Nikon 400mm f2.8 = happiness

treeman

treeman

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Mark
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Apart from the mortgage, this was the most money I've spent on anything!

So first time out with the new lens last last Friday evening at Ham Polo Club, awesome, just flippin awesome :):thumbs:

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I'll bet it's phenomenal.

I've used the canon version for a morning and f/2.8 at 400mm is just mental.

I don't envy you carrying it though ;)
 
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Very nice indeed!

I went through the same process ("want it want it want it", then "OMG I bought it", followed closely by "OMG what have I done", then "what a beautiful piece of kit" and finally "how does it make such fabulous images?") with the 600mm f/4...

The hand-holding does get easier! I used to use a monopod all the time with my 200-400 but I very rarely do now. I've even started hand-holding the 600mm for short periods (ie an aircraft pass in the Mach Loop).

Enjoy your new lens - if I had the spare cash I'd be joining you - it's an awesome piece of kit!

P.S. Does the self-conciousness whenever you whip out (is "whip" the right word?) such a big lens ever go away? It hasn't for me yet...
 
Brilliant investment :)

My ideal choice for headshots, a little OTT for my use, but if I could get away with it I would use one lol.
 
excellent shot, image rendering looks very nice indeed. hand holding a 400/600...are you guys crazy?
 
Congratulations on a dream lens. I have a 200-400 and although I like it, can't help but wonder if I shouldn't have purchased a 400 2.8 as well.
 
texfoto said:
Congratulations on a dream lens. I have a 200-400 and although I like it, can't help but wonder if I shouldn't have purchased a 400 2.8 as well.
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I seriously thought about the 200-400, but couldn't find anyone using one for action sports, all seemed to be wildlife folk. Which got me wondering whether it was suitable. In the end it was the extra stop to 2.8, and the lovely OOF area, that swung it.
Need to practice moving quickly with the monopod though, still not quite got it yet.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Brilliant investment :)

My ideal choice for headshots, a little OTT for my use, but if I could get away with it I would use one lol.
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Yeah, not enough people use crazy long lenses for portraits :( its where it's at really :) got a 300 I can borrow whenever I need... and a set of walkie talkies for chatting to the subject!
 
treeman said:
I seriously thought about the 200-400, but couldn't find anyone using one for action sports, all seemed to be wildlife folk. Which got me wondering whether it was suitable.
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I can answer that one, its not suitable :thumbs:

Congrats on your new baby, I hope to own one of its sibblings soon :cool:
 
Hi,

doesn't look too good to me, I see dark blotches around the hooves ( sensor clean? ) and the riders in the background are way out of focus. :p





:D

Sod and Jammy spring to mind, but not necessarily in that order ;)

Mike.
 
Absolutely fantastic Mark. Your web site does you credit and it's obvious that your skill deserves the very best. Polo is a wonderful sport to photograph and the horse images on your site are splendid.

More power to your elbow!
 
itsdavedotnet said:
Yeah, not enough people use crazy long lenses for portraits :( its where it's at really :) got a 300 I can borrow whenever I need... and a set of walkie talkies for chatting to the subject!
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Did you see the fstoppers vid with the big Sigma, and the walkies? I think they were testing the new PW Flex's

desantnik said:
I can answer that one, its not suitable :thumbs:
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Thought as much :)

PaulJC said:
That is an awesome picture :)
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vokeyuk said:
wow, i really like that, could easily see that hanging on my wall.
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mikeyb said:
Hi,

doesn't look too good to me, I see dark blotches around the hooves ( sensor clean? ) and the riders in the background are way out of focus. :p





:D

Sod and Jammy spring to mind, but not necessarily in that order ;)

Mike.
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alexam said:
Absolutely fantastic Mark. Your web site does you credit and it's obvious that your skill deserves the very best. Polo is a wonderful sport to photograph and the horse images on your site are splendid.

More power to your elbow!
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Thank you all, you're very kind :)
 
itsdavedotnet said:
Yeah, not enough people use crazy long lenses for portraits :( its where it's at really :) got a 300 I can borrow whenever I need... and a set of walkie talkies for chatting to the subject!
Click to expand...

Yeah man lovely lenses, I'm fiending for a 200mm F2 but my g/f will kick my face in if I buy one :bang:
 
Mark, have you got a monopod yet? do you find need a gimbal like Manfrotto 393?
 
I'm using it with the lens foot mounted straight onto the monopod, which seems to work, though I don't like the fact I can't detach it very quickly. I might yet end up with the Really Right Stuff head. I'm not keen on the monopod as it does take away a certain amount of freedom, just need to build up my strength to hand hold it!
 
You need a lot of muscle then. :D
I am looking at manfrotto 393, but then thought it could be overkill for Polo. The amount of panning is not as much as Car Sport/F1 would required.
 
I love mine! I bought it to cover both wildlife and motorsport, but as I'm doing very little motorsport now I think I may have been better off with the 600 f4.

I've bought the new 2x TC but I've yet to give it a go with the 400. I used it with the 70-200 2.8 and got slightly soft images - I think stopping down a stop might be key.

Enjoy your 400 - I see you already are!

P.S. I use mine on a 393 and it works very well. :)
 
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