This week I'm out with my Nikon D500 and Sigma 150-600mm lens to capture some bird photography. I get tough conditions to begin with, so how will the pairing of the D500 and Sigma 150-600 cope with the rain and low-light?
Пікірлер: 71
@tonysanders16333 ай бұрын
I have been using a D500 + Sigma 150-600 Contemporary combination for the last 3 years. Given the DX crop factor they make a fantastic pairing for wildlife photography. They have helped me to capture many shots that I could not have easily achieved otherwise
@ele485310 ай бұрын
I have been shooting Nikon since Nikon F. Had all the cameras Nikon has produced. From the Nikon F to the Z9. My passion? BIF (Birds In Flight) photography. I have the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED. Amazing lens! So much they still produce and sell brand new. This lens with the TC-14II is another pearl combination. Not image loss or autofocus speed. Snap to the point in no time. Nikkor AF-S 500mm F/4.0 VRII another amazing pearl. Works the same way with TC-14 III, Nikkor AF-S 600mm F/4.0 FL. This is a beast! Works great with all the TCs. Nikkor AF-S 800mm F/5.6 FL is slow. I sold it. Not worth a penny for BIF. My Sigma 150-600mm is auto-focus faster than that lens. Let me tell you this: Nikon has the best autofocus system ever developed in the D500 (Same on the D5 and D850). I shoot more keepers with this camera then with the Z9. Believe it or not, the camera is faster to acquire the bird in flight at any background including the busy ones. It locks on it and does not let go, keeps tracking head on to you at speeds of 60 miles an hour or more. It is more sensitive to low light than the Z9 despite the fact that in theory the Z9 shows better sensitivity on the specs. I like the camera so much that I purchased another brand new one in January 2023. the camera is out of production in February and now B&H is selling brand new again. Noise? what is that? with Photolab 6, noise is not an issue anymore. I regret that I purchased the Z9 and the Z 800mm. The workflow is terrible. if you shoot 20, 30, 60 or 120 FPS you will have tons of photos and how long it will take you to download? I don't like to spend hours behind the computer. I could write a book about this matter. Don't sell your D500. keep it and learn all the camera does for BIF you will love it. You will not learn overnight what the camera is capable of. However, persisting in finding all the camera does relentlessly you will be great at BIF. Sure lots of "experts" will start "attacking" what I just said. Believe me. My best shots I take with my D500. A lens I don't have it and will purchase soon is the Nikkor AF-F 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR it is small and super light and snappy at autofocus. Together with the D500 it will be the KILLER!
@bassangler732 жыл бұрын
I love my D500 and the Nikon 200-500mm f5.6...awesome combo for under $3k, I don't think a mirrorless can touch the D500 for bif unless you spend $3500 + for the body
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
I was close to getting a 200-500 but a good deal on the Sigma made me chance my mind. I would like to get one and do a comparison at some point. I agree about mirrorless in general, although I think the new Z9 might change that. I'd like to see a crop sensor equivalent at some point. Thanks for watching. 😊
@darkstar21112 жыл бұрын
I'm going to buy d500 + nikkor200-500 on the upcoming payday, 2nd hand, low milage. I think 1600 quid is a good deal for that
@paulcookphotography2 жыл бұрын
Great video Robert! Definitely a day for ducks. Speaking of, that in-flight duck shot at 3:05 was the shot of the video for me. Incredible capture that one! And definitely a lot of other really good images despite the conditions. Nice to have that hide to keep you a bit more dry. Great stuff as always mate! Really enjoyed it. Have a great week over there!
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Paul. Yeah, I love how ducks always look like they're smiling. They certainly seemed to be enjoying the rain more than me. 😁 Cheers for watching mate.
