200-500f5.6 Priced Under $1,400: Are You Excited?

kanuck

+1 that's excellent info Ironheart thank you for passing that on here!

PB_PM

Oh Nikon, again? I'm glad I didn't place an order and stuck to my rule of give any new product at least 3-6 months on the market before buying.

CEBlueclouds

Ok...went to the Nikon service center in Richmond, uk.... Waited 20 mins and firmware updated...

CEBlueclouds

Oh and did it work before the update? Sure it did...cant notice any difference...but again not used it much yet

pictureted

My copy from B&H's first batch is fine. Wonderful lens, I'm extremely happy with it. It definitely lives up to my highest expectations.

Photobug

My copy from B&H's first batch is fine. Wonderful lens, I'm extremely happy with it. It definitely lives up to my highest expectations.

@pictureted - How long did you have to wait for the lens and when did you order it?

pictureted

As I recall I ordered on August 4th and they shipped 1st day - September 17th (although it felt more like the 19th before it moved far).

Photobug

Thanks @pictureted. That is not a long wait.

I see Best Buy had them in stock for a while but my money won't be available until 2016 for that lens. (

CEBlueclouds

So I took the lens out today for a spin...(green park area) very overcast day...not the best of conditions. I need to fine tune focus as lens not yet tack sharp.... all shots hand held...bcos of overcast conditions and f5.6, most shots with high ISO.

D800, 1/400, f5.6, ISO 720

CEBlueclouds

D800, 1/2000s, f5.6, 500mm, ISO 500

CEBlueclouds

D800, 1/640s, 200mm, f5.6, ISO 500

CEBlueclouds

D800, f5.6, 500mm, 1/2000s, ISO 500

CEBlueclouds

D800, 1/1000s, 500mm, ISO 2000, f5.6

CEBlueclouds

D800, 1/1000s, ISO 1250, 500mm, f5.6

CEBlueclouds

see link below to some more pictures
https://flic.kr/s/aHskmpfCJC

tc88

I have decided to return it. The first weekend I thought AF's not bad. But now I think about it, that's probably because I was tracking against clear sky.

The second weekend I thought AF's a little bit weired. I lost BIF tracking offen against background that's not sky, but also not that busy and pretty far away that I used to be able to track pretty reliably with 300 f/4 and Tamron in the past.

Then I read the service bulletin. So today I gave it a workout and it failed miserably. I was able to freeze the AF reliably in AFC mode when zooming. I thought it even froze a couple of times when not zooming. And I can tell it stopped focusing since AF motor stopped making any noise and shutter released even though I always use "focus priority" and nothing's in focus in the picture.

My serial # is in the 4xxx range. I debated about sending it in to Nikon to have firmware updated. But given the poor reputation of Nikon's US service centers, I decided not to take a chance. Who knows what kind of state it may come back in. If I want, I think I can always get it again later when the bugs are fixed.

tcole1983

Tc88 poor reputation? I sent my d5200 back under refurbished warranty. Went through everything tested, adjusted, and replaced parts. Got it back like new...I was happy.

retread

I sent my D5100 in after a fall that got the mirror stuck so it would not move. I had to wait for awhile for them to get parts. It took about two weeks to get estimate then the work done but not a bad experience. It came back in great shape.

pictureted

I wish a recent repair to my D810 was covered by warranty, but the service center performed well. No complaints, work done in a timely manner and the camera cleaned, software updated and returned quickly. Same with Nikon 1 lens that was covered under warranty - quick and courteous.

Photobug

I have had one service bulletin on my D7100 and two on the D750 and the work has been excellent with good turn around time. So I don't agree with TC88's comment. The services centers, both coast in the USA, were timely and well done.

tc88

Well google something like "nikon service impact damage". Anyway, there are multiple threads on Nikon US service even on this forum and this thread is about the lens. There is no need to digress and debate the Nikon service here.

Photobug

Oh I am aware of the "impact damage" from the comments in the NRF threads. I have sent out of warranty lens to them and NEVER had an issue with them claiming impact damage. Just saying....

safyre

I have had bogus impact damage claims before as well. Nikon Service Centers are very haphazard and inconsistent. Depending on who you speak to or who repairs your equipment, you could either get it repaired under warranty, or you will get charged for "user damage". You guys experiencing positive results is because you've only dealt with them 1 or 2 times. Try dealing with them for over a dozen times with different items and you'll see how inconsistent it really is.

tc88

Photobug, hypothetically let's say the service center claims "impact damage" 10% of the time. So 9 of the 10 people will get satisfactory service. If any of the 9 thinks the service center is excellent because he NEVER had issue, then he's wrong. No one wants to be the 10th guy who gets hit with a bogus "impact damage" claim on an item costing hundreds to thousands dollars, and no one should have to take that chance.

Photobug

Photobug, hypothetically let's say the service center claims "impact damage" 10% of the time. So 9 of the 10 people will get satisfactory service. If any of the 9 thinks the service center is excellent because he NEVER had issue, then he's wrong. No one wants to be the 10th guy who gets hit with a bogus "impact damage" claim on an item costing hundreds to thousands dollars, and no one should have to take that chance.

I agree with that comment. I have sent stuff back to them 7 or 8 times and always had excellent customer service...both in warranty and out of warranty. It could be 10% or 2%...it doesn't matter what that percentage is it just should not happen. When your dealing with humans, that is not going to happen.