Originally posted by gatorguy I choose to go with the Tamron 150-600 rather than the Nikkor 200-500. Both lenses are praised by some while other owners express disappointment. It's a toss-up. As for impressive photos always take those for what they are. You're only seeing the best they got, not the several thousand not-so-impressive.
Interesting you went with the Tamron option. My review readings from various sources cite the Sigma 150-600mm a much better option in every respect bar weight were the Tamron is lighter. Of course I am talking about the Sports version and not the Contemporary.
To add to your initial post, I am also playing with the 3d tracking capability of the D500. What I can say is that my lens is wrong. As you already know, I'm using the 18-300mm at the far end which is far too short! My settings are using AFS-C with 25 point dynamic selected.
My subjects are smaller then the AF area which really challenges any system I guess.... probably the reason for most of my issues seen on my K1 ii and FA*300.
What i can add to this is that aircraft are nailed! Atmospheric conditions aside, they are in focus and sharp. Actually, now my Pentax friends are really surprised that my shots are all in focus lol
What I notice with the D500 is even at ISO 100 there is some noise. Yep I can recover it but the imaging train is no where near the Pentax (I only have the K1 ii to compare with, but I'm sure the K3 iii is going to be equally good in it's imaging as that's one thing that Pentax do really well I believe!)
There is really something to be said about Sony sensors!! Even dedicated astro cams from QHY and Moravian Instruments use them, and astro is a subject that really pushes each component of the camera system to it's limits!
That was my experience last night when trying to run a few test shots with the D500 and 18-300mm @18mm (27-28mm in 35mm FF). The magnification on the D500 is only around 10x compared to 16x on the Pentax. It means that it's harder to get round stars by zooming in LV mode on the D500.
Overall, sure I caught Andromeda (M31) galaxy, but compared to my K1 ii / Samyang 24mm combination, it was no where near it. The K1 just simply beats the D500 hands down with the tested combination. Yep it's an unfair test I know but I am working with what I have.....
I will be trying out my Sigma 105mm macro soon. I can compare that to the Irix 150mm and my K1. Now Irix are some of the best lenses ever made along with Samyang. You can't get any better for any price unless you try using a Takahashi or $500k scrope.
Sure most people would probably think I'm nuts and get quite offended with my statement but I stand by it as it's what I am seeing from my own setup and use.
Here is a great article regarding the 150-600mm Sigma:
https://blog.sigmaphoto.com/2022/astrophotography-with-the-sigma-150-600mm-d...s-sports-lens/
Bottom line, my interests are different and what I see and want to see is extremely different. I would totally suck as a pro photographer because I am not interested in the art side of things. I prefer to have a contrasty popping clinically razor sharp image that makes the eyes bleed with saturation and detail. Therefor I'm probably the worst person to give their ideas and views on things which don't coincide with what anyone lese is thinking....
Gatorguy, this little gem of a topic if fantastic!! I'm glad you started it
Thank you so much :-)
Please have fun doing your tests and can't wait to read more to see what you are unlocking out of both systems.
Unfortunately it is a truth that there is no one system or brand that is perfect. I am not saying anything against anyone (as in particular brand or group which is true for OpenSource projects) but design decisions have to be made and can take the subject in one direction or another. It's always good to be neutral and not biased. It's something I need to understand myself sometimes as I get pretty cheesed off at many things for going one way instead of another (not photography equipment), and in some cases I find it's better to build things my self if I can.
---------- Post added 08-03-22 at 07:03 AM ----------
Originally posted by gatorguy I don't know. I'm way more familiar with the menus than I was a week ago after reading just the manual. Lots of YouTube advice and some of it seems more reliable than others ( of course), but I don't recall anything about that specifically. I'll check it out.
As far as I understand, there is no subject recognition. You get Face recognition, but that's it. Mirrorless cameras have that advantage as it's a software thing like CCTV systems have.
You can obviously put the Nikon into manual focus mode or use one of the AFS-C modes.... perhaps the correct answer would be to say that the 3D tracking mode can be switched to something else??
---------- Post added 08-03-22 at 07:23 AM ----------
Originally posted by Rondec Obviously I have plenty of K mount glass, hence the reason that I bought a K-3 III, but if I was launching new, I'm not sure that I would buy F mount gear. I question if the support will be there going forward. If I didn't need an OVF, I would probably look at Canon's mirrorless offerings which seem more interesting (particularly from a glass standpoint) than Nikon's/
I'm gonna agree with UncleVanya. Though I've just invested in the D500 myself and probably many of my posts triggered the curiosity about the D500 in the first place.
Nikon, I'm pretty sure are switching over to Z mount mirrorless format lenses.
Maybe now is the time manufacturers are all starting to look at mirrorless options and ditch the mechanical options. My guess is that fabrication is cheaper and also everything can be done in software now instead of using dedicated hardware like the Pro bodies from CaNikon. No more AF sensors and special processors in the circuitry chain.
Instead with the mirrorless options, you get two or more multi functional imaging processors like computer CPU's or DSP's in audio that can perform multiple tasks according to their programming.This of course sparks a separate debate about dedicated hardware efficiency over generic hardware use of software. Think audio plugins run on a computer DAW system in contrast to a rack filled with analog audio processing equipment. No way you can get the same performance from a CPU or DSP as you could from a transistor or valve based dedicated hardware system. The variables are too much to compute in any form and since they're not the same all the time (eg. harmonics) and get affected by things like heat, voltage and current changes etc... basically using software with generic hardware you get a good approximation.
For me, why the D500?? I love my K1 ii but it's slow and the AF is there like video mode but not really usable for me at least. I needed an APS-C camera for reach and long lenses. 300mm is the prime limit for Pentax and it's way too short for my wildlife needs. After searching high and low, I made the choice based around the Sigma 60-600mm lens as it's teleconvertor compatible if needed and the fact that the AF in the D500 is taken directly from the D5.
I guess you can say lens choice was a big motivating factor. The Sigma 105mm macro has USM motors so no more screwdrive, and unlike my Irix 150mm on the Pentax, I can finally focus on insects which don't sit still. The Sigma 60-600mm will mean that I can get small birds and mammals like squirrels to fill my frame. Currently at 450mm (300mm -35mm) they are smaller then the 25 point dynamic AF area. If you get any closer then they run away.
The 18-300mm is really what the DFA28-105mm should have been. A long range lightweight travel lens that has a useful scope of throw. Optically they are about the same, but reach reach reach....
---------- Post added 08-03-22 at 07:32 AM ----------
Originally posted by Michaelina2 To be fair... OP, may I ask for a test of the D500's built-in "Astrotracer Type 3" feature, as well?
Respectfully... M
AstroTracer is Pentax only!!
The D500 does not have AT....
I use it extensively with the K1 ii. Actually it's the reason I bought the K1 to start with and I've done over 10K AT shots later stacked in Sequator then processed with PixInsight.
To get any type of astro done with the D500, you need a tracking mount. Check the Rainbow Astro RST135 or Pegasus Astro Nyx for good portable harmonic drive systems or 10micron for one of the best mounts under $20k. Otherwise look at a cheap iOptron, Skywatcher or other made-in-China brand for sub $1k pricing.