Changing My Mind About Wildlife Photography
JOIN ME ON A WORKSHOP: www.hallofthewildstudios.com/
INSTAGRAM: (@hall.of.the.wild) / hall.of.the.wild
PRESETS: www.hallofthewildstudios.com/...
Main Camera:
(Adorama): howl.me/cjmJzBpNswu
(Amazon): amzn.to/3ftxI1f
Favorite All Around Camera: howl.me/cjmJDkOfPCX
(Amazon): amzn.to/3LWzRPl
Favorite APS-C Camera:
(Adorama): howl.me/cjmJGIJLEro
(Amazon): amzn.to/3DTPaFT
Favorite Drone: howl.me/cjmMQBZLWPd
Lenses
My Favorite Lenses
Favorite lightweight 800mm
(Adorama): howl.me/cjmOlEO0jLZ
(Amazon): amzn.to/3CpaLoW
Favorite Telephoto Lens: (also, my favorite lens overall)
(Adorama): howl.me/cjmJL3GRTvX
(Amazon): amzn.to/3dWLI38
Favorite budget wildlife lens
(Adorama): howl.me/ckWRLXRxXA8
(Amazon): amzn.to/3CrDAkD
Bags
Favorite Wildlife Bag: shimoda-designs.j8ujgp.net/21... (Hall10 for discount)
Favorite Overall Camera Bag: shimoda-designs.j8ujgp.net/oe... (HALL10 for discount):
Favorite camera strap: amzn.to/3M1P5mg
Favorite camera clip (for backpack): howl.me/cjmJRizzkhE
My Ghillie Blanket: amzn.to/3Crbaao
Camo Hood: amzn.to/3gK3W9s
3-In-1 Travel Tripod: heipivision.com/products/heip...
Mics
Main Mic: amzn.to/3tRhx1A
Backup mic
(Adorama): howl.me/ckWR0rVDA5z
(Amazon): amzn.to/3UYMugh
Website: www.hallofthewildstudios.com (for workshops, presets, and more)
Where I get my music: share.epidemicsound.com/aavo6d
I used to hunt wildlife until my little girl called my attention. God’s creatures she called them. So, I switched now focusing a telephoto lens using a viewfinder instead of aiming a rifle barrel through a telescopic sight. You still have to learn and study their habitats in order to capture their glory in photos and videos - but no longer with a kill shot.
Still get to “shoot” wildlife, lol!
Same here, was fishing for 35 years before I went soft. Once you see life you can not undo it.
Very proud of you man. You are one of the few KZheadrs I can relate too. Not just as a wildlife photographer but as a disabled vet. You will love that lens. I can't part with my 100-500 lol but hopefully one day I'll get a big prime for my car photography. By the way, Congratulations on the 100k subs. You deserve every bit of success going forward. Cheers, brother and happy shooting 📸
Thanks man, I really appreciate it! Yeah, letting go of my 1-5 was about the hardest thing I've ever done, lol. I'm looking forward to picking up the RF 1-4 though, it's so light and compact. It'll make exploratory outings much more pleasant.
@@BrentHall yeah I think that will be a great companion and 2nd rig for you going forward
❤❤❤
I follow both your guys channels. Great stuff from both. Appreciate you.
@@MHarvey-tp5km welcome
Hard to watch your videos and not think… “what a good dude!” Despite the sacrifice of your other kit, you’re not going to regret your purchase… the fast primes really are game changing in every way. You’ll continue to be thrilled with the images you can capture and the light you can capture them in. Wish you great success and more so, great joy and health!
Damn, thanks man! And yeah, I've been really happy with the wider aperture so far, and I'm definitely looking forward to getting out more and taking advantage of it.
God Bless You, Brent, on your new (modified) Professional Photography journey. Looking at the recent pictures that you have been capturing, I see the development in your proficiency and style. You are on the right track toward success. I'm an 86 year-old wildlife hobbyist, and you have re-kindled my desire to get out and shoot more. Thank you!!
thank you so much for the kind words, I really appreciate it, and I'm so glad my content is inspiring! That means a lot.
That's why I enjoy the comradery that happens often in this space.
Thank you for your service. Hoping your healing continues. Excited for you and for pursuing what you love!
Congratulations on 100k👏! Great video, amazing photos, amazing confession. Enjoy your new lens, enjoy the life and do only things that make you happy! All the best, Mira
Congratulations on your accomplishments! Anxious to see more wildlife photography! Thanks for taking me along!
Congratulations!!! On so many levels, congratulations to you!! I can definitely relate to your decision making process. I go through the same struggles almost daily. I wish you the very best of luck and look forward to watching you continue to grow!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate the kind words!
Great video, Brent. I really enjoy your videos. Your knowledge is very relatable and I've learned a lot from you over the years. It sounds like you are in a great place and I do wish you better health now and into the future. My interest has always been in your wildlife videos but I watch pretty much everything you put out because it is so enjoyable.
Thank you so much!
Congratulations Brent on your new lens! It is definitely a game changer as you already know. I am fortunate to have the rf600f4 and I am grateful every time I take it out. I love your channel and keep up the great work!
