New lens learning curve
Jul 6, 2020 21:43:09 #
Nikon2014
Loc: Sterling Heights - MI
Learning to use my new lens Nikon 500mm PF on a D500. Very hard for me to keep the action in frame when I do the results are pleasing to me. Thank you in advance for looking all comments are welcome
SS 1600, ISO 280, F5.6
(Download)
SS 2000, ISO 280, F5.6
(Download)
SS 2500, ISO 400, F5.6
(Download)
SS 1600, ISO 1600, F5.6
(Download)
Jul 6, 2020 21:51:54 #
Nikon2014 wrote:
Learning to use my new lens Nikon 500mm PF on a D500. Very hard for me to keep the action in frame when I do the results are pleasing to me. Thank you in advance for looking all comments are welcome
These all look great! You should be pleased with your efforts!
Jul 7, 2020 06:56:31 #
Nikon2014 wrote:
Learning to use my new lens Nikon 500mm PF on a D500. Very hard for me to keep the action in frame when I do the results are pleasing to me. Thank you in advance for looking all comments are welcome
These are great Nikon2014. Maybe slow down just a hair to let a little more light in. Looks like you are really going to enjoy this lens you have done well already. Post more when you can would love toms more. Thanks
Tom
Jul 7, 2020 07:42:03 #
Since you are welcoming any comments here are mine for what they could be worth.
First thing first, those images are very good and you did well using the lens. If I were in the market for a lens in that range the chances are excellent my first choice would be the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 VR. My reasoning is that the lens I am referring to is a zoom and it is more practical if I need to change focal lengths. It is considerably cheaper which would be most helpful if I wanted to buy another lens. Useless to say that the quality of the 200-500 f5.6 VR is well known and a large group of wildlife and sports photographers use it.
My 0.03 cents.
First thing first, those images are very good and you did well using the lens. If I were in the market for a lens in that range the chances are excellent my first choice would be the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 VR. My reasoning is that the lens I am referring to is a zoom and it is more practical if I need to change focal lengths. It is considerably cheaper which would be most helpful if I wanted to buy another lens. Useless to say that the quality of the 200-500 f5.6 VR is well known and a large group of wildlife and sports photographers use it.
My 0.03 cents.
Jul 7, 2020 09:02:07 #
camerapapi wrote:
Since you are welcoming any comments here are mine... (show quote)
I have the 200-500mm 5.6 and I love it. Really stepped up my sports photography.!! I would definitely buy another one. Thanks
Tom
Jul 7, 2020 10:16:17 #
Nikon2014 wrote:
Learning to use my new lens Nikon 500mm PF on a D500. Very hard for me to keep the action in frame when I do the results are pleasing to me. Thank you in advance for looking all comments are welcome
You added this lens to create shots of sports action. That is not as easy as it sounds. Luckily, you know what you want and can chase that. Photography of sports can be broken into 2 areas, 1.) Anticipation 2.) Action. A base runner standing ON first base is Action while that same runner leaning towards second base is Anticipation. Viewers think the opposite and the photographer has to realize the runner leaning is going to result in action. Good sports shooters know the game as much as the photography. These shots indicate you know both the game and the shooting. The more you shoot the more you learn, and that is called practice. Keep in mind there are no more expensive toys than those used for what you want to do. However, they can also be used with wildlife, and THAT is the king of sports action! Keep up your good work.
Jul 7, 2020 14:23:55 #
I have the 500mm 5.6 PF prime. I enjoy it a lot and the images are excellent.
I keep the shutter speeds a bit high because i am hand holding. I am contemplating a monopod or tripod, but the reason to get the lens is light weight so that would defeat the purpose.
I use it on my D500 and D850 the resolution is able to keep up with both cameras. With the DX crop it is a 750mm, I need more practice with this as I have difficulty finding and keeping the subject in the viewfinder.
I find the focus very fast about 2x as fast as the 200-500 and I find the image quality about 20% better. For me, the only disadvantages over the 200-500 is zoom vs prime. But i find my use of the 200-500 is substantially less now. But I also have the 300mm f4 PF I carry both and this is easier than the 200-500.
