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

Dunno much about Dragonflys, but they sure can be pretty to look at. They can also be a biotch to photograph because they land on the smallest perches and they blow like crazy in the wind. Lol!

500PF + 1.4x TC

Backlit Bumble Bee (BBB) in the back yard...

Still playing w/ the TC.

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #18898231
Backlit Bumble Bee (BBB) in the back yard...

Still playing w/ the TC.

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How are you finding the AF accuracy and speed with the TC, Phil? I'm really curious as to how it performs in more complicated settings (branches, leaves, etc).

MatthewK wrote in post #18898241
How are you finding the AF accuracy and speed with the TC, Phil? I'm really curious as to how it performs in more complicated settings (branches, leaves, etc).

Honestly, I have noticed very little difference with the TC in place. I know that may not match other opinions, but all I can share is my experience.

This bee was in a horribly cluttered vitex tree, that was swaying in the breeze (and backlit). The same is true of the blue colored dragonfly a couple pics up. As long as you have "reasonable" light & set exposure comparably, it seems to kick azz.

Edit (add): Full disclosure - I have not used the TC, much more than a full day of shooting. Thus far, it's been A-ok - no issues with AF speed, acquisition, or lock. I did use primarily single point (center) and about 10% of the time, I used Group (also in the center).

I'd be stoked to get results like this bee shot! Nice and sharp, smooth background, what's not to love?

What I love about this setup now is that I don't have to use extenders to get my preferred FOV (unlike my 600, which has a 1.4 glued to it), which equates to not having to cary any extra gear. It was the same w/ my Fuji x100F, where rightoff the bat I bought the wide angle and tele converter add-on lenses, only to sell them shortly thereafter b/c they added bulk, required a bag, and subsequently defeated the entire purpose of the system (to be small, unobtrusive, minimalist). Decisions, decisions

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #18897434
Dunno much about Dragonflys, but they sure can be pretty to look at. They can also be a biotch to photograph because they land on the smallest perches and they blow like crazy in the wind. Lol!

500PF + 1.4x TC

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This is fricken awesome, Phil.

I finally came up on the waiting list. Mine should be getting shipped out today or tomorrow. I’m going to take a short vacation next week while my wife’s out of town to break it in.

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #18897434
Dunno much about Dragonflys, but they sure can be pretty to look at. They can also be a biotch to photograph because they land on the smallest perches and they blow like crazy in the wind. Lol!

500PF + 1.4x TC

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forum: Nikon Lenses

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forum: Nikon Lenses

How is the minimum focusing with that TC attached? I have a TC coming in today that I’ll be using with Mine quite a bit down here in Florida where we have a lot of sunlight. I’m trying to figure out if I’ll need to pick up an extension tube because I like to do close-ups of dragonflies and insects.

MatthewK wrote in post #18898436
I'd be stoked to get results like this bee shot! Nice and sharp, smooth background, what's not to love?

What I love about this setup now is that I don't have to use extenders to get my preferred FOV (unlike my 600, which has a 1.4 glued to it), which equates to not having to cary any extra gear. It was the same w/ my Fuji x100F, where rightoff the bat I bought the wide angle and tele converter add-on lenses, only to sell them shortly thereafter b/c they added bulk, required a bag, and subsequently defeated the entire purpose of the system (to be small, unobtrusive, minimalist). Decisions, decisions

You can/will get the same results!

What's even better, that not many talk about, is the fact that you can walk with a light weight rig that has an effective FL of 1050mm all day long and get this sorta shots - HAND HELD! That's absolutely crazy.

I have not had my 500PF on a tripod yet. Wifey used a tripod & wimberly gimbal on our trip to FL, in April while photographing a Bald Eagle nest. That was really her 1st use of her 500PF. Since then, she has been hand held too.

MatthewK wrote in post #18898437
This is fricken awesome, Phil.

Thanks so much!

KayakPhotos wrote in post #18898473
I finally came up on the waiting list. Mine should be getting shipped out today or tomorrow. I’m going to take a short vacation next week while my wife’s out of town to break it in.

That is outstanding news! You are gonna be so happy when you get this one in your hands. Hope you have the best of conditions & subject availability during your maiden adventure! I'll be eager to see what you get & how you like the new experience.

KayakPhotos wrote in post #18898475
How is the minimum focusing with that TC attached? I have a TC coming in today that I’ll be using with Mine quite a bit down here in Florida where we have a lot of sunlight. I’m trying to figure out if I’ll need to pick up an extension tube because I like to do close-ups of dragonflies and insects.

Seems like the MFD is about 10' or so on the 500PF. All of the dragonfly shots I've posted here were from the car window, but some were pretty close to that distance, others were further.

When Jake mentioned tubes earlier, it really got me thinking that they could really be fun with this lens. Yo may be surprised at what you can get with just the lens - 500mm Macro, or 700mm w/ the TC. Lol!

KayakPhotos wrote in post #18898475
How is the minimum focusing with that TC attached? I have a TC coming in today that I’ll be using with Mine quite a bit down here in Florida where we have a lot of sunlight. I’m trying to figure out if I’ll need to pick up an extension tube because I like to do close-ups of dragonflies and insects.

Hmmm.. extension tubes sound like a fun idea!

MatthewK wrote in post #18898499
Hmmm.. extension tubes sound like a fun idea!

Peer pressure - da*mit!

Guess we goota see how they work. hahahaha!

MatthewK wrote in post #18890236
Got a coat for my 500pf, finally:

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I went to the site and noticed that they didn't have the 500 PF listed as one of the lenses they had coats for. Did you contact customer service? The order form looked like it was in Polish.

KayakPhotos wrote in post #18898636
I went to the site and noticed that they didn't have the 500 PF listed as one of the lenses they had coats for. Did you contact customer service? The order form looked like it was in Polish.

Send Hubert an email here: biuro@huganature.pl

MatthewK wrote in post #18898640
Send Hubert an email here: biuro@huganature.pl

Thanks

KayakPhotos wrote in post #18898473
I finally came up on the waiting list. Mine should be getting shipped out today or tomorrow. I’m going to take a short vacation next week while my wife’s out of town to break it in.

Congratulations Daniel. Waiting is no fun but it's almost over!