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I have the use of a prime 600mm f4 nikon lens for a while (what a weapon)

so I went out this morning after raptors. we saw one but would have needed a 3000mm lens to get any shots.

tried to get a few small birds after that but the sight of this thing must have frightened the bejesus out of em cos the took off to points unknown.
I took this in the yard this arvo (as well as a few pigeons)
seems pretty sharp but hard to handle on moving birdies with manual focus and all.
this guy lifted its foot as I shot this and moved head slightly but I didnt mind it other than that.

Steve

Steve - very nice indeed. Colours are exceptional. Looks like you need to join a gym and build up your shoulder muscles to hold the beast of a lens up, until you have to hand it back.

Steve,

Considering you were trialling the 600mm f4, you have done quite well. Noisy Miner is sharp and as Fozzie said, great colours.

If this is a sign of things to come, you are on a winner.

Cheers

Michael

I have to give it back probably today

is a beast though, with the wimberly and tripod you are looking at over 20 odd pounds.
manual focus is testy also, Dof is narrow so you really have to work to get the shots.
If I was shelling out the sort of money this is worth I would want it to be AF also. Think the afsII is much lighter than this beast too.


I was annoyed that there wasnt a raptor close by.

saw a nankeen kestral but it was roosting around 200m away and wouldnt budge and I couldnt get closer anyhow, even if I could it was up a 30metre pole.

for some reason every position I sat in, the birds just flew off and didnt return. one of those days I guess.

In disgust I came home and tried it in the yard but even then there was only pigeons on the neighbours roof and the minor.

actually there was a dove also but it flew away as soon as I swung on it.
This thing must look major intimidating to a bird!
Steve

What can I say? Wow
You've done well mate!
Get your real one, 600 AF-S

Thanks again for making this test possible birdy



These two shots were taken by Cows go moo.

They show the awsome size of this thing.

Steve

Steve,
It's hard to resist, isn't it?
All our income now goes into the hand of the Japs and we all are working for them

Zeeke,
This set up is for you, not the D200 mate!
The D200 is not capable to handle this lens and the rest of the gears
Try hard and get this whole setup!

Yes birdy, it is hard to resist.

but for the money would want AFs for sure.

as you can see I was able to get it to fit onto the 80-400 shoe but only just!!
and there was no room for my b91b flash bracket

Steve

Steve, awesome shot! this would be my shoot of the week

Any PP done on this one?

avkomp wrote:Yes birdy, it is hard to resist.

but for the money would want AFs for sure.

as you can see I was able to get it to fit onto the 80-400 shoe but only just!!
and there was no room for my b91b flash bracket

Steve

Steve,
I emailed you about this did I?
I played with it and know, I need the real replacement lens plate for it on the Wimberley More lusts

Birdy: Dunno... just doesnt look big enough for me...

Great pic there Steve... im jealous

Tim

Birdy: its ok, cos the guy is taking the lens back soon so I wont need another plate.
funny, he was coming today but hasnt yet. maybe I get to play again tomorrow.

I could get used to this, would have stong biceps too cos this is HEAVY.

Steve

Zeeke,
Once you got addicted to this NLD, then your bank account suffered.
But at least you're enjoyed!

avkomp wrote:Birdy: its ok, cos the guy is taking the lens back soon so I wont need another plate.
funny, he was coming today but hasnt yet. maybe I get to play again tomorrow.

I could get used to this, would have stong biceps too cos this is HEAVY.

Steve

Lock your gate and put the sign on: "Gone fishing"
So he'll be back next week to collect it

Stave very nice, both the image and the lens The lighting on the bird is excellent.

trieu:
no pp other than usm. the light was sweet when I shot this one and the exposure was pretty right. got lucky!!

Steve

Lock your gate and put the sign on: "Gone fishing"
So he'll be back next week to collect it Laughing

was thinking about moving, so I get to keep it.
Steve

Steve,

If I buy a Wimberly anytime soon I'm gonna blame it on you, ok?
If you don't mind me asking, how much did it end up costing you? (Including shipping, GST, etc)

Great shot.

Paul

Paul: the wimberley aint cheap $654.25 Usd on my doorstep.

but that isnt the end of the story. you need a lens plate for each lens you own, unless you want to remove them and put on another lens.
then you need a decent tripod so you have to visit birdy there.
I have been pinching pennies for ages getting organised with this rig.

I found the degree of sharpness in my tripod mounted images went up immediately when I connected to birdys gitzo.
The vr is handy when available but with bigger lenses I believe you should tripod them whereever possible. Vr works wonders otherwise.

Interestingly enough in tests I ran between shots taken @400mm handheld with vr on seemed sharper that tripod mounted shots with vr off using the manfrotto I currently own.
more lust. thats why I am getting the g1325 when I can lay my hands one one. definitely makes a difference.
the centre column of the manfrotto is its weakness.
the gitzo doesnt have this so is very stable.

Steve

US$654 will have to wait a while after the D2X methinks. It's about time I won the lotto!!

I already have the lens plates so that's alright.

I dunno if my tripod is up to scratch or not. I've got the Manfrotto 055CLB and have taken the centre column off it and it seems pretty stable. More so when only using the top two leg sections.

Not sure if the Wimberly Macro flash bracket would go on the head though. That's what I currently use for my telephoto flash stuff.

Paul

the quality of the glass really shows! You have to get one so you can keep with good use

What is a used manual 600 f4 going for now?

lost dingo, they cant be cheap!! maybe he wants to sell this one.

I know the 300 f2.8 he has is for sale.

Steve

NikonUser wrote:I dunno if my tripod is up to scratch or not. I've got the Manfrotto 055CLB and have taken the centre column off it and it seems pretty stable. More so when only using the top two leg sections.

Not sure if the Wimberly Macro flash bracket would go on the head though. That's what I currently use for my telephoto flash stuff.

Paul

Paul,
The Manfrotto you have won't suit the Wimberley.
At least the G1325 or greater.
The Wimberly flash bracket goes on the lens plate, I think.
I know the RRS sticks onto the lens plate.

LostDingo wrote:What is a used manual 600 f4 going for now?

Is it your next Birthday present somewhere in Dec 06

I think I'm going to stop posting on this forum.

Every time I do it costs me money

I only have three things left on my list of 'needs' (it was two until you mentioned the tripod ) but I've been banned for 12 months. (Hehe, we'll see )

Paul

I only have one thing to say here....

drooooooolllllll!

I use the excuse of not drinking or smoking.

I just buy toys with the money people spend on that sort of thing. and the rest I just save up for.

Helps heaps having no kids and driving an old car.
couldnt afford kids and the lusting at the same time.

Steve

birddog114 wrote:

LostDingo wrote:What is a used manual 600 f4 going for now?

Is it your next Birthday present somewhere in Dec 06

Dec I thought suprises come around more frequently than that....pls don't lower Mrs. Dingo's expectations

Wow !!!

This is one very fine result with very fine gear and a very fine photographer.

envy ..................
envy ..................
envy ..................
etc .....................
etc .....................

amazing detail and clarity.

Regards,
Christian

Damn,

he took it back
the gone fishing and moved out signs didnt fool anyone

Steve