Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
p.56 #1Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Cats and dogs in the last 7 days...
Photographer notes... with frustrations included...
I've spent a lot of time photographing the smaller predators of North America (otters, foxes, bobcats) and some large ones like bears. Sometimes the photography is easy because the animal is large and doing its own thing, and sometimes the photography is very very hard. I say hard because it requires patience, a keen eye, a stealthy demeanor, and the capacity to hike with gear through brambles, grasses, hills, &/or long distances. As a subject, it can be rewarding to photography bobcats, but the species is very wary, blends in with its environment, and specializes in "avoidance." They are not top predators and like cheetahs often have their successful hunts spoiled by larger and more powerful animals that steal their prey. Bobcats often lose their prized gophers to coyotes, hawks, and owls that are looking to let somebody else do the work.
So, when one finds a bobcat in the field, it is exciting. I've shared a number of bobcat images in the past, but this one represents both a success and a frustration. I watched it hunt the field for about 45 minutes before finally making a safety shot. I then stayed low behind brush, walked away from the cat and parallel to its path so I could photograph it walking towards me in good light. This type of slow and methodical tracking is hard when carrying gear and with my 60 year-old frame. I positioned myself perfectly when the cat decided to walk and approach what was a relatively open field. The first cat shot here is that moment when it paused and was watching a gopher hole... it was at that point that someone in a vehicle saw me 20 meters from the road and yelled "Watcha got There?"... and here is the challenge of being an ethical and hard working nature photographer. Over an hour's effort was lost, as the cat crouched down. The "cat-crasher" in the car proceeded to stomp into pasture with no regard for me or the animal. The cat crouched down (picture #2) and then scampered off into the wilderness...
Leave no trace...
bruce
Photographer notes... with frustrations included...
I've spent a lot of time photographing the smaller predators of North America (otters, foxes, bobcats) and some large ones like bears. Sometimes the photography is easy because the animal is large and doing its own thing, and sometimes the photography is very very hard. I say hard because it requires patience, a keen eye, a stealthy demeanor, and the capacity to hike with gear through brambles, grasses, hills, &/or long distances. As a subject, it can be rewarding to photography bobcats, but the species is very wary, blends in with its environment, and specializes in "avoidance." They are not top predators and like cheetahs often have their successful hunts spoiled by larger and more powerful animals that steal their prey. Bobcats often lose their prized gophers to coyotes, hawks, and owls that are looking to let somebody else do the work.
So, when one finds a bobcat in the field, it is exciting. I've shared a number of bobcat images in the past, but this one represents both a success and a frustration. I watched it hunt the field for about 45 minutes before finally making a safety shot. I then stayed low behind brush, walked away from the cat and parallel to its path so I could photograph it walking towards me in good light. This type of slow and methodical tracking is hard when carrying gear and with my 60 year-old frame. I positioned myself perfectly when the cat decided to walk and approach what was a relatively open field. The first cat shot here is that moment when it paused and was watching a gopher hole... it was at that point that someone in a vehicle saw me 20 meters from the road and yelled "Watcha got There?"... and here is the challenge of being an ethical and hard working nature photographer. Over an hour's effort was lost, as the cat crouched down. The "cat-crasher" in the car proceeded to stomp into pasture with no regard for me or the animal. The cat crouched down (picture #2) and then scampered off into the wilderness...
Leave no trace...
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/5.6 1/32000s 6400 ISO +0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/5.6 1/32000s 6400 ISO +0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/32000s 500 ISO -2.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/32000s 2800 ISO 0.0 EV
Jun 29, 2025 at 09:23 AM
p.56 #2Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Bolsa Chica State Beach, CA
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Z TC-1.4x lens 784mm f/5.6 1/6400s 800 ISO -0.3 EV
Jun 29, 2025 at 04:22 PM
p.56 #3Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Kruger National Park, S.A.
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/4000s 1000 ISO -1.0 EV
Jun 30, 2025 at 11:31 PM
p.56 #4Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I had a lot of fun shooting blue winged pittas feeding their chicks and the four chicks decided to leave their nest that day.
Jul 02, 2025 at 06:06 AM
p.56 #5Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Some variety...
Western Gull Chick Cuteness
Owlets starting to fly
Sunset with egrets
Western Gull Chick Cuteness
Owlets starting to fly
Sunset with egrets
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/4.0 1/800s 250 ISO +1.0 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/4.0 1/1600s 6400 ISO -0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/5.6 1/1250s 180 ISO +0.7 EV
Jul 03, 2025 at 05:56 PM
p.56 #6Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Two more from this year's owls... July 4th while most were still sleeping 
regards,
bruce
regards,
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/125s 800 ISO +0.7 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/5.0 1/800s 160 ISO -1.7 EV
Jul 06, 2025 at 07:51 PM
p.56 #7Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Cross post: Mallard Mid-day relaxation
Z-9 at 560 mm
Z-9 at 560 mm
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Jul 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
p.56 #8Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
Two more from this year's owls... July 4th while most were still sleeping
regards,
bruce
You're getting some awesome Owl images Bruce, love them!!
Two more from this year's owls... July 4th while most were still sleeping
regards,
bruce
You're getting some awesome Owl images Bruce, love them!!
Jul 14, 2025 at 02:42 PM
p.56 #9Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
George DeCamp wrote:
regards,
bruceYou're getting some awesome Owl images Bruce, love them!!
Thanks George
OwlsEyes wrote
Two more from this year's owls... July 4th while most were still sleepingregards,
bruce
Thanks George
Jul 15, 2025 at 12:47 PM
p.56 #10Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
A few from yesterday's hike...
bruce
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/3.2 1/2500s 64 ISO -1.0 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/3.2 1/800s 80 ISO -0.7 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/320s 800 ISO -0.7 EV
Jul 16, 2025 at 07:32 PM
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p.56 #11Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
This thread has slipped into anonymity, so I'm sharing a few from last week to bump it back to page one...
Two owl chicks and egrets in overcast light. I added a bit of a "glow" to the egrets to soften the details a touch...
bruce
Two owl chicks and egrets in overcast light. I added a bit of a "glow" to the egrets to soften the details a touch...
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/500s 6400 ISO 0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/2500s 400 ISO -0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/3200s 400 ISO -0.7 EV
Aug 16, 2025 at 06:14 PM
p.56 #12Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Z9 + 400mm f2.8 S TC
Surprisingly, it seems that the 400mm f2.8 S TC also works with human subjects.
Cheers,
Bernard
Aug 22, 2025 at 03:49 AM
p.56 #13Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Been a while since I took the 400TC out so decided today was a good day. All images from this morning and all are Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/2500s 1800 ISO -0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/2500s 2200 ISO -0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/4000s 2000 ISO -0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/4000s 1100 ISO -0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/4000s 800 ISO -0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/4000s 1100 ISO -0.3 EV
Aug 28, 2025 at 10:45 AM
p.56 #14Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
George DeCamp wrote:
Been a while since I took the 400TC out so decided today was a good day. All images from this morning and all are Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Nice work George...
Even though I now have good access to the equally beautiful Anna's and Allen's HBs... I miss the little Ruby-throats that I used to photograph in MN.
cheers,
Been a while since I took the 400TC out so decided today was a good day. All images from this morning and all are Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Nice work George...
Even though I now have good access to the equally beautiful Anna's and Allen's HBs... I miss the little Ruby-throats that I used to photograph in MN.
cheers,
Aug 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM
p.56 #15Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
George DeCamp wrote
Been a while since I took the 400TC out so decided today was a good day. All images from this morning and all are Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.Even though I now have good access to the equally beautiful Anna's and Allen's HBs... I miss the little Ruby-throats that I used to photograph in MN.
cheers,
Thank you Bruce!! Love these little guys but this is the only breed we get around here that I know of anyway!
Aug 28, 2025 at 11:16 AM
p.56 #16Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
George DeCamp wrote:
Nice work George...
Even though I now have good access to the equally beautiful Anna's and Allen's HBs... I miss the little Ruby-throats that I used to photograph in MN.
cheers,Thank you Bruce!! Love these little guys but this is the only breed we get around here that I know of anyway!
I believe ruby-throats are the most common humingbird in the US, and definitely the one seen most throughout the midwest and east. The further south you go in the west, the greater the hummingbird diversity. We see the two species I mentioned along the central coast.
bruce
OwlsEyes wrote
George DeCamp wrote
Been a while since I took the 400TC out so decided today was a good day. All images from this morning and all are Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.Even though I now have good access to the equally beautiful Anna's and Allen's HBs... I miss the little Ruby-throats that I used to photograph in MN.
cheers,
I believe ruby-throats are the most common humingbird in the US, and definitely the one seen most throughout the midwest and east. The further south you go in the west, the greater the hummingbird diversity. We see the two species I mentioned along the central coast.
bruce
Aug 28, 2025 at 11:27 AM
p.56 #17Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I found a nice flock of elegant terns fishing at low tide. This image was taken as storm clouds approached. It is of a parent feeding a fledgling... I suspect the parent is wishing that this one was ready to take care of itself.
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/5.0 1/12800s 400 ISO -2.3 EV
Sep 03, 2025 at 09:12 AM
p.56 #18Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I am just bringing this thread back to the front page with some recent works...
bruce
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.5 1/2500s 400 ISO +0.7 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.5 1/1600s 640 ISO +1.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.5 1/1600s 1250 ISO +1.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/1600s 500 ISO -0.3 EV
Sep 23, 2025 at 06:24 PM
p.56 #19Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Anna's Hummingbird from late last week...
Shot with an external 1.4x and built in 1.4x..
bruce
Shot with an external 1.4x and built in 1.4x..
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Z TC-1.4x lens 784mm f/5.6 1/2500s 5600 ISO -0.7 EV
Oct 07, 2025 at 11:10 PM
p.56 #20Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Z9 + 400mm f2.8 S TC
Cheers,
Bernard
Edited on Oct 11, 2025 at 01:05 AM · View previous versions
Oct 08, 2025 at 02:04 AM