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

Me, I'd be heading to the dump!

This time the 500PF + 1.7TCii for 1275mm effective.

Same neighborhood hawk but atmospherics were better and the distance
from me to him further-approx 70 yards. I did process this one, e.g. sharpened.

I think with more MFA it can improve. I used to get shots like this via digiscope
(Swarovsky 95ATX), but can't handhold that rig.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2aYf​C7e

Jorgac wrote in post #18732995
Some nice looking shots here. I've just had some major back problems re-occur and decided I'd need to shed some weight on my gear. So I made the choice to switch from Canon to Nikon so that I could get access to the 500mm PF and the 300mm PF.

I sold all my Canon gear except my 500mm F4 mkii in the last week and already have my new D500 and D850, along with the 300mm PF and some other lenses but I can't find a copy of the 500 yet. Guess I'll just have to wait for now.

Anyway, I'm pretty impressed with the new bodies but I'll miss my Canon gear as well, had some great times with the equipment but looking forward to new and lighter things.

This sounds eerily similar to my situation...

I've had off & on back issues for 30+ yrs. Over the last 5'ish years, my knees have developed osteoarthritis. Carrying myself is sometimes challenging. Add a 1DxII & EF600 on a tripod w/gimabal head, etc. and a 5Div with a shorter zoom on a shoulder strap & things gets much worse.

One of my long time birding buddies is a Nikon guy and suggested the the D500 & 500 PF as a much lighter option for both my wife and for me. We started with a D500 & 200-500 (because that is what was readily available) and loved it.

Last week, I sold all my Canon gear too. I got another D500 & Z7, 600F4, 300PF, ordered the 500PF and several other lenses, TC's, etc. to replace what I had sold.

After a couple days with the Z7, I determined that while it's GREAT for stationary and slow moving objects, the focus system is not on the same level as the D500 / D850 / D5. The focus acquisition, lock, & retention of the D500 is what "sealed the deal" for me. I'm a wildlife guy, not a landscape shooter. Since the Z7 is not the same in this area, I have returned it in favor of a D850.

I know I opened this with reference to lighter gear and I did end up with a new Nikon 600 F4, but I just couldn't give that up after having grown accustom to using the Canon 600F4.

I will have the 300 & 500PF (when it arrives) as options for carrying down the trail, but the 600 will be king when using the vehicle as a mobile blind or in static locations with the tripod. I may need to revise the last statement to having the 300PF (with TC) or 500PF - depending on which on wifey isn't using at the time.

Finally doing some close up work, close as in 50-60 feet.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Qfsz​LL

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2cot​D2i

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18735819
Finally doing some close up work, close as in 50-60 feet.

Those are really nice Robert.

I can’t wait!

Phil thanks.
It really is a bellwether. I said the same thing about the Sony a9 and stand
by that comment.
Even if I was young and strapping weight and wieldability matter.
When I play with the a9+300PF I am stunned. So I'll keep hoping
for Commlite to give me a Christmas present
In the mean time I'm trying to find a D850 I can afford just to go
with the 500PF.

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18735819
Finally doing some close up work, close as in 50-60 feet.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Qfsz​LL Point the way by MedicineMan4040, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2cot​D2i BYBB by MedicineMan4040, on Flickr

Crazy detail in these.

Looking forward to getting my hands on that lens in a few more days. Still been doing OK hefting the 500mm f4 but won't miss it. I plan on continuing to shoot it but it would be great if the PF convinces me to just sell the big gun. But I looked at my LR library and historically with the 500 I do actually shoot at f4 a little over 20 percent of the time. So I doubt that I abandon it as long as I'm physically able to shoot it. On the flip side, I shoot the 200-500mm at 500mm over 80 percent of the time. Almost 90 percent of the time on wildlife. So I suspect the 500 PF will replace the 200-500 in the bag.

I composited this progression from the 500PF+1.4TCiii

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/29Fg​mh1

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18737460

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2cmW​QV7 Surveying the crowd by MedicineMan4040, on Flickr

I really like this one.

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18737677
I composited this progression from the 500PF+1.4TCiii

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/29Fg​mh1 Gloss progression by MedicineMan4040, on Flickr

Each shot is excellent. IMO I'd rather see each larger and lose the composite.

West coast of Fla?

NorthernFocus wrote in post #18737723
Each shot is excellent. IMO I'd rather see each larger and lose the composite.

West coast of Fla?

East coast Georgia...Savannah Wildlife Refuge.

Per NF's request.
I thought I'd posted at least one of the singles? Old age strikes me again

And an observation....and I think I've mentioned this prior as well. On the trip to coastal
Georgia I used the 1.4TCiii on the majority of shots, like this one.

Since this shot isn't posted to Flickr EXIF provided as well.

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18738060
Per NF's request.
I thought I'd posted at least one of the singles? Old age strikes me again

And an observation....and I think I've mentioned this prior as well. On the trip to coastal
Georgia I used the 1.4TCiii on the majority of shots, like this one.

Since this shot isn't posted to Flickr EXIF provided as well.

Hosted photo: posted by MedicineMan4040 in
./showthread.php?p=187​38060&i=i181421818
forum: Nikon Lenses

Hosted photo: posted by MedicineMan4040 in
./showthread.php?p=187​38060&i=i219811498
forum: Nikon Lenses

Really looking forward to the arrival of that lens.

I'm looking forward to when POTN gets the 500mm PF in the database