Predict the Future - 500PF/Z Series Cameras

[Infocus]

QUESTION: Due to required "ADAPTOR" will focus speed/tracking using Z(camera) / adaptor / 500PF ever be equal to d(camera) / 500PF?
I'm mulling over just buying a d850 for the 500PF. I'm in the mid 70's, not a lot of time to dither.

 

[abc123brian]

Unfortunately it doesn’t seem so, it may be enough depending on you subjects. Steve just posted the minimum to infinity focus speeds on page 4 of the Z6ii AF initial impressions thread if you’re interested. I find the 500mm PF does good enough for me most of the time on my Z6/Z7. On my D500, it is noticeably quicker To acquire focus. I’m not sure they can speed up the focus with the FTZ with the current cameras. I’d think they would have if they could.

 

[Steve]

I agree with Brian - although it runs at about half speed, it's not as bad as it sounds since you're not usually going from minimum focus distance to infinity. If you're relatively close to the same distance as your subject (like the lens is focused at 30 feet but the subject is 50 feet away - pretty typical scenario), then it's fairly instant. I also think Nikon will eventually release a 300 and 500 PF for the Z mount - based on how those lenses sell, I find it odd they don't already have it on the roadmap.

 

[DRwyoming]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a version of the 500mm PF in the Z mount but if they made that a 600mm f/5.6 or even a 600mm f/6.3 to retain roughly the same front element diameter it could be a real differentiator for Nikon's mirrorless glass lineup. But how about something like a 150-600mm internal zoom PF lens in native Z mount? I suspect that would generate a lot of sales interest for their mirrorless lineup.

 

[Steve]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a version of the 500mm PF in the Z mount but if they made that a 600mm f/5.6 or even a 600mm f/6.3 to retain roughly the same front element diameter it could be a real differentiator for Nikon's mirrorless glass lineup. But how about something like a 150-600mm internal focus PF lens in native Z mount? I suspect that would generate a lot of sales interest for their mirrorless lineup.

They do have a 200-600 on the roadmap. If it's anything like Sony's it'll sell like crazy. The Sony lens is relatively heavy though compared to the 500PF. (Although none are as heavy as the 600 F/4 LOL!!)

 

[Infocus]

Thank you for your thoughts,

 

[Icarus]

QUESTION: Due to required "ADAPTOR" will focus speed/tracking using Z(camera) / adaptor / 500PF ever be equal to d(camera) / 500PF?
I'm mulling over just buying a d850 for the 500PF. I'm in the mid 70's, not a lot of time to dither.

The 500 PF on the D850 works well, but obviously not fast like on the D500.

 

[OldFart]

What about the 500PF and D7500? Is it worth the price difference of the 500 f4? I have the 7500 and 850 and just ordered the 500PF. I get the feeling I’m going to be disappointed trying to replace the 200-400 VR f4 with the 500PF. Winding roads..

 

[joe43]

If you do not already own a Nikon 500mm lens, I cannot see any good reason why you would spend $7000 more for one stop of light gathering ability by getting a new Nikon 500mm f4 vs a Nikon 500mm f5.6 pf. Disclosure-I own both of these wonderful lenses. Just increase the ISO on your D850 or D 7500.

 

[fcotterill]

What about the 500PF and D7500? Is it worth the price difference of the 500 f4? I have the 7500 and 850 and just ordered the 500PF. I get the feeling I’m going to be disappointed trying to replace the 200-400 VR f4 with the 500PF. Winding roads..

Which current 500 f4? There are 2 options the Sigma Sport and the slightly lighter 500 f4E FL Nikkor?

There are others here who can confirm the 500 PF s not lacking in sharpness. I doubt there's anyone who shared their comparisons in greater depth than Brad Hill
for a start: http://www.naturalart.ca/artist/fieldtests/500mmwars_sigma_nikon.html

http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html#500PF_FirstImpressions

http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html#Musing4

In my evaluations, an important advantage of either 500 f4 is with TC14 you have the option of a 700 f5.6

 

[Woodpecker]

If you do not already own a Nikon 500mm lens, I cannot see any good reason why you would spend $7000 more for one stop of light gathering ability by getting a new Nikon 500mm f4 vs a Nikon 500mm f5.6 pf. Disclosure-I own both of these wonderful lenses. Just increase the ISO on your D850 or D 7500.

Well, it depends on the lighting conditions. The mentioned cameras belong to those with the smallest pixel size and pixel size is still THE prime criterion if it comes to olw light tolerance in terms of noise. It can happen quite often that you are hapy with every half stop you gain. I am repeatig myself by sayingf that "You can tweak data with software, but you can't cheat physics". The best way of noise reduction is still avoiding or at least minimizing noise in the first place.

If the lighting conditions are good I prefer to use my D7200 with the 500PF giving me 750mm f5.6 equivalent in a nice handholdable package. As soon as it gets darker than a good bit of sunlight and "the thing" tends to move fast, I switch to D750 with 500 f4 plus TC14 giving me 700mm f5.6, but with an FX sensor having better lowlight performanece than a DX with the same resolution. My ultimate dusk and dawn machine - of exactly this reason - is the good old D4s.

But as always, it depends what the pictures shall be used for, what the preferences of the photographer are and if somebody is o.k with handling more than one body or prefers to have one camera for everything (s)he does.