Stuff
We had another great morning with the Brown Boobies. We were very careful on the jagged limestone cliffs … Tired of the heat and the bright sun we delayed our afternoon outing till 4:30pm. As I walked to the car it was drizzling. And there were big lovely clouds. We had our best afternoon of the trip as the big chick and her mum were quite cooperative and the pair nearby that had disappeared returned and spent the afternoon deciding which of two nests to build. All three of us were elated as we walked off the beach at 6:38pm.
Big time thanks to Peter Kes who added a Nikon Lens chart under the Lens Chart tab above; both charts were quite helpful in preparing this blog post.
It’s not too late to join me for one of the spoonbill IPTs; both are now almost full. Please e-mail if you would like to learn about the late registration discount.
The Streak
Today makes one hundred ninety-five days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about five hours in all to prepare. Plus thousands of hours using the 100-400 II in the field and another hundred or so playing with the 200-500. With all of my upcoming free time (or not …), the plan right now is to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing. I was glad to learn that Gary Meyer sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens in near-mint condition along with a pair of like-new Series III TCs for the (unbelievable) record low BAA price of $3458.00.
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Spoonbill IPTs used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created at Darwin Bay, Genovesa (Tower Island) at 10:01 am on Day 2 of the 2015 Galapagos Photo Cruise with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 400mm) and the amazing Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops off the bright white feathers on the bird’s back in hazy sunlight: 1/400 sec. at f/13 in Manual Mode. AWB. Left Upper Zone AF/AI Servo/Rear Focus AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure (as is always best when hand holding). The AF system chose the AF point three to the left of the center AF point–it was squarely on the bird’s right eye. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1: Nazca Booby–tight face shot facing |
The Canon 100-400 L IS II Lens
In the right hands, this is a superb lens with or without a 1.4X teleconverter.
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This image was created on Cayman Brac with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens and the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III (at 650mm), and the Nikon D850. ISO 800. Matrix metering probably +1/3 stop (as originally framed): 1/500 sec. at f/10 in Manual mode. AWB at 2:45pm on a clear sunny afternoon. Right d-25/Shutter Button AF was active at the moment of exposure with the selected AF point on the bird’s left eye. Image #2: Brown Booby, tight face detail of male |
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens
In the right hands, this is a superb lens with or without a 1.4X teleconverter. By comparing today’s two featured images carefully you can see the MFD/magnification advantage of the Canon 1-4 as both images were made just about at the MFD …
Your Favorite?
Which of today’s featured images is the stronger one? Please let us know why you made your choice.
A Comparison of the Canon 100-400mm L IS II Lens and the Nikon 200-500 f/5.6 VR
Weight, Size and Bulk
The Canon 100-400 II at 3.5 lbs. (1.59kg) is imminently more hand holdable for many folks than the Nikon 200-500. The latter tips the scales at 4.6 lbs (or 2.09 kgs). That said, I hand held the 2-5 for two weeks in San Diego without a problem and have done the same on Cayman Brac. And have never thought once about using a tripod (except when doing static subjects in the strong winds on the cliffs at the Brac). By direct comparison, the 200-500 is large and clunky; the 100-400 is relatively small and quite svelte. You can however save a bit of weight by removing the tripod collar with the Wimberley plate attached from the 2-5.
Big Advantage: Canon
IS vs VR
Both image stabilization systems are excellent. Note: for bird photography with the 200-500 I keep the VR set to Sport even when photographing static subjects. This is much the same as my keeping IS Mode 2 set all the time with my Canon lenses.
Advantage: none
Focal Length Range
For bird photography, the 2-5 with its maximum reach of 500mm is the clear winner over the 400mm maximum focal length of the Canon 1-4. That said, there are times with the Nikon 2-5 when I miss the additional 100mm at the wide end.
Advantage: Nikon
Minimum Focusing Distance (MFD)
The thing that I miss most about the Canon 100-400 II is the amazing close focus. With its MFD of 3.2 feet (about .98 meters) the 1-4 is a veritable macro lens. The 2-5 focuses down to a not-too-shabby 7.2 feet (or 2.19 meters), more than twice the MFD of the Canon 100-400 II.
The magnification of the 100-400 II is an incredible 0.31X. The magnification of the 2-5 is only 0.22X. Do note: the magnification of a zoom lens is calculated at the longest focal length at the minimum focusing distance. (And yes, for all the tech heads, I do understand that with the Canon lens you do not get a true 400mm focal length when working at or near the MFD.)
