OwlsEyes wrote:
The refurb Sigma's have been far and few between. I have seen only one for sale in the year or so that I have been looking... in fact, you might have pressed purchase about 10 minutes before me.
I had my eyes on that lens for the better part of year and decided to wait out the 500mm PF when I saw a used one appear on the buy-sell board. While I am sure that I will miss the f/4 aperture on occasion, I am now thinking about buying a used D5 from the proceeds of the inevitable sale of my 200-400VR and just bump of the ISO when I need the light. Alternatively, if the Z6 + F-mount Adapter turns out to be a winner, this could become a great high ISO wildlife cameras... 24mp and 11fps... not a bad option. ...Show more →
I thought they might have been relatively frequent, because I think someone on here got one like a week after I did. But I know I was watching for a 14mm f/1.8 for a while, and those are few and far between in f-mount, so I guess it makes sense that the 500mm would be even less common. In fact, that's what I was actually watching for when the 500mm showed up (on my birthday no less) and I bought that instead.
Agreed that the Z6 might be a great solution, according to Nikon the lenses should work just as well with that adapter that they do on the DSLR, but if the D5 comes down in price on the used market between the eventual D6 release and these new mirrorless guys, that's what I'm holding out for. My D500 for stills, will hold me over until that happens any way.
So many amazing options, definitely can't complain on that front!
ELinder wrote:
For some of us the 500/f4 lenses are not an option at any price due to their size and weight, so this lens is particularly interesting to me.
Erich
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Imagemaster wrote:
Yeah, and some people don't seem to grasp that concept. Whether one can handhold a 500 f4 or not, everyone can handhold and maneuver a 500 f5.6 lens easier.
Where this lens will no doubt beat the 200-500 is not only with lower weight, smaller size, probably better IQ, but will probably give much better results when used with a 1.4x TC.
And I definitely wouldn't want my 500mm f/4 comment to be implying that there isn't a place for this lens. For me personally, the much smaller and lighter 300 f/4 PF and a 500mm f/4 when I want it are a better pair of complementary lenses. That's not to say that this lens isn't right for other people, just not me. I still hope, as I mentioned on an earlier page, that this lens is a success for Nikon, because I want to see continued PF releases.
MTF Comparisons - the new PF looks phenomenal - better than the 500 f/4G, but not quite as good as the 500 f/4E wide open. It blows the 200-500 out of the water at 500mm wide open.
Like the price on the 500PF. I was thinking it was going to be $4000 or more. Over 1.5 lbs lighter and a inch or so shorter then the 200-500. This is going to be a great combo with the D500.
Comparing it to the 500/4 the amount of size, weight, and cost you save is rather impressive.
But...the 200-500/5.6 exists. Compared to that, you're trading an enormous amount of utility for a fairly good chunk less weight, a thoroughly uninspiring amount less size, and 160% more of your hard-earned money. What's the calculus there?
Lee Saxon wrote:
I'm not getting the enthusiasm about this one.
What's the calculus there?
Presumably, better IQ no matter the conditions and somewhat improved AF speed. The 200-500 falls flat unless there is good directionality to the light. Folks who can live without f/4 can save a bunch of money too.
Aug 23, 2018 at 01:26 PM
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Lee Saxon wrote:
I'm not getting the enthusiasm about this one.
Comparing it to the 500/4 the amount of size, weight, and cost you save is rather impressive.
But...the 200-500/5.6 exists. Compared to that, you're trading an enormous amount of utility for a fairly good chunk less weight, a thoroughly uninspiring amount less size, and 160% more of your hard-earned money. What's the calculus there?
Actually, image quality alone might warrant the 2.6x price increase. One can spend thousands on travelling specifically for wildlife and birds, so why compromise on lens performance? Based on Nikon's published MTF and their emphasis on resolution with 1.4x III teleconverter in the announcement it seems that 500/5.6 PF is in 500/4 performance group.
I wouldn't be surprised if 500/5.6 + 1.4x III wide open gives better IQ in frame periphery and edges than 200-500 zoom gives at 500 in central area even stopped down to f8. Combine that with presumably faster AF, lighter and shorter package and it's obvious why we are excited. I'd rather have a second body with 70-200/4 or 135/2.0 as a backup if versatility is so much needed.
This is great news. The price is fantastic. The MTF is clearly superior to the 200-500. The focus speed will be superior to the 200-500. The 4 buttons around the lens can be used to instantly bring the lens back to near focus for when it misses focus and starts to traverse the entire focus range.
This lens is going to be a birding monster -- the ultimate choice for lightweight & portable birding travel. Also for Birds In Flight this looks to be the best of all worlds.
bs kite wrote:
I believe it will show September to October 2018.
Made a mistake with my math in my thread on price and weight. This upcoming 500 will be 166% longer than the 300 PF. I simply will multiply the 300 PF's price of $2000 by 166% and come up with roughly $3300.
