p.12 #1 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
NaturRosi wrote:
I switched from the AF-S 400/2.8 E FL to the Z 400/2.8 TC VR S and did some tests before sending the 400 E FL to its new owner. The old lens was already incredible good but the new version really is even better in terms of image quality. I didn't aspect that.
Ok here are some of my first capture with this new and incredible lens.
p.12 #5 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Very nice captures. Especially the first two bee-eater shots.
Yesterday I tested 2x 1.4 TC and 2x 2.0 TC. There were no difference between the converters of the same type. But I found the 2x1.4 a bit better than the 2.0 TC. In the corners it was more noticeably.
Here some shots with 2x1.4 TC (784 mm)
Here an extreme one. 2.0 TC plus internal 1.4 and than cropped to 12 MP.
p.12 #6 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I absolutely love the weight and flexibility of the new Z 400/2.8. This morning I was crawling on the ground to shoot some hares. In the moment he was running in my direction I switch the TC off and increase the shutter speed. That's why I switch from the very good 400 E FL.
Before sunrise I stressed the VR. 1/10 sec at 560 mm but the hare really has to sit motionless.
The wet ground becomes directly a problem when the sun comes up.
p.12 #7 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
NaturRosi wrote:
I absolutely love the weight and flexibility of the new Z 400/2.8. This morning I was crawling on the ground to shoot some hares. In the moment he was running in my direction I switch the TC off and increase the shutter speed. That's why I switch from the very good 400 E FL.
Before sunrise I stressed the VR. 1/10 sec at 560 mm but the hare really has to sit motionless.
p.12 #9 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
@suteetat @NaturRosi Incredible images! Thanks for sharing.
Do you see any meaningful difference in the AF performance when using Z mount lenses compared to F mount glass?
I was photographing blue tailed bee eaters last weekend and for fast action like BIF, I don't notice much difference in the AF performance with the 2.0 FW on the Z9. The camera struggles to acquire focus in busier backgrounds and many times even when the BG is clean. Same problem when subject transitions from clean BG to even slightly busy BG. I notice this behavior only with smaller birds with low contrast and In case of the bee eater, I was thinking maybe it was due to part of the bird and the BG being almost the same color. Just want to know if using a native Z mount lens makes a difference?
p.12 #11 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
rick2906 wrote:
he just use a wimberley lense plate
Lol. I meant to say Matheus has gotten his. But Autocorrect on my phone has changed it to footed. Makes no sense.
I guess I'm happy to see another 400S in the wild so it is trickling out.
I didn’t shoot a lot of birds in flight since I have the Z9. Because of the winter there weren’t a lot of opportunities. But when I had the chance to capture bif the Z9 delivers. Although with the 400/2.8 E FL. Like here with the northern hawk owl.
I had the 400 E FL 4 days together with my new Z version and used this time to compare it a little bit. The tracking with the Z version is faster and more accurate. That means you will definitely get a higher keeper rate. At the moment I’m out at the fox burrow and only have my smartphone to answer. Maybe tomorrow I can write more about my comparison.
And sorry for my English. Hopefully it’s not to worse.
I didn’t shoot a lot of birds in flight since I have the Z9. Because of the winter there weren’t a lot of opportunities. But when I had the chance to capture bif the Z9 delivers. Although with the 400/2.8 E FL. Like here with the northern hawk owl.
I had the 400 E FL 4 days together with my new Z version and used this time to compare it a little bit. The tracking with the Z version is faster and more accurate. That means you will definitely get a higher keeper rate. At the moment I’m out at the fox burrow and only have my smartphone to answer. Maybe tomorrow I can write more about my comparison.
And sorry for my English. Hopefully it’s not to worse....Show more →
p.12 #14 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
gannis wrote:
@suteetat@ @NaturRosi Incredible images! Thanks for sharing.
Do you see any meaningful difference in the AF performance when using Z mount lenses compared to F mount glass?
I was photographing blue tailed bee eaters last weekend and for fast action like BIF, I don't notice much difference in the AF performance with the 2.0 FW on the Z9. The camera struggles to acquire focus in busier backgrounds and many times even when the BG is clean. Same problem when subject transitions from clean BG to even slightly busy BG. I notice this behavior only with smaller birds with low contrast and In case of the bee eater, I was thinking maybe it was due to part of the bird and the BG being almost the same color. Just want to know if using a native Z mount lens makes a difference? ...Show more →
I have not noticed significant improvement either but I have not tried much bird in flight yet since updating. Hopefully later this week I will have a chance to try. Also a bit disappointed that I think programmable group focus C1/C2 is not quite as good as
wide area-L at picking up birds, even perched bird. There seems to be at least 1-2s delay before the eye/head is picked up.
On the other hand, I think algorhythm has been improved. In the past with spotted owlet, it is quite common that the AF is focused on the body rather than head or eye of the bird but now it will pick up the head or eye most of the time rather than the body.
Lately, I have not shot with F mount lens at all. I have been using 400/2.8s instead of 600/4e FL pretty much this past few months and now with 800PF.
p.12 #15 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I will try my best to give you my findings on the differences between the AF-S 400/2.8 E FL and the Z 400/2.8 TC VR S.
First of all the weight saving is a big advantage and one of my main reasons to switch. The real difference is 1000g or 1185 g. Depends if you use a TC on the 400 E FL or not. But that's not alone the benefit the wheigth is much better balanced.
The next big advantage is of course the build-in converter. I already love that feature. I although tested both lenses side by side with the different converters. The Z 400 was a little bit better with all combinations but in the field and a finally developed image I'm sure you wouldn’t notice a difference. Except in the corners with 2x 1.4 Z 400 against 400 E FL with the 2.0 TC.
100% Amazing details for 200 m and the corners at 560 mm with build-in TC
Another benefit is the VR. It is about 1 to 1 1/3 stop better than the already good VR in the 400 E FL.
1/5 sec, f4, ISO 6400, 560 mm, 20 minutes before sunrise
The Meso Amorphous Coating makes the Z 400 even better in backlight situations. Less glare and haze and more contrast. But not only the image quality is getting better although the AF is much faster in harsh backlight.
Overall the AF is a bit faster. I really can see a higher keeper rate on subjects which are directly coming towards the camera. I tested this out with my kids. They were riding with their bikes towards me. The Z 400 finds the eyes earlier and was able to hold the AF on them. The 400 E FL tends to focus just a little bit further back in the area of the ears. I wouldn’t say the 400 E FL is slower but it is not that accurate. Makes that sense?
Pros:
- Lighter
- More flexible because of the build-in TC
- Better backlight behavior
- 1-1 1/3 stop better VR
- “faster” and more accurate AF
- A little bit better image quality with TCs
- More or less completely silent
Neg:
- Price
- Delivery time
- Not compatible with DSLRs
p.12 #18 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Brad Hill article on new functions available to the Lens Fn ring (only available on 400S) with Z9 FW 2.0.
This method and new functions seem very useful....if that ring is easily accesible with one's handholding technique or on support then I could certainly see some use for it with these new options (36 in total...up from 1).
p.12 #19 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
arbitrage wrote:
Brad Hill article on new functions available to the Lens Fn ring (only available on 400S) with Z9 FW 2.0.
This method and new functions seem very useful....if that ring is easily accesible with one's handholding technique or on support then I could certainly see some use for it with these new options (36 in total...up from 1).