@tonymckeage10282 жыл бұрын
Great Video, Loved 02:02 the coot looked wetter than you! much improved light in 03:04, brilliant "in flight" shot, 04:28 a magnificent image of a Canada goose? 07:27 a fantastic "takeoff" of an "egret"? love the duck in 09:14 . 09:23 is a cracking shot as is 09:33 . I use Canon a 2x L series extender with my canon EF f4L 300mm lens, I also find the extender works well with the Canon 70-200 mm L lens, The extender very compact and very sharp with great contrast. Great Video, thanks for sharing
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tony. Yeah - the takeoff shot is an Egret, as for the Goose - not sure if it's a Canada goose or not. I hear that the Nikon 300mm PF is also a very good lens and very commonly used with the 2x converter. I'd certainly like to try it out. Not sure I can afford the fast telephoto primes just yet though. I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. 😀
@veteran35th2 жыл бұрын
I hope you're happy. I'm about to spend 1000€ on a D500. I just can't get rid of my DX lenses and the Z50 is meh. My D90 has served me well. Maybe I'll leave her with the 35mm f/1.8 attached. I've got an old Sigma 150-500 that'll work nicely with the D500 along the Atlantic coast of France this summer (birds and surfers mostly).
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Good choice, I think you won't be disappointed. I had a hunch the D500 would still be superior to the new tech of the Z50, so good to hear your experience. I'm sure you'll have a great time at the Atlantic coast. 😊
@artistry-lifeart97212 жыл бұрын
Absolutely great video !!! Thanks for sharing 👍
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Many thanks. 😊
@AndrewWaltonPhotography2 жыл бұрын
You did say on my recent Bird Photography video that the conditions in your video were a bit different, you weren't kidding! Cracking shots throughout, even in the less favourable light.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Haha, cheers Andrew. Yeah, certainly started off a bit sketchy! Was still fairly pleased with that first shot at ISO 5000 though! Thanks for watching. 😊
@peterbrackenbury2 жыл бұрын
Great video, thanks for sharing. I have the D500 and the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary. Have only used it for garden birds and one trip to Bempton for the gannets. Like you I have found that unless the light is good the images tend to be softer and noisier. Hoping to get out next week to try out the combination on water fowl, just praying for some brighter conditions.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Peter. Yes and closing the distance to the subject also significantly helps to improve the image quality. I hope you get the good conditions next week. 😊
@sarahmitchell47292 жыл бұрын
Hi, do you use auto iso
@peterbrackenbury2 жыл бұрын
@@sarahmitchell4729 For most of the time I use auto ISO and manual shutter and aperture. I have tried using aperture priority and setting the ISO on odd occasions when the light is reasonable with good results.
@Wessexphotography2 жыл бұрын
Hello Robert . Considering the conditions you did extremely well there. The Duck in flight was exellent, I shoot with the D7500 with the Sigma 100-400mm C and find that a very good combo for my run and gun style of wildlife , that must be a big old unit to carry . You mentioned tents try looking at the Polish Lavvu it a canvas teepee style and makes for a great hide. Great watch Atb. Joe
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Joe. Do you find you have enough reach with the 100-400 then? Certainly looks a bit lighter than the 150-600! I'll check that tent out, thanks. 😊
@Wessexphotography2 жыл бұрын
@@Robert-Bishop I find the 100-400mm is enough for me but in my experience wildlife photographers will always want more reach and are never really satisfied , if I want more reach I stick my d7500 in crop mode which gives an extra 1.2 crop and 780mm and shoot with 12mp basically a d300 on steroids with nearly 800mm . Look at military mart for the tent. Combined weight of the d7500 and the 100-400mm is 1.7kg .
@kojifresh2 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! I recently subscribed to your channel having an interest in purchasing this lens, and after seeing you pair it with the D500, I'm completely sold on it!
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Many thanks. Yes, works really well with the D500. You can also get the Sigma usb dock and fine tune the focus and custom setting switches too. 😊
@Hansinho102 жыл бұрын
I use the Nikkor 200-500mm f5.6 and as you say, even with these big telephoo lenses you need to get really close to the birds to capture that detail. A lot of times the birds are that far away, that you only manage to put them in the middle of your photos, because the water or something else limits you. But if the weather is bright and you get close to the birds, the lenses capture these nice details in the feathers, which is just gorgeous to see.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Yes, I agree, and then needing to crop excessively really reduces the image quality. Do you use a teleconverter with the 200-500 at all?
@Hansinho102 жыл бұрын
@@Robert-Bishop Nope, I'm just using the D7500 with the Nikkor 200-500mm. With those bird photos a lot depends on luck, because you can't predict, what the birds do next. Sometimes you get lucky and catch them really near in flight, but sometimes they keep their distance all day long. :D What we also need is definitely a bright sunny day to keep our ISO low.
@SandraJsAdventuresOutdoors2 жыл бұрын
Great photos Robert, I love the bird blind, I have come across a couple of those they put in parks here and there. They are so nice to shoot from :)
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
It certainly helps to stop the birds from being scared away. Thanks for watching Sandra. 😊
@PhotosByFinch2 жыл бұрын
Great video Rob, really like the image at 07:30. You're absolutely right as well, even with a huge zoom lens the closer you are to the subject the more detail can be captured!
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Cheers Ben. Going to have to disguise myself as a tree next time, then I can sneak up on the birds. 😂
@terrynewmanphotography2 жыл бұрын
Nice video and useful as thinking of picking up a used D500 to go with my Sigma lens and that’ll be the wildlife combo with the Z7 remaining for landscapes etc.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
That's my exact setup, Terry. Both fantastic cameras and you can get some great prices for used D500s now. Thanks for watching. 😊
@LetsClickPhotography2 жыл бұрын
Good on ya mate for getting out when the weather was terrible, glad it picked up for you later. Quite right though, we don’t always have choice on when we can go out and so you either go and get a drenching or stay at home and get nothing - always the right choice to get out imo…..I’d have a bet to say you were the only tog there that morning?
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Surprisingly there were a couple others - definitely quieter than normal though. A silver lining, I guess! And yeah, the photos aren't going to win any awards, but as you say, better than not going out and getting nothing. Thanks for watching mate. 😊
@ButtudamachanelBtdsUb12 жыл бұрын
Very very good 👍🙏❤️
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks very much. 😊
@DS-eu2ww Жыл бұрын
This lens is not a low light lens right ? Cloudy or early or late in the day, are probably difficult?
@Robert-Bishop Жыл бұрын
It's definitely better in bright daylight, but I've used it around sunrise/sunset and been able to get some decent results. Depends how well your camera handles high ISO settings. I'm usually over 6400 for birds in flight for that time of day.
@DS-eu2ww Жыл бұрын
@@Robert-Bishop thank you ! btw/ you see the prices of some of the new Nikon Z lenses? $$$$$$ I just bought D500 on ebay with 269 SC. Dont want to do the f to z adaptor thing. Too many negatives pop up on Z camera censors - ie no cross type sensors.,
@stefranks51502 жыл бұрын
Hi Robert just found your channel find it very interesting. I don't find D500 very good in low light, I notice quite a few shots fairly fast shutter speed, and 1000 iso, was just wondering how much editing you do and do you use noise reduction soft ware.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
I think it's good in lowlight for an APS-C camera, but will never be as good as FX. I used DXO denoise software and Lightroom. Thanks for watching. 😊
@tonystoffolano68582 жыл бұрын
I am looking at getting the Sigma lens and I was wondering if you had an idea of the distances you took the shots in either good or bad light. I am looking at shot up to 500m. I have a d3500 with the 70-300mm and i am looking for the next step, love the video.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Anthony. I'd say most of the shots were between 100 and 150 metres. They have been cropped in post though. It's a great lens for the price but be aware the Sports version is very heavy. If you're planning on using it handheld, consider the Contemporary version.
@travellerofspacetime2 жыл бұрын
Great work 👏👏👏 How will Sigma 150-600mm perform with Nikon D7500 ? Or Suggest me some budget camlens combo
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks. The lens works great with the D7500 - I have a few videos in which I'm using that combo if you look back through my channel. A good budget lens in the Nikon 70-300mm DX VR. Again, I have some videos where I'm using that pairing. 😊
@bijaydarai44012 жыл бұрын
Amazing pictures I was wondering which camera bag do you prefer for that Gear?
