Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6: After few days of shooting
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- #Nikon #Nikkor #200500 #wildlife #longlens
Lessons learned after shooting with the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens for a few days.
Table of content:
0:00 Introduction
0:23 Big box, big lens
1:57 Large lens hood
2:23 I bought it to shoot wildlife (birds)
3:42 Why a zoom lens?
5:19 200-500 mm is not enough
5:50 Went from D4 to D750 to Z50
7:58 Use a strap attached to the lens (not the camera)
8:47 The black rapid strap
10:50 Micro focus manually after the auto focus is done
11:45 Surprisingly good as a landscape lens as well
12:48 Feedback very welcome
Affiliate link to the lens in this video:
amzn.to/2Pxv0Lg
Affiliate link to the Nikon Z50 camera body:
amzn.to/39njAk6
Great video. You had me laughing at the outset when you said you were scared of the size of the box when it was delivered. Love Steve Perry too👍
Great review and tips about the focussing. A pleasure to watch😊
Thank you MCH! Very kind of you! All the best! :-D
Remember to use a safety strap along with the sling strap. It's just 2nd connection to the camera/lens body and strap loop in case your main connection fails. These heavy lenses will result in a lot of damage if they happen to fall on concrete or rocks. It's such a simple thing and can save a lot of heartache.
Thanks for the heads up! Much appreciated! 🙏
I use a Zip tie....linking lens foot w/ QR head-plate atop my mono. Cut if off after the shoot.
I have this lens and I agree with everything you have said.
🙏
The Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 is a sharp lens, been shooting with it for over three years now with the D500, the lens really shines with the D850 and its 45 megapixel sensor, which I have been shooting with for a bit over a year now. I also shoot with the Sigma 500mm f4 sport, which is in another league, but for the money and versatility the Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 can not be beat.
Thank you for sharing!
I guess I have some work to do because Im not getting that sharpness I thought I would get with my NikonD850. It looks good in the camera but when I get back in LR and zoom in...not good.
@@MrShaun_D1 Maybe a very basic question, but have you tried to test the lens using a stable subject and plenty of light? Just to see if it is the calibration of the lens that could be the issue.
@@frederikboving you know that's exactly what I did yesterday. I went out to a soccer game and tested it. I did get much better results but it was toward the evening, about 6pm, still some sunshine but I'm going to try some more but around noon. I really had to up my ISO if I wanted Shutter speed at a minimum of 1000, lots of noise which I was able to bring down in Topaz.
Great sharing of experience. Thank you!
Thank you!
well for me the lens gives me excellent results, for wild life here in spain
👌
Very straight fwd as always. Thank you.
Thank you Jacob!
I've had mine for just over a year. Carrying it on my shoulder all over Alaska capturing birds, and sports I love it mounted on a carbon fiber monopod. By far its the most expensive lens I've ever purchased but I love it, however it has a few drawbacks but you learn them and learn how to adapt rather quickly. I'm glad you enjoy it also ..I would recommend you use the Photo Clam lens plate from B&H for a foot upgrade its affordable and Acra Swiss compatible
Thank you for sharing Rick! Just like you, it is the most expensive lens I have ever bought, and I have not regretted that purchase for one second! All the best!
Thank you for another great review
🙏🏻
Thanks so much (Tak) Frederik for such a clear explanation of why you bought this lens and how you have found multiple uses for it. I live in Northwest Washington state along the North Puget Sound and have found this lens ideal for Bald Eagles, but as you said, it is heavy so usually use a sandbag on part of my car to steady it or use a monopod. Despite this limitation, it is a superior lens and one I also have used for landscape photography with my D7500. Best regards, Robert Wright MD
Thank you Robert! Glad that you also enjoy this lens, and that the weight of it was also a challenge for you! Uh, Bald Eagles - not many of those in Denmark! But we actually do have a few eagles - will see if I can catch one some beautiful day! And the D7500 - lost mine a few years back in a salt water accident, and I still miss that camera from time to time - one of the most underrated cameras in the Nikon lineup if you ask me.