Just remember that this is a 5.6. As such it is not quite as usable as faster glass. But then the faster glass requires a wheelbarrow.
I am very happy with both PF lenses and wouldn't hesitate to buy them again.
I keep the shutter speeds a bit high because i am hand holding. I am contemplating a monopod or tripod, but the reason to get the lens is light weight so that would defeat the purpose.
I use it on my D500 and D850 the resolution is able to keep up with both cameras. With the DX crop it is a 750mm, I need more practice with this as I have difficulty finding and keeping the subject in the viewfinder.
I find the focus very fast about 2x as fast as the 200-500 and I find the image quality about 20% better. For me, the only disadvantages over the 200-500 is zoom vs prime. But i find my use of the 200-500 is substantially less now. But I also have the 300mm f4 PF I carry both and this is easier than the 200-500.
Just remember that this is a 5.6. As such it is not quite as usable as faster glass. But then the faster glass requires a wheelbarrow.
I am very happy with both PF lenses and wouldn't hesitate to buy them again.
Jul 7, 2020 23:53:51 #
These are really sharp images & I think your settings are spot on. The learning curve will be distance control - 500mm can frequently be to close to frame your shot when you’re close to the action.
Jul 9, 2020 14:42:43 #
First let me say that first image is absolutely EPIC! Love it... amazing acuity, perfect timing... priceless expression... kudos for this stellar capture... perfect positioning truly indicates you really know your sport!
"Very hard for me to keep the action in frame" Richard while there are those who said "you can't have too much focal length" they are likely vendors of kit probably not commercial shooters... The right tool for the job comes to mind here...
From my experience I see two excellent solutions for keeping action it the frame. By far and away a monopod is virtually mandatory for shooting action sports commercially… Look at and sideline of a baseball game… same with American football where Knee Pads rule. Get Low! Make those players larger than life!
Richard it’s not about the weight of the kit here… hand held you have two primary axis of movement (X and Y) with a monopod you have removed y-axis (vertical) and only are dealing with the x-axis (horizontal) thus your ability to track is virtually doubled!
The second solution is obvious… Richard the AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Nikkor is designed for FX not DX. As such why are you using it on a DX body? 750mm is potentially acceptable for relatively stationary and predictable subjects however rarely for fast moving sports...
The good news is you've chosen one of the easiest fitness sport to shoot (with the exception of Yoga) where the players move in a predictable manor... btw, many commercial shooters setup a remote in the stands focused on 2nd base to catch the action that occurs there...
Personally I've know only one commercial shooter who absolutely cherishes their 500mm FX prime optic on DX though they shoot surfers from a gimbal mount...
Switching to FX will allow a far more satisfying experience and a hit rate more likely double than with a DX body... btw, I have shot the AF 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR for soccer BEFORE replacing it with a AF 300mm f/2.8 prime and I found my D810 worked far better than my D7200.
My experience (with soccer) is the DX body had too much reach for that zoom and the 200-500mm is one of the worst zoom optics I've ever used for soccer... the zoom throw between 200 and 500mm simply can NOT be accomplished without take one's hand off the lens and grabbing it again... (this Nikkor's zoom mechanism is pathetically designed as is it's tripod collar which Nikon cautions to LOCK down BEFORE USE) what was Nikon thinking? I've had it jump off it's track more than once and locking up the lens...
While the 200-500mm f/5.6 has epic VR and fabulous acuity it sucks at soccer in my humble estimation... I use the 200-500 currently for fashion editorials and beauty genre on stationary talent now. My AF 300mm f/2.8 is worlds above that (poorly designed for soccer) 200-500mm... Sometimes you get what you pay for... enough said.
Bottom Line? Richard get a pro build carbon fiber monopod… I’m certain that autumn and spring outdoor sports in Sterling Heights, Michigan are not warm and toasty. Aluminum monopods will suck the body heat from you hands in a hurry even with gloves on… experience is a brutal teacher and numb hands are pretty useless for sports shooters…
Richard I know what you’re thinking... I'm not going to buy an FX body to shoot a lens that cost less than the FX body! Hold that thought... I shoot a Nikon D700 with a MB-10 battery grip regularly and love it... at 8fps it rocks and it has far better low light performance than the D500... Don't believe this? check out DxMark...
