Changing My Mind About Wildlife Photography 

I used to hunt wildlife until my little girl called my attention. God’s creatures she called them. So, I switched now focusing a telephoto lens using a viewfinder instead of aiming a rifle barrel through a telescopic sight. You still have to learn and study their habitats in order to capture their glory in photos and videos - but no longer with a kill shot.

Very proud of you man. You are one of the few RU-vidrs I can relate too. Not just as a wildlife photographer but as a disabled vet. You will love that lens. I can't part with my 100-500 lol but hopefully one day I'll get a big prime for my car photography. By the way, Congratulations on the 100k subs. You deserve every bit of success going forward. Cheers, brother and happy shooting 📸

Hard to watch your videos and not think… “what a good dude!” Despite the sacrifice of your other kit, you’re not going to regret your purchase… the fast primes really are game changing in every way. You’ll continue to be thrilled with the images you can capture and the light you can capture them in. Wish you great success and more so, great joy and health!

God Bless You, Brent, on your new (modified) Professional Photography journey. Looking at the recent pictures that you have been capturing, I see the development in your proficiency and style. You are on the right track toward success. I'm an 86 year-old wildlife hobbyist, and you have re-kindled my desire to get out and shoot more. Thank you!!

Thank you for your service. Hoping your healing continues. Excited for you and for pursuing what you love!

Keep strong… I’m also a Disabled Veteran since Vietnam War & part of the VA Healthcare system. They are fantastic. Love your photography. I also do wildlife and nature photography mostly.

Congratulations on your accomplishments! Anxious to see more wildlife photography! Thanks for taking me along!

Congratulations on 100k👏! Great video, amazing photos, amazing confession. Enjoy your new lens, enjoy the life and do only things that make you happy! All the best, Mira

Great video, Brent. I really enjoy your videos. Your knowledge is very relatable and I've learned a lot from you over the years. It sounds like you are in a great place and I do wish you better health now and into the future. My interest has always been in your wildlife videos but I watch pretty much everything you put out because it is so enjoyable.

Congratulations!!! On so many levels, congratulations to you!! I can definitely relate to your decision making process. I go through the same struggles almost daily. I wish you the very best of luck and look forward to watching you continue to grow!

Very impressed that you’re willing to share so much regarding your personal and professional journey. It’s never easy to be vulnerable when making big life decisions. I think that lens is still a great balance of IQ, portability, and (relative) affordability, and have no doubt your continued results will be fantastic.

I can definitely relate to your situation, brother. As a disabled vet myself, I spent about 10 years away from photography where I really just couldn’t get the motivation to get out there. I still struggle with that, and physical problems as well, but last Cyber Monday I switched from my DSLRs and picked up an R7. A couple of weeks ago I found a used RF 100-400 and 800 f/11 for the same price as a new 800. I’ve been out a couple of times with the new gear and I’m really loving it! The very first trip to a local beach yielded some great Bald Eagle and Osprey shots. The light weight and image quality over my old DSLRs and lenses is phenomenal. I’m still debating on selling my old L-series lenses or not, but since most of them weigh more than my new camera and lens together, it’ll probably happen. Best of luck to you and your “camera lady”.

Thanks for a great video. When you reach a certain point in the wildlife photography journey gear really does matter. I am also somewhat limited by physical health issues and doubt I could make good use of a heavy lens, but the IQ. especially in low light, really extends the range of what's possible. The most important thing is to be happy with the gear that you have and to feel that you are making progress. I look forward to seeing what the future brings and the images you take.

Thanks for taking us along on your journey 🦅

Love the honesty! GOD Bless

I’d rather watch a video of someone doing something they really enjoy and are enthusiastic about regardless of the kit they use. Good luck with the new direction. I’ll be coming along on the journey

You made the right choice to follow your passion. You can always get another wide angle down the road. I wish you nothing but success going forward, and can't wait to see what you capture. Just last week someone was giving me crap for having a crop sensor vs full frame. 90% of what i do is wildlife, and it's what I love doing.

I've had my Canon 400mm f2.8 for 20 years and it has seen thousands of miles. I can afford to replace it with a new/used version of it. BUT, it still works well. I have it mounted on a gimbal and carbon fiber tripod. Yes, the tripod and gimbal cost about a grand but I have had it for twenty years too. A well worth purchase for wildlife photography.

Congratulations Brent on your new lens! It is definitely a game changer as you already know. I am fortunate to have the rf600f4 and I am grateful every time I take it out. I love your channel and keep up the great work!

