Wow, Really impressive shots. Love the subtle pinks of the spoonbills, and close-ups of the snake bird. The gaggle of pelicans was mesmerizing as you panned left on the swarm as they seemed to float like a parade. Nicely done. Great narrative. Thanks.
Just a helpful note: T.M. Goodwin has two sections, Original Unit and Broadmoor. Original is open for automobiles on Monday and Thursday 9:00 -4:00 but you can walk or bicycle 7 days a week during same hours. The rookery island where the Spoonbills, Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets roost and breed lies outside of both and is accessible 7 days (although you cannot park there and must walk approx. 200 yards for closest land access). The road leading to T.M. Goodwin (Fellsmere Grade Road) is also great for birding. All 3 areas and Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area (where your outhouse is located) are excellent eBird Hotspots. Hope this is helpful to your fans. I am lucky enough to be out there nearly every Thursday and most Mondays year round.
I love this video, one of my favourites of yours so far, awesome shots! I especially like the Roseate Spoonbill and the last eagle shot. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome shots! This has to be one of my favorite videos of yours to date. I love the huge variety in all the different species featured here. It gives me a chance to see birds I can't really get up here in the Northeast. Great job!
I have recently discovered your channel and I have found an interest to a subject that previously wouldn't be even considering. I also enjoy the narration in your videos as it tells the story of your outing and it's also very informative regarding the birds behaviour which I know nothing of. Thank you for these wonderful videos!
Thank you man! I'm a point-and-shoot sort but I don't use a phone. P900 is fun for now, shopping the lower end cameras and lenses you and others praise and highlight. The information, opinion, and details are critical to an informed decision. I want to stay under 2k and a few nice options.
Mark, another great adventure. I'm glad to see that the rookery is active. I hope to get there this Thursday. Oh yes, the only way to solve that pit toilet is either a fire hose or dynamite. It is baaaaaad! Mike
Lol, that toilet is something from a horror movie. I don't know how someone got the walls dirty like that. The rookery is very active at the moment. I will most likely be there this Thursday as well. It is a fun place to get some shots! Say hi if you see me out there.
Mark, I assume that your reference to Hi Lite Focusing was in reference to 'spot metering' on the highlights so they would not be blown out by focusing elsewhere on something darker.Thanks,Richard
Great stuff Mark. The other week I was coming home from work and saw from a distance what I assumed at first was a Red-tailed Hawk on a post, but then deduced it was too big. Getting closer I realized it was an immature Bald Eagle, but I didn't have a camera with me. You can see some interesting birds here in southwest Ohio if you keep your eyes open.
Great video, Mark. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I look forward to your new installments. Similarly, loving my new D850 but diagonally across the continent here in Vancouver, BC, I’d kill for some decent light at this time of the year...ha
Enjoy the vids. Suggestion: Drop the Camera Maker line from your image info box. It already says Nikon on the next line. Then the box can be smaller. I do appreciate the info though.
Those birds and that light, I am so envious. Just spent the afternoon at a local reserve near Liverpool, England. It was like a dull day in Dullsville. Hardly got any keepers light was so bad. Not many birds either! At the same place a few weeks back a couple of Cormorants flew past. They were a bit distant and silhouehetted. It would have been so easy not to have bothered. But thanks to you Mark I now have a certain phrase rattling round my head.....'ALWAYS TAKE THE SHOT'. As I tracked them they happened to fly very close to the disc of the sun that was filtered by cloud. I only managed to salvage one image. It aint gonna win any awards, but I'm very happy with it and that's all that matters. So thanks for that advice Mark. Looking forward to the next vid, even though I will probably be green with envy again!
Oh yes, the great British weather. Where we have to have the ISO set to about 1 million and each image is as dull as ditchwater :-( There are some great birding spots though on Merseyside, especially when you get the spring high tides; places like Parkgate, West Kirby and Hoylake plus the RSPB Burton Mere is worth visiting, when it's sunny that is!
