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Replacement for Nikon 80-400 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter dkperez
- Start date
Gandalf_22h
I put a spell on you! ----
post
After so many years of waiting I don't think I'm that bothered now and if it was true it would have to be a spectacular lens-leap to make me feel disappointed I'd retired mine.
After so many years of waiting I don't think I'm that bothered now and if it was true it would have to be a spectacular lens-leap to make me feel disappointed I'd retired mine.
The Sigma 50-500 OS arrived yesterday so I took it down to the local river to photograph the geese and ducks swimming around... Yes, I'll be doing sharpness, resolution and front/back focus tests on the thing, but since it's going to be used hand-held, I figured some fer-real hand holding shooting was in order...
Had a bizarre thing happen. Lens was acting wonky, not focusing, jumping past infinity, and such. At the same time I realized I couldn't change the aperture or shutter speed on the D300 OR bring up any menus....
At home I tried different lenses on the D300, and the 50-500 on the D2X. I figured out I had a problem with the MBD10 on the D300. Some rotary dial or switch was sticking and things were acting badly... Which was VERY good 'cause of the first 320 images I shot over half were visibly out of focus.......
So, disassembly, contact cleaning, flipping of switches, and some "percussive" maintenance (banging it on the desk) of the MBD10 battery pack, and all was working well again... BACK to the river to try again, and now things went much better. The Sigma appears sharp and quick to focus, and the OS appears to do a good job. I got sharp images down to 1/60 @500mm, which is reasonable. I'll try pressing the limits later and see what happens as I try to get that last "stop" out of the OS, but I figure all
the manufacturers do their stabilization testing using marine snipers with absolutely still hands and no heartbeats, so I figure an old fart like me with a little hand shake is happy getting 3 stops.....
I shot the 80-400 side-by-side with this one and both were sharp, BUT, it was clear the much slower focus on the 80-400 was costing me shots. I"ve gotten used to it, but in some situations it's a liability.
Today I tested front/back focus and up-close sharpness, and it appears pretty good. At 50mm it backfocuses about 2mm, but by 100mm it's dead on and stays there all the way through 500 mm. I"m planning on hitting the butterfly house tomorrow so I"m going to give this thing a try hand-held for butterflies......
Had a bizarre thing happen. Lens was acting wonky, not focusing, jumping past infinity, and such. At the same time I realized I couldn't change the aperture or shutter speed on the D300 OR bring up any menus....
At home I tried different lenses on the D300, and the 50-500 on the D2X. I figured out I had a problem with the MBD10 on the D300. Some rotary dial or switch was sticking and things were acting badly... Which was VERY good 'cause of the first 320 images I shot over half were visibly out of focus.......
So, disassembly, contact cleaning, flipping of switches, and some "percussive" maintenance (banging it on the desk) of the MBD10 battery pack, and all was working well again... BACK to the river to try again, and now things went much better. The Sigma appears sharp and quick to focus, and the OS appears to do a good job. I got sharp images down to 1/60 @500mm, which is reasonable. I'll try pressing the limits later and see what happens as I try to get that last "stop" out of the OS, but I figure all
the manufacturers do their stabilization testing using marine snipers with absolutely still hands and no heartbeats, so I figure an old fart like me with a little hand shake is happy getting 3 stops.....
I shot the 80-400 side-by-side with this one and both were sharp, BUT, it was clear the much slower focus on the 80-400 was costing me shots. I"ve gotten used to it, but in some situations it's a liability.
Today I tested front/back focus and up-close sharpness, and it appears pretty good. At 50mm it backfocuses about 2mm, but by 100mm it's dead on and stays there all the way through 500 mm. I"m planning on hitting the butterfly house tomorrow so I"m going to give this thing a try hand-held for butterflies......
flanken
C-GU11
Glad to hear it's working well for you. The focus speed and accuracy of the 50-500 actually surprised me; I took the 300mm f/4 out last weekend for a change, and had to get used to the slightly slower focus speed vs. the Bigma.
Also, I once got a sharp image at a ridiculous 1/30s at 500mm, but I generally stick to above 1/250s if possible to get a reliable keeper rate.
Looking forward to seeing your shots with this lens! Most of my newer shots here are using the Bigma: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48282656@N00/
eric_marciano
New member
Hello,
Sorry for interfering in this discussion... I am new in this forum dedicated to birds, even if I am more interested in metal birds (aircrafts).
I also own the Nikon 80-400 VR and I agree with you about the slow AF. Nevertheless, I can handle this by using the limiting switch and by preparing the shooting sequences, which is certainly easier with aircrafts than with birds. Using continuous AF gives correct results.
In my opinion, the biggest problem is the image sharpness at 400mm, especially with maximum aperture (5.6). Whatever I do, I can't get sharp images. The strangest thing I noticed is that the image is softer on the left part than on the right part. If the aperture is 8 or higher, the result is much better but the light is not always enough to get f8 at high speed.
