What’s the reason?
Nikon 600PF - Share Photos & Discuss!!!
- Thread starter MatthewK
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MatthewK
Well-known member
After last night's low temps, they'd be crazy to stick around
Yes the 186 + 800PF are going to be unbeatable for birding, Spring Migration next year is going to be gooooood
You'd have to ask the various companies but historically as I recall Nikon stated they didn't provide Arca Swiss feet as there are multiple quick release tripod head systems out there. For instance Manfrotto makes a very different type of lens plate, Gitzo has their own but different trapezoidal plate design. Personally I think that ship sailed a long time ago and Arca Swiss (or close variants) are all but standard these days though I still have friends (not wildlife photographers) that use Manfrotto plates.
But really it's an internal business decision that doesn't make sense to me but apparently it makes sense to those companies.
Thom Hogen said, Nikon engineers aren’t actually using the products they designed… otherwise they’d do it differently
I got my 600 in today and took it out to the field at first chance. Below are a few photos that are straight out of the camera. Just downsized in LR to post. So far I really like this lens over the 500pf.
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Peter_P
New member
I’m sure I’ve seen some Nikon comments before about not preferring one system over another too. However, I suspect that AS not yet being an agreed standard is more of a concern. If someone loses their kit on a tripod whose mount is not quite the same size as the foot then it all gets a bit messy.
fcotterill
Well-known member
The basic problem is Arca-swiss is not an engineering standard, which is presumably why CaNikon engineers have decided not to go there.
The various makes of plates differ in tolerances, overall width and the dimensions of the dovetailed edges (including rebated angle). This also manifests in the different abilities of A-S clamps to lock the plate in securely. The problems include too shallow angles to the inner jaw face, and/or jaws being too shallow - let alone crappy aluminum alloys and shoddy machining in the worst cases. The better brands heat-treat the components, besides using better quality anodizing.
Some of these badly designed plates are a menace, especially for a telephoto rig under even moderate torque. This photo compares 3 different makes of lens plates.
For example a Gimpro A-S lens plate can pull out of a Acratech clamp, and quite easily https://bcgforums.com/threads/why-arca-swiss.7731/post-76363
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The various makes of plates differ in tolerances, overall width and the dimensions of the dovetailed edges (including rebated angle). This also manifests in the different abilities of A-S clamps to lock the plate in securely. The problems include too shallow angles to the inner jaw face, and/or jaws being too shallow - let alone crappy aluminum alloys and shoddy machining in the worst cases. The better brands heat-treat the components, besides using better quality anodizing.
Some of these badly designed plates are a menace, especially for a telephoto rig under even moderate torque. This photo compares 3 different makes of lens plates.
For example a Gimpro A-S lens plate can pull out of a Acratech clamp, and quite easily https://bcgforums.com/threads/why-arca-swiss.7731/post-76363
Why Arca Swiss?
Have own and used only the Wimberley WH-200 for about 15 years and love it. But as DRwyoming points out there are other options available today. The Wimberley handles my 600 f4 with ease.
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Michael Dreese
Member
Here are crops of the shots above:View attachment 72922
View attachment 72923
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Michael Dreese
Member
My first time out with the lens and I must say I'm very impressed with the weight and ergonomics. I didn't find many targets but this Song Sparrow provided a few sample images. The sharpness and detail in the files are amazing!
The basic problem is Arca-swiss is not an engineering standard, which is presumably why CaNikon engineers have decided not to go there.
The various makes of plates differ in tolerances, overall width and the dimensions of the dovetailed edges (including rebated angle). This also manifests in the different abilities of A-S clamps to lock the plate in securely. The problems include too shallow angles to the inner jaw face, and/or jaws being too shallow - let alone crappy aluminum alloys and shoddy machining in the worst cases. The better brands heat-treat the components, besides using better quality anodizing.
Some of these badly designed plates are a menace, especially for a telephoto rig under even moderate torque. This photo compares 3 different makes of lens plates.