Huge Advantage: Canon
Ergonomics and Functionality
Removing the tripod collar to save weight with the Nikon 200-500 is a snap compared to the pain-in-the-ass chore of having to unscrew the tripod foot (with a Wimberley P-10 plate) attached on the 1-4II. Getting around in the field with the 1-4 on a Black Rapid Curve Breathe strap is child’s play. I like to remove the tripod foot as above but have no problem attaching the screw from the Black Rapid strap to the bottom of the camera body. I am not, however, comfortable doing that with a four and a half pound lens. I tried using the tripod collar and attaching the Black Rapid screw there but I did not like the balance. Thus, the huge problem that I have with the Nikon 2-5 is that there are no strap lugs on the lens as their are on the Canon 400 DO II (that weighs about the same as the 2-5). I need to come up with a way to carry the Nikon 2-5 on my shoulder when I am afield with my about-to-be delivered Nikon 600mm f/4. Or perhaps there is an 80-400 VR in my future …
As far as the various controls are concerned, each lens is laid out similarly and is easy to access and use the various switches.
Advantage: a slight edge to Canon; if the 2-5 had strap lugs, the edge would go to Nikon.
Performance with a 1.4X TC
The Canon 1-4 performs superbly with the 1.4X III TC. At times, it will work just fine for birds in flight. At this stage having limited experience using the 2-5 with the TC for flight, I cannot recommend that combination for flight photography. Autofocus at point blank range is quite satisfactory with the Canon set-up. AF performance with the Nikon 2-5 and the TCE 14-E III is adequate at long and mid-ranges but the speed of initial autofocus acquisition is slowed to a greater degree than with the Canon set-up. At times, the 2-5 paired with the TC-14E III, has a great deal of trouble acquiring focus at close range especially in soft light. The two tricks below have helped me; perhaps they will help you.
- #1: Move your left hand back on the barrel to the focusing ring so that you can pre-focus manually. Once you acquire focus you can move your left hand back out for better stability.
- #2: If you are attempting to acquire focus on the head of a gull with a black back (such a western or great black-backed) and the AF system is blind even when you put d-9 right on the bird’s eye, simply lower the lens to the spot where the white head meets the black back and press the shutter button half way to acquire focus. It will always do that with zero problems. When you raise the camera to compose your tight head portrait the system will generally hold focus without a problem.
Most importantly note that with the greater reach of the 2-5 you max out at 700mm while the Canon rig will get you out to 560mm.
Advantage: slight edge to Canon
Sharpness
Both with and without the manufacturer’s matching teleconverters both lenses are to my eyes, exceeding sharp.
Advantage: None
Zoom Power Ratio
Getting from 100mm to 400mm with the Canon 1-4 requires a twist of only about 90 degrees. To get from 200-500 with the Nikon lens – the same 300mm difference — requires nearly twice the rotation, about 170 degrees. This makes the 2-5 much more difficult to work with than the Canon 1-4. I am finally beginning to get the direction of zooming right with the 2-5 but I am anything but confident.
Big Advantage: Canon
Price
A new 100-400 II currently sells for $2049.00 at B&H. The Nikon 2-5 currently sells new at B&H for $1396.95.
Big Advantage: Nikon
Summary
Both the Canon 100-400 II L IS and the Nikon 200-500 f/5.6 VR are superb lenses. In the hands of competent photographers each is capable of creating high quality award winning images. Do understand that knowing where to stand, having good sharpness techniques, knowing your gear, knowing how to make sharp images, knowing how to get a workable exposure, know how to design a pleasing image, and understanding the direction and quality of light, understanding how effects of wind, knowing your subjects, and knowing how to approach birds without scaring them off are — among other factors, far more important than what system or what lens or what camera body you are using … Chew on that for a while 🙂
A Question
Did the results above surprise you? If yes, why?
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Artie
I like number one. It’s clean and sharp and the background contrasts well with the birds head. Well done !
Hello,
The Canon lens is weather sealed. The Nikon lens is not.
Mike
Artie, regarding your mention about the Black Rapid Strap/Screw. I’ve used the Fusion Photo Gear plate (https://fpgear.com) with my Sigma 150-600 and now with my Canon 100-400 and it’s great. The “D” ring is rated at something like 1100 lbs, and folds neatly out of the way. I also find it handy on a monopod, as I can still have my strap connected to it.
Thanks all for the insightful comments. Two folks suggested that the first image is sharper. I believe that the bird’s left eye in Image #2 is as sharp as the two eyes in Image #1 but that the Nazca’s left eye is not as sharp as its right eye. That, however, has nothing to do with the sharpness of the lens; it is a depth of field issue.
#1: Wide open with the 1-4 II is f/5.6. So f/13 is stopped down 2 full and one third stop (2 2/3 stops). With the 2-4/TCE-14III wide open is f/8 and f/10 is stopped down only two thirds of a single stop (2/3).
#2: In image #1 both eyes were on the exact same plane.
There are lots of Nikon lenses that I might add to my kit. Right now those include the new version of the 80-400 VR, the 300mm f/4, one of the 70-200 lenses, a macro lens, and the 28-300. Thanks for all the suggestions. And yes, comparing the 80-400 VR with the Canon 100-400 II would have been a more apt comparison.
with love, artie
Image #2: Brown Booby, reminds me of Marty Feldman In Mel Brooks “Young Frankenstein”.
You might try the BosStrap as a way of easily carrying the 2-5. I use the side slide strap with mine and don’t even notice the weight. It easily attaches to the lens foot. The regular sling strap attaches easily to the Nikon body if you prefer. I’ve been using BosStraps for years, and really love them. The owner, Tom Fama, is both very helpful and available.
Here is my takeaway from all this Nikon vs Canon. Each brand has their own strengths and weaknesses. To maximize ones success as far as gear is concerned one needs to match the brands strength/weaknesses with ones own strengths and weaknesses. So, what I see from your comments so far, Canon tele glass is great vs Nikon’s new great af ease of use. For bif if the af does not work for you (even if it works great for others) then it does not matter how good the glass is.
Anyway, that is my take.
Read what Roger Cicala at Lensrental.com opined after a “tear down” of the 100-400 ll. Here is a link to his article.
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2015/02/canon-100-400-is-l-mk-ii-teardown-best-built-lens-ever/
Once again you have reinforced this key phrase
” In the hands of competent photographers”
Thanks and good shooting
Both images are great but the 1st one for me is some what sharper & considering it was done with a crop sensor camera the 7D MK ll & the other was made with Nikon’s newest D850 a full framer. I’ll take the 7D for less weight and less $$$$. The $2000 dollar 100-400 Canon vs $ 1300 Nikon 200-500 if one factors in the two cameras I’ll take the Canon combo over the Nikon. Don’t get me wrong from what I’ve read the D850 is a wonderful camera and I’m sure the 200-500 is also a great lens in the hands of a competent photographer. There are a great many of us low budget photographers who don’t have the deep pockets to be switching one systems to another easily. As you might have guessed I’m a Canon guy with the 7D mk ll & 100-400 L IS ll. As one did mention it’s the GLASS and the shooter I’ll take Canon L glass thank you.
Hi Artie, interesting reading. I wish you had the 80-400 and had compared that lens. A better lens having super ED glass and superior lens coatings. Tripod collar, not so good, other than that a very good lens.
Is there an adapter to attach the Nikon lens to a Canon camera and if so would it perform adequately?
Thanks Artie.
No sir. wth love, artie
Build Quality
Big Advantage: Canon
Very nice and comprehensive comparison though it might be useful to also include some notes on construction (build) and weather sealing. The tripod foot on the 100-400 is, as you observed, a bit of a PIA to remove but since it is relatively small and has a low profile, I don’t bother taking it off. Also, I like having it available when hand holding to brace the lens against a post, wall, or other structure.
Both images are lovely and showcase some of the IQ attributes of the lenses. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, there’s one additional difference I neglected to include and that is the front lens objective diameter. The Canon is 77mm vs. the Nikon’s 95mm giving a significant edge IMHO to the Canon for those who consider filter use (such as polarizers) important.
Thus my comments on the 2-5 as being bigger and clunkier 🙂
a
Hi Artie, try out the Nikon 70-200 lens. It is easy to hold and to shoot flying birds. I use it for those and the Nikon 200-500 with the TC-14EIII for bears and deer and elephants and lions, etc.
Artie: ps I love both images, neither is a favorite over the other!
Artie: thanks. The results did not surprise me. What about AF speed and accuracy for both lenses? I think you meant that the Canon lens is eminently handholdable, not imminently.
I think the first one because the eyes are so much sharper. But you did have the first Image at f/13 and the second one at f/10 don’t know if that made a difference other then depth of field. Plus I think canons 100-400 is superior vs Nikon’s 200-500. Not that Nikon’s is bad at all but I shoot a lot with a friend with the d500 and the 200-500. And I use a 5d mark iv and my images are usually sharper even with his extra 100mm.
Easy, Canon lenses !!
Put any brands name on the thing. It would not matter.
Why? Across the board, Canon telephoto lenses give you more desirability.
Weight and price trump all for many people, especially for handholding.
You have just shown there’s more to the “glass” than glass itself!!
And, as said, “it’s all in the “glass”!!
It not saying other brands are not good. This is just an answer to the question you posed above.
My favorite is the first one…simply cause that’s the
look of our employees every time our manager
makes another dumb decision.
Doug
Thanks for creating a smile, Doug! And a reminder that the human element trumps lens choice.