Nikon 200-500mm Lens First Day Impressions Wildlife / Birding Photography 

Amazing how popular bird photography is where you live. I never see any other photographers when I go birding(Australia), which is sad as we have so many great species.

Oz Dutchy, I can't seem to reply to your comments directly. In my experience, The Nikon is much better than the Tamron 150-600 V1. I moved from that lens to the Nikon. I also tried the Tamron 150-600 v2 at the same time I tried the Nikon. The Nikon produced superior images right out of the box. I can't speak for the Sigma because I didn't try it. I can't say enough good things about the Nikon though. I think this lens will go down in history as the best zoom in that range for the price.

I love my 200-500. I use it on both my D810 and D500.

Great vid, awesome shots of the birds. I have had the D500 and nikon 200-500 combo for about a year and can't say enough on how great a setup they are. I live and work in Yellowstone and mostly photograph animals but occasionally birds too. Keep up the good work.

Dude I really enjoy your effort you put into your videos. I listen to you while I'm editing photos! Cheers :)

The wildlife pictures are amazing, but I also love how you narrate your videos. It's really telling a beautiful story!

I am also enjoying your videos - and your commentary! Years ago I took a hawk course from Bud Anderson in Skagit County, Washington. That was back in the mid-90s, before all the great technology we have today. When I watch your videos and comments about bird and other wildlife behavior, I remember Bud telling us that video clips showing bird behavior was very valuable, and to share it. These days there is so much opportunity to share with the tech that we have. Thank you for sharing, and keep up the good work!

Those silhouette shots are remarkable and wish I could claim them as my own. Such are the rewards for rolling out of bed early and following your photographic passion!

Great video Mark ,I have D500 and Tamron 150-600 but after seeing your images will be changing to the Nikon 200-500.

Really enjoying your videos, I have the 200-500, now just to upgrade my D7000 to the D500, looks like the perfect combination.

Thanks so much for your wonderful videos...I love your enthusiasm and vision. I am currently saving for a longer lense and I think I may have found the one. Keep up the great work!

Nicely done! I enjoy watching these!

I left the computer and youtube as I got up, and get ready for bed, 20 min later I get back to this lovely video playing on screen, very cosy just before bed :) I was kinda upset from the news today but this was a nice reminder of something else. keep it up!

making my first side trip from Merritt Island NWR to Viera next week and you totally inspire me. Love your videos.

It's a pleasure watching your videos

Another awesome video Mark.

Great video Mark. Wow that place looks awesome for bird photography.

Love these videos they will inspired even the novice photographer into going out and taking photos. Also the info on each photo gives an idea of how to take the photos. The explanation is simple without going into all the specs just camera and lens and with the right combination of these our photos should be as sharp. Thanks Mark for helping the photographer's World. Keep these videos going.

Beautiful photos .. Thanks for your effort ..

great video mark can hear your passion for your craft in the way you speak most enjoyable keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

WOW!! Awesome video mark, So cute to watch these birds, just lovely​ to see. I have subscribed and will be watching.

I just got this lens for Christmas yesterday and will be using with my D7200 camera. I really like that you show your settings with each photo. I noticed the wide range of ISO settings and wondered if you have the camera set on auto ISO or do you adjust it yourself for the changing light.

another fab video Mark, thanks very much for sharing it. Great images you have captured again! cheers

This 200-500 lens is arriving in the post tomorrow and can't wait to pair it with my D500 to shoot some pics. Great informative videos you have here of pics taken with the same SLR/lens combination. Thank you! :-)

hey amazing set of videos..you get better and better with the composition, story telling and detailing for every next shot. Ur set of videos r great for any bird lover and photographers to watch. thank you for the effort..keep up the gud work :)

Great videos man. I've been to the wetlands a bunch of times. My hometown! So cool to watch you walk us through it.

Excellent shots those are...

Simply awesome work and gear!

I am not a bird photographer but your bird pictures are amazing!!!

Another great video. Love your passion man.

Great video Mark!!!

great video! bird photography is so much fun! glad I've taken it as my new hobby.

Mark Smith, if you ever get out to Michigan, drop out to Kensington Metropark. There is a rookery on an island and there's a boardwalk that allows photographers to get shots of the Great Blue Herons, Egrets, and Cormorants in the trees on the island. It's good and close where the 200-500 mm lens reaches them nicely. The song birds out on the trails will actually come up to you for sunflower seeds people give them as well. You would love this place. At the other side of the park, you can get Osprey as they are fishing and feeding their chicks. It's a birder's paradise. And yes, there are plenty of Sand Hill Cranes as well. If you ever want to go to that park and you want to find these hot spots there, let me know. Maybe my wife and I could give you the tour.

