Nikon 200-500/5.6 VR Lens....... post your photos!

[Elliot87]

I'm joining the club!!!

I'm finally going to be getting an upgrade on my 70-300mm having been drooling over various lenses since the Tamzooka came out.
Having contemplated the various 150-600's and 300mm f4 lenses, I've plumped for the Nikkor 200-500mm.
I thought I'd have to do some more saving but Amazon offering 0% finance over 2 years gave me no reason to wait.

Now I'm just kicking myself for not using my wifes amazon prime account, so now I have to wait a few extra days which is going to be torture this weekend.

I've also got a manfroto 680b monopod which has since no use up until now but I'm looking forward to trying the combo out. I don't have a head for it but I am looking at a tilt head, is it the 234?

Anyway, I can't wait to start adding photos to this thread!

 

[singlerosa_RIP]

I'm joining the club!!!
wait.
I don't have a head for it but I am looking at a tilt head, is it the 234?

The 234 is only rated at 4.x lbs. I've used mine with a ball head, but lately, I just screw the lens onto the monopod. You never see sports photogs with big lenses using heads. They just tilt the monopod forward or backward to shoot up or down. Plus, I'm nervous about having multiple connections or a quick connect on something that I'm carrying around over my shoulder.

Congrats on the new lens. You're gonna love it.

 

[Elliot87]

The 234 is only rated at 4.x lbs. I've used mine with a ball head, but lately, I just screw the lens onto the monopod. You never see sports photogs with big lenses using heads. They just tilt the monopod forward or backward to shoot up or down. Plus, I'm nervous about having multiple connections or a quick connect on something that I'm carrying around over my shoulder.

Congrats on the new lens. You're gonna love it.

I haven't used a monopod much at all and when I have I've not been bothered about the lack of a head. Your point about it perhaps being more secure without is a valid consideration too.

Just can't wait for it to arrive!

 

[mikew_RIP]

I'm joining the club!!!

I'm finally going to be getting an upgrade on my 70-300mm having been drooling over various lenses since the Tamzooka came out.
Having contemplated the various 150-600's and 300mm f4 lenses, I've plumped for the Nikkor 200-500mm.
I thought I'd have to do some more saving but Amazon offering 0% finance over 2 years gave me no reason to wait.

Now I'm just kicking myself for not using my wifes amazon prime account, so now I have to wait a few extra days which is going to be torture this weekend.

I've also got a manfroto 680b monopod which has since no use up until now but I'm looking forward to trying the combo out. I don't have a head for it but I am looking at a tilt head, is it the 234?

Anyway, I can't wait to start adding photos to this thread!

Congratulations

 

[Danno_RIP]

I'm joining the club!!!

I'm finally going to be getting an upgrade on my 70-300mm having been drooling over various lenses since the Tamzooka came out.
Having contemplated the various 150-600's and 300mm f4 lenses, I've plumped for the Nikkor 200-500mm.
I thought I'd have to do some more saving but Amazon offering 0% finance over 2 years gave me no reason to wait.

Now I'm just kicking myself for not using my wifes amazon prime account, so now I have to wait a few extra days which is going to be torture this weekend.

I've also got a manfroto 680b monopod which has since no use up until now but I'm looking forward to trying the combo out. I don't have a head for it but I am looking at a tilt head, is it the 234?

Anyway, I can't wait to start adding photos to this thread!

Congratulations! you are going to enjoy it a lot. The Monopod is very helpful as well; it adds that level of security with that heavy lens. Look forward to seeing some photos.

 

[Fortkentdad]

I'm joining the club!!!

I'm finally going to be getting an upgrade on my 70-300mm having been drooling over various lenses since the Tamzooka came out.
Having contemplated the various 150-600's and 300mm f4 lenses, I've plumped for the Nikkor 200-500mm.
I thought I'd have to do some more saving but Amazon offering 0% finance over 2 years gave me no reason to wait.

Now I'm just kicking myself for not using my wifes amazon prime account, so now I have to wait a few extra days which is going to be torture this weekend.

I've also got a manfroto 680b monopod which has since no use up until now but I'm looking forward to trying the combo out. I don't have a head for it but I am looking at a tilt head, is it the 234?

