Nikon D850 Nikkor 200-500 - Nikon 500mm F4 Prime - Bird / Wildlife Photography

[@hungryyeti2548]

All my hunting friends say I always have these fantastic wildlife encounters and say I should hang up the gun because I never pull the trigger. They're right I'd rather observe, love your channel. Getting a camera.

[@insomniacrap856]

I love when you get those fun surprises in your photos like finding that dragonfly sitting on the turtle's head

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Me too! I had no idea that little dragonfly was there when I took the shot.

[@johnsamuelmcelroy]

Very enjoyable! You have a perfect venue for wildlife photography.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks! I do have a nice place to go out shooting.

[@patou7178]

You are a stunning photographer! Thank you for sharing! I’m now addicted to your videos 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for the great compliments and for watching

[@gaurav.anirbandutta]

Such a treat watching this video

[@brsseb]

One of the best photography channels on youtube. All about the fun of photography, good images, amazing animals and an upbeat attitude througouth the video. Good job!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

That is very nice of you to say! Thanks!

[@sctm81]

Wow. Those images are stunning. Nice work. The D850 is truly the king of wildlife cameras.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks so much. The d850 is a great camera!

[@isaacspotts107]

Awesome! That shot at 7:06 is probably my favorite...that pose and his/her facial expression is precious

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Agreed! That is my fav as well. I got lucky and caught that pose and the look.

[@4.20.69]

That 20mm sunrise shot is spectacular! The DR on the D850 really is incredible.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Yes it is. Thanks. The D850 is a great camera.

[@koolkutz7]

That's a serious camera/lens combo Mark. Those woodpeckers look great.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Yes it is and thanks!

[@GlenDomulevicz]

Fascinating how many cool images you capture of birds in motion.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I love doing it!

[@ZaberAnsaryOfficial]

You're like a Magnet of Great Shots... Please keep uploading more of these good stuff... Heavily Enjoy them

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I'm glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for watching!

[@tello_yo7546]

I don't know how I got over here, but Mark you have some incredible shots on the birds.

[@deanaustin1806]

Your passion is contagious.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@voleibolfan3132]

I have this lens, and i use it on my D500... What a amazing zoom and quality it has!!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Agreed!

[@whc389]

Always fun to watch your videos.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@joedanai26]

Hello from down under. Nice pictures as usual and love to see them weekly. Thankz

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you. Glad to know you are enjoying the videos all the way down in Australia!

[@davewebster6945]

Wow oh wow 😮 you have some wonderful places to shoot at and such spectacularly beautiful creatures to photograph there 🤗👍

[@markroueche]

Your work is such a treat, I love SEEing it band sharing it !

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks x 3!

[@edwinmaldonado8761]

Another awesome video Mark, I like the whole story telling straight to the point with a lot of information, just like your books Bird Photography and Florida Birding two great books to have. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and your adventures with us.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Edwin Maldonado Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@anita.s6332]

Another awesome video Mark. Love all of these shots!!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+aklsarratt Thanks!

[@MrMollymoopoo]

Awesome photos Mark! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for the compliments and thanks for watching.

[@petego4it2]

Beautifully produced! Many thanks!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@Prahatech]

Your photos/videos are amazing, and your commentary and shot details complement it perfectly. Great job. I am subscribing and sharing with my friends.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks so much!

[@ChethanNagarajaPhotographer]

Excellent pics Mark and really enjoyed the video, wanna really appreciate the way you plan your flow in these videos. Would love to see more of these coming.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. I have plenty more videos planned.

[@KenTheoriaApophasis]

lets go shooting at J Ding darling refuge ....ill bring the 600mm f4 and D500 :).

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Let me know when and I'll be there. That's a great place and there are some other really good locations close by.

[@deanvm9158]

I wanted to give 5 LIKES for the sharpness of these images! Sharpness is one aspect I envy Nikon users about.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@ashishwildlifeandtravelpho7308]

Your photography is amazing I love to watch ur videos Keep up the outstanding work

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks so much!

[@mikemelvyn-taylor9466]

Best video so far on the D850, you have a good natural way with you and take some awesome shots Mark

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks so much!

[@andrewn7329]

Thanks Mark. Love your narrations.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for watching.

[@ninoliberatore1491]

Marked i loved it ,everything about it was extremely helpful

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@smkunder1]

Great video, love the variety of birds. You have a real talent for sharing your passion!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks! I enjoy it immensely!

[@sparkymarkm322]

Great shots, you never disappoint! Thanks for sharing, Mark.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for the compliments and thanks for watching.

[@subinvl]

as always a nice video nd some cool shots!! thanks

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@matthewm.7471]

Another great video. I saw my first piliated woodpecker recently and was shocked at the size of it.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks. They are huge birds!