An Osprey shoot would be great. I think you did the right thing. You had time to think about it. You have specific ideas you want to pursue, accomplishments you want to achieve, and doing it for yourself. Do it with no regrets no matter how it turns out. You already sense what you chose to do is working and will continue to get closer where you want to be as a photographer. Thanks so much for sharing,

I have always loved your videos. My best wishes to you to achieve whatever you desire. Please continue to make videos for us.

That's awesome Brent, such an honest look at moving forward as a wildlife photographer and I'm excited to hear that you will doing much more wildlife. As you probably know I've got the 500mm F4 Mk II and I love it, weight, optical quality and it just sings as a wildlife lens. I understand where you are coming from as an Ex forces chap, I was in the Military for 22 years and it does take it's toll on all of us who have served. I'm kind of lucky that I've not received any physical injuries but the mental ones do still come and go. Lovely to see the Osprey coming in for the fish, such an amazing bird which I hope to photograph much more next year. Top work as always my friend. Looking forward to seeing more from you, sadly I don't always get time to leave you a comment but I enjoy your content very much. Cheers Rich 🙂

I went the other way. After some 15 years of using the 500 prime, I went for the 100-500. 500mm f4 primes are heavy and you can be lulled into thinking you can carry these things without any problem but years of doing so will build up possible injuries. It's not just the weight of the lens. You need a decent tripod to support it, which will be typically heavier, then you need a strong tripod head - more weight (and cost), then a large bag. Another thing to take into consideration is the time left to support repairs on these lenses. They are ideal for short walking distances where you can set them up on a stable platform and sit and wait, pointing in a particular direction waiting for a specific subject. The images you can get out of these are fantasitic and for me at least, they worked perfectly with the x1.4 extender. Since getting the 100-500, I sold the my Canon 500mm f4 as I just stopped using it. I can now travel around and enjoy nature and the outdoors more. I don't miss as many opportunities as I did with the more lumbersome prime. I thought I wouldn't be able to photograph at dawn anymore but the high ISO quality of cameras now and noise removal software, hasn't changed that. The one thing I do miss though is that lovely short depth of field and out of focus blur.

Great video Brent. You are one of the most inspiring photographers. Incredible shots of the Osprey, especially shaking off the water, amazing!! Can''t wait to see what you can do with that lens!!

Real happy for the way you are thing about your life. Good Luck with the rest of your Life. We Love you MAN

Fantastic video Brent. I love how down to earth and relatable you can talk about and upgrade that's out of reach for a lot of people, and even for yourself had you not made the necessary sacrifices to do so. I also love the message here, because whether you're upgrading from (say) a RF 100-400 to the 100-500 L, or from that to a big prime; you need to know for yourself if you're at that point (professionally and financially) to make the right choice. Sacrificing your 100-500 to do so sends an even more powerful message than just having the means to get one imo. Looking forward to your upcoming shots, and grats on the 100K!

Aweseom to hear your journey! All of us who create have a story to tell that the camera doesn't capture and we tend not to tell. It's videos like these that resignate with us as humans. Looking forward to more of your journey and epic work!

I'm just getting into Wildlife photography. I've been a photographer for over 20+ years. I'm looking to slowdown by doing street and now wildlife photography. Peace of mind is what I'm looking for but like you I needing to lose weight. Hiking and walking brings me serenity.

Great video man. Thank you for taking the time to explain how you were able to get the lens. I think it’s super relatable to us that in order to get something you really want you would have to sacrifice other things that you have for it since most of us aren’t made of money or are one of those influencers that get gear for free all the time. Looking forward to more videos with it!

Congrats on your acquisition of the 500mm. I understand the trade-offs you needed to make. Since I am primarily interested in wildlife photography, going forward I ams use that I will enjoy your youtube channel even more.

I'm happy for you, such a great lens to have and it will definitely help you take your wildlife to the level you want to. Don't feel bad about your being relatable changing, people relate to you and your experiences more so than the gear you use, and wit will be great to see your journey continue and progress :) I currently have the RF 100-500 and the R7, and I'm happy with it. I'd consider the 500 F4, but I can't justify the price (just a hobbiest, not a professional) and the weight and size wouldn't be ideal as I mainly do walkaround/handholding. So this way I can live vicariously through you and I'm sure others will feel the same. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!!!

So glad u got the new lense , enjoy it!!!