Very nice video and nice image

Hats off Mark.You got my subscription,,,excellent video.

Great video. Looks like a fascinating place.

Your videos and pics are so well done, colorful, and I enjoy your commentary, too. Just subscribed! I own the D500 and the 80-400mm af-s. Good combo, and while I mainly shoot birds, it lets me do some landscape shots, too, with the wider 80mm :) Keep up the good work!

Great video. Looks like a really cool place.

Amazing shots and amazing gear!

Very nice Mark. I'm looking forward to renting this lens for a trip to the LA Zoo.

Muito bom seu trabalho, parabéns. Comprei a 200 500 agora, vou praticar com a D750 espero bons resultados.

Love the baby Crane footage Mark. Keep up the good work. I always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time where wildlife is concerned!

Awesome work 10-10

wonderful pics and video!

Love your videos. Thinking about the D500 for my step up from d5200. Im a nature nut also!!!! Ill definitely be hitting you up with questions!! Thanks in advance!

I was talking to a friend this evening when he saw me walking with my camera. I finally now know why I having issues taking sharp bird pix here in DE. Our birds here are blurry:-0) Great work Mar. Absolutely love the video and the shots. Keep it coming. Going to have to put that lens on the 'list'. Jim

Thanks again Mark, great stuff as always! Got my Nikkor 200-500 ordered and on the way, can't wait! Oh btw, that's a Honey bee in the upper left corner to click on not a Bumble bee ;)

Beautiful

Amazing my friend , legend!!!!!

Enjoyed, always.

Thanks Mark for a great video. This is my dream camera :)

Great video Mark. I'm only going to have the 150-600mm combo for the foreseeable. As much as I'd love the 200-500!! you've got some good captures with the tamron if I remember correctly.

Espectaculares imagenes Mark,mi intención es adquirir este objetivo y la verdad que estoy cada vez mas convencido de que la d500 es la pareja perfecta para deportes,exelentes videos y un saludo.

great video! awesome camera and lens!

Great and nice video, thank's.

Great video ... thanks for sharing! I've just got this lens for my D810 and off to try find some puffins this week!

Fantastic Videos. Keep up the great work :)

Another great vid !

Thanks for the great infotainment Mark. Thinking about this combination and the more I watch your videos the more I'm being convinced to jump ship.Currently I have a Canon 7d mkii and the 300 f/4 prime but I'm not 100% happy with it, especially in lower light conditions. I am somewhat worried about the size of that lens for carrying around for long periods of time ? I was considering the Nikon 300 pf/4 prime. Any thoughts ?

Cool video. I told you that American Bittern was at Viera. I have been photographing that bird every March for 3 years. Sadly, Viera is changing as the palm trees die from the water. Where there were 10 Great Blue Heron nests there is now only 2-3. It just means you need to look a little closer. This was the first year I had both the D500 and 200mm-500mm. You are so right about them. Last year I had the 200-500 with the D7200 and they did a great job just not as good

I have a D810 and interested in this lens and wild life photography. I don’t want to go get a D500 or any other camera body. What is your take on this lens pairing for birds (or FX bodies if you have never shot with D810)? Thank you.

nice shots...

Superb photos, such brilliant colour. please keep the videos coming, great to see and even better to understand them

i have the d500 and nikor 200-500 but alot of my osprey shots in flight are looking not sharp at all. I'm shooting with my back to the sun, with light right on them, they aren't far away. they fil the frame when I'm shooting, but when I go back it just looks grainy....any suggestions? 1/2000 . f5.6 manual mode. Ive done some egrets in flight tack sharp but every osprey shot looks like garbage lol

Mark Smith: Cracking shots, they really showcase the D500/200 - 500mm f5.6 combination. Though a bit hefty, it is my favourite set up. I bought a gimbal for mine but find I still handhold most of the time. Have you tried out the D500 with the Nikkor 300mm f4 PF VR (+/- the Nikkor TC14EIII)? It is a beautifully lightweight combination which provides excellent IQ.

Lovely shots :-)

Nice videos you have going on. I have some pictures of some American Avocets that looks like they're dancing because of the fast shutter speed when they where really fighting over a female American Avocet.

Mark tat was a wonderful day for you but I think it could be much better...next time invite me I'm so wonderfull too ! Keep smiling

I love this lens too. I just wish I had a better camera body for this lens. My D7100 doesn't allow it to come up to it's full potential.

