Overland Travel - Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AIS

Asia : Africa : South America : Middle East

Is the Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF AI-S lens worth its 5.5Kg weight to carry around?

It's really a personal choice, and depends where one is based, that a lens of this caliber can outweigh the disadvantages of its weight and bulky length. A versatile pack to carry such a long heavy lens, is the sleek slimline Kani pack (L-300L). The Kani pack can accommodate an 800mm lens with any pro-body attached (images down the page). The 800 lens does show signs of CA fringing on wide apertures when capturing high contrast exposures. At times, the odd halo appears when pointing at certain angles towards sunlight. CA and halo are easily removed in post processing. The 800mm lens in DX mode (1200mm) captures distant subjects with ease. This saves wasted parts of image space that's not required. I also carry a 1.4x teleconverter, but is hardly used due to the powerful magnification of this lens. The one drawback using this classic 800 manual focus lens, is the lack of auto focus on fast moving subjects at certain angles when focus and DOF becomes an issue to retain sharp images. Overall, the Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AI-S lens is still an impressive piece of glass to use for wildlife, astro, landscape, street photography, and random diverse street subjects.

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Slow moving subjects, landscapes, and stationary subjects using the 800 5,6 manual focus lens is certainly not difficult. When having no required time limit to manually re-focus, or to quickly change settings makes this lens shine. Using a stable tripod is imperative to hold the 6.5 kilo weight (lens and body), including a robust tripod head that's easy to work with. I've personally been using a Wimberley WH-200 head with this lens with positive results. The Nikkor 5.6 ED-IF AIS was manufactured from 1986-2005 with 3007 units produced. The 800 5.6 in 2022 is considered an old horse. The lens, like many other classic manual focus lenses can accommodate a dandelion chip if need be. This particular chip is designed to fit most manual focus lenses of makes and designs. I would personally recommend this lens to anyone who's thinking to upgrade from smaller prime lenses, and who are able to tolerate manual focusing. Mint condition Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS lenses can still be purchased online through Japanese eBay sellers, or KEH used camera gear USA. Images on this page (all low res) were taken with the 800 5.6 with D3 and D3S 12 MP bodies.

The above moon shots were captured with a 12MP D3S in DX mode with the 800 5.6 AIS - f/11 @1/60 Sec ISO 200

Above, the 800 5.6 AIS capturing action shots mounted on a tripod. This lens is not hand holdable because of its weight.

Length 670mm :  Diameter 163mm :  Weight 5.5kg : Optics 8/6 (3ED) : f5.6 - f32 : 52mm drop in filter :  Units manufactured 3004 - 1986 - 2005 : Serial sequence 200001- 203004

DSLR full frame lenses today are just paperweights according to couch potato online photography reviewers. Well, they maybe correct on certain lens designs and brands, but one lens that still gets the shots, is the Nikon 1986 Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AIS prime. I've probably tested this particular lens in more different extreme climatic conditions than most photo-bloggers could ever dream of experiencing. The classic 800mm f/5.6 AIS has certainly surpassed all rugged overland travel and transit journeys, and has never failed - not once above +50C to below -33C. No melted or seized womb thread grease, no fungus issues, and no front cracked element due to extreme subzero temps. This lens gets a 10/10 rating for reliability.

Snow Leopard - Himalaya

Reaching Spiti Valley during mid-winter can be a mission. Snow drift can block the only road route for days on end. I was held up for 3 days in Rekong Peo in January until the road track was driveable. 99% of "wildlife photographers" head directly to Kibber, or to Chicham, where open canyons are easily viewed from high location points to spot snow leopards. I decided to self-track and spot myself at other locations away from Kibber that yielded positive results. Traces of fresh snow leopard pug-marks and droppings were found at various particular points. Within an hour or so, a snow leopard was captured slowly wading through virgin snow. The chance, the possibilities of sighting this "grey ghost" so close is a rare event - call it shear luck. Leaving the Kibber region well away from other photographers was the right choice. Most snow leopard images taken in Kibber, or at Chicham bridge are captured at downward angles. By 4pm, the 4200M (13,800 ft) location was beginning to bite with subzero temps falling below minus -15C. The sun was sinking fast, and the way out was already looking like an ice skating road track.  

Purple Heron - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8, 1/1250 sec, 400 iso

The manual focus Nikkor 800 5.6 maybe an old classic, but still captures those long shots.

Asian Wetlands

Asian wetlands are best visited during the bird migration in colder months. The below image looks as if it was captured from close distance. The deer were spotted using binoculars, The deer were settling in for the night on an isolated strip of land protected by wetlands from predators. The shot was captured using a 12MP Nikon D3S body in DX mode with the Nikkor 800mm mounted on a tripod.

Long Shot - 400+ metres  

Long Shot full frame - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/250 sec, 400 iso

Egyptian Vultures - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/2000 sec, 2000 iso

 Long shot 70% cropped image - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/1000 sec, 800 iso

Egyptian Vultures - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/2000 sec, 2000 iso

Egrets - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8, 1/3200 sec, 500 iso

Steppe eagle - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/400 sec, 500 iso

 Fox Glacier - D3, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/2000 sec, 400 iso

+51C - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/32, 1/13th sec, 200 iso

Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS - Extreme Locations

The Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AIS lens was used in extreme sub-zero conditions in 2020. The lens operated in sub-temps to minus -30C with zero issues of womb thread grease freezing, lens glass elements cracking, or inner fogging. The 800 has proved itself as a reliable working lens in extreme +50c desert heat & sub-zero temperatures.        

