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Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

lukemeup
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p.19 #1 · p.19 #1 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Went looking for owls but all I saw was bald eagles.

Bald E

Jan 03, 2023 at 02:50 PM

OwlsEyes
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p.19 #2 · p.19 #2 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

ChrisMak wrote:
Yes, I saw your very nice long eared owl images taken with the 800PF. What I like about the lens, is that you have the reach without needing a TC, without having to put up with an extremely large size and without having to carry a hefty weight. It is straight and simple and gets you close, and delivers prime quality.

I believe the consensus is that it is a clear step below the Sony 600GM regarding image quality, rendering flatter images and lacking the ultimate contrast and clarity of the 600/4 lenses, but it is clearly still a high...Show more →

At this point I do not think it is fair to characterize the optical performance of 800PF as a notch below any of the current batch of 600mm f4 lenses when a 1.4x is used to extend their focal length to 840mm. I have a friend who sold his 800mm FLE f5.6 for the 800PF and he claims that the performance is essentially the same. To be clear, I have not had, nor used, the 800PF long enough to make any grandiose claims about the optics. I am comfortable saying that it is as sharp as my 500PF (without converters), and does not exhibit the onion ring speculars that I've seen from my 500PF lens.
When comparing the 400 f4.5 to the 800PF, the 400mm lens seems to have a slightly more responsive AF, but I am not expecting lightning AF speed from an 800mm lens.
In my opinion, the one thing lacking with my 800mm PF lens is a photographer with prior experience with an 800mm lens. My longest lens to date has been 500mm. When used on the D500, I was at a 750mm field of view. The 800mm PF is longer and heavier than my prior long kit, and it will take time for me to refine how I will use it. Based on my day with swans, owls, and chickadees, I am confident that this is an excellent optic... I am hoping that the photographer will eventually catch up to its capabilities.

regards,
bruce

Edited on Jan 04, 2023 at 06:52 AM · View previous versions

Jan 03, 2023 at 09:43 PM

ChrisMak
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p.19 #3 · p.19 #3 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

OwlsEyes wrote:
At this point I do not think it is fair to characterize the optical performance of 800PF as a notch below any of the current batch of 600mm f4 lenses when a 1.4x is used to extend their focal length to 840mm. I have a friend who sold his 800mm FLE f5.6 for the 800PF and he claims that the performance is essentially the same. To be clear, I have not had, nor used, the 800PF long enough to make any grandiose claims about the optics. I am comfortable saying that it is as sharp as my 500PF (without converters),...Show more →

You are very right to point out that the 800PF is an 800mm lens and can not really be compared to the 600MM f4 lenses. Since I have not used either (yet) I cannot say much of sense about the optical quality of both, but since I have been going through the process of deciding on a Sony 600GM and a Z9+800PF combo, I have especially followed the very few posts about people having used both, and they seem to be in agreement that the 600GM is the superior lens optically.

But what does that mean at all anyhow? When I get the 800PF soon and I am content with the images it produces, that's all that matters. What I have seen from the 800PF has convinced me that it is a true prime level lens. F4 lenses have this wow factor, but when you put a 1.4TC on to get to 840mm, most of that wow factor abates anyhow, and it becomes simply a very good 840mm lens. I had the Sigma 500mm f4S for a while simultaneously with the 500PF, and I could certainly appreciate the F4 brilliant and clear look, but still preferred the 500PF in the end.

Edited on Jan 04, 2023 at 06:04 AM · View previous versions

Jan 04, 2023 at 04:25 AM

suteetat
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p.19 #4 · p.19 #4 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

ChrisMak wrote:
You are very right to point out that the 800PF is an 800mm lens and can not really be compared to the 600MM f4 lenses. Since I have not used either (yet) I cannot say much of sense about the optical quality of both, but since I have been going through the process of deciding on a Sony 600GM and a Z0+800PF combo, I have especially followed the very few posts about people having used both, and they seem to be in agreement that the 600GM is the superior lens optically.

But what does that mean at all anyhow? When I...Show more →

I dont have 600/4S TC but I compared my 800PF to 600/4e FL with TC14e iii and 400/2.8S TC + TCx2, as far as center sharpness is concerned, 800PF is actually a nudge ahead at 100% magnification. 400/2.8s + TCx2 does have a slightly smoother bokeh when you have busy background close to the subject but otherwise, a part from 1/3 stop of light, 800PF is holding its own pretty well in my opinion.

Jan 04, 2023 at 04:40 AM

Alistair1
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p.19 #5 · p.19 #5 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Steve Perry did a comparison video of optical performance. 800pf>z600/1.4>G600/1.4 but all so close it doesn't matter.

