Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
p.63 #1Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Wezre wrote:
I live more than two hours away from where I can reliably find bobcats, often spend the night camping, and then need to spend a few hours driving to see if they are prowling about. When I find one, it is not like I can drive up next to it, walk up to it, or place the animal in good light. During most of my bobcat shoots, the light is contrasty and the grasses and fur produce harsh shadows. In addition, I want to do everything I can to let the bobcat do its thing and not impact its hunt. During this time of year, females are either pregnant or feeding the babies,... I would be crushed if my actions interfered with the animal's capacity to find food or feed its young.
The bobcat pictured here was a four hour effort. I saw her hunting, I watched her catch prey, and I watched her continue to hunt. Once she had paws on the rodent burrows, I moved in but not too close. She was hunkered down, and I could see her ears poking up through the grasses. I sat with her for about 70 minutes... we did nothing together, as she waited for movement from below. As the sun began to settle, she gave up on that hunt and moved on. I let her determine the direction and pace of movement and walked in parallel with her about 50 yards from me. When she decided to hunt again, I settled down and let her do her thing. When a bobcat is focused and does not feel threatened, they let their guard down. At one point, she walked within the minimum focus of my lens. She was aware of my presence and I just stayed put as she worked her way to another hunting opportunity. When the light began to fade, I slowly backed away and left her to her life and pursuit.
Animals should not be impacted by us. Obviously the Heisenberg Principle is an apt metaphor for our influence as photographers, as our mere presence does influence the animals we photograph, but it should be all of our goals to be watchers and not interferers...
Stepping off the soapbox now
Some really nice photos and the description of your field craft was really interesting to read. Thanks for taking such care with this beautiful animal.
In another post you mentioned how difficult it can be posting in the Nature & Wildlife forum here. There are a lot of tremendous photographers that post there, but sometimes people go overboard with their adoration of photographers they really like. A couple of months back, a post won the Featured Thread voting with photos that had absolutely terrible post-processing. Way over sharpened, overly saturated, clear masking halos around the subjects, etc. But they won because...Show more →
Thanks for the comment on the bobcat...
And I agree completely with your sentiment about the N&W Board.
cheers,
bruce
OwlsEyes wrote
I realize that I am fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph bobcats, but I think it's important to know that this is not a slam dunk, nor is it easy. Photographing this species requires a bit of preparation and a commitment to long periods of waiting. I often pass up the opportunity to fill my bucket with many species in order to focus on one.I live more than two hours away from where I can reliably find bobcats, often spend the night camping, and then need to spend a few hours driving to see if they are prowling about. When I find one, it is not like I can drive up next to it, walk up to it, or place the animal in good light. During most of my bobcat shoots, the light is contrasty and the grasses and fur produce harsh shadows. In addition, I want to do everything I can to let the bobcat do its thing and not impact its hunt. During this time of year, females are either pregnant or feeding the babies,... I would be crushed if my actions interfered with the animal's capacity to find food or feed its young.
The bobcat pictured here was a four hour effort. I saw her hunting, I watched her catch prey, and I watched her continue to hunt. Once she had paws on the rodent burrows, I moved in but not too close. She was hunkered down, and I could see her ears poking up through the grasses. I sat with her for about 70 minutes... we did nothing together, as she waited for movement from below. As the sun began to settle, she gave up on that hunt and moved on. I let her determine the direction and pace of movement and walked in parallel with her about 50 yards from me. When she decided to hunt again, I settled down and let her do her thing. When a bobcat is focused and does not feel threatened, they let their guard down. At one point, she walked within the minimum focus of my lens. She was aware of my presence and I just stayed put as she worked her way to another hunting opportunity. When the light began to fade, I slowly backed away and left her to her life and pursuit.
Animals should not be impacted by us. Obviously the Heisenberg Principle is an apt metaphor for our influence as photographers, as our mere presence does influence the animals we photograph, but it should be all of our goals to be watchers and not interferers...
Stepping off the soapbox now
In another post you mentioned how difficult it can be posting in the Nature & Wildlife forum here. There are a lot of tremendous photographers that post there, but sometimes people go overboard with their adoration of photographers they really like. A couple of months back, a post won the Featured Thread voting with photos that had absolutely terrible post-processing. Way over sharpened, overly saturated, clear masking halos around the subjects, etc. But they won because...Show more →
Thanks for the comment on the bobcat...
