Conrad Tan wrote:
I'm thinking of getting the 500mm next. I think the 500 + the 50D would make a pretty formidable combo. Not too sure if I can use it for BIF shots thought! Haha!
Conrad, I'd suggest you rent that 500 f/4 first so that you can test it for 2-3 days.
The 500 f/4 makes a great pod mounted lens, for targets that lend themselves to be captured on a pod mounted rig. For handheld photography the lens is less than ideal, and more so the faster and more intense the action becomes. That's where the 400 f/5.6 is hard to beat at 20% of the 500 f/4 price.
You know, if you get the 500mm, we won't let you post on this thread anymore.... Check out some of the posts on the "Nature & Wildlife" forum... lots of fabulous BIF shots with the 500mm and probably the 50D too.
Man Chris... Getting kicked off a thread I started! You guys are cold! Haha!
harrygilbert wrote:
I have the 400/5.6 and 500/4 (thanks to an understanding wife) and find that sometimes the sound of the IS and/or the reflection from the larger front glass surface spooks the critters (when I'm working close-in), something I don't get with the 400. But, if you get the 500, you'll not be sorry for the IQ. It's a marvelous lens.
If you get the 500, be sure to budget for the Bushhawk and Wimberly QR mount. I also put a Wimberly P5 Arca-Type Universal Quick Release Plate on the bottom of the Bushhawk, so I can use my monopod with RRS Hi-Capacity Monopod Head with B2-Pro II. Expensive, but well worth it in terms of versatility. ...Show more →
Thanks Harry. I will keep those in mind. You just added another grand to my budget! Damn it! Haha! I KNEW someone here would have both and would share the experience! Gotta love this forum!
PetKal wrote:
Conrad, I'd suggest you rent that 500 f/4 first so that you can test it for 2-3 days.
The 500 f/4 makes a great pod mounted lens, for targets that lend themselves to be captured on a pod mounted rig. For handheld photography the lens is less than ideal, and more so the faster and more intense the action becomes. That's where the 400 f/5.6 is hard to beat at 20% of the 500 f/4 price.
I've considered that too Peter! There's an outfit here that rents them so once Danno calls me to go shooting I'll go out and rent it first and see how I like it. The motivation for this is I'm trying to find and photograph the holy grail of birds in this area, a bald eagle. I hear there are a couple around in Berkeley hills, Fremont hills and at my folks area in Benicia, all about an hours drive from each other. Once I find out where any one of is, I'll go rent the 500mm or maybe even the 600mm and see what I can get! Thanks again Peter!
Even a good sharp bird against a vacant sky looks kinda sterile when compared to even marginally captured birds in unusual surroundings and varied backgrounds.
PetKal wrote:
Even a good sharp bird against a vacant sky looks kinda sterile when compared to even marginally captured birds in unusual surroundings and varied backgrounds.
Thank you kindly, Conrad, I think I am going to drop 400 f/5.6 for a while now and take the "Chubby" to the lake tomorrow, see how she does terns after almost 2 years of dormancy.
philtax wrote:
I have had such a good time following this thread that it actually inspired me to crawl out on a bluff and take a few pictures of birds. Now you must understand that this is my first attempt at this so these are far below the level of most of the photos in this thread. Still I felt the need to contribute, if only to let you all know how much better you are than some of us!
These were taken on the bluff at Sea Ranch, about 100 miles north of SF. Lots of birds seem to be flying north into amazingly stiff headwinds. Their relatively slow flight is probably the only reason I could get these shots at all. These were taken with a 5d II, a 70-200 2.8 IS and a 1.4x.
Hey Phil! Glad to have helped (hopefully) get you crawling on bluffs and off your duff! Nice shots man. I like the pelicans especially.
Now since you are (again hopefully) in the Bay Area, you should go out and shoot some here in the South Bay sometime. There are more birds here than you can shake a stick at! Thanks for contributing!
PetKal wrote:
Thank you kindly, Conrad, I think I am going to drop 400 f/5.6 for a while now and take the "Chubby" to the lake tomorrow, see how she does terns after almost 2 years of dormancy.
"Chubby" Hehe... good name. Can't wait to see the results man!
Ok that's enough for now... I'm literally waiting for all the images to download as I type this from my SECOND CF card! Hehe.... I hope you all enjoy them! Good guess by the way Peter. And Wing, you HAVE to get out there and redeem your Wing Tong Eagle that Peter has been busting your balls over Haha!
