Still loving this lens. I have found that it allows me to photograph subjects that I would normally ignore. Having living my life with a tripod and heavy lenses, I have let the pursuit of small migratory birds to others.
Last week's April blizzard grounded a flock of hermit thrushes in last summer's sumac... I spent the better part of 2 hours photographing this species w/ my D500 and 500PF... out of the 350 pictures only 10 were out of focus or exhibited motion blur... crazy hit rate!
I notice this photographer (Jérémie LeBlond) seems to have an issue with veiled sharpness when using a high quality, clear protective filter on his 500 PF. I don't speak French, but that's the conclusion I perceive. Please forgive me if I've taken away the wrong impression, but I wonder if anyone has experienced a problem with degraded IQ when putting a filter or polarizer in front of this specific lens model?
A few more hermit thrush picture from last Saturday.
Regarding filters... well I have a Breakthrough Photography 4x filter on mine. I like having the filter, as it allows me to be a bit more carefree with the lens when shooting in rain, snow, salt, and muddy conditions.
Zircon wrote:
I notice this photographer (Jérémie LeBlond) seems to have an issue with veiled sharpness when using a high quality, clear protective filter on his 500 PF. I don't speak French, but that's the conclusion I perceive. Please forgive me if I've taken away the wrong impression, but I wonder if anyone has experienced a problem with degraded IQ when putting a filter or polarizer in front of this specific lens model?
I have stopped using filters. I always have my lens hood on and take care of my lenses. I have noticed some image degradation with other lenses when using filters.
Just got back from 2.5 weeks in New Zealand. Went to a great birding spot near Dunedin called Orokonui Ecosanctuary where the birds are are free to roam but do stop at the feeders they provide. This is a shot of the endangered Kaka Parrot, not ideal lighting conditions or a decent vantage point. Just had to get the best shot you can of these rare and beautiful birds. Quite chuffed that I could get one of these.
Lance - beautiful shot of the parrot. Very sharp even at f/5.6 which is great to see. I wish travel times were not so great from the USA to New Zealand. Nice to have it in your backyard, comparatively speaking.
Zircon wrote:
I notice this photographer (Jérémie LeBlond) seems to have an issue with veiled sharpness when using a high quality, clear protective filter on his 500 PF. I don't speak French, but that's the conclusion I perceive. Please forgive me if I've taken away the wrong impression, but I wonder if anyone has experienced a problem with degraded IQ when putting a filter or polarizer in front of this specific lens model?
This would be a criticism of the filter that he used. Many "good" filters are not coated or have a single coating and they cost less - not cheap but chearper than the multi-coated ones. B&H sells 5 B+W 95mm UV filters that sell for from $73 to $240 which reflects their type of construction.
Unless their is windblown dirt or sand there is not much need to put a protective filter on a lens, especially a well sealed pro lens like the 500mm PF.