Yes Steve, we do have some great places. Just getting back into birdin', or more specifically bird photography after a bit of lull. Did a lot of general birdin' a few years back with the odd spell of trying my hand a photography. That was in the days of film though and I found it very frustrating and expensive for the odd good shot that I got. So didn't get into the photo side of it that much then. How much different it is now. Boy are we spoilt with modern digital kit. I was at Burton Mere a few weeks ago. Got some nice Kingfisher shots. Used to go a lot when it was called Inner Marsh Farm. Best wishes and may your next outing be blessed with superb light.
Thanks David. I was ceratinly blessed today in the crisp winter light. Went to my local reservoir & saw some Grebes. They are not displaying yet though but can't wait until they are.
Well...I had TWO!! Not just one but TWO brown sparrows land on my porch.....all kidding aside....GREAT images and vlog. I have that same lens (albeit with a D7100) and I love what it can do. I need to consider a full frame as well as a teleconverter. Again, thanks!
Excellent video, Mark, as always. You're an outstanding photographer and videographer but, man, you're even more astonishing than simply this since you are a terrific commentator! I also share with you the equipment (D500 + 200-500) and I am equally enthusiastic as you are of them. On my part, I can say that the only defect of the lens is the hood that has a loose grip on the lens when it is not mounted. I have already run the risk of losing it because it falls down. Is the same with you, as well? Keep on like this, buddy!
You are being far too nice. I appreciate all the great compliments. It is nice knowing people like the content! Yes, the lens hood is loose! I've knocked it off a few times! Other than that, the lens is excellent.
Hi Mark..yet another Awesome video 👍👍 Could you please mention the video settings you had for the 4k video captured with the d500? Also would 4k video captured with the d850 in DX mode give me the same reach and quality as the d500? Thanks 👍
Thank you for the info about the built in highlight weighted metering. I will be in St. Petersberg from this Thursday to Sunday. Should I take my 100 - 400mm Canon II with a 1.4 extender on a 7D MarkII for some migratory surprises and are there any areas close by that are used by the wintering flocks? Thank you again, Richard.
Hey Mark, great shoot ! I have heard pros and cons about the 1.4 teleconverter on the 200-500 Nikon Zoom. I have both the D500 and 850. LOVE THEM ! I am concerned about image quality in stills with this converter. What’s your opinion?
+Freeman Burgess Thanks. I briefly tried shooting bif with the teleconverter and I didn't like the results. Foe video it is excellent. For close somewhat stationary subjects, it is excellent as well.
Hello Mark Great video love it. By the way have you used the teleconverter in combination with the d850 and 200 500 what was the result. And wich lensfoot collar you are using on the 200 500? Many thanks Hans
+Hans van Leen Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video. I have used the teleconverter on the d850. The image quality is good but only if you can get pretty close. I think the teleconverter would work better on a 500 f4 prime lens. The foot extension came with my gimbal, the manfrotto heavy duty lens support. It is very helpful for hand holding the 200 500 lens. I can rest the foot in the palm of my hand and hold the front element of the lens nice and steady.
Phenomenal work, and amazing captures!!!! Am really keen to know some more of your video settings if you can sometime as I’d love to try and capture some video this good with my dslr but am very new to video. Thanks again for sharing 😊
Ditto on all the comments above on your video. Did you mention the location of the Marsh? At first I thought of Merritt but then you said Thursday only. Keep up the great work.
Hey Mark, another great video, great explanations again. You say, this ist the TM Goodwin WMA and can only be driven on thursdays ? Is there an special opening time early in the morning and or any costs ? I have now bought your book online, really good hints in there, also for my trip in march. PS: You did not make pictures from the scary restrooms ;-)) Greetings from Germany, Eric
Thanks! You can only drive into the back area after 9:00 A.M. which is somewhat of a let down because the lighting just gets harsh from that point on but it is tolerable if you have some clouds filtering it. Thanks for buying my book. I appreciate it! Let me know when you are here. Maybe we will bump into each other!
Wow amazing! Great job again! A friend has offered to sell me a D500 and you and others have about convinced me. I always look forward to your videos. I'm traveling to Melbourne (FL from DC) this weekend and was planning to go to Viera Wetlands. Hope there are still some birds left in Viera :)
Thanks so much for the compliments. The last few times I was at Viera, there were not many birds. There is a lot of water there and the birds haven't shown up in great numbers. Sorry...
awesome shots and video! love it! can u please explain about your favorite method of shooting flying birds: af-c, spot? d25? 3d? cross? with stabillizer or not? regarding the d500 + 200-500
I really enjoy your pics and vids and posted videos. If you were to recommend one general camera combo for birding would it be the D850 with a good telephoto? Thank you.
oh, should have looked at the website ;). If I will make it to Florida one day, I'll definitely contact you. I live in Europe and haven't been to America at all yet. But continue, it gets more and more enticing.
Another amazing video. The bird density in these places is amazing, compared to the San Francisco Bay Area. I know you are shooting in 4k with the D500. Are you uploading at 4k to UA-cam or 1080 p. The resolution and clarity of these videos, even viewed on UA-cam, is excellent. I enjoy your voiceover and your writing of the scripts seem better and better. If the birds are lighter than the background, does that lead you to use a negative EV? LyneisFilm.
Thank you! I use Adobe Premiere to edit video. It down samples the 4K video to 1080p but it still looks incredible either way. The lighter birds like these will be overexposed in matrix metering mode. You can try spot or center weighted metering but I have had inconsistent results with those. Highlight weighted metering seems to work well but I like lowering the exposure compensation which in turn lowers the ISO value because I am shooting in manual with auto iso.
Mark, you outdid yourself with this video. I think this is the best video of yours that I have seen yet. Amazing video, stills, colors, capture and sharpness. A couple questions: 1. I believe you mentioned that you were using Matrix metering. Is this unusual for you or are you using that metering most of the time? 2. You're using AF-C. How many focus points are you using? Example; Single, D9, Group, etc. Thanks. Looking forward to seeing your future videos.
Thanks so much. It is going to be tough trying to top this one! I use Matrix metering most of the time but I have spot and highlight weighted metering set to two custom buttons on the camera. I can switch metering modes very quickly this way. I use AF-C and for the D850 I prefer d25 for bird in flight and single point for little birds in the bushes or somewhat stationary subjects. I have them both set to custom buttons as well. I'm in the process of creating a video / digital book that explains all of this but it is taking far longer than I had hoped! Thanks for watching!
Great video Mark! You said you used a teleconverter on the 200-500 lens on the D500. Which brand teleconverter do you use? Does it work well for birds in flight photography also. Thanks!
Thanks so much. I have the 1.4 III. I like it for video. It is awesome on the D500 but I wouldn't suggest it for anything with fast movement for images. It slows things down quite a bit.
another gorgeous Video as always, Mark! wow! 1. which modus do you use for flying birds - S, A, M - and auto ISO? or it depends on situation? 2. I see, that you always use nikon 200-500? do you any experience with 300mm f/4 PF prime? in March i want to make travel to Africa (with my D850 i use for landscapes at the time), but can't decide if 300 pf is enough or little to short for animals like Leopard. do you have any advice? thx, Mark, even if you can not answer about Africa
Thanks for the compliments. I shoot in manual with auto iso 80-90% of the time. I don't have any experience with the 300mm f4, sorry. You can never have too long of a lens in my opinion!
Nice, very nice. I have a question, does the D850 Grip and large battery improve tracking? We know it gets us 9fps, but are there any other improvements?
It seems to but I have no scientific info to back that up. What I do know is I have far more keepers in a burst than without. I read somewhere that the speed bump reduces mirror blackout time so the camera can predict where the focus should be in the next shot a little easier. I don't know if that is true or not.
Maybe that was the issue, too much movement..I was using the back button option while shooting hummingbirds..& about drove me crazy..thanks for your input..
Mark, your dedication to wildlife photography is inspiring. Keep us entertained please!
What a wonderful story teller. So fantastic shots. Florida...here I come !
What an experience that must have been. You are truly blessed.
Wow, Really impressive shots. Love the subtle pinks of the spoonbills, and close-ups of the snake bird. The gaggle of pelicans was mesmerizing as you panned left on the swarm as they seemed to float like a parade. Nicely done. Great narrative. Thanks.
+UncleVinny's Thanks for watching!
