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

Canonuser123 wrote in post #19212059
The only reason I could even think Nikon might be discontinuing the lens is if they can’t manufacture enough fresnel elements to supply a Z mount version of the lens and they want a stockpile for the Z9 converts.

One just sold on Ebay for $3350 +$35 shipping, that is too close to retail price for a new one in my opinion, it may end up being a good deal if the supply dries up.

I considered one but the price alone made me go for the 300PF with the mk3 1.4 X TC I am only loosing 80mm and with not much loss in IQ - and its lighter so it works for me all round.

P.

Canonuser123 wrote in post #19212059
The only reason I could even think Nikon might be discontinuing the lens is if they can’t manufacture enough fresnel elements to supply a Z mount version of the lens and they want a stockpile for the Z9 converts.

One just sold on Ebay for $3350 +$35 shipping, that is too close to retail price for a new one in my opinion, it may end up being a good deal if the supply dries up.

I'm thinking along those lines as well, that they're going to debut a Z-mount PF lens here eventually, and with the position Nikon is in, I'm thinking it's vital to avoid a 500PF-esque scarcity situation. Thus, they pull everyone off the F-mount 300/500 PF lines in order to plus up their fresnel lens surplus in order to meet the Z-Mount PF release demand.

The 500PF is not discontinued, only in short supply due to high demand. Confirmation by senior Nikon staff member mentioned on another forum.

Júst before they leave for their breeding grounds up north, these two male Smews gave me the opportunity to admire their outfits

Chris1966 wrote in post #19213141
Júst before they leave for their breeding grounds up north, these two male Smews gave me the opportunity to admire their outfits

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Now these are some good looking fowl!

MatthewK wrote in post #19213425
Now these are some good looking fowl!

Yes they are, thanks.
Here is one with the female, less spectacular, opposed to, you know
I just hád to see them one last time before they head way up north to breed in absolute solitude (meaning no people) in nests in trees that were made and deserted by woodpeckers.
I took the day off, as they are notoriously shy and finding them usually takes the better of the day.

One more of the male Smew. In this image you can see the little semi-translucent horn like tooth at the end of its beak, which it shares with the common Merganser. Bones were found in Hungary that date back to the Middle Miocene, 12-13 million years ago, and which were from a little bird very much alike the Smew. Let's see us humans last that long, makes you humble...

Chris1966 wrote in post #19213141
Júst before they leave for their breeding grounds up north, these two male Smews gave me the opportunity to admire their outfits

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Beautiful images Chris!
I'd love to see these someday!

The Great-Horned Owls are raising their young owlets right now and I'm getting some nice looks. Hopefully I'll get some when they fledge.

DocRoger wrote in post #19213814
The Great-Horned Owls are raising their young owlets right now and I'm getting some nice looks. Hopefully I'll get some when they fledge.

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Gorgeous shots.

P.

DocRoger wrote in post #19213814
The Great-Horned Owls are raising their young owlets right now and I'm getting some nice looks. Hopefully I'll get some when they fledge.

Agree, these are gorgeous.
Magnificent photos
The bottom one is my pick. The young ones are so intriguing and the look on their parents is priceless.

Pagman wrote in post #19213826
Gorgeous shots.

P.

Thanks. The nest location is perfect and gets great early morning light.

avondale87 wrote in post #19213867
Agree, these are gorgeous.
Magnificent photos
The bottom one is my pick. The young ones are so intriguing and the look on their parents is priceless.

When the mother and babies made that pose in the second shot the photographer next to me said "money shot" - he was right, it's my fave too

The color is very luscious in these shots, Doc. Great angle and clear shooting lane as well. There's a nest w/ chicks out back of my house, though I don't have as nice of a viewing as you have here!

MatthewK wrote in post #19213898
The color is very luscious in these shots, Doc. Great angle and clear shooting lane as well. There's a nest w/ chicks out back of my house, though I don't have as nice of a viewing as you have here!

Thanks Matt. The nice thing about this nest is that there is a small body of water between the nest and the trail where we shoot from. That keeps people from getting too close and disturbing them as well giving us a pretty clear shot across the water. Maybe you'll be able to get a shot of some of the young ones in a nearby tree once they fledge - good luck!