Mark, With the outstanding photographs you take, and the no-nonsense commentary you provide, I can't believe you don't have one million subscribers!!! Keep up the good work. So glad I discovered you this week :)
I live in the UK and I am extremely envious of how may birds you have in Florida. I have been 8 times but every time its been Disney Disney Disney, now the kids are older I will return with my D500 ! Great video and photography, you are very lucky living in Florida but also a great photographer.
I know, Florida is a great place for all kinds of wildlife photography. You have to be a little creative with the landscapes but they are there. Thanks for all the great compliments. I really appreciate it. If you do make your way back to Florida for some birding, I recently wrote a guide that covers my favorite locations. amzn.to/2phLIeF
+CeeandKay Yeah the naggy GPS always interrupt me. That osprey let me get really close too. I've got another video in the works for the same area on a later date.
Really amazing shots. The one with the chicks feeding on the mothers beak is National Geographic material. I really enjoy your walkabout videos. You just earned a new subscriber :)
Debating the Tamron 150-600 G2 but every video of the 200-500 really makes me think I need to go that direction. I think the 200-500 on my D4 make guy do the trick
Amazing photos! Just bought a virtually new D500 with 17-55mm lens. Less than 325 clicks! I've not even begun to break it in yet. I truly appreciate your tips on video, wildlife shooting and setup!
You my nonfriend friend, you live a dream,my dream lolol cool, I'm getting tired of freezing in winters 7 months of the year, enjoy good (warm) times with your son. Excellent vid.
I'm blown away by the quality that you are getting from your 200-500. That's all one could ask for 99% of the time it seems. I just ordered my very own copy and hope that it will perform as well as what I saw in this video. Do you mostly shoot at 500mm?
@@MarkSmithphotography the IQ is fantastic. The only gripe I have is the slow zoom ring. No clue why Nikon had to space it out so much compared to other zoom lenses like the 80-400. Especially when shooting handheld it is difficult to zoom through the entire range or even half range quickly when there's a moving subject an entirely different focal length is needed at the other end of the spectrum.
sir when you will make a video for editing your raw files? you are the best in wildlife photography. i've seen tons of video in wildlife photography here in youtube with really big channels but your work really stands out.
Very interesting to watch. Amazing what fine pictures you can make by just driving around in a car. A very nice place for wildlife photography you live in.
Yes! That is a great place. I went there about 2 weeks ago looking for Reddish Egrets and checking to see how the burn was. Over 1000 acres caught fire and burned in late April. For the most part, everything looks good considering.
Yes I did but the lighting wasn't so good and they stayed somewhat far away. I think that is the best place to locate them. I saw about 7-8 of them all doing their crazy dances.
Bijoy MB Don't shoot in Mid day, Either in the Morning or Afternoon. Also you're using Very Fast Shutter Speed, Narrow Aperture and Lowest possible ISO anyway.
Mark, thanks for the videos. I have the same camera/lens and your videos have helped a lot. When you go from shooting birds in flight to something on the ground like the alligator or wildlife do you keep it on group focus, or switch to single point? Thanks
Nice video, your photos look great. In your earlier videos you were using the Tamron 150-600 v1. How does it compare to the Nikon 200-500. I am planning on getting a Nikon D500 but I'm undecided on the lens to get.
Thanks! I can't say enough good things about the Nikon 200-500mm. My copy is absolutely incredible and gets much better results than the Tamron. The pictures are so much sharper and overall color appears more realistic. I was set on buying the Tamron V2. I went to a local camera store and tried both the Tamron V2 and the Nikon on my D500. I walked out with the Nikon because it produced much better results. I highly recommend the Nikon 200-500 and I also highly suggest trying both on your camera body either through a rental service or a local store to see which one performs best for you!
Hello mark Which is the place that you just showed. My Brother stays in Florida who might be interested to visit that place. Btw I just bought the 200-500 f5.6 Nikkor lense. Currently using with my D7100. Nice video and amazing photographs..! Keep clicking.! Already subscribed to ur channel.
+denault3985 Thanks! Video seems to be more forgiving at higher Iso but I don't recall what iso I used when filming. I try to keep it low at 100. The images will vary from 100 - 2500.
Hi Mark, I love your channel! I too have the D500 paired with the Nikkor 200-500 f5.6 and a passion for photographing birds. I was wondering which AF-Area Modes do you use with birds in flight? I've tried Single Point, Group and 25-point dynamic area AF all with mixed results. Thanks
Hello and thanks! The D500 paired with the Nikkow 200-500 F5.6 is incredible. I have been using group auto focus. It has been yielding great results so I keep it that way. I do have the AF-ON button set for single point but only use it for small birds where tree branches may be in the way. It works well for focusing through the branches. I haven't tried 25 point yet but only because I have been getting such good results with group Auto focus. I generally shot with a minimum shutter speed of 1/2000. All of my results have been stellar. I would say my bird in flight keeper rate is around 90%. I even went so far as to try bees in flight. That was tough but I managed to get some great captures using the same method. It is just very difficult keeping a bee in the frame!