Thanks Frederik for another great video! Looking forward your feedback and perspective in regard your Z50.
Thanks, will do!
Not sure if you found a mounting solution. Looks like this video is a year old. But I use a Black Rapid strap clipped to a small 1in wide arca-swiss clamp. I have an L-bracket on my D850 and a plate on any lens with a foot mount. All I do is clamp to each to change lenses to any tripod or my strap. I do use a safety strap from the camera to the lens and I do not walk around with the camera/lens swinging in the air. But I love this solution.
Thank you for sharing James! Sounds like you found a smart solution - I will need to figure out how to copy-paste your setup! All the best!
Excellent video
Nice talk about this lens!
Thanks
Thank you Yves!
Congratulations with the lens! I have it and love its rendering. Also the VR is great. I carry the lens by the collar, but turned on the side opposite that you do. When shooting supporting the lens (and not the tripod collar) for stability. You will always want a longer lens, but note that it will be more fuzzy because of heat distortions or mist etc. soon. Better get nearer to the subject or have a fast high resolution camera ($$$). I use it with my D500, but actually I prefer the look of this lens with the d700.
I have D700 thinking to get one of this, hows autofocus works.?
@@PunjabiGymBeats works fine, don’t expect miracles
Thank you for sharing Jacob! Noted that longer will not necessarily be better! Not good for my GAS that a high res camera may be next step :-/
@@jacobjurg3746 thanks
@@frederikboving Haha, I recognize that, but unfortunately I have no cure for GAS - recovering victim myself. 😀
@ 11:53 Very valid point and observation! Of course it can. Compression and isolating a subject can produce very good and sometimes powerful images! 😊
🤗
As someone who wants to get into wildlife photography, I found this video very interesting and informative.
Thank you!
Thank you Frederik for your thoughts (not a review 😊) on this lens. By the way, I think "zed" is the way to say Z in most countries.
Thank you Bob! Zed it is! I think I will call the Z50 for the Zorro 50 maybe? Let me see if I can remember the zed way of saying it next time :-D
Zoom in Zoom out and the Bird is left, I can't stop laughing, you are an amazing fellow, Thanks for all of your Videos, always on the Top
Thank you Masud! Much appreciated :-D
Really nice pictures. I'm also thinking of this lens and camera.
Thank you Olivierr, I can certainly recommend the lens. The Z50 autofocus leaves some to be desired, but it is certainly useable.
Awesome video and commentary 👌
Thank you!
Awesome review! Recently got a D700 after owning a d300 for a few years. Biggest lens i own currently are the 70-300 ED VR and the 300mm F4.5 manual. Thats enough workout for me lol
Ha-ha! Yes, long lenses are indeed a workout of its own. All wildlife photographers have upper arms like Mark Wallberg for that reason :-D
300f4ed awesome lens
I have enjoyed mine 🤙
👍
Very interesting video. The key to getting full frame photos of small birds with only 750mm of reach is to shoot them at reasonably close distances. This can reasonably be accomplished by using stealth techniques, using portable blinds and establishing feeding stations on location.
Thank you for your tips - much appreciated!
Mine just came in the mail today. Intimidating indeed. I use the tripod mount as a handle because of the weight.
Ha-ha! Thanks for sharing! Yes, it is a bit intimidating at first - you'll get used to it! Wise to use the tripod mount as a handle.
Lovely video, I just got my 200-500mm today and I have it mounted to a Z50 with an FTZ converter. I don't unfortunately don't have a solution to the strap, which I'm desperately looking for too. Just curious to know if you use the S or A priority in some of your landscape photos that you showed in the video ?
Hi, for landscape I almost always shoot in Aperture priority mode. For bird photography on the Z50 I have setup U1 and U2 for birds on a string and BIF respectively. Works like a charm. ua-cam.com/video/0oQpmLOC518/v-deo.html
Good vid. What model is your Black Rapid strap &, did you have to fine tune your Auto Focus when you used it on your D750? I shoot with the D810 with 36 mp which helps with bigger crops but, I can see where shooting with a crop camera like a D500 would be nice. How are you liking the Z50?
