Another great video and some great shots! I have a similar Canon setup and I love it. Can't wait to see more of your videos! Keep up the great work!

I've been watching all your Yellowstone and Smokey Mountains videos wishing you all the best with your photography career

Fantastic video, man! My 500 mm mkII should be in tomorrow. I’m beyond stoked! Keep making great content!

@wattswildlifephoto

Жыл бұрын

Thank you dude! You’re gonna love it, it is an incredible piece of glass!!

Such a cool piece of glass :) I settled for the RF100-500 but I do find myself wishing for more light and a better bokeh. Sometimes I dream of owning the EF600 II but as I have two small children and a mortgage to pay, this will be out of question for quite some time.

I love the bluebird pics. They’re one of my favorites.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! They are one of my favorites too, they’re such pretty birds.

Looks like you and the 500mm are a matched pair!

Nice video! I've just bought 500 f4 II and I am pretty excited to try it!

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It’s a great lens!

That looks awesome! I can't wait for you to use it in Yellowstone. My only "camera" is my iPhone, but I learn a lot about photography from your videos and love seeing the results from your camera and your talented eye for nature's beauty.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Great photos can be taken even with an iPhone!

Good job! I agree the 500mm f4 II is an absolute beast. It’s autofocus is still fast by today’s standards and I 100% agree a 1.4x III is a no compromise solution to get even more out of it. Also I just looked you up on Instagram good stuff man.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yeah totally, given that it’s 10 years old I was shocked by how fast the AF is, even with the 1.4x TC iii attached. You could shoot at 700mm 5.6 all day no problem, it’s like the TC isn’t even there. I appreciate that man, have a nice day!

How low can you go handheld in terms of shutter speed? Seems like an amazing lens!

Congratulations on you're purchase beautiful lens you are going to really enjoy using it, have to agree about the 1.4 Extender mine lives on my Canon 600mm F4 MK2 I hardly notice any drop in sharpness.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, yes I’m loving it so far. For sure, the 1.4 basically just becomes one with the lens and I don’t even notice it’s there, it works amazingly well.

where did you get those grey owl shots i am very familiar with Yellowstone park ? great channel

Good day I just stumbled across your video. I’m a Canadian photographer and really enjoy wildlife myself, and I would love to go to Alaska with you one day.

I love the elk and bison prairie at LBTL! Did you go to school at Murray State? My son went to Morehead and we would go down there to watch his golf tournaments. I always made time to look for wildlife at his tournaments. My favorite shot ever was of road runner in St George Utah while mine son was playing golf!

@wattswildlifephoto

Жыл бұрын

Yes I went to Murray, just about 30 mins from LBL!!

The video I’ve been waiting for! I was excited to see your review of the lens. Is this land between the lakes? I stopped once on a work trip and it was beautiful out there.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!! Yes it’s Land Between the Lakes, I go to school about 30 mins from there.

@Justin-kc5nb

2 жыл бұрын

@@wattswildlifephoto lucky you! I was only there for a bit but it is beautiful country! Doesn’t sound like you have regrets with the lens! I ordered mine Friday after finding one in great condition and am excited to try it. I’m also coming from a 100-400 ii.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

@@Justin-kc5nb Yes it is, I love it there! Oh man, you are gonna love that lens! Don’t get me wrong, the 100-400 ii is a phenomenal piece of glass, arguably the best out there for its price, but this thing is on a whole different level. Enjoy it!

@Justin-kc5nb

2 жыл бұрын

@@wattswildlifephoto I was hoping you’d have a review before I pulled the trigger, but once I found a clean one I just had to swoop it. The 100-400 has been amazing and will keep its place in my bag. Can’t wait to see what you produce out west this summer.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

@@Justin-kc5nb Thanks man, I'm glad you enjoy the videos, I can't wait to produce some on the wildlife out west! You won't be disappointed with the new lens! Although, you may miss how small and light the 100-400 was in comparison hahaha

Love it 💪🏽🔥

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Great photos.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate that.

i know im a little late but god damn good job. Hoping to save for this lens, or maybe a zoom of similar caliber if i end up diving any deeper into video.

oh do you still work in the prak at canyon village?

Congrats, are you keeping the 100-400 ii? I use one myself and hope to own a supertele prime one day. But I think there's always a place for the 100-400 because it's so versatile and much easier to carry

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I’m not sure yet. I’d love to, because as you said it’s a super versatile and easy to carry lens, and there are many situations where it would come in handy, but I’m a little tight on money after buying the 500 so I may end up having to sell the 100-400.

@Don-md6wn

Жыл бұрын

@@wattswildlifephoto Given the aperture of f5.6 on the 100-400 which kicks in at less than 200mm if I recall correctly, I'd rather have the 70-200 f2.8 II as a second lens to shoot from or near a vehicle with a camera body on each. You can shoot very early in the morning or late in the day at ISO 800 on the 70-200 when you'd have to be at ISO 3200 on the 100-400 or ISO 1600 with the 500. The 70-200 f2.8 and 500 f4 II is the combination I have used for years in places like Cataloochee, Cades Cove or Yellowstone. I usually want to either be in as tight as possible on the subject or to shoot an environmental shot, i.e. combo landscape/wildlife. It's a very rare occasion where I'd shoot at 300mm or 400mm if I had the 500 available. But the 500 isn't very practical for hiking any distance, so if you are hiking to shoot mostly landscapes but want the capability to photograph wildlife if you come across any, the 100-400 would be a good lens to carry along with a 24-70 or 24-105.

Fantastic photos. Have you try it with the 2x teleconverter?

