Carrying the 500mm f/5.6 PF

photobunny

Just a quick question since I can't seem to find a reasonable answer: I am renting the 500mm f/5.6 PF next week and it does not seem to have lugs for a strap. Is this intended to be held by the loops on the body(Z6)?

I am using the peak design DSLR strap for my bodies, but my 300 f/2.8 Canon has a lens strap on the lens itself. I understand the 500 PF is quite a light thing, but still, if there are carrying recommendations I am all ears.

MrFotoFool

I own (and love) the 500PF. I use a conventional camera strap (though not the supplied Nikon one, I use one with a suede neck area for more comfort). I carry it on the camera lugs and it is fine. The lens is roughly the same size and weight as my Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 E. If you are using a sling strap you would attach it to the foot on the lens collar, but with a traditional camera strap (which I think Peak is) just attach it to the camera like you would with any smaller lens.

photobunny

I have a wee metal hing currently attached to the base of the camera so it goes down the side of my body when using one clip on the top. I was thinking of applying this to the tripod foot but that apparently likes to fall off: not ideal with a rental.

I think I’ll go with the rings or perhaps even the FTZ adaptor.

WestEndFoto

MrFotoFool said:

I own (and love) the 500PF. I use a conventional camera strap (though not the supplied Nikon one, I use one with a suede neck area for more comfort). I carry it on the camera lugs and it is fine. The lens is roughly the same size and weight as my Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 E. If you are using a sling strap you would attach it to the foot on the lens collar, but with a traditional camera strap (which I think Peak is) just attach it to the camera like you would with any smaller lens.

I would say you are near the danger zone, however. I carry my 70-200 2.8E that way, but I don't let if dangle or permit any jerky movements. Not like I would with my 105 1.4E or even my 24-7- 2.8E.

mhedges

Yep looks like the size and weight are similar to the more recent F mount 70-200 2.8 lenses. And I can confirm 70-200's are not fun to carry via neck strap for any length of time. Especially with it being on FTZ adding extra moment force, I'd try to find another way.

photobunny

mhedges said:

Yep looks like the size and weight are similar to the more recent F mount 70-200 2.8 lenses. And I can confirm 70-200's are not fun to carry via neck strap for any length of time. Especially with it being on FTZ adding extra moment force, I'd try to find another way.

This will be on my shoulder, I am more worried about strain on the lens.

MrFotoFool

Even though I use the conventional camera strap, now that I think about it I realize that I typically hold the lens with one hand while I am walking. I often swing the strap to the side in the same way a sling strap works while I am walking.

photobunny

Any bag suggestions?

https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/retrospective-series/products/retrospective-20-v2-0 seems like it might support it. My mm to inch conversion says I might have 2-3 inch for the camera and adapter.

Looks like the measurements are from flange and the 500mm f/5.6 is about as long as a 70-200 f/2.8. Still nay idea if this is a good fit, but it looks like the deepest bag out there.

DenverShooter

You will end up warping the mounting plate on the camera if you are using the camera strap for any great length of time. Warped my D800E plate twice over the years from too much lens. It's not expensive to get it replaced when you are in for a cleaning.

spraynpray

DenverShooter said:

You will end up warping the mounting plate on the camera if you are using the camera strap for any great length of time. Warped my D800E plate twice over the years from too much lens. It's not expensive to get it replaced when you are in for a cleaning.

Wow! I wouldn't have expected to hear that! Are you saying that you don't use the tripod mount for carrying now, if so, do you use the strap mounts?

DenverShooter

I use a strap that is attached to the tripod foot on the 80mm to 400mm F/4-5.6 or my 70mm to 200 F/2.8 when on the D800E.

My D6 will take that load according to Nikon but my neck will not.

spraynpray

Ah, right. I am thinking of getting the 200-500 so I could make that arca compatible for my Black Rapid straps.

photobunny

spraynpray said:

Ah, right. I am thinking of getting the 200-500 so I could make that arca compatible for my Black Rapid straps.

this chap is using just the straps on the camera for the 200-500 and 500mm.

