I would hope for a baby Z9. You can not expect any magical improvement of the AF with the existing Z7II.
The Z9 has a different beast of a sensor (like the Sony A9II or A1).
ChrisMak wrote:
With the Z9, Nikon gave me a firm push towards Sony, but with this lens, I am right back in. Not with the Z9, but with the Z7II, that will hopefully get a BIG firmware update AF-wise.
realVivek wrote:
I would hope for a baby Z9. You can not expect any magical improvement of the AF with the existing Z7II.
The Z9 has a different beast of a sensor (like the Sony A9II or A1).
I realize that a non-stacked sensor will never give top performance, but I don't feel an 800mm f6.3 lens would need top performance persé, since it is not really a lens for action phototgraphy.
What did Nikon envision with this lens? I think it is meant as a lens combining very long reach with unprecedented portability and size containment whilst still maintaining a certain (very high) level of optical performance. The sales of the 500mm f5.6PF must have made them aware that there are other potential users for a lens like this other than professional photographers. I am very curious about the price of this lens. The prices of the traditional pro 600-800mm lenses mean they will never sell a lot of them.
Chris, I beg to differ on the thinking that this lens (being only f/6.3) is not for action photography. With the modern stacked sensors and their light sensitivity one can record action at ISO12800 (check out the Sony A1 thread). The Z7II is more like an advanced DSLR. The Z9, A1 are in a different league altogether.
realVivek wrote:
Chris, I beg to differ on the thinking that this lens (being only f/6.3) is not for action photography. With the modern stacked sensors and their light sensitivity one can record action at ISO12800 (check out the Sony A1 thread). The Z7II is more like an advanced DSLR. The Z9, A1 are in a different league altogether.
Ok. I will modify it to: for my intended uses with this lens, I would not need a Z9, but a Z7II would suffice.
This will be a native lens, I only have experience with the 500PF adapted to the Z7, but I do expect the Z7II to perform much better AF wise with the native 800mmPF. I know there will be viewfinder lag and less performance at high frame rates, but that is outside of what I intend this lens for.
mach250 wrote:
Any speculation on lens dimensions?
I think you could do some easy measurements off of the lens roadmap against known lenses in the back row and figure it out. I'll wait for someone else to do that. Also you may be able to measure the diameter of the lens mount in the photo Nikon gave us and use that ratio for the rest of the dimension.
On the roadmap it is slightly shorter than the 400S. The 400S is likely a little longer than a traditional 400/2.8 because of the 1.4TC. So this lens is likely a little longer than a traditional 400/2.8 when I eyeball it. You could try to compare to known 100-400S or 70-200S length.
The weight is also interesting, since it is a much slimmer lens than the 400mm f2.8, which should be around 3,2kg or thereabouts (but will also contain a built in 1.4TC).
Perhaps this lens will weigh somewhere around 2,5kg?
I wonder what will have better IQ....Z800S or Z400S TC with the built in and an external 1.4TC engaged? You will have 800/5.6 v 800/6.3. I'd assume the Z800S will be better. It is hard to get 2 TCs and still best a native lens.
The Z400S TC still is calling to me more than the Z800S for the versatility and ability to shoot at f/4 and f/2.8 during the dreary winter. But TCs rub me the wrong way these days despite years of using them all the time. Hmmmmm.....
arbitrage wrote:
I wonder what will have better IQ....Z800S or Z400S TC with the built in and an external 1.4TC engaged? You will have 800/5.6 v 800/6.3. I'd assume the Z800S will be better. It is hard to get 2 TCs and still best a native lens.
The Z400S TC still is calling to me more than the Z800S for the versatility and ability to shoot at f/4 and f/2.8 during the dreary winter. But TCs rub me the wrong way these days despite years of using them all the time. Hmmmmm.....
I think that the 400mm f2.8 S TC with TC used will be significantly better than a generic lens with a generic TC would be.The reason is that the lens and TC are designed specifically for each other.
But still, I am pretty sure that the 800mm f6.3 will be better than the 400mm f2.8 s TC with another TC added.
I’m not sure what it was supposed to be. But they did showcase a 600mm DO(their equivalent of PF) that never came to fruition a while back.
This is not to be mistaken with traditional 600mm F4 which are huge and heavy.
edit: I did a quick search on Canon 600mm DO and the patent was filed for an F4. Even if they can make the front element for it, the cost would be astronomical.
Nikon got it right with the 500m f5.6 PF. Hope this 800f6.3 will be the same quality. And instead of just slapping a F to Z adapter on their lenses, Nikon bring out all new Z lenses. 600mm PF, 800PF. 400mm f2.8 TC1.4. 600mm F4.
If you still think F mount is not being obsolete, think again.
Pixel Perfect wrote:
I think your formula is pessimistic. Eg Canon 300 f/4 1.2kg vs 300 f/2.8 2.5kg (same generation). Canon 70-200 f/2.8 (non IS) 1.3kg, 70-200 f/4 (non IS) 700g. Canon 400 f5.6 1.1kg, 400 f/4 DO 2kg, 400 f/2.8 3.8kg
You lose about 40-45% of the weight per stop IMO. So IMO you'd be already around 2.8kg basing weight reduction off old heavy lens. A new age 800 f/5.6 should come in at around 3.2kg max, almost same weight as a new age 600 f/4 - almost same length body and slightly smaller front element. If we used 40% weight reduction per stop and a 3.2kg base we get down to around 2kg. But I doubt it would be that light. Might hit 2.5kg....Show more →
Yeah, I hope I was being pessimistic! lol!....if it's 2.5kg I think it would be very tempting! Also, we also saw how much weight was shaved off going from the G to the E lens so maybe there are some new technologies to use there, too.
ChrisMak wrote:
this lens is not really intended for BIF
The 500/5.6 PF on D500 has been one of the most popular rigs for BIF. The 800mm on a fullframe will give essentially that same field of view through the viewfinder. So for me the Z 800 is going to be perfect for BIF and many will enjoy handholding it, and for those who find that too much weight they'll enjoy it on a gimbal'd tripod, or use a monopod. After this lens comes out you will see some amazing BIF captures here on FM by the resident experts.
