GiMi53...Minimum focus on the 500 is 14.5 ft...!...to get this whole bird in, I would say distance would be about 30ft plus!!!...I can see now why sports and wildlife photographers love it!! One bad thing I can say about it is: I am neglecting the 100mm Macro lens as the 500 is now STUCK to the body..so, sorry for that! PS...where most people need to get closer to the subject, I need to move back!!!!...very powerful!!!!! jimbO