Foto at top: Holland sun Eider (Eidereend) size 50cm distance 15m D500 Nikkor 500mm f/5.6\e PF VR equivalent 1050mm total camoufage.

Key settings D500 APERTURE mode “Birds“

• ================================= Telelens & converter ============================
• If sufficient available light underexpose picture 0.5-2.0 EV to protect details in Highlights
• ==================================== Camera handling: ============================
• Language: English (matches camera buttons, keyboard shortcuts Lightrooom, online info)
• Camera PASM switch: A (APERTURE driven).
• APERTURE lens: always maximal: NEVER STOP DOWN lens: Maximal light for AF & tracking!
• b2: EASY EXPOSURE Compensation (comfortably reset EXPOSURE TIME via back dial)
• Assign AF-ON to AF-L/AE-L button (enabling Back Button Focus)
• ISO Sensitivity automatic: Shutterspeed: Maximum Highspeed: 1/1000 sec (anticipate fast action)
• ISO Sensitivity automatic: Minimum ISO sensitivity e.g.: if cloudy 6400, if sun 3200.
• Standby timer c3: 30 seconds: (switch off camera automatically until next time/day)
• EV Increments: 1/2 stop (easy count & reset)
• =========================================== Light: ===============================
• Autom. light meas’t: Centre weighted. Bird central in viewfinder; Lightroom: recompose pic.
• Centre weighted area light measurement: 8 mm (“average size” bird in viewfinder)
• Underexpose systematically: -0.5 – 2.0 EV: protect detail highlights & shorten EXPOSURE TIME!
• Quality: 14 bits RAW lossless compressed: top quality image files
• Color space: Adobe Colour Space: compatible with Lightroom, ViewNX, etcetera.
• WB auto AUTO2: preserve warm colors (if required adjust in Lightroom)
• ======================================= Focus & track =============================
• Autofocus mode: AF-C, Wide area
• =================================== Shoot a (series of) picture(s): =====================
• = In actual photography: Press AF-ON button: start focus & track bird (Back Button Autofocus)
• = OR do nothing (while camera holds AF position …)
• = OR Full press Release: light measurement, EXPOSURE Time computed, picture(s).
• = Check result (if you have the time) …

Some pictures D500 APERTURE mode Birds

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