Nikon D500 Backyard Bird Photography with the 200-500 Lens!

I do bird photography from my back porch using my beloved old Nikon D500 and the Nikkor 200-500 telephoto zoom lens. I end up bagging several photos that I liked of both songbirds and chipmunks.
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[@peterviragphoto]

D500 still rocks! Great pics mate!

[@PhilThach]

It’s a great old camera, thanks, Peter!

[@georgedavall9449]

Dang skippy it does! 👍

[@santoshbn3275]

Excellent Clicks!!! I always love your photography🥰🥰

[@PhilThach]

Thank you very much! :)

[@PeterR0035]

🙂 ...what else can I say, it puts a warm smile on my face ...

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@ses4vols]

Great shots! The D500 holds up well! I still have and shoot with the 200-500 on my Z6ii. It is heavy. My arms were aching at the airshow but was worth it to get the shots!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! It’s a great lens, especially for the price!

[@a.riswick7693]

Must be said It's not a dull garden. Sometimes accidents happen. Hope with your new arrived Canon R7 (and Canon R6 II) the story continues. Chipmunks, birds, lovely nature and Heather nearby, life ain't that bad. Autumn leaves are falling, for birds It's easier to spot them. Winter is not even yet begun but it must be said I'm longing for Springtime. White snow reflects nature in a beautiful way but as in a song Baby it's cold outside..

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I really enjoyed reading this comment.

[@christopherhiggins8238]

I forgot to mention I got a D500 about 2 weeks ago from MPB and I am loving it. 2 years ago I bout a Nikon D5600, and WOW what a difference!! I am keeping the 5600 since it is paid for.. as a back up. Growing up with 35mm film I have to say it is nice to shoot it all knowing you can just delete the bad ones. :)

[@PhilThach]

Congrats on your D500! I've started to use MPB from time to time myself. I've been happy with them so far.

[@WOLFTICKVIDEOS]

Loved it! I always enjoy a good ol dust off the old gear and see what we can do episode. Looking forward to the R6ii content, but you better not put me in more debt 😤 😒 🤣.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I can't make any promises about the debt thing. :)

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks Phil for sharing another wonderful video like, I always enjoy your videos, specially the birds, keep up with the awesome content 🐦❤️👍

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Miguel! :)

[@JeffandLeslie]

nice video. I just love the Carolina Wrens. Such lively little ones and they always brighten up my day. I shoot the D500 and 200-500 combo and it does perform far above its pay grade for sure.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Great shots Phil. Good to see the D500 get a run. Thanks for sharing mate 🤙🙏

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Adrian!

[@RichardCookphotography]

Fantastic video Phil and some great shots🙂😀

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Richard!

[@patriciablyler6484]

Nice video! I love the Carolina Wrens and the Chickadees who frequent my backyard. I sold my D500 when I got the Z9. My favorite combo right now for birding is the Z9 & the 500pf.

[@PhilThach]

Thanks, Patricia! That sounds like a fantastic birding combination!

[@christopherhiggins8238]

I swear I have some chipmunks living between my floor and the basement ceiling.... can hear them rolling nuts and scurrying around late at night... lol

[@PhilThach]

I would not be surprised if that were true. They are amazing little excavators.

[@MrJoewilke]

I still love my D500 I wish it had animal eye detect but other than that me personally I couldn’t ask for a better camera. It does everything I want or ask of it.

[@tlewisAK]

I’m with you. I have a D500 w/ the 168-80 f2/.8-4, the 24-120 f/4, the 70-200 f/2.8, and the 200-500 f/5.6 always in my bag as well as a couple primes, but I hardly use them as my main 4 lenses do everything I need. The D500 is still an amazing camera even 7 years after it’s release. I don’t see a reason change to mirrorless anytime soon.

[@PhilThach]

It’s a great camera.

[@robertdavis1255]

Thanks Phil for sharing your experience with great results... just love my D500 so I always like to hear & see videos where this camera is used.... cheers from Australia 😀

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Robert! It’s not my number one camera anymore but I will probably always keep it and use it from time to time.

[@bobg982]

Hi Phil, it is good to see your Nikon gear in action. Thanks for sharing why you have also invested in Canon equipment because I was wondering, like many others I'm sure. I do enjoy your photos and storytelling using all of the camera systems, but I have to say, as a Nikon owner myself, I favour your work with Nikon above the rest. I hope you've recovered fully from your fall too. All the best!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Bob! I do intend to occasionally use my Nikon gear in videos.

[@ammadoux]

beautiful video, once i had the D7200 with this lens, also used it with the z50 it insanely sharp. never used it without tripod it is so heavy. Thanks for the great shot.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! It is a great lens, especially for the price!