Thank you so much Joe, I really appreciate it!
Congrats on 100k and your new lens. Looks like you made the right choice👍👍
Thanks for taking us along on your journey 🦅
Thanks for a great video. When you reach a certain point in the wildlife photography journey gear really does matter. I am also somewhat limited by physical health issues and doubt I could make good use of a heavy lens, but the IQ. especially in low light, really extends the range of what's possible. The most important thing is to be happy with the gear that you have and to feel that you are making progress. I look forward to seeing what the future brings and the images you take.
Very impressed that you’re willing to share so much regarding your personal and professional journey. It’s never easy to be vulnerable when making big life decisions. I think that lens is still a great balance of IQ, portability, and (relative) affordability, and have no doubt your continued results will be fantastic.
Thanks Kyle! Yeah, putting things out there is kind of weird sometimes, but I've always been an open book, lol. I've never had personal boundary issues, for sure. I just feel like like it's usually worth it, at least for me, to talk about how I feel, because there's always a good chance others can relate. Also, I definitely think it's the best compromise of the big primes too. Slower than the 2.8 primes, but more reach and still lighter and easier to wield than the bigger 600s. For now I'm pretty happy with it!
Great video Brent. You are one of the most inspiring photographers. Incredible shots of the Osprey, especially shaking off the water, amazing!! Can''t wait to see what you can do with that lens!!
Thank you so much, that really means a lot to me!
An Osprey shoot would be great. I think you did the right thing. You had time to think about it. You have specific ideas you want to pursue, accomplishments you want to achieve, and doing it for yourself. Do it with no regrets no matter how it turns out. You already sense what you chose to do is working and will continue to get closer where you want to be as a photographer. Thanks so much for sharing,
Congrats on the prime lens, your one of my fav photographers to follow. I always feel like I want to get up and go out and shoot after I watch you videos 😊
wow, thank you so much, that really means a lot!
Fantastic video Brent. I love how down to earth and relatable you can talk about and upgrade that's out of reach for a lot of people, and even for yourself had you not made the necessary sacrifices to do so. I also love the message here, because whether you're upgrading from (say) a RF 100-400 to the 100-500 L, or from that to a big prime; you need to know for yourself if you're at that point (professionally and financially) to make the right choice. Sacrificing your 100-500 to do so sends an even more powerful message than just having the means to get one imo. Looking forward to your upcoming shots, and grats on the 100K!
Hey thanks man, I'm really glad you like the video! It was definitely a hard decision for me to make, and I just hope that maybe it will help someone else with understanding the thought process behind it and figuring out what's important to them.
Great video man. Thank you for taking the time to explain how you were able to get the lens. I think it’s super relatable to us that in order to get something you really want you would have to sacrifice other things that you have for it since most of us aren’t made of money or are one of those influencers that get gear for free all the time. Looking forward to more videos with it!
Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it! I'm glad the video was relatable. :)
You made the right choice to follow your passion. You can always get another wide angle down the road. I wish you nothing but success going forward, and can't wait to see what you capture. Just last week someone was giving me crap for having a crop sensor vs full frame. 90% of what i do is wildlife, and it's what I love doing.
Thanks man! I definitely still have some wide angles. I just used the 14-35 more than the rest, and my friend gave me back my 16-35 f4 that I gave him a while back, so I'll be alright for a while with that :P
Good for you Brent! I've always appreciated your forthrightness and honesty in all of your videos, and enjoy them very much. I'm quite a bit older than you and still manage to carry my 600-f4-ii on my monopod and this works well for me. With the IS of the camera bodies ( I have an R5), I find the monopod works well for portability and image sharpness. PS. Like you, I am also a veteran.
Oh nice, that's awesome to hear! I'm glad you're getting good use out of it, and thanks for your service as well!
Love the honesty! GOD Bless
I'm happy for you, such a great lens to have and it will definitely help you take your wildlife to the level you want to. Don't feel bad about your being relatable changing, people relate to you and your experiences more so than the gear you use, and wit will be great to see your journey continue and progress :) I currently have the RF 100-500 and the R7, and I'm happy with it. I'd consider the 500 F4, but I can't justify the price (just a hobbiest, not a professional) and the weight and size wouldn't be ideal as I mainly do walkaround/handholding. So this way I can live vicariously through you and I'm sure others will feel the same. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!!!
Thanks Alan, I really appreciate the kind words! The R7 and 1-5 is an awesome setup, and I definitely wish I still had mine for a walk around kit, but I'll pick up the RF 1-4 hopefully soon, and that'll do me well for most things.
Real happy for the way you are thing about your life. Good Luck with the rest of your Life. We Love you MAN
Thanks man, I appreciate it!
