Nikon 400mm 3.5 or 500mm f4 P On Canon DSLR?

jack_nordine · March 30, 2014

I am considering the purchase of either a Nikon 400mm 3.5 or a Nikon 500mm f4 P lens. I would be using the lens on my Canon 6D and Canon crop cameras. I understand I would lose AF, and I plan to use the lens in manual mode. Just looking for feedback from anyone who has used either (or both) of these lenses on a Canon body. Before purchasing, I’m curious if there are any potential issues with either lens when used on a Canon, or if for some reason, one would be preferable to the other. Any feedback would be appreciated.

JDMvW · March 30, 2014

Focusing is easy enough (though the reasons autofocus won out for birds on the wing will quickly become obvious) on the 6D, and I've used MF lenses even on my old 20D APS-C camera with only a little more difficulty.

I'd advise against focus-confirmation chips glued on to the adapters for reasons I've often stated (<a href="/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Jb4x">link</a>). In my opinion, even when they don't damage your camera they really aren't better than the old Mark 1 eyeball for someone who knows how to focus manually (there's an art to it, tutorials are available on-line).

It's great fun for me to shoot old Nikkors on my Canon EOS cameras. In fact, a large collection of non-AI lenses that could not then be easily used on digital Nikons was the reason I went to Canon some ten years ago.

However, MF, stop-down lenses are just that. They are best for deliberate work (architecture, landscape, macro), not things like wildlife or action photography. There are excellent reasons sports and wildlife shooters adopted modern automatic cameras and lenses for their work almost immediately as they became available.

sarah_fox · March 30, 2014

JDM couldn't have said it better.

jack_nordine · March 30, 2014

JDM, I totally agree with you about the focus confirmation chips. I have about 10 various adapters and all are non chip. My reasoning is I trust my eyes more than I trust the chip. I do own a Canon 400mm 5.6 and it's great for sports. However, there's times when I need a faster (and or longer lens) for such situations as you mentioned above. And the Nikon 400mm 3.5 & Nikon 500mm f4 P are reportedly are excellent with 1.4 converters. Hopefully there's someone out there who has tried one of these lenses on a Canon body.

Hey, love the photo of the 500mm mirror with the 2X. How were the results with that combo?

JDMvW · March 30, 2014

I couldn't lay my hands on one with the Reflex-Nikkor, but here is a picture taken with the same converter on a Nikon F-mount Sigma Mirror 600mm and on a Canon 20D for an "equivalent" focal length of 1920mm (=600mm X 2 X 1.6). The inset shows the view from the same spot with a 40mm lens.

jamie_robertson2 · March 30, 2014

I do own a Canon 400mm 5.6 and it's great for sports.

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Buy a used Canon 7D, then you'll have a 640mm f/5.6 lens with better AF than your 6D. You can also forget adapters and extenders and also have a back up DSLR thrown in for free. I would much rather do that than clart around with old manual focus lenses and adapters. It'll probably be cheaper too.

jack_nordine · March 30, 2014

Jamie, the crop camera I sometimes use with the 400mm 5.6 is the t3i. The 7D certainly would provide me with much better AF, but right now, AF isn't the issue. I'd like something longer and faster with excellent IQ. I know either version of the Canon 500mm f4 will provide me with what I need, but I can't afford it. And I'm not really impressed with my 400mm 5.6 with a 1.4 extender. It's possible that there aren't many people who have used these Nikons on a Canon body?

JDM, it's incredible that a mirror lens with a 2X converter could resolve so well!

jamie_robertson2 · March 31, 2014

What I was trying to suggest is that you use your 400mm lens on your crop body when you need that extra reach rather than mess around with other lenses, converters and adapters on your 6D.

jack_nordine · March 31, 2014

Jamie, I understand what you were saying. The problem is that sometimes 400mm even on my crop body is still not enough reach, and sometimes I need something faster than 5.6. That's why I'm considering longer and faster lenses.

John Crowe · April 1, 2014

I have read both of your threads, and although I have no experience with the two lenses you are considering I will add a few thoughts.

Stay away from the Tamron 150-600, or any slow superzoom, your 400/5.6 with 1.4x would only be better, even if it is limited to manual focus.

The Nikon users have confirmed my suspicions that the relatively newer 500/4 P is in fact superior to the 400/3.5, especially with respect to CA. However, you can get quite a deal on the 400/3.5 currently at keh.com and it is still a very good lens.

If you can handle the budget of about $2000 USD for a Nikon 500/4 P I would also consider the usually bit more expensive, Nikon 600/4 AIS, unless of course it is simply too big and heavy. Also in this same range of price and weight is the Nikon 400/2.8 AIS.

It is the Nikon 400/2.8 AIS that I use on my Canon 5D II when I prefer image quality over the autofocus of my EF 300/4 L and EF 1.4x. The 300/4 L has virtually no CA. The 400/2.8 has a small amount of CA which is readily eliminated in Photoshop but it is significantly sharper than the 300/4 L 1.4x combo. When I used the 400/2.8 on Nikon crop DSLRs I used it with both the Nikon TC-14E II (AF 1.4x converter) and Nikon TC-14B (manual focus 1.4x converter). I now use the 400/2.8 with EF 1.4x and see absolutely no difference in quality from the Nikon ones.

I have also been extremely pleased with the EF 2x and 400/2.8 on the 5D II. The advantage of using Canon EF converters is that they will also work with your Canon EF lenses. When using EF converters with Nikon lenses you have to isolate the converter from the EOS body electrical contacts. I avoid residue from tape by simply placing a small piece of paper between the EF converter contacts and the EOS body contacts. This fools the camera allowing you to take pictures. This only applies when using Canon converters.

Other options to at least consider in the $2000-3000 USD range are the used Canon EF 300/2.8 L and if you are patient you can even get yourself a used Nikon 300/2.8 AF-I or AF-S and Nikon 24 MP crop body for a total under $2500 USD, which gets you AF as well.

Another possible option out there are the Canon FD 300/2.8 L, FD 400/2.8 L, or FD 500/4.5 L with EdMika FD-EOS conversions. I have seen deals on these lenses which can make them worth considering over the Nikon counterparts.

I use several Nikon lenses on my 5D II and a good reference for Nikon lenses is given by Bjorn Rorslett at: <a href="http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html">http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html</a> This is not a direct link, select "lenses" in the left hand column.

Good places to look for used lenses are bhphotovideo.com, adorama.com and keh.com. I have purchased from all of these and have been extremely happy with products/services of each. Also great success with the auction site and classified ads sites.<div></div>

jack_nordine · April 1, 2014

Great stuff John! Its good to hear from someone who has used Nikon long lenses on Canon bodies. Thanks for the breakdown on the lenses. Yes, I've thought about an EF lens, with the Ed Mika product. I'll check into it a little more before I decide.

john_r._fulton_jr. · April 4, 2014

Any reason you're not considering the 400mm f4.0 DO Canon? It's terrific and very light. It seems to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the big Canon lenses - it gets no respect.

jack_nordine · April 7, 2014

Good suggestion John. If I did get a 400mm, it would have to work GREAT with a 1.4 converter or extender. And the samples I've seen from the DO with an extender just haven't impressed me. Also, the 400mm DO carries a high price. Right now the new ones are over $6000, and used ones in excellent condition start at about $4000. If I was going to spend between $4K and $6K, I'd purchase a used Canon 500mm f4, version one.

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