D500 settings...any tips? I have a D500 rental arriving tomorrow. Never used one before. I own a D7200. My Tamron 150-600mm will be attached to the D500 and my 16-80mm will be on my...

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

I have a D500 rental arriving tomorrow. Never used one before. I own a D7200. My Tamron 150-600mm will be attached to the D500 and my 16-80mm will be on my D7200. I'm taking a trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone next week.
I would appreciate any tips you D500 owners can give me regarding camera settings for birds and other wildlife.
Thanks

CO

I have a D500. The video record button next to shutter button can be reprogrammed to execute Mode. I don't shoot video so I reprogrammed mine. Mode is in the group of four buttons on the top left of the camera but it's more convenient to have it next to the shutter button. You can switch between Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and Manual mode much easier. Also be sure to program the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons. I programmed Group-area AF to the Fn1 button and My Menu to the Fn2 button. I then loaded My Menu with frequently used functions.

avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

Steves Perry book !
Secrets To The Nikon Autofocus System | Steve Perry has all the answers you need. NIKON D500 & Others. Downloan to your computer for about $14.95 and you are in business.Good luck.

His Web site. http://backcountrygallery.com/nikon-d500-review/

Revet Loc: Fairview Park, Ohio

CO wrote:

I have a D500. The video record button next to shu... (show quote)

I just got my D500 on Weds. The first thing I did was to re-program the video record button to MODE. I switch modes frequently enough that trying to use that Mode button on the left felt cumbersome to me. Then I set the video record to the normal shutter release button. So much easier then using that little red button anyhow for the once a year I record video.

I also recommend Steve Perry's E-Books. The Group-area AF is great for BIF. I had the Fn1 button programmed to spot meter but I am going to switch it to Group-area AF after seeing your settings. I also have my Fn2 button programmed for My Menu for quick access of frequently used settings.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I'm impressed by the Thom Hogan ebook on the D500, but Nikon has some manuals for specific uses in addition to the full manual. You can find them all here:
http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/323/D500.html

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

avemal wrote:

Steves Perry book !
Secrets To The Nikon Autofocus System | Steve Perry has all the answers you need. NIKON D500 & Others. Downloan to your computer for about $14.95 and you are in business.Good luck.

His Web site. http://backcountrygallery.com/nikon-d500-review/

Excellent Book highly recommend it for any on shooting with Nikon cameras, Steve covers almost all the settings for specific cameras

Bill_de Loc: US

Unless you have time to get used to the settings, set it to operate as close to your D7200 as possible. You don't want to be fiddling around with things as you switch from one camera to another.

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mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Bill_de wrote:

Unless you have time to get used to the settings, set it to operate as close to your D7200 as possible. You don't want to be fiddling around with things as you switch from one camera to another.

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Remember the buttons on the D500 are very different the D7200 Download the D500 manual fro Nikon and get familiar with the settings

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

nikonlad wrote:

I have a D500 rental arriving tomorrow. Never used one before. I own a D7200. My Tamron 150-600mm will be attached to the D500 and my 16-80mm will be on my D7200. I'm taking a trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone next week.
I would appreciate any tips you D500 owners can give me regarding camera settings for birds and other wildlife.
Thanks

Some ideas -

Spreadsheet -
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/57811471

http://nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d500_tips/af/custom_settings/
http://nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d500_tips/movie/before_recording/
http://www.moosepeterson.com/downloads/D500Settings.pdf

cthahn

You're trying to be a photographer without knowing what to do. Where is the tripod? Take a camera that you are familiar with and not something you have never used before. When you learn that the camera does not take the picture, the photographer does. You should have purchased a 50mm prime lens and learned the basics of photography.

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

cthahn wrote:

You're trying to be a photographer without knowing what to do. Where is the tripod? Take a camera that you are familiar with and not something you have never used before. When you learn that the camera does not take the picture, the photographer does. You should have purchased a 50mm prime lens and learned the basics of photography.

What kind of BS is this? I rented the D500 to have a second camera with me. I've been using Nikon cameras for for 35 years. I have all the accessories needed including two tripods and a mono pod. Apparently you did not comprehend my post. What a nasty and rude reply you wrote. The conclusions you drew from a simple request for tips shows you have your head up your a$$.

Thanks to all the other responders for the help you offered.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

nikonlad wrote:

I have a D500 rental arriving tomorrow. Never used one before. I own a D7200. My Tamron 150-600mm will be attached to the D500 and my 16-80mm will be on my D7200. I'm taking a trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone next week.
I would appreciate any tips you D500 owners can give me regarding camera settings for birds and other wildlife.
Thanks

For birds in flight I strongly recommend setting the camera to GROUP AUTO FOCUS (Gr P) in the top screen. Then pick the center focusing spot (this should be a default setting on your Nikon) and Nikon will automatically put four spots around that one for a total of 5. As long as, when you track the bird, one of the five spots is on the bird the bird will be in focus. Use center weighted metering, continuous auto focus, shoot in Aperture priority and at least two stops down from wide open and shoot at least 1/1600 second or higher. Good luck.

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

billnikon wrote:

For birds in flight I strongly recommend setting t... (show quote)

Great tips

Bill_de Loc: US

billnikon wrote:

For birds in flight I strongly recommend setting t... (show quote)

Dynamic focus might be a better choice as it gives priority to the center spot. With group it is more likely to get a wing tip instead of the birds eye in focus. With the shallow depth of field of longer lenses, this can make a noticeable difference.

While this has been acknowledged in many publications (and I learned the hard way) I think Steve Perry's video on Nikon Focusing makes it pretty clear. 12 minutes well spent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N_bzhJAKms

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gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

nikonlad wrote:

I have a D500 rental arriving tomorrow. Never used one before. I own a D7200. My Tamron 150-600mm will be attached to the D500 and my 16-80mm will be on my D7200. I'm taking a trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone next week.
I would appreciate any tips you D500 owners can give me regarding camera settings for birds and other wildlife.
Thanks

If it's not too late you should look into renting something like a 10-20 to take along. Just be sure your shoes aren't in the field of view. 😜😜. My Sigma 10-20 does series complement to wide mountain vistas