JFK 01/16

[Zee71]

Rumors....rumors and more rumors......I've seen that advertisment for the Nikon 200-500mm around for a while already. It has caught my interest if it's true. It's going to be one hell of an expensive piece of glass as well I would think. Otherwise, the 200-400mm VRII is a viable option, plus you can use teleconverters like a 2X and get a focal len of 400-800mm (wow), unfortunately one has to sacrifice a few f-stops. Well, let's see what Nikon and Canon puts out this year.

Tad - It's going to be a spotting heaven for A380's here in the near future. Right now, we have Emirates and Air France, and I believe next month Lufthansa will start their A380 service here to JFK, which Korean later this year. All we need is Singapore and Qantas to bring in their big boys.

[gonzalu]

Tad, you're too kind... Actually I was surprised the Super was a lot closer to the ground than I expected being about 5 DME ... I certainly did not need all 400mm to fill the frame, and I was using the full frame camera.

As for lenses, I will give you my take on the 200-400mm f/4 VR I as there is a VR II out that I have not yet tested on my own.

--After owning an 80-400mm for a very short time and living with a 70-200mm + TC-17 for years, I totally broke down crying when I used an 200-400mm f/4 and saw the results. There is a HUGE difference in quality, especially wide open and in the corners!

--The 200-400mm f/4 is a HEAVY lens, not to be used hand held. Yes, I use it hand held all the time. But you better be (a) LUCKY or (b) above 1/1600 sec. Otherwise, blur!!

--It is NOT SHARP with distant objects. This lens was meant to MAGNIFY close up objects. It performs poorly with distant subjects.

--The TC-17 is stellar yet not that great on this lens. Close subjects are OK but not far away subjects.

--Close up, this lens is scary good for a zoom. In some cases just as good as a lens costing twice as much (well, close LOL as the new 200-400mm VR II is over $7000.

--VR is not great at all. Perhaps the VR II is better. The VR motor often blurs / smears images when shot at over 1/800sec. Only effective below 1/400 sec and the panning detector is not great either.

This lens is about quality images... the glass is just stellar!

[Spunker]

awesome sets guys!! A380's were great and the new red of Virgin just sparkles
Gene

[megatop412]

I've read some real negative stuff about the 2X TC's. Like, enough to make me not buy one.

Wait a minute, I don't own any Nikkors that will take a TC.....but even if I did I wouldn't go beyond the 1.7

[Steven Holzinger]

I'm so pissed I didn't get to go out yesterday... I guess I did you guys a favor so you could get those special schemes! I just wasn't up for it - wasn't feeling good all day, but the video I shot on the 15th was good enough, despite the skies being so-so.

I've also gotta start going out of my way to avoid taking the Verrazano home...

Oh BTW great pictures guys! Am looking forward to coming up there in April...

[gonzalu]

Steve, your video is just sooo enjoyable... a real time consumer LOL. My wife is a little pissed at you. She didn;t like me browsing through A.net and J.net but 30 minute videos are really bad hahahaa. Great stuff.

[NLovis]

Nace southern catch mark (zee). Thats actually a 747-300. Rare bird with old southern scheme. If I recall only 3 southern have yet to be repained.

[steve1840]

Eric, I love the shots of the Swiss and Jet Blue with the moon. Just great!