Hey Richard. I'm glad you're finally able to get out and have some fun shooting! The Z8 looks incredible and that 500 looks like it's paid for itself 10 times over. Cheers!
Thank you. I only did swallows for about 20 minutes with bad light and bad conditions and only a few birds with the Nikon... So really don't know...I really want to find a place where there are a lot of swallows and put it to the test when I do I will probably make a compariso video🙏👍😃
I really haven’t been doing much of anything recently…but I absolutely plan and hope to…especially when it comes to macro…. The OM1 is very hard to beat at macro. Going back to u.k in August and can only take 1 set up with me…still pondering what to take 🙏👍
Hallo, is there a big difference in autofocus compared to the OM1? I would say that the photos of the heron with the OM1 would have worked the same way!?
Yes too early to say really but I think you are probably right.. the OM1 would keep up as well but there are occasionally the odd unexplainable out of focus shots with the OM1 and that doesn’t happen here but yes pretty similar and of course faster with the OM1
@@richardfink7666 The Z6iii does look a great camera…800 euros is a lot of money but I think the Z8 is probably quite a bit better so maybe it isn’t,..if availability is good then I would be considering the z6iii for sure🙏👍
Hi Les. Absolutely not...I got a new camera a couple of months ago .. Haven't been able to use it much because of the weather...but like anything new..I have wanted to see how it performs but will definitely keep using my M43 stuff. 👍🙏
@RichardCookphotography Richard, It is good news that you will continue to use your MFT gear. I would like you to consider making videos comparing two systems in similar conditions.
Your lens is just fine, unless you have money to burn. I use my F-mount Sigma 500mm f4 sports with the Z9 for over two years now, and three years before that with the D850. The only downside with the F-mount lenses is they are noisy when recording video, but it can be done by moving the microphone a few feet away from the camera and lens.
Thank you and you are right. If I could afford the 800mm PF or the 600mm F4 of course I would be interested but I can’t and I’m not. I actually don’t find the 500 mm too noisy when recording video. 🙏👍
The Nikon 500 PF is still the best mid-range 500mm prime on the market almost 6 years after it came out. The only serious competitor is the Sigma 500 f5.6, which is not quite as good AF or quite as sharp and it has considerably worse VR. There is also the issue of TC's. It's just an all around inferior product. Sony users seem to love it, well, because they have essentially no other options. As for 500 PF vs 600 PF, the 600 PF is the better overall lens. Optically, they are very, very close. But the 600 PF does AF better (on the Z8/Z9), the VR is better, silent AF/VR, the Z TC's are better, the extra 100mm of reach, better resolving power with far away subjects, and its actually closer to the magic focal length to aperture ratio. Is it double the cost better vs a 10/10 used 500 PF? Maybe not to some people.
I did a proper video about the 500mm lens about a year ago… where I go into a bit more detail why I like it…if by mid range you mean performance…I’m not so sure…I had the option to buy a 500mmm F4 but chose the 500mm 5.6 pf because it suits the way I shoot …have never regretted it! I don’t think it’s mid range at all …it’s absolutely stellar in my opinion!
@@RichardCookphotography Mid-range price is what I meant. Its more expensive than budget gear, and less expensive that pro gear. The F 500 f4E FL ED VR is pro gear, though these days you can find some 9/10 condition for about $4k. I have all the PF glass. The F 300 PF, F 500 PF, Z 600 PF, and Z 800 PF. The F 500 PF is exceptional. Optically on a test chart you cannot tell the difference between the 500 PF and the 600 PF. Where you encounter differences is in real world usage on a Z8/Z9. In wildlife/sports action situations, the 500 PF AF tends to get stuck on foregrounds A LOT more often than with the 600 PF (or the 800 PF). No camera is perfect, but with the 500 PF on a Z8/Z9 this is quite noticeable vs the 600 PF. It's not technique or being in the wrong AF mode. Its the 500 PF via the FTZ. I also notice it on the 300 PF via FTZ, though not nearly as bad as on the 500 PF. The VR is also better on the 600 PF, which, frankly, is insanely good. Obviously, 100mm more of reach and silent AF/VR, and there is no debate on that. I find the 600 PF resolves sufficiently well on subjects considerably further away than with the 500 PF. Meaning, by more than adjusting for the additional 100mm of reach, but this one is a bit subjective and difficult to prove. The 500 PF is a stop and half away from the magic ratio, the 600 PF is a stop and a third away from the magic ratio. Splitting hairs, perhaps, but it is a difference between the two. Technically, the 500 PF can pack smaller/lighter, because it is smaller and lighter when you remove the FTZ (and put that somewhere else). This is just more splitting hairs, though. At under $2200 for a 10/10 500 PF with a 6 month warranty in the used market, there are no regrets to be had with it. Its an exceptional lens for the price. The 600 PF is better. For birds/BIF's, the 800 PF is even better.
