My friend managed to open up my 500mm reflex lens this week in order to clean the mirrors, so I wanted to see if it improved my shots at all. The results were mixed, I would really like to pick up a 500mm autofocus lens at some point, but I did manage to capture these images of a squirrel from across the street. The first is the “peaceful” shot. The second I find more interesting, even if it’s not a better photo. The 500mm lens put me up close to the animal as it bounded in to chase some birds away from some food, and I got a nice freeze-frame of its approach.

Nikon D5000 with 500mm Vivatar Reflector
ISO 800
ƒ8
1/250 sec

Nikon D5000 with 500mm Vivatar Reflector
ISO 800
ƒ8
1/1000 sec