Reilly

Cool. I've been watching for samples from your Beast. These are outstanding! Reilly seems to be jumping out of my monitor! Both pics have that special "extra" that identifies them as the product of Nikon pro glass.

Whew! Since I stirred up the pot about this lens, I'm relieved that you like it 8).

 

Fantastic capture of Reilly. Mike, I think you are going to make alot of Cafe Members envious with your new lens. Good going.
Pete

 

I can't believe that I'm agreeing with UF again  , but he has expressed my exact thoughts when I saw these images. I felt like I was looking at a frame from a 3-D movie.

I thought that we agreed that you weren't going to post any more shots with this lens. First UF started spewing out incredible shots with it, then I shot with one at Birger's, and now you. 8)

Arrrrrgggg!!!!

I can't possibly afford it, but I want it soooo bad. :roll:

 

Forget being in awe of the lens, that's a given (no, I don't have it... and I don't lust for it, either! :shock: that's because the 17-55 works for me, except that nagging problem at infinity between 17 and 20mm).

Let's focus on the real subject, here, shall we? Is Reilly a handsome dog or what? ;-)

 

Great dog, great captures! They're both terrific shots in showing his personality.

 

It's understandable. You've spent a grand on your tripod/head, and thousands for telephoto lenses. That means you're perfectly equipped for birding on those infrequent visits to the rookery. But when it comes to the other 95% of your photography, budgetary considerations are paramount, so using consumer lenses makes perfect sense :roll:.

 

OK UF, I see your point. However, while my trips to the rookery may be rare (because it is 600 miles away), my birdie shooting sessions are not. I shoot at the local pond, or some other birding locale on average 3 or 4 days per week. If I had the Beast, I would probably use it at most a couple of times per month. That's why I have spent my $$ on the kit that I have. I am approaching 50K shots on my D2H. 98% of these were birdies.  

Doesn't keep me from wanting that sucker though. 8) As you know, when you need it, there's nothing better.

 

Now I see your point, Frank. You're one of the few true avian specialists I know, and I'm hard pressed to recall any other kind of subject in your pictures. It makes sense to put your money where you shoot.

 

Beautiful images of Reilly Mike. He is a great looking dog and your pictures really capitalize on that .

 

Read this thread, here (I posted an example in there): https://www.nikoncafe.com//forums/viewtopic.php?t=2682

... or this one at DPReview.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1030&message=13923244

Now that I know it and also know the work-around, it's not a big deal. It may cost some shots while trying to manually adjust but that sould be very rare. Anything that is fast (moving) is probably closer than infinity, or 10ft, whichever is closer! ;-)

 

Mike - beautiful dog. What kind is he?

Frank - if you can't afford it, all you have to do is sell your 300/f2.8. Sounds like a reasonable solution to me.