p.7 #1 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
I wonder. Looking at Steve Perry most recent pictures from 800PF test, his bokeh is much smoother but
I think his subject is usually bigger birds further away and was not shot at 5-8m distance. May be it is at
near distance that bokeh can be a bit more problematic, perhaps.
p.7 #2 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
Just got the 800 6.3 yesterday and took it out for a brief late day shoot. Warblers are starting to arrive finally. Here is a palm that was hanging out. They nest here too a little further north so hope to get more.
One observation: the 800 6.3 to me seemed to be quicker at AF than the 800 5.6 on the Z9 with the FTZII. The 800 5.6 was great, but the 6.3 that much better in that it would stay stuck on the bird more, and it seemed more easy to get the focus. Maybe being a newer lens and specific to the Z system means something? Anxious to get more shots.
p.7 #4 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
padrepaul wrote:
Just got the 800 6.3 yesterday and took it out for a brief late day shoot. Warblers are starting to arrive finally. Here is a palm that was hanging out. They nest here too a little further north so hope to get more.
One observation: the 800 6.3 to me seemed to be quicker at AF than the 800 5.6 on the Z9 with the FTZII. The 800 5.6 was great, but the 6.3 that much better in that it would stay stuck on the bird more, and it seemed more easy to get the focus. Maybe being a newer lens and specific to the Z system means something? Anxious to get more shots. ...Show more →
Nice! Definitely been hearing the Palm and the Yellow warblers here. Will need to get a nice weather in and go shoot some warblers.
I think native lens is always better than adapted lens.
p.7 #5 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
sandy27000 wrote:
Hi folks! I got mine today. Lovely images so far and can’t wait to share some of mine in the coming days.
Quick question: has anyone tried using the lens foot from a 400mm FL or 600mm FL on the new 800mm PF? Wondering if the same foot would fit? Thanks!
Congrats!
I tried. The mounting is completely different. It will not work.
I spoke to Chris Hejnar and sent him a number of photos and measurements from which he is starting his design for a replacement foot. I will send him my stock 800PF foot after a trip this weekend, if he has not already received his eval unit so he can finalize and begin production.
I am not aware of any others that are out just yet.
p.7 #6 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
EyeSpyEagle wrote:
Congrats!
I tried. The mounting is completely different. It will not work.
I spoke to Chris Hejnar and sent him a number of photos and measurements from which he is starting his design for a replacement foot. I will send him my stock 800PF foot after a trip this weekend, if he has not already received his eval unit so he can finalize and begin production.
I am not aware of any others that are out just yet.
Regards,
Phil
This would be very nice. Just eye balling it, it looks like 800PF and 400/2.8S use the same foot so whoever comes out with a replacement foot first, I am ready to order 2
p.7 #8 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
suteetat wrote:
This would be very nice. Just eye balling it, it looks like 800PF and 400/2.8S use the same foot so whoever comes out with a replacement foot first, I am ready to order 2
I'll keep ya posted. I have Hejnar feet on both my wifes & my 500PF, my Z100-400S, and Z70-200S lenses and have been really pleased with them.
p.7 #12 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
Took a morning walk through my local park for an hour with 800PF. I really like the weight of this lens and the ability to handhold it for a long time All shot wide opened. No cropping on the first two image.
Camera Labs is extremely positive about the 800mm f6.3 PF. They find the bokeh to be excellent, the lens seems as close as it gets to true APO, no fringing on high contrast edges either.
They also comment about how incredibly good the 400mm f2.8 TC with TC x2 is in the center.
p.7 #14 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
bernardl wrote:
They also comment about how incredibly good the 400mm f2.8 TC with TC x2 is in the center.
Cheers,
Bernard
Sadly they didn't tested the Z 400/2.8 with 2x 1.4 TC. In my findings it was almost identical in the center compared to the 2.0 TC but much better in the corners. I had 2x 2.0 TCs and 2x external 1.4 TCs to exclude serial spread.
p.7 #15 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
I have to say. Criticizing a prime 800mm lens for its MFD is a little silly. If you're buying an 800mm lens, it's likely because you can't get close to the subject you're shooting. And also, comparing to the 800 f5.6($16K), the MFD on the 800pf is actually better.
From this morning. No warblers. They seem to be a little late this year(?)
Just the same bird on a branch I've been shooting but with different gear.
Same bird, different gear seems like a good motto around here.
Again, the VR/IBIS on this lens is so good that I'm able to get some really high IQ images from the lower ISO than I would from an older heavier F mount.
This one is at 1/250s handheld to get ISO down to 180.
Camera Labs is extremely positive about the 800mm f6.3 PF. They find the bokeh to be excellent, the lens seems as close as it gets to true APO, no fringing on high contrast edges either.
They also comment about how incredibly good the 400mm f2.8 TC with TC x2 is in the center.
Cheers,
Bernard
Thank you for posting the link Bernard
The comments regarding focus breathing, and focus accuracy and repeatability concern me in this review. MFD maximum magnification is also a potential show stopper.
There are a few small annoyances though: Focus breathing is on the very visible side which might annoy videographers. The minimum focusing distance of 5m only yields a meagre maximum magnification of 1:5.8 and can be a real nuisance when that small bird is finally coming closer to your shooting position. Plus focus accuracy and repeatability was a bit lower than I’m used to see.
p.7 #17 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
Richard_M wrote:
Thank you for posting the link Bernard
The comments regarding focus breathing, and focus accuracy and repeatability concern me in this review. MFD maximum magnification is also a potential show stopper.
I think he was using the Z7 for the focus tests so I'm not putting a lot of stock in the focus accuracy/repeatability concerns. If it's the same on the Z9, then I'd be concerned.
p.7 #18 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
scott f wrote:
I think he was using the Z7 for the focus tests so I'm not putting a lot of stock in the focus accuracy/repeatability concerns. If it's the same on the Z9, then I'd be concerned.
One thing to consider, Z7 ii firwmare 1.4 and Z9 firmware 2.0 added support for 800PF. If he uses Z7, latest firmware 3.4 only support up to 400/2.8S but no support for 800PF so far so that might or might not make a difference.
Otherwise, it is a stationary target, Z7 or Z7 ii with the right firmware should have no problem with focus accuracy and repeatability though.
Focus breathing at least for me works in my favour as if I understand correctly, image is magnified as you focus closer. So does this mean that focal lenght is actually longer than 800mm at near minimum focusing distance (assuming it is 800mm at infinity) as image is 17% more magnified at 8.3m in comparison to infinity. It would be worse if focal lenght is shorter than 800mm at near minimum focusing distance I think but I understand that videographer may not like it.
p.7 #19 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
Richard_M wrote:
Thank you for posting the link Bernard
The comments regarding focus breathing, and focus accuracy and repeatability concern me in this review. MFD maximum magnification is also a potential show stopper.
The 500 f4E FL VR has a MFD of 3.6mts and a magnification of .15x. The 800 f6.3 PF has a mFD of 5mts and a mgnification of .16x. So, 800/500 = 1.6x, thus 1.6 x 3.6mt = 5.76mts. So, the 800 PF focuses much closer in relation to the subject than the 500 f4E and the PF hgas a higher mag. The same can be said for the 600 f4E which has a MFD of 4.4mts and a mag of .14x. So, 800/600 = 1.33, thus 1.33 x 4.4 = 5.82mts. So, the 800 PF focuses well closer in relation to the subject than the 600 f4E as well as a higher mag.
p.7 #20 · Official 800PF image and discussion thread
Lance B wrote:
I really doubt the 5mt MFD will be an issue.
The 500 f4E FL VR has a MFD of 3.6mts and a magnification of .15x. The 800 f6.3 PF has a mFD of 5mts and a mgnification of .16x. So, 800/500 = 1.6x, thus 1.6 x 3.6mt = 5.76mts. So, the 800 PF focuses much closer in relation to the subject than the 500 f4E and the PF hgas a higher mag. The same can be said for the 600 f4E which has a MFD of 4.4mts and a mag of .14x. So, 800/600 = 1.33, thus 1.33 x 4.4 = 5.82mts. So, the 800 PF focuses well closer in relation to the subject than the 600 f4E as well as a higher mag....Show more →
That is fine providing the lens is 800mm at MFD. I will wait for some technical reviews, or if I get a chance to check the lens out for myself before getting too concerned.
