200-400mm monster

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200-400mm monster

Postby Matt. K on Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:27 pm

On Saturday I had a chance to play with Birddogs new 200-400mm VR lens. These are my initial impressions:
The first thing that strikes you about this lens is its sheer bulk and weight! It is a monster! This is not a lens you carry around as a matter of course in your Lowepro. This lens only comes out for events....such as sports, demonstrations, any other damn thing that you can't get close to.
I attached it to my D70 and was impressed with how quickly this thing locks focus. It is very fast! But difficult to hold for more then a few minutes. This lens will only be at home on a heavy tripod....Markins ballhead and gimbal type arrangement. But Oh! What a sweet hunk of glass! This lens is a Canon killer!
I snapped of a few quick shots of some of the members at the table...this being exactly what this lens is not designed for....and was blown away by the sharpness. No lens has the right to be this good.
Even though I only spent a very short time with it....I am convinced that it is a very special piece of glass. Then again...it is a very expensive piece of glass and you get what you pay for.
The 2 images are 30% crops from the originals
http://www.pbase.com/matt_k/image/37644031
http://www.pbase.com/matt_k/image/37644038
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Matt. K
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Postby mudder on Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:32 pm

Wow... As soon as I saw how sharp and detailed those shots were, I thought, Look away! Look away! My bankcard's just healing from my last splurge... ;-) Sigh...

Geeeesss, the detail and clarity is terrific! Was there any sharpening or any other PP, or is this straight out of the camera?

Cheers,
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Postby Onyx on Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:01 pm

Amazing lens eh? I too was surprised how quickly it focuses, given that the focus ring rotates almost three quarters of a full revolution from minimum distance to infinity. It's VERY precise should you choose to manually focus, and incredibly fast with AF-S motor engaged. Win-win!
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Postby Mj on Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:06 pm

And the cause of some lively discussion back here with 'er in doors'.
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Postby gstark on Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:07 pm

Matt,

having played with this lens last week, I can only but agree - it's a sweet piece of glass.

I haven't looked that focussed in years!
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Postby Killakoala on Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:10 pm

THe photo of Gary reminds me of a newspaper shot of an angry union leader at a demonstration/strike demanding retribution :)

Phil looks quite esteemed and scholary.

Amazing what that lens can do ;)
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Postby Matt. K on Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:22 pm

Killakoala
I find Gary to be very photogenic. The camera likes him. Some people are naturally photogenic and end up being film stars because of it. I, on the hand....oh, it doesn't matter.
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Postby Onyx on Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:53 pm

Matt. K wrote:Some people are naturally photogenic and end up being film stars because of it. I, on the hand....oh, it doesn't matter.


You just gotta learn to smile. (Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen you smile) Even winning the photo comp and accepting your prize you were all serious-faced! ;)
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Postby Killakoala on Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:01 pm

You just gotta learn to smile. (Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen you smile) Even winning the photo comp and accepting your prize you were all serious-faced


Matt's a pro, he doesnt' have time to smile. Too busy thinking about the next shot :)
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Postby phillipb on Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:02 pm

I can tell you one thing, that lens will never make it in the field of modelling. Matt showed good judgment by not snapping any of the ladies present with it. :)
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Postby Matt. K on Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:11 pm

phillipb
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Postby Onyx on Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:18 pm

phillipb wrote:I can tell you one thing, that lens will never make it in the field of modelling. Matt showed good judgment by not snapping any of the ladies present with it. :)


Perhaps this also answers the question of why pros use Canon (got plastic)?!
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Postby sirhc55 on Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:19 pm

Very nice glass and, as stated, very sharp. But I suppose with a rrp of over $12,000 one would expect to be impressed.

Gary, you are certainly photogenic. . .

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Postby Matt. K on Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:24 pm

sirhc55
Steady on. He's spoken for.
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Postby sirhc55 on Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:29 pm

Matt. K wrote:sirhc55
Steady on. He's spoken for.


Geez - I only said that coz I have a grey/white beard too . . .

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Postby gstark on Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:24 am

You guys say the sweetest things. :)

In all seriousness, that's got to be one the best photos of me that I've seen in a hell of a long time. Thanx Matt.
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Postby birddog114 on Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:09 am

gstark wrote:You guys say the sweetest things. :)

In all seriousness, that's got to be one the best photos of me that I've seen in a hell of a long time. Thanx Matt.



Matt,
We may have that pics printed on A3 and keep it for special occassion :wink:
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Postby gstark on Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:50 am

Birddog114 wrote:
gstark wrote:You guys say the sweetest things. :)

In all seriousness, that's got to be one the best photos of me that I've seen in a hell of a long time. Thanx Matt.



Matt,
We may have that pics printed on A3 and keep it for special occassion :wink:


With concentric circles, numbers, and etc., no doubt. :)
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Postby petal666 on Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:53 am

sirhc55 wrote:Very nice glass and, as stated, very sharp. But I suppose with a rrp of over $12,000 one would expect to be impressed.


$12k for an f4 lens? I'd want f2.8 for that much.
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Postby Onyx on Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:26 am

You'd then need a 143cm diameter hole for f/2.8 at 400mm - I don't think even the EOS mount is six inches wide.
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Postby petal666 on Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:03 am

Onyx wrote:You'd then need a 143cm diameter hole for f/2.8 at 400mm - I don't think even the EOS mount is six inches wide.


That's for element size not rear, isn't it?
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Postby Onyx on Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:35 pm

No, the element can be any size. 143cm is the minimum aperture requirement for f/2.8 opening. That's why it can't physically be done.
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Postby petal666 on Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:17 pm

What are these then?

Canon 400f2.8IS

Nikon 400f2.8
Canon 1D III
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Postby Onyx on Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:11 pm

^^ but, they're primes...
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Postby petal666 on Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:46 pm

So?

I guess I'm just missing something fundamental here :?
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