Just obtained a superb condition 500 f4 VR!

[Lance B]

Congratulations mate and welcome to the super-tele club. I am just waiting to see it on the D7000 with 2xTCIII = 1500mm!!
Will it still AF on the D700/7000 @ f/8?? (with the TC's I mean)

Thanks for the nice wishes, Wayne!

Apparently the 2x TCIII works very well on the 500 f4, as Sar has sent me a sample pic that he took using this very same lens (as he knows the guy I bought it off) and it is as sharp and clear as if the TC wasn't even used! However, Sar has brilliant technique!

I will be giving it a try one day to see how well it works.

This is a lens you will no doubt own for some time to come, I know I love my 400/2.8VR and will probably own it as long as I own a Nikon F-Mount body and still shoot pics. I think you may find it a bit more challenging on a full day at the zoo, esp if you don't take a mono.

Like the 400, they are really in the real pro grade and they have IQ to match (as does the 300 f2.8). But, they are big and heavy and require support for any length of time. I will usually take my mono with me if I have thoughts of using the 500 f4.

I'm wondering if you are now considering a Wimberley or other Gimbal, I know I have been for a while because even on the mono, moving the 400 around chasing birds overhead etc isn't easy..

I have a Benro Gimbal head which I will use at some stage, but have not tried it in anger yet. Chasing birds with a tripod and Gimbal head is well, for the birds! I'd rather use a monopod, but will probably end up having to use it for some subject matter. Sar uses one of those heads that is like a swing and swivel system and he gets remarkable results.

[mongo]

Hello Mongo,
Not sure if you can mount a 301 X2 on the 500/4 VR. Otherwise it will be MF only.

quite right Sar. Mongo mistakenly read it as the manual "P" lens rather than the more modern "VR". In fact, the 301 would not work at all on the VR nor would you want to use it if you have a more modern converters.

[ving]

not jealous... not jealous....

congrats on the purchase

[Lance B]

not jealous... not jealous....

congrats on the purchase

Thank you very much!

[Wayne]

I have a Benro Gimbal head which I will use at some stage, but have not tried it in anger yet. Chasing birds with a tripod and Gimbal head is well, for the birds! I'd rather use a monopod, but will probably end up having to use it for some subject matter. Sar uses one of those heads that is like a swing and swivel system and he gets remarkable results.

Do you mean a Wimberley head? That is a swing type head that basically makes the lens weightless, and it is what I was referring to above

[Lance B]

Do you mean a Wimberley head?

Possibly, although when I did a web search I couldn't find it.

That is a swing type head that basically makes the lens weightless, and it is what I was referring to above

Sounds like it as Sar's version certainly makes the lens feel weightless.

[petersimages]

Wonderful. It may be expensive and heavy. But the contrast, color and sharpness is on another level with your excellent prime lens. The images verify this!

[Wayne]

Possibly, although when I did a web search I couldn't find it.



Sounds like it as Sar's version certainly makes the lens feel weightless.

Like this one mate;

http://www.tripodhead.com/products/wimberley-main.cfm

[vharperv]

Well you just paid the trump card these are brilliant and my favourite little variegated wren as well. just love your work mate. i hate to think what that lens would cost new.
vera

[Lance B]

Wonderful. It may be expensive and heavy. But the contrast, color and sharpness is on another level with your excellent prime lens. The images verify this!

Thank you very much, Peter.

I am sorry for the late reply to your kind comment, but I missed your post.

[Lance B]

Like this one mate;

http://www.tripodhead.com/products/wimberley-main.cfm

Very sorry for the late reply, Wayne.

Thank you for posting the info, which is very helpful. This is not the type that Sar uses, but it is similar top the Benro version that I have but haven't used it with the 500 f4 VR, yet.

[Lance B]

Well you just paid the trump card these are brilliant and my favourite little variegated wren as well. just love your work mate. i hate to think what that lens would cost new.
vera

Hi Vera. Thank you for the nice comments.

I see we can also converse on Ausphotography as well as on PBase.

[cupic]

I can visualize that D800e with this missile sadly if your lucky the Nikon will be lucky to reach these shores by Xmas
Unless you spring for a O/S junket

cheers

[Lance B]

I can visualize that D800e with this missile sadly if your lucky the Nikon will be lucky to reach these shores by Xmas
Unless you spring for a O/S junket

cheers

My D800 is on order and hopefully is to be here in March.

[richardb]

But........no pict of the tele on a tripod and ur cam fixed to it....????
we r anxiously waiting for it. Show it to us.

[Lance B]

But........no pict of the tele on a tripod and ur cam fixed to it....????
we r anxiously waiting for it. Show it to us.

I shall attempt to post one up for all to see soon.