AF for some time.

Ron

F.U. Bee said:

Glenn Barber said:

F.U. Bee said:

I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Mark Estrada · Jul 16, 2002

On a D1x, the 80-400 VR is my favorite and most used lens for general imaging -- at sports, at the zoo, at the park. I can stay far from the subject and get images unobtrusively. Even shoot closeups of butterflies from 2 meters away. I leave the VR on all the time and just shoot hand-held. Used to use a monopod with VR on for my sons soccor games, but found I could handle the lens and go from vertical to horizontal handheld without the monopod. I use it for everything and images straight out of the camera are sharp on 8x10 -- no post processing, but always have the option to do a little USM in photoshop to sharpen things up.

Tried my 80-400VR on a D100 at a camera shop. Focus speed was a little sluggish compared to the D1x, but if you've never had a D1x, you probably won't notice it. For my hands, the D100 seems a little small and harder to handle with the big bulky lenses (AFS 80-200).

Have shot pictures of a full moon with the thing on tripod without and with VR on. I didn't notice any problems with it.

Tripod collar is sturdy enough for me on or off the tripod. I usually leave it on the lens even though I don't use it on monopod or tripod. When walking around, I use the tripod collor to hang the whole camera system from my belt (like a cell phone).

It takes practice getting used to the VR. I usually keep the shutter half-way depressed to leave VR continuously active. I can still get motion blur at slow speeds if not careful and can see it in fine details when zooming the image to > 150% -- a little practice at holding still and this goes away.

I usually shoot at f5.6, though by reports its sharper at f11 -- wide open works fine for what I shoot.

Overall, a very good lens given the range. Good for sports and long distance candids in good light. I switch to the 80-200AFS at dusk and give up on range in exchange for speed. With the D100 and low noise at higher ISOs than the D1x, the 80-400VR should do just fine. The D100 won't have the capture speed for multiple image bursts for sports like the D1x. You can get a shot here and there from time to time, but trying it out compared to what I can do on my D1x, I prefer the D1x for sports (D1h would be faster, but I do other things than just sports). D100 for scenics and nighttime imaging. Both are good for portraits.

Ron Frank said:
My buddy then purchased one on the advise of a long time friend,
and pro photographer who has one. I have used this lens on several
occassions, and the tripod collar is solid, and the VR works even
if it takes a bit of getting used to. As for it NOT working on a
tripod, IMExperinece, that's rubbish. It may not work well when
follow focusing, but I have not used it enough to determine that.

I have little use for VR, but the 80-400 is a very good lens given
the range.

Ron

J.Gruber said:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2_PC.html

F.U. Bee said:

I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Laurie123 · Jul 16, 2002

My opinion:

It's dog slow, relatively dark, not as sharp as many other lenses, and I love it. The VR and range are great.

J.Gruber said:
http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2_PC.html

F.U. Bee said:

I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Click to expand...

Joe Gruber · Jul 16, 2002

Thanks Mark,

I bought the Sigma 50-500 mail order but hated the 'feel' of it. Just too heavy and the zoom was way too hard to turn. I got to try the 80-400 VR in a store...the VR part really impressed me. So I'll be hitching up the MB-100 grip and going to our kids sporting events with the 80-400VR (should be here tomorrow). I'm glad I can at least use a monopod. And I hope the D100 catches some of the action (yes, I have D1 envy here

) Thanks for all the suggestions.
jg

Mark Estrada said:
Tried my 80-400VR on a D100 at a camera shop. Focus speed was a
little sluggish compared to the D1x, but if you've never had a D1x,
you probably won't notice it. For my hands, the D100 seems a little
small and harder to handle with the big bulky lenses (AFS 80-200).

Have shot pictures of a full moon with the thing on tripod without
and with VR on. I didn't notice any problems with it.

Tripod collar is sturdy enough for me on or off the tripod. I
usually leave it on the lens even though I don't use it on monopod
or tripod. When walking around, I use the tripod collor to hang the
whole camera system from my belt (like a cell phone).

It takes practice getting used to the VR. I usually keep the
shutter half-way depressed to leave VR continuously active. I can
still get motion blur at slow speeds if not careful and can see it
in fine details when zooming the image to > 150% -- a little
practice at holding still and this goes away.

