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Super Telephoto Lens Conversation

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  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    Lots of great areas for early morning photos in the Bad Lands. For later in the day don't forget the polarizer filter. If you want some specific pull offs, let me know.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
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  • PistnbrokePistnbroke Posts: 2,444Member
    Do any of you use flash for your birds with a magnifier ? Just playing about with one at present .any advice?
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  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    edited September 2016
    I just got the MagMod MagBeam and it's pretty impressive. Check out their site. I'll try to snap a few photos with it and post.

    Just search MagBeam on youtube.
    Post edited by autofocus on
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  • PistnbrokePistnbroke Posts: 2,444Member
    edited September 2016
    I have the Better Beamer FX6 intended for the N 910 flash but its a perfect fit on the Yongnuo 565..I use a cable tie rather than the Velcro strap to secure it.I have tested it at 150 mm at night to see it its on target.I wonder if its a good idea to line it with some plastic mirror I have ??? Some home made ones on the web have reflective surfaces over the entire inside???? I suspect setting the flash at 105mm rather than 24 would be an advantage ??? I intend to mount it with an extension lead onto the foot of the Tamron 150-600 so is at the side of the lens as most of the hides I use have letter box shape openings and it wont go through if top mounted.
    I wonder if it will scare the birds and they will take off but that could be an advantage !!
    Any information welcome.
    Post edited by Pistnbroke on
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  • heartyfisherheartyfisher Posts: 3,186Member
    edited September 2016
    Dont think flashes from 15-30 meters away scare birds... The birds i shot didnt scare ... doubt adding Beamers would make much difference ...
    Post edited by heartyfisher on
    Moments of Light - D610 D7K S5pro 70-200f4 18-200 150f2.8 12-24 18-70 35-70f2.8 : C&C very welcome!
    Being a photographer is a lot like being a Christian: Some people look at you funny but do not see the amazing beauty all around them - heartyfisher.

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  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    edited October 2016
    Question for the group here. I've been looking at 500 and 600mm prime lenses. Watching eBay and there have been a few decent deals go by. So here's the question. Is there a major difference between the Nikon 500mm f/4 Mk I and Mk II? How does the "G" version stack up against them? I'm also considering the 600mm f/4 also. I know it weighs significantly more but I expect I'll shoot mostly from a tripod anyway. Any experience you can share will help me figure out which direction I'll go. Thanks in advance...
    For ref: I have the 200mm f/2 and an 80-400mm (new).
    Post edited by autofocus on
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  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    Msmoto and some others should be able to provide some guidance to autofocus. Interested in seeing the replies.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
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  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    Okay, 500 or 600mm?
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  • IronheartIronheart Posts: 3,017Moderator
    edited October 2016
    What body? What subject and distance?
    Post edited by Ironheart on
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  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    D4, D5, D810, D500, all distances, all subjects. Tripod or monopod mounted. Don't care about weight. Looking for everyones personal experience and I"ll use that to make a choice. Leaning toward the 600mm but could be convinced otherwise.
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  • heartyfisherheartyfisher Posts: 3,186Member
    edited October 2016
    I have a feeling that there is a 500 PF in nikon's labs at the moment :-) .. next year ? more likely a 450 f5.6 :-) imagine that about the same physical size as the current 300 F4 :-)
    Post edited by heartyfisher on
    Moments of Light - D610 D7K S5pro 70-200f4 18-200 150f2.8 12-24 18-70 35-70f2.8 : C&C very welcome!
    Being a photographer is a lot like being a Christian: Some people look at you funny but do not see the amazing beauty all around them - heartyfisher.

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  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    Well now I'm leaning towards the 400mm f/2.8 That, TC17, D500 = about 1000mm @f/4. Not to mention all the other configurations from 400-1000mm.
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  • DenverShooterDenverShooter Posts: 416Member
    The 400mm F/2.8 is a rocking lens. Loved mine. Made amazing pictures.

    Denver Shooter
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  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    autofocus - the 400mm 2.8 + TC1.7 would be crazy. I have used my 300mm with TC1.4 and TC1.7 and wow what a nice range and really nice images.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
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  • BesoBeso Posts: 464Member
    autofocus said:

    Well now I'm leaning towards the 400mm f/2.8 That, TC17, D500 = about 1000mm @f/4. Not to mention all the other configurations from 400-1000mm.

    @autofocus - I have the 400mm f/2.8E and it is a great lens. Light enough to be handheld for brief periods but even better on a tripod. If you can get by with a TC to get the extra reach you need I highly recommend it. The D5/400 combination is great for sports and the D810/400 works well for very detailed wildlife images.
    Occasionally a decent image ...
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  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    @Beso which version do you have. I've been stalking the D and G model on eBay. If I can find a "G" model in my price range I'll be tempted to pull the trigger. FL is just out of the question right now.
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  • BesoBeso Posts: 464Member
    @autofocus I have the E version, the one with the fluorite elements and fluorine coating. It is substantially lighter than the previous version. The G should be every bit as good albeit a bit heavier.
    Occasionally a decent image ...
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  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    I think I heard 400/2.8. And, I will be trying this out eventually, with the TC-20EIII on the D500....but I am sometimes not so fast about getting things done....LOL
    Msmoto, mod
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  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    Msmoto said:

    I think I heard 400/2.8. And, I will be trying this out eventually, with the TC-20EIII on the D500....but I am sometimes not so fast about getting things done....LOL

    Curious to see what you find Msmoto. I know the 200/f2 and TC-17 is fantastic. I've been looking at the 400mm f/2.8.

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  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    edited October 2016
    If I can do the AF fine tune in the next few weeks, I will be using this combination for birds....potentially. As many of the shot on the D800 with the 400/2.8 plus TC-20EIII have been outstanding IMO, I suspect the D500 should be at least as crisp if not more so, provided I use ISO's below about 3200.

    The 400/2.8 is a phenomenally sharp lens as is all of the big Nikkors...and as DenverShooter can attest the 800/5.6 is even better.
    Post edited by Msmoto on
    Msmoto, mod
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  • autofocusautofocus Posts: 625Member
    Well I just picked up an older model Gitzo G1548 Carbon Fiber tripod with Wimberley Mk II gimbal for $870. Good buy or.... Loosely tied to this thread but a significant part of the Super telephoto conversation.
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  • DenverShooterDenverShooter Posts: 416Member
    I use the Gitzo GT5541LS with the Wimberley MKII. Its a solid performer with the biggest lenses I have..

    Denver Shooter
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  • WestEndFotoWestEndFoto Posts: 3,745Member
    I have that head with a GT5541LS. All I need is a large lens.
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  • DenverShooterDenverShooter Posts: 416Member
    WestEndFoto said:

    I have that head with a GT5541LS. All I need is a large lens.

    Once you get the "large lens" you will need Sherpa to haul it around. I purchased a used Jogging Stroller to haul the "large Lenses" and the Tripod and that saved my back and made for a much happier experience shooting with them.

    Denver Shooter
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  • WestEndFotoWestEndFoto Posts: 3,745Member
    I have been exercising my Sherpa muscles with an 800 f/8 AIS which is a tonne compared to the 400 2.8E that I have been leaning towards. The images on the 800 are mediocre as I think it requires a servicing. I have also been shooting a 400 f5.6 AIS which is quite sharp.

    All this to say, this experience plus advice from Thom, has led me to believe that the new 400 2.8E plus a 200 2.0E when it comes out, is the way to go. It will supplement my portrait set and be a very good wildlife set as long as I am not fixated on little birdies.

    I would be curious what other owners of superteles think of this.
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