Thanks Mark. I'm still learning this camera and will give more attention to Group Mode in the future. Near where we live there's an osprey that returns every year and can be found fishing almost every evening (changeling in low light with high shutter speed) in a nearby cove. This year I'm hoping to get some good sequence dive shots, hopefully I'll be able to spot him when there's good light.
Barnacle Watcher I think photography is a constant learning process. I know I learn something every time I shoot. Ospreys are a lot fun to capture. I think modern cameras have an easy time grabbing focus with an osprey because of the black and white contrasts. I really enjoy photographing them. Let me know how you do.
I really liked your movies and photos , i will follow you on youtube , ps maybe is it possible to put your exif by the photos for learning ( greetz from The Netherlands )
Mark, I am really enjoying your posts and am considering buying a Nikon 200-500 for my D500 like you are doing, but based on some experimentation I've done with a 28-300 (f 5.6 at 1/2000 or 1/2500; ISO around 2200), I'm not satisfied with the noise I'm getting in my pictures. You are shooting at similar speeds, aperture and ISO, yet yours are SO CLEAN. Is that something you are doing in post with Lightroom? Is it a difference in the optics of the lens'? Or do I just need greater reach with the 200-500? I'm really tempted to go with the heavier, more expense 200-400 f/4 to get potentially cleaner shots, but you seem to be doing GREAT with the 200-500. Thoughts? Kevin
I never liked shooting over 2000 ISO with my 200-500 on the D500. I now shoot mostly with my D850 and a 500 F4 prime. I no longer have that issue. The 200-500 is a great lens for the money. In my opinion, it is the best in its class but a couple of friends of mine let me use their 500 F4 lenses and I could never go back!
+MyLeftFoot23 I believe it is ok. I went a few weeks ago and the area was closed. We've had so much rain and they close it when it rains a lot. There is a phone number you can call that will give you a current status on the area. (321) 637-5521
:))))) thanks, you see I didn't even realised that i can compare them in a shop, silly me... maybe short comparison but probably useful and also chance to check in low light, thanks a lot.
ive just started shooting birds in prey - ive always shot with the hood on , i see you have it off,, would having it on effect my shot for birds in flight
+Lurechunker Too I have an idea. You are local to Vero right? Email me at marksmithphotos@gmail.com and we can meet somewhere and you can try my combo to see what you think.
Warms the heart to see a dad and his son do something like this together.
Mark,
With the outstanding photographs you take, and the no-nonsense commentary you provide, I can't believe you don't have one million subscribers!!! Keep up the good work. So glad I discovered you this week :)
Thanks so much. I really enjoy sharing making and sharing the videos. It is a great opportunity to share these things with people.
I live in the UK and I am extremely envious of how may birds you have in Florida. I have been 8 times but every time its been Disney Disney Disney, now the kids are older I will return with my D500 ! Great video and photography, you are very lucky living in Florida but also a great photographer.
I know, Florida is a great place for all kinds of wildlife photography. You have to be a little creative with the landscapes but they are there. Thanks for all the great compliments. I really appreciate it. If you do make your way back to Florida for some birding, I recently wrote a guide that covers my favorite locations. amzn.to/2phLIeF
I love your photos, they are absolutely amazing. Keep the videos coming!! Looking forward to seeing more.
Thank you so much! I hope to make plenty more!
"SHUT UP, I'M TRYIN' TO TALK!" 😁
Loving the Osprey shots!
+CeeandKay Yeah the naggy GPS always interrupt me. That osprey let me get really close too. I've got another video in the works for the same area on a later date.
Another great video Mark. Those shots are wonderful.
Thanks1
Really amazing shots. The one with the chicks feeding on the mothers beak is National Geographic material. I really enjoy your walkabout videos. You just earned a new subscriber :)
Thanks!
Debating the Tamron 150-600 G2 but every video of the 200-500 really makes me think I need to go that direction. I think the 200-500 on my D4 make guy do the trick
Another cool video. More in my neck of the woods. Always good to see another photographer's perspective. Thanks for sharing Mark.
Thanks for watching!
My favourite channel on youtube or anywhere else. Thanks for sharing!
That is very nice of you to say. Thanks.
THAT was great fun. Thanks and very nice work.
Jim
Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Hey man, that picture of the Coopers Hawk is WICKED!!! Lou
Thank you!
Amazing photos! Just bought a virtually new D500 with 17-55mm lens. Less than 325 clicks! I've not even begun to break it in yet. I truly appreciate your tips on video, wildlife shooting and setup!
+Richard Morgan Thanks and you are very welcome. Have a great time with your D500. It is a great camera.
EXCELLENT as always. Why do you have the hood backwards?
Mark got the book today awesome thanks for all the information
Great! Thanks so much for buying it. I really appreciate it and I know it will get you closer to some great birds.
Amazing pictures !
You my nonfriend friend, you live a dream,my dream lolol cool, I'm getting tired of freezing in winters 7 months of the year, enjoy good (warm) times with your son. Excellent vid.
What a great informative fun video! I was looking for a real world review for the 200-500, and yours has been on the spot :)
Thanks! I'm glad the video was helpful.
So Glad I found your channel
Thanks for watching.
great video and photos. keep up the good work!
Thanks!
Loving your videos
+Daemonforce Gaming Thanks
Fantastic! Merci
Merci!
Great videos. keep up the great work you do.
+vitor azinheira Thank you!
I'm blown away by the quality that you are getting from your 200-500. That's all one could ask for 99% of the time it seems. I just ordered my very own copy and hope that it will perform as well as what I saw in this video. Do you mostly shoot at 500mm?
It is a great lens. Hope you enjoy your copy. I do shoot mine mostly at 500 but having the ability to back it off to 200 is a huge help.
@@MarkSmithphotography the IQ is fantastic. The only gripe I have is the slow zoom ring. No clue why Nikon had to space it out so much compared to other zoom lenses like the 80-400. Especially when shooting handheld it is difficult to zoom through the entire range or even half range quickly when there's a moving subject an entirely different focal length is needed at the other end of the spectrum.
superb video dear ! thanks for sharing !;👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for watching!
Beautiful photography. Do you use a go-pro to my your film clips? Keep up the great work, looking forward to see more.
Thanks. I do use a GoPro for some of the video clips. For any clips of myself, that is what I use.
sir when you will make a video for editing your raw files? you are the best in wildlife photography. i've seen tons of video in wildlife photography here in youtube with really big channels but your work really stands out.
Thanks! I hope to get around to it eventually!
Very interesting to watch. Amazing what fine pictures you can make by just driving around in a car. A very nice place for wildlife photography you live in.
Thanks. I have been to this location several times now and each time it has been fantastic.
Have you ever heard of the Blackpoint wildlife drive near titusville Fl? Got some really neat stuff there.
Yes! That is a great place. I went there about 2 weeks ago looking for Reddish Egrets and checking to see how the burn was. Over 1000 acres caught fire and burned in late April. For the most part, everything looks good considering.
Dang That's crazy!! Did you have any luck finding reddish egrets? I love those birds
Yes I did but the lighting wasn't so good and they stayed somewhat far away. I think that is the best place to locate them. I saw about 7-8 of them all doing their crazy dances.
Sick!
interesting birds
Great photographs.. love it.. please add some tips on how you get this quality pictures on overcast day like this...
Thanks!
Bijoy MB Don't shoot in Mid day, Either in the Morning or Afternoon. Also you're using Very Fast Shutter Speed, Narrow Aperture and Lowest possible ISO anyway.
Mark, thanks for the videos. I have the same camera/lens and your videos have helped a lot. When you go from shooting birds in flight to something on the ground like the alligator or wildlife do you keep it on group focus, or switch to single point? Thanks
I will switch to single point and focus on the eye.
Thank you
Beautiful shots , Mark . D 500 and Nikkor 200 - 500mm are excellent !
Thanks so much and I agree 100%. This camera combo is fantastic!
Nice video, your photos look great. In your earlier videos you were using the Tamron 150-600 v1. How does it compare to the Nikon 200-500. I am planning on getting a Nikon D500 but I'm undecided on the lens to get.
Thanks! I can't say enough good things about the Nikon 200-500mm. My copy is absolutely incredible and gets much better results than the Tamron. The pictures are so much sharper and overall color appears more realistic. I was set on buying the Tamron V2. I went to a local camera store and tried both the Tamron V2 and the Nikon on my D500. I walked out with the Nikon because it produced much better results. I highly recommend the Nikon 200-500 and I also highly suggest trying both on your camera body either through a rental service or a local store to see which one performs best for you!
Hello mark
Which is the place that you just showed. My Brother stays in Florida who might be interested to visit that place.
Btw I just bought the 200-500 f5.6 Nikkor lense. Currently using with my D7100. Nice video and amazing photographs..! Keep clicking.! Already subscribed to ur channel.
+kartik nayak the place is called viera wetlands. Thanks for watching, subscribing and the compliments. Have fun with your Nikon gear!
great video, beautifulphotos. are the photos procesed?
Thanks! Yes, I process RAW files in Lightroom.
Great work once again and i'm not even a birder. Curious about ISO's used in this video/photographs?
+denault3985 Thanks! Video seems to be more forgiving at higher Iso but I don't recall what iso I used when filming. I try to keep it low at 100. The images will vary from 100 - 2500.
