Just one from my second outing to find Long Eared Owls.
Shot with the 1.4x, I am amazed by the soft bokeh... even at f6.3. This may be the one real tangible optical improvement over the 500mm PF.
regards,
bruce
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-1.4x lens560mmf/6.31/500s4000 ISO+0.3 EV
OwlsEyes wrote:
Just one from my second outing to find Long Eared Owls.
Shot with the 1.4x, I am amazed by the soft bokeh... even at f6.3. This may be the one real tangible optical improvement over the 500mm PF.
Thanks Luke...
I was on the other side of some cattails and the wind was blowing. If it weren't for the 20fps of the Z9, i don't think I would have had the clarity in the face of the LEO. Most of my photos have the "haze" of shooting through the foliage. This was one of two where the owl's head was crystal clear...
It was a fun shoot... I'm hoping to head out there again for an hour or so on the weekend.
I don't know about others, but I am loving this 560mm focal length with the ability to hit DX crop with the touch of a button. This one change in the the Z9 firmware has made a real difference for me.
Based on my usage and the way I like to take pictures, I would love the 400 f2.8S... but not sure I can justify the outrageous expense of a lens like that.
OwlsEyes wrote:
Thanks Luke...
I was on the other side of some cattails and the wind was blowing. If it weren't for the 20fps of the Z9, i don't think I would have had the clarity in the face of the LEO. Most of my photos have the "haze" of shooting through the foliage. This was one of two where the owl's head was crystal clear...
It was a fun shoot... I'm hoping to head out there again for an hour or so on the weekend.
I don't know about others, but I am loving this 560mm focal length with the ability to hit DX crop with the touch of a button. This one change in the the Z9 firmware has made a real difference for me.
Based on my usage and the way I like to take pictures, I would love the 400 f2.8S... but not sure I can justify the outrageous expense of a lens like that.
I am close to settling on this combo, I have been on the list for a Z800PF since april, but the prospects are not good, so I am thinking of getting the Z400+1.4TC ahead, and add the Z800PF later. A portable combo like this is very welcome, even next to the 800PF. I really enjoyed hiking with the D500+500PF.
The images by the Z400mm have convinced me, I really like the color and bokeh this set-up produces. How does this combo perform on BIF? Is the initial AF aquisition good enough, and does it have the stickiness?
ChrisMak wrote:
I am close to settling on this combo, I have been on the list for a Z800PF since april, but the prospects are not good, so I am thinking of getting the Z400+1.4TC ahead, and add the Z800PF later. A portable combo like this is very welcome, even next to the 800PF. I really enjoyed hiking with the D500+500PF.
The images by the Z400mm have convinced me, I really like the color and bokeh this set-up produces. How does this combo perform on BIF? Is the initial AF aquisition good enough, and does it have the stickiness?
Hey Chris...
I am surprised that you are thinking about returning to Nikon again. I recall that you liked the 500PF but was put off by the weight of the Z9. In the end, I have found that the added mass of the Z9 near my face has made for a much better balance than a heavy lens at the front of the barrel.
I have been amazed by the performance of the AF with the camera and lens. Like you, I have the 800PF on pre-order from NPS, but doubt I my "number" will come up until summer, fall. or next winter... bummer for sure.
Lukemap has some AMAZING short-eared owl in flight shots with the 400mm f4.5 lens on the page prior to this one... his pictures say it all, as some of the photos were agains a cluttered background.
As for me, I posted some images from the Z9/400mm f4.5 + 2x converter (@ f/9) earlier in this thread, I think... They were shot in crappy conditions.. early morning, and high ISO, but they show the ability of the combination to grab and hold focus. I will repost them here... so apologies to those who are forced to see these twice
I'll report back on flight shots tomorrow or Sunday, as I will be heading to my swan spot and owl spot this weekend.
regards,
bruce
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-2.0x lens800mmf/9.01/160s4000 ISO+1.7 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-2.0x lens800mmf/9.01/1600s10000 ISO+1.7 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-2.0x lens800mmf/9.01/2000s2800 ISO+1.0 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-2.0x lens800mmf/9.01/2000s1400 ISO0.0 EV
OwlsEyes wrote:
Hey Chris...
I am surprised that you are thinking about returning to Nikon again. I recall that you like the 500PF but was put off by the weight of the Z9. In the end, I have found that the added mass of the Z9 near my face has made of a much better balance than a heavy lens at the front of the barrel.
I have been amazed by the performance of the AF with the camera and lens. Like you, I have the 800PF on pre-order from NPS, but doubt I my "number" will come up until summer, fall. or next winter... bummer for sure.
Lukemap has some AMAZING short eared owl in flight shots with the lens on the page prior to this one... this pictures say it all , as some of the photos were agains a cluttered background.
As for me, I posted some images of the Z9/400mm f4.5 + 2x converter (@ f/9) earlier in this thread I think... they were shot in crappy conditions.. early morning and high ISO, but they show the ability of the combination to grab and hold focus. I will repost them here... so apologies to those who are forced to see these twice
I'll report back on flight shots tomorrow or Sunday, as I will be heading to my swan spot and owl spot on the weekend.
regards,
bruce ...Show more →
Thanks for your comments Bruce. I will keep it very short, don't want to start a discussion. The Z9 has gone through some firmware updates and appears to be closing in on the A1, if not already there.
Regarding my feel about the size/weight of the Z9, that will never change. The A1 is my preferred body for sure.
But Nikon has put out some lenses in the form of the Z400 and Z800 that are made for a hiker/cycler like me that shoots 100% handheld. That is it, no more no less. I wanted to bend my mind around to accepting the 600GM, but in the end it is not the ultimate quality that matters most. You have to like using the equipment, and I can see myself carrying a 800PF along and shooting it handheld all day, but not a 600GM+1.4TC. Not just the weight, but the size is my main issue. Shrink the 600GM by 1/3 and I am all in. But as it is, a 600/4 lens is just too big for me. I have fond memories of the 500PF on the D500, but was ready for mirrorless. But hey, the choice is there. I will ultimatelly get the call from my camera store that the 800PF has materialized. The Z400+1.4TC should make the wait acceptable, I love the colors it produces on the Z9.
OwlsEyes wrote:
I don't know about others, but I am loving this 560mm focal length with the ability to hit DX crop with the touch of a button. This one change in the the Z9 firmware has made a real difference for me.
I was saying from the start that 560mm is great (and I have zero regrets selling the 500PF). Ability to flip it to DX with a single push of a button (instead of having to press a button and use the wheel) = great change.
lukemeup wrote:
I was saying from the start that 560mm is great (and I have zero regrets selling the 500PF). Ability to flip it to DX with a single push of a button (instead of having to press a button and use the wheel) = great change.
Where is this new feature? I missed that change in the firmware.
geekcop wrote:
Where is this new feature? I missed that change in the firmware.
It's in the Custom F2 menu bank. You can select a button on the body to toggle between DX and FX. I have mine set to the center button near the lens mount.... super convenient. The viewfinder has an indicator in the upper right to remind you that you are in DX mode... I toggle between them often. In the owl shots (posted earlier), I'd go to FX if it looks like the owl is about to fly and DX for shooting portraits.
I must be missing something. What's the advantage of switching to DX mode on the Z9? Yes, smaller files and faster writes but shouldn't the Z9 be able to handle that regardless of FX or DX. Why not just crop in post?
lara_ckl wrote:
I must be missing something. What's the advantage of switching to DX mode on the Z9? Yes, smaller files and faster writes but shouldn't the Z9 be able to handle that regardless of FX or DX. Why not just crop in post?
I prefer to compose / fill the frame in camera if I can. In my experience filling the frame in camera also improves the AF / subject detection.
OwlsEyes wrote:
It's in the Custom F2 menu bank. You can select a button on the body to toggle between DX and FX. I have mine set to the center button near the lens mount.... super convenient. The viewfinder has an indicator in the upper right to remind you that you are in DX mode... I toggle between them often. In the owl shots (posted earlier), I'd go to FX if it looks like the owl is about to fly and DX for shooting portraits.
bruce
Is this a specific Z9 feature?
I can't find it on my Z7 II ( pressing a button and use the wheel works).
Chris Dees wrote:
Is this a specific Z9 feature?
I can't find it on my Z7 II ( pressing a button and use the wheel works).
Unfortunately, you have to turn the wheel on Z7II, this is one of those Nikon classics, one camera does it one way, the other one the other way.
If we ever see again a FW update on Z7II, we may see this implemented...I hope so, it's so obvious.
cvrle59 wrote:
Unfortunately, you have to turn the wheel on Z7II, this is one of those Nikon classics, one camera does it one way, the other one the other way.
If we ever see again a FW update on Z7II, we may see this implemented...I hope so, it's so obvious.
Chris Dees wrote:
Thanks, I was already afraid of that.
Yes to everything said here. This is one of my giant frustrations with the Z6ii. In fact, I'd be just fine with my Z6ii as a second body if its button functions/menus matched the Z9. The camera lay out is very similar, but the way the two cameras function are very different. The inability to seamlessly switch between bodies has caused me to not use the Z6ii even when the "right lens" is already on that camera.
