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Getting a P900 today

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Stan in NH

Stan in NH

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I'm a long time Canon DSLR user and am currently shooting with a T6S Rebel body and a variety of lenses, including the Sigma 100-400mm Contemporary and the Tamron 150-600mm. I shoot mainly RAW and process using Photos, Polarr, and Canon's DPP on a Mac computer. I do a lot of bird photography and frequently have the big Tamron out. My little Sony HX90V is my travel camera.

I have read about the Nikon P900 for quite some time, recognize its limitations regarding the lack of RAW support and very good but not class leading IQ. Still, as everyone knows, the idea of a handheld 2000mm lens in a relatively compact package is really tempting. Having a background in astronomy, I know what a 2000mm focal length can do, so I finally gave in to my curiosity and ordered a factory refurbished P900 with a 90 day warranty for $429.95. FedEx has it on a truck scheduled for delivery later today.

The idea of this lens in a handheld package is really fascinating. I will be doing some comparisons between this and my Tamron and Sigma lenses to see how the IQ holds up at longer focal lengths. I am very well aware of the effect of "seeing conditions" on image clarity, having had to deal with this effect on my telescopes with high magnification. It can ruin images even at the 400 and 600mm lengths I currently use with my Canon system, so finding the perfect conditions for using 2000mm might be a challenge.

I am active on the DPR Canon EOS board and will also post some observations there. I expect this to be a very interesting experience.
 
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I enjoy wildlife photography, 80% of this activity is bird photos. A P900 is used 95% of times, and 5% a Nikon 3300+300mm Nikkor for birds in flight and very low light conditions. A friend has a Canon T3i + Tamron 150-600. Under and up to 400mm, our pictures are on a par, qualitywise. From 400mm on, the P900 has the lead. A picture token with his Canon/Tamron combo cropped to reach the size obtained with the P900 at 1500/2000mm(equiv) does not reach it's general quality level.

These findings are as described using a 15"x 9.6" PC screen. And, of course, one case = no case.


Dum senesco, addisco.
 
Panet said:
I enjoy wildlife photography, 80% of this activity is bird photos. A P900 is used 95% of times, and 5% a Nikon 3300+300mm Nikkor for birds in flight and very low light conditions. A friend has a Canon T3i + Tamron 150-600. Under and up to 400mm, our pictures are on a par, qualitywise. From 400mm on, the P900 has the lead. A picture token with his Canon/Tamron combo cropped to reach the size obtained with the P900 at 1500/2000mm(equiv) does not reach it's general quality level.

These findings are as described using a 15"x 9.6" PC screen. And, of course, one case = no case.

Dum senesco, addisco.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your comments. For BIF, I'm expecting to stick with the Sigma 100-400 and continuous shooting mode. I have also used the Tamron, but keep it at around f/8 so I have some FOV to work with. If it doesn't rain, I'll spend some time out in the field with the P900 on Sunday. Today, when FedEx pulls up, I'm sure most of the day will be spent with the manual and going through the menu options.
 
im loving my p900 and im learning its limitations. i use pentax k-1 and k-3 with pentax lenses and the huge sigma bigma 50-500. what im loving of course is the HUGE reach of the 2000lens. its not quite as sharp as id like but being able to quickly take a few long range pics is great. it also does not seem to like low light at all. im trying to teach myself birds in flight shooting with it with varying degrees of success. i look at this as kind of a bargain. what lens on the planet can you buy for around $500 dollars with even half the reach. ....and being able to hand hold without breaking your shoulder. so as i realize the limitations im loving the possibilities .....
 
I will look forward to your assesment. It might be anywhere from this is an absolute piece of junk to this is the most fun piece of photographic equipment ever to this point in time. If your conclusion is the junk one, I'm out of here and will never put any weight whatever on your future opinions. But if you can not dwell on it's lack of abilities in some areas and realize that's what your other cameras are for and enjoy it for what it brings, that's what we want to hear. It is not junk, and it will produce images that there is no other way to produce without spending 5 figure + us dollars for but it certainly won't keep up with a $400 dslr for speed and performance with bif and the like.

But it is the most fun piece of photographic equipment I ever owned in 50+ years of this hobby. And will do things I never could do before.
 
