bs kite wrote:
Would someone please point me to an explanation of how to set the Focus Function Buttons?
I do read in the instructions AF-L (Focus lock), Memory Recall (Memory Recall) and AF-ON (Lens AF start).
But then the instructions immediately go on to VR.
I have searched the internet and found nothing at all.
Looking for how to make settings with the buttons....... after selecting AF-L, Memory Recall or AF-ON.
Thank you
Robert
A bright red Cardinal just landed on a twig near a feeder. The background was completely open. There was no way this lens could find that bird. It constantly hunted the background. And that was even after pressing the AF-ON button to select AUTO AF mode. I guess there was not enough in the foreground to take the AF attention away from its hunting in the background.
AF-L: This can be programmed to a number of things via the Custom Functions f1 menu. I have mine programmed to switch to Group AF and initiate AF. That is the AF-ON + Area Mode option.
AF-ON: This just initiates AF using whatever AF mode you have set as your main AF mode via the AF mode selector on the left side of the lens mount. Basically just duplicates that function from the AF-ON button.
Memory Recall: This option is to instantly recall a certain focus distance. There is a button on the lens near the rear of the lens that you push to set the distance. Focus to the distance you want to recall and then press the button (I can't remember but you may need to hold it in for a second and may hear a beep). Then anytime you push the Focus Function Button on the lens it instantly goes to that set distance.
arbitrage wrote:
AF-L: This can be programmed to a number of things via the Custom Functions f1 menu. I have mine programmed to switch to Group AF and initiate AF. That is the AF-ON + Area Mode option.
AF-ON: This just initiates AF using whatever AF mode you have set as your main AF mode via the AF mode selector on the left side of the lens mount. Basically just duplicates that function from the AF-ON button.
Memory Recall: This option is to instantly recall a certain focus distance. There is a button on the lens near the rear of the lens that you push to set the distance. Focus to the distance you want to recall and then press the button (I can't remember but you may need to hold it in for a second and may hear a beep). Then anytime you push the Focus Function Button on the lens it instantly goes to that set distance....Show more →
It worked! (Memory Recall), exactly as you described
Now, when it sees right through the bird I want it to acquire, and begins hunting into the "wild blue yonder" for what is not there, I can instantly pull it back to the feeder area, where all these birds are in the first place.
Thank you
i had missed that little "Memory Set” button tucked into the right corner, at the camera-end of the lens barrel.
This lens is wonderful in many ways. It is staying attached to my D850.
For me, the *only* thing it lacks is the inability to quickly "pull back” to a wider FOV when I find myself too close to an animal. I'll work around this.
A zoom brings much-added weight and bulk. For a handheld shooter, the things this 500 5.6 PF excel at, far outweigh its inability to zoom.
Just a spring mix of what I could find...
The wood ducks were in the mist and required a bit of aggressive processing... not my best, but it represents what's around on April 5th in MN.
I have found a great horned owl nest with a pair of owlets. While I have yet to see the adults, the pair appears to be well cared for. However,... sticks abound, they are the bane of my photographic existence!
OwlsEyes wrote:
I have found a great horned owl nest with a pair of owlets. While I have yet to see the adults, the pair appears to be well cared for. However,... sticks abound, they are the bane of my photographic existence!
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as we see the Woodpeckers do; i.e. maybe it just didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, this adult apparently was migrating here to breed (Maine, or passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy needs. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came right during this shoot!
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
Next day, April 10: It did not return. I like to hope/believe it survived the night and chose to forge on toward its destination.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
I decided to visit the owls nest today. One of the siblings has left the nest and the other now has the penthouse to itself.
I managed to get a relatively stick-free perspective, but now had to contend with an overcast sky...
Nature is simply perfect with its imperfections...
Late last evening, (as the exif suggests). The last photo was 20 mins later than the first two.
Last photo shows a snip of the 3rd, notice below the left youngster the small slice of an eye.
American Goldfinch’s from today, April 14, 2020. As of this winter, there have been 10 continuous generations of resident AGF’s here. All of Maine is fully within their year-round range.
The Eastern Phoebe returned, or did not leave. Temperatures have not increased again for much insect movement. There are plenty of sunflower seeds but It will not touch them ..... at least not yet. I can only guess that it is getting all its energy from suet.
I feed these guys *a few* unsalted in-shell peanuts in the winter time. Once in a while a young one will show up at my front door or atop the front hedge ........ just looking up at me. They know I'm soft-hearted. I'll toss out one or two peanuts.
