Minnehaha Falls, is between the airport and downtown Minneapolis, MN. Some winters the falls are frozen over, but it might be a place to check. Also if you want city landscapes, i'd go east of the Mississippi River, around the St Anthony suburb. you can have the river in the foreground and the city in the background looking west

you should check your post for typos. I think your price of 250.00 is kind of low.
Dave

sorry, i read this as a D500, my mistake.

the link works for me but downloads the whole manual, and takes a short time to download. This takes you to the same place and lets you download it too

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/15/D700.html

I had the same problem when i got mine with a D7100. I found out my D7100 needed a firmware update and when i did that the lens focused for me. Hope that helps for you

540mm, 1/2000, 5.6

(Download)

Sandhill Crane 500 mm, 1/1000, F 7.1
same photo cropped and uncropped, handheld

(Download)


(Download)

some shot taken with the Nikon 200-500 on a D7100. All are handheld.

Greater White-fronted geese, 1/2000, F 5.6 480mm

(Download)

just took this. hand held at 480mm, F7.1, ISO 800, and 1/2500.
the problem is fixed. Now i just need sun and practice.
Many Thanks again

(Download)

I did a firmware update on the D7100 and I think this has fixed the issue. I feel like a DA for not doing that before i posted here. It's a grey and windy day here so i will test it more in better light.
thanks for everyone's input. I really respect the knowledge here on UHH.

yes, i have messed with it a lot. I did put my nikon 18-300 back on and it focused good.

I'm using spot focus with one focus point and continuous mode.

Do you think messing with the diopter would effect the autofocus?

I just purchased the 200-500 and I'm using it on a D7100. When i back button focus thru the viewfinder, the image looks like it is in focus but the image is out of focus and unusable. When i focus thru the LCD screen in live view the focus is fine. I don't like the delay in using the LCD and never used it before. I prefer using the viewfinder.
I'm shooting over 1/1000 shutter and using the VR. Handheld or tripod does not make any difference.

If i go into setting and work with the focus adjustment will it only effect the viewfinder or both viewfinder and live view focus.
any help is appreciated.
thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEKvgCktMvQ

does this help?

I think its a Twelve-spotted Skimmer

I can see you in the reflection of the eye in the first pic on the download.. great photos.