[@airsoft69]

Hi Mike I've been watching your vlog for the last couple of weeks and wow your killing it .your giving me so many ideas of places to visit while on vacation from the UK

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks. Have fun in the states!

[@psidran]

Thanks for sharing Mark. Have been to Wako many times but never saw the Piliated Woodpecker. enjoyed your video and will share with others.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks! That was my first time seeing a Piliated Woodpecker there as well. They are really cool birds!

[@uvtitcakrya]

Just wonderful!!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@pelosmeusolhos938]

Sir, only amazing pics!! Congrats, im about to purchase a 200 /500 beacuse of you!!!! Nicely done!!! congrats from Brazil!!!

[@charliedebravo3960]

All excellent shots.....

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@kerder8660]

Joy to watch

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@paultokeley]

Excellent content and perfect pictures Mark keep them coming.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@psoon04286]

Love your videos. You don't come across as Mr Know-it-all, yet you are sharing a wealth of experience and knowledge of your subjects. Keep up your personable style.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks so much. That is very nice of you to say!

[@matheeq]

Really great shots and Videos 👍 Love the passion in your narration!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+matheeq Thanks!

[@paulofreitas1449]

I really like the videos and I send a big hug from são paulo - Brazil.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Glad you are enjoying the videos. Sending a big hug right back!

[@sudhirnkamath]

Beautiful story telling video! Love to see more

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@richardjones1555]

Thanks for the videos Mark. I live in Davie/Ft Lauderdale area. After seeing several of your videos I came across this one. The next day I went to Wakahatchee. Wow! So cool. I'll be going back frequently. You provide an Awesome service to people like me. Thanks Mark!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for watching. I'm glad you got out there. It is an incredible place!

[@BermyBwoy]

Great video and thanks for sharing. 8:17 is definitely my pick... great capture.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for watching. I appreciate it! That is a nice image!

[@kbruff2010]

Great narration. Thank you.

[@asadraja377]

Fantastic set of images! You've got a great eye.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+Asad Raja Thanks!

[@hilarywhite0]

Another enjoyable, informative video. Great stuff!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@joe34114]

I am enjoying your videos thank you for taking the time and energy to share them

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+joe34114 Thank you for watching them.

[@richardoleck4842]

Hey Mark, I didn't forget about our rendezvous, I'm just slowly acclimating to the nicer weather. I wonder if that 500 f4 had the VR feature because mine doesn't have that. Mine's an older one so if you've had the 500 f4 vr experience, I'm jealous. Anyway, another Academy Award winning Video by you again. ...and with that D850, you're blowing me away! We're going away for the holidays but I hope I'll be getting with you soon. Keep up the beautiful work!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Take your time! Yes, it was the newer 500 f4 with VR and it was awesome. The D850 is very impressive! I think it works best with prime lenses like the 500 f4.

[@ciureamihai]

I enjoyed for the second time this week for this video... :)

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for watching!

[@ciureamihai]

always a pleasure, Mark!

[@buc71x24]

Great images again! Enjoyed!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@NaturalWorldChew]

Lovely place!

[@brentdrafts2290]

I visited a place very similar in the Tampa area, Lettuce Lake Park, a couple of months ago, where I did a walk-through video with my action cam and Bronica Etrsi and f4.5 100-220 w/ Tele when needed. It was my first challenge making a motion video while shooting Grey Herrings and Dragon Flies. I'm sure I missed some things in the destraction.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Sounds like a great place.

[@WhittyPics]

Your D850 is getting some awesome images.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Yes it is! I'm loving this camera and it is actually making me a better photographer by exposing my weaknesses in technique.

[@siddhartharoy2773]

Beautiful

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@Khanabadoshee]

Another awesome video Mark ! Love u buddy n thanks for the Videos!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you. Glad you are enjoying them.

[@kerder8660]

Thx.. Amazing detail info... Thx so much It's allow me to learn along the way photography biology geography

[@MarkSmithphotography]

You are welcome and that's good to know. I'm glad you are learning from the videos.

[@dougestes9448]

Awesome video Mark. Thanks for sharing. Now I want the Nikon 200-500. Oh well...

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks. The 200 500 is a great lens.

[@Michaelb1975]

Very nice images and nicely presented video Mark. I have subbed 👍🏻 Quality of 200-500 images continue to surprise me.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@kbruff2010]

Thank you so much great video.

[@user-zx4gj6cq3r]

OMG Thank you so much, I'm going on a vacation to Fort Lauderdale and this park is only 30 minutes from my hotel. bringing a 7D and 100-400 so hopefully I'll nab some great shots like yours, Sincerely your friend from Virginia!