Bob A L said:
I will look forward to your assesment. It might be anywhere from this is an absolute piece of junk to this is the most fun piece of photographic equipment ever to this point in time. If your conclusion is the junk one, I'm out of here and will never put any weight whatever on your future opinions. But if you can not dwell on it's lack of abilities in some areas and realize that's what your other cameras are for and enjoy it for what it brings, that's what we want to hear. It is not junk, and it will produce images that there is no other way to produce without spending 5 figure + us dollars for but it certainly won't keep up with a $400 dslr for speed and performance with bif and the like.

But it is the most fun piece of photographic equipment I ever owned in 50+ years of this hobby. And will do things I never could do before.
Click to expand...
Believe me, I have no intention of getting rid of my Canon gear. This is really to, hopefully, add something I don't have now ... the ability to use zoom ranges beyond what is physically or financially practical with other cameras. I don't expect it to give me the same detail or dynamic range I can get out of a RAW file and an APS-C sensor, but I do expect at least good IQ.

Still waiting, but should have it soon enough and then the experiment begins. :-)
 
We'll just have to see when you get it and ring it out. As to your comments about not being able to get the detail and dynamic range - I don't have a comment on the dynamic range, but as to the detail - you might want to judge that first before making the statement. You may well have much more capable dslr equipment than I do, but my biggest thing about the P900 is how much more detail I can get with it in the situations I use it most for. The easiest to notice is things like feather detail of small birds out past 75-100 feet or so. I can't come close to the detail it produces with my dslr equipment. Now if I get close enough to fill the frame with my longest lens on my apsc dslr with the creature, then the dslr can come back into the game. But no way to crop the 24 mp dslr image to the level of the 2000 mm equivalent and produce the same feather or fur detail.
 
All noted, and thanks for the comments.

Well, the camera was just delivered and I guess I won't start doing anything just quite yet. It's a refurbished unit, looks brand new,, includes all the accessories, but the battery has no charge and there is no documentation. Aside from the receipt, I have the Nikon 90 day warranty, and one piece of paper referring me to their online site for the manual downloads. Right now I have the camera plugged in and charging, and have just printed out the Quick Start guide as well as bookmarking the full manual. So, I have not yet been able to even turn on the camera ... just sitting here watching the blinking green light telling me it's still charging.

I have bought lots of refurbished gear from Canon over the years, and they always include all the books and CD's, plus a one year warranty. The only thing you don't get is the original retail box ... you get a plain white box instead. I'm not sure what comes with a brand new Nikon P900, but the packaging for the refurbished one is underwhelming at best.

Another three hours or so and I will finally be able to try this out.
 
"Another three hours or so and I will finally be able to try this out."

Battery should be just about ready for your first "bridge camera", or superzoom shoot. You already have the small Sony and larger Canon, so you're familiar with the diffs between a DSLR and a point n shoot. And, since you like RAW, try PSAM in Neutral. N provides good base for PP.

Here's a small(would fit in my hand) diving bird, a least grebe, taken yesterday morning in P-Neutral and tweaked in GIMP, at megazoom, resized for uploading.

02b3e2d4cd874a75986c6064705d15b9.jpg

Have fun.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dodge_rock/
 
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Dodge_Rock said:
"Another three hours or so and I will finally be able to try this out."

Battery should be just about ready for your first "bridge camera", or superzoom shoot. You already have the small Sony and larger Canon, so you're familiar with the diffs between a DSLR and a point n shoot. And, since you like RAW, try PSAM in Neutral. N provides good base for PP.

Here's a small(would fit in my hand) diving bird, a least grebe, taken yesterday morning in P-Neutral and tweaked in GIMP, at megazoom, resized for uploading.

02b3e2d4cd874a75986c6064705d15b9.jpg

Have fun.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dodge_rock/
Click to expand...
Beautiful shot, and very nice detail. Thanks for the tip on using neutral. I'll go through all the settings as soon as the battery finishes charging, which should be very soon. I already see the need for an extra battery and external charger.
 
Battery finally charged ... 3 hours 40 minutes just like the manual says. Took a few test shots and they looked good. Focus can be tricky, but the good shots are sharp and well exposed. Am I correct in assuming the full 2000mm is only available in digital, not optical, zoom? Information on playback never shows that, so I also assume it only displays the optical focal length rather than the digital. Tomorrow I'll give it a full workout.
 
