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

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18898684
OK, permit me to place here an image not from the 500PF. My believe that is you love
the 500PF you will also love the 300PF.
With the 1.4.
And Matt the 300PF will also take a 2.0TC like horse and carriage.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gFi​DQt BF by MedicineMan4040, on Flickr

UH Mazin!

MatthewK wrote in post #18900530
Congrats, Daniel! What was your initial impression that first moment you pulled the 500pf out of the box?

You do a lot of shooting from a kayak? Any tips on getting close to water birds? I recently got a fishing kayak for this express purpose, and the birds seem even more scared of me on the water versus being on land!

Green Heron (from land):

Hosted photo: posted by MatthewK in
./showthread.php?p=189​00530&i=i109476232
forum: Nikon Lenses

Let me pretend to be Daniel, for a second, though I don't have his kayak wildlife imaging experience.
We have a cabin on a lake. At the head waters is swampy/reedy/lots of cattails and little pathways to paddle through.
In my experience all wildlife treats me different when in (actually on a sit-on-top) the kayak. Deer don't bolt. Birds
often remain stationary.
For my neck of the woods it is key not to paddle straight at them eh, and let the momentum of the boat carry forth.
I've also used one of these-
http://www.lenscoat.co​m …d71c3eaf5ea3941​2b204df413
I also use it in the backyard.
I've not gone the route of totally camo'ing my kayak though.
And you've already figured many an awesome low angle shot was from 'inner tube' photography-
http://www.naturephoto​graphers.net/ditto1100​-1.html
https://www.naturescap​es.net …ng-from-a-floating-blind/
https://www.floating-hide.com/en/

A few test shots. I'm looking forward to a serious outing soon.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gJF​WpK

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MatthewK wrote in post #18900530
Congrats, Daniel! What was your initial impression that first moment you pulled the 500pf out of the box?

You do a lot of shooting from a kayak? Any tips on getting close to water birds?

When I first opened the box it was even smaller than expected. I really like the ergonomics of the lens a lot.

As far as kayak wildlife goes, one of the things I’ve learned is to not paddle at them. I try to put myself in a position where I will drift past them slowly. Another trick is to paddle past the subject so that you approach them by drifting towards their face. That way if the fly off you can get a good bird in flight shot. I also start shooting when I’m a little ways away and continue to take shots as I approach, that way if they fly away I can at least have something to show for it. I also have a high end kayak paddle which seems to help because it’s very quiet in the water.

KayakPhotos wrote in post #18901383
A few test shots. I'm looking forward to a serious outing soon.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gJF​WpK ugly pond duck reflection by Daniel, on Flickr

Excellent first offering, but this shot of the bunch is fire! I'm thinking that you and this new setup are going to do good things together

KayakPhotos wrote in post #18901435
When I first opened the box it was even smaller than expected. I really like the ergonomics of the lens a lot.

As far as kayak wildlife goes, one of the things I’ve learned is to not paddle at them. I try to put myself in a position where I will drift past them slowly. Another trick is to paddle past the subject so that you approach them by drifting towards their face. That way if the fly off you can get a good bird in flight shot. I also start shooting when I’m a little ways away and continue to take shots as I approach, that way if they fly away I can at least have something to show for it. I also have a high end kayak paddle which seems to help because it’s very quiet in the water.

Excellent, will try the drifting approach on my next outing, and will also try to find some water birds as well; last time, I simply tried to shoot land-based birds in trees along the river. No point in a kayak if I'm not going after stuff I normally don't see!

KayakPhotos wrote in post #18901383
A few test shots. I'm looking forward to a serious outing soon.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gJF​WpK ugly pond duck reflection by Daniel, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gJF​Wup squirrel eating nut by Daniel, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gJF​dKb butterfly green by Daniel, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gJF​dRd bee going for flowers by Daniel, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2gJF​e1mbacklit bluejay by Daniel, on Flickr

Great shots all Daniel! To me you are already serious.

MatthewK wrote in post #18901555
Excellent, will try the drifting approach on my next outing, and will also try to find some water birds as well; last time, I simply tried to shoot land-based birds in trees along the river. No point in a kayak if I'm not going after stuff I normally don't see!

I agree with Robert that most of the time animals are much more relaxed when I'm in a kayak. I believe it is due to there being much less of an association with danger coming from the water. In Florida there are a lot of paddlers which also helps.

Nice set of test shots, Dan. I agree with Matt - the Muscovy Duck is really good & great perspective.

Hope you have a productive & safe outing this week - enjoy!

Looking forward to see what you find.

All of my lunch-time bird buds seem to be avoiding the mid-day heat now. :-/

All I've seen lately are bees... Guess if I can learn to keep a bee in under the focus area, BIF should be a lot easier. LOL!

Got on in the 'yak this morning.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2gLY​VwS

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Very nice, Dan.

How does the rig handle in the boat?

It's really amazing to observe the different perspective and opportunities the yak offers - in addition to "fitting in" with the wildlife.

The reflection shot is neat.

Saw some hummers today...

I set out this morning with three rigs in the front seat, ready for whatever I might see.

1) D850 + 500PF
2) D500 + (wifeys) 500PF
3) Z6 + 300PF

When this fella landed and sat for a little bit, I figured I'd try with both the D500 & D850. Admittedly, not very well controlled, but same subject, same spot, similar light, captured within 3 minutes.

Try as I might, I was never able to capture the hummers with the Z6.