600mm f/4g great lens, lens hood fell apart, tripod foot is flimsy.

[CanadianPhotog]

Optical results are stunning, very fast focus from a pro body D4 or D4S, the stock tripod mount is too flexible for the weight of the lens and camera, I replaced that with an RRS plate, the two piece lens hood fell apart, one ring was not properly fastened to the carbon fibre tube, really annoying for the price you pay, had to wait two weeks to get Nikon to fix it, which involved someone adding more adhesive which was visible.

I strongly recommend a carry bag like the Lens Trekker AW to protect this lens, I DO NOT recommend carrying with a heavy body attached, the lens is heavy, so is a D4/S and the lens mount ring will warp easily, ruining focus requiring a trip to Nikon for repair. Optical quality is superb, using it with the TC 1.4 III yield great results, even with a D810.

Supporting this lens and camera requires a very robust tripod and gimbal, after some experimenting I ordered the Really Right Stuff TVC-34L and PG-02 FG full gimbal with quick release, you do not want to be twiddling small knobs while holding the camera and lens in place. Added a Lenscoat for some thermal (for winter) and bump protection, and camo.

 

[Nick Edwards]

I had one for 4 years until I swapped it out (only to my son) for the lighter 600 f4E FL earlier this month. Superb lens, but I don't miss the weight... or that double lens hood. But the IQ seems equal and the AF speed was never a problem either. Just a top lens all round, still.

I must admit to carrying both lenses over my shoulder countless times on a Gitzo 5 series monopod or tripod (with Wimberley II gimbal head) and have had no damage to lens mounts on my D4, D5 and TC1.4III. (I've never really needed my TC2.0III on it and don't want the, even fairly, small degradation!). I hope my luck continues, but I bought them for a tough life and the f4/g certainly never let me down.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

 

[CanadianPhotog]

Hi Nick,

I sold mine a year ago as well and bought the new version when it arrived in Canada. The new one-piece lens hood is better, and the tripod foot/mount work well with a basic RRS Arca Swiss plate. I love the lighter weight. IQ is same, focus speed for panning and shooting raptors is better, though the old one great. The D5 and D500 push this one faster than the D4S.

Here is a shot from a burst of a juvenile bald eagle, in Algonquin Park,

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/25450951880/in/album-72157647311986076/

 

[larrywilson]

I had one for 4 years until I swapped it out (only to my son) for the lighter 600 f4E FL earlier this month. Superb lens, but I don't miss the weight... or that double lens hood. But the IQ seems equal and the AF speed was never a problem either. Just a top lens all round, still.

I must admit to carrying both lenses over my shoulder countless times on a Gitzo 5 series monopod or tripod (with Wimberley II gimbal head) and have had no damage to lens mounts on my D4, D5 and TC1.4III. (I've never really needed my TC2.0III on it and don't want the, even fairly, small degradation!). I hope my luck continues, but I bought them for a tough life and the f4/g certainly never let me down.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

 

[CanadianPhotog]

I had one for 4 years until I swapped it out (only to my son) for the lighter 600 f4E FL earlier this month. Superb lens, but I don't miss the weight... or that double lens hood. But the IQ seems equal and the AF speed was never a problem either. Just a top lens all round, still.

I must admit to carrying both lenses over my shoulder countless times on a Gitzo 5 series monopod or tripod (with Wimberley II gimbal head) and have had no damage to lens mounts on my D4, D5 and TC1.4III. (I've never really needed my TC2.0III on it and don't want the, even fairly, small degradation!). I hope my luck continues, but I bought them for a tough life and the f4/g certainly never let me down.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

 

[Nick Edwards]

Ah right; the new one is worth having isn't it?!

A fantastic photo; very well done. Mine is used for birding, but earns its keep on shorelines, headlands, boats and even helicopters for commercial lifeboat and coastguard photography, often in very poor weather and equally poor light. Hence the hard life on a D5 nowadays (although the D4 backup is still no slouch, as you will know).

