p.15 #1 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR Official thread.
Frank50 wrote:
I'm trying ask here to people that have both the 800mm and the G 5.6E and the Z 6.3PF (or maybe to who have updated from the G to the Z): apart for the obvious weight difference what about the I.Q. (without cropping image in p.p.) and AF performance are them really in favour of the 5.6E lens? Today if aspiring to the maximum IQ/AF and if you've a good occasion to buy the old one would you go for the 5.6E instead the newer 6.3PF? what about the Z9 perform in AF beside a Z native lens like the 6.3PF or the 600/4TC.
Very few people own both, however IQ is virtually identical. The only person I have ever talked to who owned both has said the 800PF was slightly sharper, but I've got to believe the margins are so close that it doesn't matter. The 800PF is the sharpest lens I have personally ever owned.
The 800PF is very fast to focus, right in line with the other Z-mount exotics. It also uses a stepper motor so it is silent and more accurate than a ring motor. If you plan on shooting any video with it, this is a big advantage. Some reviewers such as Thom Hogan who have lots of experience with all the big exotic lenses have said it's as fast or faster than the Z400/2.8, but AF speed is extremely hard to measure objectively. AF speed is not an issue in either case.
The 800PF is also very easy to hand hold, and much easier to travel with. In my mind it's an easy decision, especially since there is only 1/3 stop difference in maximum aperture. VR performance is also quite a bit better on the 800PF, in my experience it has the best VR in any Nikon lens currently.
Both perform extremely well on the Z9 - certainly better than on any DSLR. If you end up with the 800/5.6 and the FTZ adapter, it will work well on a Z9. The only downside there is with the size/weight of the 800/5.6, it's less desirable to have that extra connection point between the lens and body with the FTZ adapter, and if you want to use a teleconverter as well, it starts to get quite cumbersome.
p.15 #2 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR Official thread.
Frank50 wrote:
I'm trying ask here to people that have both the 800mm and the G 5.6E and the Z 6.3PF (or maybe to who have updated from the G to the Z): apart for the obvious weight difference what about the I.Q. (without cropping image in p.p.) and AF performance are them really in favour of the 5.6E lens? Today if aspiring to the maximum IQ/AF and if you've a good occasion to buy the old one would you go for the 5.6E instead the newer 6.3PF? what about the Z9 perform in AF beside a Z native lens like the 6.3PF or the 600/4TC.
I've owned both, actually the 800pf twice. Since the beneficial advantages of the 800pf do not matter to me, (size, weight, native mount, better VR) I no longer own an 800pf. If ultimate IQ is your only requirement the 800e is far superior. The 800pf is sharp, but it lacks the contrast and fine detail the 800e can resolve. There is a reason it is/was 17k vs 6.5. The only downside I've noticed in my particular use is the 800e takes longer to acclimate to the temperature outside so the window of use is a little shorter. They are both pretty picky about the atmosphere.
p.15 #4 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR Official thread.
Frank50 wrote:
Thanks @CanadaMark@ @Kasper6188 for your replies, appreciated! Have a good day, Francesco
I have the 800PF and I have tried the 800E. The 800E is sharper. How much sharper is hard to say but it is noticeable. I use it often for small subjects, which are usually cropped so sharpness is even more noticeable. I would go as far as to say its is as sharp as any other lens I have tried. The AF motor is louder, but not slower or less accurate. But the lens is huge and very heavy. Pretty much exactly twice as heavy as the 800PF. The 800E also includes a custom 1.25TC that works really well IQ wise. Kind of have to use a tripod. Which means if I am hiking or moving around and not in a hide, the 800PF will get me images that I probably will not be able to get with the 800E due to the weight and bulk.
p.15 #5 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR Official thread.
Frank50 wrote:
I'm trying ask here to people that have both the 800mm and the G 5.6E and the Z 6.3PF (or maybe to who have updated from the G to the Z): apart for the obvious weight difference what about the I.Q. (without cropping image in p.p.) and AF performance are them really in favour of the 5.6E lens? Today if aspiring to the maximum IQ/AF and if you've a good occasion to buy the old one would you go for the 5.6E instead the newer 6.3PF? what about the Z9 perform in AF beside a Z native lens like the 6.3PF or the 600/4TC.
I also forgot to add the 800E can render backgrounds a lot nicer than the PF in some situations. The PF tends to get that fresnel funk here and there, something you don't have to worry about with the E.
p.15 #6 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR Official thread.
One of the challenges using an 800mm lens is taking sharp photos by avoiding vibration, heat distortion, atmospheric distortion etc. But when everything is right, the products can be very pleasing. An image I took a while ago. I am not sure how I nailed this shot. Shutter speed was 1/200s. It was quite late in the afternoon and light was running out.
p.15 #10 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR Official thread.
Lens has not seen much use. Brought it out today to exercise the lubricant so it doesn't get dried. Nothing special, just a Northern Flicker. This lens delivers again. However, I prefer my D850 files over my Z8 files.
p.15 #11 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR Official thread.
Did a test today comparing shooting the lens wide open at 5.6 and 6.3 with my D850. 6.3 shows obvious sharpness over 5.6. This lens is very prone to motion, so it's difficult to shoot with a DSLR when SS is slower than 1/500s (even with VR on). May have to use mirror-up mode with a release cable.
p.15 #14 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR Official thread.
Very difficult to shoot shorties in the snow. ISO is way too high which is difficult for my z8 to handle the noise. Hard to keep bird in focus. Camera often loses focus and is difficult to re-acquire it.