I will *guess* the new Nikon 500 5.6 PF will not be more than $3500 USD.
Imagemaster wrote:
Yeah, and some people don't seem to grasp that concept. Whether one can handhold a 500 f4 or not, everyone can handhold and maneuver a 500 f5.6 lens easier.
Where this lens will no doubt beat the 200-500 is not only with lower weight, smaller size, probably better IQ, but will probably give much better results when used with a 1.4x TC.
No doubt the 500 5.6 PF will be sharper than the 2-5.
And the 500 5.6 PF will be faster (AF) than the 200-500, but, no prime has the versatility of zoom. And zooms arrived a while ago. The 2-5 will always be more versatile than any prime.
I think the 500 5.6 PF will be a hit with wildlife photographers.......faster than the 2-5 and about as fast as the 2-5 with the 1.4. BUT....it is *not* a zoom.
With my 2-5, I am already at 500. So why would I buy the 500 5.6 PF?
I will continue to tolerate the 2-5’s slower AF and wait for the 600 5.6 PF Nikon. The 600 5.6 PF will be fast and sharp!
AvianScott wrote:
MTF Comparisons - the new PF looks phenomenal - better than the 500 f/4G, but not quite as good as the 500 f/4E wide open. It blows the 200-500 out of the water at 500mm wide open.
Hopefully this will silence all those who still claim that PF/DO lenses have second rate image quality; Nikon shows they can build excellent PF lenses at acceptable price. Let's hope for some competition from Canon or other companies to compensate the trend of ever larger and heavier lenses in the WA/normal range ;-)
Christian H wrote:
Presumably, better IQ no matter the conditions and somewhat improved AF speed. The 200-500 falls flat unless there is good directionality to the light. Folks who can live without f/4 can save a bunch of money too.
For me the lower weight and smaller size of these PF lenses means more keepers than with the heavy top level glass. For small and fast moving subjects being able to quickly point/move the camera is far more important than small improvements in IQ or AF speed, plus you are more likely to have such lenses with you because they are more comfortable to carry along.
In case you haven't seen it, this is Nikon's promo video. While it is a promo, thus biased, the photographer is an outdoor nature / adventure photographer (Kieth Ladzinski) and he is using the lens to photograph ospreys among other coastal birds. What I found most interesting is the purposeful use of backlit subjects with the inclusion of the sun. The backlighting illustrates a complete lack of fresnel bokeh... in fact, the bokeh looks quite pleasing.
I pre-ordered early yesterday, so I hope to have the lens when the first shipments go out... this is going to be a long 20 days or so!
OwlsEyes wrote:
In case you haven't seen it, this is Nikon's promo video. While it is a promo, thus biased, the photographer is an outdoor nature / adventure photographer (Kieth Ladzinski) and he is using the lens to photograph ospreys among other coastal birds. What I found most interesting is the purposeful use of backlit subjects with the inclusion of the sun. The backlighting illustrates a complete lack of fresnel bokeh... in fact, the bokeh looks quite pleasing.
I pre-ordered early yesterday, so I hope to have the lens when the first shipments go out... this is going to be a long 20 days or so!
technic wrote:
For me the lower weight and smaller size of these PF lenses means more keepers than with the heavy top level glass. For small and fast moving subjects being able to quickly point/move the camera is far more important than small improvements in IQ or AF speed, plus you are more likely to have such lenses with you because they are more comfortable to carry along.
I totally agree...using the 300PF and the 100-400GM over the past while I have come to appreciate the value of a lens that is easier to walk around with, easier to pan along with BIF, easier to hold up to your eye for many mins while waiting for those few seconds of interesting behaviour/action and so on and so forth....
On a trip last year to shoot owls in Vancouver there were two with 600II lenses on tripod most of the time, me with a 600II and a 300PF over the shoulder and the fourth guy with a 7D2/100-400II over his shoulder and no big lens/tripod to lug.....let me tell you the guy with the 7D2 managed to nail some of the very short lived action when a SEO and Northern Harrier went at it over a catch....I was setting down my tripod and had to waste a few seconds making sure it was stable on the uneven ground and then whipped up the 300PF and still missed the best shots. If I'd just been walking around with the 300PF I would probably have some more interesting shots....the two others with 600II/tripod weren't even close to being ready to capture the action.
Now having that at 500mm and even 700mm with 1.4TC is going to be a dream. I love shooting with the f/4 primes also and I am still eyeing the Sony 400/2.8 because it is so light but still it is nothing like the agility you get from a lens like the 500PF.....the overlays of the 500E and 200-500 I posted earlier are really telling in how small this thing is. I also like to be as inconspicuous as possible when out in public so not to draw attention to a huge lens and a lens like this is very helpful....using it without the hood when warranted makes it a very stealthy long lens.