For birding, what do you think of the D500 v D5? Obviously there's the DX reach without need for a TC, but does the D5 AF have the edge with its dedicated AF processor?

I'm very happy with the D5 for BIF (mostly using 3D AF set as standard, with Group AF + AF ON immediately selectable on the push of the joystick), but am wondering whether to add a D500. I suppose another thing at the back of my mind is whether a fixed effective 900mm is ever too long for some of my birding. At least the addition of a 1.4 TC on the FX 600 gives the choice of 600 or 840. A nice problem to research!

 

[larrywilson]

I had one for 4 years until I swapped it out (only to my son) for the lighter 600 f4E FL earlier this month. Superb lens, but I don't miss the weight... or that double lens hood. But the IQ seems equal and the AF speed was never a problem either. Just a top lens all round, still.

I must admit to carrying both lenses over my shoulder countless times on a Gitzo 5 series monopod or tripod (with Wimberley II gimbal head) and have had no damage to lens mounts on my D4, D5 and TC1.4III. (I've never really needed my TC2.0III on it and don't want the, even fairly, small degradation!). I hope my luck continues, but I bought them for a tough life and the f4/g certainly never let me down.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

 

[CanadianPhotog]

Nick, I do not find the D5's focus system that much better than the D4S, which was fast. I do love the extra pixels! The auto AF Fine Tune does not really work on the D5 nor the D500, I took both in to Nikon in Mississauga, booked an appointment, the conclusion was it was 'hit and miss', it doesn't matter to me, I'm okay fine tuning AF manually.

I believe the D5 and D500 both use the same AF system and X Speed processor. The D5 has larger pixels so low light is better and DR holds a bit longer as ISO goes up.

I'm starting to shoot more wildlife in manual focus, the frame rate tops out nicely as the AF function is not slowing it. Usually I can watch a target location, figure out my f stop, ISO and speed, then set the focus, test a couple of shots.

Re D5 versus D500 on the 600mm with or without the TC... well I try to shoot with the D5 and 600mm straight as my first choice, then jump to the D500, then alternate the TC as needed.

Adding the TC to the either camera body will slow the AF enough to bug me, I miss shots in mediocre light, and it can jump to a background trees quickly and then wander around. Wildlife photography is not easy, you need to wring every last nickel out of your kit to make that image and have to preplan the likely shot as much as possible.

Here is a shot of the D500 on the 600mm, some cropping, I got an amazing sequence, light was fine and the camera tracked well for much of it.

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/26886005446/in/album-72157635069092270/

here is one from the D5 with 1.4X TC III on the 600mm f4E, similar scenario

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/26353759880/in/album-72157635069092270/

Both cameras work well

 

[CanadianPhotog]

Ultimately we carry the lens by the tripod foot, whether by hand or the tripod foot connected to a monopod or tripod.

I think the lens mounts are fine, I'd rather buy a lens mount ring than a new camera body or lens. Now that I am aware, I'm more careful, I still do my thing with a bit more awareness. The repair costs were manageable and smartened me up. I feel the design is reasonable.

 

[Nick Edwards]

Nick, I do not find the D5's focus system that much better than the D4S, which was fast. I do love the extra pixels! The auto AF Fine Tune does not really work on the D5 nor the D500, I took both in to Nikon in Mississauga, booked an appointment, the conclusion was it was 'hit and miss', it doesn't matter to me, I'm okay fine tuning AF manually.

I believe the D5 and D500 both use the same AF system and X Speed processor. The D5 has larger pixels so low light is better and DR holds a bit longer as ISO goes up.

I'm starting to shoot more wildlife in manual focus, the frame rate tops out nicely as the AF function is not slowing it. Usually I can watch a target location, figure out my f stop, ISO and speed, then set the focus, test a couple of shots.

Re D5 versus D500 on the 600mm with or without the TC... well I try to shoot with the D5 and 600mm straight as my first choice, then jump to the D500, then alternate the TC as needed.

Adding the TC to the either camera body will slow the AF enough to bug me, I miss shots in mediocre light, and it can jump to a background trees quickly and then wander around. Wildlife photography is not easy, you need to wring every last nickel out of your kit to make that image and have to preplan the likely shot as much as possible.

