D500, your valuable opinion.

Good day to you all, trying to make up my mind for the next camera, I ask for your valuable opinion.

The past: D100, D2h, D2x, D3, D4.

Wildlife only, but recently also people, mainly ethnic minorities; I use my gear only when I travel, a new house project has postponed my next trip to March 2017.

I just sold the AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED II, it was 10 years old, time to replace it, and two D4’s, better decision then keep them inside a Dry Cabinet for the next 18 months.

I was considering the D5 as natural successor, but after reading on the D500 I changed my mind, it looks like an ideal camera for my use: 20.9MPX, fast auto-focus, 10 fps, acceptable high ISO, auto AF fine-tune, and the 1.5 crop factor a real plus for wildlife. Do I miss something ?

The 500mm FL was a made decision, but if the D500 is the choice, the 400mm seems more suitable, it will make an excellent 600mm at 2.8. Furthermore I always try to use the 500mm hand held and the weight of the D500/400mm will be slightly lighter than the D4/500mm.

What do you think, too good to be true ?

Thank you for your comments, my very best to you all.

I dont use primes lenses but one year ago a photographer lend me his 600mm for an hour in a birding tour on a boat, i used my d300s. That combo was sweat, plenty of reach, took nice picture of small kingfisher. I used a tripod and gimball and liked alot. I didnt care how much it weigth.

anyway, i would go d500 and 600mm for birds and small animals.

I had several hundred dollars in deposit for down payment on the first D400. Well, I finally wound up with a D800. I was more than ready for a tick-up over the D300s. I wish I had the D500 now, I think it's going to be an awesome camera.

I think the D500 would be an excellent choice for you.  For the difference in price (from the D5) you could buy a D750 to go with the D500 and still have a great, low light, full-frame option!

Bill thank you, you just nailed it !

For people, I doubt there will be any difference between DX and FX, I mostly use 24-120 and 70-200.

By the way those two bobcat cubs are really special !

Regards,

robertofabbri wrote:

Bill thank you, you just nailed it !

For people, I doubt there will be any difference between DX and FX, I mostly use 24-120 and 70-200.

By the way those two bobcat cubs are really special !

Regards,

Hi Roberto,

I do not know if you have realized it but the 400mm f2.8E FL is heavier than the 500mm f4E FL lens. The 400mm is 3900 grams while the 500mm is 3090 grams, 810 grams difference.

I use the 500mm f4E FL on my D7200 body, often with the 1.4x TC III, when I want a light long telephoto for reach. It works well hand held, although I brace it against a solid surface if it is available. I shot many bird images with this combination this year and very pleased with the results. That said, I have an order for the D500. Once I get it I'll sell the D7200 and my D4. The D500 will provide speed and more resolution than the D4 has while its 20.9 Mp newly designed sensor will likely provide cleaner images than the ones I get from the D7200.

I'll keep my D810 beside the D500 so I'll have high resolution landscape and fast action bird-wildlife covered between the two cameras.

I enclose a few images taken with the D7200 and 500mm f4E FL. I took them in late October on a day when the temperature suddenly dropped by Lake Erie and occasional sleet showers made photography "enjoyable".

Best regards, AIK

Juvenile Red-Winged Blackbird in driving sleet, ready for migration.

About 40% crop of the frame.

Blue Heron Fishing

Distant shot, about 40% cropping of the frame.

Blue Heron guarding his fishing spot.

Distant shot, about 30% cropping of the frame.

AIK thank you.

Yes I did and let me explain: I hand held my D4 (1,340 gr.) with the 500mm D no VR (3,430 gr.) total 4,770 gr. The D500 (860 gr.) with the 400mm FL (3,800 gr.) total 4,660 gr., slightly lighter.

The 500mm FL was the choice for the D5, but I doubt I'll buy it, the D500 is more suitable for my photography; the 400mm f/2.8 it is extremely intriguing on a DX, 600mm at f/2.8 and with TC 1.4, 840mm at f/4.0, I am positive it will work very well.

Your images are very sharp!

Cheers,

Never hurts to get a bit of pre-release speculation, I guess, but the most valuable info for you to make a decision on will only be available after they are out the door and a bunch of fellows have run them through their paces. Quite a few good photographers on here have them on pre-order, so you'll get some good info here once they're out.