Nikon 600 TC Sharpness Tests!

[Steve]

Ever since I did my first look review of the new Nikon 600 TC lens, I've had people asking how it compares in sharpness to other glass - namely the outgoing 600 F/4E, the 800 PF, and the Sony 600 GM. So, I did a quick video with my focus test chart between all of those lenses and the results are in the video below.

 

[Palmor]

I'm sure that is going to be one of your most popular videos . Having the Sony I was curious about the difference with a built in TC and I expected a more of a difference (of course a small sample size like you said).

 

[Steve]

I'm sure that is going to be one of your most popular videos . Having the Sony I was curious about the difference with a built in TC and I expected a more of a difference (of course a small sample size like you said).

I was surprised just how close they all were. I think you eventually get to a point where lenses are about as sharp (at least, at current resolutions) as they get and I think we're seeing that with these primes. However, the proof is in the results - I for one can't tell these lenses apart, at least not from a sharpness standpoint.

 

[gdecamp]

Great job Steve and happy to hear they are all within a couple percent difference. I will say that bodes well for those with the 800pf since the price is so much less than both the other lenses.

I would be interested in the 400/tc results as well one of these days. Of course even if the others are slightly sharper which I doubt you'd have to pry it from my dead hands! These lenses are amazingly good these days and I'm happy as can be with the 400/tc and 800pf and they both fit in my gura gear bag with hood and I even can put the z9 on one and it all fits! Mercy me how convenient is that!!

Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

 

[7News]

Superb work as always Steve, thank you!

 

[DougC]

Where can I get one of those test targets?

 

[Steve]

Where can I get one of those test targets?

I got mine from an Ebay seller.

Set of Large High Resolution Test Charts for Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera and Lens | eBay

Hello everyone! 99% of Ink Jets don't produce sharp carved outlines! That is why we use custom made vector graphics masters for printing. Creating vector graphics can be laborious but it is only way to get ultra high resolution print (see pic. ).

www.ebay.com

It says for a Canon 6D but all the targets are the same.

 

[DougC]

I got mine from an Ebay seller.

Set of Large High Resolution Test Charts for Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera and Lens | eBay

Hello everyone! 99% of Ink Jets don't produce sharp carved outlines! That is why we use custom made vector graphics masters for printing. Creating vector graphics can be laborious but it is only way to get ultra high resolution print (see pic. ).

www.ebay.com

It says for a Canon 6D but all the targets are the same.

Thanks!

 

[FB101]

Really shows how much of a groundbreaking lens the 800pf really is (thinking about the weight and cost of getting to 800mm otherwise)

If you have some "free time" ( ) - it would be great to see a comparison of what the OOF areas look like between those lenses. The Sony often gets accused of being more sterile, with more busy backgrounds - i am not sure if it's a myth or something that can be illustrated / demonstrated (I just love how any 600 f:4 obliterates backgrounds but I don't have the option to do side by side)

 

[Abinoone]

Ever since I did my first look review of the new Nikon 600 TC lens, I've had people asking how it compares in sharpness to other glass - namely the outgoing 600 F/4E, the 800 PF, and the Sony 600 GM. So, I did a quick video with my focus test chart between all of those lenses and the results are in the video below.

Good review, Steve! Just wish that I could afford any of these lenses!

 

[Steve]

Really shows how much of a groundbreaking lens the 800pf really is (thinking about the weight and cost of getting to 800mm otherwise)

If you have some "free time" ( ) - it would be great to see a comparison of what the OOF areas look like between those lenses. The Sony often gets accused of being more sterile, with more busy backgrounds - i am not sure if it's a myth or something that can be illustrated / demonstrated (I just love how any 600 f:4 obliterates backgrounds but I don't have the option to do side by side)

Agreed.

I'll probably do some comparisons like that in a mor formal review. For now, I just wanted to stop all the e-mails asking which was sharper LOL!

 

[NorthernFocus]

Nice job and thanks for your objective views on things. Yes the technology seems to be at a point with these high end products that it really takes some nit picking to differentiate them. Though of course for any given individual the one he/she buys is clearly superior to the rest

 

[Krümelkraft]

I think you eventually get to a point where lenses are about as sharp (at least, at current resolutions) as they get and I think we're seeing that with these primes.

Nowadays, when optical pathways can be calculated with computers and lenses are manufactured with high-precision machines and lasers it's no wonder they become more and more equal and closer to the physically possible.

 

[Steve]

Though of course for any given individual the one he/she buys is clearly superior to the rest

Sadly, I sometimes think that's why vides like this are popular - people are looking for bragging rights. In fact, I'm often hesitant to post these because things I say are frequently misquoted. It'll go from my saying Lens A seems to have a very slight edge on Lens B to "Steve Perry says Lens A totally blows Lens B out of the water!"

 

[PDP]

Well said. These lenses are closing in on indistinguisable from one another to the point where sample variation may have as big an impact as differences in design/manufacturer. Price/weight/versatility (e.g. built in TC) prioritization may be looming larger than ever in designing one's kit if image quality gap is shrinking. Very interested in how Z400 f/2.8 TC @560 f4.0 with built in TC and @800 f5.6 with 2.0 external TC stacks up against these others you tested. If in the same ballpark, certainly can make a case for that combination hitting the sweet spot covering high end 400-800 range.

​

 

[Steve]

Well said. These lenses are closing in on indistinguisable from one another to the point where sample variation may have as big an impact as differences in design/manufacturer. Price/weight/versatility (e.g. built in TC) prioritization may be looming larger than ever in designing one's kit if image quality gap is shrinking. Very interested in how Z400 f/2.8 TC @560 f4.0 with built in TC and @800 f5.6 with 2.0 external TC stacks up against these others you tested. If in the same ballpark, certainly can make a case for that combination hitting the sweet spot covering high end 400-800 range.