Nikon D500 DxOmark for Sports = 1324
Nikon D700 DxOmark for Sports = 2303 (same as the Nikon D3)
A good condition D700 can be had for under $500 and a MB-10 battery grip for $50
Good condition D3’s are going for under $900
Richard an FX viewfinder is a joy to behold after working with a tiny dim DX finder.... Word!
I find precious little reason to go back to DX now… FX is simply too amazing...
Looking forward to more of your stellar sports imagery Richard
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with that epic 500mm prime…
"Very hard for me to keep the action in frame" Richard while there are those who said "you can't have too much focal length" they are likely vendors of kit probably not commercial shooters... The right tool for the job comes to mind here...
From my experience I see two excellent solutions for keeping action it the frame. By far and away a monopod is virtually mandatory for shooting action sports commercially… Look at and sideline of a baseball game… same with American football where Knee Pads rule. Get Low! Make those players larger than life!
Richard it’s not about the weight of the kit here… hand held you have two primary axis of movement (X and Y) with a monopod you have removed y-axis (vertical) and only are dealing with the x-axis (horizontal) thus your ability to track is virtually doubled!
The second solution is obvious… Richard the AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Nikkor is designed for FX not DX. As such why are you using it on a DX body? 750mm is potentially acceptable for relatively stationary and predictable subjects however rarely for fast moving sports...
The good news is you've chosen one of the easiest fitness sport to shoot (with the exception of Yoga) where the players move in a predictable manor... btw, many commercial shooters setup a remote in the stands focused on 2nd base to catch the action that occurs there...
Personally I've know only one commercial shooter who absolutely cherishes their 500mm FX prime optic on DX though they shoot surfers from a gimbal mount...
Switching to FX will allow a far more satisfying experience and a hit rate more likely double than with a DX body... btw, I have shot the AF 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR for soccer BEFORE replacing it with a AF 300mm f/2.8 prime and I found my D810 worked far better than my D7200.
My experience (with soccer) is the DX body had too much reach for that zoom and the 200-500mm is one of the worst zoom optics I've ever used for soccer... the zoom throw between 200 and 500mm simply can NOT be accomplished without take one's hand off the lens and grabbing it again... (this Nikkor's zoom mechanism is pathetically designed as is it's tripod collar which Nikon cautions to LOCK down BEFORE USE) what was Nikon thinking? I've had it jump off it's track more than once and locking up the lens...
While the 200-500mm f/5.6 has epic VR and fabulous acuity it sucks at soccer in my humble estimation... I use the 200-500 currently for fashion editorials and beauty genre on stationary talent now. My AF 300mm f/2.8 is worlds above that (poorly designed for soccer) 200-500mm... Sometimes you get what you pay for... enough said.
Bottom Line? Richard get a pro build carbon fiber monopod… I’m certain that autumn and spring outdoor sports in Sterling Heights, Michigan are not warm and toasty. Aluminum monopods will suck the body heat from you hands in a hurry even with gloves on… experience is a brutal teacher and numb hands are pretty useless for sports shooters…
Richard I know what you’re thinking... I'm not going to buy an FX body to shoot a lens that cost less than the FX body! Hold that thought... I shoot a Nikon D700 with a MB-10 battery grip regularly and love it... at 8fps it rocks and it has far better low light performance than the D500... Don't believe this? check out DxMark...
Nikon D500 DxOmark for Sports = 1324
Nikon D700 DxOmark for Sports = 2303 (same as the Nikon D3)
A good condition D700 can be had for under $500 and a MB-10 battery grip for $50
Good condition D3’s are going for under $900
Richard an FX viewfinder is a joy to behold after working with a tiny dim DX finder.... Word!
I find precious little reason to go back to DX now… FX is simply too amazing...
Looking forward to more of your stellar sports imagery Richard
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with that epic 500mm prime…
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