Thanks! I am not sure about the blackrapid as they do not tag their products very well, but I believe it is this one: www.blackrapid.com/sport-breathe/
No, no fine tune of the D750 - I have a feeling that Nikon is not in favor of fine tuning, so I have stayed clear of it. I really like the Z50, it gives me amazing result with the 200-500mm. It is a bit plastic-ish in the feel and there are things I miss from the bigger cameras like buttons for fast formatting the SD card etc, so clearly they have saved some money here and there, but overall I am happy with the Z50, and the ergonomics is exactly as I like it.
Hi Frederik, i got this lens too and I fixed two peak design anchors at the tripodholder of the lens. So I can carry it save and it works also with the monopod. I screwed a seperatly arca swis plate at the holder of the lens. It's safe and worked perfect 😁🤘
Thanks for sharing Toto! Can I ask how you got the peak design anchors mounted on the collar of the lens?
Hi Frederik, I fixed it with a black, thick cable tie .... it's absolut strong enough for the weight of the lens. Thank's for your videos !!
@@toto.b Thank you Toto! Noted!
Just found you and appreciate your thoughts on this and also the NikonD750. I use this lens for moon photography very successfully ✅
Hi Rae, thank you for sharing! Managed to get a decent picture of the moon 🌙 the other day with this lens and the z50; the combo gives excellent reach!
Hey nice review, I had the same thought as you and bought it, it’s a big throw to zoom while folding. I use at 500mm always now using the same reference points you mentioned. Btw which strap is it ? Do you have the link ?
Hi Kannan, it is a BlackRapid strap. They do not tag their products very well, but I believe it is this one: www.blackrapid.com/sport-breathe/
@@frederikboving thanks 👍
I’m a landscape photographer waiting for this lens to try some landscape photos(actually never had tis focal in my 25 years career. Not shure if I waste my money but I’ll goona give it a try anyway,!
Cheers!
Thanks for sharing Eduardo! Please let us know how you find the lens!
@@frederikboving Of course I´ll do it Frederik!. I planed to make a video about my first sensation with this lens!
Cheers!
Hi .. just bought it a month ago but all images are really noisy and a little out of focus -even with A-FS.
I have also the 70-200 that I really shoot sharp pics with. Starting to regret the 200-500mm unless I m doing something wrong
Hi, that sounds bad! Grainy pictures is probably not the lens' fault, but OOF certainly is. Have you tried to compare the 70-200 at 200 with the 200-500 at 200? Shoot the same subject with both lenses at the same aperture, and see if you get the same result? If you don't, then there is something wrong with the 200-500 lens, and you should return it. I have heard that some of the copies from the early production had issues with sample variations, so maybe you got one of the bad ones. Hope this helps.
one way to focus fast is to hold the zoom ring and actually twist the body, then let go of the zoom ring and turn the body back to the correct orientation. Not sure if I was clear but there's a video by Tom Mason I think. I have my eye on this lens, but sadly don't have the funds. Also, I think most photographers that shoot the birds at eye level make feeders lower to the ground, with little twigs for the birds to sit, that way when the birds come down to eat you can photograph them.
Thanks for the zoom tip! Definitely will give it a try! Yes, have seen the bird feeder videos, but it feels a bit like cheating doesn't it? Or is it just me?
@@frederikboving i guess it is kind of cheating, but definitely easier than dragging a 600mm or 800mm lens on a tree :p
@@anasrida3454 :-D
@@frederikboving Cheating? Back then, there were photographers putting a photo behind floral subject(s) for a perfect background, similar to the old studio portrait shots.
@@bfs5113 You are so right of course. And we all know how the Afghan girl picture came about. But it still feels like cheating. I am probably just an old romantic that insists on an authenticity now one asks for :-/
Thanks for a great video! It is an interesting lens.