I usually shoot at f5.6, though by reports its sharper at f11 --
wide open works fine for what I shoot.

Overall, a very good lens given the range. Good for sports and long
distance candids in good light. I switch to the 80-200AFS at dusk
and give up on range in exchange for speed. With the D100 and low
noise at higher ISOs than the D1x, the 80-400VR should do just
fine. The D100 won't have the capture speed for multiple image
bursts for sports like the D1x. You can get a shot here and there
from time to time, but trying it out compared to what I can do on
my D1x, I prefer the D1x for sports (D1h would be faster, but I do
other things than just sports). D100 for scenics and nighttime
imaging. Both are good for portraits.

Ron Frank said:

My buddy then purchased one on the advise of a long time friend,
and pro photographer who has one. I have used this lens on several
occassions, and the tripod collar is solid, and the VR works even
if it takes a bit of getting used to. As for it NOT working on a
tripod, IMExperinece, that's rubbish. It may not work well when
follow focusing, but I have not used it enough to determine that.

I have little use for VR, but the 80-400 is a very good lens given
the range.

Ron

J.Gruber said:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2_PC.html

F.U. Bee said:

I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Anthony Medici · Jul 16, 2002

I have found on a nice sturdy tripod the VR function is not needed and can actually hurt the image. The explaination goes like this:

I get the tripod set and frame the image. Then I half press the shutter and activate the VR (with a cable release which causes no movement or vibration). The VR kicks in an reframes the image. It physically moves it so that different things are in the frame.

Handheld or on a monopod, you frame after you half depress the shutter because the camera is in motion and the VR function reduces this motion there by making it easier to frame. On a tripod, you frame before you depress the shutter. The VR moves the image since that's how it stops the motion normally. You can take a sharp picture once the VR stabilizes but it won't be what you previously framed.

Maybe the new VR will be different but unless you are framing after the VR effects, you are going to have a problem with the VR functioning.

BTW, my best 2x with the VR images of the moon are without the VR on and with the Anti-Vibration Mirror mode active (using a timer or a cable).

Tony

J.Gruber said:
Thanks Mark,

I bought the Sigma 50-500 mail order but hated the 'feel' of it.
Just too heavy and the zoom was way too hard to turn. I got to try
the 80-400 VR in a store...the VR part really impressed me. So
I'll be hitching up the MB-100 grip and going to our kids sporting
events with the 80-400VR (should be here tomorrow). I'm glad I can
at least use a monopod. And I hope the D100 catches some of the
action (yes, I have D1 envy here ) Thanks for all the
suggestions.
jg

michaeladawson · Jul 16, 2002

Glenn Barber said:
Ron Frank said:

FU,

Pray tell how a lens (18-35mm) that is designed to work on a 35mm
film camera can have bad vignetting on digital?

Click to expand...

I don't get vignetting - but there is visible darkening in the
corners wide open.

OK, please try not to flame me too hard here. But I must say... is not "visible darkening in the corners" the very definition of vignetting? If it's limited to just the extreme corners then you don't have BAD vignetting. And if it goes completely away by opening up one stop then you don't have BAD vignetting. But, nevertheless, you have vignetting.

Keith Aitken · Jul 16, 2002

Agree on the amazingly light and handy 18-35 but does'nt it have
very little actual zoom capability - about 2x ? .... Is that right ?
How do you cope with that ?

Keith

--
http://www.pbase.com/keith2

'if you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat'

Glenn Barber · Jul 16, 2002

michaeladawson said:
Glenn Barber said:

Ron Frank said:

FU,

Pray tell how a lens (18-35mm) that is designed to work on a 35mm
film camera can have bad vignetting on digital?

Click to expand...

I don't get vignetting - but there is visible darkening in the
corners wide open.

Click to expand...

OK, please try not to flame me too hard here. But I must say... is
not "visible darkening in the corners" the very definition of
vignetting? If it's limited to just the extreme corners then you
don't have BAD vignetting. And if it goes completely away by
opening up one stop then you don't have BAD vignetting. But,
nevertheless, you have vignetting.

Vignetting occurs when the image is entirely physically blocked by the lens - my sony 707 vignetted at full wide in the corner on the left side. Light fall off on wide angle lenses is more of an optical effect and can change as the lens is stopped down and occurs with a variety of lenses. Its noticeable at full aperature on the 18-35 but it isn't severe enough to ruin the image.