Anyway, I can't wait to start adding photos to this thread!

==================


Welcome to the club.

You will love your new lens it is really remarkable.

I have a 680B and did try it out with my 200-500. I can tell you a Joby "X" is not the topper you want. Not sure if it is the nature of the ballhead or the plate I used or what but that combo did not work for me. The problem was the connection between the plate and the ballhead. It is rated for 11 pounds so is adequate. I did read somewhere to consider the weight rating and divide by two to get the advised rating. Even then it is still "OK" rating wise. The ballhead on my tripod (a Benro B0) seems better - it is rated to 17# and the retail on it is more than twice the Joby so I'm thinking you are not going to get away with a sub $100 ballhead.

I've been spending hours on line looking at options to support the 200-500.

I did ask here what people are using after seeing an image of Jim Singler's Wimberley WH-200 earlier in this discussion.

See also: http://nikonites.com/other-photography-equipment/34940-inexpensive-gimbal-head.html#axzz45EzSb6rz


There is a detailed discussion at Nikonians Supporting a 200-500 Nikon long lens | Nikonians about support options - mostly about using a tripod but a lot of talk of various heads. And the question of whether it is 'needed'.

No one there is talking about the tilters - most are not rated for the weight.

Acratech does have one designed for long lenses that is mid-range priced (as these things go) Long Lens Support On my list of possible solutions.

But I'm looking hard at getting a gimbal head.

On the top of the list is one of those adaptor type that slides into a 'good' ballhead like Jobu Micro Jobu Micro Gimbal/Ballhead Adapter which is a variation on Wimberly Sidekick. Induro also sells one Induro > Products > Browse by Categories > GH Gimbal Heads > Gimbal > GHBA Gimbal Head

They require a ballhead that tightens with a screw and that pans smoothly. I may need to upgrade my ballhead.

Upside of these adapter style is price ($150 CDN), portability (slides easily into your kit bag (well a bigger kit bag), and the adaptability of having the ballhead there for when you are not shooting long. And did I mention the price?

Manfrotto has an option designed by the maker of that monopod, there model 393 see: https://www.manfrotto.com/long-lens-monopod-bracket It is good for a mono or tri pod. I've found that while most reviews are very positive there are a few who were not 100% happy. But the price is good (in comparison). It has been described as oversized and some have complained it is not as smooth as some others. It does look clunky.

I've been exchanging emails with Ian from Jobu about using his product (curiously not a Chinese knockoff - Jobu is made in Canada). His recommendation is his Jobu Jr. 3 for this lens, although he says the Micro is also suited to this lens. The Jobu Jr 3. http://jobu-design.3dcartstores.com/Jobu-Jr3_p_9.html is a smaller full gimbal style unit. But getting pricey (although if you have to buy a ballhead then the combo of the ballhead and a gimbal adapter style amounts to the same thing - on the other hand you have a ballhead good for when you are not shooting long). For close to the same money you can get a full sized (50 pound limit!) gimbal by Benro. http://www.benrousa.com/products/benro-gh2.aspx I would not put that onto a monopod though.

Lots of options.

I've not yet made up my mind.

In the meantime it works very well hand held.

Enjoy your new lens




David

 

[Elliot87]

Thanks David! Certainly lots to consider and I appreciate your post a lot. I think I'll refer to it quite a bit as a starting point of what to research.

At the moment I don't have a tripod anywhere near good enough for supporting this lens so the gimbal head option is off the cards for the time being. I'll get use to shooting the lens handheld on my 680b without the head. Once I've had some time using the lens like that I think I'll have a better idea of what extra support I might need.

Right now I'm just kicking myself for not ordering it with my wife's amazon prime as it would be in my hands right now if I had. I was just overly excited about ordering it and didn't think about it. I think I've checked my email 20 times today looking for a dispatch notice that I know won't be there yet.

 

[Fortkentdad]

Thanks David! Certainly lots to consider and I appreciate your post a lot. I think I'll refer to it quite a bit as a starting point of what to research.

At the moment I don't have a tripod anywhere near good enough for supporting this lens so the gimbal head option is off the cards for the time being. I'll get use to shooting the lens handheld on my 680b without the head. Once I've had some time using the lens like that I think I'll have a better idea of what extra support I might need.,,,,,.

