Nikon 200-500mm Zoom lens

[DeanoH]

Christmas has come early to our home but Kaye doesn't know it yet. ;)

Nikon has recently released the Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f5.5E ED VR zoom lens and I snuck off and bought one the other day trading in our old 80-400 AF (not S) VR lens.

This lens is not compatible with D70, 80, 90 etc (which we have) as the electronic shutter won't work and you're stuck on f5.6 but AF etc all OK. Not the end of the world but limiting. The good news is that this lens works with D3100on, D5000on and D7000on. It also works with full frames D700 and newer and D300on.

I also bought a mint second hand D300 with only 1427 shutter actuations to fit it to which I reckon was a bargain at around $300.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/612.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/Nikkor%20200-500_zpseqy2ddpk.jpg.html)

This camera lens combo really pushes the 'hand held' mode to the limit.

The lens camera combo weighs in at just under 3.5 Kg and fully extended it's bang on 500mm long. :o I reckon we'll be dusting off the monopod / tripod with this combo.

Just to prove the 200-500 works on the D70 here's a couple of shots.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/613.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6012_800X532_zpso6gnbzov.jpg.html)

D70, 1/640, f5.6, ISO200, 200-500mm @ 200mm.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/614.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6015_800X532_zpsih88hwwj.jpg.html)

D70, 1/200, f5.6, ISO200, 200-500mm @ 500mm

I haven't been able to give the lens much of a try out as SWMBO went crook last year that i told her what her/our present was beforehand so this year I'm keeping it quiet. :D

I managed to get a couple of shots off today, terrible weather, overcast and blowy with a hint of rain but here you go. No PP on either shot.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/615.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6198_detail_zpsouuyyzlz.jpg.html)

Full size crop
D300, 1/500, f8.5, ISO400, 200-500 @ 500mm


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/616.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6220as_1000X750_zpsnt2dcefy.jpg.html)

Re-sized (down) crop
D300, 1/400, f6.3, ISO400, 200-500mm @ 500mm

So far so good and at just under $2K IMO this lens is cheap. Only time will tell if it's as good as I reckon. More pics when able .

Deano :):):)

[incisor]

NOICE!

[dullbird]

Nice!! You have sold me I want one!! I believe it is an FX lense too isnt it.

Good write up to Deano well done.

Your gunna have oodels of fun with that!![emoji4]

[DeanoH]

Yes DB it is most definitely an FX lens so on the D300 the effective range is 300 - 750mm :) which is very useful for our avian photography in particular.

I find it amazing how normal it has become with the advent of VR to use slow shutter speeds on long lenses. Once upon a time with anything over 130mm it was 1/1000th of a second or faster if you were good enough to use the lens hand held and definitely use a tripod over 300mm. Now it's normal to take hand held shots with 500mm at 1/200 second and still get good results. I reckon VR has revolutionised the use of zoom lenses such as this.

It's very easy to think you're a better photographer than you really are with this lens, turning the VR off soon brings you back to ground though.


Deano :)

[dullbird]

I thought the 300 was Fx not Dx you only get that effective range on a Dx body I thought unless you were using an FX body that gave you the ability to run crop sensor size by selection

[DeanoH]

The D300 was a bit of a one off for Nikon, or 2 off if you count the D300s which is basically a D300 that can take movies.

The D300 is probably best described as a professional (full frame) camera body but with a DX crop sensor CCD. So essentially a professional DXcamera. I reckon there would be plenty of potential buyers out there for an upgrade D400 if Nikon ever decided to make one.

Canon did a similar one off and called it a D1 something but they used a one off cropped sensor somewhere between a normal cropped sensor and a full frame one, but again a one off.


Deano :)

[Bytemrk]

Nice one Dean!...

I had a play with one at the Digital show recently and its definitely on my wish list..... nice piece of glass at an impressive price for what it is.

[Bytemrk]

Well seems you pushed me over the edge Dean....:angel:

I found one locally at a nice price and decided the only person that was likely to buy me one for Christmas was me :p

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/195.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/196.jpg


Now I need to work on my technique.... particularly birds in flight. Trouble with 500mm is tracking.... there seems to be a lot less frame to fit a bigger bird in! :D:D

[dullbird]

Good photos. Whats this taken on mark dont you have the 750 and the 7000 or am i thinking of someone else.

You got any more to share Deano?

[Bytemrk]

No you are right I have a D750 and D7000.

Someone might have upgraded the D7000 too :angel:

The Heron D7200 200-500@450 f/5.6 1/1250 ISO500

The Cockie: D7200 200-500@240 f/5.6 1/5000 ISO800

[incisor]

if i shelled out for one of those lenses i would be like the cocky... on the wing...

nice shots mark!

[Bytemrk]

Don't forget I only own ONE Land Rover Dave .. :D

[dullbird]

No you are right I have a D750 and D7000.



