Getting used to the beast

[coastalconn]

I knew it was a serious commitment getting the 500 F4. After a few outings I am getting used to it. I'm crazy enough that the 8.5# lens is my walk around lens and I have only been shooting it henadheld with the TC. I think my fine tune is still a touch off, but I just wanted to shoot and not really test it today. I am really happy with the way it renders images. And long term it is a good health investment hiking 5-10 miles a day with 11.5# of gear strapped on.. Thank for looking, comments welcome..

1
Monk Parakeet 5_31 by Kristofer Rowe, on Flickr

2
Glossy Ibis 5_31 1 by Kristofer Rowe, on Flickr

3
Red Bellied Woodpecker 5_31 by Kristofer Rowe, on Flickr

4
Great Egret 5_31 1 by Kristofer Rowe, on Flickr

5
Osprey 5_31 by Kristofer Rowe, on Flickr

6
Monk Parakeet 5_31 by Kristofer Rowe, on Flickr

7
Glossy Ibis 5_31 2 by Kristofer Rowe, on Flickr

 

[Rgollar]

Man there all good but to me 3 and 6 are awesome.

 

[Gary A.]

Damn Dude ... your images have just gone up a notch from amazing to ... I dunno ... more amazing.

 

[baturn]

Wow! All are wonderful, but #2 for me.

 

[LilyBee]

Those are some great pics!

 

[John Hunt]

That is one heck of a walk around lens! I look at your images and wonder why I even own a camera. These are fantastic!

 

[Mattis]

5 and 6 are awesome! Nicely done^^
I think you are doing a pretty good job taming that beast!

 

[pixmedic31]

so whats the real comparison between this and the tamron?
how does it feel compared to the tamron, having only the one focal length to work with?
hows the focus and VR?
are you noticing any differences having f/4 at that length?

its obviously working out really well for you, but so was the tamzooka.
how much of a step up is this at the 500mm mark?

 

[Raj_55555]

Awesome post as always Kris, curious to see what you can do with the beast.

Btw I have the same questions as Pix.

 

[JacaRanda]

Haaaaaaaaaaaaa Kris, are you having fun yet? Sweetness.
I hope people not only appreciate your photography skills, but also where and how you get to the subjects.

 

[JamesScott86]

Excellent captures - well taken.

 

[Hunter58]

Nice set, I like #6 best, great capture.

 

[Derrel]

Super fabulous shot of that great egret snatching that little fish or whatever (tadpole?pollywog?) from the water! And such a perfect broadside bird!

 

[runnah]

Sigh...now I want one!

 

[coastalconn]

Thank you all!

so whats the real comparison between this and the tamron?
how does it feel compared to the tamron, having only the one focal length to work with?
hows the focus and VR?
are you noticing any differences having f/4 at that length?
its obviously working out really well for you, but so was the tamzooka.
how much of a step up is this at the 500mm mark?

Awesome post as always Kris, curious to see what you can do with the beast.
Btw I have the same questions as Pix.

Well that is the million dollar question, well maybe not a million but several grand.. So lets see.

1 Sharpness. Wide open at 500 it is sharper than the Tamron at F8 and I think I had a great copy of the Tamron. The colors and contrast are really top notch and it really gives the 3d pop with the creamy bokeh and back ground separation. I would say I shot the Tamron at 600mm 99% of the time.

2 I actually have 2 focal lengths, I have 500 F4 and 700 F5.6. I've been using the TC quite often and it is good wide open and great by f8.

3 The VC on the Tamron was more effective, however it only had to stabilize 4 pounds and is rated to 4 stops. The IS is only rated at 2 stops and has to throw around a 8.5# lens. I have gotten very sharp shots at 1/320th handheld with the Canon though.

4 it's a chick magnet more so than the Tamron. as in my what a big lens you have I've only had 2 people ask me so far if I can see the moon with that thing.

5 It's hard to give a comparison in absolute terms as Nikon has the noticeably better sensor and the Canon is more apt to blow highlights do to the lack of DR. Also the Canon produces more shadow noise which is a bit more difficult to deal with.

6 Shooting handheld isn't really that bad. The 500 balances really well with the grip. By comparison my friend has a 300 F2.8 and it is 2 pounds lighter, but feels heavier because the balance is off