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

"More Berries, more Shade!"

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #19003141
Thanks Denis.

I have not. I regularly stand mine (with D500 & Battery Grip) and Wifey's (just D500) on the end, using the standard issue lens hood. I have not tried that in a bag, though.

How's it going? Let's see some Europe thru the 500PF...

I briefly tried it out: standing the lens in my camera bag: a LensCoat 3Xpandable that I bought for my Pentax DA560, and that was the only bag that could carry that lens with the camera attached. I kept it when I went Canon because you can fold the top and make it shorter. As I have it now, it perfectly accomodates the D500 with the 500PF attached and the lens hood in shooting position. That way, the lens cap can stay off, and I only have to open the bag and lift the combo by the strap and it is ready to shoot. For me that is convenient, as I cycle a lot. I don't anticipate problems even though the lens hood is plastic

The weather is appalling these weeks, so confined to the house in my spare time. Which gives me every opportunity to get acquainted with the Nikon combo, and compare it to the Canon 7DII+400DOII+1.4TC.
The weight difference is astonishing, I thought the 400DOII was light, but the 500PF has turned my perception of the 400DOII+1.4TC into it being a heavyweight! Although I don't shy from some healthy muscle excercise, the problem with the heavy combo's is the strain on the shoulders when cycling longer distances. With the Nikon combo, it's like bringing your lunch along And that is with the D500, just imagine shaving off another 400gr by using the Z50!

Anyway, so far from testing the 500PF and looking for the right settings on the D500, I have set f6 to "ON", so I can push the awkwardly placed AF/M button reaching over with my right hand, let go of the button and then use the dial to switch between AF-C and AF-S. I have set the shutter to single point AF (I simply like it better that way), and have set the AF-ON button to group AF.

I am spoiled to death by the 400DOII IS, so no problem shooting 1/250s at 560mm for e.g. waterfowl, but the VR on the 500PF with the pretty hefty mirror slap of the D500 takes a bit more care to shoot at that low a shutter speed it seems. I have to concentrate on keeping lens/body perfectly still, because the very low weight of the 500PF makes it tricky. The weight of the heavier lenses help in stabilizing when handholding. I assume that the Z50 makes that a bit easier without the mirror slap and the use of EFCS, but I will get there with practice... Alternatively, I can let the shutter speed go up a bit because the iso performance of the D500 is very good.

It will be interesting to see if the 500PF will lead my 400DOII to the B/S board, with the current low second hand prices. After some testing, I feel the 500PF has very good distance performance, which is not that good with the 400DOII+1.4TC because of the extender, which does not affect closer to medium performance as much. Anyway, very happy so far with the 500PF performance and the Nikon sensor. My dream lens will still always remain a 600mm f5.6 lens (PF), and if Nikon makes one, I will certainly let the Canon go. Now the wait starts for the bird migration season....

below is a shot at 3200 iso, under canopy, very happy with such performance, not only noise wise, but also color is still good and fairly accurate. My former bodies could not do that. And a shot of a Blue Heron, I like the way the 500PF isolates it from the background, cleaner and less nervous than when using an extender.

This was an image in heavy backlighting, and underexposed to keep the highlights from blowing. But the Nikon D500 sensor allows room to correct it. The colors are there too. That makes quite the difference!

Tufted Titmouse let me sneak up on him. Atrocious lighting, but hey, I'll take what I can get.

MatthewK wrote in post #19004035
Tufted Titmouse let me sneak up on him. Atrocious lighting, but hey, I'll take what I can get.

Matthew that's very nice.
The bird with the light background patch sets it all up IMO
I enjoy these sort of scenes.
It's what one experiences in The wild and looks so natural.
I'd give that top marks. I realise I look at the subject, not the photo if you get my drift.

Chris1966 wrote in post #19003751
I briefly tried it out: standing the lens in my camera bag: a LensCoat 3Xpandable that I bought for my Pentax DA560, and that was the only bag that could carry that lens with the camera attached. I kept it when I went Canon because you can fold the top and make it shorter. As I have it now, it perfectly accomodates the D500 with the 500PF attached and the lens hood in shooting position. That way, the lens cap can stay off, and I only have to open the bag and lift the combo by the strap and it is ready to shoot. For me that is convenient, as I cycle a lot. I don't anticipate problems even though the lens hood is plastic

The weather is appalling these weeks, so confined to the house in my spare time. Which gives me every opportunity to get acquainted with the Nikon combo, and compare it to the Canon 7DII+400DOII+1.4TC.
The weight difference is astonishing, I thought the 400DOII was light, but the 500PF has turned my perception of the 400DOII+1.4TC into it being a heavyweight! Although I don't shy from some healthy muscle excercise, the problem with the heavy combo's is the strain on the shoulders when cycling longer distances. With the Nikon combo, it's like bringing your lunch along And that is with the D500, just imagine shaving off another 400gr by using the Z50!