[@MattTester]

I've been getting a good arm workout carrying the 200-500 around on my Z9, it's also a very heavy combination! I have a monopod but I tend to walk around forests and I found it limiting when I need a quick shot. I've been enjoying the eye tracking on the Z9 but haven't compared it directly against an R7.

[@PhilThach]

I'd love to try a Z9 with my 200-500! I think if I had a Z9, it would be the Z 800mm f/6.3 PF that I would be saving for. I wish a lens like that was available in the Canon system.

[@rdphoto2]

I love my D500 and will never ever sell it. 66,000+ frames and still rockin.

[@PhilThach]

Great camera for sure!

[@smkunder1]

Wow, sounds strange to hear that equipment as described as “oldie but goodie “, but I guess time moves on. I have still hung on to my 200-500 and it actually seems to perform better on my Z6ll

[@PhilThach]

I like it on the Z6 but even better on the Z50 because of the crop sensor giving me more reach like the D500 does. It still surprises me that the D500 has been discontinued.

[@georgedavall9449]

Greetings Phil Thach! Late comment here, after seeing Your comments in some of Ron Durant’s Videos, and deciding to follow some of your posts! LOVE the chipmunks. I’m partial to these little critters, as well as ‘Rockies.’ Some might say I’m a bit of a Squirrel? 😂 Great captures, with a tried and true ‘classic combo!’ I have the grip on my D500, and it makes for an even heavier setup. Sorry to hear about your R7. I think I read where You have a ‘rider’ on your Insurance? I will have to check out your video(s) on the R7. Canon does have a really ‘sticky’ AF setup for birds and other animals! Take care Phil! 👍

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, George! I appreciate you checking out my channel. You can look through the “wildlife and pets” playlist for hundreds of birding videos.

[@gualbertobecerrap1962]

Nice video Phil as always!! I had that gear and I sold it, I wish I didn't. The D500 is a great camera, I believe my best bird photos using Nikon were with the D500. I still have the D850 and the Z6, but I miss my D500. Thanks for the video and greetings!!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I like to get the D500 out every once in a while and revisit the DSLR days. I still have my 70-200 2.8 G VR II as well so I can use it for sports sometimes. It’s definitely not my main camera anymore but I don’t think I will ever part with it.

[@randallbrander8157]

I hate it when FedEx texts me that they cannot deliver my item because of not having the code to get into the neighborhood. We do not have a gate at the entrance to my neighborhood. Actually there are two entrances. So what this really means is that we don't have time to deliver so we shall see ya later! Cheers!

[@PhilThach]

Cheers!

[@georgedavall9449]

FedEx has their issues!

[@roberttucker6884]

Hi Phill, I still shoot the D500 but for birds most of the time it is paired with the 500 PF lens. Much lighter than the 200-500 and super sharp. Occasionally miss not being able to zoom, but for me the weight is more important.

[@PhilThach]

Thanks, Robert! That 500 PF lens is truly amazing!

[@hstein27]

Great shots as always! You may want to consider buying CarePak on the new R7. It covers accidental damage!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@forkintherode8236]

I moved up to Z system but still like my D500. It has taken some pro-worthy Warbler shots.

[@PhilThach]

I should probably sell mine because I only use it a few times a year but I really enjoy it when I do use it!

[@forkintherode8236]

@@PhilThach me too

[@cesarm8811]

Hey Phil, I understand why you moved away from Nikon to Canon. Canon (and Sony) AF is so much better than Nikon for bird, sports and wildlife photography. I currently own the Nikon Z50 with the kit lenses and the Viltrox 23 mm lens. I was thinking of changing to Canon R7, but find that Canon RF lens offering is really limited and expensive. Also the Z50 is a great travel camera. Waiting for Nikon to introduce a D500 replacement or Z50 mark II with similar AF to Canon and Sony.

[@PhilThach]

Hi Cesar! Hopefully, Nikon will release such a camera soon! On the other hand, the R7 with the kit 18-150, the EF-S 10-18, and a $99 adaptor, the RF 100-400 which is still on sale for $499 and you have an amazing kit for not much money at all.

[@k8tv546]

u got z50 and zfc why u not use that camera. How u feel about af speed using z camera vs d500 ?

[@PhilThach]

I like to use them all from time to time. I used the Z 50 for landscape photography the day before I recorded this D500 video. As far as autofocus speed, I would say they are comparable. I think the Z50 is probably better in terms of autofocus for perched birds and the D500 is better in terms of auto focus for birds in flight.

[@AZTEC_ARTS2023]

You consider the D500 an "oldie" ???

[@PhilThach]

Yes. Great camera though! Especially when compared to the other cameras of its time.

[@diljeetbhardwaj7596]

Will you choose Nikon d500 over the canon r7

[@PhilThach]

Absolutely not.