OwlsEyes wrote:
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.
Thanks, I have a Z6II and Z7II, so I have to "live" with this.
Main thing for me is they are the same.
Z7II with 400F4.5s at F4.5, ISO2800, 1/400
I love this lens! It's not only about sharpness, its ability to capture colours and contrast, even on poor light, is just amazing.
Actually the first set of pictures I’ve seen of the 400 4.5 S which shows a nice soft bokeh. Otherwise the bokeh looks a bit harsh/contrasty. I’m a bit dissapointed due to this so-so bokeh, because otherwise it’s a tempting lens. Maybe if I get to see some more samples with good bokeh……😊.
I went up to the Nooksack River last week to see the salmon spawning, bald eagles, and American dippers. I was not in a great position for the eagles, but I was for the salmon and dippers. This is a spot that I had found a couple years ago, and have been meaning to come back to (for the dippers feasting on the salmon eggs). I spent several hours there enjoying the spectacle and taking some pictures. Sometimes simply being present at a particular place and time is treat enough. If you can come away with some decent images, then that is just icing on the cake. These images were taken with the Z9, the 400mm f/4.5, and the 1.4x TC.
This set is outstanding photography and also tells a story... educational.
In your opening comment: "I spent several hours there enjoying the spectacle and taking some pictures. Sometimes simply being present at a particular place and time is treat enough. If you can come away with some decent images, then that is just icing on the cake." Yes!
I'm native to the east coast (and so not intimately familiar with the Pacific NW) In the east, our only anadromous salmon species is endangered and nearly extinct. But the exiting news is that its critical habitat has been mapped, the dams have been removed and I am certain that the full recovery of the Atlantic Salmon is inevitable! It is just going to take a lot more time.
As I often do, I happen to enter your set at your last image. When I saw the bird I had a general grasp of the ecology of it, but could not remember the name. Then the word *Dipper* entered my mind (but I was not sure). When I saw the egg that was a little educational set in itself... and then the salmon!
Keith,
This is a lovely photo essay. Being present and experiencing the expected and unexpected nuances of nature is one of the greatest joys for this nature photographer.
lukemeup wrote:
These are very nice, Keith. Good stuff.
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bs kite wrote:
Excellent!
I love nature photography that tells a story.
This set is outstanding photography and also tells a story... educational.
In your opening comment: "I spent several hours there enjoying the spectacle and taking some pictures. Sometimes simply being present at a particular place and time is treat enough. If you can come away with some decent images, then that is just icing on the cake." Yes!
I'm native to the east coast (and so not intimately familiar with the Pacific NW) In the east, our only anadromous salmon species is endangered and nearly extinct. But the exiting news is that its critical habitat has been mapped, the dams have been removed and I am certain that the full recovery of the Atlantic Salmon is inevitable! It is just going to take a lot more time.
As I often do, I happen to enter your set at your last image. When I saw the bird I had a general grasp of the ecology of it, but could not remember the name. Then the word *Dipper* entered my mind (but I was not sure). When I saw the egg that was a little educational set in itself... and then the salmon!
OwlsEyes wrote:
Keith,
This is a lovely photo essay. Being present and experiencing the expected and unexpected nuances of nature is one of the greatest joys for this nature photographer.
regards,
bruce
Luke, Robert, and Bruce,
Thanks so much for your kind comments - much appreciated! This is a set that was several years in the making. Scouting out various locations, learning that waders are sometimes needed to access that particular spot, and then waiting for decent weather. But each time I went up there, I always enjoyed myself. There is even a lovely waterfall (Racehorse Falls) not too far away (image below taken with Z7 and 24-70 f/2.8 S). Thanks again!
Keith W.
Some huge discounts on the 400 f/4.5 in Australia currently and thinking of selling the 500 PF. I'm not concerned with the IQ of the 400 + 1.4x combo, but what's the consensus on AF speed of this combo vs 500 PF +FTZ II on the Z9? Any tangible difference? Would like to think native Z mount glass will perform better.
BTW I don't own the 100-400 and won't be purchasing it. Just wish Nikon gave us 500 f/4.5 or 600 f/5.6.
