Great Egret cruising through the air

[Ned]

I went to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Friday afternoon. As the sun was beginning to set, some of the Refuge's larger birds became active. The light gave an interesting look to them as they flew to new positions at the Refuge's impoundment pond, and I caught this Great Egret flying toward the north end of the pond.

[Loonbeam]

NICE shot - what lens?

I was out at the Palmyra Cove Sanctuary on Sunday with a group testing out my new (Used) Bigma 50-500..

The impressive thing here was not the bird but how far away I was...

Originally Posted by Ned

I went to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Friday afternoon. As the sun was beginning to set, some of the Refuge's larger birds became active. The light gave an interesting look to them as they flew to new positions at the Refuge's impoundment pond, and I caught this Great Egret flying toward the north end of the pond.

[Ned]

Hi L.

Nikon D700 (Full Frame - FX sensor)
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR (VRII, IF, N) lens
Nikon TC-14E II 1.4x Teleconverter for AF-S
ISO - 800
f/5.6
Shutter Speed - 1/1250
EV - 0

So, the total focal length of the lens plus teleconverter was 700mm.

I use a Systematic Series 3 tripod legset with a gimbal head for quick panning movement.

[Ned]

It's a lovely Tree Sparrow photo with nice detail in the feathers. It's a shame the light was such that the eyes weren't lighted well.

[Loonbeam]

I'm still impressed I got that detail from about 10-15 yards away with the new lens.

Short review of the Bigma - It's a great lens, really versatile, but its like carrying an anvil around attached to your camera...

As before, the Nikon prime long lenses are just out of my price range. I did pick up a 50mm prime relatively cheap I have not played with yet that I am hoping to make use of to learn studio work and how to work with prime lenses.

This puts my current lens set at:

Nikon 50mm prime
Sigma 18-250 f3.5-6.3
Sigma 50-500 (not sure of f settings offhand)
Nikon 70-300 - keeping that around for when I need a medium lens and don't want to lug the anvil. For example, not sure I am taking the Bigma to Europe to lug around.

I'm thinking a decent 10-20 wide angle lens will complete my set for the time being. Thoughts?

Originally Posted by Ned

It's a lovely Tree Sparrow photo with nice detail in the feathers. It's a shame the light was such that the eyes weren't lighted well.

[Loonbeam]

I can also get a refurbed Nikon 35mm for about $130. Think that's worth adding to the mix with the 50mm?