I have a couple of shots that I can't find at the moment ,(sloppy file keeping) that I took of a prop plane and I got propeller blur at around 1/500th. To be fair, the plane was sitting still ready to take off.
Nikon 200-500/5.6 VR Lens....... post your photos!
- Thread starter TedG954
- Start date
I have a couple of shots that I can't find at the moment ,(sloppy file keeping) that I took of a prop plane and I got propeller blur at around 1/500th. To be fair, the plane was sitting still ready to take off.
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
Took my baby out for a walk by the lake and shot a few birds (posted most in Bird and BIF sections).
Can't get over how much cropping I can get away with using this lens on my D610
Caught this same bird in flight.
Female Red Winged Blackbird ( I think).
Can't get over how much cropping I can get away with using this lens on my D610
Caught this same bird in flight.
Female Red Winged Blackbird ( I think).
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
Cropped and adjusted from this photo below
One of many others shot of these Hawks (Red Tail imho).
While the best shots I've ever taken of hawks I was hoping for better from the 200-500 based on my previous experiences.
Trying to learn from these less than stellar images. A) Am I just reaching too far - these birds were quite a ways away - I'm no good at all at estimating distance - the closest point would be that tree landing which was across a small field, (I could not get into the field).
B) Too dark, it was cloudy and smokey from the Fort McMurray forest fire burning just north of us. Maybe I need more light.
C) Too far for handheld shots - next time bring the tripod and gimbal ballhead (I didn't have it with me) and come on a sunny day?
D) F5.6 and F6.3 were not enough, try F8 higher.
E) Up the ISO for faster shutter speed?
F) I just suck at taking Hawk Shots.
I came away from taking pictures of a barn owl with much the same feeling as yourself and a similar list of questions.
My keeper rate wasn't very high at all with BIF shots, probably combination of me needing to practice and auto focus not always snapping on as well as I'd hope for.
For me though the light was good and I was plenty close enough, so a few shots came out well but most looked a lot softer than I was expecting. Next time I'll try f/8 as I was mostly using f/5.6.
singlerosa_RIP
Senior Member
Looks like these shots were all back lit, which makes things a bit more challenging. My experience with this lens is that it's OK when you have enough light on the subject. Your settings look fine, just not enough light on the bird.
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
I shoot in burst mode - more of a machine gun style hunter rather than a sniper rattling off shots as fast as my D610 and it's buffer will handle. I don't consider "keeper rate" as so many of my shots seem identical I just pick out a few (dozen) and work with them to get some I like.
I went back just to see what kind of 'keeper rate' I'm getting. About one in ten were use-able (and these tended to come in groups - e.g. pictures 9,10,11, of a burst of 30 may be OK). No idea if this is what people mean by "keeper rate". If they mean the number of images that make the hard drive vs the number on the SD card, then I counted 1253 shots at the lake on the card where these were done and 117 kept on my harddrive = 9% keeper rate?
As for BIF - I hear you. Practice does help a lot. I hit a few that I'm surprisingly happy with. When I get home it is like a kid getting to open that brown grab bag at the five and dime. You never know what you've got till you look.
Been toying with the idea of getting a Kenko 1.4 TC. I know I know, "get the Nikon" but it is so much more expensive and I've seen some people showing great shots with the Kenko and the 200-500. Of course on a dull day like yesterday probably 'sub-optimal'. Still it is tempting to get that extra reach.
Full size
Cropped and processed (ok over processed)
it is quite a crop but I've cropped this much before and been OK with the image
This Goose was shot the day before. The Goose was closer (not sure by how much), but it was a sunny day. And the winds were not blowing the smoke in our face. I wonder how much affect smoke in the air has. The Health Authority had issued a "stay inside if you have breathing difficulties" and it was intense.
Now that I know where the hawks are I will go back the next sunny, smoke free day and see what I get. It is our Queen Victoria Long Weekend here - the weekend when the campsites finally open and every one heads out in their tent and of course the weatherman lines up three solid days of rain.
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
...
Ok, so the road is the the east of the hawks nest. Meaning morning shoots would be better. Good to know.
Now, to get up early and stop in before I go to work and shoot me some better hawk shots.
The lake is on the east side of the road so the lighting would be best in the evening. I tend to get to that location after work. The other BIF of ducks and geese would not have been back lit.
Thanks.
@Fortkentdad if you do get the kenko 1.4TC I'll be very interested to see how you get on. The Nikon one is more money than I'd want to pay for something that I might end up not using very much. If the Kenko produces good results I might be persuaded to add it to my bag.
I'm still shocked by how much cropping I feel I can get away with using this lens. Some might feel this is too much but to me the IQ is still very useable. I'll post the cropped pic with my standard editing with another from the same sequence SOOC.
Btw I'm really chuffed to have got shots of great crested grebes taxiing their young about.
Btw I'm really chuffed to have got shots of great crested grebes taxiing their young about.
01301johnny
Senior Member
Listers,
I just had my lens delivered.
Stunning bit of gear but the lens hood is well..... I wish it was a bit more. Not easy to mount backwards for transport.
So far I have taken two shots hand held at a 60th and they look fine.
More to come.
Good shooting.
I just had my lens delivered.
Stunning bit of gear but the lens hood is well..... I wish it was a bit more. Not easy to mount backwards for transport.
So far I have taken two shots hand held at a 60th and they look fine.
More to come.
Good shooting.
01301johnny
Senior Member
I have an older Gitzo tripod with a Kirk model one ball on it. The Gitzo is heavy but the ball is nearly perfect and it is the setup I will use for the 200-500. I am waiting for a QR plate and I will be off.
I've posted a few foxcub photos in their own thread here http://nikonites.com/wild-life/36482-fantastic-fox-cubs.html#axzz49hbUf1t1 but I wanted to post a couple of different ones here too.
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
singing the praises of the Nikkor 200-500mm 5.6
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
+
Pulled the trigger and ordered at Kenko Pro 300 1.4 from B&H. $129 US (I think that is on discount?) - came to $165 CDN significantly less than any on offer in Canada. I hope the warranty is international - sometimes they are not.
BTW "Free Shipping" to Canada I discovered only applies if you pre-pay the duty fees. (Which were about half what K&H wanted for shipping same item so still less) I've ordered lots of camera gear from the USA and other places. Never ever paid a duty fee. This 'pre-pay' the duty and save yourself the hassle is dubious at best. I just considered it shipping. I could have paid the shipping and avoided the duty fee - it came out within pennies of the same amount. Coincidence I'm sure.
Coming by US Mail to Canada Post via Canada duty people - should have it by July, well August for sure.
I also snagged an APE Large ACPROLC18 lens case - many reviewers raved about how well it held their 200-500. I have mine in a big hard case - great protection for sure, not the easiest thing to sling about. Now I'll have options. Picked it up used for $29.00 - sweet deal, costs $69 here in Canada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgcri25Ojao Nice review of that case.
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
Say "Awww" as in that 200-500 is awwwsome.
Shot with the 200-500mm on the Jobu Micro Jimbal Adaptor on my monopod.
Jimbal is working great.
I may want to upgrade the ballhead, on the Manfrotto monopod currently using an Joby "X" ballhead. Rated for 11 pounds so should hold but it has lost the grip and let go of the lens. I'm a 'belt and suspenders' kinda guy so even when the gear is on the monopod, it is still attached to the strap around my neck - and a good thing today. I actually grabbed the camera and lens as it let go. Maybe I had not secured it properly in the first place. Always good practice to double check all attachments with this gear.
