My D500 arrived the other day and am impressed with this newer piece of technology. A friend of mine lent me some lenses to try out. Badger is an ideal test subject and pulled off this shot with matrix meter on, Av mode, Iso 1000, f7.1, 1/6400 sec, -0.3ev compensation. Raw file was clean with little grain and highlight recovery produced excellent details in the white regions of Badger's nose. I used an older Nikkor 105 mm f2.8 which focused quickly. It will take a while to master the autofocus technology and it is far more complex than my K5 IIs's AF. Sadly, I'll sell off my Pentax equipment which served me well over the years and start picking up lenses for the D500.
For macro and dog portraits, the 105 mm f2.8 is a pretty good choice. I also shot macro with a 200 mm f2.8 and that lens is also a fantastic, but pricey macro lens. For birds, I have a lot of ideas, but not sure whether to go with a zoom or prime telephoto system. A 300 mm f2.8 is one of the more versatile lenses when coupled with a teleconverter or extension tubes. The 200-500mm f5.6 zoom and Sigma 100-600mm Sport are possibilities. Zoom lenses certainly can help out with getting better framed comps. I did see some 500 and 600mm telephotos that can produce impressive results. If you have any suggestions or experiences with Nikon lens technology, please respond, by all means. Thank you.....................Jim
I use both my Nikon 200-400 and 200-500 with my D500. Both work very well. The 200-400 is faster and F4. You can use the new 1.4 teleconverter with the 200-500 in good light. It gives you F8 and puts you around 1000 on the D500.
After lots of shooting it is easy to see the D500 is not as good as the D750 at higher ISOs but that should be expected. I try to stay at 2000 or under with the D500.
I am thinking seriously about the 300 f2.8 and purchasing the 2x teleconverter for it. It is one of the most versatile prime lenses and will be suitable with extension for large bug and flower photography. The 300mm f4, although sharp, does not have enough reach..............................Jim
Discussion
2 repliesFor macro and dog portraits, the 105 mm f2.8 is a pretty good choice. I also shot macro with a 200 mm f2.8 and that lens is also a fantastic, but pricey macro lens. For birds, I have a lot of ideas, but not sure whether to go with a zoom or prime telephoto system. A 300 mm f2.8 is one of the more versatile lenses when coupled with a teleconverter or extension tubes. The 200-500mm f5.6 zoom and Sigma 100-600mm Sport are possibilities. Zoom lenses certainly can help out with getting better framed comps. I did see some 500 and 600mm telephotos that can produce impressive results. If you have any suggestions or experiences with Nikon lens technology, please respond, by all means. Thank you.....................Jim
After lots of shooting it is easy to see the D500 is not as good as the D750 at higher ISOs but that should be expected. I try to stay at 2000 or under with the D500.
Good luck with it.
I am thinking seriously about the 300 f2.8 and purchasing the 2x teleconverter for it. It is one of the most versatile prime lenses and will be suitable with extension for large bug and flower photography. The 300mm f4, although sharp, does not have enough reach..............................Jim