Very much enjoyed your post. I am stuck at home after surgery. I too own the 500PF. A super carry. I subscribed to your site. I'm primary a bird photographer in northern Virginia, looking forward to expanding my range, recent retired. You sure enough carry a large kit! Thanks for posting.
Great to see you back Simon... I recieved one of your bean bags for Xmas and I'm impressed, great build quality... Filled with rice it's very stable... 👍🇬🇧
Congrats on the new glass - the big primes are gorgeous of course, but the versatility of the 500mm PF is really hard to beat - it's easily my favourite lens for wildlife and I have a feeling it's going to be with me long after I've got rid of the rest of my f-mount stuff!
Hi Simon Just a note on the new boots. I suffer with cold feet and bought a pair of the field boots and was quite disappointed with them. I got the skeetex wellies, They are far superior in keeping your feet warm as long as you dont need to walk far.I binned the field boots.
Really enjoyed your video and your sense of endeavour. I just got a Z9 and am in the market for a telephoto lens. Very tempted by the 500mm PF after watching this. Keen to see your fuller review!
Know the feeling of "will I ever take a decent shot again" Simon, since the autumn have managed to capture just a small handful of images I'm pleased with but when a successful trip comes off it just makes it all the more memorable. May have not been the right perch but lovely footage of the Barn Owl - success !
Great video! If someone's interested in finding a post looking along the lake shore is a good place to find driftwood posts when the water is down. I took one home and drilled 3/4 inch holes into it at angles that we put bird seed and suet into for a nice photography and feeding post. Best of luck to you and happy shooting!
First time watching your channel Simon. I really enjoyed that. I love photographing Barn owls, but am relatively new to it. It's interesting to note the effort you go to in order to get great shots. I learnt a lot from your video. I've been thinking of getting the 500pf for a while, I think you've just convinced me to go for it! 🙂
Great review Simon of the Nikon 500 PF. You pretty much said it all. Lugging that 600 f4 around is very hard. I used it last yuear in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada 🇨🇦. I rested it on a bean bag and shot through the windows of the "Tundra Buggy". Hpowever; as you said, it's heavy and tough to manuever around with. Sharp as heck though. 👍 This will be a new experience for me owning the 500 PF lens. I rented the 600 f4, which was fine, but it was a lot to carry in the camera bag, through customs from the USA to Canada, then from Winnipeg to Churchill. I'm looking forward to the much lighter, and easier to handle 500 PF. I notice you replaced the Nikon foot, whoch one did you purchase? Have you tried the 500 PF with the 1.4 model III Nikon teleconverter? If so, how did the pictiures look? Thank you again, you did a terrific job on this blog. Stay warm, and keep the information coming. 👀 😜 📷
Make sure you tighten the locking knob on the quick release foot as I saw a RU-vidr say the had pressed that while carrying the lens and the lens body fell to the ground! Good news is the lens was fine but it’s not a good way to test its robustness!
Canon shooter here... I wish we had something like this 500 pf, too! Congrats on the new lens, what a cool little thing! Things have been very slow for me the last couple of weeks, too. No worries about not getting out a ton of new videos, we've all had that happen I suppose ^^ Thanks for doing them anyways, always enjoy watching. :) Looking forward to seeing what spring may bring, cheers, L
@@Gazzab6 thanks for the tip, definitely gotta look this up! From what I understood, their DO lenses work in a very similar way (diffractive optics). But none other than the 400 f4 DO comes to mind.
Cheers Laku, the 500 is an awesome lens. Thanks for following the channel, quality not quantity eh!! 😆😆The weather certainly isn't helping at the moment though.
Hey Simon, love to see your videos and always appreciate your honest words, about equipment and wildlife photography. Even if I'm not a Nikon guy, we all sometimes struggle with our lenses independently of the brand ;-). Seems to be you have found your lens for this year and I stay tuned awaiting more videos to come. Cheers from Germany
Simon yet again another great video. Keep up the great work. One of my favourite channels. Your just a normal guy chasing the passion for wildlife photography. Upgrading to a d850 and the the 500pf is on the cards also. Keep the videos coming 👍 all the way from Sunday co,Galway ireland 🇮🇪
Enjoyed your video, Simon, and your comments. Not only about the camera and lens but also about the birds, weather and what you experienced. Nice pair of warm boots. Hope they serve you well when the weather gets really cold. :)
HI Simon . really good to see you back with a new video glad you like the new lens I have the 400 2.8 too heavy for me now [ 74 ] just about lug it down the garden , I would love to buy that lens .keep up the great work. thanks.😀
Hi Simon, another great video thanks. I'm considering this lens for my Nikon D500 and wondered why you use it on a Z6ii mirrorless rather than the D500 ?