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏 I haven’t, unfortunately I don’t have a 2x but I’d be interested to see how it performs with one.

@Don-md6wn

Жыл бұрын

I've had the 500 f4 II for many years along with the 3rd generation 1.4X and 2X TCs. There is a huge drop in autofocus speed and accuracy from the 1.4 to the 2, IMO much bigger than from the bare lens to the 1.4. Forget about shooting birds in flight or wildlife moving at any speed. About the only thing I've used the 2X for is to photograph an animal at a long distance from a tripod with a gimbal head and I generally do it with manual focus. I could have just as easily used the 1.4X TC and cropped the image. I absolutely wouldn't have bought the 2X if I had it do over again.

Congratulations on the 500 f/4, Evan.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏

I‘m jealous! You are surrounded by nature and I live in a city in the middle of Europe. 😅 I‘m selling my 400mm f2.8 (first version) because of the weight. It makes incredible pictures, but holding 5,2 kg of lens for bird photography is way too much. I‘ve opted for a used 400 f4 instead. Nice videos! I subscribed.

Great video. What's the replacement foot that you gave added to the 500mm f4 mk2 ? Thanks ☺️

@wattswildlifephoto

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! It’s a RRS foot, I can’t remember the name but it’s the one listed for the 500 f/4 ii on their website.

@stesmith7373

Жыл бұрын

@@wattswildlifephoto thank you 😊 🙏 I will have a look

Have you thought of getting a lens coat for the lens to keep it from getting scared up

Wonderful video, I just bought a used Canon 600mm f/4 version III from a pro photographer Max Waugh, it looks in very good shape. It is still in shipping, but I can't wait to get it.

@wattswildlifephoto

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! I think you’ll love that lens, I’ve heard nothing but great things about it.

Congrats on the new lens. I think you'll probably start to wonder how you lived without it... A few years back I traded my Tamron 150-600 for gently used Nikon 500/f4 (idc about brand, everyone makes great exotic primes today). It was a game changer for me. And for those of us who shoot large mammals, the versatility of a 500/4 with TCs is unmatched.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that! Yeah I’m loving it so far, it’s miles ahead of any other lens I’ve ever shot. Thanks for watching!

I love my EF 600mm f4 II lens but thought about upgrading because of the lighter weight of the new ones. For most needs it’s still really manageable and I can handhold for short periods but a lighter lens would be much easier to manage! Enjoy your new lens!!

@orloaguilar

Жыл бұрын

At least your version is the sharpest of all 600mm f4s, at least according to Jan Wegener

@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife

Жыл бұрын

@@orloaguilar honestly it continues to impress me. Even with the 2x at 1200mm if you stop down to f9 or f10. It’s really sharp, but you need your shutter sped up a bit more at that range, even with IS. The lens continues to impress me and well worth it. The only downside is some days I want to just handhold and enjoy what got me into photography in the first place with the 400mm f5.6 L lens, which is where the new 500 and 600 shine. It’s nice to not have to use a tripod some days. But if you are in the deep forests using a better Beamer you should have a tripod anyway so it’s not really necessary to upgrade. But it is definitely the sharpest of the bunch and AF works great with my R6. With the 2x on its going to struggle a little with flight shots but not if you prefocus it’s not bad

@orloaguilar

Жыл бұрын

@@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife wish I could afford one right now, especially since I shoot a lot under the forest canopy. For now I'll keep using my trusty Sigma 150-600mm (it's great even with the AF issues with it on my R7) 💪 One of the 600 f4 is definitely my goal one day

@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife

Жыл бұрын

@@orloaguilar I took out a loan and since paid it off. If you love this and can justify it, you can do it. I always say, if you can afford a $48,000 Toyota Tacoma or spend $100-200 on restaurants, then you can afford a lens! It’s much more motivating when you get a great lens too. I would HIGHLY recommend for you, going on eBay and getting the EF 500mm f 4.5 L lens. It’s non-IS, weighs the same as the new 600 and you can get it for often $1500-2000. You will thank me later. I had it many years. It’s so fun to handhold. Think it over!!

@orloaguilar

Жыл бұрын

@@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife I'll try! Getting a loan for a $9,000-13,000 lens is sadly not feasible where I live, as we have way lower salaries than in the US. The 500mm is something I could see myself affording soon so I'll have a look at it, thanks!

Very good

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Thanks for your work. What video settings are you using for your b roll?

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

I use 1/60 sec, wide open aperture, auto ISO.

@robgerety

2 жыл бұрын

@@wattswildlifephoto 4K? Frame rate?

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

@@robgerety Yes 4K, usually 30 fps. Occasionally I use 120 fps for slow motion but it eats up so much space on the card I don’t do it often.

@robgerety

2 жыл бұрын

@@wattswildlifephoto thanks

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

@@robgerety No problem 👍

Wow, Do I wish I could spend $9000 On a lens instead of a car, glad you really love the lens

I wish I could afford one, but my original 500mm F4 IS does dang good ......

hello watts I am reaching out trying to find people interested in being part of a livestream I wish to run at the end of the month would you be interested in taking part I must admit its hard to get youtubers willing to take part. I do think it will benefit both channels and you would be free to upload it to your channel after the event. Hope you have a good day. thanks

LBL?

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Land Between the Lakes. I forget most people don’t know the acronym lol

Congratulations, I am super Jealous.

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate that 🙏 you’re starting work in Yellowstone soon right?

@rgs455atw

2 жыл бұрын

@@wattswildlifephoto I leave next Sunday :)

@wattswildlifephoto

2 жыл бұрын

@@rgs455atw Awesome, enjoy it! I’ll be following behind in just a few weeks haha