Anyway, so far from testing the 500PF and looking for the right settings on the D500, I have set f6 to "ON", so I can push the awkwardly placed AF/M button reaching over with my right hand, let go of the button and then use the dial to switch between AF-C and AF-S. I have set the shutter to single point AF (I simply like it better that way), and have set the AF-ON button to group AF.

I am spoiled to death by the 400DOII IS, so no problem shooting 1/250s at 560mm for e.g. waterfowl, but the VR on the 500PF with the pretty hefty mirror slap of the D500 takes a bit more care to shoot at that low a shutter speed it seems. I have to concentrate on keeping lens/body perfectly still, because the very low weight of the 500PF makes it tricky. The weight of the heavier lenses help in stabilizing when handholding. I assume that the Z50 makes that a bit easier without the mirror slap and the use of EFCS, but I will get there with practice... Alternatively, I can let the shutter speed go up a bit because the iso performance of the D500 is very good.

It will be interesting to see if the 500PF will lead my 400DOII to the B/S board, with the current low second hand prices. After some testing, I feel the 500PF has very good distance performance, which is not that good with the 400DOII+1.4TC because of the extender, which does not affect closer to medium performance as much. Anyway, very happy so far with the 500PF performance and the Nikon sensor. My dream lens will still always remain a 600mm f5.6 lens (PF), and if Nikon makes one, I will certainly let the Canon go. Now the wait starts for the bird migration season....
https://photography-on-the.net …editor/more_too​ls_133.png
below is a shot at 3200 iso, under canopy, very happy with such performance, not only noise wise, but also color is still good and fairly accurate. My former bodies could not do that. And a shot of a Blue Heron, I like the way the 500PF isolates it from the background, cleaner and less nervous than when using an extender.

Chris, the raven shot is soooo good, I love how you captured the inky sheen of his feathers!

It's great to read your feedback and insights in to this lovable little combo! How do you feel the files compare to your 7D2/400DOII output? It'd be cool to see some side-by-sides, if you're bored and have nothing better to do

As to my red emphasis, this is something I can align with: the 500PF was the reason I was able to part ways with my 600 III, which I don't miss in the slightest!

avondale87 wrote in post #19004048
Matthew that's very nice.
The bird with the light patch background patch sets it all up IMO
I enjoy these sort of scenes.
It's what one experiences in The wild and looks so natural.
I'd give that top marks. I realise I look at the subject, not the photo if you get my drift.

Dang, thanks for the great feedback, Richard, it's very much appreciated during this gloomy winter time. This Titmouse let me snap away for a minute or two, so was able to creep into a few different angles and mix up the compositions. Some were with trees directly behind, and other like this one I kept the "sky hole" highlight in order to create some separation.

I'm not afraid to admit that I haven't had too good of luck these past few months, and have been down in the doldrums because of it. Spring is on its way though, so I keep at it, knowing things will get back to normal here shortly.

MatthewK wrote in post #19004035
Tufted Titmouse let me sneak up on him. Atrocious lighting, but hey, I'll take what I can get.

Hosted photo: posted by MatthewK in
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forum: Nikon Lenses

Wonderful!

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #19003144
I came across a small group of Yellow-Rumped Warbles eating berries over the weekend, but try as I might I just could not get any of these guys to venture out of the shade.

Z50, 500PF + 1.4x TC

These are still really nice images IMO

Eastern Bluebird:

This image really gives you an idea of how sharp this lens really is. I love bird photography and would love extra reach (I also miss the F4 of my old Canon 500mm) so I had a look at a Nikkor 600mm F4 FL last week. I was quite surprised by how light it felt (compared to how big it is) once I picked it up attached to my D850 and almost pulled the trigger. Suddenly I thought I should test it out in my SUV (which is where I do a lot of my shooting from) and that just brought home to me how amazing the 500 PF really is. To lift the 600 up and point it out the window was a precarious task and those extra seconds could easily result in a missed opportunity. That was the deal-breaker so the 500 PF is definitely for keeps.

Absolutely stunning.
Beautiful and detailed.

avondale87 wrote in post #19006284
Absolutely stunning.
Beautiful and detailed.

Thanks Richard

MatthewK wrote in post #19006082
Eastern Bluebird:

Hosted photo: posted by MatthewK in
./showthread.php?p=190​06082&i=i241932238
forum: Nikon Lenses

Nice IQ with the extender Matthew!
I got the extender too for reach

Chris1966 wrote in post #19006308
Nice IQ with the extender Matthew!
I got the extender too for reach

Thanks, Chris.. I try to avoid extended use, as the IQ hit is noticeable, as is the AF performance when trying to use non-center points. It’s winter though, and I can’t get close to anything, so I’m needing to use it more. Can’t wait until Spring, ugh.

Nemesis bird: