p.37 #1 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
ChrisMak wrote:
Just a question to owners of this incredible lens: is the Z400/2.8 with internal 1.4TC engaged ánd external 1.4TC put on, as good as the lens with only an external 2xTC put on?
I would like to transition from Sony to Nikon over the coming year, or early next year, and now have the 600GM, but I would prefer a slightly smaller lens, so don't plan to go for the Z600/4.
I use the 600GM with TC about 50% of the time, so do need the 784/800mm reach.
It would be far more convenient for me to put an external 1.4TC on the Z400/2.8, and have the option to engage the built in 1.4TC, than it would be to have the 2xTC on.
In fact, I would intend to use the Z400/2.8 this way most of the time: with external 1.4TC on at 560mm/4, and optional switch to 784mm/5.6 by engaging the internal TC.
Would this be a viable option?
Reason I want to switch is twofold, I prefer the more subtle Nikon rendering and colors, especially for wildlife, and Nikon gives me the option to add a lighter and smaller long lens like the Z800PF or Z600PF. I am now pretty much stuck with only the 600GM and no satisfying options for high quality smaller and lighter without having to resort to 2xTC....Show more →
Hello Chris...
I use the set up you describe and have used it fairly extensively. While not my primary way of shooting the lens, when I know I need to reach 800mm, I do not hesitate to "stack" the 1.4x converter. In my opinion, the secret sauce is DXO PureRaw. If you run your favorite pictures through DXO, the output is absolutely amazing.
In buying this lens, I sold my 800PF and my 400 f4.5. I feel as if I've got better quality at 400 and 560mm and the same quality at 800mm (well 784mm). I've posted a few shots with the stacked converter and they can be found by doing an image upload search...
Send me a PM if you want something more specific answered.
bruce
p.37 #3 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Hi Chris,
From a sharpness standpoint, there isn’t a noticeable difference between using a 2X at 800mm vs stacking 2 1.4TCs at 784mm. At 100%, there is a small advantage with 2X but this is something that can be easily addressed in post.
Where i notice a difference is when it comes to how consistently the AF performs, especially on moving targets. This is where i feel a single TC performs a bit better than stacking TCs. I also don’t know if it is due to sample variations with external TCs but in my case, i get slightly more consistent AF when i use just my external 2.0 TC vs stacking the internal and external 1.4TCs.
ChrisMak wrote:
Just a question to owners of this incredible lens: is the Z400/2.8 with internal 1.4TC engaged ánd external 1.4TC put on, as good as the lens with only an external 2xTC put on?
I would like to transition from Sony to Nikon over the coming year, or early next year, and now have the 600GM, but I would prefer a slightly smaller lens, so don't plan to go for the Z600/4.
I use the 600GM with TC about 50% of the time, so do need the 784/800mm reach.
It would be far more convenient for me to put an external 1.4TC on the Z400/2.8, and have the option to engage the built in 1.4TC, than it would be to have the 2xTC on.
In fact, I would intend to use the Z400/2.8 this way most of the time: with external 1.4TC on at 560mm/4, and optional switch to 784mm/5.6 by engaging the internal TC.
Would this be a viable option?
Reason I want to switch is twofold, I prefer the more subtle Nikon rendering and colors, especially for wildlife, and Nikon gives me the option to add a lighter and smaller long lens like the Z800PF or Z600PF. I am now pretty much stuck with only the 600GM and no satisfying options for high quality smaller and lighter without having to resort to 2xTC....Show more →
p.37 #4 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
gannis wrote:
Hi Chris,
From a sharpness standpoint, there isn’t a noticeable difference between using a 2X at 800mm vs stacking 2 1.4TCs at 784mm. At 100%, there is a small advantage with 2X but this is something that can be easily addressed in post.
Where i notice a difference is when it comes to how consistently the AF performs, especially on moving targets. This is where i feel a single TC performs a bit better than stacking TCs. I also don’t know if it is due to sample variations with external TCs but in my case, i get slightly more consistent AF when i use just my external 2.0 TC vs stacking the internal and external 1.4TCs.
p.37 #6 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
ChrisMak wrote:
Just a question to owners of this incredible lens: is the Z400/2.8 with internal 1.4TC engaged ánd external 1.4TC put on, as good as the lens with only an external 2xTC put on?
I would like to transition from Sony to Nikon over the coming year, or early next year, and now have the 600GM, but I would prefer a slightly smaller lens, so don't plan to go for the Z600/4.
I use the 600GM with TC about 50% of the time, so do need the 784/800mm reach.
It would be far more convenient for me to put an external 1.4TC on the Z400/2.8, and have the option to engage the built in 1.4TC, than it would be to have the 2xTC on.
In fact, I would intend to use the Z400/2.8 this way most of the time: with external 1.4TC on at 560mm/4, and optional switch to 784mm/5.6 by engaging the internal TC.
Would this be a viable option?
Reason I want to switch is twofold, I prefer the more subtle Nikon rendering and colors, especially for wildlife, and Nikon gives me the option to add a lighter and smaller long lens like the Z800PF or Z600PF. I am now pretty much stuck with only the 600GM and no satisfying options for high quality smaller and lighter without having to resort to 2xTC....Show more →
in general what I've seen is (from best to worst) = 800PF -> 600TC + 1.4x -> 400TC + 2x -> 400TC + 1.4x + 1.4x -> 600PF + 1.4x -> 180-600 + 1.4x -> 100-400 + 2x
but between all the "big lenses" (400/600TC + 800PF) it really is a negligible difference. I'd bet thousands of dollars that nobody could accurately pick them up out of a line up, on multiple trials.
and if you're never posting a 400TC + 2x image right next to a 400TC + 1.4x + 1.4x, you've got even less to worry about
I would have no qualms about using the 400TC + external TC and then flick between 560/784 as needed
p.37 #7 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Sorry for cross-posting with other threads, but I'm wondering if anyone could recommend a good soft case for a 400mm f2.8 FL? Nikon sells the CL-L2 but I'm curious if there's something else that is very good and not $400 CAD. Thanks in advance.
p.37 #8 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Tough light yesterday, but enjoyed being in the field with the camera.
The marine air was pretty thick and flat, and an off shore breeze made it hard to keep the lens on target...
the best I could do...
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens560mmf/5.61/5000s6400 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens560mmf/5.61/5000s6400 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens560mmf/4.51/4000s1600 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens560mmf/4.51/4000s1600 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens560mmf/5.01/4000s1600 ISO0.0 EV
p.37 #9 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Just a side note...
I recently upgraded my monitor to a new Mac Studio display (5120 x 2880), and my output algorithm from LR is rendering my images on FM with less detail than I see in LR or PS.
I typically output my images for FM @ 1400PX on the long end at 96px/in. Is this suitable for display here, or my images appearing to have poor detail?
p.37 #11 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
Just a side note...
I recently upgraded my monitor to a new Mac Studio display (5120 x 2880), and my output algorithm from LR is rendering my images on FM with less detail than I see in LR or PS.
I typically output my images for FM @ 1400PX on the long end at 96px/in. Is this suitable for display here, or my images appearing to have poor detail?
bruce
I'm using a 55" 4K monitor (Samsung Odyssey Ark) and your images look great to me.