I went the other way. After some 15 years of using the 500 prime, I went for the 100-500. 500mm f4 primes are heavy and you can be lulled into thinking you can carry these things without any problem but years of doing so will build up possible injuries. It's not just the weight of the lens. You need a decent tripod to support it, which will be typically heavier, then you need a strong tripod head - more weight (and cost), then a large bag. Another thing to take into consideration is the time left to support repairs on these lenses. They are ideal for short walking distances where you can set them up on a stable platform and sit and wait, pointing in a particular direction waiting for a specific subject. The images you can get out of these are fantasitic and for me at least, they worked perfectly with the x1.4 extender. Since getting the 100-500, I sold the my Canon 500mm f4 as I just stopped using it. I can now travel around and enjoy nature and the outdoors more. I don't miss as many opportunities as I did with the more lumbersome prime. I thought I wouldn't be able to photograph at dawn anymore but the high ISO quality of cameras now and noise removal software, hasn't changed that. The one thing I do miss though is that lovely short depth of field and out of focus blur.
Yeah, that's definitely a mindset that a lot of people are leaning towards these days, for sure, and with how incredible the 1-5 is, it's certainly quite liberating to make that switch and really feel the freedom! :P
I really wish Canon had more affordable weather-sealed lenses. I actually sold all my Canon gear and bought a used G9 and the Leica-Lumix 100-400(plus some wider angle stuff) because I could have a well-sealed kit for a lot less money. I do miss the ability to shoot at iso 25600 and the AF isn't quite as good, but I'm happy with the switch.
Hi Brent, just come across your channel over here in the U. K. result one new subscriber ! Pleased your getting deeper into the wildlife photography side of things has always been my main area of interest so looking forward to seeing more content from you. Cheers. 👍
Hey thanks for that Glenn, I really appreciate it!
I really enjoyed your story and how you got into wildlife photography. As a newcomer to this hobby, I can certainly attest to the money aspect of it and it’s very daunting. But I took the plunge and am having a blast doing so. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video! Also stoked that you're enjoying your gear as well. It's the best excuse to get us out there.
Keep strong… I’m also a Disabled Veteran since Vietnam War & part of the VA Healthcare system. They are fantastic. Love your photography. I also do wildlife and nature photography mostly.
I can definitely relate to your situation, brother. As a disabled vet myself, I spent about 10 years away from photography where I really just couldn’t get the motivation to get out there. I still struggle with that, and physical problems as well, but last Cyber Monday I switched from my DSLRs and picked up an R7. A couple of weeks ago I found a used RF 100-400 and 800 f/11 for the same price as a new 800. I’ve been out a couple of times with the new gear and I’m really loving it! The very first trip to a local beach yielded some great Bald Eagle and Osprey shots. The light weight and image quality over my old DSLRs and lenses is phenomenal. I’m still debating on selling my old L-series lenses or not, but since most of them weigh more than my new camera and lens together, it’ll probably happen. Best of luck to you and your “camera lady”.
Oh man, I'm glad to hear that you're getting back into photography! It's definitely helped me a lot, both with the physical and mental stuff. It's a great excuse to get outside. And that's an awesome combo with the R7, 1-4, and 800. All your bases covered right there, and it's just so light it's almost stupid, lol.
Congratulations on the new lens, new outlook, and hitting 100K subscribers! You are going to keep loving that lens. I have the R5 and the RF600mmf4 and love using them everyday I get out. I never want to use my other lenses (including the RF100-500mm). One thing to consider is the Whistling Wings Photography (another youtuber) harness system it is a game changer for me for useability, stability, and hikability (word?) of the super telephotos. I'm able to hike and shoot for long distances using only that harness system.
Hey thanks Terry, I really appreciate that! I'll definitely check out that harness.
Congrats on your acquisition of the 500mm. I understand the trade-offs you needed to make. Since I am primarily interested in wildlife photography, going forward I ams use that I will enjoy your youtube channel even more.
So glad u got the new lense , enjoy it!!!
I've had my Canon 400mm f2.8 for 20 years and it has seen thousands of miles. I can afford to replace it with a new/used version of it. BUT, it still works well. I have it mounted on a gimbal and carbon fiber tripod. Yes, the tripod and gimbal cost about a grand but I have had it for twenty years too. A well worth purchase for wildlife photography.
Oh nice! Yeah, buy once, cry once, lol.
So happy for both your physical progress and that lens! I could never afford that one but I have a Sigma 500/4.5 and the look to images is something else compared to say f/8 or f/11. Really looking forward to more great images from you.
Thanks Martin! Yeah, I'm feeling better, and looking forward to getting out more with this lens. And yeah, I've found the wider aperture to be very handy so far!
BOOM! The journey continues! Congrats on the new lens and direction. Like you, I just picked up a ‘used’ Telephoto Prime (sony 600). It was a lot on so many levels. However, now that I have it … I am so glad I picked it up. Might have to come join you for a day of photography Brett. I’m up in the Denver area and am planning on coming down in the late fall for cranes and birds.
Oh wow, that's awesome! Congrats on the new lens. And yeah, definitely, if you want to come down for a workshop, here's the link with info www.lightbendersvisuals.com/Albuquerque-Birding Email me anytime for questions or to sign up!
good luck. you sound an honest, sincere, trustworthy guy who on top does things i admire. all the best! keep making great videa and taking great photos.
Thank you so much for the kind words, that really means a lot!