Someone might have upgraded the D7000 too :angel:



The Heron D7200 200-500@450 f/5.6 1/1250 ISO500



The Cockie: D7200 200-500@240 f/5.6 1/5000 ISO800


Someone has too much money [emoji41]

The only lens i don't have now and need to look at getting is a Landscape lens. So will probably have to sell the Tokina to help fund it (although cant imagine its worth much) as seems pointless having a Dx lense for landscape on the 7100 when i now have the full frame and thats kind of the point of having Fx.

So my dreams of the 200-500 will now have to be put on hold

[Bytemrk]

Someone has too much money [emoji41]



Hahaha... not any more :angel:

A little bonus from work helped :D

[incisor]

Don't forget I only own ONE Land Rover Dave .. :D

am heading in that direction myself i think...

[DeanoH]

You got any more to share Deano?

Yep.

Here's a couple of feathered friends

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/183.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6443as_800X533_zpsmxxboejy.jpg.html)

D300, Nikkor 200-500 @ 460mm, 1/500, f5.6, ISO800

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/184.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6464as_800X800_zpshz0ycvnv.jpg.html)

D300, Nikkor 200-500 @ 460mm, 1/400, f8, ISO800

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/185.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6258as_800X800_zpsoyrf7zji.jpg.html)

D300, Nikkor 200-500 @ 400mm, 1/580, f5.6, ISO200

Great detail on the King Parrot, taken from about 3 metres, but absolutely appalling red resolution from the D300, I'd forgotten how bad it is with this model and a major fail :(



Deano :)

[dullbird]

Pfft nothing that cant be fixed In Lightroom Deano. Great shots i have to say. Will def look at getting this lens one day. Keep the pics coming as it will keep my dream alive!!

[DeanoH]

Pfft nothing that cant be fixed In Lightroom Deano. .................................................. ..

I don't think it's that simple really. Grossly over saturated reds with any hint of a highlight 'burnt out'. If there was a simple fix I reckon it would have been done by now. I don't think this is an issue with the D300s only the original D300 so my 'guess' is a dud CCD. It kind of reminds me of looking at an old American NTSC (Never Twice the Same Colour to us old technicians) TV.

But enough of my whingeing, here's a couple of close ups taken today using Kaye's D90 so they're all wide open at f5.6 (wafer thin depth of field) and JPEG's because I forgot to take NEF's :(:wasntme:

Female King Parrrot

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/158.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_1069as_800X800_zpsocwybxh8.jpg.html)

D90, f5.6, 1/160, ISO400, 460mm


Male King Parrot showing his 'true colours'

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/159.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_1072as_800X800_zpsyobmyuog.jpg.html)

D90, f5.6, 1/125, ISO400, 460mm


Cocky Detail

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/160.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_1117as2_533X800_zpshczybtd9.jpg.html)

D90, f5.6, 1/500, ISO400, 380mm

Deano :)

[Bytemrk]

Oh wow .... Nice work Dean.

[dullbird]

Yeah nice pictures!

But you will be able to fix the colour of that king parrot in lightroom if you have it Deano.

Just a matter of targeting that red on the HSL slider and adjusting its hue and luminosity

[DeanoH]

Thanks DB, I've got an early ver 2 of Lightroom somewhere but it's probably too old now (a bit like me ;)) so it's probably a good time to upgrade. I've been using ACDSee 5 but I reckon I need something to handle the NEF's better. I tried Nikons NX2 a while ago but found it nearly impossible to fathom, great program but totally non intuitive.

Here's a couple of shots from this morning whilst having breakfast.

Magpie also having breakfast right outside the door.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/126.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6521as_zps9ji93sbz.jpg.html)


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/127.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6522as2_800X800_zpskgyahzuw.jpg.html)

both photos D300, 1/1250, f8, ISO800, 500mm

then a couple of Crimson Rosellas came along and started to chew on the deck

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/128.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6550as2_800X800_zpsfwbai6yr.jpg.html)

D300, 1/1250, f8, ISO800, 450mm

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/129.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_6565as_800X800_zpshrnwndfs.jpg.html)

D300, 1/800, f8, ISO800, 450mm

Very happy with this lens so far. Although it's a bit heavier and larger than our old AF 80-400 VR it's a much better piece of glass though may be a bit harder to focus on moving objects which I haven't really tried yet. The VR is brilliant. I definitely need more pixels for cropping so a new camera will be required soon. Reasonably good D7000's are quite cheap now so may be a starting point but ultimately FF is the dream. I wonder how much I can get for the kids...................hmmm. :wasntme:
How 's it going with yours Mark ?


Deano :)

So far so good DB, you'll just have to get one.

[dullbird]

Deano lightroom gas come a long long way. I have lightroom 5 bought it for $180 you can now spend 10bux a month and get lightroom CC and photoshop on your computer. I have been considering getting this for a long but because i bought a disc version of Lightroom not lkng before it was released i couldnt justify it.
having Lightroom is the ultimate amateur photographers tool. Highly recommend you get it you wont look back it will only enhance what your doing so well at already :)

[incisor]

topaz denoise is a great bit of software for the money if you do go with lightroom.

[dullbird]

What i love about lightroom is being able to export directly to photobucket and flickr. Makes sharing photos so easy.

