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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 calibre 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 autofocus 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 any stationary subject using the 800mm manual focus lens is certainly not difficult. When having no required time limit to manually re-focus, or to change settings makes this lens shine. A stable tripod is imperative to hold the 6.5kg weight (lens and body), including a robust tripod head that's easy to work with. I've been using a Wimberley WH-200 head with this lens with positive results. The Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF AI-S was manufactured from 1986~2005 with 2972 units produced. It is now 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. I would personally recommend this lens to anyone who's thinking to upgrade from smaller prime lenses, and who can tolerate manual focussing. Mint condition Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AI-S lenses can still be purchased online through Japanese eBay sellers, or KEH used camera- gear in USA.  
Images on this page were taken with a Nikon 800mm ED-IF manual focus lens using D3 and D3s 12 megapixel sensor bodies.

DSLR 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. The lens gets a 10/10 rating for reliability.          

Snow Leopard - Spiti Valley

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 at the end of January until the road track was drivable. 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 one hour after setting-up the 800mm lens, 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. A few minutes later, another snow leopard appeared following close behind the other crossing the snow. 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. The image above is one from approximately 750 captures. By 4pm, the 4200M (13,800 ft) location was beginning to bite with sub-zero temps falling below minus -15C. The sun was sinking fast, and the way out was already looking like an ice skating road track - it was time to head back to Kaza.                

The manual focus Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 lens maybe an old classic, but it still gets the shots! The journey to Spiti valley during mid-winter 2020 can be viewed here.  

The above image looks as if it was captured from close distance. The deer were spotted using binoculars who 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 lens 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 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/2000 sec, 2000 iso

Let's Dance, Egrets - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/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 national park landscape - D3, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/2000 sec, 400 iso

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

Extreme Locations

The Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AIS lens was used in extreme sub-zero conditions in January-February 2020. The lens had handled operating in sub-temps to minus -25C with no issues of womb thread grease freezing, lens glass elements cracking, or inner fogging. The 800 has proved itself a reliable working lens in extreme +50c desert heat & sub-zero temperatures.        

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

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 a tripod with a 5kg lens on the top edge of a high cliff top face was required to capture images of Himalayan Griffon in their natural habitat.The elevation level @3700 metres is the same height as Mount Cook in NZ.

 Quick snap capture, no time to change settings - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/320sec, 250 iso

On location, Sitakunda ship wrecking yards - FPP (fixed pitched propeller) - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/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

The Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 in the wilderness easily captures images like above from distance without disturbing subjects. 

Sometimes the inevitable happens at a particular location when there was no other lens but the 800mm to capture a street portrait snap. This image was taken with a classic Nikon D3 in west Bengal @ f/8. 1/1000 sec, 800 iso

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

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

Wing drying Gyps vulture - D3, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/16, 1/2000 sec, iso 1100

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

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

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

Bangladesh ship wrecking yards, this image was captured from an approximate 600 metre distance in the early morning with minimal light. The image was taken with a D3s body @ f/8, 1/1600 sec, 640 iso

A grey Heron in action - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/2500 sec, 800 iso

 A spotted owl within its natural habitat - D3s, 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/320 sec, 800 iso

Himalayan red fox - D3s, 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/5.6, 1/5000 sec, 200 iso

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

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

Sitakunda ship wrecking yards - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/800 sec, 800 iso 

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

Long Shot - 400+ Metres

  A Sarus crane in take off mode @400+ metres - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/22, 1/1600 sec, 2000 iso 

A snake bird  in action with a catch - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens @ f/11, 1/1600 sec, 1600 iso

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

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

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

 Himalayan Griffon -  D3s, Nikon 800mm f/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 will ensure stability 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 to keep tripods stable.    

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 realise 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.       

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Open bill storks - D3s, Nikon 800mm f/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 burning 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 metres) at a distant pinnacle peak of the Himalaya on the Indian/Chinese (Tibetan) border (6100 metres).

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+ metres 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 todays 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)            

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

Looking for a LensPack than can accommodate an 800mm lens with body attached?

 KANI PACK FOR LARGE 800 PRIME LENSES  -  Robust  -  Comfortable -  Reliable

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 mould to guard 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 neighbouring 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 shot of the Kani L 300L Pack loaded with a Nikon 800mm f/5.6 MF lens and D3s body wrapped in a sea-summit bag @4000 metre altitude - India​

The Kani pack and photo-gear in these images have now clocked up thousands of overland travel transit kilometres 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 and padding is well designed, including the easy mounting and removal of the lens. The front element and hood of the 800 fits snuggly in to the bottom of the pack. The centre 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 easily 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.  

Background image: On location - Himachal Pradesh