Old 600 5.6 ED IF AIS

<p>Friday working with this lens took a "close up" of my cigar ash tray at around 18 feet. I was amazed when I took a close look at the shot. Original and crop (hopefully) attached. </p><div></div>

<p>Crop of the same image! Photographer reflected, ashtray as a lens picked up the Rim Rock!</p><div></div>

<p>This lens is no slouch, it's just a bit slow at times. I use mine wide open w/o hesitation. Yes it has some CA, but that's totally fixable. It serves up excellent images on my D800 when a stable tripod and atmospherics allow.</p>

<p>Hard work (like my 400/3.5), but still very useable!</p>

<p>Of those late 70's/early 80's vintage edif Nikkors the 600mm f5.6 was perhaps the most underrated. The 200 f2.0, 300 f2.8, 400 f3.5, 600mm 4.0 were all popular and workhorse lenses. The 5.6 wasn't discussed much. I remember using one in the studio with a TC14 plus an extension ring for a closeup of (something). Later came the 300 f2.0, 400 f2.8 and the 500 f4.0. I don't remember using the 500mm but used all the others. Most were oriented toward sports although the 300 f2.8 was a general purpose photojournalist lens. The rare one of the group was the 300mm f2.0. From what I remember it was mostly designed to shoot gymnastics at the 1984 LA Olympics. Interestingly, most of the 300mm f2.0 lenses were bought by DPs in Hollywood and converted for cine use. </p>