Did you also notice this sharpness problem or do you think my lens has a problem? I would really like to have your opinion about this.
Eric
PS. I can provide pictures showing the problem I am talking about.
Sorry for interfering in this discussion... I am new in this forum dedicated to birds, even if I am more interested in metal birds (aircrafts).
I also own the Nikon 80-400 VR and I agree with you about the slow AF. Nevertheless, I can handle this by using the limiting switch and by preparing the shooting sequences, which is certainly easier with aircrafts than with birds. Using continuous AF gives correct results.
In my opinion, the biggest problem is the image sharpness at 400mm, especially with maximum aperture (5.6). Whatever I do, I can't get sharp images. The strangest thing I noticed is that the image is softer on the left part than on the right part. If the aperture is 8 or higher, the result is much better but the light is not always enough to get f8 at high speed.
Did you also notice this sharpness problem or do you think my lens has a problem? I would really like to have your opinion about this.
Eric
PS. I can provide pictures showing the problem I am talking about.
Either your technique or your lens has a problem... Have you tried the lens on a different body? Do you get the same result?
I've got images a 400mm and f5.6 with mine, and they're sharp. Certainly I haven't noticed any difference from side to side.
If the problem really disappears when you go to f8 I'd suspect a problem with the lens. If it was mine I'd probably send it back to Nikon for evaluation.
I've got images a 400mm and f5.6 with mine, and they're sharp. Certainly I haven't noticed any difference from side to side.
If the problem really disappears when you go to f8 I'd suspect a problem with the lens. If it was mine I'd probably send it back to Nikon for evaluation.
I picked up the Nikon 70-200 AF-S ED VR II and the Nikon TC-20E III a couple days ago. I had a long, involved recitation of how both the Nikon and the sigma 50-500 OS performed and compared.......
And then I realized y'all already KNOW how good the Nikon 70-200 is (and the equivalent Canon 70-200), so I shortened things a TON..........
Bottom line - nothing touches the 70-200 for autofocus speed, accuracy, and vibration reduction. Sharpness is fantastic, as it should be for a zoom with such a short range. Even WITH the 2X, it's STILL very good.
Against the Sigma, with the 2X on the 70-200, I'd say the autofocus of both lenses is the same - or so close that I can't detect any perceptible difference in NORMAL use. Racking both from minimum focus to infinity, the 70-200 is a little quicker, but how often do we do that? The VR versus OS seems a draw too... Sigma SAYS the 50-500 MAY take up to a second for the OS to stabilize, but in my use I've found it to be quite a bit faster than that.
And SHARPNESS... Without the 2X, the 70-200 is sharper. It's sharper than any other lens I have except a prime like the Nikon 500/f4... WITH the 2X, it's still extremely good, as is the 50-500. Again, I'd have to say it's a draw......
Without the 2X, the 70-200 is nothing short of awesome. With the 2X, I'd say the lenses perform VERY similarly. The Sigma focuses a bit closer and has a wider zoom range. With the 2X on I'd say the weights are pretty close.
Anyhow, the bottom line for me is I'll likely hang onto both lenses and use each for what it does best...... I'll try the 2X on my 500/f4, and if it's fantastic I'll keep it. Otherwise, I'll return the 2X.
And then I realized y'all already KNOW how good the Nikon 70-200 is (and the equivalent Canon 70-200), so I shortened things a TON..........
Bottom line - nothing touches the 70-200 for autofocus speed, accuracy, and vibration reduction. Sharpness is fantastic, as it should be for a zoom with such a short range. Even WITH the 2X, it's STILL very good.
Against the Sigma, with the 2X on the 70-200, I'd say the autofocus of both lenses is the same - or so close that I can't detect any perceptible difference in NORMAL use. Racking both from minimum focus to infinity, the 70-200 is a little quicker, but how often do we do that? The VR versus OS seems a draw too... Sigma SAYS the 50-500 MAY take up to a second for the OS to stabilize, but in my use I've found it to be quite a bit faster than that.
And SHARPNESS... Without the 2X, the 70-200 is sharper. It's sharper than any other lens I have except a prime like the Nikon 500/f4... WITH the 2X, it's still extremely good, as is the 50-500. Again, I'd have to say it's a draw......
Without the 2X, the 70-200 is nothing short of awesome. With the 2X, I'd say the lenses perform VERY similarly. The Sigma focuses a bit closer and has a wider zoom range. With the 2X on I'd say the weights are pretty close.
