aolander
Well-known member
Even with the best of filters, I still wouldn't put one on an expensive, long prime. A hood is all you need for "protection".
Nikon 500 F5.6 PF - Soft Images
- Thread starter Kevin
- Start date
If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).
Noticeable difference without the filter. I'd take it out and test it on some regular subject now, I think you'll like the results.
Kevin
Member
Interesting observation. I too noticed that the images look way overexposed if I view them on my cellphone or tab. It’s almost as if the files are ‘processed’ to a compressed format for viewing.
Kevin
Member
Hello All, got a chance to step out this evening with the lens (front filter removed). It was overcast and pretty bad light, so all images are pretty high ISO. However, I can definitely see an improvement in sharpness. Here are 2 random sample images, just to gauge sharpness.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Great details there... especially the catbird.
Looks to me that you have some front focus tendency with both these images.
Again used ART and the focus mask.
Big improvement overall with sharpness and overall look of the images.
Again used ART and the focus mask.
Big improvement overall with sharpness and overall look of the images.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
I got a 500 PF last December--it has been a game-changer for me. I was using the 200-500, but the 500 PF was tack sharp right out of the box. No need to auto fine-tune it with my D500 (I had to do that with my 200-500). My lens is very sharp at f5.6 and I've had absolutely no issues with it. Of all the lenses I've had from Nikon, I have to say that my 500 PF is the best I've ever had and if there ever comes a day when I'll have to part with it, it's going to be hard!
I think you have some bad camera settings or a bad camera. The lens can't control the camera!
DL Photo
New member
I shoot this lens all the time paired with a D500... and 90% percent of my photos are tack sharp. Steve do not listen... but I almost always shot hand held. The photos you present just look odd. They all look washed out... the birds also have a focus problem, and the signs and money seem in focus but they too looked washed out. Grasping at straws... can you try this lens on a different body? Is your firmware of the 7500 up to date? Bottom line... as a birder... this is one of the best lens I ever bought.
My thoughts as well. The wildlife photos both seem overexposed, the rabbit by at least a full stop and the Catbird by less but still a bit bright. If not a camera issue, is the apparent lack of focus compounded by a metering issue like some positive exposure comp dialed in or maybe inappropriate use of spot metering (i.e. spot metering on a particularly dark area leading the camera to overexpose images)?
The feather detail in the Catbird shot shows the lens can resolve detail but the eyes aren't quite as crisp as I'd expect and the rabbit's eyes are pretty soft.
I guess the other question is what AF Area Mode and is it possible some of this is just missed focus in addition any potential fine tuning issues?
To the OP, these are a definite improvement and it looks like the filter wasn't helping your image quality but the 500mm PF should still be sharper than what these files show.
Kevin
Member
Hello All, thank you for your inputs and suggestions. While I try to figure out what's happening with the lens, I have converted the NEF files to JPEG (no other correction, just export as JPEG). I did this because the images don't look overexposed on my computer, but once I open them(NEF files) using the Dropbox link, they definitely seem overexposed. Hopefully JPEGs won't have the same issue. Just eliminating variables here.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Yeah, these look great both from an exposure and critical sharpness standpoint.Hello All, thank you for your inputs and suggestions. While I try to figure out what's happening with the lens, I have converted the NEF files to JPEG (no other correction, just export as JPEG). I did this because the images don't look overexposed on my computer, but once I open them(NEF files) using the Dropbox link, they definitely seem overexposed. Hopefully JPEGs won't have the same issue. Just eliminating variables here.
Thank you.
I suspect the raw files were in Adobe RGB or other wide gamut space and got converted to sRGB when you saved them as jpegs which can dramatically shift exposure and contrast (and sharpness is really edge contrast).
Bottom line, I'd have no qualms about shooting with this lens and camera combo.
Last edited:
I'm sorry, but what is ART software? Is it an Adobe product? Thanks!
Roy
Well-known member
The PF lenses are great and very light but are never going to be as sharp as a non Fresnel lens.Hello All,
I recently bought a Nikon 500mm F5.6 PF (after watching Steve's review 5 times). The first copy I received had some very obvious issues with sharpness and focus and I requested a replacement. However now that I have the replacement copy, it still does not feel sharp, although its much better than the first copy i received. When I shoot wide open, images feel just a bit soft. I generally shoot hand held but to gauge if the lens is OK I shot some images with the camera on a tripod. Here are 2 images I took (Drop Box link below). Could you please take a look and comment on sharpness and focusBoth are unprocessed NEF files. Both images were taken with the camera on a tripod, 10s timer to minimize vibration, VR ON (normal)
Image1: Camera D7500, Manual Mode, F5.6, Auto ISO(450), 1/500s, Single Point Focus at the Center
Image2: Camera D7500, Manual Mode, F8, Auto ISO(720), 1/500s, Single Point Focus at the Center
The second image taken at f8 is sharper (as expected) but my concern is that at f5.6, Image-1 seems soft. I have limited time to return the lens if it does not seem OK.