Hi Mark, I love your channel! I too have the D500 paired with the Nikkor 200-500 f5.6 and a passion for photographing birds. I was wondering which AF-Area Modes do you use with birds in flight? I've tried Single Point, Group and 25-point dynamic area AF all with mixed results.
Thanks
Hello and thanks! The D500 paired with the Nikkow 200-500 F5.6 is incredible. I have been using group auto focus. It has been yielding great results so I keep it that way. I do have the AF-ON button set for single point but only use it for small birds where tree branches may be in the way. It works well for focusing through the branches. I haven't tried 25 point yet but only because I have been getting such good results with group Auto focus. I generally shot with a minimum shutter speed of 1/2000. All of my results have been stellar. I would say my bird in flight keeper rate is around 90%. I even went so far as to try bees in flight. That was tough but I managed to get some great captures using the same method. It is just very difficult keeping a bee in the frame!
Thanks Mark. I'm still learning this camera and will give more attention to Group Mode in the future. Near where we live there's an osprey that returns every year and can be found fishing almost every evening (changeling in low light with high shutter speed) in a nearby cove. This year I'm hoping to get some good sequence dive shots, hopefully I'll be able to spot him when there's good light.
Barnacle Watcher I think photography is a constant learning process. I know I learn something every time I shoot. Ospreys are a lot fun to capture. I think modern cameras have an easy time grabbing focus with an osprey because of the black and white contrasts. I really enjoy photographing them. Let me know how you do.
great video what would you recommend as a protection filter for the nikon 200-500mm as getting mine in a few weeks
Thanks and no I wouldn't!
I really liked your movies and photos , i will follow you on youtube , ps maybe is it possible to put your exif by the photos for learning ( greetz from The Netherlands )
Thanks so much. Now I do add my exif data on the images!
Mark,
I am really enjoying your posts and am considering buying a Nikon 200-500 for my D500 like you are doing, but based on some experimentation I've done with a 28-300 (f 5.6 at 1/2000 or 1/2500; ISO around 2200), I'm not satisfied with the noise I'm getting in my pictures. You are shooting at similar speeds, aperture and ISO, yet yours are SO CLEAN. Is that something you are doing in post with Lightroom? Is it a difference in the optics of the lens'? Or do I just need greater reach with the 200-500? I'm really tempted to go with the heavier, more expense 200-400 f/4 to get potentially cleaner shots, but you seem to be doing GREAT with the 200-500. Thoughts?
Kevin
I never liked shooting over 2000 ISO with my 200-500 on the D500. I now shoot mostly with my D850 and a 500 F4 prime. I no longer have that issue. The 200-500 is a great lens for the money. In my opinion, it is the best in its class but a couple of friends of mine let me use their 500 F4 lenses and I could never go back!
Looking to grab this lens and to save some money will be getting the old Nikon d7100.
It is a great lens!
Mark Smith seen this lens in a camera store in ideal conditions labels mint and it's has a really good price!
I have a nikon d5300 and I m intrested in wild life photography.....
Should I go for nikon 200-500 lens????
+Tit for Tat The 200-500 is a great lens for wildlife and it should work great with your camera.
How did the area do after Irma? I would like to check it out.
+MyLeftFoot23 I believe it is ok. I went a few weeks ago and the area was closed. We've had so much rain and they close it when it rains a lot. There is a phone number you can call that will give you a current status on the area. (321) 637-5521
Have you had a chance to shoot with a Nikon 400mm 2.8?
No I have not but I imagine it is one impressive piece of glass.
Nice video, so for uk most time cloudy weather better nikon 200-500 then tamron 150-600 g2 ? Thanks for any explanation
Thanks. I prefer the Nikkor. I tried them both in the store and the Nikon was much sharper.
:))))) thanks, you see I didn't even realised that i can compare them in a shop, silly me... maybe short comparison but probably useful and also chance to check in low light, thanks a lot.
Oh yeah that is the best way to compare them!
ive just started shooting birds in prey - ive always shot with the hood on , i see you have it off,, would having it on effect my shot for birds in flight
Not too sure. Sometimes I just want to grab the shot quickly so I forgot to put the hood back on.
Do you recommend a place to buy D500 and 200-500? I will need to trade in my Canon stuff. lc
+Lurechunker Too I have an idea. You are local to Vero right? Email me at marksmithphotos@gmail.com and we can meet somewhere and you can try my combo to see what you think.
I just sent email. lc
Were all of the shots shown straight out of the camera, or have they had any processing done in lightroom?
A mix of both.
You realize of course microphones don't make wind noise, right? 😁
Yes! The wind does, lol.
Please don't swing the camera round like that - I nearly had a heart attack, thought you'd lost the back end of your truck on the junction - phew!!
Nice video, man. You just kinda skip all the BS and get to the point. Very well made.
Thanks!