Wishing you the very, very best, Brent. You do you. Be happy. I've always enjoyed your content. I did not know that you are a disabled veteran. Thank you for your service. Remember, whatever you choose to share with us is a gift. You don't owe anyone an explanation. I'm really happy for you that you're getting your weight down and nutrition in order. Enjoy using your new lens. My friend has the same one and loves it. Your wildlife photos are exceptional. Continued success!!! ❤

Congrats on 100k and your new lens. Looks like you made the right choice👍👍

You will have no regrets! I bought a used EF 500mm f/4 IS 15 years ago, which was my best investment ever. Later I updated to version II that you own; lighter and even sharper. No problems on the R5 and R7 bodies either. This lens will deliver you lots of money shots to sell, so you should be able to buy back that RF 100-500 (which is also a killer lens btw - I bought one for more compact travel). The EF 1.4x version III extender is killer and even with the 2x III you can get decent shots (just touch it up a bit with Topaz or DXO). Especially with extenders, I do recommend a 1-stop higher aperture (so with 1.4x at f/5.6 try to go to f/8). That will get you into the sweet spot of the lens resulting in sharper images.

Congrats Brent & Camera Lady on the upgrade! I also want to thank you Brent for your brutally honest testimony that prodded me to finally quit putting off a much needed EF gear exchange. And while I have purchased used gear from KEH in the past, I have never sold gear & with that, I ran with your experience working with MPB. I am ecstatic to report that my experience was fantastic, their initial bids on my used gear were well within reason, and the free shipping went very smoothly. Now, for the final results … Never in my wildest dreams did I think that they would increase upon their initial bid on my gear given all but 2 I had marked ‘like new’ & the only item that got dinged was because I forgot to put the battery charger in the box, but it actually worked out because I still use it & thus will not have to replace it at a higher cost that what MPB decreased the price of that item by. So now the used RF lens I ordered that I was originally going to have to pay MPB a couple hundred on top of my trade-ins is coming free with an additional few hundred $$$ to be deposited in my bank account. I am so going to enjoy next season’s Osprey at our local pond, but until then we have plenty of eagles that winter close by due to year round open shallow water ways that are teaming with northern pike, carp & occasionally a walleye. Well these plus all the 2 & 4 legged wildlife that reside year round on & near the family homestead and the spring fed creek that runs trough it.

good luck. you sound an honest, sincere, trustworthy guy who on top does things i admire. all the best! keep making great videa and taking great photos.

Brent, no need to apologize for making yourself and your business better! I consider gear purchases an investment in my and my families future, I too updated a lens but it's already rewarding me. Personal note as well, I've adjusted my eating like you, lost 30lbs so far, feel so much better. It's amazing how a simple dietary change can boost your energy and metabolism. Keep up the good work and Congrats again on the 100k!

Good for you Brent! I've always appreciated your forthrightness and honesty in all of your videos, and enjoy them very much. I'm quite a bit older than you and still manage to carry my 600-f4-ii on my monopod and this works well for me. With the IS of the camera bodies ( I have an R5), I find the monopod works well for portability and image sharpness. PS. Like you, I am also a veteran.

Great lens, beautiful images, touching story, subscribed.

If you ever need to talk I am here my friemd, you are one hell of a guy and one hell of a nature photographer and glad you are doing more. You take care and as ever, always great to see your work.

I really enjoyed your story and how you got into wildlife photography. As a newcomer to this hobby, I can certainly attest to the money aspect of it and it’s very daunting. But I took the plunge and am having a blast doing so. Thank you for sharing your journey.

This was great on so many levels. First of all - happy that you are getting to a better place physically and mentally. Second - love taking the leap to the lens to challenge yourself, taking your photography to the next level. Completely understand that train of thought. I always liked your budget conscious approach to gear because it dovetails into how my brain thinks also. But, I also see the value in investing in gear that helps me grow. I've been turning my kit over for 20 years doing this. And I just did it when I did a similar move with MPB to get my R5. Everything that wasn't nailed down was traded in on that body. Maybe after next tax season, I'll be able to 'justify' the 'need' for a 500 F4 II.