Here is a shot of the D500 on the 600mm, some cropping, I got an amazing sequence, light was fine and the camera tracked well for much of it.

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/26886005446/in/album-72157635069092270/

here is one from the D5 with 1.4X TC III on the 600mm f4E, similar scenario

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/26353759880/in/album-72157635069092270/

Both cameras work well

--
Cheers,
Bruce

Thanks again Bruce,

I must admit that I've never tried the auto fine tune; the reports of its success were so poor, I just use the old method.

Very interested in your D500 (and 4S) comparisons; just what I was after, thanks. As I understand it, the D5 has more AF processing power than the D500, but as you say, both use the same algorithms. I may be wrong though!

Interesting thst you are using manual focus (and very effectively, as your pictures amply prove!). I do often start the right "zone" off in A/D manual over-ride, but then hand over to AF. I'm pretty happy with using 3D and group much of the time (depending on the characteristics of the subject. The discrimination of colour in 3D is mighty powerful if it can be exploited by enough subject / background difference. Getting the point on the subject in the first place. to start tracking, is the difficult bit, of course! Especially with small birds!

Certanly I'm trying to use the 600 straight, without the 1.4TC, but I'm not generally getting close enough to my "photo prey" yet. With birds, I'm primarily a birder for 40++ years and have come into the long lens photography from my commercial marine work. I carried a telescope all that time, primarily for seawatching (I was brought up at a migration bird observatory!) so stalking and getting in close is something quite new for me. I'm getting there slowly!

Yours are brilliant photos. I've nothing close, but I will attach a very recent kingfisher dive sequence, which was a bit of fun, using the 600 f4E and TC1.4III (and 3D AF)... and the motor drive of the D5. Unfortunately, the splash and fish recovery was behind a dead tree in the lagoon. Next time!









--
A l'eau, c'est l'heure

 

[CanadianPhotog]

Brilliant shot Nick, I love it!

I have a pile of missed shots, out of focus shots, and tail end views of my intended target, bird-butt or bear-butt. I only need 1 or 2 decent shots to make my outing a personal success. Here are a few opportunistic shots that worked, some days it is more quantity and luck, or as Ansel Adams said, f8 and be there.

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/18652520129/in/album-72157654171272128/

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/18195674474/in/album-72157654171272128/

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/18197606093/in/album-72157654171272128/

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/18381408584/in/album-72157654171272128/

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/19930485933/in/album-72157654171272128/

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/18977732436/in/album-72157654171272128/

 

[Nick Edwards]

Thanks Bruce; yours are, again, ones to aspire to!

I must put more of my wildlife on Flickr. As you say, it doesn't take many to make an outing very worthwhile!

 

[4mpx]

Optical results are stunning, very fast focus from a pro body D4 or D4S, the stock tripod mount is too flexible for the weight of the lens and camera, I replaced that with an RRS plate,

Agreed with its optical quality and the stock tripod mount. I replaced mine with Arca Swiss style Wimberly.

the two piece lens hood fell apart, one ring was not properly fastened to the carbon fibre tube, really annoying for the price you pay, had to wait two weeks to get Nikon to fix it, which involved someone adding more adhesive which was visible.

I've been using mine for 8 years now, mainly for birds and outdoor sports. The two piece hood is fine for me as I don't seperate them in general. For birding (generally the sun is behind me), one piece of hood is more than enough to protect the lens.

I strongly recommend a carry bag like the Lens Trekker AW to protect this lens, I DO NOT recommend carrying with a heavy body attached, the lens is heavy, so is a D4/S and the lens mount ring will warp easily, ruining focus requiring a trip to Nikon for repair.

In 8 years time, I've never had issues when carrying my 600/4G attached to my D2 series and D4s. I often lift the lens from the ground by using the camera body. However, when I use the lens on monopod or tripod, I always make sure I rotate the lens from horizontal to vertical (or vice versa) by using the hood instead of the camera body.