Thank you.
I tried out the 300 and 500 pf lenses and decided to put up with the size and weight of my older lenses....
@Kevin and @Steve
This morning I did the test with-without the UV-filter on the Nikon 500PF. And there is a slight difference in sharpness and light, without the filter it is noticeable a bit better. I use a Hoya 95mm €185 filter so a pretty good quality I guess.
So I will follow the strategy of Steve and leave the filter off, only will use it when conditions are rough like sea and/or sand spray.
By the way, again a confirmation how good and helpful this forum is for exchange of visions, experiences and opinions.
This morning I did the test with-without the UV-filter on the Nikon 500PF. And there is a slight difference in sharpness and light, without the filter it is noticeable a bit better. I use a Hoya 95mm €185 filter so a pretty good quality I guess.
So I will follow the strategy of Steve and leave the filter off, only will use it when conditions are rough like sea and/or sand spray.
By the way, again a confirmation how good and helpful this forum is for exchange of visions, experiences and opinions.
robertrear
Active member
Here is a image of a Carolina wren pretty close. Taken with a Nikon D500 and the Nikon 500PF at ISO 1600 f6.3 and shutter at 1250. I was using a tripod but I have had the same results hand holding.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
DL Photo
New member
I am not sure why Kevin is having problems with this terrific lens. There have been some great advise given... but I want to stress how great the results this lens produces. I find this lens very versatile and use it for all kinds of photos. I have attached a link to some samples of photos... all hand held... using f-pro filter, d500 camera. I have several buddies who have this lens and they have the same results. Kevin this is a great lens and sure hope you can solve the issue. https://photos.app.goo.gl/rswZBCcuziyUddfu7
Kevin
Member
Hello All, I was able to go out this evening and try out the lens again without the filter. It was overcast again, so most images are hight ISO (>1500). Here are some samples. These are not processed, essentially straight out of the camera. They will look better after a pass through Lightroom. Also not the best in terms of composition, just test images to check for sharpness. All images taken in Manual Mode, Auto ISO, F5.6, 1/1600s. Please let me know your thoughts.
These are all really sharp for unprocessed files. I'd say you've tested enough and the lens is great. Time to get out and just shoot with itHello All, I was able to go out this evening and try out the lens again without the filter. It was overcast again, so most images are hight ISO (>1500). Here are some samples. These are not processed, essentially straight out of the camera. They will look better after a pass through Lightroom. Also not the best in terms of composition, just test images to check for sharpness. All images taken in Manual Mode, Auto ISO, F5.6, 1/1600s. Please let me know your thoughts.
No EXIF information on exposure in the jpg files.
Again checking the focus mask within ART, I still feel there is a little bit of front focusing going on, not a lot but a little can make a big difference.
These screen shots show what I mean, note the number of bright solid green spots and the location, I would like to see more on the birds around the eye.
Note the seeds in the left foreground and the closest leg and wing.
Note the solid green dots in the right bottom corner.
I think this shot is the best one, brightest greenest dots on the seed in the beak and on the eye.
I agree though, get out and give it some time, you will now be more aware of what might be happening?
Again checking the focus mask within ART, I still feel there is a little bit of front focusing going on, not a lot but a little can make a big difference.
These screen shots show what I mean, note the number of bright solid green spots and the location, I would like to see more on the birds around the eye.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Note the seeds in the left foreground and the closest leg and wing.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Note the solid green dots in the right bottom corner.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
I think this shot is the best one, brightest greenest dots on the seed in the beak and on the eye.
I agree though, get out and give it some time, you will now be more aware of what might be happening?
Kevin
Member
Thank you for this analysis again. I agree that there is bit of front focusing. I plan to auto tune the lens with my camera in the coming week, hopefully that will fix it. That along with more practice and better technique should improve image quality further.
@Kevin No problem, happy to try and help, I suffered from a similar issue when I got my first "big" lens.
I suggest that you try the Dot Tune method (in my opinion best done with a remote shutter release) as one of your AF tune methods or at least give it a look.
I found that in camera AF tune was difficult for me, mainly having to press 2 buttons at the one time as well as keeping the camera still was not easy.
I suggest that you try the Dot Tune method (in my opinion best done with a remote shutter release) as one of your AF tune methods or at least give it a look.
I found that in camera AF tune was difficult for me, mainly having to press 2 buttons at the one time as well as keeping the camera still was not easy.
I agree, though your results seem have gotten a lot better since the beginning of this topic starting, well done.