I'm excited master of Photos and movies ,Florida is also a beautiful area with very beautiful animals
Fabulous photos and just as good commentary- amusing, informative and complete. Great job!
Thanks so much!
That was incredible Mark. The video was awesome as were your photographs. A great package. Thanks.
Thanks X2!
Top Notch Mark. Great stuff love the stories and the narration. The photographs speak for themselves.
Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.
Such colors and detail! well done Mark.
Thanks!
Just a helpful note: T.M. Goodwin has two sections, Original Unit and Broadmoor. Original is open for automobiles on Monday and Thursday 9:00 -4:00 but you can walk or bicycle 7 days a week during same hours. The rookery island where the Spoonbills, Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets roost and breed lies outside of both and is accessible 7 days (although you cannot park there and must walk approx. 200 yards for closest land access). The road leading to T.M. Goodwin (Fellsmere Grade Road) is also great for birding. All 3 areas and Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area (where your outhouse is located) are excellent eBird Hotspots. Hope this is helpful to your fans. I am lucky enough to be out there nearly every Thursday and most Mondays year round.
Thanks for the info. This is one of my favorite locations and I can't wait to see the rookery next season.
Another top top video Mark. Can't get enough of these.
+Tom Lee Thanks
I love this video, one of my favourites of yours so far, awesome shots! I especially like the Roseate Spoonbill and the last eagle shot. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching and for the nice compliments.
Wow!
Another superb video with some amazing shots!
Thank you Mark for sharing!
Thank you!
Your videos and story telling keep improving. Great job
Jim
Thanks!
The quality improves with every new video. Keep it up Mark.
+thiagu Thank you.
I really enjoy this perfect mix of nature and photography info. To 10k and beyond!
Thank you! Almost there!
Awesome shots! This has to be one of my favorite videos of yours to date. I love the huge variety in all the different species featured here. It gives me a chance to see birds I can't really get up here in the Northeast. Great job!
Thanks! Glad to share!
I have recently discovered your channel and I have found an interest to a subject that previously wouldn't be even considering. I also enjoy the narration in your videos as it tells the story of your outing and it's also very informative regarding the birds behaviour which I know nothing of. Thank you for these wonderful videos!
+Marieta Tsoukoukou You are welcome. Thanks for watching. Bird photography can be loads of fun!
Beautiful bird shots!!!
Thanks
What a fabulous experience, thanks for letting us share it!
Thank you!
Incredible shots and video footage! Congrats on a such a lucky day and thanks for sharing!
+Wes Peacock Thanks for the compliments and thanks for watching.
Thank you man! I'm a point-and-shoot sort but I don't use a phone. P900 is fun for now, shopping the lower end cameras and lenses you and others praise and highlight. The information, opinion, and details are critical to an informed decision. I want to stay under 2k and a few nice options.
Super shots at this opportunistic location. Nice camera and video work Mark.
Thanks so much!
Insanely wonderful. Great job Mark!
Thank you!
Great images and feel like I have been to Florida birding trip , Mark !! Awesome !!
Awesome. The video has done its job! Thanks for watching.
Man, am I jealous of this encounter! Love it.
It was pretty amazing!
As always a great video from Mr Smith...
Thanks, Mark, for such a great tour!
Thank you for watching!
Another great video with amazing photography, thanks Mark!!!
Thank you!
Mark, another great adventure. I'm glad to see that the rookery is active. I hope to get there this Thursday. Oh yes, the only way to solve that pit toilet is either a fire hose or dynamite. It is baaaaaad! Mike
Lol, that toilet is something from a horror movie. I don't know how someone got the walls dirty like that. The rookery is very active at the moment. I will most likely be there this Thursday as well. It is a fun place to get some shots! Say hi if you see me out there.
Love this Rosiat Sponebil bird you captured that super cool picture
M e too. Thanks for watching.
What a cracking set of images. I am really impressed with the D850 (as well as your ability).
Thank you!
Mark, I assume that your reference to Hi Lite Focusing was in reference to 'spot metering' on the highlights so they would not be blown out by focusing elsewhere on something darker.Thanks,Richard
+richard gold No. There is an acutal metering mode called highlight weighted metering on the d850.