Another great vlog Simon and pleased to see you've solved your equipment issues with the new glass. Good luck in the coming weeks with the photography.
Congrats on the lens Simon! And I've enjoyed watching the video as always. Looking forward to see more videos with the lens. I'd wish Canon had one of these ;-)!
Glad you're excited about the new lens. Looking forward to seeing some great photos from it. What you're describing was the reason I replaced my Canon gear with a micro 4/3 system (G9). I can carry my 400mm (800mm with the crop sensor) even if I'm out for a casual walk. Got some of my best shots that way. All the best.
Very enjoyable as usual. Don’t feel left behind with “just” a Z6ii. Over here on Anglesey I’m still using a D3s body. With a 600mm f4E FL ED lens and 400 mm f2.8. The last of the pre VR lenses. Considering getting a z6ii and wonder how fast the focus will be. Both fantastic quality lenses but will I lose on the focus? Any thoughts.
Steve Perry’s review of the 500mm PF reports that the 500mm PF on a Z6ii is half the speed compared to a D500 / D850. On the Z9 however it’s a tiny bit faster than on a DSLR due to the faster chip.
Cheers, if youre thinking of a Z6ii try and get hold of one before you commit. The AF is totally different and ultimately I dont think its on par with the DSLR, D500,D850 etc etc. For BIF its not as good but it has other advantages, silent shutter, EVF, full frame, etc etc. Dont jump in👍🏼
Well done Simon, I bought my 500mm pf a few years. I also bought the 300mm pf. I have the D850 and the combination is absolutely great. Like I said well done. I was out today and caught my first ever Siskin. What a blessing. All the best. Jason.
My Z6 can't drive my 300mm f2.8 VRII properly. The 300mm is painfully slow to focus on the original Z6. Now, on the 300mm f2.8 VRII seems to work very well on my Z9 in my experience. I want to try a 500pf!
That's great news, super happy that you have found a system that's started working for you. The z6ii is such an underrated camera. I nicked the missus's and used it in Norway for the white-tailed eagles. Super happy with the results and it handles low light situations better than the Z9. Looking forward to seeing your latest material. Keep up the great work fella.
Cheers Adam, still not 100% with the AF. BIF is where I'm not impressed really. Hopefully a firmware update could help🤞🏼 Bet you had a blast in Norway, amazing country👌🏼
I'm looking at the 500 PF myself, I'm trying to find real world experiences of anyone using with with a TC-20E III? I'm aware of the f11 pitfall, but seemingly mirrorless will still focus at f11. Have you tried it on a 2x conv?
Hi Simon another great video👌 i also have the 500pf, simply awesome lens. I noticed your lens coat on the 500 looked as if it is neoprene but has stitched edges unlike some of the other neoprene coats which often tend to curl up. Can you tell me what make that lens coat is please? Thanks👍
Hi Simon. Manchester here) I am just considering which is better for my Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E - Nikon D4s or D500 ? Picture sharpness and colour quality is critical for me in low light which is better to choose?! Thanks 👍👍👍
Crop sensor 21mp v full frame 16mp!! I would suggest the full frame D4s will handle the low light better. It would be handy if you could test them both before purchasing. Ive had the D500 and it is aa superbly capable camera .
Nice. You are not alone getting stuffed on your outings. I’ve had a month of dark grey weather with pretty poor images if any. Glad you got some with the new lens. Cheers.
