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Hi there,

I went out today to photography some birds with my 500 f4 attached to the camera. This was the first time I've really been able to get out and give this lens a test run (even if it was only for 2 hours). I found this lens to be very bad for my photography...

Because it is soft you ask? No! Because it doesn't autofocus fast enough? No. Too big? No.... Because every single person who saw me with this lens felt the need to come over and talk to me about it and exclaim how big/expensive it is. I don't think the birds liked the attention.

Does anyone else have this problem with your larger lenses?

Paul

I don't own any lenses big enough to be commented on

If you don't mind me asking, how much did that beast set you back?

I bought it second hand for $4200. It's the AFS-I version and not the newer AFS-II. I couldn't be happier with the (very few) shots I have taken with it so far.

Paul

I was up Nelson Bay with Stubbsy last weekend with my 200-400VR and a monopod, each of my steps, there was someone "chimp" and asked, I ignored and shot, finally "poor" stubbsy had to answer their questions and I walked away.

Nikonuser, that problem will never stop. The only solution is for me to swap my 45P 2.8 for your 500/4 AFS (no money either way of course). No one ever asks about that lens (except people who know something about Nikons). Enjoy your lens

Glen wrote:Nikonuser, that problem will never stop. The only solution is for me to swap my 45P 2.8 for your 500/4 AFS (no money either way of course). No one ever asks about that lens (except people who know something about Nikons). Enjoy your lens

you bet me to it!

hmmm ... I put gaffer tape of the labels on my camera to avoid those questions .... my hunch is they don't make a big enough tape for your 500mm though!

I get this when I'm out with my 80-400. Not as impressive as the 500 though! They always ask if I am a pro or do it for fun. Plus they ask what I am taking photos of. I find sometimes it's a good thing because people will offer information of where the best places are to find birds or animals. Or they'll tell you they've just seen something down a track.

Yup, rock up anywhere with a long lens and people assume that you are either a rich dill or a pro photog

Oneputt wrote:Yup, rock up anywhere with a long lens and people assume that you are either a rich dill or a pro photog

Hmmm. I'm not a pro photog....

Yeah, better to pass yourself off as a pro.

Hang on i will just get my violins out!

Seriously though, I have seen plenty of chimping, and even did a bit myself when i was starting out. Now I just lust. When i finally get a decent long lense i look forward to the first Nikon chimp who comes up to pick over it. I guess after a while it would drag - eg Birdy's comment.

I'm no Pro Photog either.... Or rich for that matter.

I guess that just leaves 'dill'

I really guess you're shooting in the wrong spots
I've only had one group of Americans say in a loud yank voice "Whoaa look at the size of that lens!".

All the other times I've been out doing bird photography there hasn't been a sausage in sight.

I take it you've got it fixed, are you happy with the results of it? I'm still hunting for a 500MM F4. I'll probably end up selling my 70-200VR and get a 300 F2.8 and a 500MM F4 both second hand. Get a 1.4x TC and a 2.0x TC and I'll be set.

I've gone out several times with other Canon guys + Big Canon guns same as few Nikon fellows and they have more heavy lenses than I do but none of people come around and ask.
Depend where you are going to shoot, some might "chimp" but others just walked past as usual.
Don't need to be rich + pro photogs to own the pro lenses as 300/400/500/600mm, just work hard or be the boss of the family or a decisson maker and a primary signatory of your cheque book or be single, forget about fiancees, girl friends, honeymoon, tatatatata, and you'll be reward.

I haven't fixed the lens yet kipper. I'm just using a piece of matchstick to keep the tab on the D70's body open while using this lens. Works fine until I can find some time to get up to Collingwood.

Paul

No one ever bothers me when I'm down at the beach photographing surfers with my freebie Tamron 70-300mm!

Anyway, would any sane person take a nice Nikkor lens out waist deep in the Pacific Ocean?

Max

kipper wrote:I've only had one group of Americans say in a loud yank voice "Whoaa look at the size of that lens!".

All the other times I've been out doing bird photography there hasn't been a sausage in sight.

Kipper, you should really find more polite girlfriends

I know how you feel NikonUser, my porno career is suffering.

Trent, just use your 1.7 TC to make everything look 1.7 times bigger