You will have no regrets! I bought a used EF 500mm f/4 IS 15 years ago, which was my best investment ever. Later I updated to version II that you own; lighter and even sharper. No problems on the R5 and R7 bodies either. This lens will deliver you lots of money shots to sell, so you should be able to buy back that RF 100-500 (which is also a killer lens btw - I bought one for more compact travel). The EF 1.4x version III extender is killer and even with the 2x III you can get decent shots (just touch it up a bit with Topaz or DXO). Especially with extenders, I do recommend a 1-stop higher aperture (so with 1.4x at f/5.6 try to go to f/8). That will get you into the sweet spot of the lens resulting in sharper images.
Congrats on the new addition. That lens is sharp and the perfect wildlife lens. Perfect size and weight.
Thanks man! I'm definitely stoked to get out more with it. :D
Aweseom to hear your journey! All of us who create have a story to tell that the camera doesn't capture and we tend not to tell. It's videos like these that resignate with us as humans. Looking forward to more of your journey and epic work!
Thanks man, I appreciate that! I've been kind of blown away by the response to this video. I really wasn't expecting to get more than a couple thousand views, or for as many people to care. I just figured a little backstory might help explain a stupid thing like why I'm buying some random big lens, lol. Also, I really don't have any personal boundaries at all and I guess most people find that weird. I would blame it on the military, but I was already like that before I joined.
Nice shots. Ospreys are my favorite birds to photograph here in South Florida, I have to get the diving in the water shot but I'll eventually get it. Sometimes we all need a reset in what we do just to keep our minds engaged so I can imagine the extra items for you seeing how you have to make content as well as run your business and have personal photography time as well. Good to hear that you got over the negative part of the lens transactions, I'm sure you did your calculations before pulling the trigger on the purchase, but self-doubt always creeps in for us. Hope you enjoy the lens for a long time to come.
Oh man, that's definitely the ONE thing I miss about living in FL, for sure! Such good birding.
In the beautiful moment outside ❤❤❤❤
Wishing you the very, very best, Brent. You do you. Be happy. I've always enjoyed your content. I did not know that you are a disabled veteran. Thank you for your service. Remember, whatever you choose to share with us is a gift. You don't owe anyone an explanation. I'm really happy for you that you're getting your weight down and nutrition in order. Enjoy using your new lens. My friend has the same one and loves it. Your wildlife photos are exceptional. Continued success!!! ❤
Hey thanks, I really appreciate the kind words, it means a lot.
Congratulations on 100K! It is great to see your channel grow with you. Equipment is not something photography can be done without and it is just a part of the growth and if it helps you grow and be happier with your images then that is all that matters. Wildlife is frustrating enough :).
Hey thanks, I really appreciate that! And yeah, I think this will definitely help push my personal wildlife photography growth, though I'm so sure about it helping the channel's growth, lol. We'll see. Either way, I'm definitely loving it so far and can't get out with it enough!
@@BrentHall Thanks, we just rolled into City of Rocks with our trailer and will be heading to the Catwalk and Gila before heading to spend a few days at Bosque and then onto Balloon Fiesta :). All this was on our bucket list and we love spending time in NM coming from Ottawa Canada (cloude all the time so we love the sun :) ). We just picked up a RF 100-500mm (your past favorite lens) and I was surprised how well my older 150-600mm Sigma + RF/EF converter did in comparison on my R6 with my wife using the new 100-500mm on her R7 at Portal for hummingbirds. I was not giving the Sigma enough credit in the past. We did not get anything worth a pic of the month but we do this as a hobby and we just love getting out and spending some time outside. Looking forward to more future videos and pics with the prime :).
@@seb2549 Oh that's awesome, I'm glad you made it down! I was just out at City of Rocks yesterday and got a bunch of good warblers over on the west side in the big bushes behind the outhouse (the next one north of the windmill). I was quite surprised by how many were there, but it is migration.
@@BrentHall Thanks for the amazing tip on location. We are still "testing" the RF 100-500mm", want to dial things down before Bosque or as much as an armature can, but like you have said many times, just getting out there is amazing :).
Great video, Brent. Congratulation on the new lens. You need to go to the top of the Sandia's with that for balloon fiesta. It's an awesome perspective. I can totally relate to the dilemmas you have gone through. The warbler images are fantastic!
Thanks man! That would be cool, but I'll be leading my fall colors workshop during the festival this year, so I'll miss it, but I'm definitely gonna go back up for the rosy finches this winter!
That's awesome Brent, such an honest look at moving forward as a wildlife photographer and I'm excited to hear that you will doing much more wildlife. As you probably know I've got the 500mm F4 Mk II and I love it, weight, optical quality and it just sings as a wildlife lens. I understand where you are coming from as an Ex forces chap, I was in the Military for 22 years and it does take it's toll on all of us who have served. I'm kind of lucky that I've not received any physical injuries but the mental ones do still come and go. Lovely to see the Osprey coming in for the fish, such an amazing bird which I hope to photograph much more next year. Top work as always my friend. Looking forward to seeing more from you, sadly I don't always get time to leave you a comment but I enjoy your content very much. Cheers Rich 🙂
Thanks man! I'm glad you got out without any major physical stuff. I feel you with the mental stuff too though. It took me a long to time get over my PTSD, and photography was a big help in that.