Nice one Simon, I’m glad I went with the 500 pf over a 500 f4 . I to have been going through a dour patch with Buzzards and Hares but always capture other subjects while waiting. Cracking Barn Owl shots and video. 👍
Well you’ve actually gone and done it. I’m not surprised considering how many of us recommended it. Have a look at Steve Perry’s review on You Tube posted 8th Nov 2018. He explains about the VR where some people had reported issues using shutter speeds of 1/160 Sec in VR Normal mode but he recommends using Sport Mode. You may find some of your BIF shots a little blurred at first. Mark Smith reported this and sold it but has since bought another to go with his Z9. There is nothing wrong with the lens, many think it’s caused when panning because the lens is so easy to move quickly due to its light weight whereas a heavy lens is a easier to hold steady when panning until your arm gets tired of course. Practice is needed that’s all. I bought the same third party lens foot that you have for the same reasons as you and it seems to be great quality for the money. Give the lens a try on your D500 when you don’t need it for video. The AF will be about twice as fast as on your Z6ii. Great shots and beautiful video footage of the Bernie by the way. I bet you were chuffed with those.
Thanks Gary, great tips and advice. Cheers for that. Getting a little bit frustrated with the Z6ii, not up to scratch for BIF. D500 is so much snappier!! Thanks for watching 👍🏼📷
I really enjoy your honesty Simon and I’m also going through a bit of a famine. Not one decent shot since the rut last year 😩 but never regret trying. Next time out may just be the best ever 🤞🏻Keep up the good work fella.
Great vid Simon ive been the same the past few weeks i dont know what it is the weather is just depressing so ive not took anything for weeks i must admit ive fancied one of them 500mm pf's instead of lugging the 500 f4 around but because ive got the 200-500mm 5.6 i cant justify getting it maybe if somthing happens to my 200-500 then yeh i'll get one like a shot, does it need an adaptor to mount to the z6ll or does it mount straight on?
Thanks Andy, i know what you mean if you have the 200-500 its hard to justify. Great to be able to hand hold the PF all day though. Those big primes are so awkward and yes you need the FTZ adaptor for the Z6ii. Atb, Si 👍🏼
Hello Simon, I have had my 500mm PF for about 2 years and it is a great lens, I now use it with both my D850 and Z7ii, just a dream to use. If there is plenty of light it works well with the 1.4 teleconverter if you need that extra reach. With the Z7ii I can shoot in crop mode to, note sure how good the would mb on the Z6ii? Keep well, keep safe and stay warm.
Setup looks amazing and has made me question my choice of gear now as my DSLR setup is stupidly heavy, how I would love to hold camera and lens with two fingers. Cracking video, could watch those barnies all day. cheers
Simon do you remember me mentioning Skee Tex. I have been using them mostly for beach fishing for over twenty years. Toasty. Keep up the good work. Jim
Nice review, I am in a similar boat with just selling my D5, but keeping the D6 to go with my Christmas present to myself the Z9, looking to get the 500 pf, thanks.
Lucky man getting the Z9, looks a massive improvement on the earlier z series. Hopefully some firmware upgrades will trickle down to the Z6ii 🤞🏼 The 500 pf is well worth it 👌🏼
I’m on my second 500mm PF Simon as I regret selling my first. It truly is a fabulous lens and I do walk round taking wildlife shots with my Z9 (sorry) and it’s giving me fantastic results. The ability to track the birds is astonishing and a big leap up from my Z6.
Congratulations on getting the Z9. I'm hoping theres a new firmware around the corner for the Z6ii because its not quite cutting it at the moment especially for birds in flight and video AF
Great job. Great location for the owl. Wow. Footage was great and liked the piano. The 500pf is great. Love mine. It's great on the Z9, but I still use the lighter setup with the Z7II and the 500mm pf (depending on what I'm shooting...) .
@@simoneardley I have decent luck luck with the wide area large with eye detect for BIF on the Z7II. Of course I'm not using it for that much anymore since getting the Z9.
“Zombie fig” 🤣😂😆 that made me chuckle for along time! 500pf looks like a champ, I have wanted to try that on my Fuji xt4 for a while now. But they are bringing out a 150-600 this year so will test that first. 👍 keep it up mate
Gotta have more than one shooting topic. Go out for a shoot one can do animal or landscape or macro. No birds shoot landscape. Bad weather, one can shoot macro. Even portrait if you're with someone.
Awesome footage. Looking forward to the next one. Just for interest sake, ever think about doing DSLR/mirrorless camera trapping? (foxes, badgers and so on)
Cheers Stephen, ive thought about it for sure but just a bit nervous about leaving an expensive camera out in the woods. It would have to be a really private site!!📷👀
thanks for the video i am currently in the youtube research stage about buying the 500pf for my z7! Currently deciding to either buy it or wait for the z 200-600 to come out. Did you notice much of a different between 500mm to 600mm?