@@KungPowEnterFist Yes I completely agree. It is in the mid price range but performs admirably. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the other PF lenses especially as someone who owns them all. That 800mm does look amazing but would be so restrictive if one could only take 1 lens with them. I am spending a few days photographing in Thailand in August and I am thinking of taking my M43 gear because it’s so flexible! Anyway thanks for the great info👍🙏😀
@@RichardCookphotography Versus all the other PF lenses, IMHO, the 800 PF has the best color rendition and it is a bit more contrasty. At 800mm+, including any combinations of lens plus TC's, of any system, it is the second sharpest lens behind only the F 800 f5.6E FL ED VR. The biggest advantage the 800 PF has over the other PF's is the magic 3D pop. This is not surprising being that it is only a third of a stop away from the magic focal length to max aperture ratio. This is an astonishingly good lens for the price. It is obviously larger and heavier, but you are getting a lot better images IMO.
I hope to get a Z8 soon, the tracking is amazing. Beautiful images, sir!
@@Capcity44 thank you very much. It's a great camera👍
Hey Richard. I'm glad you're finally able to get out and have some fun shooting! The Z8 looks incredible and that 500 looks like it's paid for itself 10 times over. Cheers!
Thanks Blaine. Very kind of you. Yes I got it for a good deal used and have been very happy with it. Take care🙏
Nice swallow photo. Was it easier to catch the in flight swallow with nikon or with om1?
Thank you. I only did swallows for about 20 minutes with bad light and bad conditions and only a few birds with the Nikon... So really don't know...I really want to find a place where there are a lot of swallows and put it to the test when I do I will probably make a compariso video🙏👍😃
Good video Richard. The NIkon seems to be working well for you.
@@rogerhance5883 Thanks Roger🙏🙏
Interesting video Richard and some great photos. Are you still using your OM1 set up?
I really haven’t been doing much of anything recently…but I absolutely plan and hope to…especially when it comes to macro…. The OM1 is very hard to beat at macro. Going back to u.k in August and can only take 1 set up with me…still pondering what to take 🙏👍
Hallo, is there a big difference in autofocus compared to the OM1? I would say that the photos of the heron with the OM1 would have worked the same way!?
Yes too early to say really but I think you are probably right.. the OM1 would keep up as well but there are occasionally the odd unexplainable out of focus shots with the OM1 and that doesn’t happen here but yes pretty similar and of course faster with the OM1
@@RichardCookphotography The OM1II is a bit more reliable. P.S.: I`m looking at the Z6III. Here in Germany it is only 800Euros cheaper than the Z8.🤔
the 500pf is an awesome lens specially with z8
@@jamesbryanrulida yes you are right JB. Hope you are well?🙏
@@richardfink7666 The Z6iii does look a great camera…800 euros is a lot of money but I think the Z8 is probably quite a bit better so maybe it isn’t,..if availability is good then I would be considering the z6iii for sure🙏👍
Ooh what happened to your original lens hood and what hood is it thats on there now 🤔.
I got the lens for a good used price because of lack of a lens hood. I picked this one up off amazon for not very much. Thank you🙏🙏
Nice video. Great shots. It seems like you gave up on MFT gear :(
Hi Les. Absolutely not...I got a new camera a couple of months ago .. Haven't been able to use it much because of the weather...but like anything new..I have wanted to see how it performs but will definitely keep using my M43 stuff. 👍🙏
@RichardCookphotography Richard, It is good news that you will continue to use your MFT gear. I would like you to consider making videos comparing two systems in similar conditions.
Your lens is just fine, unless you have money to burn. I use my F-mount Sigma 500mm f4 sports with the Z9 for over two years now, and three years before that with the D850.
