I sold my 300PF and thought the 500PF would be available, NOT. Anyone who gets one is lucky. I have my name on waiting list at several stores, still waiting. Stop worrying about bokeh and enjoy your rare 500PF.
500PF does wildlife and landscape as the sun rises and sets...
The landscape was shot around 5:25 AM during my hike to the beaver pond. After hitting the peak of the climb prior to the half mile long descent, the clouds took on an other worldly feel that reminded me of coastal BC and Costa Rica. What appears to be noise in the sky is a massive release of cottonwood seeds (Populus deltoides). As for the deer... she saw me as the sun drifted below the horizon.
Received the lens yesterday. Mounted it on my new D500, and officially took my first ever photos with a Nikon
I'm currently shooting a 1DX2 and 600 III for my birding, and am curious to see how I get a long with this smaller package. Initially I'm thinking both lenses will have a place, but if it's like anything in life I'll gravitate towards one or the other regardless of the compromises. Either I'll accept the bulk to get the most reach, aperture and high ISO performance, or I'll accept the loss of that reach/aperture/ISO in exchange for a silly light weight package. I'd love for this Nikon kit to work out so that I could maybe consider recouping some of the crazy $$$ wrapped up in the Canon gear. The real test for me will be seeing how it does in the woods in low light, shooting small birds, where the 1DX2 is a champ.
Wonder if anyone gave up their 600 f/4 for this lens for birding?
MatthewK wrote:
Received the lens yesterday. Mounted it on my new D500, and officially took my first ever photos with a Nikon
I'm currently shooting a 1DX2 and 600 III for my birding, and am curious to see how I get a long with this smaller package. Initially I'm thinking both lenses will have a place, but if it's like anything in life I'll gravitate towards one or the other regardless of the compromises. Either I'll accept the bulk to get the most reach, aperture and high ISO performance, or I'll accept the loss of that reach/aperture/ISO in exchange for a silly light weight package. I'd love for this Nikon kit to work out so that I could maybe consider recouping some of the crazy $$$ wrapped up in the Canon gear. The real test for me will be seeing how it does in the woods in low light, shooting small birds, where the 1DX2 is a champ.
Wonder if anyone gave up their 600 f/4 for this lens for birding? ...Show more →
Thanks for posting. I'm very interested in hearing about your impressions/experience with the D500+500PF vis-a-vis 1DxII+600III. That 600III looks pretty sweet. To be honest if owned the 600III and Canon had a high-resolution/high performance body to go with it I wouldn't have bothered with the 500PF.
FWIW I own the Nikon version of the 600/4. As much as the 500PF impresses me by its size, weight and IQ, so far all its really done is satiate my desire for the 500/4. A couple of days ago I made a difficult capture of a small birds nest @15m or so...the IQ from the 500PF+TC14EIII (700mm @f8) was very good, but not surprisingly it just couldn't compete with the 600E+TC14EIII (850mm @f5.6)...aside from the extra reach, the 600 is just so darn sharp. Never-the-less, I think the 500PF is a unique and very cool lens that I'll be hanging onto.
Got a chance to get a a few wildlife images today with the 500pf. I am still trying to get use to the lens but I am finding that I really like the lens. To be able to grab the camera out of my bag and jump out of the truck on the farm is great.
This morning I was looking for some parts and went into an open barn when two barn owls flew out. I wasn't ready for it but went to get my camera and had time to get some pics as a black bird was chasing the owl around. I also just happened to catch this roadrunner with lunch around the equipment dealership where I get a lot of parts.
Just heard from one of the camera stores I ordered through that Nikon has recently geared up production of the 500PF and wait times will be shorter. Earlier this week I checked in with both stores regarding ETA after ordering the lens in early April and one said it will arrive around the end of July (I was originally told end of June) and the other said late fall.
One store is in Alberta and the other in is Ontario.
Has anyone else heard something about production being increased?
just to prove the 500PF delivers, with and w/o a TC! 