Your photography skills are amazing... Thumbs up Mark.
Thank you very much. I just push buttons! ;)
Amazing photos & video man... Ur so lucky to be in the right time n right place. Amazing Quality photos... Keep up the good work :)
Thank you!
As we come to expect Mark, great content! You remind me of all the beauty I'm missing since moving out of the state.
Thanks and sorry to remind you!
When you downscale from 4k to 1080 are you just changing the size in 'Sequence'?
Really entertaining video all the way from start to finish!
+Captain MJ Thanks
10,000 subs.....congrats you awesome SOB!!!!! Ill be in Ft Myers (my other home) end of next week
Thanks! Email inbound.
Just amazing as always. I loved it so much
Thank you!
Fantastic video! What an experience!
Thanks!
Awesome videos Mark! keep them coming!
Thank you!
Great stuff Mark. The other week I was coming home from work and saw from a distance what I assumed at first was a Red-tailed Hawk on a post, but then deduced it was too big. Getting closer I realized it was an immature Bald Eagle, but I didn't have a camera with me. You can see some interesting birds here in southwest Ohio if you keep your eyes open.
Thanks for watching and for sharing that story! Eagles are awesome!
Excellent video as always Mark
Thank you!
Good work gain Mark. That Roseate Spoonbill is gorgeous :-)
Thanks x2. They are fascinating birds. I can't wait to see some of the chicks and share them. They are really goofy looking.
Awesome Mark.
+Raymond Eichelberger Thanks
Happy birthday mark
I enjoyed watching this very intriguing video 👍
Thanks!
Wow, would have loved to have been there with my camera, so many beautiful birds! Fab video as always.
Thanks. It was a pretty crazy trip! Almost too many birds!
Great video, Mark. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I look forward to your new installments. Similarly, loving my new D850 but diagonally across the continent here in Vancouver, BC, I’d kill for some decent light at this time of the year...ha
Thanks so much for the compliments. I really appreciate it!
I really enjoy watching you're video's!
Good to know. Thanks for watching.
Wow that's a ton of birds! The spoonbill is a gorgeous bird! You should do a video on the raising of a spoonbill chick! Keep up the fantastic work!!
+Dave Watson Thanks. I was thinking about doing a video on the spoonbill chicks.
OMG..... Pinky and The Brain!!! LOL... I loved that cartoon.
Lol! Someone noticed. That was a great cartoon!
Fantastic shirt
We only get Yellow and Royal Spoonbill here in Australia.Those pink one are beautiful.👍👍👍
They sure are. They are great to photograph!
Fantastic video as always. You must have had many long hours processing the film and stills.
+nightmaredave Thanks and yes, I think it was 3 or 4 days of sorting and editing. So many images. Was a great day.
Very impressive work! WoW, hope I can capture shots like that in this lifetime. Definitely a goal! Cheers.
Thank you for the wonderful compliments.
Gorgeous work!
Thank you!
WOW. Great video Mark
Thanks!
Awesome video Mark ! Loved it !
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Wow, beautiful!
+Jetze de Jager Thank you.
Enjoy the vids. Suggestion: Drop the Camera Maker line from your image info box. It already says Nikon on the next line. Then the box can be smaller. I do appreciate the info though.
Thanks! I'll have to remember that.
Those birds and that light, I am so envious. Just spent the afternoon at a local reserve near Liverpool, England. It was like a dull day in Dullsville. Hardly got any keepers light was so bad. Not many birds either! At the same place a few weeks back a couple of Cormorants flew past. They were a bit distant and silhouehetted. It would have been so easy not to have bothered. But thanks to you Mark I now have a certain phrase rattling round my head.....'ALWAYS TAKE THE SHOT'. As I tracked them they happened to fly very close to the disc of the sun that was filtered by cloud. I only managed to salvage one image. It aint gonna win any awards, but I'm very happy with it and that's all that matters. So thanks for that advice Mark. Looking forward to the next vid, even though I will probably be green with envy again!
Thanks for watching. I'm glad that you got something useful from the videos and you captured a great shot. Thanks for the story. I appreciate it.