My walk about with the 200-500 and my 680B Monopod didn't work that well for me, ended up using the monopod as a walking stick and handholding. Without some sort of ballhead or tilting head or something I'm not sure that just raw mounting it would work all that well - would be awkward to even carry it about. As it is when it was mounted to my ballhead and I could bring the lens down in line with the monopod it was still awkward walking. But give it a go and maybe it will work for you.

But this lens can get great shots handheld so for now that works well.

 

[Elliot87]

It finally arrived today after what felt like an age!
My first impressions are extremely positive! It's a massive step forward from my 70-300mm, isn't as heavy as I expected, although I might change my mind about that once I've taken it on a hike and seems to my eye like a very sharp lens.
The VR is different to what I'm used to with the image seeming to jump in the viewfinder when I take a shot but I'll soon get used to that. Anyway, here are some of my first shots of the birds in the garden.

Tight crop of the first shot, so much sharper than my tamron and I love being able to shoot wide open at full zoom.

 

[Blacktop]

It finally arrived today after what felt like an age!
My first impressions are extremely positive! It's a massive step forward from my 70-300mm, isn't as heavy as I expected, although I might change my mind about that once I've taken it on a hike and seems to my eye like a very sharp lens.
The VR is different to what I'm used to with the image seeming to jump in the viewfinder when I take a shot but I'll soon get used to that. Anyway, here are some of my first shots of the birds in the garden.

View attachment 206518


Tight crop of the first shot, so much sharper than my tamron and I love being able to shoot wide open at full zoom.

View attachment 206519

View attachment 206523

View attachment 206524

Very nice first outing. I don't even bother with a monopod. Heck, I don't even have a strap!

 

[Fortkentdad]

Shot hand held through my kitchen window at the tree across the yard.
Love this lens

 

[Elliot87]

I love this lens! Things can only get better as I get used to it and I'm sure it will serve me well on many cameras to come in the future.

 

[Elliot87]

Took this moon shot hand held this afternoon just to see how it would turn out. Have to say it exceeded my expectations.

 

[sanjdar]

Took this moon shot hand held this afternoon just to see how it would turn out. Have to say it exceeded my expectations.

View attachment 207270

Unbelievable..... with this lens and 320 shutter speed

 

[Elliot87]

Unbelievable..... with this lens and 320 shutter speed

I was really surprised. The VR seems very effective, I would have expected to need a tripod to get a shot like this. The only thing I don't like about the VR is that the image jumps after you've taken the shot and the composition of the photo is somewhat different to what you see in the viewfinder, or at least it seems that way to me. That's meant I've chopped parts of the subject off when trying to shoot tight. Didn't matter with the moon though.

 

[RobHD]

very cool shots i wont be getting one any time soon 1- cant afford it or the camera to put it on LOL, 2- can just about (at the mo) use my D5200 and 70-300 due to shoulder injury

 

[Elliot87]

very cool shots i wont be getting one any time soon 1- cant afford it or the camera to put it on LOL, 2- can just about (at the mo) use my D5200 and 70-300 due to shoulder injury

I was thinking I'd need to save for a whole lot longer but discovered you can get 0% finance on amazon over 2 years so I went for it.
As for the weight that is an issue. It's taking me some getting used to and I'm waiting on my tripod to be delivered so I can use it without feeling like I've been to the gym.

 

[Elliot87]

Ewes and their lambs everywhere at the moment so they seemed like an easy option to practice on.

These two caught me by surprise running to their mum for a feed, so the shutter is a little slow and the focus might not be bang on but the 200-500 certainly responded quickly enough, even if I was a little slow.

 

[Elliot87]

Fellow 200-500mm owners, what are your thoughts on its tripod collar and foot? This is my first lens that's had one so I don't know much about them but it seems to me a bit on the short side. Having put this lens on a tripod for the first time this evening, it seems front heavy when zoomed out to 500mm. This is what I'd expect but I'm thinking a longer foot would allow it to be mounted further back for better balance.

I'm about to look at other tripod collars but I don't really know what I should be looking out for?

 

[Elliot87]

Bunny wabbit