Because fall off disappears as the lens is shut down - you can see it when focusing but it may not be apparent in the final image.

Mark Estrada · Jul 17, 2002

I tried 80-400VR and Sigma 50-500 side by side in the store on my D1x. The 50-500 didn't handle very well and its color saturation just wasn't as rich as the 80-400VR (easily seen on the LCD and better appreciated on the computer monitor). 80-400 VR was an easy decision to make.

Did a test last night of the moon again VR on continuously, on only on shutter release, and without. All without anti-mirror shock and at ISO 200. Had 1 or two images where the VR caused a little unsharpness from the continuous on state, but others were all sharp. VR I'd leave on for handheld stuff, generally turn it off for tripod use with cable release (unless you're on a boat or moving vehicle) -- it's really not a big deal. You can get a little shift in the framing when the VR is first activated while on a tripod, but if you let it settle down, then frame, then squeeze the shutter, it's not a problem (at least for me). Shooting the moon, one will usually crop the frame anyway and mag up 200% in PS, so a little frame shift if you squeeze the shutter before VR settles is really not a big deal.

For me, it's a great all purpose lens for what I shoot. I also use and AFS 17-35mm, 50mm f1.4, 60mm Micro to cover the rest of the range of focal lengths, but I still use the 80-400VR the most often to keep the frame filled with my subjects. All the lenses are great in general and should be great on a D100 which I may get as a backup from my D1x.

Hand grip on the D100 with long lens should help in D100 handling. One wasn't available when I tested out the D100 at the camera shop.

J.Gruber said:
Thanks Mark,

I bought the Sigma 50-500 mail order but hated the 'feel' of it.
Just too heavy and the zoom was way too hard to turn. I got to try
the 80-400 VR in a store...the VR part really impressed me. So
I'll be hitching up the MB-100 grip and going to our kids sporting
events with the 80-400VR (should be here tomorrow). I'm glad I can
at least use a monopod. And I hope the D100 catches some of the
action (yes, I have D1 envy here ) Thanks for all the
suggestions.
jg

The key to catching the action is really not ripping off a lot of frames fast, but knowing the lag time on your camera and anticipating the action so you squeeze the trigger at the right time in order to catch

1. the bat contacting the ball on baseball
2. the foot on the soccor ball as it is kicked

anticipating it right and understanding your camera, you can run a burst that gets the action sequence just right as the player lines up, hits, and follows through -- all without having to have the speed of a D1h or 1D -- though those are really sweet cameras as well.

The key to good photography is know your subject and know your equipment really well. Practice practice practice....

Cheers

simon dai · Jul 17, 2002

Hi, Mark, I've been thinking of the 80-400VR for sometime ... do you use it handheld often or with the tripod mount? if handheld, how difficult is that? Thanks a lot.

Simon

Mark Estrada said:
Did a test last night of the moon again VR on continuously, on only
on shutter release, and without. All without anti-mirror shock and
at ISO 200. Had 1 or two images where the VR caused a little
unsharpness from the continuous on state, but others were all
sharp. VR I'd leave on for handheld stuff, generally turn it off
for tripod use with cable release (unless you're on a boat or
moving vehicle) -- it's really not a big deal. You can get a little
shift in the framing when the VR is first activated while on a
tripod, but if you let it settle down, then frame, then squeeze the
shutter, it's not a problem (at least for me). Shooting the moon,
one will usually crop the frame anyway and mag up 200% in PS, so a
little frame shift if you squeeze the shutter before VR settles is
really not a big deal.

For me, it's a great all purpose lens for what I shoot. I also use
and AFS 17-35mm, 50mm f1.4, 60mm Micro to cover the rest of the
range of focal lengths, but I still use the 80-400VR the most often
to keep the frame filled with my subjects. All the lenses are great
in general and should be great on a D100 which I may get as a
backup from my D1x.

Hand grip on the D100 with long lens should help in D100 handling.
One wasn't available when I tested out the D100 at the camera shop.

