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

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #18869882
Here's a couple quickies from the trip that highlight one of the killer attributes of the 500PF - PORTABILITY!

Wifey & I were walking down the beach, in the water just less than knee deep - both sporting D500's & 500mm lenses!

Hosted photo: posted by EyeSpyEagle in
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forum: Nikon Lenses

Hosted photo: posted by EyeSpyEagle in
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forum: Nikon Lenses

Outstanding capture.

MatthewK wrote in post #18870577
My 500pf will be here either tomorrow or Monday much quicker than I expected (only ordered it last week!).

Woot for you!
It really is a bellwether in wildlife photography. Having owned a few 'heavies' it is just a joy.
Don't know if you heard I had a bad experience with Nikon service but every time I pick up the 500PF I kinda forget
Now please get hold of the 300PF if just for an hour or two. It is equally remarkable in its own way. I put the 2.0TCii onto it today and goofed off
in the backyard-
https://www.flickr.com …7974564048/in/d​ateposted/
600mm/F8 that I can hold all day long.
Just saying makes a great companion to the 500PF.
Ask Phil

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18870582
Back in the late 1970's there was a "meme" going around, (of course no one called it a meme back then, but it certainly fits) where whatever hobby or profession one was in, there was a sexual connotation about "doin it" applied,. and that became a catch phrase, bumper sticker, etc.

The first one I recall seeing was when Windsurfing was JUST starting .. "Windsurfers do it standing up"

Anyway,.. here's one for you,

"Nikon photographers do it with shorter lenses"

Shorter yes and lighter.
Jake I'm prepacking for an Alaska trip due in 81 days.
In a small pack I can get the D850+1.4TCii+500PF and the Sony a9+1.4TC+100-400GM, but that's not all-

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/QR6d​qR

Robert, what is the white cube on your Sony charger?

Lens is out for delivery!

Robert, your pack photo is the exact reason I decided to jump on this lens from Nikon. For travel and casual birding when the 600 is just too much, and I find that the 100-400 II is a little too aperture and reach limited for the birding I like to do. The 300pf sounds like a good companion, if this Nikon test run turns out to be successful, I’ll take a good look at it!

What 1.4 TC is recommended for use with this lens? Is it true the performance w/ the extender isn’t that good?

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #18869882
Here's a couple quickies from the trip that highlight one of the killer attributes of the 500PF - PORTABILITY!

Wifey & I were walking down the beach, in the water just less than knee deep - both sporting D500's & 500mm lenses!

Wow Wow Wow !

MatthewK wrote in post #18870838
Lens is out for delivery!

Robert, your pack photo is the exact reason I decided to jump on this lens from Nikon. For travel and casual birding when the 600 is just too much, and I find that the 100-400 II is a little too aperture and reach limited for the birding I like to do. The 300pf sounds like a good companion, if this Nikon test run turns out to be successful, I’ll take a good look at it!

What 1.4 TC is recommended for use with this lens? Is it true the performance w/ the extender isn’t that good?

There is a very slight slow down in AF performance, but it's in no way a show stopper , or even an issue - at least in my experience. I mentioned on the "other site" that my Nikon configs with the TC performed better than my Canons and was promptly called out and questioned. All I can offer is my personal experience. Perhaps I had (multiple) mediocre Canon TC's and was lucky enough to get multiple excellent Nikon TC's...???.... not likely, but possible.

The Nikon TC-14E III is the latest version and works wonderfully with the both the 300PF & 500PF. Heck, it works quite well with all my Nikon lenses. I have not tried it on any 3rd party lenses.

Here's another example of the beauty of a really portable 500mm lens.

No crop on this one. Any snake people know what this is?

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18870691
Shorter yes and lighter.
Jake I'm prepacking for an Alaska trip due in 81 days.
In a small pack I can get the D850+1.4TCii+500PF and the Sony a9+1.4TC+100-400GM, but that's not all-

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/QR6d​qR For Jonathan Mindshift by Stopitdown Stopitdown, on Flickr

In the front pocket either a tablet or a Gnarbox for backup.

I remember on a previous Alaska trip schlepping a Sigma 120-300 around. Little boats and little planes, well it broke me down.
Then on another Alaska trip the 500ISii and always fighting the battle with the stewardess of where it was going=not in the hold!

I'll always miss F4 mentally, but physically I'll do without!

As I said in post one of this thread, game changer, and very tempting to get this lens, regardless of system, just for the lens. You did it, Matthew is doing it,. it really makes a lot of sense.

If I was still birding half as much as I used to..... well I'd right there with you.

Bill in Texas wrote in post #18870740
Robert, what is the white cube on your Sony charger?

Bill it lets me plug into AC without the long long long cord.
Here's something similar-
https://www.amazon.com …ateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Not the one I have but same concept.

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #18871078
Here's another example of the beauty of a really portable 500mm lens.

No crop on this one. Any snake people know what this is?

Hosted photo: posted by EyeSpyEagle in
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forum: Nikon Lenses

I'm guessing water mocassin.
Reminds me of this one I got at S.Padre Island
https://www.flickr.com …GNRc-6HMRcQ-6HYeC2-6HYeBZ
I'd mis-ID it as a Massasauga Rattlesnake.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18871182
As I said in post one of this thread, game changer, and very tempting to get this lens, regardless of system, just for the lens. You did it, Matthew is doing it,. it really makes a lot of sense.

If I was still birding half as much as I used to..... well I'd right there with you.

Jake I did the same....didn't even own a Nikon body when I pre-ordered the 500PF.
Added the 300PF while waiting out the pre-order.
The 300PF is just as killer as the 500, and in some ways even more remarkable because it can
take the 1.7TC like a charm....and again the 300 can take a 2.0TC to suit me-
https://www.flickr.com …7974564048/in/d​ateposted/
600mm/F8 I can carry all day.
My 500PF can't take the 2.0, well it can but no good AF.

MatthewK wrote in post #18870838
Lens is out for delivery!

Did it come? Any updates or initial thought?

You probably already figured it out, but "Sport" mode VR seems to work better than "Normal" mode - at least is does on mine.

Can't wait to hear what ya think!

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #18871369
Did it come? Any updates or initial thought?

You probably already figured it out, but "Sport" mode VR seems to work better than "Normal" mode - at least is does on mine.

Can't wait to hear what ya think!

Nah, UPS head-faked me. It said “out for delivery” all day, and I wasted my afternoon waiting for it, and had to call in to find out it was supposed to be delivered tomorrow afternoon.

The D500 is all set to go though, information overload not withstanding

I'm still going thru a ton of photos from our trip & this one is another testament to the value of an easy to handle long lens.

These guys sure were a whole lot more "out & about" during & after sunset.

TX. Gator
Anahuac NWR, TX.
5/24/19