Very excited for you and the new lens. Can't wait to see the photos. Now you have me looking at what I can sell to get a longer lens

Congrats on the prime lens, your one of my fav photographers to follow. I always feel like I want to get up and go out and shoot after I watch you videos 😊

In the beautiful moment outside ❤❤❤❤

Good on you!! and I mean that. Congrats!!! 👏 👏 👏

nice honest conversation - I appreciate it

Phew, going out on a limb by selling your favorite lens among other stuff surely must have been a tough decision... Respect! I always appreciated the variety of photography featured on your channel like landscapes, timelapses and astro, as well as the occasional gear review. But since I originally came for birds and wildlife and it still being my main fascination, I'm happy to see it's going to be more in focus. I wish you all the best and that your plans are paying off (also literally).

Congrats on the new addition. That lens is sharp and the perfect wildlife lens. Perfect size and weight.

BOOM! The journey continues! Congrats on the new lens and direction. Like you, I just picked up a ‘used’ Telephoto Prime (sony 600). It was a lot on so many levels. However, now that I have it … I am so glad I picked it up. Might have to come join you for a day of photography Brett. I’m up in the Denver area and am planning on coming down in the late fall for cranes and birds.

Awesome purchase! Looking forward to seeing you use it more. Certainly out of my price range, 😂 so I'll enjoy it through your eyes.

Congratulations on the new lens, new outlook, and hitting 100K subscribers! You are going to keep loving that lens. I have the R5 and the RF600mmf4 and love using them everyday I get out. I never want to use my other lenses (including the RF100-500mm). One thing to consider is the Whistling Wings Photography (another youtuber) harness system it is a game changer for me for useability, stability, and hikability (word?) of the super telephotos. I'm able to hike and shoot for long distances using only that harness system.

Hi Brent, just come across your channel over here in the U. K. result one new subscriber ! Pleased your getting deeper into the wildlife photography side of things has always been my main area of interest so looking forward to seeing more content from you. Cheers. 👍

Hello Brent, great images, but that's not what this is about, I think I perfectly understand you and sincerely wish you all the best in this change of direction and will hopefully be a fan and admirer for many years to come. Greetings from Brussels. Take care.

I'm excited to see more shots done with this monster lens😁

It’s so true! It doesn’t matter what gear you use, because there was a photographer that win a photography competition with his smartphone.

So happy for both your physical progress and that lens! I could never afford that one but I have a Sigma 500/4.5 and the look to images is something else compared to say f/8 or f/11. Really looking forward to more great images from you.

I really wish Canon had more affordable weather-sealed lenses. I actually sold all my Canon gear and bought a used G9 and the Leica-Lumix 100-400(plus some wider angle stuff) because I could have a well-sealed kit for a lot less money. I do miss the ability to shoot at iso 25600 and the AF isn't quite as good, but I'm happy with the switch.

Congrats on 100k, well deserved! Also, i invested into a first gen 500 f4 2-3 years ago, and even though it weighs a ton, i almost never use my 150-600. Once you get used to the sharpness, low light capabilities and image quality of a prime lens, there is no going back. Last advice: love my black rapid sling and i learned to rest with it then aim and shoot quickly. Dont like and dont recommend gimbals, they take away your freedom of movement and your mobility. My 2 cents.

I wish you every success Brent. You come across as a very honest, decent person and deserve every success after serving your beloved country. You will love the 500 F4 Ii. I’m lucky enough to have one for about 10 years and the image quality is fantastic from it. Look forward to seeing a lot more of your images. If you have a 2x mark iii extender, don’t be afraid to use it on the 500 F4 as it’s very good for static wildlife and video on the R5 and the R6Ii. Take care and I wish continued good health.

Congratulations on 100K! It is great to see your channel grow with you. Equipment is not something photography can be done without and it is just a part of the growth and if it helps you grow and be happier with your images then that is all that matters. Wildlife is frustrating enough :).

Congrats Brent. You’ll love the lens!

I recently had to sell some equipment to get what I truly wanted and it's not an easy decision so good on you for sharing your thoughts. Enjoy the channel and wish you the best in your reset endeavors!!

Well, it can do a lot of other things too 😊 I use my tele lens for more than just wildlife 😊 Explore different kinds of photography and find what you like more than just 1 thing 😊 No matter what, never stop shooting! 💪 Fullmoon is right around the corner, so try to make optical illusion on the moonrise 😊

Keep up the good work! Those primes are worth the money, just have to find that money!

Congrats on the new lens! I also upgraded my 100-500 to a 500/4 mk2 last year. I was fortunate enough to be able to keep the 100-500, but I only used it twice after getting the 500/4. It might not be as versatile or as easy to carry as the 100-500, heck even the stabilizer is worse and the focus not quite as fast in good light, but it is a much better tool to create artistic images in almost any conditions. For the limited time that we have good opportunities in wildlife photography, a big prime will give a better ratio of picture that are worth hanging on a wall.

