Vignette - Nikon 600mm F4E FL ED VR + TC 1.4 III

[Lysac]

I feel the lens much lighter comparing to the older 600mm f/4 G although it is only 3 lbs less. I think the new design is more balance instead of the front heavy in the previous model. It was impossible for me to shoot handheld with the older version whereas I can shoot handheld with this new version for a few minutes. I notice the focus speed and accuracy are comparable to the older model. So far my experience with this lens is good. However when shooting with TC 1.4 III, it shows vignette which I cannot remove using either Capture NX-D or Capture NX2. I raised the issue with Nikon support with a couple of sample images taken with D800 at f9 and D4 at f5.6. After about 3 weeks, Nikon engineers said it is within the specification of the design! (I had the older 600mm f/4 G and I never had this problem) and they advised me to stop down and maximize the vignette control in the Capture NX-D software.

I don't know if anybody has the same issue but I think either there is a design flaw or I have a bad copy of the lens and/or TC 1.4 III. Here are the two images I sent to Nikon.






D800 + 600mm f/4E + TC 1.4 III at F9




D4 + 600mm f/4E + TC 1.4 III at F 5.6

 

[LifeNature]

I can confirm the 600mm f/4 FL DOES vignette with the 1.4 extender attached.

The first time I noticed this was on a trip to Katmai, Alaska where I first put my sample to the test. I was shooting a sow with her 2 cubs from quite a distance so decided to add the 1.4 III. Aperture was wide open to get the best possible bokeh.

The vignetting was not a big deal as I still had to crop in, so the relatively small darker corners were easily discarded. Here's the image:

Katmai National Park, Alaska, 2015 with the new Nikon 600mm FL

I'll take a couple of tests soon to check the vignetting at f/8 compared to f/5.6 and Capture NXD's apability to remove the vignetting, and will post the results on my blog: www.fliek.com/blog

 

[exRhodesian]

Hi,

You're not the only one, -the same here with my 600mmFL + 1.4eIII yet I'm not getting the vignetting with the 600mmG + 1.4eIII. I'm also checking with Nikon.

Thanks,

Adrian






600mm FL + 1.4eIII

 

[Wahrsager]

I feel the lens much lighter comparing to the older 600mm f/4 G although it is only 3 lbs less. I think the new design is more balance instead of the front heavy in the previous model. It was impossible for me to shoot handheld with the older version whereas I can shoot handheld with this new version for a few minutes. I notice the focus speed and accuracy are comparable to the older model. So far my experience with this lens is good. However when shooting with TC 1.4 III, it shows vignette which I cannot remove using either Capture NX-D or Capture NX2. I raised the issue with Nikon support with a couple of sample images taken with D800 at f9 and D4 at f5.6. After about 3 weeks, Nikon engineers said it is within the specification of the design! (I had the older 600mm f/4 G and I never had this problem) and they advised me to stop down and maximize the vignette control in the Capture NX-D software.

I don't know if anybody has the same issue but I think either there is a design flaw or I have a bad copy of the lens and/or TC 1.4 III. Here are the two images I sent to Nikon.


D800 + 600mm f/4E + TC 1.4 III at F9


D4 + 600mm f/4E + TC 1.4 III at F 5.6

I know this is an old post, but it's an issue that's just recently started to bother me as I'm staring to want to maintain the original frame. Yes- my 600 E version + TC-14E III vignettes heavily and I also cannot fully correct it in a raw converter alone.