Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: Nikon 600mm V/s Nikon 500mm for BIF

  1. #1
    pradeep jain
    Guest

    Default Nikon 600mm V/s Nikon 500mm for BIF

    Hey Folks,.
    Am a Wildlife enthusiast and an amateur wildlife hobbyist photographer
    I am tad bit confused whether i need to go to Nikon 600mm VR (Not too sure if VRII is available as yet, if so please contribute your opinion) OR a Nikon 500mm VR II
    Also keen on adding Sony Nex VG 10 Camcorder to my equipment list as i can use my Nikon glasses on it, please feel free to suggest any other video equipment if suitable .
    My Interests:
    Primarily Birds in Flight
    Birds
    Mammals
    That pretty well sums up to ONLY wildlife photography and also videography
    My present gear
    nikon D3s
    Nikon D300s
    TC 14EII
    FX TC 20EIII
    Nikon 200-400mm F4 VR II
    Nikon 70-300 VR
    Nikon 105 2.8 VR
    My Apprehension:
    The weight and possible shake when hand held or on a bean bag/safari ride and inability to manoeuvre 600mm lens .will 500mm lens make sense as i already have a 200-400mm lens.
    Cheers and Thanks
    PJ

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    1,647
    Threads
    83
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I come from Canon, but I can talk about my experience with my EF 500mm f/4L IS. There are some exceptions on this forum, but most of us use a tripod or a beanbag, when shooting from a vehicle. About 80% of the time I shoot with the EF 1.4x TC mounted with my lens, giving a 700mm-equivalent. I didn't go with Canon's 600mm due to the added weight. When you combine the weight of a sturdy tripod (even carbon fiber) with a sturdy gimbal, then weight becomes pretty critical. Even a 500mm is a "big rig."

    Camera shake will not be an issue with the 600mm on a bean bag. I DO hand hold occasionally. Generally for BIF the shutter speed is pretty high and these new anti-shake systems work very well.

  3. #3
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Pradeep:

    There is only one 600VR version.
    Good points by David.

    It is not just the weight of the 600, but the bulk as well. Only a few bags are big enough to hold one, it is a challenge to fit into carry on luggage when flying. I have not been on a safari, but my sense from reading about it, is that a 600 is overkill, better the 200-400 or 500.
    Yes to bigger legs too, a 5 series Gitzo or RRS TVC-33, although some very famous photographers on this site are happy with the 3 series, 3 segment Gitzo with the 600.

    Wimberley V2 for a head, or the largest Mongoose.

    It is a rare photographer who can handhold the 600 for any length of time. The 500 is easier, but not easy for many.

    Pluses for the 600. Lets me use the FX bodies more often, when I really need the reach, D300 often without a TC, and a lot of reach with a TC.

    I would strongly recommend you borrow or rent both before you buy one, esp. the 600!

    Cheers

    Randy

  4. #4
    BPN Member Paul Lagasi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Bells Corners, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    5,316
    Threads
    642
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Pradeep...I have the Nikon 500 vr and my photo friend has the 600 vr. I've owned the 200-400 sold it but will buy another soon.
    I've tried them both, the 600, it is huge and you can handhold it as long as your not trying to track something for any length of time..it is heavy.
    The 500 is not far behind but a bit more manageble.
    In north america travel is tough with both these lenses.
    We don't consider either of these lenses for flight shots, its possible but tough. For that I'd choose the 300 or what you already have the 70-200.
    Most people (Nikon Users) you talk to and read about, prefer to use the 200-400 on safari.
    When you take images with the 500 or 600 , the "wow" comes into your images though.

    This is only my two cents!

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    1,647
    Threads
    83
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Paul Lagasi View Post
    ...We don't consider either of these lenses for flight shots, its possible but tough. ...
    Many of us use 500mm to 700mm for BIF. I tried using a 400mm, but couldn't get the reach that I desired. Some practice is required, but with a good gimbal setup BIF is easily achievable for most of us.

  6. #6
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Whatever lens you own and use you will at times be wishing for more focal length....
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    2,940
    Threads
    288
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    Whatever lens you own and use you will at times be wishing for more focal length....
    I've come to the conclusion that you just cannot get every shot no matter which lens you use. Then again, you can also get the shots with whatever lens you're using if you're in the right place at the right time.

  8. #8
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    In a similar vein, and I have said this often, good photographers make good images with whatever lens they have in their hands at the moment.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  9. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Nashua, New Hampshire, United States
    Posts
    1,280
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A lot depends on where you live and where you shoot. Paul mentions using a 300 or a 70-200 for flight shots. I would never consider that - 600 is needed for what I shoot.

  10. #10
    BPN Member Paul Lagasi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Bells Corners, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    5,316
    Threads
    642
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by David Stephens View Post
    Many of us use 500mm to 700mm for BIF. I tried using a 400mm, but couldn't get the reach that I desired. Some practice is required, but with a good gimbal setup BIF is easily achievable for most of us.
    David, Pradeep was asking about hand holding...thats why I made the reference about "not really suited for flight shots"...with the proper mount and tripod they would both work well.