Anyhow, the bottom line for me is I'll likely hang onto both lenses and use each for what it does best...... I'll try the 2X on my 500/f4, and if it's fantastic I'll keep it. Otherwise, I'll return the 2X.
eric_marciano
New member
Indeed, I think my lens has a problem. I know it is not a perfect lens, and reading your post I think I should buy the 70-200 with a TC, but it's too late now... I had the opportunity to use the 80-400 on a different body, a D3. The result is much better but the problem I see on my D90 is still there. I posted about this problem on a French forum here: http://forum.nikonpassion.com/index.php?topic=48270.0
Even if you don't understand french, you can see the sample pictures. The 3rd picture (Swiss F-18) was done with the D3 and I showed the problem is visible even with this high-end body. I plan to take the lens back to Nikon, hoping they will not tell me it is a "weakness" of the lens...
Thanks for your help !!
Eric
Even if you don't understand french, you can see the sample pictures. The 3rd picture (Swiss F-18) was done with the D3 and I showed the problem is visible even with this high-end body. I plan to take the lens back to Nikon, hoping they will not tell me it is a "weakness" of the lens...
Thanks for your help !!
Eric
flanken
C-GU11
Glad you provided this comparison, as I had been wondering how the 70-200 with TC-20E III measured up! Still debating whether I want to trade in my 300 f/4 for the 70-200.
It's possible that there's a technique problem, but if one area of the lens is sharp and another soft, I'd suspect a lens problem. I get LOTS of out of focus shots, movement blur shots, and generally lousy shots, but when they're bad, usually the whole thing is bad. If I had a shot where the left side was blurred and the right side was sharp I'd suspect a hardware problem of some sort.
Either way, it can't hurt to have Nikon check. Worst case they tell you the lens is fine. Best case they fix the lens and it works better.
Either way, it can't hurt to have Nikon check. Worst case they tell you the lens is fine. Best case they fix the lens and it works better.
Jason Bugay Reyes
Well-known member
Eric,
I have the same lens like your and the sharpness at 400mm is better from f7.1 - f11 and same soft on top left and bottom right of my pictures
I figure I"ve been using these lenses long enough now to put an update in here.......
I have to admit, MUCH AS I DISLIKE SIGMA (I don't dislike their lenses, but the attitude of their reps is pure feces - to the point that if I could have found ANY equivalent from another source I'd have tried it first), the 50-500 OS works VERY well for me. I've photographed an Air Expo, county fair events, birds, flowers, butterflies, and other stuff with it, and it's comfortable to work with, sharper than I expected, and very functional. It is MUCH sharper than the older, non-OS equivalent. Visibly sharper.
I recently shot some butterflies on bushes and examined at 100%, the very tiny hairs on the side of the butterfly's head are very sharp. You can easily pick out the texture in the wings. This is with the lens zoomed out all the way - which is about 450mm at around 10 feet shooting at f8.
There is ONE problem with the lens, but it's a VERY small one. The location of the OS switch is such that I have managed to turn off the OS twice. I'm not sure when or how I'm hitting it, but it's happened twice. I"m going to put a piece of tape over the switch to make it harder to hit. I have NOT had any problem with the autofocus switch right above the OS switch, so it's got to be something I'm catching......
Starting Friday, I'm shooting an Air Show, which will be a really good test of the lens.
As far as the Nikon 70-200 VR II - this lens is an absolute joy. Whether doing close-ups with extension tubes, longer shots with a 1.4X or 2.0X, the lens is fast, sharp, and everything you'd expect from a flagship Nikon or Canon lens. I don't think you can go wrong with this lens......
I haven't tried the 2.0X converter on my Nikon 500/f4, but one of these days I"ll get a chance with some birds and see how things look.
I have to admit, MUCH AS I DISLIKE SIGMA (I don't dislike their lenses, but the attitude of their reps is pure feces - to the point that if I could have found ANY equivalent from another source I'd have tried it first), the 50-500 OS works VERY well for me. I've photographed an Air Expo, county fair events, birds, flowers, butterflies, and other stuff with it, and it's comfortable to work with, sharper than I expected, and very functional. It is MUCH sharper than the older, non-OS equivalent. Visibly sharper.
I recently shot some butterflies on bushes and examined at 100%, the very tiny hairs on the side of the butterfly's head are very sharp. You can easily pick out the texture in the wings. This is with the lens zoomed out all the way - which is about 450mm at around 10 feet shooting at f8.
There is ONE problem with the lens, but it's a VERY small one. The location of the OS switch is such that I have managed to turn off the OS twice. I'm not sure when or how I'm hitting it, but it's happened twice. I"m going to put a piece of tape over the switch to make it harder to hit. I have NOT had any problem with the autofocus switch right above the OS switch, so it's got to be something I'm catching......
Starting Friday, I'm shooting an Air Show, which will be a really good test of the lens.
As far as the Nikon 70-200 VR II - this lens is an absolute joy. Whether doing close-ups with extension tubes, longer shots with a 1.4X or 2.0X, the lens is fast, sharp, and everything you'd expect from a flagship Nikon or Canon lens. I don't think you can go wrong with this lens......
I haven't tried the 2.0X converter on my Nikon 500/f4, but one of these days I"ll get a chance with some birds and see how things look.
