Granted the 500 PF will be a monetary reach, but its the reason I'm getting a D500 in the first place. Once that happens what would you consider as must have lenses for the D500 ?
The 200-500 is good in the center and not so good in the corners, so would be a good choice for the D500. Then, consider the f/4 long tele primes, because you get better autofocus capabilities at f/4 than at f/5.6 - in this regard, a f/4 lens on DX is better than a f/5.6 lens on FX.
This all depends on what you shoot, and your preferences. So I have 60mm, 105mm, 85mm TS and 200mm micro lenses. And I have 20mm and 28mm F1.8 primes. And a 300mm F4 AFS lens. They suit my needs. But these might be totally inappropriate for you. I find that lenses with ED elements have more snap, with richer colours. Maybe I’m totally deluded, hay ho.
Nikon 300 f4 PF w/wo TC 14 III, 500 f4, and Sigmas 60-600 Sport see the most ACTION.
My 14 other lenses mostly see an FX body, when I'm not dialing in dem BIF.
LeifG wrote:
This all depends on what you shoot, and your preferences. So I have 60mm, 105mm, 85mm TS and 200mm micro lenses. And I have 20mm and 28mm F1.8 primes. And a 300mm F4 AFS lens. They suit my needs. But these might be totally inappropriate for you. I find that lenses with ED elements have more snap, with richer colours. Maybe I’m totally deluded, hay ho.
However, getting a D500 implies a certain area of use for the camera. I wouldn't buy a D500 to shoot landscapes with wide angle lenses. (However, if you have decided on getting a D500 for sports or wildlife, there is nothing wrong with adding and ultrawide for the occasional landscape image.)
Bsmooth wrote:
Granted the 500 PF will be a monetary reach, but its the reason I'm getting a D500 in the first place. Once that happens what would you consider as must have lenses for the D500 ?
now that all depends how and what one does for work. the variables can be infinite as the D500 is a very versatile body.
AcuteShadows wrote:
However, getting a D500 implies a certain area of use for the camera. I wouldn't buy a D500 to shoot landscapes with wide angle lenses. (However, if you have decided on getting a D500 for sports or wildlife, there is nothing wrong with adding and ultrawide for the occasional landscape image.)
actually you'll shoot with what you have at the time things present themselves. you just need to have the optics that fit the image.
Primary use will be Birds in Flight, but I shoot macros with the occasional land and seascape as well. But primarily it will be for Birds and wildlife.
Bsmooth wrote:
Primary use will be Birds in Flight, but I shoot macros with the occasional land and seascape as well. But primarily it will be for Birds and wildlife.
things that need to be stated to keep the riff raff like me away
Your 500 PF will thrill you. My opinion the 16-80 2.8/4 is special on that body too.
That said, I usually use the 200-500 as it too matches so well with the D500 for birds and other 'out there' subjects, the 500 PF is on D5.
Bsmooth wrote:
Primary use will be Birds in Flight, but I shoot macros with the occasional land and seascape as well. But primarily it will be for Birds and wildlife.
You can’t go wrong with most Nikon micro lenses, pick up a 60mm or 105mm and it can do land/seascapes too. The 105mm is better for insects but still too short for skittish ones. A modest priced light wide zoom might do for landscapes, I’m sure someone can suggest one.
At the price, the D500 is a bargain for outdoor photography - versatile and tough. Arguably it's very hard rto beat for action genres (unless you need to crop beyond DX factor, and/or print huge). I have now seen several of these cameras that keep on working in rough conditions in central Africa, including Angola.
Wildlife Subjects demanding reach: 200-500 f5.6, 80-400 G. I also had excellent results with 70-200 f2.8E FL + TC14 III. My key prime was the 300 f2.8G VRII, usually with TCs - all 3 combos are excellent, and many times I shot it as a 600 f5.6, but remember TCs (TC2 III especially) do not hold up IQ beyond 25m. However I also agree a 300 PF is hard to beat in most situations, for which it's an excellent investment. The 500 PF is very well worth the price - not only is it unique but a revolutionary combo of haptics and reach especially on the D500.
Macros: 55 and 60 Micro-Nikkors and 70-180 Micro-Nikkors. But today's AFS macros from Sigma and Tamron have overtaken Nikon's (especially for price). But a Used 60 f2.8G is still excellent. Don't forget the 300 PF doubles up being excellent for "close ups" especially on flowers, fungi and larger invertebrates
Landscapes : 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G is probably the best option to get an UW, especially at the price: given strictures of the DX crop-factor (see reviews eg Thom Hogan's). But don't overlook a decent Used 18-35 G (mine does very well on 45mp sensors) this zoom is light too and my main lens for travel and general shooting (+ 300 PF with TCs). The affordable 28-105 AFD is a very affordable medium travel zoom, as the corners have less penalty on IQ in DX. This classic Nikkor also has a very useful Macro function.
Photozack81 wrote:
I like the 24-120 f/4 on the D500. My 105 f/2.8D lens works great, as does the 50 f/1.8D
None of these are particularly useful for wildlife, but they are my most used lenses that are not my 400 f/2.8.
I would use the hell out of that 16-80 if I had one but they are rare as hen's teeth over here.
The 16-80 is a wonderful lens. I used the heck out of it on my D500 and D7200. Sharp, nice range, a shade faster at the long end than the 24-120 - and more compact. Nothing not to like. Only sold mine as I sold my DX bodies. Wish the 24-70 S f4 for my Z7 had the same range.
If you need wider, I found the latest Tamron 10-24 VC very good but there are other options I have not tried that may be better.
I happen to love what the D500 has to offer a nature photographer. The only thing that might have moved me away from my small army of D500's would have been a D780 w/ the D500's AF system. For me, the 20-24MP image is near ideal for everything from 30" prints to magazine publications. Because Nikon did not put the modern AF module in the D780, I will stick w/ my cameras. Any of the four 70-200mm lenses (VR1, VR2, f/4, or E) works well w/ the D500. In addition, if you want a "faster" wildlife pro lens at a consumer price, check out the 200-400mm f/4 VR1. I have seen these range from $1600-$2200 depending on condition. For wildlife adventures, I put my D500s on my 70-200 f/2.8E, 200-400 f/4, and 500mm PF. All six pieces fit in a Mindshift (Moose) MP-1 bag... this has been my go to combo for the last 12 months or so.
70-300 AFP also - FX model is the wiser investment
I bought the D500 to go on the 500PF for bird photography. I need something for shorter focal lengths for closer big birds and tried two copies of the 70-300 AFP FX this week (in a store, one used). Both were a bit soft at 300mm and one very soft on the left hand side at 70mm. Worst was that VR at 300mm was poor when examined for high level detail, although looking very stable through the viewfinder or for looking at landscapes. I had to go 1/500s - 1/1000s to get a tack sharp images at the bird feather level. Is this normal? Or, have I been unlucky with those copies.