  11. #11
    BPN Member Bill Jobes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,275
    Threads
    91
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Based on my experience, I feel you have the best Nikon hand-holdable lens already in your kit -- it's the 200-400mm F4 VR II. I've shot hand-held BIF with it very successfully.

    I own or have owned both the 600 VR and the 600 AFS-II lenses, and would not recommend either for shooting BIF hand-held. But they are outstanding with the proper tripod and gimbal head.

    Both 600mm lenses, however, do work very well with the proper bean bag. I use the BLUBB.

    Can't offer an opinion on the Nikon 500mm's, as I haven't photographed with them.
    Bill Jobes



    www.billjobes.com

    My BPN Gallery

    Walk Softly and Carry a Big Lens

  12. #12
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I'm a Canon guy, and I own both the 500 and 600. I shoot BIF exclusively hand held, and the 600 is my lens of choice 99% of the time. But I recognize that the vast majority of photographers can't hand hold a 600. To me, the most important factor is the ability to hand hold your BIF lens; most folks can hand hold a 500 once they learn the proper technique. I'd go for the 500, with the understanding that there will be some occasions when you come up short in the focal length department.
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

  13. #13
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    2,940
    Threads
    288
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by pradeep jain View Post
    TC 14EII
    FX TC 20EIII
    Nikon 200-400mm F4 VR II
    Nikon 70-300 VR
    Nikon 105 2.8 VR
    My Apprehension:
    The weight and possible shake when hand held or on a bean bag/safari ride and inability to manoeuvre 600mm lens .will 500mm lens make sense as i already have a 200-400mm lens.
    I pretty much have the same things. If shooting hand-held is your choice, it's easy to see a 500 is better than the 600 simply because the latter is longer and heavier. If you can hand-hold a 200-400, you can hand-hold a 500 (unless it's just me :p). I can agree that a 600 makes more sense to go with a 200-400. The fact is that a 600 is simply too **** big and heavy. Having said that, it does not mean that a 600 is not hand-holdable (as Doug Brown as shown time and again that it's doable). You just have to be stronger I suppose :)

    Of course you can always sell your 200-400, but it appears that it may not be that easy :)

  14. #14
    Michael Bertelsen
    Guest

    Default

    I know where you are coming from, I have the 200-400 f4 and I needed more reach.
    I like my D300 but most of the time I try to use my D3s because of the low light capabilities.
    It did not make any sense for me to buy the 500 f4 when using the D3s (full frame) .
    Yes you can use the telecoverter, but do you really like too. I don't.
    So I made the jump to the 600 f4 VR2 this year.
    But then, I don't even try to swing the 600 for birds, that is what my 200-400 & and my 70-200 is for.

    Michael Bertelsen

  15. #15
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Bertelsen View Post
    But then, I don't even try to swing the 600 for birds, that is what my 200-400 & and my 70-200 is for.
    You don't know what you're missing Michael! :)
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

  16. #16
    BPN Member Bill Jobes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,275
    Threads
    91
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Doug, the flight photos in your BPN gallery are fantastic !

    Did you take most, or of all of them hand-holding the 600mm lens ? Did you use a TC ?
    Bill Jobes



    www.billjobes.com

    My BPN Gallery

    Walk Softly and Carry a Big Lens

  17. #17
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Jobes View Post
    Did you take most, or of all of them hand-holding the 600mm lens ? Did you use a TC ?
    Thanks Bill. I've been using the 600 hand held for most of my flight shots (with and without a TC) for about the past year. Prior to that I was hand holding my 500. I just like the extra reach, increased AF performance, and preserved f/4 maximum aperture that I get with a 600. My BPN gallery predates my switch to the 600 for the most part. But if you search my started threads on the Avian forum, you'll see plenty of hand held 600 images.
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

  18. #18
    BPN Viewer Charles Glatzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    1,690
    Threads
    363
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    When shooting birds in flight hand-held I will opt for my 300 w/converters or my 500. That said I have made images with both my 400 f/2.8 w/converters and 600 hand-held when the occasion presents itself, but these are two heavy for most to do on all but rare occasions.

    There is more to a good flight image than simply making the subject larger in the frame. Maintaining composition in-camera through proper AF technique will go along way in helping you achieve successful flight images.

    Best,

    Chas
    Last edited by Charles Glatzer; 12-22-2010 at 12:10 PM.

  19. #19
    Michael Bertelsen
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Doug Brown View Post
    You don't know what you're missing Michael! :)
    '
    Doug,

    I'll have to put rocks in my back pocket and work out for a while, but I'm willing to give it a try.

    Michael

  20. #20
    Pedro Serralheiro
    Guest

    Default

    I have used both lenses. Currently I have the 600VR and the 500VR is gone some months ago.
    Reach is everything and IQ is better on the 600VR.
    If BIF is the most shooting style I'll recommend another lens. A 300VR with the new 2x TC, resulting in a very light with high IQ 600VR f5.6. If not, if BIF happens but only on occasions buy the 600VR hands down.
    For big lenses, 500VR, 600VR or even the 800MF, a sturdy base is a most. I have used for long time a Gitzo systematic series 3 with a gimbal, but now I do prefer a fluid head vs any gimbal.
    The D3s is a superb camera but don't underestimate the D300 series or the new D7000. These will give you a crop factor that could be very helpful.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics