Nikon D500 + Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII combo

bbg404

bbg404

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Morning all I got excited by the though of owning this combo and I've seen examples of this being used along with the 2xTC III which are literally pin sharp but I don't feel like mine is as sharp as I've seen posted

I've been thinking about trying the Auto AF fine tune but I can't get my head round it!

Basically I've ready 40 x focal length 300 / 420 / 600 ( 420 = 1.4x 600 = 2x)
So 12 meters 16.8 meters and 24 meters.

Am I ok to use a lamp post at this distances??

Has anyone felt the need to use the fine tune with this combo?
 
bbg404 said:
Am I ok to use a lamp post at this distances??

Has anyone felt the need to use the fine tune with this combo?
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I would not use anything as corse as a lamp post at any distance... I generally recommend you fine tune for the distance you will be using and not some arbitrary "general" setting. But then it's not a "once and done" thing.

If you are not going to do AF fine tune critically (tripod, target, etc) you are probably better off not doing it at all... I haven't had good/consistent results with the auto fine tune function on the D5.
 
sk66 said:
I would not use anything as corse as a lamp post at any distance... I generally recommend you fine tune for the distance you will be using and not some arbitrary "general" setting. But then it's not a "once and done" thing.

If you are not going to do AF fine tune critically (tripod, target, etc) you are probably better off not doing it at all... I haven't had good/consistent results with the auto fine tune function on the D5.
Click to expand...

I had planned on using a tripod but thought a lamppost at the relevant distances would have been sufficient I just feel some shots are softer than maybe if expected them to be :|
 
bbg404 said:
Morning all I got excited by the though of owning this combo and I've seen examples of this being used along with the 2xTC III which are literally pin sharp but I don't feel like mine is as sharp as I've seen posted

I've been thinking about trying the Auto AF fine tune but I can't get my head round it!

Basically I've ready 40 x focal length 300 / 420 / 600 ( 420 = 1.4x 600 = 2x)
So 12 meters 16.8 meters and 24 meters.

Am I ok to use a lamp post at this distances??

Has anyone felt the need to use the fine tune with this combo?
Click to expand...

I was told at a demo for the D5/D500 at the Photography Show in Birmingham, that the AF should be fine tuned at 30x the focal length of the lens. :thinking: That said, I tried the AF fine tune on the D500 when I got it and got varying results results. This was during a few wet days before I could get out with it. Thankfully the D500 has been very good wide open with my 70-300mm with no adjustment. Much better than it was on my D300S. ;) It may be worth doing it at distance you commonly use the lens at.

I watched a link to a video review of the D500 the other day by a chap called Steve Perry. During the review he mentions the AF fine tune with the D500 and the 300mm PF. He also mentions the variability of the results, and that he used Lens Align to fine tune the AF. He also mentions that he did it with his good friend who is the originator of Lens Align, so take that how you want to. He gets some excellent images though.

I think the Nikon AF fine tune is not at the place it should be. As with Nikon's SnapBridge software, if seems a good idea that has not been implemented well imho.
 
redhed17 said:
I think the Nikon AF fine tune is not at the place it should be. As with Nikon's SnapBridge software, if seems a good idea that has not been implemented well imho.
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:agree:
 
Right chaps I done a test on a stick (King fisher perch) and I'm highly disappointed with it after spending so much money

D500
300 2.8 VRII
2x TC Mk III
600mm
1/2000
F5.6
ISO 360

This was shot in RAW exported as a JPEG with no adjustments or crop it's the full file
 
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Here's a couple of photos from my use of the 300 f2.8 VRll + TC 2.0-Elll, though different camera body.


Spoonbill by Roger, on Flickr


Bathtime by Roger, on Flickr

The TC 2.0-Elll will affect IQ but it should not seriously impair it ... have you performed any AF tuning?
 
gramps said:
Here's a couple of photos from my use of the 300 f2.8 VRll + TC 2.0-Elll, though different camera body.


Spoonbill by Roger, on Flickr


Bathtime by Roger, on Flickr

The TC 2.0-Elll will affect IQ but it should not seriously impair it ... have you performed any AF tuning?
Click to expand...

I haven't yet was hoping to get out tonight but didn't get a chance

I'm slightly disappointed as I've got sharper shots with the 80-400 I've just sold :(
 
What is it like without the converter?
 
Whats it like stopped down at f8? I used to use a 300mm f2.8 VR1 with 2x mk3 teleconverter on a D7100, it was excellent. I used to use it for water voles and Barn Owls in flight. I miss the quality of having the ability to get 600mm f5.6.

gramps said:
What is it like without the converter?
Click to expand...
It should be pin sharp but there is a chance it could also be front/back focusing and the 2x teleconverter is magnifying this.
 
bbg404 said:
To be honest I havnt used it

I bought the combo for shots as I just posted I'd seen that quality before I bought mine and wanted the same quality but I'm not getting it
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You will see a difference between the bare lens and the lens + TC.
Many D500 users are saying that their lenses don't need any adjustment but this may just be coincidence, whatever you do don't rely on the in-camera adjust.
Is the lens new or used?
 
bbg404 said:
I bought it used
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Test everything thoroughly then, hope you have an option to return it if necessary ... if so make sure you do before any return period ends. :)
 
Usually it's human Error Ben,as above test the equipment as above then go from there and maybe try your lens on your friends camera vice versa.
 
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bbg404 said:
I bought the combo for shots as I just posted I'd seen that quality before I bought mine and wanted the same quality but I'm not getting it
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Are you an experienced photographer with good technique? (Sorry, reading that back it could me misconstrued as harsh/criticising, it's not intended to be!).

You can't expect to see somebody else's work and instantly replicate the quality.

Couple of things:-

A) It looks as though the light was really poor on your photo of the perch?

B) You haven't applied any sharpening, or PP for that matter, to the raw file as you said "This was shot in RAW exported as a JPEG with no adjustments or crop", so it would need processing to bring out the detail.

If this is your first long lens, then it's well worth practising your technique as any slight movement will exacerbate camera shake @ 600mm, even with fast shutter speeds like 1/2000.

Hope you get it sorted, but definitely try it on a different body (y)
 
More practice required with the lens/camera combo. Dont shoot wide open with the 2xtc added but stop down as mentioned. Test micro adjust with lens only and then with the tc added. Tour shutter soeed is high so loads of room to stop down once any micro adjustments have been applied.
 
Well the good news is I'm more than happy with the 300 on its own even at 2.8 I've used a test card and it was out maybe a little I think I'm happier with the slight adjustment so will double check that next time but I just need to sort a set up that doesn't use a tripod to much movement with the TC on so may also have some without!

I just done a test shot in the house using the table at the rest for the camera and it's far better just now need to get the test card at the right distances again and double check

Hoping that if it was slightly out at 300 it was doubled with the TC on but also some bad technique it could have massively been multiplied so fingers crossed I'm on the right road to sorting it just need time practice and some good light
 
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