And I agree completely with your sentiment about the N&W Board.
cheers,
bruce
May 01, 2026 at 09:09 AM
p.63 #2Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Bobcat and birds...
I'm sharing another bobcat shot from last week as well as a jack rabbit from the same location. In addition, I'm posting some stilt and avocet images that I made midweek. The babies are starting to show up, but the parents are extremely protective.
bruce
I'm sharing another bobcat shot from last week as well as a jack rabbit from the same location. In addition, I'm posting some stilt and avocet images that I made midweek. The babies are starting to show up, but the parents are extremely protective.
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.5 1/4000s 200 ISO -0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/4000s 720 ISO +0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/4000s 640 ISO +0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Z TC-2.0x lens 1120mm f/10.0 1/4000s 1600 ISO -1.7 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Z TC-2.0x lens 1120mm f/9.0 1/4000s 1100 ISO -0.3 EV
May 03, 2026 at 06:15 PM
p.63 #3Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/400s 280 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/400s 720 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/640s 800 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/500s 2500 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrNIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/400s 720 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrNIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/640s 800 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/500s 2500 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrMay 04, 2026 at 08:33 AM
p.63 #4Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
Bobcat and birds...
I'm sharing another bobcat shot from last week as well as a jack rabbit from the same location. In addition, I'm posting some stilt and avocet images that I made midweek. The babies are starting to show up, but the parents are extremely protective.
bruce
More gems, Bruce!
Bobcat and birds...
I'm sharing another bobcat shot from last week as well as a jack rabbit from the same location. In addition, I'm posting some stilt and avocet images that I made midweek. The babies are starting to show up, but the parents are extremely protective.
bruce
More gems, Bruce!
May 04, 2026 at 04:30 PM
p.63 #5Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
rick2906 wrote:
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/400s 280 ISO
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55238678698_c34ae5982f_h.jpgRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/400s 720 ISO
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55247237439_78864cf2a5_h.jpgRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/640s 800 ISO
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55247593670_897f3e55b8_h.jpgRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/500s 2500 ISO
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55247376338_59c564873e_h.jpgRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Fantastic shots, Richard!
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/400s 280 ISO
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55238678698_c34ae5982f_h.jpgRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/400s 720 ISO
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55247237439_78864cf2a5_h.jpgRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/640s 800 ISO
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55247593670_897f3e55b8_h.jpgRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/500s 2500 ISO
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55247376338_59c564873e_h.jpgRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Fantastic shots, Richard!
May 04, 2026 at 04:30 PM
p.63 #6Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Thank you!! My name is Eric I decide to use the 2XTC to do different picture and I am a sucker of close up! I was impressed, in the right situation, it still produce nice shot!! Not as sharp as the bare lense but still good!! I never use the TC2.0 with my dslr!!
I decide to use the 2XTC to do different picture and I am a sucker of close up! I was impressed, in the right situation, it still produce nice shot!! Not as sharp as the bare lense but still good!! I never use the TC2.0 with my dslr!! May 04, 2026 at 05:15 PM
p.63 #7Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Foxes really are such beautiful little creatures.
May 04, 2026 at 05:48 PM
p.63 #8Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Lance B wrote:
I'm sharing another bobcat shot from last week as well as a jack rabbit from the same location. In addition, I'm posting some stilt and avocet images that I made midweek. The babies are starting to show up, but the parents are extremely protective.
bruceMore gems, Bruce!
Thank you Lance...
The North Central Coast of CA has been good to me
bruce
OwlsEyes wrote
Bobcat and birds...I'm sharing another bobcat shot from last week as well as a jack rabbit from the same location. In addition, I'm posting some stilt and avocet images that I made midweek. The babies are starting to show up, but the parents are extremely protective.
bruce
Thank you Lance...
The North Central Coast of CA has been good to me
bruce
May 04, 2026 at 07:57 PM
p.63 #9Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
rick2906 wrote:
Thank you!! My name is Eric I decide to use the 2XTC to do different picture and I am a sucker of close up! I was impressed, in the right situation, it still produce nice shot!! Not as sharp as the bare lense but still good!! I never use the TC2.0 with my dslr!!