Nice shots. Ospreys are my favorite birds to photograph here in South Florida, I have to get the diving in the water shot but I'll eventually get it. Sometimes we all need a reset in what we do just to keep our minds engaged so I can imagine the extra items for you seeing how you have to make content as well as run your business and have personal photography time as well. Good to hear that you got over the negative part of the lens transactions, I'm sure you did your calculations before pulling the trigger on the purchase, but self-doubt always creeps in for us. Hope you enjoy the lens for a long time to come.

This is awesome!I love this! I just got that lens a few months ago. Purchased it from a photographer on eBay. It was like new and got a great deal. So happy I did. it's a great lens! Congrats! It's a game changer! Love Wildlife photography! We have identical stories. I also sold my 100-500 😢 and my R6 as well to get this lens but I shoot mostly wildlife so for me it was a better fit. You did not make a mistake. The quality from this lens is hands down the best!

500 is a good lens. Have fun with it!

I love this channel and the diversity but wildlife is my passion so it just got even better for me. Totally agree with the choice the 500 a 1.4 , the 100-500 and a mono gimble is the epic wildlife combo for me. I predict there's gonna be some affordable used R5s when the new stuff comes out and I love that R5 and the R6ii. And ya the image quality comes thru!!!🎉

I understand where you are at with your wild life photography. I have often wanted to up grade to a prime. I have a RF 100-500 that does a nice job,but feel that the prime takes photos to the next level.. I enjoy watching your channel. I think you made a good choose.

That is a beautiful lens. need for wildlife. Great decision. Images are amazing...love the blown out background....silky smooth. "BIG smile" For sure 500mm the Size is the biggest + . I have the 600 and 500... i always take the 500 out .. the 600 stay in the bag .. the BIG bag.

Great video, Brent. Congratulation on the new lens. You need to go to the top of the Sandia's with that for balloon fiesta. It's an awesome perspective. I can totally relate to the dilemmas you have gone through. The warbler images are fantastic!

100K congratulations

Congratulations on making some very tough decisions and exploring a new approach to photography and health. Now we know why you were selling lots of your equipment! My wife and I really like your videos and DO find you very down to earth and take your thoughts and recommendation seriously. Your videos are very easy to watch and learn from. We are trying to sell some of our equipment too such as a 90D and a EF 1-4 etc., having moved to both getting an R6 II and really wanting an RF 1-5 to go with RF 1-4, RF 800, RF 14-35, 1.4 extender and a few other smaller lenses. We hope you and Camera Lady (love her work too) keep putting out great videos for all of us to enjoy and learn from and look forward to seeing the results of your new 500 prime. Best!

Congrats on 100.000 followers, Brent!

The 500 is a killer lens. I frequently use the 2x with it and even then, the AF and sharpness are great on the R5. With the RF 200-500 f4 rumored to cost 16k, there's no way I'd be able to afford it. The fact that you got yours for a quarter of the price is fantastic. I'm pretty sure I saw that exact model on MPB, haha. Also, I use mine with a BlackRapid shoulder strap/sling and it works well for me.

I'll be riveted to your channel to see how well that 500mm f4 works out for you, versus the slightly less sharp (I assume??), slower, but more versatile and smaller f7.1 RF100-500 lens (BTW-- I've had surprise birds land close to me while out hiking that I would not have gotten the composition needed out of a prime). I've considered a used 600mm f4 for shots that are near to my vehicle for that wider aperture, but keep my RF100-500 for hiking around (which is how I spend most of my time). I really do wish Canon had a mid priced L offering between the RF100-500 ($3000) and RF600mm f4 prime ($$$13000), such as a 600mm zoom offering that has a max aperture of around 5.6 and built in 1.4x extender. I know people who can't hand hold much weight and therefore absolutely adore that RF100-500 lens, or content creators who want a compact tele for video, so I'm glad that they have that RF100-500 option. However, I personally would rather have a little heavier zoom lens with a mid range aperture, but not as heavy and bulky and expensive as a 600mm f4 prime. Usually when I put that out there, the Canon fan club treats me like I have 3 heads, but I can see a quality difference in ISO

Fantastic images. Brave move with the lens but it seems right for you and I enjoy your wildlife videos. Keep going on this it is worthwhile 👏

I have the EF600mm f/4 II & I use the RF100-500 as a secondary lens more for mammals which are bigger and birds in smaller ponds. With my Prime I use the speed shooter harness system from Whistling Wings photography which allows me to hand hold that lens and equipment and remain mobile. I can control it with one hand. The bokeh is unmatched on the primes and sometimes I'll get a photo that I would never get on the RF100-500 but I like the lens. I purchased my 600-prime used from lens rentals which rotate their stock every two years. I use a Wimberley Mono gimbal, highly recommended.

best decision you ever made, you will not regret it

Great video. You will not regret that lens!