​

To an extent. I find that TCs (internal or otherwise) tend to take a toll on accuracy. It's not that you can't get razor sharp results with a TC, it's that it often takes a few more frames to make it happen. This is especially true with 2X TCs. That's why I'm always telling people when choosing a long lens, try to pick the focal length you'll use the most without a TC, at least between 400 and 600mm.

 

[gdecamp]

To an extent. I find that TCs (internal or otherwise) tend to take a toll on accuracy. It's not that you can't get razor sharp results with a TC, it's that it often takes a few more frames to make it happen. This is especially true with 2X TCs. That's why I'm always telling people when choosing a long lens, try to pick the focal length you'll use the most without a TC, at least between 400 and 600mm.

I agree in principle with your statement however the new lenses with an internal TC even when an external TC1.4 is added is so convenient you are able to get images you otherwise might miss with a larger lens. In my neighborhood for instance (and maybe in places like Wakodahatchee and others) if I had chosen the 600TC I would pretty much eliminate the 400mm images that present themselves every day. I'm 100% sure that's not how it is for maybe the majority of people though. My normal usage is maybe 20% 400mm, 50-60% 600mm, 20% 800mm. Having the 400TC in my case and keeping a TC1.4 in my pocket covers it all. That convenience (to me anyway) outweighs the possible missed shots with added TC's because I wouldn's even have a chance with the larger lens only. I do know that might not be the case for everyone like I said.

These new lenses with internal TCs are amazingly good and the convenience is a game changer even though I hate using that term!

 

[Steve]

I agree in principle with your statement however the new lenses with an internal TC even when an external TC1.4 is added is so convenient you are able to get images you otherwise might miss with a larger lens. In my neighborhood for instance (and maybe in places like Wakodahatchee and others) if I had chosen the 600TC I would pretty much eliminate the 400mm images that present themselves every day. I'm 100% sure that's not how it is for maybe the majority of people though. My normal usage is maybe 20% 400mm, 50-60% 600mm, 20% 800mm. Having the 400TC in my case and keeping a TC1.4 in my pocket covers it all. That convenience (to me anyway) outweighs the possible missed shots with added TC's because I wouldn's even have a chance with the larger lens only.

These new lenses with internal TCs are amazingly good and the convenience is a game changer even though I hate using that term!

Everyone has to figure out what matches their shooting conditions and style.

While I can use 400mm about 20% of the time, for me it's more of an even split between 600 and 840 (which has the edge varies by location TBH). So, I'd rather have the 600 as my normal FL and have 840 there with a flip. Still, you have to balance versatility between AF accuracy. Most of the time I can easily get the shot I want with a TC attached, but it's not my first choice. There have been plenty of times I had a TC attached and accuracy wasn't as good as I wanted (especially with 2X converters, it's much closer with 1.4 tCs) and the fleeting opportunity had passed. My keeper rate is just a bit higher with the non-TC'd lens.

That, and there's a lot of overlap. There's a 90% chance that if you and I were standing side-by-side and you had a 2X on your 400 and I had a 1.4 engaged with my 600 that we wouldn't be able to tell the shots apart It all works

 

[Activert]

Thank you Steve for this excellent video. It is so good to see all the good options the photography markets can offer. We have a lot of choice and everyone can choose what he or she think it is the best for the job

 

[gdecamp]

That, and there's a lot of overlap. There's a 90% chance that if you and I were standing side-by-side and you had a 2X on your 400 and I had a 1.4 engaged with my 600 that we wouldn't be able to tell the shots apart It all works

Agree and that's the amazing thing these days, even though I never have a TC2x on my 400 (I use internal + TC1.4). As you said in your original post on this they are all so close its amazing even between brands. Good times for us all, pick your favorite and then it's up to your skill to make it all work!

 

[DavidT]

Great review! It’s no surprise these top lenses are all equivalent to each other. To me when deciding to upgrade or switch systems it really comes down to the body and what your desires are from your new body or system. All the glass is close enough it doesn’t matter.

On a side note I wonder if when comparing to the 800 would it have made a difference if the 600 was stoped down to f6.3?

 

[RichF]

I got mine from an Ebay seller.

Set of Large High Resolution Test Charts for Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera and Lens | eBay

Hello everyone! 99% of Ink Jets don't produce sharp carved outlines! That is why we use custom made vector graphics masters for printing. Creating vector graphics can be laborious but it is only way to get ultra high resolution print (see pic. ).

www.ebay.com

It says for a Canon 6D but all the targets are the same.

Looks like they are sold out

 

[RichF]

Sadly, I sometimes think that's why vides like this are popular - people are looking for bragging rights. In fact, I'm often hesitant to post these because things I say are frequently misquoted. It'll go from my saying Lens A seems to have a very slight edge on Lens B to "Steve Perry says Lens A totally blows Lens B out of the water!"

Who ever says that must be a politician (any party)

 

[RichF]

@Steve thanks for a great video. Of course the invents other request for additional tests

600 + TC
600 w/ eternal 1.4
600 + TC + external 1.4
600 + external 2.0
600 + TC + external 2.0

Give us an inch and we ask for light year

But thanks again for a great test

 

[Steve]

Great review! It’s no surprise these top lenses are all equivalent to each other. To me when deciding to upgrade or switch systems it really comes down to the body and what your desires are from your new body or system. All the glass is close enough it doesn’t matter.

On a side note I wonder if when comparing to the 800 would it have made a difference if the 600 was stoped down to f6.3?

It may have, but I always do these comparisons wide open since that's (usually) the most critical F/stop.