The only downside with the F-mount lenses is they are noisy when recording video, but it can be done by moving the microphone a few feet away from the camera and lens.
Thank you and you are right. If I could afford the 800mm PF or the 600mm F4 of course I would be interested but I can’t and I’m not. I actually don’t find the 500 mm too noisy when recording video. 🙏👍
The Nikon 500 PF is still the best mid-range 500mm prime on the market almost 6 years after it came out. The only serious competitor is the Sigma 500 f5.6, which is not quite as good AF or quite as sharp and it has considerably worse VR. There is also the issue of TC's. It's just an all around inferior product. Sony users seem to love it, well, because they have essentially no other options. As for 500 PF vs 600 PF, the 600 PF is the better overall lens. Optically, they are very, very close. But the 600 PF does AF better (on the Z8/Z9), the VR is better, silent AF/VR, the Z TC's are better, the extra 100mm of reach, better resolving power with far away subjects, and its actually closer to the magic focal length to aperture ratio. Is it double the cost better vs a 10/10 used 500 PF? Maybe not to some people.
I did a proper video about the 500mm lens about a year ago… where I go into a bit more detail why I like it…if by mid range you mean performance…I’m not so sure…I had the option to buy a 500mmm F4 but chose the 500mm 5.6 pf because it suits the way I shoot …have never regretted it! I don’t think it’s mid range at all …it’s absolutely stellar in my opinion!
@@RichardCookphotography Mid-range price is what I meant. Its more expensive than budget gear, and less expensive that pro gear. The F 500 f4E FL ED VR is pro gear, though these days you can find some 9/10 condition for about $4k.
I have all the PF glass. The F 300 PF, F 500 PF, Z 600 PF, and Z 800 PF. The F 500 PF is exceptional. Optically on a test chart you cannot tell the difference between the 500 PF and the 600 PF. Where you encounter differences is in real world usage on a Z8/Z9. In wildlife/sports action situations, the 500 PF AF tends to get stuck on foregrounds A LOT more often than with the 600 PF (or the 800 PF). No camera is perfect, but with the 500 PF on a Z8/Z9 this is quite noticeable vs the 600 PF. It's not technique or being in the wrong AF mode. Its the 500 PF via the FTZ. I also notice it on the 300 PF via FTZ, though not nearly as bad as on the 500 PF. The VR is also better on the 600 PF, which, frankly, is insanely good. Obviously, 100mm more of reach and silent AF/VR, and there is no debate on that. I find the 600 PF resolves sufficiently well on subjects considerably further away than with the 500 PF. Meaning, by more than adjusting for the additional 100mm of reach, but this one is a bit subjective and difficult to prove. The 500 PF is a stop and half away from the magic ratio, the 600 PF is a stop and a third away from the magic ratio. Splitting hairs, perhaps, but it is a difference between the two. Technically, the 500 PF can pack smaller/lighter, because it is smaller and lighter when you remove the FTZ (and put that somewhere else). This is just more splitting hairs, though. At under $2200 for a 10/10 500 PF with a 6 month warranty in the used market, there are no regrets to be had with it. Its an exceptional lens for the price. The 600 PF is better. For birds/BIF's, the 800 PF is even better.
@@KungPowEnterFist Yes I completely agree. It is in the mid price range but performs admirably. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the other PF lenses especially as someone who owns them all. That 800mm does look amazing but would be so restrictive if one could only take 1 lens with them. I am spending a few days photographing in Thailand in August and I am thinking of taking my M43 gear because it’s so flexible! Anyway thanks for the great info👍🙏😀
@@RichardCookphotography Versus all the other PF lenses, IMHO, the 800 PF has the best color rendition and it is a bit more contrasty. At 800mm+, including any combinations of lens plus TC's, of any system, it is the second sharpest lens behind only the F 800 f5.6E FL ED VR. The biggest advantage the 800 PF has over the other PF's is the magic 3D pop. This is not surprising being that it is only a third of a stop away from the magic focal length to max aperture ratio. This is an astonishingly good lens for the price. It is obviously larger and heavier, but you are getting a lot better images IMO.
@@KungPowEnterFist Thanks for this great info. Sounds an awesome lens. Maybe you will surprise me next Christmas😂👍