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I have a few different bags. My main backpack is a Vanguard Discover 42. It's big enough for my camera and about 3 lenses. I don't have a bag big enough to accommodate the Sigma 150-600 - I just tend to take that in the case it came with. Thanks for watching. 😊
@shot2death8762 жыл бұрын
The lens is 225-900 on the crop sensor camera which I believe the D500 is. Does not make sense using a teleconverter. That is a very heavy lens to hand hold all day.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
For that particular location, the teleconverter is useful, yes. It's great to be able to use the hides, but it does put you very far away from the birds. I prefer not to use it though. Not for the weight, as it barely adds anything compared to the lens itself, but it reduces the maximum aperture that you can use. As with anything in photography, it's a balancing act between multiple limiting factors to try and come away with the best shot.
@philipfoster72692 жыл бұрын
Nice vid. Thankyou. I use a Canon 7D2 with an original Canon 300mm F2.8 L with a 1.4 teleconverter. A game changer for me has been DXO Pure RAW which allows me to shoot at very high ISO setting if needed and still end up with clean, detailed shots. I was wondering if you had tried it at all and what you think of it?
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Philip, I do you use DxO, yes. In fact, I'm demonstrating it in my most recent video about noise reduction. I've found it can produce some very good results. 😊
@philipfoster72692 жыл бұрын
@@Robert-Bishop Just watched it. Good vid. Thanks again.
@robertspeicher50472 жыл бұрын
Blinds can be ueed. Duck. Tree stands too.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tips Robert. 😊
@carloscipriani2438 Жыл бұрын
Estimo que la D500 seguirá vigente hasta el año 2050.
@Robert-Bishop Жыл бұрын
Quite possibly! 😊
@fenlandwildlifeclips2 жыл бұрын
Aldo do you think the D500 creates sharper images than the D7500?
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
No, the image quality between the two cameras is identical. The benefits of the D500 are in things like the focussing system and higher burst rate etc. 😊
@fenlandwildlifeclips2 жыл бұрын
@@Robert-Bishop Thank you that's helpful
@sanybalkanaciairsoft32532 жыл бұрын
Both have the same sensor with just a bit od modification. Sharper images come from the Lens, even a 12mp can look way sharper with a high class lens then a 50mp sensor with a cheap lens.
@fenlandwildlifeclips2 жыл бұрын
Fo you think it's safe to have thevldnse out in the rain? I have a D7500 & Sigma 150-600 contemporary. I've nervous about getting them too wet.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
I have the Sport version which is weather sealed and I have no problem taking that out in the rain on my D7500. I don't think the contemporary version is weather sealed though, so probably would avoid heavy rain. The D7500 is weather sealed.
@fenlandwildlifeclips2 жыл бұрын
@@Robert-Bishop I don't know if I could hand hold the sports one...🤔 I like to walk & shoot...
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
@@fenlandwildlifeclips Yeah, that's the downside. I can handhold it for a short time, but use a monopod for longer shoots. I believe the Tamron G2 is weather sealed and is a similar weight to the Sigma Contemporary.
@kevywilliams33042 жыл бұрын
This lens needs tons of light. I would of chosen another lens
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
When I get tons of money Kev, I might do the same! 😂
@nikolam5362 Жыл бұрын
Don't take it wrong way, but these pics doesn't do justice to this lens and camera... you should go lower when shooting birds especially that are on land.. I know it's been raining.
@Robert-Bishop Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the feedback. I generally agree that lower is better, but as you can see, the majority of these shots were captured from the hides where it isn't possible to go any lower. The two exceptions are the one at 5:58 which is up in the tree (no point in going lower there) and the Magpie at the end, which is at eye level with the bird. Thanks for watching. 😊
@chriselson72682 жыл бұрын
Your image references indicate you're using the sport version of this lens but you'er not headlining the video with the lens you're using. You don't speak about which lens you're actually using. That might help. Steve Perry has a bad review about using the lens hood because it causes soft images do to heat trapped in the hood.
@Robert-Bishop2 жыл бұрын
Glad you worked it out from the image references, Chris. I haven't noticed a problem with heat trapped in the hood, though it's not usually that warm when I'm out shooting! 😁 Thanks for watching.