@@BrentHall ❤️💪🏻😂
nice honest conversation - I appreciate it
Hey thanks, I'm glad you liked it! I always wonder how people will react to that kind of stuff, but I usually just put it out there anyway, in hopes that it will resonate with someone.
in the world of Instagram's image of endless luxury, eternal happiness and similar nonsense, honest conversation is always defended, just like focusing on wildlife photography, where nothing is fake and invariably delights and surprises@@BrentHall
Good on you!! and I mean that. Congrats!!! 👏 👏 👏
Many thanks!🙏
This was great on so many levels. First of all - happy that you are getting to a better place physically and mentally. Second - love taking the leap to the lens to challenge yourself, taking your photography to the next level. Completely understand that train of thought. I always liked your budget conscious approach to gear because it dovetails into how my brain thinks also. But, I also see the value in investing in gear that helps me grow. I've been turning my kit over for 20 years doing this. And I just did it when I did a similar move with MPB to get my R5. Everything that wasn't nailed down was traded in on that body. Maybe after next tax season, I'll be able to 'justify' the 'need' for a 500 F4 II.
Thanks man, I appreciate it! I'll definitely still be doing budget gear stuff, but I do also want to start taking my own personal wildlife photography more seriously, and I'm loving this lens so far. I'm stoked that you got an R5 though! It's such a great camera.
Congrats on the new lens! I also upgraded my 100-500 to a 500/4 mk2 last year. I was fortunate enough to be able to keep the 100-500, but I only used it twice after getting the 500/4. It might not be as versatile or as easy to carry as the 100-500, heck even the stabilizer is worse and the focus not quite as fast in good light, but it is a much better tool to create artistic images in almost any conditions. For the limited time that we have good opportunities in wildlife photography, a big prime will give a better ratio of picture that are worth hanging on a wall.
Oh that's awesome! I'm so glad you were able to keep yours! Hopefully I'll get another zoom soon, but for now, I'm really enjoying the faster aperture and overall sharpness of this new lens and I'm just stoked to get out with it as much as possible!
I understand where you are at with your wild life photography. I have often wanted to up grade to a prime. I have a RF 100-500 that does a nice job,but feel that the prime takes photos to the next level.. I enjoy watching your channel. I think you made a good choose.
Yeah, the 1-5 really is an incredible lens, but I just came to realize that it doesn't have what I want for taking my wildlife stuff to the next level. I'll miss it forever though, lol.
Congrats on 100.000 followers, Brent!
Thank you so much!
Congrats on 100k, well deserved! Also, i invested into a first gen 500 f4 2-3 years ago, and even though it weighs a ton, i almost never use my 150-600. Once you get used to the sharpness, low light capabilities and image quality of a prime lens, there is no going back. Last advice: love my black rapid sling and i learned to rest with it then aim and shoot quickly. Dont like and dont recommend gimbals, they take away your freedom of movement and your mobility. My 2 cents.
I'm definitely loving the faster aperture so far! I'm also gonna look into a black rapid or similar strap, for sure. I'll probably get a gimbal for certain situations, but I still prefer to hand hold, and so far hand holding this hasn't been too big of an issue for me.
I'll be riveted to your channel to see how well that 500mm f4 works out for you, versus the slightly less sharp (I assume??), slower, but more versatile and smaller f7.1 RF100-500 lens (BTW-- I've had surprise birds land close to me while out hiking that I would not have gotten the composition needed out of a prime). I've considered a used 600mm f4 for shots that are near to my vehicle for that wider aperture, but keep my RF100-500 for hiking around (which is how I spend most of my time). I really do wish Canon had a mid priced L offering between the RF100-500 ($3000) and RF600mm f4 prime ($$$13000), such as a 600mm zoom offering that has a max aperture of around 5.6 and built in 1.4x extender. I know people who can't hand hold much weight and therefore absolutely adore that RF100-500 lens, or content creators who want a compact tele for video, so I'm glad that they have that RF100-500 option. However, I personally would rather have a little heavier zoom lens with a mid range aperture, but not as heavy and bulky and expensive as a 600mm f4 prime. Usually when I put that out there, the Canon fan club treats me like I have 3 heads, but I can see a quality difference in ISO
Oh definitely, there's no doubt the 1-5 is more versatile, and it's still my favorite overall lens of all time. I'll certainly miss the versatility and the closer mfd, but I'll get another zoom here pretty soon. For now though, I'm absolutely loving the faster aperture and sharpness of this new lens and can't get out with it enough!
This is awesome!I love this! I just got that lens a few months ago. Purchased it from a photographer on eBay. It was like new and got a great deal. So happy I did. it's a great lens! Congrats! It's a game changer! Love Wildlife photography! We have identical stories. I also sold my 100-500 😢 and my R6 as well to get this lens but I shoot mostly wildlife so for me it was a better fit. You did not make a mistake. The quality from this lens is hands down the best!