Oh yes, the great British weather. Where we have to have the ISO set to about 1 million and each image is as dull as ditchwater :-( There are some great birding spots though on Merseyside, especially when you get the spring high tides; places like Parkgate, West Kirby and Hoylake plus the RSPB Burton Mere is worth visiting, when it's sunny that is!
Yes Steve, we do have some great places. Just getting back into birdin', or more specifically bird photography after a bit of lull. Did a lot of general birdin' a few years back with the odd spell of trying my hand a photography. That was in the days of film though and I found it very frustrating and expensive for the odd good shot that I got. So didn't get into the photo side of it that much then. How much different it is now. Boy are we spoilt with modern digital kit. I was at Burton Mere a few weeks ago. Got some nice Kingfisher shots. Used to go a lot when it was called Inner Marsh Farm. Best wishes and may your next outing be blessed with superb light.
Thanks David. I was ceratinly blessed today in the crisp winter light. Went to my local reservoir & saw some Grebes. They are not displaying yet though but can't wait until they are.
Always great stills and video, enjoyed!
Thanks!
Every time I see you’ve posted another video I feel like an 8 year old who’s getting another present from Santa. Another great video!
That is awesome to hear. Thanks for watching and for the great support.
Amazing and possibly your best video yet...
Thanks.That was very nice of you to say!
Mark Smith well. I’m one of your top followers.
Yes sir you are. Thank you!
Great vlog Mark, looks like you had a birding overload day! Finally got my D850 and looking forward to breaking it in ;-)
Thanks. It was a great experience!
i love these videos great story telling and great images thank you for making these videos and congrats on 10k subs keep it up !!
Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the videos.
Incredible! Thanks for sharing
10K subs buddy!!! That's fantastic, congratulations. Keep up the momentum ;-)
Thanks so much. I just uploaded my 10k video. It should be live shortly.
Awesome video Mark. I love all your videos. I see you are getting close to $10k subs. It seems like yesterday that you got 5000.
Thanks so much. Almost there 10k!
Great video. Thank you for putting your numbers in along with the pic. 🤘
Thanks for watching
Awsom video, great photos.
Thanks x2
You're making me jealous Mark with all of your videos. Now I want to come to Florida and shoot.
No need to be jealous. Just come to Florida. The shots in this video were about 10% of the ones I got. It was crazy trying to choose from so many.
I need to save up first lol
Well...I had TWO!! Not just one but TWO brown sparrows land on my porch.....all kidding aside....GREAT images and vlog. I have that same lens (albeit with a D7100) and I love what it can do. I need to consider a full frame as well as a teleconverter. Again, thanks!
Two is better than none! I was very lucky on this trip! I don't think that will happen again too soon! Thanks for watching.
I already have the lens . All I need is that d850 :D Amazing videos! Subscribed :)
Thanks
Excellent video, Mark, as always. You're an outstanding photographer and videographer but, man, you're even more astonishing than simply this since you are a terrific commentator! I also share with you the equipment (D500 + 200-500) and I am equally enthusiastic as you are of them. On my part, I can say that the only defect of the lens is the hood that has a loose grip on the lens when it is not mounted. I have already run the risk of losing it because it falls down. Is the same with you, as well? Keep on like this, buddy!
You are being far too nice. I appreciate all the great compliments. It is nice knowing people like the content! Yes, the lens hood is loose! I've knocked it off a few times! Other than that, the lens is excellent.
Nice shots, talk about the right place at right time! Great commentary as well.. 1 question do you normal shoot AF in group, single or 3D?
+Chris Harris Thank you. I shoot in d25 or single point on the d850.
Hi Mark..yet another Awesome video 👍👍 Could you please mention the video settings you had for the 4k video captured with the d500? Also would 4k video captured with the d850 in DX mode give me the same reach and quality as the d500? Thanks 👍
+matheeq The d500 crops 4k video an additional 1.5 or 1.4. The d850 does not. For video, I shoot full manual.
Mark Smith Thanks Mark! Really love your work 👍👍
Great video, great narration, great job
Thanks!
