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New bird kit

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by Oliver on Mon May 11, 2020 3:09 pm

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Hello,

I am currently looking for a new bird photography kit. I currently have an old 50D canon and a 300mm f4 is + 1.4 ext II. I would like to invest 4K to 5.5K (USD) for my new kit. I have been looking at the different possibilities (used vs new) for several months, but I am starting to get mixed up with the different combinations. I am more interested in a prime lens but I remain open to other possibilities

Thank you for your advice

Last edited by Oliver on Tue May 12, 2020 11:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

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by E.J. Peiker on Tue May 12, 2020 11:41 am

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Nothing better in your price range than something like a Nikon D500 or D780 plus the Nikon 500PF lens.

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by DChan on Tue May 12, 2020 1:54 pm

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D500?

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by E.J. Peiker on Wed May 13, 2020 5:49 am

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DChan wrote:D500?

You are right, I edited my response. That's what I get for replying at 3:00AM

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by hullyjr on Wed May 13, 2020 9:00 pm

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I second EJ selection. This is from someone who used Canon since the 20D was released. The 500PF is so easy to carry and optically is as good as any of the super-teles (even with a 1.4x). My only criticisms are a cheap, poorly-fitting hood and the moderate VR performance. Despite its age, the D500 combines superb focusing with a great sensor. With the 1.4x attached, focusing speed can be very pedestrian. Buy yourself a BlackRapid strap and you are set.

My hope for 2020/21 is a 600PF f/5.6 with built-in 1.4x!

Jim

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by E.J. Peiker on Thu May 14, 2020 6:05 am

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The hood is light, fitting with the light weight of the lens, but it certainly fits well and has a release button so it wll not release if mounted properly. You may have a defective one. Note that I have handled at least 100 of these lenses in my now closed lens calibration business

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by hullyjr on Fri May 15, 2020 9:50 am

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It may be defective but convincing Nikon USA would be a long and painful story

. For a $3.5k lens, I expected something a little more robust, maybe carbon fibre, flock-lining or rubber edging etc. And testing a 100+ lenses once is not the same as using a single lens 100+ times. Attaching/detaching it get progressively worse as is the release button. Cleaning the mounting points helps but now I just leave it permanently attached.

Jim

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Images now at https://www.flickr.com/photos/138068378@N06/

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by E.J. Peiker on Fri May 15, 2020 10:32 am

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hullyjr wrote:It may be defective but convincing Nikon USA would be a long and painful story . For a $3.5k lens, I expected something a little more robust, maybe carbon fibre, flock-lining or rubber edging etc. And testing a 100+ lenses once is not the same as using a single lens 100+ times. Attaching/detaching it get progressively worse as is the release button. Cleaning the mounting points helps but now I just leave it permanently attached.

Jim

Well I do own the lens which has been used quite a bit

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by George DeCamp on Fri May 15, 2020 3:48 pm

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I've had the 500pf since the day it came out in September 2018 first on a D500 and then on a D850 where it has been for almost a year now. I can't recall any issues with the lens hood. I've had a LensCoat on it since day one also so "maybe" that keeps me from hitting the release button. For the record I also own a 600vr which has been getting very little use since I got the 500pf which is a game changer! In my opinion!

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