Although the 50-500mm covers a huge range, it was really at the 500mm focal length that it proved its worth. It allowed me to get a number of close-ups that would otherwise have been beyond my range, even using my favourite 70-200mm f2.8 with a 2x extender.

Here are a few of my favourites taken with this amazing piece of equipment. The lens, being heavy, is best supported on a beanbag, although several of my more daring (and breathless!) handheld shots gave more than satisfactory results: Tree squirrel, Baboon mom & baby, Leopard in baobab, African Harrier-hawk and Red Duiker.

Kudu and Marabou, Hide at Punda Maria Restcamp 1/3200, f6.3, ISO 800, 500mm

Tree squirrel, Tsendze 1/60, f6,3, ISO 800, 500mm

Baboon mother and baby 1/600, f6.3, ISO 800, 500mm

Lappet-faced and  white-backed vultures at kill 1/500, f10, ISO 250, 500mm

Lapet-faced vulture with impala carcass 1/500, f9, ISO 400, 500mm

Steenbokkie, Lebombo 4x4 Eco Trail 1/320, f.6.3, ISO 400, 500mm

Leopard in baobab, Pafuri Camp 1/640, f6.3, ISO 1600, 413mm

African Harrier-hawk in fever tree, Pafuri 1/200, f6,3, ISO 400, 500mm

Red duiker, Tembe 1/320, f63, ISO 800, 450mm

Waterbuck at Tembe – Bull's eye! 1/1250, f6.3, ISO 800, 500mm

Early morning at Nyamithi Pan, Ndumo 1/1250, f6.3, ISO 800, 500mm

Little egret, Ndumo 1/6400, f8, ISO 4000, 500mm