I ise jeffery fylds (spelt last name wrong) plug ins they are awesome and the guy is unbelievably helpful if any bugs crop up.

[33chinacars]

I'm jealous. Would go well with my D300

[Bytemrk]

While I haven't used it anywhere near as much as I want to, so far really happy with this.

I haven't had a chance to use it in really good light, yet it still produces images I am happy with.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/681.jpg

Taken @ 500mm ISO1250 f/7.1 and a horrible slow 1/60 sec handheld...... sure can't complain about the VR ( I know my hands are not that steady :p )

[dullbird]

Can you lot stop it!! Im trying to save up to buy my mum a plane ticket to come and see me and you blokes really arn't helping me in that quest

[incisor]

about time we banned talk about anything bigger than 300mm :wasntme:

boy could i have used one of these 500mm thingimajigs over the last few days

no matter how hard i tried i could creep up close enough to most of what i wanted to photograph...

oh well....

[DeanoH]

No worries Inc., how about one of these.

Nikon Australia - AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR - (http://www.nikon.com.au/en_AU/product/nikkor-lenses/fx-format/single-focal-length/telephoto/af-s-nikkor-300mm-f-4e-pf-ed-vr)

This was to be my second choice and should be an outstanding lightweight hand held 'birding' lens.

Good reviews and an amazing 0.75 Kg. Nikons first 300mm VR so 300mm on full frame, 450mm effective on your D90/D7000 or 600mm effective on the D7100's unusual cropped cropped 16 Mpixel mode. Even closer if using a teleconverter so a very lightweight and useful lens if it's as good as it's cracked up to be. But at AUD2500+ :eek: it ought to be.

Don't be too hard on yourself Inc, I reckon that shot you posted of the Magpie was pretty good. Getting the exposure right on black and white birds is very difficult to achieve.

.............. no matter how hard i tried i could creep up close enough to most of what i wanted to photograph .................

It's a hell of a lot easier to prop quietly in a chair on the side of a creek with a good book and 'refreshment' than to clamor through the brambles frightening everything away. :) Oddly enough it took me a fair while to work this out :confused:


Deano :)

[DeanoH]

oops

[dullbird]

I agree when i took that recent bird photo while on holiday i literally sat in a chair at the side of the river with a can of coke and just enjoyed the scenery the birds soon realise that your not moving much and get closer and closer and behave more and more natural enabling better shots.

[incisor]

i was doing that to a degree but had a heap of chores i had to be doing all the while :p

[Bytemrk]

I think a few of us have this lens now and I've grow to love it for birds.... the VR is outstanding and even though it's not light to lug around, it never seems to fail me - always delivering one or two nice shots... no matter how bad my technique!

In the next few days I'll post some i'm really happy with from a shoot this afternoon.... but I had to show you this!

This thing just does stuff I never expected.. Hand held..@ 500mm...... butterfly on the ground about 2.5-3.0 metres in front of me:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/12/1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QbJKpY)

Who needs a macro lens when you got this this thing!!:D:D:D:D

Happy new year everyone!

[incisor]

Some people.......

[Bytemrk]

Who ..me ?.... :D

Happy new year mate.. hope 2017 treats you and yours well....;)

[Bytemrk]

Now to continue my rave about this lens....

Again all hand held.... I noticed some bugs or something going in and out of a hollow way up in a gum tree. First shot is that hollow hand held at 500mm ( Pretty boring shot I know.. but stay with me..)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/1115.jpg

Taking a 1:1 crop of this shot:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/1116.jpg

Both shots straight out of camera Raw files - simply converted to jpg with no other changes. - I'm stunned by both the resolving power and how good the VR is on this lens - I do not hand hold that steady... particularly a @ 500mm.

Now for a few pretty shots :

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/1117.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QwLn5W)
Crested Pigeon (https://flic.kr/p/QwLn5W)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/1118.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QGyNRy)
Rainbow Lorikeet (https://flic.kr/p/QGyNRy)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/1119.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QzAyoD)
Pair of Kookaburras laughing together (https://flic.kr/p/QzAyoD)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/1120.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QGAyG7)
Common Bronzewing (https://flic.kr/p/QGAyG7)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/1121.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QzBFoD)
Noisey Miner (https://flic.kr/p/QzBFoD)

[dullbird]

Lovely photos Mark. I have taken but one photo with mine and it was a sulpha and have to say while it wasnt a great shot for composition it was cracking for detail and sharpness at such a long length

[Bytemrk]

Thanks Lou, It gets a bit heavy to lug around.....but you have to go play with it... the more I use it the happier I am with the purchase :D

[DeanoH]

Found 2 pair of these down the scrub end of the block whilst cleaning up prior to slashing. The males were down low in the branches at about head height and weren't in the least bit concerned with my presence. The females however were higher up and quite difficult to spot.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/672.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Nikon%20200-500mm/DSC_7640as_zps811ebiky.jpg.html)

Gang-gang Cockatoo (male)

D7000
200-500mm @ 460mm
1/320, f5.6, ISO 800

Deano :)

[Chrisdalton]

PM me if you need anything, ;) I can help out. :D