[@terryoakes9294]

Great images Mark, keepum coming. Happy Thanksgiving.📸📸📸

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+terry oakes Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

[@bigokie50]

Really great video!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@Gday2u]

As always a terrific video Mark. Love your passion :-)

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks. I am having a great time.

[@UncleVinnys]

Yet another stunningly beautiful video, Mark, BIG thanks. I love the exquisite detail on the iguana and especially the water drops of the cormorant take-off. I'd say you're lucky to live near that preserve, but then again, you chose to live near by, so maybe luck was not involved. Not sure I'd want to walk where the iguanas can fall out of a tree onto you, but the bird captures make it all worthwhile. Technical info for the shots a big help. You didn't mention that yet again many of these creatures seem to be watching you as you are recording their behavior. Also amazed at the variety of colors in the birds, the fauna and flora, and the other critters that seem to pop up everywhere. Nice work!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

A BIG thanks to you for the awesome compliments! It does appear that many of the creatures seem to be watching me and posing for me. I won't argue with that and I am having a great time being there with them. Florida is loaded with a crazy amount of wildlife and it just seems to get crazier the further south you go.

[@drnaynesh1980]

superb one

[@gordroberts53]

Wow! the 500 prime is stunning! Must have been hard to send it home. As always, thanks for sharing, don't know why but it hadn't occurred to me to switch back and forth between still and video on the fly like that. Will be giving that a try for sure.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

It is a stunning lens. I now own the same model.

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

Great video, as usual.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@stevenlui8105]

Thanks for sharing such nice photos and video clips! Time to save up for a telephoto prime lens now......

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for watching and yes, time to save up.

[@richardbarakett4163]

You are awesome! thank you for sharing!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you, thanks for watching.

[@phooesnax]

Great video Mark!, Great fun. Fantastic shots. Happy Thanksgiving my friend. Jim

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+phooesnax Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

[@hakamsoufan]

Stuning work , i will buy D50 ..thank you

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@The_SemperFiGuy]

Another home run Mark. I loved the stills and video of the big beautiful Iguana. That was awesome. Going to have to schedule a trip to Wakodahatchee Wetlands. I was also fascinated by the Pileated Woodpecker. I have never seen one of those. What a beautiful bird. As always, the shots were beautiful. I really like the slo-mo feature on the D850. It's sweet and shoots some very beautiful footage. Next time I have a spare $10,000 I'll send you your own copy of the 500mm F4 prime. Keep up the great work and keep those videos coming. All the best ! Gil from Largo, FL aka SemperFiGuy

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+Gil Barrett Thank you. The slow motion video in the d850 is awesome. I really like it. That pileated woodpecker was awesome. I'll be looking forward to that 500mm prime!

[@btwredcal61]

Another great video! I have read about and seen people posting pictures from all these places you go too. It's very cool to see from your videos. The Nikon cameras are great as well! I would like a 500mm f/4 too.😄

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching.

[@MedinaCliff]

WOW.....1400 more subscribers since yesterday! Keep up the great work Mark!!!!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+Cliff Medina Very exciting! The angry photographer recommended my channel to his followers.

[@MedinaCliff]

I Know. That was really Nice of him!

[@wolf_pup5620]

I’m new to your page and I hooked!!!!! Love your shots and story

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+Lolita Holiday Great. Thanks for watching Glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@davidrobot7818]

Great pictures Mark. Thanks for sharing.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@PhilThach]

Very cool. I have a 200-500 and a 500 f/4 that I usually use with a 1.4 or 1.7x tele for birds. I need that D850! :)

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+Phil Thach Thanks. The d850 is a beast of a camera for sure. How do you like the teleconverter and have you tried them with the 200 500. I would love to shoot the 500 f4 with the 1.4 on the d850.

[@PhilThach]

I really love the 1.4, the 1.7 is very good too. I also have the 2.0 but I almost never use it. The 200-500 is a GREAT lens and I think it's the best bang for the buck wildlife lens in the world but it doesn't do well with tele converters unless you focus manually. With the 1.4 it will be an f/8 combo wide open. I'm sure the mighty D850 could autofocus at f/8 as can my D500 but it will still struggle some.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for the reply. I think the best setup might be the 1.4 with the 500mm f4 on the d850.

[@PhilThach]

Agreed.

[@garystarnes5178]

Beautiful images Mark!

[@rjohnmitchell2145]

Our home, Delray! Nice work.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@003RCruz]

Mark, great video. I'm happily surprised you're from my area! I was at these two parks a week ago. Great place. Great pictures!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you. I shoot all over Florida.

[@SHIVASSIVAKUMAR]

Great . I loved it

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@ubarhd1]

Very interesting and informative thanks

[@MarkSmithphotography]

You are welcome!

