They are our most common mammals in most parts of the country, but when they strike the right pose, I still like to grab the shot. This eastern gray squirrel seemed to be contemplating his future outside my home office window the other day. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second.
Hey Vic, thanks for following the posts. Yes, I’m loving the new lens. Kind of funny, I was really down on it at first and thought the image quality just wasn’t there compared to my 200-400. But then I realized that after receiving my camera back from Nikon service, they had set it back to factory defaults and I was shooting jpeg normal. And I was comparing that against raw files from my other camera. Once I got that settled, the lens has been great. Very sharp, great bokeh, etc. Amazing to have such a small form factor in a 500mm (granted an f/5.6 but still). It feels even lighter than my 70-200mm f/2.8. It’s not, but for some reason the balance of it feels better. I was worried about shooting into bright light sources because of the fresnel lens but I haven’t had any issues thus far. Of course, I’m just shooting on my property these days but we have lots of wildlife come through (including bears on a regular basis). Can’t wait to get it out on a trip to the tropics, or to Africa. I bought it because on my last African trip, the internal airline restrictions have gotten so tight that I had to leave half my backpack at the airport locker just so I could bring my lens.
Great shot, Sean. I love my 200-400, (purchased in large part due to your B&H review!) but that lens is a beast & it seems each year the airlines tighten the restrictions for carry on items. Given the limits of my upper body strength, my future purchase of a 500 PF lens is looking better all the time.
I can’t wait to give it a proper test. But so far so good. I do miss the ability to zoom and that extra stop of light, but I gain the extra 100mm of reach and of course, the light weight is ideal for my style of hand held shooting. And I do believe that the lens is a bit sharper than the V1 of the 200-400 but that could just be the close range that I’ve been able to shoot birds and squirrels (and the occasional bear) around the house.
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They are our most common mammals in most parts of the country, but when they strike the right pose, I still like to grab the shot. This eastern gray squirrel seemed to be contemplating his future outside my home office window the other day. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second.
Beautifully done.
I have followed you for quite a while and enjoy your work Sean. How are you liking the 500 PF lens?
Hey Vic, thanks for following the posts. Yes, I’m loving the new lens. Kind of funny, I was really down on it at first and thought the image quality just wasn’t there compared to my 200-400. But then I realized that after receiving my camera back from Nikon service, they had set it back to factory defaults and I was shooting jpeg normal. And I was comparing that against raw files from my other camera. Once I got that settled, the lens has been great. Very sharp, great bokeh, etc. Amazing to have such a small form factor in a 500mm (granted an f/5.6 but still). It feels even lighter than my 70-200mm f/2.8. It’s not, but for some reason the balance of it feels better. I was worried about shooting into bright light sources because of the fresnel lens but I haven’t had any issues thus far. Of course, I’m just shooting on my property these days but we have lots of wildlife come through (including bears on a regular basis). Can’t wait to get it out on a trip to the tropics, or to Africa. I bought it because on my last African trip, the internal airline restrictions have gotten so tight that I had to leave half my backpack at the airport locker just so I could bring my lens.
Great shot, Sean. I love my 200-400, (purchased in large part due to your B&H review!) but that lens is a beast & it seems each year the airlines tighten the restrictions for carry on items. Given the limits of my upper body strength, my future purchase of a 500 PF lens is looking better all the time.
I can’t wait to give it a proper test. But so far so good. I do miss the ability to zoom and that extra stop of light, but I gain the extra 100mm of reach and of course, the light weight is ideal for my style of hand held shooting. And I do believe that the lens is a bit sharper than the V1 of the 200-400 but that could just be the close range that I’ve been able to shoot birds and squirrels (and the occasional bear) around the house.
There’s no place like home: Nice shot of our little friend surveying his domain.
Growing up with these little guys helped me be in touch with Nature.
I can’t believe he turned his back to you, such disrespect. After everything you’ve done for wildlife.
mebe he was sitting at his daily peach enjoying life,because it calm peaceful and still at the moment.)