Congratulations! I'm extremely excited about your decision. "Mom, he's fine, he just fell down a mountain." Go get 'em Marty!

Interesting… I bought a Mark I 500mm f4 a while back. It weighs a tonne but for badgers at dusk it is awesome. Still have my Sigma 150-600 C for the walkabout lens. Good luck with it all Brent - looking forward to seeing your adventures unfold. All the best, Mike (UK viewer)

Congratulations Brent on 100k!

Hi Brent! I think you did the right choice, to be a photographer is a journey like life itself. I´m happy for ya :-). I got the R6 with 100-500mm and I also want the 500 prime but probably the first IS version, hope that will make a good combo also :-)

Awesome job on the photos and your video. I have a very inexpensive 150-600. Would love to pick up a prime like you have.

Awesome work Brent. Congratulations on the new lens, superb images. Don’t beat yourself up so much. You’ve brought the ticket, now enjoy the ride. Phil @keepclikingphotography A wannabe wildlife photographer

Congratulations with the lens purchase, nothing like a prime

That will pay for itself!

I have owned the 600f4 is vi and 500f4 is vi. I sold the 600 and picked up the 500. Both are outstanding IQ but the 600 was an absolute beast to lug around pretty much tripod only. The big whites are very addictive to use and there is no substitute for the look of the images. You don’t get the max frame rate and focus area is decreased on the vi copies but the IQ is still just as good in my opinion. I was able to pick up the vi copies for half of the Vii lenses allowing me to keep all my gear. I use the 100-500 or 800f11 for scouting sessions and bring the big prime when I can setup on a subject (more of a planned shoot) where I can get a good background and proper light. Hope your new lens brings happiness and success to you! Looking forward to seeing upcoming adventures.

Thanks!

Great video! I did the same thing with an AE-1 in the early 80’s, scrapped and saved for one lense (200mm) and learned “hands on” photography shooting film. God what a journey! Your videos are super relatable and most of all fun to watch! Want to try the big lens out manually?-try some astrophotography and resolve the gap between saturn and it’s rings with that 500, once you crop in see how you’re doing! Heal well and press on, stay in focus 👍📷

I have both 500 f4 II and 100-500. For BIF 100-500 is better because AF is faster, but the 500 f4 II is one of the best lenses ever done by anyone, the quality of the images is fantastic.

Tough decision to get rid of the 100-500 but I understand the pull towards the big primes. I recently rented the rf600 f/4 for a trip to Ecuador and LOVED it. I had the 100-500 on my back up camera and rarely used it. I am trying to justify buying one of the big lenses but can’t get past the ease of hiking with the 100-500. Good for you for getting the big lens, you will love it.

Just took delivery of the RF 1.4x TC and used on the RF 100-400mm and it is sweet! Lightweight zoom that bets the RF 800mm F11 in my opinion 😉 Best wishes!

What do you guys think should i get the sony a9 vs or the canon r6 ii for bird in flight and also sport/action?

@BrentHall congrats on the new lens and especially the recent developments with your health! I noticed in the video you sometimes put the camera on the ground so that it is kind of leaning on the lens hood. I recommend not to do that with the big primes. That puts all weight on the hood and a ton of pressure on that little screw that tightens the hood to the lens. It then breaks. I have heard this happen many times and I also have a 500mm L ii with a broken screw right next to me. So better be safe than sorry. 😅

Curious if you considered switching to a different camera system when looking at getting a higher quality telephoto lens ? I am in a similar boat, being a long term Canon user with a big investment in their bodies and lenses, but quite envious of Nikon users when looking at longer telephotos for wildlife. Seems like they have a better selection of long lenses at reasonable prices than Canon do. Especially envious of their new 180-600mm - I have previously used their old 200-500mm on an old D500 body and it was impressively sharp even at 500mm.