Oh wow, that's crazy! Congrats on yours as well! :P
Great lens, beautiful images, touching story, subscribed.
Thank you co much, I really appreciate that!
Phew, going out on a limb by selling your favorite lens among other stuff surely must have been a tough decision... Respect! I always appreciated the variety of photography featured on your channel like landscapes, timelapses and astro, as well as the occasional gear review. But since I originally came for birds and wildlife and it still being my main fascination, I'm happy to see it's going to be more in focus. I wish you all the best and that your plans are paying off (also literally).
Yeah, I really tore myself up about it for like a month. I'll definitely still be doing the other stuff on the channel, but I do want to put more effort into my wildlife videos moving forward.
I wish you every success Brent. You come across as a very honest, decent person and deserve every success after serving your beloved country. You will love the 500 F4 Ii. I’m lucky enough to have one for about 10 years and the image quality is fantastic from it. Look forward to seeing a lot more of your images. If you have a 2x mark iii extender, don’t be afraid to use it on the 500 F4 as it’s very good for static wildlife and video on the R5 and the R6Ii. Take care and I wish continued good health.
Hey thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate it! Right now I just have the 1.4 TC, but I think I'll look into getting the 2x as well, for those type of situations. so far, I am really impressed by the sharpness of this lens, even with the 1.4 on, it's been really incredible!
Very excited for you and the new lens. Can't wait to see the photos. Now you have me looking at what I can sell to get a longer lens
Thank you so much Wendy! Yeah, the quest for more focal length is a dangerous addiction, lol.
I have always loved your videos. My best wishes to you to achieve whatever you desire. Please continue to make videos for us.
I’d rather watch a video of someone doing something they really enjoy and are enthusiastic about regardless of the kit they use. Good luck with the new direction. I’ll be coming along on the journey
Hey thanks Jim, I really appreciate that!
Fantastic images. Brave move with the lens but it seems right for you and I enjoy your wildlife videos. Keep going on this it is worthwhile 👏
Thank you so much, I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!
Congratulations on making some very tough decisions and exploring a new approach to photography and health. Now we know why you were selling lots of your equipment! My wife and I really like your videos and DO find you very down to earth and take your thoughts and recommendation seriously. Your videos are very easy to watch and learn from. We are trying to sell some of our equipment too such as a 90D and a EF 1-4 etc., having moved to both getting an R6 II and really wanting an RF 1-5 to go with RF 1-4, RF 800, RF 14-35, 1.4 extender and a few other smaller lenses. We hope you and Camera Lady (love her work too) keep putting out great videos for all of us to enjoy and learn from and look forward to seeing the results of your new 500 prime. Best!
Hey thank you so much for the kind words, it really means a lot!
The 500 is a killer lens. I frequently use the 2x with it and even then, the AF and sharpness are great on the R5. With the RF 200-500 f4 rumored to cost 16k, there's no way I'd be able to afford it. The fact that you got yours for a quarter of the price is fantastic. I'm pretty sure I saw that exact model on MPB, haha. Also, I use mine with a BlackRapid shoulder strap/sling and it works well for me.
Yeah, I'm still a bit in disbelief about the price I got on this thing! And there's no way I'll ever be able to get something like that upcoming 200-500, but I'm quite happy with this one so far! I'll definitely be looking into a black rapid or similar strap option here pretty soon.
Maybe consider APSC camera and lens for your lightweight walk about setup. I am in the Sony system and have the 400 F2.8 as my main lens, but recently got the A6700 with 70-350 G APSC lens as my walk about gear and am loving it. I will use the 400 (often plus teleconverter) for my ‘best’ shots, but the APSC is great for carrying around being light and of course a lot less expensive.
Congrats Brent. You’ll love the lens!
Thanks man! Our conversations definitely helped my decision. 😁
What do you guys think should i get the sony a9 vs or the canon r6 ii for bird in flight and also sport/action?
I recently had to sell some equipment to get what I truly wanted and it's not an easy decision so good on you for sharing your thoughts. Enjoy the channel and wish you the best in your reset endeavors!!
Thank you! Yeah, it's never an easy decision, but hopefully it'll work out!
Congrats Brent & Camera Lady on the upgrade! I also want to thank you Brent for your brutally honest testimony that prodded me to finally quit putting off a much needed EF gear exchange. And while I have purchased used gear from KEH in the past, I have never sold gear & with that, I ran with your experience working with MPB. I am ecstatic to report that my experience was fantastic, their initial bids on my used gear were well within reason, and the free shipping went very smoothly. Now, for the final results … Never in my wildest dreams did I think that they would increase upon their initial bid on my gear given all but 2 I had marked ‘like new’ & the only item that got dinged was because I forgot to put the battery charger in the box, but it actually worked out because I still use it & thus will not have to replace it at a higher cost that what MPB decreased the price of that item by. So now the used RF lens I ordered that I was originally going to have to pay MPB a couple hundred on top of my trade-ins is coming free with an additional few hundred $$$ to be deposited in my bank account. I am so going to enjoy next season’s Osprey at our local pond, but until then we have plenty of eagles that winter close by due to year round open shallow water ways that are teaming with northern pike, carp & occasionally a walleye. Well these plus all the 2 & 4 legged wildlife that reside year round on & near the family homestead and the spring fed creek that runs trough it.
