p.171 #1 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Great first shots with your new 200-500!
You’re already a well-established photographer. Yes, this new work requires quite a transition from the style you specialize in. And if you live in an environment where high-quality light is not common, then you must choose your opportunities and be creative. In Maine, I am familiar with that problem too.
You have already started to be creative; i.e. I like to see wildlife photographed in the snow, and that guy rowing is *really* unusual. That’s my favorite. I see you added it to your Instagram account.
I encourage everyone to click onto that Instagram logo near your name. My favorites on that site are your images of the Cuban people, the old American cars, the old man with the Iguana, etc.
Regarding your comment “these pictures are crap”, you're used to seeing results such as the images in your Instagram account. You know you must put in your time with this new lens, just like you did with your other work to this point.
So, just a suggestion or two. You might consider using AF-C for everything in this new photography. I like it and am pretty sure I now use it exclusively. I guess that is because I have to deal with movement so much of the time. I have blown a few takes (involving motion) because I had my D850 on AF-S when I thought it was on AF-C.
I like AF-C for everything and Single Point then to AF auto for BIF. That might change too. I may try 3D tracking too...next summer.
p.171 #3 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
bs kite wrote:
Great first shots with your new 200-500!
You’re already a well-established photographer. Yes, this new work requires quite a transition from the style you specialize in. And if you live in an environment where high-quality light is not common, then you must choose your opportunities and be creative. In Maine, I am familiar with that problem too.
You have already started to be creative; i.e. I like to see wildlife photographed in the snow, and that guy rowing is *really* unusual. That’s my favorite. I see you added it to your Instagram account.
I encourage everyone to click onto that Instagram logo near your name. My favorites on that site are your images of the Cuban people, the old American cars, the old man with the Iguana, etc.
Regarding your comment “these pictures are crap”, you're used to seeing results such as the images in your Instagram account. You know you must put in your time with this new lens, just like you did with your other work to this point.
So, just a suggestion or two. You might consider using AF-C for everything in this new photography. I like it and am pretty sure I now use it exclusively. I guess that is because I have to deal with movement so much of the time. I have blown a few takes (involving motion) because I had my D850 on AF-S when I thought it was on AF-C.
I like AF-C for everything and Single Point then to AF auto for BIF. That might change too. I may try 3D tracking too...next summer.
Damn Robert, you're much too kind. Appreciate your words regarding my non-crappy photography
I've read your birding technique posts, as well as others in this thread, which definitely informed how I approached shooting the last couple days while we're snowed in here in Seattle. I'm really impressed by how well auto area AF in AF-C works for such fast moving objects. I've fiddled with other modes, and aside from 3d tracking mode, the majority of my in focus keepers are definitely when I'm in auto area. I can see why people get hooked on birding though - there's a dynamic aspect to it that makes me think of street photography in the sky. Having just moved back to the west coast after several years in NY, I really really miss the great street photography in that city, and this is giving me hope for a substitute on the west coast
And yeah, the guy on the boat definitely is my fave from the last few days. It was about 30F and the guy is only wearing a sweater and pants??! I wonder how he's able to move the boat considering his enormous balls must be weighing it down so much lol. I'll post up a few more of him.
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Bruce Terrill wrote:
Is he sitting the wrong way in the boat, or has the boat got two pointy ends
Bruce. . .
Ha it had two pointy ends. Actually a very nice little rowboat all things considered.
p.171 #11 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
sungphoto wrote:
Damn Robert, you're much too kind. Appreciate your words regarding my non-crappy photography
I've read your birding technique posts, as well as others in this thread, which definitely informed how I approached shooting the last couple days while we're snowed in here in Seattle. I'm really impressed by how well auto area AF in AF-C works for such fast moving objects. I've fiddled with other modes, and aside from 3d tracking mode, the majority of my in focus keepers are definitely when I'm in auto area. I can see why people get hooked on birding though - there's a dynamic aspect to it that makes me think of street photography in the sky. Having just moved back to the west coast after several years in NY, I really really miss the great street photography in that city, and this is giving me hope for a substitute on the west coast
And yeah, the guy on the boat definitely is my fave from the last few days. It was about 30F and the guy is only wearing a sweater and pants??! I wonder how he's able to move the boat considering his enormous balls must be weighing it down so much lol. I'll post up a few more of him.
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Ha it had two pointy ends. Actually a very nice little rowboat all things considered.
p.171 #12 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
sungphoto wrote:
Well, here are my pretty mediocre attempts at birding, as well as a crazy seattlelite that for whatever reason decided to go for a row in the middle of a snowstorm.
I am primarily a people photographer, with some commercial product work thrown in, so birding is a new genre for me and I have to say I'm kind of hooked. Shooting the D850 with the 200-500 f5.6, I am starting to understand why it's such a powerful combo. Primarily using auto area AF or 3d tracking mode when in AF-C, and just single point in AF-S. And now I need to get my hands on a 1.4 teleconverter..
Totally open to tips and feedback (and yes even, these pics are crap, stick to people haha). Pretty much all of these are at 500mm and f5.6-6.3, with a shutter speed of around 1/1000-2000 depending on whether they're in flight or slower moving. Unfortunately the overcast skies haven't given me much light to work with, so looking forward to taking this combo to Africa later in the year.
Also any recos for a 95mm filter? I usually just go with B+W but not sure if there are better options for this large of a filter.
With regard to the filter question - I use a Sigma Protector filter and have been pleased with the results.
Hideously expensive for a piece of glass but half the cost of B+W (UK prices)
p.171 #13 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Anybody using the Z6 with this lens?
Could you post some examples and how do you like it?
Interested to know how the adaptor affects the AF and if you have used the crop mode as well.
Any replies appreciated
p.171 #17 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Yesterday's supermoon. Nikon Z6 on DX crop, 200-500. Also happens to be only the 3rd image taken with that lens. Gonna try some birds over the weekend in DX and see how much 10mp stretches.
p.171 #18 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
First real outdoor shooting with 200-500 + Z 6 in DX mode. IMHO, while these images probably won't satisfy pros but pretty good (to me) considering DX mode of Z 6 is just 10mp. Almost all are at 500mm, ISO 500 to 1000, EFCS, wide open ~ f7.1. Focus mode set to AF-C + dynamic area and BBF. Either handheld or monopod: