I bought a D7000 about 6 or 7 years ago and upgraded to the D500 when it was introduced. The 3 or 4 times I needed flash on the D500, I used my little SB400. If you're shooting waterfalls, landscapes and night sky you really won't need a flash and for people shots you can always use an external flash on top. I chose the D500 after trying a D7200 and returning it because the D500 just did the job for me for sports and action shots and the amazing ISO range. My D7000 is still my backup but my D500 is my go-to camera. Hope that helps.

Yes Airwater, I saw his response and I have already thanked him. You guys are the best for getting direct and useful info and thanks to all of you. I don't post much because I can usually get insight and info from reading most of the responses! Thanks again and keep on shootin'.......................

Thanks for that info. My first thought was a 200-500 and my 12-24 on a D3 and D500. The show I am shooting is Sunday so I thought I'd get some practice on Saturday. Your suggestions in 5, 6 and 7 are my sports starting points. Again, thanks for your very useful info.
Keep on shootin'......

Thanks and great photos! Ocean City will be over the water so I will definitely look for a spotter boat.

Thanks. The 1/4 mile you mentioned was my first concern and what you have mentioned for aperture, shutter and ISO (high ISO or auto?) issues transfer from the sports photography I do. Which lens did you use for this shot?

Hello everyone,

I wanted to reach out to anyone who has attended the Ocean City MD air show and specifically, which lenses to bring and which ones to leave home. Nikon D500, zooms from 10mm to 500mm--which worked for you and which ones stayed in the bag. I'm looking for perspective here, how near or far they may come in and not advice on how to pan, AF mode, etc. My wife and I will be in a reserved section on the beach, so it's not being shot from a hotel balcony 2 blocks away.

Thanks in advance and keep on shootin'

Hello David--I bought the 200-500 when it first came to market and have used it for birding and daytime HS sports on a D500. D3 and D7000. Always great results. Any of those cameras, any action--it just gets the picture! Buy the refurb and if you're not happy, sell it when you get back. Good luck and post some results when you return

Hi--I bought the 200-500 when you had to pre-order them. The only time I have ever done that! It's used extensively for sports- lacrosse, soccer and field hockey, and wildlife shots at the local sanctuary. I do use a monopod frequently, but coupled with a D500 and the great VR system I get 95-98% keepers when shooting daytime sports. Unless you have the big bucks to hand over for a 300, 400 or 500mm lens, this is as good as it gets. I did think about the Tamron and Sigma long lenses, but after the first 50 shots with this lens, I have never had those thoughts again. I am taking that lens to the OC MD. air show in June and expect to get some great shots.

Cheers

I too was in the same place but the upgrade was D7000 to D7200 or D500. I ordered both and within 2 days sent the D7200 back. Nothing wrong with the D7200 but the D500 was much better for me. I now shoot HS LAX and college basketball and the D500 is my #1 body, with the D3 and D7000 as backups. Rent both and see which one works for you. Good luck and keep on shooting

I own a D7000, D500 and a D3. The D500 is my sports and action camera and the D3 is the camera I use for things that don't move and are not too far away lol. The D7000 has been relegated to backup status.
Some cameras, like the D500 with the 200-500mm lens, are more action oriented-birds, soccer, baseball. My D3 is only sometimes used in daylight sports and for portraits, macro, moon shots, etc. But the D3 does not give me the reach and speed for outdoors that the D500 can give you. Unless you have lenses that can be used on a full frame camera, I think the D500 will give you the reach, focus and speed you will need in a crop sensor to enjoy your bird and macro photography.
On the other hand, if you absolutely must have a full frame, go with the D750. Right now it is the right combination of price and features that will keep you happy for years. Good luck and keep shooting

This was one of the first shots taken. I used manual focus, AF-S and spot metering, VR (all handheld), 1/500th at ISO 400. Nikon D500 and Nikon 70-200 at 200mm. Some of my later shots were with a Nikon 200-500 at about 400m. Because of the sub zero wind chills, I noticed a halo in later shots also.
This has been my moon setup for a while now and it works for me. Keep shooting!!

(Download)

I have used a Vello grip on my D7000 and had to get a Nikon grip for my D500--no 3rd party grips were available. Never had an issue with either one. Also figured that I could but 4 of the Vellos and still not match Nikon's price.

BTW--the shutter release works whether a battery is inserted or not.

I use my 200-500 for daytime sports only. Tried a night football game one time with the 200-500 and was shooting at ISO 12,500 after the sun went down (1st quarter) on a D500 camera. Not the best results and too much time in LightRoom. The 70-200 at f 2.8 worked just fine for all other night football games. Some of the press photographers were using either 300 or 400 lenses on full frame cameras, so there wasn't much of a trade off using the 70-200 on a crop sensor camera. If you are in the stands you might want the 1.4 extender on the 70-200 and have more reach without sacrificing too many stops. Good luck!

Agreed, but I never noticed that much difference. I do use a battery pack and carry a spare. Also noted that using back button and continuous focus eats a battery up a little quicker too. On my 3 day shoots (7,000+ shots) I only usually run down one of the 2 batteries in the D500 and have about 25% left in the second one. I have to keep my eye on memory more than battery.

My left eye is dominant so I assigned a front button on my D500 to AF-On.
Check your camera and see if you can assign a button that won't smudge your glasses and still use "back button" focus on a front button.