Took a three day trip to the TX coast to photograph some migratory birds. These were all shot with my new lens, the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF on my D500. Pretty happy with the results. Missed the zoom a little (previously used the 200-500mm) but I’m learning to zoom with my feet!
Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
White-eyed Vireo
Brown Pelican
Yellow-throated Warbler
All shots very nice. Thanks.
Excellent series Laura. I have heard nothing but great things about that 500mm. These shots certainly confirm the reports.
Those are great, Laura. Beautifully done.
Mike
You should be very happy, Laura. These are lovely shots! Congratulations!
Really great shots! Love the colors!
A fine series, Laura. Great job.
Great series, sharp and colorful. vz
Those photos are really amazing, Laura. So exciting to see what that lens does. I have the 200-500 but can only use it from the car, just too heavy to lug around. I wish I could justify to myself why I needed that lens, pretty pricey. But really lighter! Maybe if I see more of your photos, I will be convinced I really do need it. Keep posting!
All great, but numbers 2 and 3 my picks. Im sure many of us 200-500 owners would like to see a more detailed comparison from you. Does the lighter weight change your shooting style or facilitate new oportunities? How does the sharpness and focus speed compare? Did you try a 1.4x converter with it?
GregWCIL wrote:
All great, but numbers 2 and 3 my picks. Im sure many of us 200-500 owners would like to see a more detailed comparison from you. Does the lighter weight change your shooting style or facilitate new oportunities? How does the sharpness and focus speed compare? Did you try a 1.4x converter with it?
Greg,
The lighter weight and price were main reasons I looked in to this lens.
The weight difference made a SUBSTANTIAL difference with all of the walking and shooting we did on this trip. I think it focuses quicker than the 200-500, at least the copies I had. I had never had a 500 prime...so that takes some getting used to. But that’s an issue with me, not the lens. I lost a few shots because I was too close. Low light can be an issue early morning and late evening. But it’s the same issue I had with the 200-500 so...it’s a small sacrifice for me but may be a big deal for others thinking about the f4 version.
Steve’s (Backcountry Galleries) review on YouTube also sold me on the lens. He was so thorough. I wrote to him during the time I was so frustrated waiting for the lens to become available again. I asked if he thought I should get the 300mm with 1.4 & 2x TC. He said I should wait because he felt I would be happier with the PF and he’s right.
You will have the naysayers who will insist the f4 is better and maybe it is for a) a pro and b) someone who lugs a tripod around all the time (which is not the way I shoot) but for an amateur Wildlife photographer I can’t imagine a better trade-off for weight and price.
I have not tried the converter. I thought 500mm on my D500 crop sensor was plenty!
I hope this helps...
Katydid wrote:
Those photos are really amazing, Laura. So exciting to see what that lens does. I have the 200-500 but can only use it from the car, just too heavy to lug around. I wish I could justify to myself why I needed that lens, pretty pricey. But really lighter! Maybe if I see more of your photos, I will be convinced I really do need it. Keep posting!
It is amazing the difference the lighter weight makes! I wrote a more detailed view of the lens above also! Happy shooting.
Holy Cow! Those are incredible photographs! Don't know if it convinces me to trade in my 200 to 500mm but I just might! Where on the Texas coast? Port Aransas maybe?
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