Mark, enjoy your videos and especially your conversational and informative style. Short and to the point -- image and tech data and most importantly the result. Question; why do you leave your D500 set to a -0.3 bias? I use same set up, D500 w/Nikon 200 - 500 and love it - sometimes with the 1.4 tele converter. I mostly shoot birds and wildlife. Thanks keep up the good work. Michael

Great videos man, and awesome shoots. I just got myself a D500 and i can't wait to go out and do some wildlife shooting. I have one question which i didn't see covered on your videos, and it's in reference to the D500 settings, i was wondering if you set HDR to on and Also Active D-Lighting modes on the camera, if you do, what setting do you use for each one? Thanks in advance!

Maybe just "fly United" great images also!

I can't think of a single bird that mates in the air, but plenty have a mating dance that involves aerobatics.

Love your videos Mark. The shutter is loud on my D500. Do you find that scares the birds?

love to watch your videos and i njoy it.

Mark Smith I am a big fan of your video's. I own a Nikon D750. Since it's not a D500 could you give me some advise if it will work out with the 200-500mm? Your pictures are great!

I bought the 200 - 500 Nikon - I use it with the D850. In some settings I keep getting err messages and the shutter speed goes to 8000 then focus stops. I wonder if anyone had similar issues.

Nice video Mark, I have the same combination and also very impressed with both the camera and the lens. I have noticed a slight bit of rotational slop with the lens and the camera mount. Was wondering if you have experienced the same. The quality of the images are not affected but I have this issue with no other lens but the 200-500

I wanna do this when i leave the army and get into photography. Go bird watching

WOWOWOWOOWOWOWOWOOW

Hi mark.. great video. Its motivating very much. How do you thing the combination with D7200 with nikon 200-500?. Planning to get one for wild life shoot.

Mark, Have you been to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Apopka? That is a birding photo op location.

AWESOME shots and videos! Do you experience abnormal batt drain with your D500? My last outing with a D500 it completely drained out a fully charged Li20 batt in 4 hours. Very startling low batt compared to my current D7000

nice video.... sir.,2 weeks back only I upgraded to d500 and 200-500 but when I watched ur videos photos from same combination are more sharper and details are great than mine can u pls share camera some settings... sir..

NIce video Mark :) Keep sharing.. I would like to know the name of the place .

Have you tried the Tamron 100-400mm lens? How doe sit compares to the Nikon 200-500?

great movie :)

hey Mark great video... are these shots taken handheld? actually i am a little torn between Tamron G2 & the Nikon 200-500mm to pair up with d500.. any thoughts you would like to share. thanks.

is the nikon 200-500 better then the tampon 150-600 or sigma 150-600 ? im about to buy a lens in this focal range

Thank you. Was this video in early april or earlier in the year last year?

I noticed your at -0.3 step '' is that after post or on board setting? I am thinking on buying the 200-500 Nikkor I shoot in the Florida everglades , flat land and more sun that i need so I am not concerned with the 5.6 just need better glass and more zoom .

Mark or anyone, I have a question about my D500 that is really bugging me. When I look at the review screen I have gotten myself into a screen with a very small picture and lots of info around it. I don't know how I got it into this setting and CERTAINLY don't know how to get out of it. Help.

Do you took those pictures hand hald or on tripod/monopod? :)

Sir, its a great video. The images came out really razor sharp. I own a D7200 along with Nikkor 200-500mm lens. Is this a good combination for wild life/bird photography ? Also I would like to know about the focus modes, focussing points to be selected and metering modes as well for bird photography.

I am a canon guy going to Nikon either a d500 or a d850 with the 200-500mm Nikon tele . Great buy on the d500 now but the sensor is only 20mp compared to twice the size in the full frame d850. From your wonderful images the d500 looks great. Do you find the d850 with the larger sensor and this lens produce much better images than the d500 or is the extra sensor size ( same pixel density) not really that important. Do you really see a huge jump in detail in the typical image. Thanks ..love your videos Rick, Virginia

Hello excellent proof, what is the location of that place? Thank you very much

It is compatible d3400

Great shots, however, I found the background to be too distracting in that particular environment. For example, the shots of the birds catching fish. I didn't even notice the fish for several seconds in some of them because the fish blended into the background too much... They were fantastic shots otherwise... It's important to be cognizant of the background's effect on the subject... Maybe if you shifted your shooting angle lower to get more uniform sky in the background, or to use the water in the same way... Anyway, tricky environment I realize.

Sir I already have d750 but considering buy d7100 for wildlife due to crop factor with 200-500mm, should I go for it

How many focus points were you using? Single, 27 or 9?