D800E with the 500mm f/4 & 2.0 TC

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited February 7, 2013 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

One of the reasons I upgraded to the D4 and the D800E was their ability to AF at F/8. With the good reviews the Nikon 2.0 I had tried it on the 70-200 2.8 during my Kenya trip but I was interested to see how it would do with my F/4 lenses, especially my 500mm f/4.

female meganser, ISO 800
800_8235-XL.jpg

anhingas, ISO 1600
800_8312-XL.jpg

Mocking Bird, ISO 640
800_8365-XL.jpg

pied-billed grebe, ISO 1250
800_8520-XL.jpg

morning dove, ISO 800
800_8523-XL.jpg

American Bittern, ISO 800
800_8574-XL.jpg

wood stork, ISO 800
800_8457-XL.jpg
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • DsrtVWDsrtVW Registered Users Posts: 1,991 Major grins
    edited February 1, 2013
    I would say that you had acceptable results. clap.gif
    Chris K. NANPA Member
    http://kadvantage.smugmug.com/
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2013
    Incredible! Some of the best I have ever seen! Where do you find these birds?
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2013
    DsrtVW wrote: »
    I would say that you had acceptable results. clap.gif

    I was happy with the results and its a whole lot cheaper going with the 2.0 TC as opposed to spending $17K for the new 800mm lens.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2013
    Harryb wrote: »
    I was happy with the results and its a whole lot cheaper going with the 2.0 TC as opposed to spending $17K for the new 800mm lens.

    Please it's only 10K !!

    good stuff here ex Mod rolleyes1.gif
    Benjamin
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  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited February 3, 2013
    The focus seems quite precise.

    Was it fast, and consistent also? How often did it miss for you, or did it ever miss?

    Are you bringing the 500 to Kenya?
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2013
    pathfinder wrote: »
    The focus seems quite precise.

    Was it fast, and consistent also? How often did it miss for you, or did it ever miss?

    Are you bringing the 500 to Kenya?

    It took a tad longer for the AF to lock on but once I got it locked on it was accurate. The miss rate was about the same with the TC. It missed a few times but that usually was user error.

    The 500 will be staying home. I would love to take it but with the weight limitation the choice comes down to the 500 or the 200-400 and the 200-400 is the perfect safari lens. The 2.0 TC will be coming along so I will have to make do with only 800mm of reach.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • JeffroJeffro Registered Users Posts: 1,941 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2013
    Very, very nice.
    Always lurking, sometimes participating. :D
  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2013
    Harry, I like all of them, but #1 and #2 knock my socks off! That is the best Anhinga photo I have ever seen. Not just the great pose but the detailed perfect exposure with the black and white feathers. And that Meganser! Really nice! Best, Pam
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2013
    Stumblebum wrote: »
    Incredible! Some of the best I have ever seen! Where do you find these birds?

    Thanks and I get these at the Viera Wetlands, a 10 minute drive from my house.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2013
    bfjr wrote: »
    Please it's only 10K !!

    good stuff here ex Mod rolleyes1.gif

    The announced price is $17,900 but a $450 TC on the 500mm is a lot cheaper path to 1000mm.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • ashruggedashrugged Registered Users Posts: 345 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2013
    Thanks a lot Harry, Now I have to go drop 500 dollars on a another Tc, I agree with Pam, thats probably as nice an Anhininga photo as I have seen. Glad to see you posting.
    Robert

    http://rckimaging.smugmug.com/
  • Dennis KaczorDennis Kaczor Registered Users Posts: 2,413 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2013
    Very nice set of images Harry. #2 is my pick for the nice framing around the birds.
    Regards - Dennis

    Dennis Kaczor Photography
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2013
    Jeffro wrote: »
    Very, very nice.

    Thank you very much
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2013
    PGM wrote: »
    Harry, I like all of them, but #1 and #2 knock my socks off! That is the best Anhinga photo I have ever seen. Not just the great pose but the detailed perfect exposure with the black and white feathers. And that Meganser! Really nice! Best, Pam

    Thanks Pam, anhingas always make great subjects.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2013
    ashrugged wrote: »
    Thanks a lot Harry, Now I have to go drop 500 dollars on a another Tc, I agree with Pam, thats probably as nice an Anhininga photo as I have seen. Glad to see you posting.

    Thanks Robert and I've seen pictures from other folks using that TC and I would have to say that its a pretty good investment.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • ZerodogZerodog Registered Users Posts: 1,480 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2013
    Harry
    I was considering renting a 200-400 for this years widowmaker hillclimb. Is the AF fast enough to track motorcycles hauling up a mountainside?
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2013
    Zerodog wrote: »
    Harry
    I was considering renting a 200-400 for this years widowmaker hillclimb. Is the AF fast enough to track motorcycles hauling up a mountainside?


    The AF on the 200-400 should be good for that gig.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • ZerodogZerodog Registered Users Posts: 1,480 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2013
    Sweet. I was considering buying a sigma 150-500 or renting the 200-400 nikon. I just want to try some new angles this year and sit across the hill to get another perspective. It might keep me clean and safe too! The 70-200 puts me in the line of fire often. Great shots, but I want to see another angle.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2013
    Dennis Kaczor wrote: »
    Very nice set of images Harry. #2 is my pick for the nice framing around the birds.

    Thanks Deniis, they were kind enough to perch between two trees.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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