Year ago, I had the chance to work with a Canadian, who, among other things, in the days before the worldwide web, and social media, used to create and present training programmes.
One such, carried the title, “Len’s Love” As his name was, Len, it seemed appropriate.
But, of course, his real intent was on the use of lenses and their impact on the photographic process and result.
Fascinating, as he treated the photo journey as one of his great loves.
I have over the years owned, used and had access to a wide range of lenses. Some, and if you want a list, the Nikkor 43-86mm f/3.5 would be at the top of the very ordinary, bordering on not particularly good. Funnily enough, my dear Dad, had a fondness for that particular lens and its ‘soft’ peculiarities. ( I acquired one, some years back, simply for sentimental reasons)
When I began bird photography seriously, I did manage to track down and purchase, a Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens. This lens was sharp. Well balanced and although manual focus, such a pleasure to use. I made a whole Nankeen Kestrel nesting series with that lens. Another lens that I’d like to refind. Just for sentimental reasons.
Here’s one from that series with the lens. (Camera for the interested was a Nikon D200)
Of more recent times many will know, from Flickr, that my workhorse has been a Nikkor 500mm, f/5.6 PF. I published a blog on my experiences with that lens here.
And all was going well until the other day, when for some reason, the lens began to have focusing problems. It would work ok on closeups like Robins on a post, but could not focus at more distant subject. (Manually it did work, so I struggled through the day)
I’ve owned the lens since 2019, and as it has been used, hard, a couple of times a week, and has worn out a D810 and a D500, I guess it has had a good run.
Can’t tell how many 100s of thousands of frames, but my boy-scout math would suggest between 200,500 to 300,000.
So I guess it does deserve a bit of a break. The kind lens doctors at Digicam in Adelaide took it into their lens hospital, and I look forward to its return. The report was the lens was in excellent condition, other than the need to replace a couple of electrical components that had failed.
Just gotta wait for parts.
Gave me a chance to immerse myself in the wide world of mirrorless cameras and lenses. However the end result of that is I’ll be looking forward to the return of the 500 PF as it’s rapid focus on the D500 is not matched in my experience by the mirrorless system. Perhaps I’m just biased.
Here are several of my fav images from the Lens.
Chosen because they were all ‘grab’ shots, where I pointed the lens and hoped for the best. The speed of focus, and the D500 ‘terrier-like’ af did the rest.
Enjoy.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST 
A fine series of images, David!
We all have our favourite lens and some in our collection that rarely get used, for whatever reason!
I hope your 500mm is back home soon!
And I do agree with you re the mirroless, I keep trying but they just don’t seem to work for me!
On a side note, I was disappointed to see so much rubbish/junk around Sneydes today.
Some birds around though! Hopefully, when I get to view the images, there will be some usable ones, I am so rusty!
Dave N.
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Hi Dave, yes a walk down to the end of Snyedes is not exactley as sight to behold is it.
I do find if we’ve not been out for several days that my anticipation reflex is much lower and it does take time to get into a grove.
Hope you managed some good pics, the Kites out there seem to be independant and not paired as best we can figure.
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More great captures David.
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Helllo Ashley, thanks for dropping by. Things will be a bit quieter I think until the old faithfull is back in action.
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Lovely crisp images. Lets hope the 500PF returns and continues for another 300k
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G’day, It’s not so much the lens, as the practice with it became quite automatic and easy to use. I’ve noted the difference as I’ve been working with a couple of other lenses in the mean time. Hopefully Digicam can get the pieces needed without months of wait.
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Hi David, I remember your series on Nankeen Kestrel nesting very well. I had thought I’d never be able to get a 600 mm Nikkor but then you sold me on the amazing 500 PF and once it was available a whole new journey began. I still have the 300 1:2.8 GIi ED and I like it a lot, but hardly use it but I keep my tripod ready for that special day… Sorry to hear about your 500 PF being unwell but at least now I know where to send mine, when the time comes. Thanks for sharing.
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HI Adam, ahh, those days. You probably also remember that the images I submitted to a competion were rejected as the judges considered them to be “Shot in a Studio” How they ever though I’d get three highly active young Kestrels in a studio is beyond me.
The old 600mm f/5.6 has a very warm spot, even if its manual focus feels like a joke these days.
I made a bit of a mistake a couple of years back, when I traded out the 300. f/2.8. It would be so useful right now. I really liked the lens, because its autofocus was so quick. And it worked very well with the TC2X as well. Hmm I’m pondering !!!!
In the meantime, I’ve probably changed my photo style and can work happily with shorter lense, but just up a bit closer. Apart from WTP, the use of long lenses is not a great part of my current work.
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What a lovely series of shots David. I hope you get your lens back soon and it is as good as new!
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Hi Eleanor, all good. Just have to use some of that field patience, I used to have. 🙂
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