Pro ; Fast AF. Ultra sharp, its optical as good as it gets.
Con; weight of 3kg, i am looking forward to the assumable lighter "FL" version if its not too expensive. The foot of the lens should had Arca swiss groves and been 1 inch longer, but RRS sell replacements.
Congratulations; enjoy!
I certainly agree that the AF is quite fast, and the lens is, indeed, sharp. I bought a Hejnar foot, but have yet to install it. There is little need for the better foot, until I acquire a better tripod head, preferably gimbal-style.
The weight is somewhat mitigated, for hand-held shooting, by using the lens on an integral-gripped pro body, resulting in a better-balanced total package. Currently, this means my D3s. I have yet to decide whether to acquire a D4s or D5 next year. Being left-eye dominant, I can use Joe McNally’s technique, resting the base of the camera on my left shoulder, lessening the need for a tripod or monopod, a true advantage for left-eyed shooters when using gripped cameras.
I am also a left eye shooter and use the same technique as you do on the shoulder when possible. Regarding next camera choice i think one should consider an D850 or D4, depending on the mp needs. The D4 is the best sensor on the D-series for now, unless one is using extreme ISO primarily. I sold my D4 because the D850 have the same AF module and the
additional AF chip as the D5. This is the first time Nikon have given the full AF capability to an non D-series camera, my D800 did not have the dual AF chips as my D4, the D800 was missing the
second half of the brain for the AF. (The D500 does not have the dual chip either) I have not tested the D850 AF performance properly as i don't have the MB-D18 battery, there is a long waiting list for the battery grip even for NPS members.
The used D-series should be quite cheap now and that is an good argument for buying a used D-series, and its just as good picture quality ISO/DR etc. as D800/D850. (if one is not in need of high mp). I got the D850 to
do everything, and it got the same pixel density/
reach as an D500, but with the complete D5 AF system, so the D850 is a good deal actually that also can do high mp landscape.
My next piece(s) of equipment to try with this lens? I look forward to acquiring one or more Nikon tele-converters, and a gimbal tripod head.
I use the 1,4TC all the time on the 200/f2 and it gives no loss in Quality as i can observe on any of my lenses, but buy a MK2 or a new Mk3 of these. I assume it can work well with 2x TC also but i have not tried it yet on the 200/f2.
Regarding gimbal head i opted for a Wimberly, and use a Sirui 5214XL tripod that can be placed
anywhere. The Sirui is the best of of 3pods, i can not recommend it high enough i use it over Manfrotto or my Gitzo 2543L all the time.
This will enable us to try more wildlife/bird photography, before committing to the purchase of the really expensive super-tele lenses. (We have zooms that reach as far as 400mm, but at f/5.6, not f/4.)
If money is of object, i recommend trying out a used Big prime if possible. I bought my 400/f2.8 new, but its not necessary regarding picture quality. Big primes are super sharp even if they are
old and not of the last generation. (Nothing wrong with a new super tele but its 12-16ooo $)
I bought 200/f2 used. It was in production from 2004-2010, but its ridiculous sharp, its sharper than my new Nikon 70-200/2.8FL and on par with the Zeiss 135/f2 i think, my point is that these lenses can be ex. 13 year old and perform as the new ones. I don't think that its worth the 3-4x money to buy a brand new one regarding picture quality.