J.Gruber said:

Thanks Mark,

I bought the Sigma 50-500 mail order but hated the 'feel' of it.
Just too heavy and the zoom was way too hard to turn. I got to try
the 80-400 VR in a store...the VR part really impressed me. So
I'll be hitching up the MB-100 grip and going to our kids sporting
events with the 80-400VR (should be here tomorrow). I'm glad I can
at least use a monopod. And I hope the D100 catches some of the
action (yes, I have D1 envy here ) Thanks for all the
suggestions.
jg

Click to expand...

The key to catching the action is really not ripping off a lot of
frames fast, but knowing the lag time on your camera and
anticipating the action so you squeeze the trigger at the right
time in order to catch

1. the bat contacting the ball on baseball
2. the foot on the soccor ball as it is kicked

anticipating it right and understanding your camera, you can run a
burst that gets the action sequence just right as the player lines
up, hits, and follows through -- all without having to have the
speed of a D1h or 1D -- though those are really sweet cameras as
well.

The key to good photography is know your subject and know your
equipment really well. Practice practice practice....

Cheers

Jason Busch · Jul 17, 2002

F.U. Bee,

The AF-S 80-200 feels well balanced too. It's heavy, but balanced. I am concerned about the AF-S 28-70 though, and how it will balance out. Maybe the grip will counter the weight of that monster a little?

--
Forum:
http://pub103.ezboard.com/bthedigitaldinguscommunity

Websites:
http://d100.topcities.com/
http://e10club.topcities.com/
--

'I do just about everything in my CCDs...'

Anthony Medici · Jul 17, 2002

I use the VR handheld all the time. It takes practice to use well. ie: you can get burry images with it. However, with practice I've taken shots well below normal recommended shutter speeds. ie: down in the 1/15 second range.

Tony

simon dai said:
Hi, Mark, I've been thinking of the 80-400VR for sometime ... do
you use it handheld often or with the tripod mount? if handheld,
how difficult is that? Thanks a lot.

Simon

Mark E (Flask) · Jul 17, 2002

Please send me your 28-70 2.8 AND the 180 2.8 !

F.U. Bee said:
I have too many lenses. Here are the ones that feel "right" on the
D100:

50mm f/1.8 -- no doubts.
100mm macro -- nice shooter.
28-105 -- perfect.
80-400 VR -- surprisingly
85 f/1.4 -- no surprise
60mm micro - feels a bit heavy but it's okay; great for sharpness
testing

Disappointing:

180 f/2.8: can't handhold
28-70 AF-S: okay but doesn't balance so well

As always, my opinions may change without notice.

Mark Estrada · Jul 17, 2002

Hi, Simon and Tony. I use my 80-400VR handheld all the time. It does take practice to use well. Monopod and tripod slow me down too much during my son's soccor and baseball games. I leave the tripod collar on -- for some this may not feel comfortable, but I use it as an additional handgrip/belt grip to prevent me from dropping the camera -- I take the camera strap off because it gets in the way whenever I rapidly rotate from horizontal to vertical and back.

Simon, I'd suggest trying the lens out at a camera store to see how you like it and see if it is right in your hands. What works for me may not work for you depending upon your style of shooting and how the camera and lens feel in your hands. If you're not happy with the feel of the equipment, you won't get the shots you want due to frustration.

First time I tried it with VR on, everything I shot in the store was sharp and things seem to work naturally for me. I'm used to keeping the shutter release held half-way down while I compose and ready the shot and for me, this automatically gets the VR settled long before ever taking the picture -- if you're not used to running a camera that way, then you may have some problems trying to get quick shots taken because it takes 1/8-1/4 second for VR to activate and get settled. Once activated, VR works like a charm for handheld work even as slow as 1/4 second; though I typically try not shoot that slow at 400mm.

In regards to battery power, I haven't had any problems; I usually get 250+ Fine Medium and Large JPG before the battery reads 1/2 charge with VR on a lot and frequent review of images on LCD. For my purposes, images out of my D1x are sharp enough for straight cropping and printing out to 8x10 without any other post processing -- images could be tuned a little more with USM, but everyone who sees the photos has been quite happy with my results. I'd do NEF, but just don't have the time to batch process 250+ NEFs.

Anthony Medici said:
Tony

simon dai said:

Hi, Mark, I've been thinking of the 80-400VR for sometime ... do
you use it handheld often or with the tripod mount? if handheld,
how difficult is that? Thanks a lot.

Simon

Click to expand...

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