Small birds are very difficult, they also have very unpredictable movements, compared to large birds. There, the 36MP of a D850 would come in handy
Hi Kim, as you probably know I am a big supporter of not buying cameras with high pixel count as most of us don't need it, but in this particular case - shooting small birds - I have to say: you are absolutely right about the D850.
D850 is 46 megapixels. !!
Yes that was a typo@@markrigg6623
Frederik, nice presentations and may I say funny. I see that you are struggling a bit with your new acquisition and you are inviting us to ask you questions about it. :) No pun intended.
The trick of zooming in from 200 to 500 when you spot your subject will help you in the beginning for a day or two. After that you will know how to get your subject in the view finder and also focus and shoot quickly. The trick I use is, I will track the bird with naked eye keeping it in the center over the end of the lens and my eye right above the view finder, once I am confident that my panning is staying in synch with the motion of the bird, i shift into the view finder and 95% of the time, i find the bird in my frame at 500mm and with birds in flight.
I see that you are using a ball head on your monopod, that can be dangerous for your kit. Instead use a tilt head that is much safer option. Steve also talks about that.
I love your presentations and the sheer honesty you bring. Keep them coming.
Cheers,
Thank you, Imtiyaz! Tilt head: Noted! Zooming technique: REALLY good advice! I have already applied it on my last shoot - not that I had much luck, but I can see that it will work with a bit of practice, so thank you!!
This was my first real long lens too and this is what I found: The lens collar and foot are not ideal, especially with the amazing fact that Nikon refuses to put an Arca type foot. You will want to upgrade foot at least and I found my RRS replacement collar and foot made a difference. Secondly, you will want to use a head for monopods as well as tripods. I use a monopod gimbal head and a Siri monopod tilt head. You will need the Arca foot as the balance points change with the telescoping for different focal lengths. And you will definitely want to balance this lens. I often use this as a walk around lens with one end of my Peak strap on an attachment such as yours on the bottom of the foot and the other on the left camera strap point, holding it so the weight is on the foot but the left side provides stability. With a cross chest carry it’s reasonably comfortable as my right hand is on the foot but it quickly comes up to ready for a shot. Have fun, it’s a very useful lens.
Thank you Gary - will look into the RRS collar; as I recall their prices, I also need to take out a second mortgage :-D
I get that. Fortunately I understood that before buying as I had read reviews on the matter, so I factored it into the budget. I think this was the last new lens that I purchased. The nice thing about buying a lens such as this used is that the original buyer often made the replacement. But as a fairly new lens and one that people don’t tend to get rid of, it may be difficult to find a good used one. I have had very good experiences buying through a guy in Japan who goes by Yukiko at halnatural.0115@gmail.com. I would tell him the lens I’m looking for and condition that I would expect along with target price range. It may take him a while but he comes back with a lens and makes arrangements for me to buy it on eBay. He is very particular and has gotten me several outstanding lenses at very fair prices.
@@garymc8956 Thank you for sharing Gary!
I added a long arca swiss plate made by Benro. The bottom of this plate is recessed. The screw I use to mount it to the lens foot is a hinges half moon (half circle) type screw & folds down flush. So I fold it down to slide it onto my tripod head &, fold it up & use a spring loaded caribinner clip like you use in the vid. I purchased 3 of the screws & the Benro arca swiss plate from B&H in NY, USA. I have one on my 70-200 lens (+ 1 spare) also & use them with my Nikon strap when shooting while hand holding. I also purchased the screw you are using (or something simular) . Tried & swapped it out rite off for the hinged screw when I had to remove it to use on the tripod.
@@thomastuorto9929 Thanks for sharing - very useful!
Hi Frederik!
I currently own a D750 and every time I look at it Im being filled with regret that I didint get the Z6. I love doing photos of birds and "Swedish Wildlife" but also portaits of my dog and forest shoots. I own the Tamron 70-210/4 and sometimes i feel that the reach really is not enough. When I saw you using the Z50 my thoughts started to shift about maybe purchasing one of those cameras instead of the Z6. What are your thoughts about the Z50/Z6/D750? Is it even worth changin the D750 to a Z6 anyway? I figured I can go D750+50/1.8 for Forest/Street and Z50+70-210/4 for wildlife. Might be a good idea. Greetings from Sweden!
