DrJoeS Loc: Tampa Bay area (FL)

Shooting on and around my pond on a 72 degree cloudless sky day. I am using a new (for me) 500mm fixed prime Nikon lens (1:8). I am practicing my manual focus skills.

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Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

WHY? Does that lens not autofocus? Long road to hoe shooting manual focus BIFs!

DrJoeS Loc: Tampa Bay area (FL)

No, it is an older model with no autofocus. It is fixed at 500mm and f-8. The upside is that it is lighter than most 500mm lenses.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice! That last one is tack sharp.

DrJoeS Loc: Tampa Bay area (FL)

Taken from only 25 feet away, but at 500mm you are right on top.

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

Whatever you are doing looks just fine to me. Good shots!

jrvinson45 Loc: Buckeye, AZ

I’m thinking it’s a catadioptric (mirror lens) mostly because of the description of FL and fixed aperture; and because th small highlights in photo are a giveaway. Your closeup of Sandhills cranes IS tack sharp and it’s the only one in which you can clearly see an eyeball on which to focus. With a 500 mm, handheld, I would guess that at 25 -30 yards your only “sharply - defined” view of a bird’s eye would be when it’s exposed directly to the light source and the bird is static. If you are panning a BIF, and the bird’s line of flight is anything but parallel to the direction of your panning, his eyeball is constantly moving through your relatively shallow depth of field. Even if you can see the eyeball, the bird will be moving in and out of the depth of field. Hard to get into focus and take the image at the same time… just remember when panning do not stop panning when you trip the shutter… follow through (it’s like shooting a shotgun; if you stop panning you’re already too late.)
The good news is that even using a mirror lens, you don’t have to pay to process the film and the delete button can be your best friend. Higher ISO’s will be your friend, but everything is a compromise. Your cranes are the proof of the quality to be had, but they are taking advantage of closer range, slow action, and direct lighting and fall within the capability of your camera body to adapt. Keep shooting. Good lessons to be had on this outing don’t quit looks like you’ve had some fun… to be continued….?

DrJoeS Loc: Tampa Bay area (FL)

All good points, sir.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

OK. Good thing we have adjustable ISO these days!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Beautiful set

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Especially love the closeup of the sandhill crane 🤍💓💓💓🤍

DrJoeS Loc: Tampa Bay area (FL)

Thanks. That 500mm is so intense, I could only get a close-up.