One of coldest locations through my overland travel journeys since '82, where I've managed to capture moon shots in subzero midwinter temps using the Nikkor 800 AIS. All I can say, this lens would be the first item packed ready to go for any future overland journey on the planet. Images - Himalaya 2020

Minus -25C @3800 meters alt.  D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/160th sec, 200 iso

Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS - Wilderness

At times, finding good locations to photograph in the wilderness is totally insane. The above image capture shows there are no limitations whatsoever when it involves wildlife photography. Positioning tripods with 5kg lenses on the top edge of high cliff top faces was required to capture snaps of Himalayan Griffon in their natural habitat.The elevation level @3700 meters is the same height as Mount Cook in NZ.

 D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/320sec, 250 iso

Early morning ship salvage and gas axe crew long shots. Since 1982, I've traveled overland offshore crossing through countries and continents carting around some form of photo gear. In 2022, nothing much has changed except from switching from roll film to digital. I still use some of those old classic Nikkor lenses to capture my shots. These examples were taken with a Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AIS manual focus lens from an approximate distance of 400+ meters on a 12 MP D3S. Below. the 800 5.6 AIS still shows the quality of a lens that is over 35 years old. Image is the original FX size un-cropped.

D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11 1/640 sec, 800 iso

Purple Moorhen- D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/1600 sec, 1600 iso

Spot Billed Ducks - D3, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8, 1/1000 sec, 500 iso

The Nikkor 800 5.6 easily captures images like above from distance without disturbing subjects. 

Now and then the inevitable happens at certain locations when there was no other lens but the 800 to capture street subjects. The above image was taken with a Nikon D3 @ f/8. 1/1000 sec, 800 iso

Grey Herons - D3s,  Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8, 1/320sec, 1600 iso

Migratory birds - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/32, 1/400 sec 450 iso

D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/3200 sec, 3200 iso

Wide open - D3, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, 400 iso

Ship wrecking approx 600 meter distance, It was taken with a D3s body @ f/8, 1/1600 sec, 640 iso

Grey Heron - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/2500 sec, 800 iso

 Spotted owl - D3s, 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/320 sec, 800 iso

Steppe eagle - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/2500 sec, 800 iso

Seal Pups - D3, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/4000 sec, 1600 iso

Jackals - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8 1/250 sec, 2500 iso

Long Shot - 400+ Meters

  Sarus crane @400+ meters - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/22, 1/1600 sec, 2000 iso 

Snake bird - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/1600 sec, 1600 iso

Egyptian vultures, D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/2000 sec, 1250 iso

Pond Heron - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus @ f/8,  1/1600 sec, 500 iso

Drought - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/22 1/125 sec, 400 iso

 Himalayan Griffon -  D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8 1/2000 sec, 400 iso

Wildlife - Getting The Shot

Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF AIS Manual Focus Lens (1986-2005)

​A set of stainless steel extended tripod foot spikes ensures stability when tripods are setup in soft ground. A solid stainless eye-lit can be purchased at almost any hardware store. Both accessories will help to maintain tripods a firm non-movement grip reducing vibration, including safety with heavy photo gear. Anything available like rocks and bottles of water can be used to fill a bag, that's then attached to the eye-lit hookup keeping tripods more stable. Photo Gear Page : Tripod Page  

Imagine arriving to any isolated location full of wildlife, but the lenses you have don't reach out far enough to capture distant subjects. This happens more often than most realize with some becoming very disappointed because of it. Moving up too close will usually make wildlife move even further away. Using 1.5/2x/3x tele-converters is an option. These should be avoided due to f/stop loss, pushed iso or slower shutter speed in low light conditions. Heavy classic lenses like the Nikkor 800 5.6 (5.5Kg+body) need to be used on tripods giving better results rather than hand holding this lens. An added weight of 5-10Kg should also be clipped under tripod heads when using these lenses. This will dramatically reduce vibration from ground up to the lens mount. A small 1-2Kg weight pack placed on top of the lens directly above the tripod head lens mount will also eradicate 99% of vibration when the shutter is activated.

Imagine arriving to any isolated location full of wildlife, but the lenses you have don't reach out far enough to capture distant subjects. This happens more often than most realize with some becoming very disappointed because of it. Moving up too close will usually make wildlife move even further away. Using 1.5/2x/3x tele-converters is an option. These should be avoided due to f/stop loss, pushed iso or slower shutter speed in low light conditions. Heavy classic lenses like the Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 (5.5Kg+body) need to be used on tripods, which give good positive results rather than trying to use this lens hand-held. An added weight of 5-10Kg should also be clipped on under tripod heads when using these lenses. This will dramatically reduce most vibration from ground up to the lens mount. A small 1-2Kg weight pack placed on top of the lens directly above the tripod head lens mount will also eradicate 99% of vibration when the shutter is activated.