Stan in NH said:
Battery finally charged ... 3 hours 40 minutes just like the manual says. Took a few test shots and they looked good. Focus can be tricky, but the good shots are sharp and well exposed. Am I correct in assuming the full 2000mm is only available in digital, not optical, zoom? Information on playback never shows that, so I also assume it only displays the optical focal length rather than the digital. Tomorrow I'll give it a full workout.
Click to expand...
Digital zoom can be turned on/ off in the menu. Optical/digital bar appears on display if turned on.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dodge_rock/
 
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Stan in NH said:
Panet said:
I enjoy wildlife photography, 80% of this activity is bird photos. A P900 is used 95% of times, and 5% a Nikon 3300+300mm Nikkor for birds in flight and very low light conditions. A friend has a Canon T3i + Tamron 150-600. Under and up to 400mm, our pictures are on a par, qualitywise. From 400mm on, the P900 has the lead. A picture token with his Canon/Tamron combo cropped to reach the size obtained with the P900 at 1500/2000mm(equiv) does not reach it's general quality level.

These findings are as described using a 15"x 9.6" PC screen. And, of course, one case = no case.

Dum senesco, addisco.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your comments. For BIF, I'm expecting to stick with the Sigma 100-400 and continuous shooting mode. I have also used the Tamron, but keep it at around f/8 so I have some FOV to work with. If it doesn't rain, I'll spend some time out in the field with the P900 on Sunday. Today, when FedEx pulls up, I'm sure most of the day will be spent with the manual and going through the menu options.
Click to expand...
If you are a BIF enthusiast stick with a professional gear, the P900 won't help too much at high magnification and fast moving targets

For perched birds can be quite good though
 
Dodge_Rock said:
Stan in NH said:
Battery finally charged ... 3 hours 40 minutes just like the manual says. Took a few test shots and they looked good. Focus can be tricky, but the good shots are sharp and well exposed. Am I correct in assuming the full 2000mm is only available in digital, not optical, zoom? Information on playback never shows that, so I also assume it only displays the optical focal length rather than the digital. Tomorrow I'll give it a full workout.
Click to expand...
Digital zoom can be turned on/ off in the menu. Optical/digital bar appears on display if turned on.
Click to expand...
 
Is 2000 mm optical

Beyond that is a pixel digital interpolation that is almost like cropping
 
Welcome to the forum , looking forward to your shots.
 
i really like refurbs. i feel that when you get them from a reliable source they are just great. i plan to keep on doing it. my p900 is a refurb too
 
Enjoy your new camera, it is a fun and interesting piece of gear. I, too, use other makes; Olympus and Canon. I have the most fun with the P900.

Good luck and good light,

~Lee
 
leelamb said:
Enjoy your new camera, it is a fun and interesting piece of gear. I, too, use other makes; Olympus and Canon. I have the most fun with the P900.

Good luck and good light,

~Lee
Click to expand...
Thank you, and thanks to all for the helpful comments and warm welcomehere. I have found the DPR forums to be a very friendly and supportive place for photography hobbyists.

Initial impressions are that the camera has an easy to use menu system, quick AF, usable EVF, and is comfortable in the hand. The EVF diopter adjustment on my sample is very stiff and difficult to move, but I did manage to get it adjusted. The few test shots I took seemed fine, with good clarity and exposure. One indoor shot using the flash seemed over-exposed, but I'll try some other shots today and see if that's an actual issue or not. The macro function is surprisingly good .. I was actually surprised. It seems comparable to my Canon 60mm macro lens, which is amazing.

It is lighter than my Canon T6s with anything beyond a 50mm prime, so it should be a lot easier to carry around for wildlife shots. I don't expect it to be as good as the DSLR for BIF shots, but I can see this as a viable alternative for many other types of shooting. Forecast is for high winds and rain all day today, so not sure what I can do outdoors until Monday.

My impressions about buying Nikon refurbished ... Canon does a better job. Canon offers a full one year warranty on their refurbished "white box" gear, while Nikon gives a 90 day warranty. Canon provides all books, manuals, and CD's in the box, while Nikon includes a note telling you to go to their download site for documentation. No instructions are included at all. Both manufacturers pack in plain boxes rather than the full retail box. The condition of my P900 was perfect, and I could not find a single blemish. Firmware is 1.3, which I believe is the latest version.

More to come ......
 
Just testing the camera, so nothing special here. No sharpening applied. Shots are decent IQ with slight CA visible. ISO 800 not bad.

My ham radio antenna atop a 75 foot tower
My ham radio antenna atop a 75 foot tower



A utility pole about 200 feet away . Shadows adjusted.
A utility pole about 200 feet away . Shadows adjusted.



Indoors with no flash
Indoors with no flash



Indoors with no flash. Minor cropping.
Indoors with no flash. Minor cropping.
 
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