Hi Patrik, all good questions! I think going from the D750 to the Z6 is very much a "sideways" move, i.e. the cameras are as I see it very good all round cameras in the 24MP space, and the main advantage of such move is the usual benefits of the mirrorless (e.g. no noise from the mirror, more information in the viewfinder, etc). I have a more elaborate blog about going from DSLR to MR here: frederikboving.com/is-mirrorless-cameras-better-than-dslrs/
You should be aware that going for the Z-series involves a new lens mount, and you need to buy an adapter as well (FTZ) to get the old glass to fit the Z-camera body. And with Tamron, there is no guarantee the Tamron lens will work with the adaptor when Nikon makes future software updates, although I think they will try hard to make it happen (Ken Rockwell has a different POV though). Also, Steve Perry tells us that the FTZ adaptor makes the focus a bit more slow (around 0.1 second), so if you shoot fast moving subjects, this may be an issue.
I have only owned the Z50 for a few days, and I have not made my mind up about it entirely, but it is a good little camera with good ergonomics and 21MP APS-C sensor, so it gets the job done for a reasonable price. I bought my copy used at MPB.COM - they enable you to trade in old gear if you want to.
Hope all this helps - if not, then at least get you confused at a more informed level! Take care!
@@frederikboving Much appreciated, thanks alot!
My fisrst try of 200-500 was with niklon d7200. Very high pixel dentisy on crop sensor but d7200 is too slow and have little buffer.
Nowdays i use 200-500 witch nikon d850.
Changing from fulframe to crop area mode is invaluable.
Sometimes the object is too close even for crop sensor to fill the full field of view.
You can set up d850 for faster changing af area mode to group area mode by one button and changing crop sensor field o view to ful frame on the fly.
It significantly speeds up the work with this lens.
Thank you TRT, I have been struggling with changing focus setup, as I want to either shoot a bird that sits still on a branch (AF-S and single point focus) or trying to catch birds flying by above my head (AF-C and activating a lot of focus points). I am not sure how to do that fast, but seems like you have found out using the D850! So maybe I need a new camera? Oh, GAS...
@@frederikboving
I use af-c single pint with "back button AF" mode
Also in custom control assignment i set [sub-selector center] to [AF area mode 25 + AF ON].
This gave me the ability to instantly switch from a single AF-c point to a group 25 points AF-c mode by pressing the sub-selector instead of the AF-ON button.
it is also worth mentioning that when using crop mode on the d850, the viewfinder shows the full frame field of view including the crop area
this also improves orientation when focusing
@@TheRapTrue Thank you TRT!
@@frederikboving you're welcome. love your channel you are doing a great job !
@@TheRapTrue 🙏🏻
Will it work with Nikon D850?
I have not tried with a D850 but the lens should fit at it is an f-mount. But you won't get the crop factor with the d850 (I shoot with a z50).
how does it work on D700..? thinking to get one.
I have not tried it on the D700, but I can see that others have made the lens work on the D700 and love the combo.
@@frederikboving thanks
very good colours are amazing!!
You should look into an arca swiss plate with a D ring.. That is what I use with my black rapid strap and my 70-200 2.8 on a D750 with a grip, I use Fusion Plates on all my long lenses and the body itself. Fusion Photo Gear FPG-1001 Arca-Swiss Compatible Plate, Black FPG-1001MK2-01 (adorama.com)
Thanks for the tip Jim! I have looked into it, and unfortunately they either don't ship to Denmark, or they want to charge men 60 USD in transportation costs. That, in addition to import taxes, would make the price of this otherwise wonderful piece of equipment way too expensive for my wallet. If found this one, but I fear the quality is not really where it should be, carrying an expensive lens: www.amazon.co.uk/Camera-Release-Arca-Swiss-Tripod-Accessories-default/dp/B07WG8MTRW/ref=sr_1_35?dchild=1&keywords=fusion+arca+plate+d+ring&qid=1620718073&sr=8-35
@@frederikboving Such a shame.. Its a great product.. I still have been going back and forth between the 200-400 F4 and the 200-500. Loved your review by the way.
