Overland Travel  - Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF AIS

Asia - Africa - South America - Middle East

Is The Nikon 800 5.6 ED-IF AIS Lens Worth It's 5.5 Kg 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 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 in the 2020s

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Above, offshore in the wilderness using the 800 5.6 AIS. The 5.5kg lens requires a stable tripod and reliable tripod head. Where do you get your hands on this rare manual focus lens in the 2020s?  KEH USA, Japanese eBay camera sellers. 

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.

These lunar shots were captured with 12MP full frame bodies in DX mode with the 800 5.6 AIS - f/11 @1/80 Sec ISO 200

Long and short distances, the classic 1986 Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS capturing shots attached to 12MP full frame bodies. I'm still using this superb crafted manual focus lens in the 2020s. While most of the planet use their junky smart phones capturing images, they will be scratching to match images like this taken from a 36 year old designed lens. 

Above, the 800 5.6 AIS capturing action shots mounted on a tripod. This 5.5kg lens is not hand holdable.

Length 670mm : Diameter 163mm : Weight 5.5Kg : Optics 8/6 (3ED) : f5.6 - f32 : Drop in Filter 52mm : 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 - Bird Life

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 Shots - 400 Meters Plus

Long Shot Full Frame - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Egyptian Vultures - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Long Shot 70% Cropped Image - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Egyptian Vultures  - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Egrets - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Steppe Eagle - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Fox Glacier - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

+51C - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS - Extreme Isolated Locations

The Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AIS lens has been used in extreme subzero conditions. The lens operated in subzero temps to minus -33C 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  and  double digit subzero 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

Captured @ -25C - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Wilderness - Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS

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 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

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

Spot Billed Ducks - D3, Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF manual focus lens

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

Now and then the inevitable happens when there's no other lens but the 800 to capture street subjects.

Grey Herons - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Migratory birds - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Egyptian Vulture feeding - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

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

Ship Wrecking @600M distance - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Grey Heron - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Spotted Owl - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Steppe Eagle - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Seal Pups - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Jackals - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Sarus Crane @400 M+ - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Snake Bird - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Egyptian Vultures - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Pond Heron - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Drought - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Himalayan Griffon - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Offshore - Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS

Tripod gear : Camera Gear : Accessories : Reliable Baggage Gear

​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 optional. These should be avoided due to f/stop loss, pushed iso or slower shutter speeds 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. Adding 5-10kg of weight clipped under tripod heads is necessary using these lenses. This will dramatically reduce vibration from ground up to the tripod 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 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Grey Heron  - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Random Snap  - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

In Flight  - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Female Jackal  - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Purple Heron  - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Spotted Dove  - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

Open Bill Storks  - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

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 busy locations where random subjects can be captured from distance with ease.  
  

Long Shot Mount Cook NZ  - D3s, Nikon 800 f/5.6 ED-IF AIS  - Manual Focus Lens

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

Reaching Out - Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS

The magnification of the Nikon 800mm 5.6 AIS 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 - Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS

I've used many different Nikon lenses through the decades, some better than others. Nikon, like other camera brands have made some crappy lenses i.e. E series and plastic AF lenses. On the other hand, Nikon has designed some series lenses that just keep on keeping on. The Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS is one of them. Below, The 800 5.6 on location, still a great lens to use in the 2020s - Bird life - Wildlife - Astro - Lunar 

Going To The Wilderness? - Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS

Forget About Using Smart Phone Cameras And Point & Shoots!

As mentioned several times, 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 shots of them. You will never see professional wildlife photographers using smart phone cameras or point and shoots to capture images. The obvious reasons why not don't even need explaining.
Above image,  captured at approximately 250+ meters (DX mode @1200mm cropped). Below image, 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 for those 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 800 5.6 AIS - 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 center 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 as an investment safeguard for long large prime lenses. I have used the Kani L 300L pack over-landing in Asia. All transit journeys were by local buses, trains, and boats. This particular pack can also hold a tripod. Rating 8/10. Below image - Location snap of the Kani L 300L pack with a Nikon 800 5.6 AIS lens, pro-body, wrapped in a sea-summit bag @4000 meters.

The Kani pack and 800 5.6 lens has clocked up thousands of overland offshore transit mileage using local transportation without damage or issues since 2016. Overland travel crossing through countries and continents using basic transport with an 800mm 5.6 lens without adequate protection will eventually destroy the lens within a short time period. The Kani L 300L is recommended if still available. The Kani harness system is non-swivel. The removal of the lens from the pack is quick and simple. The bulky lens front element and lens hood fits snugly into the bottom of the pack. The pack's center cushion is held by three velcro flaps, and can be adjusted up and down to hold the lens barrel firmly in place. The top flap protects the cameras backside and removed when required. The solid base ensures the pack to stand vertically. There's also enough pockets adequately placed around and inside the pack for small items like filters, SD and flash cards.