Yeh its a fair shout Philip, not a great deal of difference to be honest. Dont forget you'll get a bit more light only going to 500mm which can make a big difference and you can crop in with the Z7 as youve got the extra megapixels. Not sure of the weight on the z200-600 compared to the 500pf and also when its due out?
@@simoneardley No confirmed date on release yet just some point this year. Its been on the roadmap since the start so i would hope its one of the first to be announced this year. It will be heavier than the 500pf, looking at the blanked out image i would say similar size to the sony 200-600
I just knew you would end up with a 500pf lol. Had mine for just under 2 years now and I've had some great shots with it. One thing I found is the VR seems to work best on sport for birding. Finally my Z9 arrived and the 500pf works brilliantly with it. I can even use my 1.4x and 2x TC's with it and it snaps in so quick. Only really useful in good light as you're limited to f8 and f11 respectively. The bird eye autofocus is awesome, not perfect but then what in life is. I predict you'll end up with a Z9 in the not too distant future. Great pics of the owl btw. Have fun with that lens Simon and start saving for a Z9!
Great to see you back simon love the lens can't wait to see the buzzards with this👌Great video as usual do you recommend auto focus full time or single in aperture mode ? See you soon 👏👏👏
Cheers Paul, i tend to shoot manual really. But generally i would be using AF/C for the majority of my work when shooting stills. Only use AF/F for video.
Congratulations on your new lens. I have traded in my 500mm f4 for my pf, and never regretted it - yes, I do miss f4, but I take the pf everywhere while the old one was way too heavy for most trips. Still have to decide on the 300mm pf..
Great video and shots. Just bought the 500pf and it’s shockingly light compared to the 200-500, as well as being faster focusing and sharper. Only thing I miss on my D500 is the 3 D tracking. Love everything else about the Z6ii and hardly use my D500. Hopefully they update the firmware with focus improvements soon. Managed to get the PF brand new for £2519 as well which is a bargain.
Ive tried pretty much every focus area there is and have had repeated difficulty with BIF, I've recently moved the z6ii on and I'm currently saving for the Z9. Missed too many shots unfortunately with the Z6ii AF😫
I’ve felt like that for months, just couldn’t be bothered getting out but I’ll come good, don’t give up Simon it will be fine oh and the 500pf is a great lens, I love mine, I’m still D850 and D500 just can’t get to grips with these EVF’s
Aye it gets like that sometimes, the EVF is one of the things I really like about the Z6ii. Great to be able to review images without looking at the screen.👀
Glad you’ve got your gear sorted, unreliable kit is the worst. I’ve just bought an R6, the weather has been terrible since I’ve got it ☹️ Had a quick blast this evening, went out at 5pm as it was getting dark, the animal eye AF is phenomenal, tracking dark plumage even in such low light. Can’t wait for good light. I’m replacing my fence this year, there’ll be lots of naturally snapped 4” posts I can re-use 😎 Lovely Barn Owl pics at the end 👍
Cheers John, apparently Nikon have stated that its a hardware issue. Nowhere near the processing power in the z6ii compared to the Z9 so not something a firmware upgrade can sort😫. Hence I'm saving for a Z9!!
Been feeling the same for weeks, the advice I was given was get out and focus on things you enjoy. I’ve spent hours out with the camera and seen little if anything. (Following on from one of your previous videos took my self off to marsh side. The only activity was the blokes respiring the road)!! Stick at it, you make great videos which inspire a lot of people, for me your local and use the same camera so I can associate with what you do. As for left behind, I upgraded to the Z6ii last year, can’t justify a Z9 so fingers crossed for some firmware updates.
Wise words Mick, shame you didn't see anything at Marshside. Thats how it goes sometimes mate. Good luck with with the Z6ii, still getting to grips with the AF!!👍🏼
@@simoneardley pick you’re brain. Currently use the 150 - 600 Sigma. Been waiting to part ex for the Z 200 - 600. Having seen this having second thoughts, appreciate your opinion. Cheers
Hey Simon, I figured you were waiting on a 500 PF to arrive, I love mine on the Z6ll. You might want to change all of those fence posts to some really nice old ones so your odds are better for the owl choosing at post ! Ha... Greg
