Just obtained a superb condition 500 f4 VR!

[Lance B]

I have been hoping to get a 500 f4 VR for quite a while now and I was lucky enough that a friend (met through Sar) decided to sell his off as he was getting a little too old to use it any more, he is 83!! It is in superb condition, just needed a wipe down and I got it for a real bargain price. :-)

It is a superb lens, amazingly sharp even wide open and it is almost criminal the amount of cropping you can do and still have super sharp images.

Here are a few first samples. All monopod, except the dalmatian photo which is handheld.

The photo below was from a previous outing with the previous owner when he let me borrow it to see if I would like it. LOL. Are you kidding? I may have posted it in a previous thread, but thought it worht reposting for this thread.

Model NIKON D7000
Flash Used No
Focal Length 500 mm
Exposure Time 1/500 sec
Aperture f/8
ISO Equivalent 500



My first shots as the new owner. The first is quite heavily cropped as I was about 10 metres away from the bird as he wouldn't let me get closer than this. I think he has caught his next week dinner looking at the size of that worm!

Model NIKON D7000
Flash Used No
Focal Length 500 mm
Exposure Time 1/500 sec
Aperture f/5.6
ISO Equivalent 1250



Model NIKON D7000
Flash Used No
Focal Length 500 mm
Exposure Time 1/500 sec
Aperture f/8
ISO Equivalent 720



Model NIKON D7000
Flash Used No
Focal Length 500 mm
Exposure Time 1/500 sec
Aperture f/6.3
ISO Equivalent 2500



My favourite test subject, our dalmatian.

THIS IS WIDE OPEN AT F4!!

Model NIKON D700
Flash Used No
Focal Length 500 mm
Exposure Time 1/640 sec
Aperture f/4
ISO Equivalent 200



Crop of above:

[ricktas]

Stunning. I can see this lens become 'glued' to the body...hehe

[Lance B]

Stunning. I can see this lens become 'glued' to the body...hehe

LOL. Thanks, Rick.

I must say that being a part of Ausphotography has been a wonderful way to meet good people both on-line and also face to face for mutual benefits of learning, camaraderie and possible gear acquisition and sales. This has many advantages both ways as I have been able to help others, which I really find really most satisifying, and also a few have assisted me greatly both in my photography and abtaining or selling gear. Obviously, getting this lens was part of that benefit for me, albeit through Sar as the person I bought it off is not a member.

[gary]

Congrats on the purchase of the lens Lance looks like a great new toy.
That photo of your dalmatian is amazing, that is very sharp.

[WhoDo]

So, Lance, does this mean that the Nikkor 300 ED f/2.8 and TC's are similarly up for sale at a "real bargain price"??? Hmmm????

[Lance B]

Congrats on the purchase of the lens Lance looks like a great new toy.
That photo of your dalmatian is amazing, that is very sharp.

Thanbk you very much, Gary!

Yes, the results form this lens WIDE OPEN as in the dog pic, even amazes me!

[Lance B]

So, Lance, does this mean that the Nikkor 300 ED f/2.8 and TC's are up for sale at a similarly "reasonable price"??? Hmmm????

LOL. Hmm, that is a tough question, Waz. The 300 f2.8 is such a beautiful lens that I would find it almost impossible to part with it. It is compact enough for hand held shooting and reasonably easy to carry around with my other gear, so it is almost easy to just take along on a normal days shooting. You don't realise just how "compact" it is compared to the 500 f4!!

However, you never know, the realities of life and lack of funds may just come into play!

[WhoDo]

... you never know, the realities of life and lack of funds may just come into play!

Ok, well just remember asking first gives me "dibs"! I've seen what you've achieved with the 300 f/2.8 and TC's so let me know if the financial pressure forces some hard choices, eh?

PS: Can't imagine anyone who will get better use out of the 500 f/4 VR than you, Lance. Congrats on finding an elderly photographer with great instincts to pass on his baby!

[Lance B]

Ok, well just remember asking first gives me "dibs"! I've seen what you've achieved with the 300 f/2.8 and TC's so let me know if the financial pressure forces some hard choices, eh?

No problems, mate. You'll be first on the list. Thanks for the kind comments, too.

[old dog]

envy, lens lust, NAS, yadda yadda......have crept upon me Lance.......sorry.... nAh....good for you, glad you have it and are enjoying same.

[Darey]

Congratulations Lance,
Nice to see such a good lens go to someone that appreciates it and can use it to the max.
I'm looking forward to seeing some more of your shots from it.
P.S. Your series above is stunning.

[cupic]

If the original owner was 83 to sell it you have a long way to catch up to his mark.BTW those images are clear crisp and clean ,cant wait till you
provide some with the 2X TC and show off your manual skills TFS

cheers

[Lance B]

envy, lens lust, NAS, yadda yadda......have crept upon me Lance.......sorry.... nAh....good for you, glad you have it and are enjoying same.

Cheers, Graeme!

[Lance B]

Congratulations Lance,
Nice to see such a good lens go to someone that appreciates it and can use it to the max.
I'm looking forward to seeing some more of your shots from it.
P.S. Your series above is stunning.

Hey Darey, thanks for the lovely comments, mate. much apppreciated!

[Lance B]

If the original owner was 83 to sell it you have a long way to catch up to his mark.BTW those images are clear crisp and clean ,cant wait till you
provide some with the 2X TC and show off your manual skills TFS

cheers

Thanks for the kind comments, mate. I am still amazed at the original owner being 83 and still very spritely!

[Art Vandelay]

Great stuff Lance. You were posting top notch images with the 300 & teleconverters, Look forward to seeing more from this baby as well in the future.

[Lance B]

Great stuff Lance. You were posting top notch images with the 300 & teleconverters, Look forward to seeing more from this baby as well in the future.

Thank you for the kind comments, mate! :-)

[knumbnutz]

Sorry Lance,
The lens is too sharp, especially the eye goob on the dal
Look forward to seeing your next zoo visit in pics.
Excellent pickup, I'm sure you'll get some good use out of it.
Cheers Neil

[Lance B]

Sorry Lance,
The lens is too sharp, especially the eye goob on the dal
Look forward to seeing your next zoo visit in pics.
Excellent pickup, I'm sure you'll get some good use out of it.
Cheers Neil

Thanks for the kind comments, Neil.

When are you coming down to Sydney and we can both head off to the zoo, my treat?

[helmutk]

Congrats on your purchase Lance amazingly sharp images great stuff !!!!!!!!!!!