Eurasian collared dove - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/22, 1/1250 sec, 1250 iso

Grey Heron  in take-off mode - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus @ f/8, 1/2500 sec, 500 iso

 Quick snap - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8, 1/1250 sec, 160 iso

In flight - D3, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8, 1/1250 sec, 800 iso

Female Jackal - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8, 1/1600 sec, 1250 iso

Purple Heron - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/2000 sec, 1000 iso

Spotted dove - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/5.6, 1/1600 sec, 400 iso

Open bill storks - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/1000 sec, 400 iso

The 800mm lens wasn't designed to use for street portraits, although now and then, the 800 does work well if its already setup at any busy location where random subjects can be captured from distance.   
  

 Long shot, Mount Cook NZ -  D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/80 sec, 200 iso

Long shot down river from Assi ghat of the main cremation ghat 

Reaching Out - Long Shot

The magnification of a classic manual focus Nikon 800mm f/5.6 lens still has some punch. Location and image capture below were taken on the same day at the Rohtang pass (4000 meters) at a distant pinnacle peak of the Himalaya on the Indian/Chinese (Tibetan) border (6100 meters).

Nikon C-PL1L - 52mm Pol Filter

Going To Wildlife Parks?

Forget About Using Smart Phone Cameras And Point & Shoots!

As mentioned many times through this website, good reliable DSLR camera-gear no-matter the brand capture great images. It's far more rewarding using DSLR equipment within wildlife parks, nature reserves or any wetland habitat. Most birds and animals will suddenly take-off, if approaching to close capturing images of them. You will never see professional wildlife photographers using smart phone cameras or point and shoots to capture images. Using long tele-lenses to get the shot has had a 100% success rate for decades. This page alone shows more than enough image captures that are achievable even with an old classic 1986-2005 manual focus lens attached to 12 megapixels DSLR bodies. The rewards pay-off when the time comes around developing wildlife images into wall canvases. Cell phone and point & shoot cameras won't deliver quality close-up long-shots. The above image was captured at approximately 250+ meters distance (DX mode @1200mm cropped) The below image was captured across tree tops using DX mode (1200mm) with a 12 MP body. The Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AIS lens maybe a slow cumbersome tank in today's photographic wildlife world, but the lens still works remarkably well. If you're not sponsored, or a full-time paid photographer, this is one classic lens worth its weight, and light price tag (mint condition US$2500).

Painted Stork - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/8, 1/3200 sec, 640 iso

Pond Heron - D3s, Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/500 sec, 250 iso

Nikon 800mm f/5.6 AI-S-AFS - Lens Pack + Pro Body

Looking for a Lens Pack that can accommodate an 800mm lens with body attached?

KANI PACK FOR LARGE 800 PRIME LENSES

The Kani backpack will hold a Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens with an attached Pro body with no issues (D3-D4-D5). An attached 1.4x converter is pushing it to the limit and won't fit. There's plenty of extra free space around the lens - even with the lens & body sealed inside a sea-summit bag.  A pair of mini binoculars, 6 batteries, UDMA backup drive, 1.4x converter, and a couple of small primes i.e. 105mm, 85mm 50mm, 35mm Domke wrapped. The Kani has a non swivel harness, including a rainproof outer cover. The L-300L has slim inner and outer pockets to accommodate paperwork, filters, and other small items. The middle attachment holding the centre of the lens is velcro adjustable and can be shifted up or down and reattached. The detachable top flap is also velcro attached above the camera body. This keeps the camera back protected from knocks and bumps, and  keeps the top of the pack squared when zipped. The lower and bottom  section of the pack has a secondary heavy duty thick outer mold guarding against knocks, wear and tear, including when in muddy, wet conditions.
​I can certainly recommend this pack for an investment to safeguard long large prime lenses. I have used the Kani L 300L pack over-landing across India and neighboring countries many times (west Bengal to Rajasthan - Rajasthan to Bangladesh - Bangladesh to India - India to Nepal to India). All transit journeys were by local buses, trains, and boats. This particular pack can also hold a tripod (large velcro strip shown) - an added accessory. Rating 9/10. Above image - Location snap of the Kani L 300L pack loaded with a Nikon 800mm f/5.6 MF lens and pro-body wrapped in a sea-summit bag @4000 metre altitude - India​

The Kani pack and phot0 gear above has now clocked up thousands of overland travel transit kilometers using local transportation without any damage or issues since 2016. Overland travel through continents using local transport with an 800mm f/5.6 lens without having proper protection will destroy the lens within a short time period. This particular model - Kani L 300L is recommended if still available.
The harness system is a non-swivel design. The removal of the lens from the pack is simple and easy. The front element and lens extension hood fits snugly in to the bottom of the pack. The center cushion is held by three velcro flaps and can be adjusted either up or down to hold the barrel of the lens firmly in place. The top flap protects the camera back and can be removed when required.
The solid base ensures the pack to stand vertically and also protects the lens from knocks and water soakage from entering. There are more than enough pockets adequately placed around and inside the pack for small items like filters, SD and flash cards. ​