p.19 #4 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
cvrle59 wrote:
I can't believe it, how close you get to those birds, are those domesticated owls, LoL... beautiful shots, the lens renders so nicely.
No, there is nothing domestic about these owls.
Most owl species "think" they are invisible. In addition, they are amazingly focused on hunting, and can distinguish a non-threatening person's heartbeat from a mouse or vole. Both of these birds were actively hunting and the last shot was taken of an owl that I didn't even see until I packed up my bag and began to walk away.
It just so happens that I found a special spot where a group of them roost during the winter. In this population, there are some skittish birds that I don't try to photograph... unless they are hunting in a field at a distance. The birds in this post are familiar with humans, and don't see us as a threat.
I posted a series of of long-eared owls on the nature board that has some hunting in a snow shower. The flight shots were made with the D500/500PF (yup back to that combo, as I could not track the flight in falling snow w/ the Z7II). If you are so inclined, give the link a look... and maybe a vote (?) I'd love to "win" my first thread of the week after being an FM member since 2004
Thread link: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1739661
p.19 #5 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
A couple test shots of my always-willing-as-long-as-there-are-treats-involved subject. This is my first super-tele I've owned and I'm shocked at how sticky the VR is.
All photos are unadjusted raws with NR/Color NR at 7, sharpening at default (40) in LR. Exported as JPG 90% quality.
p.19 #6 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
agvogel wrote:
A couple test shots of my always-willing-as-long-as-there-are-treats-involved subject. This is my first super-tele I've owned and I'm shocked at how sticky the VR is.
All photos are unadjusted raws with NR/Color NR at 7, sharpening at default (40) in LR. Exported as JPG 90% quality.
Saw the pic of your buddy. This is Knox, he is a farm dog and about 15 years old. He's the boss around here and still makes his daily rounds around the pasture and house and chases off an occasional coyote.
Pic was taken with Z9 and 500pf but I am seriously considering the 100-400S
p.19 #7 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
Dbltfarmer wrote:
Saw the pic of your buddy. This is Knox, he is a farm dog and about 15 years old. He's the boss around here and still makes his daily rounds around the pasture and house and chases off an occasional coyote.
Pic was taken with Z9 and 500pf but I am seriously considering the 100-400S
What a majestic dude. Total opposite of mine, who sleeps on the couch with his head on a throw pillow
p.19 #9 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
We have a good doghouse with a bed and heater in it but he chooses to sleep in a flower bed in the summer. We made him a good place in the garage during the winter this year with a good heater. He has now made his home in the garage on these cold winter nights.
You guy reminded me a lot of "Knox as a young guy full of "Piss and vinegar".
p.19 #10 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
Ai_Print wrote:
In my 35 years as a professional photographer, I have never seen this term before this month, what the hell does "sticky" mean?
I've never heard the term either, it just best described how it felt to me. It's very noticeable in holding a "sticking" to a position, and then if you pan too far, it quickly snaps over to re-center.
p.19 #11 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
agvogel wrote:
I've never heard the term either, it just best described how it felt to me. It's very noticeable in holding a "sticking" to a position, and then if you pan too far, it quickly snaps over to re-center.
That to me sounds like the VR is "effective".
I just cringe every time camera enthusiasts feel the need to re-invent new terms for ones that are more than "effective" enough.
p.19 #13 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
As I'm still waiting for my 100-400s, I'm following every image others post, either here or on Flickr.
My observations is, the lens renders colors and background amazingly, but sharpness varies a bit at 400/f5.6.
My wonder is, if we're dealing with copy variations, as Scott experienced already, or there is a bit of a user error as well.
p.19 #14 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
cvrle59 wrote:
As I'm still waiting for my 100-400s, I'm following every image others post, either here or on Flickr.
My observations is, the lens renders colors and background amazingly, but sharpness varies a bit at 400/f5.6.
My wonder is, if we're dealing with copy variations, as Scott experienced already, or there is a bit of a user error as well.
So far, I'm the only one I've seen that had to swap their copy out. I've been sharing that serial number far and wide to make sure no one else here gets it
p.19 #15 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
You may have seen my early gripes regarding 400/5.6 at close focusing range. I can assure you it was day 1 user error - it is stellar wide open at 400mm as I discovered shooting on day 2 and thereafter whilst using better shot discipline. Sharpness is great, bokeh excellent, falloff nice, very good contrast and color. Subjects pop with a nice 3d vibe. Definitely warrants the S-line designation and I don’t hesitate to shoot it under full range of focal length wide open now.
cvrle59 wrote:
As I'm still waiting for my 100-400s, I'm following every image others post, either here or on Flickr.
My observations is, the lens renders colors and background amazingly, but sharpness varies a bit at 400/f5.6.
My wonder is, if we're dealing with copy variations, as Scott experienced already, or there is a bit of a user error as well.
p.19 #16 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
Two test shots for folks to review. 400mm, tripod mounted, approx. 1m away, e-shutter, VR off, 2s self-timer, AF-S single point focus (point picked at random). Both 100% crops.
p.19 #17 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
Shooting wide open near MFD at 400mm is a bad test. Worse with longer shutter speeds. Neither of those shots look good, but I don't suspect it's the lens' fault per se.
p.19 #18 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
RoamingScott wrote:
Shooting wide open near MFD at 400mm is a bad test. Worse with longer shutter speeds. Neither of those shots look good, but I don't suspect it's the lens' fault per se.
Specifically went with 400mm/5.6/MFD to test out woodstork's comment:
woodstork wrote:
You may have seen my early gripes regarding 400/5.6 at close focusing range.
Anyway, all the results I've gotten so far have been either acceptably sharp for me, or, more commonly, user error. It's a bummer your first one was a dud.
p.19 #20 · Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
Yet another example of the excellent bokeh rendering with a typically harsh background of dense dead grasses. Continue to be incredibly impressed with these optics.