[@robmcgowan351]

Great work!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+Rob McGowan Thanks

[@shoock123]

love it !

[@MarkSmithphotography]

+shoock123 Awesome!

[@davidrobinson4118]

Beautiful images and video as always Mark. Love the Painted Buntings. Best wishes from the U.K.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you. Those Painted Buntings are beautiful birds.

[@davidrobinson4118]

Hi Mark, I should of asked this before really, so I'll ask it now. Now that you have spent some time with the D850, is it the way to go if you are primarily interested in bird and wildlife? I'm wondering whether the extra resolution that gives you more scope for cropping outweighs the fact that on a crop sensor like the D500 you get more reach. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. And by the way, I think I can speak for everyone here and say that it's really appreciated the way you take the time to reply to everyone. Great work my friend.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I plan on making a video on this soon where I will cover in a little more detail but here are my thoughts on the matter. The D850 is superior to the D500 for wildlife under a few conditions. Condition #1: If you own a telephoto prime like the 500mm F4, then the D850 is a better option. I've had the pleasure of shooting a 500mm F4 on both the D500 and the D850. On the D500, it was very difficult to tell a difference in image quality when compared to the 200-500. On the D850 the difference in image quality when compared to the 200-500 is quite noticeable in favor of the 500mm f4 prime. Condition #2: The D850 is the better option if you can fill the frame with your subject. This means you have to be able to get close. If you can, the D850 images have far more detail than the D500. I know this isn't an option for many, but I seem to be able to get pretty close at times so I benefit from this. The idea of getting extra reach from the D500 is negated by the ability to crop D850 images in post. I think the end result is the same in that sense. I do think the images from the D850 look a little better. They are cleaner. For me, the really big surprise from the D850 are the JPG files straight out the camera. If you nail the exposure in camera, the JPG files are the best looking images I have ever seen. They even look better than a properly processed RAW file of the same shot. This is a huge time saver! Nikon nailed the in camera JPG files. I think you also have more room to correct mistakes with the D850 RAW files. Overblown highlights, exposure issues, color and shadow mistakes seem easier to repair in Lightroom than the D500 files. I'm glad to help and reply to all the comments. I think everyone can benefit from the great information we are all sharing in the comment section.

[@davidrobinson4118]

Great info Mark. Many thanks.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

You are welcome.

[@DiviPhotos]

Great video nice job

[@MarkSmithphotography]

thanks!

[@Bursie]

Love you videos. We have those Woodpeckers here as well and they are massive! I'm traveling to Florida next month and plan to visit a nature park or two. Your videos really help me decide where to go. Just a snow bird traveling from western New York to Ft. Lauderdale for some sun!

[@Bursie]

ps I have that Nikon D500 /200 - 500mm combo as well.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Glad to know the videos are helping you pick the good spots to visit. Have fun!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Good choice!

[@grocharon7000]

Great channel Mark. Subbed!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@Valadhiel76]

Love the last shot of the turtle, but it wasn't a dragonfly. It was a damselfly. :) You can always tell the difference between the two since the damselfly wings are always folded along its back and dragonflies hold theirs out away from their body. Still a great shot though.

[@jimagro2910]

good pictures taken....

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@chrislj2890]

I'm sure glad we eat turkeys for Thanksgiving instead of Great Blue Herons; those drumsticks are pathetic. Love your work!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Right! Those Great Blues don't have much meat on their bones.

[@terrym45]

Great video as usual. Can't wait for FL in March. I'll get back to you on that. Wakodahatchee is always a must stop. Last year got a female gator with babies on her back. So how you going to raise the $10K for that lens. I have a medium size Jobu Gimbal and love it for the 200-500 BTW no news still waiting philosophical (lower price) and starting hear that a few are filtering to US

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I saw a female gator with babies there too last year. Still thinking on the 10K lens. I need a few other things for my kit as well. I think I will go ahead and fork over the cash for a really nice Gitzo tripod first. I'm sure the wait won't be too much longer.

[@KobusGevelspar]

Nice story and shots! I'd love to to step up to the D850 too (own D750 now)

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks. The D850 is really nice.

[@KobusGevelspar]

I can see that, although I know that Florida has some of the best light on the planet.. Big investment, but I think it is worth it.

[@YC305]

Very nice shots and videos 👌

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@Elretotrinidad]

Great video, great photographs. I do not know if you noticed that at the 6 minute mark featuring the orange iguana resting/yawning, there is another large green iguana just to the left of him well camouflaged but the spiney back is noticeable. Keep the videos coming.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks! Yes, I did see that one back there. Thanks for pointing it out though. Others may have missed it. Those iguanas were huge!