View attachment 73467
For example a Gimpro A-S lens plate can pull out of a Acratech clamp, and quite easily https://bcgforums.com/threads/why-arca-swiss.7731/post-76363
Why Arca Swiss?
Have own and used only the Wimberley WH-200 for about 15 years and love it. But as DRwyoming points out there are other options available today. The Wimberley handles my 600 f4 with ease.
View attachment 73466
Case in point: Wimberley would not guarantee their original sidekick would work with a RRS lever clamp due to tolerances and made a plate to ensure compatibility. These are two high quality companies...
The last thing Nikon needs is to have someone clamp their lens foot in a lever release clamp and then have it fall out because of tolerances. Now if there was a standard with specs that would be a different story....
I had my first chance to use the 600 PF on a very cold morning, with not much moving. As (many) others have posted ... this lens is absolutely amazing. The combination of size and weight make this the perfect hiking and travel lens, especially if paired to a Z8. The House Sparrow is nothing special, but they were the only birds active when I was out. The Red-tailed Hawk image is from a 'poor' perspective and in bad lighting insofar as shadows, but the right eye is in the light and the IQ is apparent. As a side note, this is the first time out with 4.1 firmware on the Z9. I haven't had a chance to use it extensively, but my impression was that bird detect was much quicker and more 'stable' locking on the eye of the RTH given the branches than the 'old' animal detect. In any event, the detail and bokeh for this lens are absolutely stunning. I will also add that I did not do anything to these images, other than export using the BCG preset. They are SOOC (with no cropping ) to demonstrate the sharpness without and post.
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MatthewK
Well-known member
Nice examples of bokeh with the lens on the sparrow shots, I’m totally satisfied with how this lens renders OOF backgrounds.
Winter birding is definitely a “feast but mostly famine” sort of thing, you take what you can get!
Winter birding is definitely a “feast but mostly famine” sort of thing, you take what you can get!
Eldon
Well-known member
I picked up my 600mm PF recently at a local camera store, like to help keep them in business. I am very pleased with my new lens, feels and acts like the 500PF. I like the extra reach and I do believe it is sharper and a smidge faster to focus. No FTZ to mess with. Here are a few shots from yesterday at a local lake in North Texas.
Group of White Pelicans
Muscovy Duck
American Coot
White Pelican
White Pelican landing
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Group of White Pelicans
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Muscovy Duck
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American Coot
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White Pelican
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White Pelican landing
Thanks Ralph. My wife likes that one too…..’a tree decorated with birds’ and I think it reveals an aspect of their character / behaviour.All are nice, but I really like that second one
KP Birder
Active member
I received my 600mm f/6.3 a couple of days ago and have been experimenting with it. This shot was taken with the 2X TC, and was cropped to about 60% of the original. Very happy with the lens!
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2nd time out with the 600PF. At a wildlife preserve called Consumnes Wildlife Preserve in Galt, CA. So far, I am loving this lens. So light, so sharp, and great at picking up color. These were all shot in bright, but muted cloudy light, so have not tried it out in low light yet. A really nice lens.
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Gorgeous shots.
The turkey voucher body looks very similar to an eagle, with a different head screwed in. Lol.
The turkey voucher body looks very similar to an eagle, with a different head screwed in. Lol.
Love the ducks!
His legs are different too.
Taken late in the day as the sun was traveling over the hillside, one of our nesting Bald Eagles on the shadowed, dark hillside across from the park we photograph them from. About 700+ feet away from me, across the river. It's always a tough call photographing there that time of day.
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Mine arrived yesterday and gave it a try-out today. The only thing interesting I found was a flock of Bohemian Waxwings. Haven't seen those around for a couple years.
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Beautiful bird, Great photo's, looks like I will have to start saving for the 600pf.
Lovely photos. We get Cedar Waxwings. Waiting for them to come in this fall for the berry trees in my yard. I love the "bandit" birds with their masks.
This morning I went out to join the crowd of birders and photographers appreciating this unusual visitor to Berkeley, a young Harris' sparrow.
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