Quite a few out of focus shots
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- Bill
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just a very very little movement, (i.e. camera shake), causes you to be out like that, and the farer that you are away the more likely, with single cell, it is to happen - I do it a lot "hand held"
That's why it is really good to analyse your shots technically to see what improvements you can make, especially with longer lens - when I first got my 600mm - I started to think the same about the lens, then I discovered that the problem was me and that there is a learning curve and using one is not that easy
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OP
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Downloaded Capture NX and that's very useful seeing the focus point. Out of 3 shots I missed 2.5!! Some achievement. Didn't even notice when shooting that the focus point had moved off target although a bit of handshake as you say would cause that. Must be more careful.
Have you any thoughts on Teleconverters? Suppose makes matters even worse.
I have a 1.4 and 2TC III. would I better trying my 300 /2.8 prime with or without TCs and cropping. Always dubious about TCs on zooms
Thx
Merv
Have you any thoughts on Teleconverters? Suppose makes matters even worse.
I have a 1.4 and 2TC III. would I better trying my 300 /2.8 prime with or without TCs and cropping. Always dubious about TCs on zooms
Thx
Merv
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Why not? Ideally you'd want something like the sigma docking station so you can adjust it individually at different FL's, but I can make my zooms much better on the whole by adding some MA. I've not had one yet anyway where adjusting it has sorted it and one FL and then thrown in completely off at another
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With the focus point you should be able to lock it in position, center point I use. To set the focus point, on the OK button theres a toggle lever where theres a dot and a "L" after setting position push the toggle lever to the "L" position and your focus point will stay locked. It's what I use on the D750 and D7100 previously so should be the same on your camera.
Also, here's a good review of your lens, so maybe worth reading for some tips > https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-80-400mm-vr
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Bill I have the 20 TC III and it seems to be very sharp used on my 300/2.8. Do you find the same?
Do you subscribe to TCs not being a good idea on a zoom? I'm beginning to think use a zoom the way it was designed, for use on its own! Unless of course you must get a shot at all costs in which case you might add a TC.
THE 80-400 lens is easy to walk around with, a lot easier than the 300 with 1.4TC!
Merv
Do you subscribe to TCs not being a good idea on a zoom? I'm beginning to think use a zoom the way it was designed, for use on its own! Unless of course you must get a shot at all costs in which case you might add a TC.
THE 80-400 lens is easy to walk around with, a lot easier than the 300 with 1.4TC!
Merv
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Merv - putting a TC on your 80-400 F5.6 lens will slow down auto focus with the 1.4 TC and stop auto focus working with the 2x TC. The D810 will focus at F8 but not above.
Your 300mm F2.8 handles them better due to the much wider aperture.
Dave.
Your 300mm F2.8 handles them better due to the much wider aperture.
Dave.
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I cannot hand hold my 300mm f2.8 VR successfully, with or without TC's
I generally take my 300mm f2.8 VR to S Africa with me, (because of the weight versus the 600mm), and use it with the TC20Elll and TC14Ell - I'll look at some of my shots
I have just bought the new Nikon 300mm f4 PF - and have started trying it out today, (just waiting for a few birds to appear!!!), with and without TC's, as I am hoping that will be a good travel lens - giving 600mm at f8 with VR
I find the x 1.4 very good on all the 300mm Nikon primes and the 600mm f4 ……. the x 2 is not too good on the 300mm f4 AFS and the 600mm f4 ……. I think that I found the x 2 goodish on the 300mm f2.8
I use a tripod a lot of the time ………… another reason to get the 300mm f4 PF
I am not really a fan of zooms for birds as I am always at the long end plus a TC
for other stuff my favourite lens is the 70 200mm f2.8 VR Nikon ……. but I have never fond this lens good with the TC's for birds
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Thanks Bill for that you're obviously well into bird photography and have wonderful kit.
I also have the 70-200VR and it's a great lens. Yes the 300/2.8 is quite hard to hold and I would use a monopod for cars/bikes.
Thanks for all your time taken to deal with me
Just one last question to confirm your thoughts on VR at high shutter speeds - knock it off??
I also have the 70-200VR and it's a great lens. Yes the 300/2.8 is quite hard to hold and I would use a monopod for cars/bikes.
Thanks for all your time taken to deal with me
Just one last question to confirm your thoughts on VR at high shutter speeds - knock it off??
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VR at high shutter speeds - my 600mm f4 does not have it anyway and the 300mm f4 AFS never had it
on the 300mm f2.8VR - I would naturally not use VR on a tripod
all I can say is see what works for you
As you know much depends on the available light
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Thanks Bill. Have just read that link that Simon posted about the 80-400, especially that focus chattering. Thats bound to affect the quality of focusing.
Agh well I'm away out to have another go with all that knowledge. Now at the seaside!!
merv
Agh well I'm away out to have another go with all that knowledge. Now at the seaside!!
merv