Lens dilemma nikon telephoto
- Thread starter peter
- Start date
I picked up the lens yesterday and went for a walk to test it. I also took the 120-300 and put a 2x TC on it to get comparable focal lengths. Lets just say the results are mixed...
Pros (compared to a 120-300 f/2.8 OS with a 2x TC) -
-Much greater contrast than with the 2x TC on at 600mm
-Much smaller and lighter. It's technically only 1kg lighter but that seems to make a much greater difference than it should. It's much easier to hand hold and carry around with a Rapidstrap shoulder strap.
-Focus is nice and fast - fairly significantly faster than the 120-300 with 2x TC, but not much different to the 120-300 without the 2x TC (or with a 1.4 TC)
Cons
-Sharpness at 600 mm is so so, and comparable to the 120-300 with a 2x TC. Obviously the 120-300 with a 1.4 or no TC on wipes the floor with it however (but it is tack sharp).
-Stability. Its weird but at equivalent focal lengths its so much harder to keep steady hand held than with the 120-300. It's either the extra weight of the larger lens, or perhaps the distribution of weight but the 150-600 is a lot harder to keep steady.
I'm still trying to work out whether to keep it or not. I was expecting the IQ to be a fair amount better than the 120-300 with the TC but it's just not (except the contrast). The main redeeming features are the the weight and size difference, which is going to make it a lot easier when on holiday. I'm also going to be getting the dock free via rebate so will play with that, which may make a difference in some ways.
Pros (compared to a 120-300 f/2.8 OS with a 2x TC) -
-Much greater contrast than with the 2x TC on at 600mm
-Much smaller and lighter. It's technically only 1kg lighter but that seems to make a much greater difference than it should. It's much easier to hand hold and carry around with a Rapidstrap shoulder strap.
-Focus is nice and fast - fairly significantly faster than the 120-300 with 2x TC, but not much different to the 120-300 without the 2x TC (or with a 1.4 TC)
Cons
-Sharpness at 600 mm is so so, and comparable to the 120-300 with a 2x TC. Obviously the 120-300 with a 1.4 or no TC on wipes the floor with it however (but it is tack sharp).
-Stability. Its weird but at equivalent focal lengths its so much harder to keep steady hand held than with the 120-300. It's either the extra weight of the larger lens, or perhaps the distribution of weight but the 150-600 is a lot harder to keep steady.
I'm still trying to work out whether to keep it or not. I was expecting the IQ to be a fair amount better than the 120-300 with the TC but it's just not (except the contrast). The main redeeming features are the the weight and size difference, which is going to make it a lot easier when on holiday. I'm also going to be getting the dock free via rebate so will play with that, which may make a difference in some ways.
