Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens !!

MatthewK wrote in post #19378731
Uh oh... what you going to switch to then, Doc? Man, everyone is leaving 500PF land, pretty soon it'll just be myself and Theresa posting in here

Perhaps we can all meet up in 800PF land?
I am still on the waiting list, first update second half of June.

I have my 200-500 - its close to a 500pf (well not quite) lol.

P.

Pagman wrote in post #19378945
I have my 200-500 - its close to a 500pf (well not quite) lol.

P.

You're an honorary member here, Pag

MatthewK wrote in post #19379052
You're an honorary member here, Pag

For Sure!

The cherry and apple trees in my backyard are in full bloom, so there's just been a ton of activity the past week. It's been hard staying inside to work, but every so often I peek out to see what's going on. Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Warbling Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Yellow Warbler and typical fare like House Sparrows and Wren are the regulars, but I've also had Tennessee and Wilson's Warblers out there as well.

These Yellow Warblers have been fun to shoot. Mr. Yellow (photo #1) has been here for a couple of weeks, and the Missus (photo #2) just showed up in the last few days. Love the breeding "tiger stripe" plumage on the male! Figure they're already shacked up along the stream behind my land, so hopefully will see some fledglings soon.

I've been lazy and just shooting from my porch, necessitating the use of the 1.4TC. I have not been a huge fan of the TC the 500PF because the AF is sluggish and can easily get stuck on the back/foreground (just like ML, yay), and it's vital that you're pre-focused and somewhat in the ballpark because once the AF is out there, it's not coming back w/o manually pulling focus. I've gotten better using it though, it just requires being very deliberate in its application.

MatthewK wrote in post #19379077
The cherry and apple trees in my backyard are in full bloom, so there's just been a ton of activity the past week. It's been hard staying inside to work, but every so often I peek out to see what's going on. Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Warbling Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Yellow Warbler and typical fare like House Sparrows and Wren are the regulars, but I've also had Tennessee and Wilson's Warblers out there as well.

These Yellow Warblers have been fun to shoot. Mr. Yellow (photo #1) has been here for a couple of weeks, and the Missus (photo #2) just showed up in the last few days. Love the breeding "tiger stripe" plumage on the male! Figure they're already shacked up along the stream behind my land, so hopefully will see some fledglings soon.

I've been lazy and just shooting from my porch, necessitating the use of the 1.4TC. I have not been a huge fan of the TC the 500PF because the AF is sluggish and can easily get stuck on the back/foreground (just like ML, yay), and it's vital that you're pre-focused and somewhat in the ballpark because once the AF is out there, it's not coming back w/o manually pulling focus. I've gotten better using it though, it just requires being very deliberate in its application.

Hosted photo: posted by MatthewK in
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forum: Nikon Lenses

Hosted photo: posted by MatthewK in
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OMG, Man! All that in your backyard?!!! Wow. J E A L O U S !!!!

Regarding the issue you mentioned and "pulling the focal plan back closer" when focus sticks on the BG, try focusing at or just short of the "typical" focus distance and then use the Set feature on the 500PF to program a predetermined focus distance and then if (when) it focuses too far & doesn't want to come back, simply tap on the the Lens Fn buttons. It works like a champ and is super fast. Heck, you can do it as you move the lens back to the typical spot and it's ready when you get there. This is the perfect scenario for this feature.

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #19379094
OMG, Man! All that in your backyard?!!! Wow. J E A L O U S !!!!

Regarding the issue you mentioned and "pulling the focal plan back closer" when focus sticks on the BG, try focusing at or just short of the "typical" focus distance and then use the Set feature on the 500PF to program a predetermined focus distance and then if (when) it focuses too far & doesn't want to come back, simply tap on the the Lens Fn buttons. It works like a champ and is super fast. Heck, you can do it as you move the lens back to the typical spot and it's ready when you get there. This is the perfect scenario for this feature.

Pro tip! Never though about using that function, going to try it out today!

MatthewK wrote in post #19379102
Pro tip! Never though about using that function, going to try it out today!

Be sure you set the switch on the lens to the correct position when you do this. I think it's "Recall" or something similar.
Otherwise, it will not work and "could" cause frustration. Don't ask how I know that!

Here's some love (from Momma) for my favorite thread. All three were shot form a moving boat, so I was really proud of her work!

We went our Saturday AM to se if we might see a few late migrant warblers or buntings at a local park we've had good luck at over the years. No such luck this time. As we were looping thru, about to head back home, we noticed a group of folks and what looked like German Shephards (turned out to be Belgian Malinois), so we went to investigate. We quickly realized this was a group doing defense training with the dogs. We watched a bit and during a break, I asked (from a distance) if they'd mind if we photographed their dogs. They had no issue, so we used what we had and shot from the car (inside the car!). Theresa had her D500 & 500PF and I had the Z9 w/ 800PF. Neither was the "right" lens for this sort of shooting, but as "dog people" we had to try.

I'll include a few of mine in the 800PF thread.

MatthewK wrote in post #19379052
You're an honorary member here, Pag

Thank you Matthew.

P.

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #19379056
For Sure!

Thank you Phil.

P.

This is a female Blackpoll Warbler, very tough customer to capture decently. Wish I could have got her on a more interesting perch, but these warblers don't give us too many options.

MatthewK wrote in post #19381994
This is a female Blackpoll Warbler, very tough customer to capture decently. Wish I could have got her on a more interesting perch, but these warblers don't give us too many options.

Hosted photo: posted by MatthewK in
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forum: Nikon Lenses

Story of my life, Brutha!

Nice capture nonetheless, congrats.

Who's there?