@@JimResnikoff Thank you Jim!
Do you recommend this with Nikon D4 for wildlife Fredrick ? I mean is D4 fast enough?
I would say yes. There are to areas where "speed" is required: focus and FPS.
Focus is always a little hard, as it is a co-operation between lens and camera, so you cannot judge this from the camera alone, especially if you are using AF-S lenses or G-series. But the focus systems ability to quickly figure out to zoom in or zoom out to obtain focus, that is a vital component, and here the D4 delivers! It may be that it is 10-12 years old, but it was made for pro sports photography, and I believe a lot of good shots have been made by pro photographers focusing on athletes blazing down a track or the like.
FPS is about the cameras ability to quickly move the data off the sensor so it is ready to take the next shot. But also the ability to have a "deep" buffer, i.e. stack the images temporarily if the memory cards cannot consume the data fast enough. Also here I believe the D4 was top of the line 10-12 years back.
Of course, if you are super demanding and compare to say the Z9, then the D4 will fall short. But if you are a happy amateur shooting an occasional bird in flight, I cannot imagine the D4 will disappoint.
Hope this helps. All the best!
@@frederikboving Thanks for the reply. There is one as new condition for $1000 USD with one filter. Do you think is a good deal?
@@Jack14432 Hi Janny! There is a risk involved in the D4 and it has to do with Nikons service policy. They only support and service a camera with spare parts for around 10 years. After that, you are on your own. The D4S is in some cases still within the 10 year window and hence often significantly more expensive. So you take a chance buying a D4, but on the other hand it is a pro level camera built to last and built to withstand rugged use for many years. So it may live for many years and give you lots of shutter actuations for years to come. It is hard to know. I have not heard of any issues with the D4 in terms of build quality, so I would think also your copy will last, but it is important that you are aware of this risk. That said, 1000 USD for a Nikon D4 with a low shutter count seems reasonable if it is in prime condition. But I think there are many copies out there, so make sure not to buy the first you come across that looks attractive. And also study the D4S alternatives. Hope this helps!
@@frederikboving I meant $1000 usd for the lens mint sorry not the D4.
@@Jack14432 Did you mention which lens it is?
I hope for Z 200-500 F5.6 S VR 👻
Using Z6ii 24-70 F4S
Ha-ha! Yes, I guess we are many that hope for more lens options to the z-mount!
It never would've occurred to me to mount the strap to the lens instead of the camera base...(still a newbie).
Thank you for sharing Jose! I originally started this channel because there were some very basic things I could not figure out, for example I once managed to mount a lens upside down (aperture scale downwards). So I am very glad you shared - not many dare to, so thank you!
@@frederikboving you're welcome. I've come to appreciate so many good tips that you offer in your videos. I'm always a fan of someone sharing technique.
@@joseantonioborges5054 Thank you Jose!
Good morning Frederik,
This is the first video of yours I have seen. Excellent presentation. I am sure your behind the camera work is exceptional but you also have an excellent in front of the camera ability / persona. Your presentation is very natural and personable. Have you ever considered a career in broadcasting in one form or another ? I mean this quite sincerely.
Anyway, a great video and all the best to you and yours,
Terry
Thank you Terry! It is very kind of you. Most comments are sort of like "your accent makes me think of Arnold Schwarzenegger" and along those lines, so very refreshing to read your post :-D The first many videos I made (I am approaching 160) were with no-show as I really did not feel comfortable in front of the camera, but slowly I dipped my toe and it turned out to be relatively painless. Not that every video is we me as the talking head, but more and more. Hope you will enjoy the content of this channel. Judging from the "good morning" timing - is your location US east coast?