Great narration.....except the comment of birds of prey snapping a snakes neck... lol.....since when did a snake have a neck?
Nice! Nice! Nice! Mark, Can you share your camera settings?
+Clive Cheung Thanks. Which settings are you looking for.
Mark, All your setup, such as back button focus, focusing type or group. I am sure many people would like to know.
WOW! love this video!
Thanks!
Thank you for the info about the built in highlight weighted metering. I will be in St. Petersberg from this Thursday to Sunday. Should I take my 100 - 400mm Canon II with a 1.4 extender on a 7D MarkII for some migratory surprises and are there any areas close by that are used by the wintering flocks? Thank you again, Richard.
Always bring your camera! I would suggest Fort Desoto!
Great job - is it possible once in a while to also include the AF mode you' re using? Or at least the one you use the most.
Thanks. For the D850 I use AF-C and bounce back and forth between D25 and Single Point.
Hey Mark, great shoot ! I have heard pros and cons about the 1.4 teleconverter on the 200-500 Nikon Zoom. I have both the D500 and 850. LOVE THEM ! I am concerned about image quality in stills with this converter. What’s your opinion?
Mark, Great video as always. Have you had any luck photographing BIF with the 200-500 + 1.4TC?
+Freeman Burgess Thanks. I briefly tried shooting bif with the teleconverter and I didn't like the results. Foe video it is excellent. For close somewhat stationary subjects, it is excellent as well.
Hello Mark
Great video love it.
By the way have you used the teleconverter in combination with the d850 and 200 500 what was the result.
And wich lensfoot collar you are using on the 200 500?
Many thanks Hans
+Hans van Leen Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video. I have used the teleconverter on the d850. The image quality is good but only if you can get pretty close. I think the teleconverter would work better on a 500 f4 prime lens. The foot extension came with my gimbal, the manfrotto heavy duty lens support. It is very helpful for hand holding the 200 500 lens. I can rest the foot in the palm of my hand and hold the front element of the lens nice and steady.
Mark Smith what is close 10 feet or 100 feet? And the manfrottoplate is that arca swiss?
Thanks Mark
Which Teleconnverter are you using? Nikon one? Which model? DO you use it for photos? Great photography!
Phenomenal work, and amazing captures!!!! Am really keen to know some more of your video settings if you can sometime as I’d love to try and capture some video this good with my dslr but am very new to video. Thanks again for sharing 😊
Thank you! I shoot all video in full manual mode. I have a video that shows how I focus and shoot video here: ua-cam.com/video/JbM6rNEXWOQ/v-deo.html
Ditto on all the comments above on your video. Did you mention the location of the Marsh? At first I thought of Merritt but then you said Thursday only. Keep up the great work.
Thanks! The spoonies are located at the Stick Marsh. Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area.
Hey Mark, another great video, great explanations again. You say, this ist the TM Goodwin WMA and can only be driven on thursdays ? Is there an special opening time early in the morning and or any costs ? I have now bought your book online, really good hints in there, also for my trip in march. PS: You did not make pictures from the scary restrooms ;-))
Greetings from Germany, Eric
Thanks! You can only drive into the back area after 9:00 A.M. which is somewhat of a let down because the lighting just gets harsh from that point on but it is tolerable if you have some clouds filtering it. Thanks for buying my book. I appreciate it! Let me know when you are here. Maybe we will bump into each other!
Wow amazing! Great job again! A friend has offered to sell me a D500 and you and others have about convinced me. I always look forward to your videos. I'm traveling to Melbourne (FL from DC) this weekend and was planning to go to Viera Wetlands. Hope there are still some birds left in Viera :)
Thanks so much for the compliments. The last few times I was at Viera, there were not many birds. There is a lot of water there and the birds haven't shown up in great numbers. Sorry...
awesome shots and video! love it! can u please explain about your favorite method of shooting flying birds: af-c, spot? d25? 3d? cross? with stabillizer or not? regarding the d500 + 200-500
VR on the lens, handheld, D850 AF-C D25 and Single Point. D500 group and single point.
I really enjoy your pics and vids and posted videos. If you were to recommend one general camera combo for birding would it be the D850 with a good telephoto? Thank you.
I think the D850 is great but it really needs prime lenses like the 500 f4 to look its best.
four thumbs up, Mark !!..
Thanks!
Maybe you should consider offering bird photography safaris in Florida.
+geographer ix I do. Www.floridabirdtours.com
oh, should have looked at the website ;). If I will make it to Florida one day, I'll definitely contact you. I live in Europe and haven't been to America at all yet. But continue, it gets more and more enticing.
Looking forward to it. Thanks!
Another amazing video. The bird density in these places is amazing, compared to the San Francisco Bay Area. I know you are shooting in 4k with the D500. Are you uploading at 4k to UA-cam or 1080 p. The resolution and clarity of these videos, even viewed on UA-cam, is excellent. I enjoy your voiceover and your writing of the scripts seem better and better. If the birds are lighter than the background, does that lead you to use a negative EV? LyneisFilm.
Thank you! I use Adobe Premiere to edit video. It down samples the 4K video to 1080p but it still looks incredible either way. The lighter birds like these will be overexposed in matrix metering mode. You can try spot or center weighted metering but I have had inconsistent results with those. Highlight weighted metering seems to work well but I like lowering the exposure compensation which in turn lowers the ISO value because I am shooting in manual with auto iso.
Mark, you outdid yourself with this video. I think this is the best video of yours that I have seen yet. Amazing video, stills, colors, capture and sharpness.
A couple questions:
1. I believe you mentioned that you were using Matrix metering. Is this unusual for you or are you using that metering most of the time?
2. You're using AF-C. How many focus points are you using? Example; Single, D9, Group, etc.
Thanks. Looking forward to seeing your future videos.
Thanks so much. It is going to be tough trying to top this one! I use Matrix metering most of the time but I have spot and highlight weighted metering set to two custom buttons on the camera. I can switch metering modes very quickly this way. I use AF-C and for the D850 I prefer d25 for bird in flight and single point for little birds in the bushes or somewhat stationary subjects. I have them both set to custom buttons as well. I'm in the process of creating a video / digital book that explains all of this but it is taking far longer than I had hoped! Thanks for watching!
Great information! . Looking forward to the video! Also really like your narration of the videos. Makes them even more enjoyable.
Great video Mark! You said you used a teleconverter on the 200-500 lens on the D500. Which brand teleconverter do you use? Does it work well for birds in flight photography also. Thanks!
Thanks so much. I have the 1.4 III. I like it for video. It is awesome on the D500 but I wouldn't suggest it for anything with fast movement for images. It slows things down quite a bit.
another gorgeous Video as always, Mark! wow!
1. which modus do you use for flying birds - S, A, M - and auto ISO? or it depends on situation?
2. I see, that you always use nikon 200-500? do you any experience with 300mm f/4 PF prime?
in March i want to make travel to Africa (with my D850 i use for landscapes at the time), but can't decide if 300 pf is enough or little to short for animals like Leopard.
do you have any advice?
thx, Mark, even if you can not answer about Africa
Thanks for the compliments. I shoot in manual with auto iso 80-90% of the time. I don't have any experience with the 300mm f4, sorry. You can never have too long of a lens in my opinion!
thx so much, Mark. its real great, that you answer always even somebody from Georgia far far away :)
Great!
Spectacular 👍. Thanks for sharing...
Thanks for watching!
great mark what shutter speed and f stop do you use on the d500 and 200 500 lens on video and do you use manual focus many thanks
I made a video that highlights all of that info. You can find it here. ua-cam.com/video/JbM6rNEXWOQ/v-deo.html
Nice, very nice. I have a question, does the D850 Grip and large battery improve tracking? We know it gets us 9fps, but are there any other improvements?
It seems to but I have no scientific info to back that up. What I do know is I have far more keepers in a burst than without. I read somewhere that the speed bump reduces mirror blackout time so the camera can predict where the focus should be in the next shot a little easier. I don't know if that is true or not.
Maybe that was the issue, too much movement..I was using the back button option while shooting hummingbirds..& about drove me crazy..thanks for your input..
You can still use back button focus with movement. It just depends on how you use it!