500mm f4 - Does it need IS/VR

Gareth_R

Gareth_R

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I have had a nikon 500 f4 VR on order for several months and the first batch from Japan has still not arrived in the UK. The new version with VR (IS to canon shooters) was announced last August and predicted to be in the shops this last January.
There is still no sign of a definate delivery date and I am affraid of missing the summer months shooting opertunities. I am now considering other options.
1. Sigma 300 - 800. (too heavy)
2. Sigma 500 f4.5 (too slow)
Neither of these options has an image stabiliser; so the question to those using 500mm lenses with IS / VR is " How usefull is the IS facility considering that such a lens will be used on a tripod / monopod to shoot wildlife or motorsport ?"

Option 3 could be canon long lens kit. For the price of the nikon 500 f4 VR I could get a canon 500 f4 IS + canon 40d + battery grip for 40d + canon 1.4x TC. This could be used for long lens work, with my existing nikon kit being used for everything else

Discuss................ :thinking:
 
Hi Gareth. I have recently bought the Canon 500mm IS lens and I thought exactly the same before I bought it. Will I need IS? :thinking:
I bought a good tripod set up as well and didn't really expect to use it without the tripod. However, I use it without (in conjunction with a beanbag) when I am in hides, where space is at a premium and I am glad of the IS in these circumstances. I just turn if off when its on the tripod.
If the Nikon version is anything like the canon you will not be disappointed. Hope this helps.
Mark :)

P.S. I would say option 3 is the best option. You would not be dissapointed!! (only problem being the compatability with your Nikon lenses?)
 
I use my Cannon 500mm f4 IS with IS all the time. It's never turned off - even on a tripod, where it's still designed to be utilised. Even on a tripod, you can clearly see the image steady down as soon as IS kicks in.

In answer to your question - I think IS is essential on these longer lenses, I've pulled off shots at 1/80th sec and less with the 500mm, which I seriously doubt I'd have got without IS.
 
I would also say yes it makes life much much easier and the ability to capture shots which you would normally miss.

Have you spoken to kerso about getting the lens ?.
 
Thanks for the responses so far.
I haven't asked Kerso about the nikon 500 vr as the shortage is worldwide and not just limited to the UK.
I have considered asking him for a quote on the canon kit but haven't done so yet.
The question at the moment is how long to stick it out waiting for nikon before going down the canon road.
My local camera shop has an open day/mini show, in a couple of weeks which will be attended by both nikon & canon among many others. That may be a good time to ask some searching questions of the company reps.
The non IS/VR options look like being non starters.
Gareth.
 
Gareth, I got my Canon 500mm for £3400 from Kerso (bargain). Food for thought.
Mark
 
Hi Gareth,
Nikon really do need to get their act together. I'm having the same problem getting a 200-400mm vr.
Yet another worldwide shortage.....
 
With regard to using long lenses on a tripod with IS, I think it helps to realise that there are two possible scenarios here.

(1)With the lens on a tripod and head completely locked tight, intending to release the shutter with a remote release. IS is pretty pointless in this situation, as there is absolutely no movement for the IS system to detect. Landscape photographers can live without IS. ;)

(2) With the lens on a tripod, but with one hand on the camera and one hand on the top of the lens, moving the camera/lens around tracking a target. A cable release is pretty useless in this situation - you'll miss more wildlife shots than you'll bag.

In this situation, think of the tripod more as a gun carriage/gunsight, which enables you smoothly track your target and get that single AF point over the head/eye and keep it there as the target moves around. It's more of an aid to smooth tracking and focusing rather than an absolute camera support being it's prime function.

When the opportunity comes and you half press the shutter, you can just about hear the IS kick in and feel a very slight jar through the lens and body as IS kicks in. The steadying effect on the image in the viewfinder is instant from that point - it just becomes a rock still image.

IS is the biggest development in lens technology since AF and I wouldn't seriously consider a super tele lens without it - the advantages are enormous.

You do need to get a good understanding of long lens technique to use long lenses in this fashion. I'll post a link to Moose Peterson's guide.

Long Lens Technique

Don't worry - you wont get a nose like his! :D
 
kevshore said:
Hi Gareth,
Nikon really do need to get their act together. I'm having the same problem getting a 200-400mm vr.
Yet another worldwide shortage.....
Click to expand...

Warehouse Express shows the 200-400 as "Next delivery due mid May"

Still no sign of the 500vr :(
 
Gareth_R said:
Warehouse Express shows the 200-400 as "Next delivery due mid May"

Still no sign of the 500vr :(
Click to expand...




Thanks Gareth,

Phoned them. On backorder, no delivery date......:(
Been told today by Nikon rep that they still have no delivery date and that they have one customer who ordered early January and still hasn't got his!
All they will tell me is that I am above half way up the waiting list...:eek:
Don't know about you, but I'm not impressed.
 
kevshore said:
Thanks Gareth,

Phoned them. On backorder, no delivery date......:(
Been told today by Nikon rep that they still have no delivery date and that they have one customer who ordered early January and still hasn't got his!
All they will tell me is that I am above half way up the waiting list...:eek:
Don't know about you, but I'm not impressed.
Click to expand...

I raised another query with Nikon Europe Support today & got this reply.....
<< These lenses are available to order from your Nikon Agent the average timeframe is about 6 weeks from the time your dealer places his order with Nikon. >>

I then showed the response to my local shop who have had this on back order for me for two months. They rang Nikon to see when the lens would be with us, only to be told " No... none in the uk yet; don't know when we will get them". :shrug: :(:(
 
Man I feel sorry for you guys with the shortage an all, as to the question, I know that the Canon 500 can be handheld for short periods of time....in those at least the IS will come in very handy.
 
Gareth_R said:
I raised another query with Nikon Europe Support today & got this reply.....
<< These lenses are available to order from your Nikon Agent the average timeframe is about 6 weeks from the time your dealer places his order with Nikon. >>

I then showed the response to my local shop who have had this on back order for me for two months. They rang Nikon to see when the lens would be with us, only to be told " No... none in the uk yet; don't know when we will get them". :shrug: :(:(
Click to expand...


Idiots. :( My dealer has now offered to loan me a Sigma 300mm 2.8 for free because he feels so bad and he knows that i wanted it for a weeks trip to Wales.
Now thats customer service. Take note Nikon. You're letting your dealers and customers down. :thumbsdown:
 
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