NIKON AF-S 500mm f4 ED Mk II Lens (1 Viewer)

[Mike Chappers]

Hi, First post

I am thinking about purchasing a Nikon AF-S 500mm f4 ED Mk II Lens to go on my D7000 for mostly flying birds, good idea or would it be better to save for longer an get the later VR model ? would I miss the VR ?

I have being using a Sigma 150-500mm latest model for quite a while now but feel I really need a faster lens, Im determined on that.

Thanks for any advice given
Mike

 

[Duke Leto]

Vr won't matter for flight shots. Really only need it on for sub 1/500 sec shots. Welcome to the Birdforum

 

[Mike Chappers]

Vr won't matter for flight shots. Really only need it on for sub 1/500 sec shots. Welcome to the Birdforum

Thanks for that, please bear with me as I have no experience of this lens.... do not want to make an expensive mistake or regret buying it.

Would I be able to get that shutter speed on an overcast day without lets say going over 800 ISO, would really prefer to keep the ISO a lot lower, would be doing more than likely up to 100% crops.

I assume Vr would let me shoot a couple of stops slower ? I should add all shots will be handheld

 

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

I noticed even on overcast day, VR is not needed when pointing on the sky because usually shutter speed is above 1/500s. Unless when you were shooting against other background like green etc and when shutter speed drop below it, I turn on VR

 

[Mike Chappers]

Its a mix of shots, sometime against the sea, sky and land, I do not want to end up with noisy shots on the larger crops.

Guess im answering my own questions.....get Vr

What Iso to get 1/500 shutter speed on dull day against the above do you think please ? hmm bit silly question I think as no one know what light available

 

[Mike Chappers]

Ok thanks all who replied, no point taking a chance, I talked myself into needing Vr, no worries that way.


One more question, this is the lens I am buying..... AF-S NIKKOR 500mm F/4G ED VR 11

I assume this will fit on a Nikon D7000 and work perfectly ?

Im sorry to ask so many questions, but I had a stroke a couple years ago and I get very easily confused when talking, reading letters / numbers etc

 

[flanken]

VR generally isn't helpful at standard bird-in-flight shutter speeds (unless you're using a slower speed to do a panning shot), since it doesn't compensate for subject motion, only camera shake. In fact, it can be a hindrance; I've experimented with bird-in-flight shots using the new 80-400mm AF-S VR lens, and I generally turn VR off when shooting above 1/500s. I think the VR system's sampling rate may not be fast enough to refresh above that speed; when shooting with VR on at speeds of about 1/1250s, about 10% of the images will have an odd color fringing along all edges, as if an element weren't quite aligned.

Any of the AF-S versions of the 500mm f/4 should work just fine with your D7000. It's ultimately your decision as to whether you need VR, but I would strongly recommend going for the non-VR AF-S II version. I just bought a used specimen to replace a 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR, and it is a superb lens, nice and sharp wide open at f/4. One key advantage it has over the VR version is that it weighs somewhat less (~3440g vs. ~3880g), although it is slightly longer (by a few mm), and doesn't focus quite as close (4.6m vs. 4m). It's weight is also very evenly balanced, and I find it quite steady when shooting handheld.

I've attached some sample images from playing around with the lens for a couple of days. I use a D7100, but you should expect similar results from a D7000. The leather penguin shot was shot handheld at 1/100s, f/4, ISO 4000. The Oak Titmouse photo is roughly in the conditions you were looking for; in the shade, 1/320s, wide open, ISO 800. Hope this helps.

 

[Dave Williams]

I never turned the VR off when I had the Nikon 500mm and I used it tripod mounted most of the time. It's quite a heavy lens but I could hand hold it for a couple of shots before having to give up. When that was the case though VR was very useful.

 

[Mike Chappers]

Thank you, I am getting the Vr version, I know me...it will be at the back of my mind all the time that I should have got the Vr version

I'm built like the proverbial, so should be ok hand holding it

I have had a go with a mates Cannon 600mm handheld, if I can handhold that monster I should be fine with the Nikon 500mm.

 

[Duke Leto]

Mike I shoot with a 600/4vr and never use the vr unless as I said the shutter speed drops sub 1/500 sec. I find vr slows down the focusing and tracking on moving subjects. Vr is superb on perched bird shots when you shot at low speeds. It's quite easy to get pin sharp shots down to 1/60 sec. This is where vr excels. If your worried over vr then be concerned over tripod and head. These are equally as vital for quality low speed images vr or no vr.

 

[Mike Chappers]

Like I said at present im using a Sigma 150-500mm, these are the results I am getting with it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/90652257@N05/

But the truth is im missing far to many shots due to to the lens focus not being fast enough and as said it really needs good light.

All those shots are handheld as will be all shots with the Nikon 500mm

 

[Mike Chappers]

Now I am in doubt again lol, from the advice given it seems Vr will be a luxury I do not really need, decisions decision.

 

[Mike Chappers]

I know of this lens " AF-S 500mm f4 ED mark II" for sale at £3000 , Serial No. 200653, early model I guess ?


Sellers blurb.... This lens is in good condition, optically excellent having just had a full service by Nikon UK

It comes with a 6 month shop warranty, good buy or not, what do you think ?

 

[Duke Leto]

Vr isn't a luxury it's a technology designed to help under certain circumstances. Kinda like abs on your car, you don't use it all the time but when you need it it's there. Not sure most people would want to handhold any Nikon prime telephoto lens apart from the 300/2.8.
You've plenty of perched bird images on Flickr. As for serial numbers call nikon or this site may help http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#500

 

[Mike Chappers]

Yes plenty perched birds, but all handheld.

Thanks for all the advice everyone, greatly appreciated

 

[Tanager]

Mike,

Nice photos on your flickr account, but one thing; the Ruff is actually a Knot.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[Mike Chappers]

Mike,

Nice photos on your flickr account, but one thing; the Ruff is actually a Knot.

Cheers,

Mark

Thanks Mark, I was not sure

 

[Mike Chappers]

Quick update, ordered the VR version, will be with me tomorrow.

Thanks everyone

 

[Dave Williams]

Enjoy !

 

[GYRob]

Vr may not help with say a fast SS regarding motion blure but it will help you stay on the bird in flight regardless of SS as it will stabilise the image your looking at .

So even if you were shooting at 1/5000sec it will help you stay with the bird because the image through the lens will be more stable .

Rob.