Optical quality is superb, using it with the TC 1.4 III yield great results, even with a D810.

On the 36mpix sensor, the results are still stunning wide open with a 2x TC attached to the lens. From time to time, I even mount two teleconverters (x1.7&x2 or x2&x2) on this 600mm and the IQ is still more than acceptable.

Supporting this lens and camera requires a very robust tripod and gimbal, after some experimenting I ordered the Really Right Stuff TVC-34L and PG-02 FG full gimbal with quick release, you do not want to be twiddling small knobs while holding the camera and lens in place. Added a Lenscoat for some thermal (for winter) and bump protection, and camo.

Agreed, you will need a machine gun style tripod & head: :-D

 

[lickity split]

Optical results are stunning, very fast focus from a pro body D4 or D4S, the stock tripod mount is too flexible for the weight of the lens and camera, I replaced that with an RRS plate,

Agreed with its optical quality and the stock tripod mount. I replaced mine with Arca Swiss style Wimberly.

the two piece lens hood fell apart, one ring was not properly fastened to the carbon fibre tube, really annoying for the price you pay, had to wait two weeks to get Nikon to fix it, which involved someone adding more adhesive which was visible.

I've been using mine for 8 years now, mainly for birds and outdoor sports. The two piece hood is fine for me as I don't seperate them in general. For birding (generally the sun is behind me), one piece of hood is more than enough to protect the lens.

I strongly recommend a carry bag like the Lens Trekker AW to protect this lens, I DO NOT recommend carrying with a heavy body attached, the lens is heavy, so is a D4/S and the lens mount ring will warp easily, ruining focus requiring a trip to Nikon for repair.

In 8 years time, I've never had issues when carrying my 600/4G attached to my D2 series and D4s. I often lift the lens from the ground by using the camera body. However, when I use the lens on monopod or tripod, I always make sure I rotate the lens from horizontal to vertical (or vice versa) by using the hood instead of the camera body.

Optical quality is superb, using it with the TC 1.4 III yield great results, even with a D810.

On the 36mpix sensor, the results are still stunning wide open with a 2x TC attached to the lens. From time to time, I even mount two teleconverters (x1.7&x2 or x2&x2) on this 600mm and the IQ is still more than acceptable.

Supporting this lens and camera requires a very robust tripod and gimbal, after some experimenting I ordered the Really Right Stuff TVC-34L and PG-02 FG full gimbal with quick release, you do not want to be twiddling small knobs while holding the camera and lens in place. Added a Lenscoat for some thermal (for winter) and bump protection, and camo.

Agreed, you will need a machine gun style tripod & head: :-D

Wow it should be a requirement that you be dressed in full camo with grease paint on your face to sit behind that set-up.. :-D

--

Lickity Split | Flickr

www.flickr.com

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

Hi Nick,

I sold mine a year ago as well and bought the new version when it arrived in Canada. The new one-piece lens hood is better, and the tripod foot/mount work well with a basic RRS Arca Swiss plate. I love the lighter weight. IQ is same, focus speed for panning and shooting raptors is better, though the old one great. The D5 and D500 push this one faster than the D4S.

Here is a shot from a burst of a juvenile bald eagle, in Algonquin Park,

www.flickr.com/photos/brcolman/25450951880/in/album-72157647311986076/

Sweet shot, Bruce!

Was 50 years since I visted Algonquin Park!

 

[CanadianPhotog]

Thanks Tord, I am fortunate enough to be two hours away from the edge of the park. Regarding the shot, an element of luck is involved, track and shoot as much as possible. The major challenge is the cold, sitting in a blind for 8 hours at -30c is part of it, I have to put thermal packs on the cameras and lenses, this year I am bringing a small propane heater.

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

Thanks Tord, I am fortunate enough to be two hours away from the edge of the park. Regarding the shot, an element of luck is involved, track and shoot as much as possible. The major challenge is the cold, sitting in a blind for 8 hours at -30c is part of it, I have to put thermal packs on the cameras and lenses, this year I am bringing a small propane heater.

That's perserverance!