Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: shutterworks on March 08, 2008, 06:15:00 pm
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I'm hoping this group will share their thoughts.
Let me set the stage...
I have an opportunity to buy a Nikon 600mm F4 (edit from orig where I said F2.8 - sorry) AF D ED AF in almost mint condition, case, cover, and an internal circular polarizer for about $3,500 US.
In the bag I have a 300mm F4 AF-S ED, a 70-200 F2.8 VR, a 1.4 and 1.7TC and other shorter lenses. I shoot with a D2X.
Okay, why do I 'need' this lens? I love to shoot birds, especially in flight, and other dritters (bears, deer, wolf, etc) and the 300 doesn't quite reach. With the TC almost, but then I drop to F5.6 or less and can't get a quick focus lock. I've rented the 400 2.8 and it works really well for closer stuff, but not always enough reach. ALSO, I plan on moving to the D3 (or D3xyz ) eventually which means I loose the crop factor.
I am also considering the 200-400 but don't think I can come close to the same price, which will keep me from the D3 for quite a while ($).
Do I jump, wait for the 200-400, wait for a chance at a 600 II or other options? I know this lens is a couple versions behind, but is that a reason not to?
Let the suggestions flow... and thanks!
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Wow!!! Is there REALLY such a thing as a 600mm f2.8??? If so, it must be as big as a tank! I have a Canon 500mm f4L IS lens, and have seen the 600mm f4 and the 400mm f2.8, and I've never heard of a 600mm f2.8 lens. If Nikon really has such a thing it must be one heck of an incredible lens!
Is it a VR lens? The Canon lenses I mentioned are all image stabilized (IS) which I believe Nikon calls VR. I wouldn't use such a lens unless it had stabilization... the Canon versions I'm familiar with have a switch to set that to panning use which is great for birds in flight.
Again, compared with Canon, that price seems really low, even for used. Unless maybe it's not a VR lens.
I'll be watching this thread with interest...
Eldor
I'm hoping this group will share their thoughts.
Let me set the stage...
I have an opportunity to buy a Nikon 600mm 2.8 AF D ED AF in almost mint condition, case, cover, and an internal circular polarizer for about $3,500 US.
In the bag I have a 300mm F4 AF-S ED, a 70-200 F2.8 VR, a 1.4 and 1.7TC and other shorter lenses. I shoot with a D2X.
Okay, why do I 'need' this lens? I love to shoot birds, especially in flight, and other dritters (bears, deer, wolf, etc) and the 300 doesn't quite reach. With the TC almost, but then I drop to F5.6 or less and can't get a quick focus lock. I've rented the 400 2.8 and it works really well for closer stuff, but not always enough reach. ALSO, I plan on moving to the D3 (or D3xyz ) eventually which means I loose the crop factor.
I am also considering the 200-400 but don't think I can come close to the same price, which will keep me from the D3 for quite a while ($).
Do I jump, wait for the 200-400, wait for a chance at a 600 II or other options? I know this lens is a couple versions behind, but is that a reason not to?
Let the suggestions flow... and thanks!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=180088\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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"Wow!!! Is there REALLY such a thing as a 600mm f2.8???"
I think that would be a "No". I suspect from the price it is a Nikon Nikkor 600mm f/4D AF-I ED-IF.
Here is a Review. http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/6004afi.htm (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/6004afi.htm)
Steve
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Additional data...KEH has one for ~$4600..if the lens is being offered as a 2.8 for $3500..is the offer real? Do you know the seller? BTW the 600 f4 weighs ~ 13 pounds!!!
Steve
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Additional data...KEH has one for ~$4600..if the lens is being offered as a 2.8 for $3500..is the offer real? Do you know the seller? BTW the 600 f4 weighs ~ 13 pounds!!!
Steve
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=180110\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Oops... yes, it's an F4, my typo and I knew this. Question still stands. It is the same model as KEH has. No VR... the new version not yet on the market will be VR, and will be around $9,500 US. The current version ED-IF II sells for $9,000 US. This is the ED-IF.
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UPDATE
My 600F4 is a right -off no spares available - dead as a doorstop just cause some poxy electonic bit the size of a fingernail is corroded
Nikon carry spares from 7 years from the end of production of a model I have discovered
So a chaep old 600F4 could be a donkey
Find out the age and model and whan that model was discontiued
S
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I'm hoping this group will share their thoughts.
Do I jump, wait for the 200-400, wait for a chance at a 600 II or other options? I know this lens is a couple versions behind, but is that a reason not to?
Let the suggestions flow... and thanks!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=180088\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
If you know 600 F4 has received a high level of care then the reasons I would wait for the new lens are
1. Lighter (in this lens not much but every bit helps)
2. Closer minimum focus. This is important to me
3. Full warranty.
$3,500 is a very big savings over the cost of a new one and I do not think that the 200-400 is really a bird lens(but very good for larger wildlife) while the 600 can turn a finch into a condor. Ok a buzzard, seagull or a large raven. BTW be sure and budget for the larger tripod (like the Gitzo 5540LS)and Wimberley head.
Tom