I've been surprised by how well the lens takes the 2x... The stilt and avocet shots were taken with the 2x and internal 1.4x engaged. While I won't use the 2x often, it's nice to know that it can resolve good detail in good light.
The details in your foxes suggest how viable the combination can be.
bruce
Thank you!! My name is Eric
I decide to use the 2XTC to do different picture and I am a sucker of close up! I was impressed, in the right situation, it still produce nice shot!! Not as sharp as the bare lense but still good!! I never use the TC2.0 with my dslr!! I've been surprised by how well the lens takes the 2x... The stilt and avocet shots were taken with the 2x and internal 1.4x engaged. While I won't use the 2x often, it's nice to know that it can resolve good detail in good light.
The details in your foxes suggest how viable the combination can be.
bruce
May 04, 2026 at 07:59 PM
p.63 #10Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
rick2906 wrote:
Thank you!! My name is Eric I decide to use the 2XTC to do different picture and I am a sucker of close up! I was impressed, in the right situation, it still produce nice shot!! Not as sharp as the bare lense but still good!! I never use the TC2.0 with my dslr!!
I am sorry, Eric! I do know your name is Eric, but I was in a hurry and simply saw rick2906 and posted away without thinking!
Thank you!! My name is Eric
I decide to use the 2XTC to do different picture and I am a sucker of close up! I was impressed, in the right situation, it still produce nice shot!! Not as sharp as the bare lense but still good!! I never use the TC2.0 with my dslr!! I am sorry, Eric! I do know your name is Eric, but I was in a hurry and simply saw rick2906 and posted away without thinking!
May 05, 2026 at 12:37 AM
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p.63 #11Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Yes, i did also use the 2.0+1.4 internal tc for great grey owl and the result were still quite good!! The 400mm is such a versatile lense!!
May 05, 2026 at 07:52 AM
p.63 #12Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/640s 900 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/800s 800 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/640s 720 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrNIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/800s 800 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrNIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 800mm f/5.6 1/640s 720 ISO
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrMay 05, 2026 at 07:55 AM
p.63 #13Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Absolutely beautiful images, Eric!
May 05, 2026 at 08:48 PM
p.63 #14Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Lance B wrote:
Absolutely beautiful images, Eric!
Thank you!! My name is Richard!!
Absolutely beautiful images, Eric!
Thank you!! My name is Richard!!
May 05, 2026 at 09:05 PM
p.63 #15Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
rick2906 wrote:
Thank you!! My name is Richard!!
Lance B wrote
Absolutely beautiful images, Eric! May 05, 2026 at 09:29 PM
p.63 #16Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
It is the start of river terns breeding season. All photographed with Z9, 400mm F2.8S TC
Untitled by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Untitled by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Untitled by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Untitled by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Untitled by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Untitled by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Untitled by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Untitled by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Untitled by Ganesh B, on FlickrUntitled by Ganesh B, on FlickrUntitled by Ganesh B, on FlickrUntitled by Ganesh B, on FlickrUntitled by Ganesh B, on FlickrUntitled by Ganesh B, on FlickrUntitled by Ganesh B, on FlickrUntitled by Ganesh B, on FlickrMay 06, 2026 at 08:37 AM
p.63 #17Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
More fox pictures lol!! 
Red fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Red Fox by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Red fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrRed Fox by eric laquerre, sur FlickrMay 08, 2026 at 04:47 PM
p.63 #19Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Photographed this Tusker at Nagarhole National Park
Elephant crossing the river by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Tusker by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Elephant crossing the river by Ganesh B, on FlickrTusker by Ganesh B, on FlickrMay 10, 2026 at 08:20 AM
p.63 #20Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
gannis wrote:
Photographed this Tusker at Nagarhole National Park
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55261219095_14f0c529ac_b.jpgElephant crossing the river by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55261227215_4db9b12716_b.jpgTusker by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Wow, this guy is a real beauty. We rarely see Asian elephant big tuskers... nicely done. I also really love the perspective of the swimming elephant... beautiful warm light.
bruce
Photographed this Tusker at Nagarhole National Park
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55261219095_14f0c529ac_b.jpgElephant crossing the river by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55261227215_4db9b12716_b.jpgTusker by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Wow, this guy is a real beauty. We rarely see Asian elephant big tuskers... nicely done. I also really love the perspective of the swimming elephant... beautiful warm light.
bruce
May 10, 2026 at 09:38 AM