AJCaiado
New member
I am looking for the best lens for shooting BIF handheld with my D500. Help appreciated. Thanks.
Best lens for shooting BIF handheld with D500?
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I like less massive lenses for BIF handheld. So, I mostly use my 500mm f/5.6 PF lens for that. It's a reasonalbly light combo with my D500. For an even lighter long reach combo I'll use my 300mm f/4.0 PF w my TC-14E III, but the 500mm f/5.6 PF has an edge if you/re a pixel counter.
For handheld, D500 w 500mm PF is my goto rig. Its the main reason I don't move to Sony or Canon mirrorless. I really like the combo.
ruley74
Well-known member
Don't have the 500pf but I'd be happy to say with the D500 it would be the best combo handheld for sure.
Another vote for the 500PF / 300PF (depending on the range). I don't think there is a better / easier BIF hand-holding pair of lenses out there from any manufacturer.
Certainly agree. Back in 2018 after lugging around my 200-500 mm f/5.6 in Costa Rica for a week my shoulders were killing me. So were those of my fellow Nikon users (we got terrific photos tho). While there NIKON announced the 300 PF and we all wished we'd had it for the workshop - and wondered if Nikon would come up with a 500mm version. Our wishes were granted!
Hard to go wrong with either the 300mm PF or 500mm PF but it depends in part on the size of the birds you're photographing and the working distance. Big wading birds that are relatively approachable is different than raptors at a distance. If I had to choose one it would be the 500mm PF for handheld BIF shots but it's not that unusual to be able to get close enough to bigger birds that the 300mm PF is a better choice.
I don't have one, but across many forums, the 500 PF gets so many recs that I'm looking to purchase one to supplement my 500 f4.
W
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I switched from Canon to Nikon for the 300PF and the 500PF (for which I had to wait 6 months). 
Have never regretted the switch for one second!
Have never regretted the switch for one second!Don McCracken
New member
I would recommend the 500mm pf. It's sharp and focuses quickly. It's also light and compact which means you can cover ground and move through brush or narrow trails easily. You can also use it for several hours with minimal shoulder strain.
My vote too, is for the 500PF. I have never put it on a tripod, it's just so light and so easy to use handheld (using a D500). I still have the 200-500 that I can use on the tripod.
FB101
Well-known member
Add my vote to 300pf and 500pf - those lenses are changing the way I shoot. I shot with the Canon 400 DO for a while but I never liked the image quality I got from it (and it was/is always priced more like an exotic prime). Those pf lenses are honestly not getting the credit they deserve outside of small circles of passionate users like this forum.
I shoot with the D500 and the 500 PF. Its extremely easy to handle and takes great photos.
Rustic land
Well-known member
I still love my Tamron 100-400 it weighs less than the 500pf and is fast and sharp enough when coupled with my D500 for most situations, it also takes less weight out of your wallet lol.
joe43
Well-known member
Another vote for the 500mm f5.6 pf and/or the 300mm f4 pf, with or without the Nikon 1.4 tc. I have both lenses and use them hand held with my D 500.
I just bought a second 500 Pf for my wife and she is loving it too .When paired with D 500 one can get amazing action shots with high IQ and there seems to be no competitor as on date
My D500 and 300mm Pf is my go to combo for BIF. I add the x1.4 TC for the extra reach if required. Works for me but I confess I haven’t tried the 500 Pf.
Yellowboard
Well-known member
My BIF go to combo with D500 is the Nikon 200-500. The 200-500 is definitely not petite but I don't find it overtaxing my musculoskeletal system to hand hold or to hike with (the tripod foot is a very convenient hand hold) and I'm 73 years old. Heck, I even use it hand held with my D5 which is a really heavy camera body. From what I've read from folks that own and use both lenses, the 500PF produces better IQ (to be expected with a prime lens) which is good and all but the 200-500 is about half the cost of the 500PF and you get a range of lenses (200-500mm) that you can only reproduce with the 500PF with a really swift pair of feet to get you further away or closer up.
Turberticus
Well-known member
I'd have to echo others and say the 300PF + TC-14E III. I rented one a few months ago and it was just awesome. My wife and I are both in our 30's and have other financial priorities, so I had to settle for the previous 300 F/4 AF-S + TC-14E which is a pretty good budget-friendly alternative.
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AJCaiado
New member
300mm f4 PF + 1,4 TC is as sharp as 500mm f5.6 PF? And what about AF speed and accuracy?
guitarman67
Active member
Went from Canon 7Dii+100-400 to D500/500PF...best move I ever made. Perched birds/BIF...chalk and cheese!
It got to be the 500 PF, love it.
I started with the 300PF and a TC 1.4. Shot it for a while but found that it did not have the reach I wanted. I bought a 500 PF and WOW. I sold the 300PF and have started to use my 70-200 2.8 more than the 300PF. The 500PF is my choice when driving through the Everglades.
SNEDDERS6666
Active member
Been using the 500PF for about a year now and love it. I use it on my D500 and my D850 both gripped with the en-el18 batteries and both combinations are fantastic for static and BIF. I also use a Black Rapid double strap or just one side when out snapping and this is a brilliant set up for me at 66 YOA, I know just a pup.
Clive57
New member
Yet another vote for the 500pf. Fantastic combo,used to have the Nikon 200-500 which is useful because of the zoom but it is end heavy.