Oh nice, that's awesome to hear! I'm so glad the video helped, and congrats on your new gear!
Interesting… I bought a Mark I 500mm f4 a while back. It weighs a tonne but for badgers at dusk it is awesome. Still have my Sigma 150-600 C for the walkabout lens. Good luck with it all Brent - looking forward to seeing your adventures unfold. All the best, Mike (UK viewer)
Yeah, I've been really liking the wider aperture for darker scenes!
Awesome job on the photos and your video. I have a very inexpensive 150-600. Would love to pick up a prime like you have.
Thank you so much for the kind words, I appreciate it! There's a lot worse lenses out there than those 150-600s, that reach and IQ for the price is seriously legit!
It’s so true! It doesn’t matter what gear you use, because there was a photographer that win a photography competition with his smartphone.
@BrentHall congrats on the new lens and especially the recent developments with your health! I noticed in the video you sometimes put the camera on the ground so that it is kind of leaning on the lens hood. I recommend not to do that with the big primes. That puts all weight on the hood and a ton of pressure on that little screw that tightens the hood to the lens. It then breaks. I have heard this happen many times and I also have a 500mm L ii with a broken screw right next to me. So better be safe than sorry. 😅
Awesome purchase! Looking forward to seeing you use it more. Certainly out of my price range, 😂 so I'll enjoy it through your eyes.
Thanks man! I'm definitely looking forward to making tons of content with it!
I love this channel and the diversity but wildlife is my passion so it just got even better for me. Totally agree with the choice the 500 a 1.4 , the 100-500 and a mono gimble is the epic wildlife combo for me. I predict there's gonna be some affordable used R5s when the new stuff comes out and I love that R5 and the R6ii. And ya the image quality comes thru!!!🎉
Thanks Dan! I'm definitely looking forward to being able to create more, and better, wildlife content moving forward.
Congratulations Brent on 100k!
Thanks man!
If you ever need to talk I am here my friemd, you are one hell of a guy and one hell of a nature photographer and glad you are doing more. You take care and as ever, always great to see your work.
Thank you, I really appreciate that!
I have the EF600mm f/4 II & I use the RF100-500 as a secondary lens more for mammals which are bigger and birds in smaller ponds. With my Prime I use the speed shooter harness system from Whistling Wings photography which allows me to hand hold that lens and equipment and remain mobile. I can control it with one hand. The bokeh is unmatched on the primes and sometimes I'll get a photo that I would never get on the RF100-500 but I like the lens. I purchased my 600-prime used from lens rentals which rotate their stock every two years. I use a Wimberley Mono gimbal, highly recommended.
Oh nice, that's an awesome combo, for sure! I'll definitely check out that harness too.
best decision you ever made, you will not regret it
I'm excited to see more shots done with this monster lens😁
Same. I've been loving it so far!
Just found your channel. I have a 500 5.6 and a 100-400, and for me they are a great set up. I quit using my 150-600 once i bought the 500.
Oh nice, I'm definitely glad you found the channel! That's a great combo right there! always wished Canon would have done something like that 500 5.6.
Looking forward to your videos @BrentHall, will definitely miss the 100-500 as your daily gear, I am very close to buying that lens, currently using R6mkii with 24-105 and R7 with 100-400 RF.
Yeah, I'll miss my 1-5 too. I'm gonna pick up an RF 1-4 at some point though, hopefully soon.
I'm just getting into Wildlife photography. I've been a photographer for over 20+ years. I'm looking to slowdown by doing street and now wildlife photography. Peace of mind is what I'm looking for but like you I needing to lose weight. Hiking and walking brings me serenity.
Brent, no need to apologize for making yourself and your business better! I consider gear purchases an investment in my and my families future, I too updated a lens but it's already rewarding me. Personal note as well, I've adjusted my eating like you, lost 30lbs so far, feel so much better. It's amazing how a simple dietary change can boost your energy and metabolism. Keep up the good work and Congrats again on the 100k!
Hey thanks man, I'm so glad to hear that!
I have owned the 600f4 is vi and 500f4 is vi. I sold the 600 and picked up the 500. Both are outstanding IQ but the 600 was an absolute beast to lug around pretty much tripod only. The big whites are very addictive to use and there is no substitute for the look of the images. You don’t get the max frame rate and focus area is decreased on the vi copies but the IQ is still just as good in my opinion. I was able to pick up the vi copies for half of the Vii lenses allowing me to keep all my gear. I use the 100-500 or 800f11 for scouting sessions and bring the big prime when I can setup on a subject (more of a planned shoot) where I can get a good background and proper light. Hope your new lens brings happiness and success to you! Looking forward to seeing upcoming adventures.
Yeah, those version 1s were absolute monsters! I'm definitely loving the faster aperture and sharpness of this thing so far though, it's certainly addicting!
Great video. You will not regret that lens!
Many thanks, I'm loving it so far!