Hello again Frederik, Just wanted to say thanks for your response to my comments yesterday. Those are always nice to receive. I am located about 100 miles west of Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota / USA. Looking forward to exploring your video library. I also subscribed. It looks like today our weather is quite similar - upper 50's and showers. Stay warm / dry and again, all the best to you and yours.
Terry
@@terencedebruycker3840 Hmm 🤔 - not exactly east coast then! Early bird? Or maybe my math skills leaves something to be improved... anyway- hope you'll enjoy the videos! All the best!
You realize it's not quite waterproof?
The zoom part sucks air in / out
I myself have just acquired such a magnificent lens. Looking forward to getting out and using it.
My biggest fear is that the camera body differs from the objective when it hangs in the strap. So I'm looking for a good and easy way to secure the house and the lens will be connected if the accident happens
Thanks! No, I did not realize the lack of waterproofing, but I am a bit paranoid when it comes to cameras and water, so I take good care of my lens. Yes, I have seen many that have a separate cable between the camera and the strap, to catch the camera if the camera and lens for some reason should suddenly decide to part. It looks quite "brutal" when I see the pictures, but after you pointed it out, I can fully relate to why they do it.
@@frederikboving I use a Cammo coloured waterproof cover for this (they're normally for tripod use), protects the camera and lens as well as disguising the equipment for wildlife shooting. I also use that Black Rapid harness, yes a bit cumbersome but comfortable on long hikes with this lens.
@@noreik57 Thank you for sharing Kieron! Can I ask: how do you see cammo gear in general? Does it really help? I wear black clothing and carry a black camera with a black lens and I make no sudden movements! Will I get miracles from buying some cammo cover and clothing you think?
Hi. No, It's only the camera/lens cover in cammo. I too just wear dark clothing (Olive mainly) That was the material it was supplied in. More concerned about waterproofing the zoom.@@frederikboving
@@noreik57 Thank you Kieron - noted. I will look into camera/lens cover in cammo + waterproof. Thanks!
Use the Nikon D500 instead! Better than the Z50 for bird or sport photography and is cheaper!!
Thanks! Did go for the z50 some time ago, but I do appreciate your advice!
It's a bit weird lens as it's too heavy for being a bit too short, not weather sealed, horrible hood, terrible tripod collar and crappy foot, fairly slow AF , no straps attachment points. The image quality is fine but not wow. You cannot pump the hood to zoom , you have to stick with the stiff and 170degree looong zoom ring rotation while on the other hand the manual focus ring is sensitive as hell for manual focus adjustment. It can take 1.4x at f8 which is good but focuses even slower and requires f11 to produce acceptable results so it's fine for getting closer to stationary subjects to fill the composition better however don't expect real bif-ing with it or heavy additional crops. Zoom lock works only at 200... What stands out well is the image stabilization, not only it's high efficiency but also how smooth and nonjerky it is when operating the lens, handheld or tripod. I had a test unit borrowed and it felt like 2nd world war equipment in respect to the low quality parts such as the mentioned hood, tripod collar, focusing ring, lockout etc. It's crazy how much better my sigma 60-600 was. I'm about to test the tamron 150-600 some day as it addresses majority of the above problems while coming in cheaper.
Thanks Martin! I am a Nikonian, so my universe is simple! I don't look towards Tamron or the like, so I like my WWII equipment! I shoot in a Z50 to get some extra reach (and avoid 1.4x's), and it works like a charm. I find AF is good, also for BIF. I have a blackrapid strap attached to the thread in the tripod collar - also works like a charm; actually the first time I found some purpose for this (crazy expensive) strap! Nikon clearly put all the effort to the insides of this lens. The look and feel is not exactly premium, but I really like the images that comes out of it. All the best!
This lens is poorly constructed. Mine locked up at 500mm and will only work wide open now. Switched to Sony.
Did you buy second hand or new one lens?
@@strix_pht new
@@angelusbrick917 omg, i think to buy this lens but now no chance... thanks bro!
Sorry to hear that. Best of luck with Sony!