PB_PM

Yeah the lens mounts don’t take the weight well. I even consider the 24-70 F2.8 and 14-24 F2.8 to be pushing there luck without a collar, but that’s not an option so you have to work with it. Never had a problem with the mount on a camera body though.

I always put the strap on the lens body, not the tripod foot of my AF-S 70-200mm F2.8G VRII for example. The big glass doesn’t let you do that, but I don’t use a strap on my 200-400 F4, it’s always on a gimbal.

Photobug

spraynpray said:

Ah, right. I am thinking of getting the 200-500 so I could make that arca compatible for my Black Rapid straps.

Yes you need to buy that 200-500 Nikon lens. I really like mine and it beats my Tamron 200-500 for sharpness that I sold to buy the Nikon. I looked at the Tamron 150-600 but went with the Nikon and never looked back. And yes, the 1.7 or 1.4 tele extender works really well on that lens.

I use a Boss strap which attaches to the body tripod socket on both the D7100 and D780. However, when the 200-500 is attached, I have my hand on the lens tripod foot and carry the body upside down holding that foot. I don't want all that weight on the neck or the camera tripod socket in the body.

DenverShooter

I am using the Sun Sniper Straps.

https://www.sun-sniper.com/en/

dissent

I use a Black Rapid strap. I put a small arca plate on the foot of the 200-500, then attached a Kirk clamp to the end of the BR strap. I usually have a Peak Design anchor between the strap and the camera body for a little extra "insurance".

That 500 PF. I'm thinkin' about it ....

spraynpray

Wifey gave me the all clear for the 200-500 but while my finger was hovering over it I realised it would not get enough use to justify it. My 70-200 f4 only gets light use, the Sigma 24-35 f2 and 60mm micro are my main lenses. I thought I would jump at it but maybe when the Diamond Races (superbike) get going here on the island I'll get it and fit a small Arca plate on it to take the weight.

photobunny

spraynpray said:

Wifey gave me the all clear for the 200-500 but while my finger was hovering over it I realised it would not get enough use to justify it. My 70-200 f4 only gets light use, the Sigma 24-35 f2 and 60mm micro are my main lenses. I thought I would jump at it but maybe when the Diamond Races (superbike) get going here on the island I'll get it and fit a small Arca plate on it to take the weight.

Maybe just rent it for a week, get out of the way the 'what if'. Or perhaps you'll find you like that range.

spraynpray

Maybe.

photobunny

So here's one of the test pictures this evening. It is about as long as my 300mm f/2.8 but significantly lighter. I was babying it a bit too much as it isn't mine, which made for an odd carrying arrangement. When buying it I would definitely want a bag of some sort to keep it in.

photobunny

So after renting the 500mm PF I have to say that I am totally sold on it with the Z6. All the images where sharp and even ISO 14,400 showed lots of detail and low noise. Of course all my best images are under ISO 1000, but I never felt limited.

- The bad points for the combo is the FTZ making it just a little too long for most shoulder bags, so I would hope for a Z native version that is shorter and that would be a quick upgrade.

- The lack of lugs on the lens for a strap felt like a big oversight for when I was wanting to nom my nuts but still wanted the camera to be ready.

- And I wasn't able to customise the buttons(most likely a me problem).

- Finally the lens and/or body had issues picking up something close that was basically an invisible blur, but as with other big lenses I used the focus preset and a little manual compensation to anticipate closer subject.


I have included some sample shots, not necessarily the best ones of my time with it but a mixture.

Photobug

photobunny........Really nice photos with that long lens.

Photobug

I was not that far away and shot this little guy with a D7100 + 70-200mm lens at 200 mm.

photobunny

Thats a lovely wee fatty @Photobug

Photobug

photobunny said:

Thats a lovely wee fatty @Photobug

Thanks photobunny. Yes he was fat...well fed.