@@BrentHall I’m saving to get the same lens. Thought about the older version f4.5. But there is no repair service if anything happens. F4.0 mk 1 or 2 for me
I was debating between the 500mm F/4 and 600 F/4 and went with the EF 600mm F/4 II (in Good Condition) for $5800 off MPB as well. It's been flawless performance and image quality wise for me. It was rated "Good" because of a big dent at the end of the lens (does not affect the glass) and some scratches on the lens barrel (oh no, signs of usage!) and it was "missing" the tripod foot (it was included in the case but no screws) but was easily replaced by the wimberley foot. 100% no regrets and I'm glad you too had a similar positive experience despite the heavy investment. Looking forward to seeing more wildlife content with that big bad lens!
Oh man, that's awesome! That's a great deal, for sure.
Tough decision to get rid of the 100-500 but I understand the pull towards the big primes. I recently rented the rf600 f/4 for a trip to Ecuador and LOVED it. I had the 100-500 on my back up camera and rarely used it. I am trying to justify buying one of the big lenses but can’t get past the ease of hiking with the 100-500. Good for you for getting the big lens, you will love it.
Yeah, it was stupid hard to let that go, but when I realized that I when I was using the 1-5 for wildlife, it was always at 500, and when I was using it for landscape (a lot), it was almost always at 100-200. So I still have my RF 70-200 which is incredible, and small and light. Those two things really helped me settle with letting it go for a better 500mm. That and I will also get the RF 1-4 as a walkaround, scouting, BIF, etc. here pretty soon, and I'm quite happy with that lens for what it is. It will actually be nice to have for longer hikes, backpacking, travelling, etc., so I'm excited for that...but mostly I've just been super stoked to get out every chance I get with this new lens, and I'm seriously loving the faster aperture and sharpness of it!
That is a beautiful lens. need for wildlife. Great decision. Images are amazing...love the blown out background....silky smooth. "BIG smile" For sure 500mm the Size is the biggest + . I have the 600 and 500... i always take the 500 out .. the 600 stay in the bag .. the BIG bag.
Thanks! Yeah, I'd love the 600 for a lot of things, but I feel like the 500 is the perfect compromise for size and weight and will do well with the TC also. Maybe someday I'll be able to think about getting a 600, but for now I'm pretty happy.
Hello Mr. Hall. Firstly, I have been a fan of your work since the beginning of my birding journey. I'd like to let you know I have a Canon R7 with the EF 500 f4 lens + the 1.4x tc and for walking around I use the R10 with the RF 100-400 and a 1.4x on that one as well. I can confirm that both these kits work wonders for me in the field in case you wanted to know. Btw, your images with the new big lens are wonderful! Please keep them coming sir 😃
Hey thanks man, I really appreciate that! I'm definitely going to look into both of those options for a walkaround kit, for sure.
Where did you buy this lens? Im also thinking of buying a prime telephoto lens. Thanks.
I talked about it in the video. I got this one from mpb.
Congratulations! I'm extremely excited about your decision. "Mom, he's fine, he just fell down a mountain." Go get 'em Marty!
🤣🤣🤣
100K congratulations
The images are beautiful. I hope you do get the required amount to get your new lens.
Keep up the good work! Those primes are worth the money, just have to find that money!
Thanks! True story, too. :P
If I ever had to choose the ONLY ONE lens forever, I'd choose 400 mm f2.8 (on full frame). It's sweet spot to photography, basing on my 200-600 mm (though I use APS-C sensor). I'd just stick with x1.4 extender for the 80% of the day which would be 560 mm f4.0 + crop mode of the camera like A7RV would be 840 mm with 26 mpx, and only for situations like deep darker forest I'd take it off to reduce ISO levels and crop eventually.. You did a good decision when it comes to the lens, because of THE LIGHT. Doesn't matter you have full frame, doesn't matter it handles ISO better, it's still a good and fast lens and you will have better everything, from colours to DoF.
What lake is that? Looks fun for camping and fishing.
It's in sw New Mexico, in the Gila national forest.
Awesome work Brent. Congratulations on the new lens, superb images. Don’t beat yourself up so much. You’ve brought the ticket, now enjoy the ride. Phil @keepclikingphotography A wannabe wildlife photographer
Thanks!
Hi Brent! I think you did the right choice, to be a photographer is a journey like life itself. I´m happy for ya :-). I got the R6 with 100-500mm and I also want the 500 prime but probably the first IS version, hope that will make a good combo also :-)
Hey thanks man, I appreciate it! That R6 and 1-5 is a great combo, for sure! Best all around lens ever. From what I've heard from others, the 500 mk I with IS has great image quality still, but is quite a bit heavier and the IS being first iteration is a bit slower and louder, but it's gone down a lot in price and is still great for lower light stuff with the F/4. Probably just get a good tripod or monopod for it. :P
Hi! Thanks for the feedback, great to hear that the IQ would still be ok. Here in Sweden it’s pretty dark this time of the year. I’ll keep my 1-5 and look for a 1gen IS 500 . Keep up the good work Brent. All the Best! 👍🏻😀