OwlsEyes wrote:
At this point I do not think it is fair to characterize the optical performance of 800PF as a notch below any of the current batch of 600mm f4 lenses when a 1.4x is used to extend their focal length to 840mm. I have a friend who sold his 800mm FLE f5.6 for the 800PF and he claims that the performance is essentially the same. To be clear, I have not had, nor used, the 800PF long enough to make any grandiose claims about the optics. I am comfortable saying that it is as sharp as my 500PF (without converters),...Show more →

Jan 04, 2023 at 04:58 AM

4mpx
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p.19 #6 · p.19 #6 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Great crested grebe:

Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S + Z TC 2.0x, Crop DX mode, hand held.

Jan 05, 2023 at 06:34 PM

chloesview
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p.19 #7 · p.19 #7 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Z9 Burrowing Owl that has showed up multiple winters at a local reservoir ,favoring an old floating dock as its office. Bird does exhibit a deformity in its right eye like the pupil is torn.

Jan 07, 2023 at 12:17 PM

kwilliam8
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p.19 #8 · p.19 #8 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Taken several days ago at Semiahmoo Spit, with the Z9, 400mm f/4.5, and the 1.4x TC. All images were shot wide-open at 1/2500th of a second. The first four images are of white-winged scoters, while the final two images are of surf scoters. I find it amazing that scoters will eat clams (and other hard shelled animals) whole. I have read that they swallow sand, pebbles, and small rocks to assist with the digestion of hard shelled animals.

Jan 08, 2023 at 03:49 AM

lukemeup
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p.19 #9 · p.19 #9 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Lots of rain here recently + lots of work as well. Didn't get a chance to go out much as a result.

All with TC1.4.

Gadwall

Anna's Hummingbird

Mallard

Jan 08, 2023 at 03:27 PM

shekarn64
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p.19 #10 · p.19 #10 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Candid shots...

NIKON Z 7_2 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens 400mm f/4.5 1/250s 3200 ISO 0.0 EV

NIKON Z 7_2 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens 400mm f/4.5 1/250s 3600 ISO 0.0 EV

Jan 08, 2023 at 05:20 PM

OwlsEyes
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p.19 #11 · p.19 #11 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

It's been very cold in MN and with the late sunrise, I do not have much time to shoot.
The 400mm f4.5 continues to serve me well.

NIKON Z 6_2 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens 400mm f/4.5 1/1600s 3600 ISO +1.7 EV

NIKON Z 6_2 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens 400mm f/4.5 1/1600s 3200 ISO +1.7 EV

NIKON Z 6_2 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens 400mm f/4.5 1/800s 1800 ISO +1.7 EV

Jan 08, 2023 at 05:52 PM

4mpx
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p.19 #12 · p.19 #12 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

My very first sighting and images of Major Mitchell's Cockatoo in the Australian outback: Mungo National Park, far west of NSW.

Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S + Z TC 2.0x, in crop DX mode.

Jan 09, 2023 at 09:49 PM

4mpx
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p.19 #13 · p.19 #13 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

The IQ with the Nikon Z 2x TC wide open is quite impressive. I have tried the Z TC 2x on the Z 100-400 and was very disappointed in term of IQ and AF speed.

The Z 2x TC works best on the Z9 but the small Z fc can do a good job too:

Nikon Z fc, Z 400/4.5 + Z TCx2.0 (@1200mm FOV), wide open (f/9)

Jan 10, 2023 at 07:29 PM

lukemeup
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p.19 #14 · p.19 #14 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Managed to take a day off (finally non rainy day & rain in the forecast for the next 10 days).

Some of the shots, all with TC1.4:

Black Turnstone

White-winged Scoter (male)

Horned Grebe

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Harrier

Is this a long eared owl or a great horned owl (not the best shot - it was sleeping buried in a tree):

Dozing Off

Not a bad day overall.

Jan 10, 2023 at 10:43 PM

lukemeup
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p.19 #15 · p.19 #15 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

An example of a very backlit situation with harsh light. Spec highlights in the bokeh are to be expected in such scenario. I don't get this effect very often but it does sometimes happen.

Fast & Backlit

The resident red-tail was watching us intently from his high perch. Bruce is not snack size.

Raptor

Jan 11, 2023 at 09:15 PM

chloesview
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p.19 #16 · p.19 #16 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Long-eared Owl ! Nice!

Jan 11, 2023 at 10:07 PM

lukemeup
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p.19 #17 · p.19 #17 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

chloesview wrote:
Long-eared Owl ! Nice!

I have a bit of an ethical issue photographing that owl - there were 20 photographers crowding in front of that tree and only deep, water filled ditch was saving the relative peace of this bird.

Jan 11, 2023 at 10:20 PM

chloesview
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p.19 #18 · p.19 #18 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

lukemeup wrote:
I have a bit of an ethical issue photographing that owl - there were 20 photographers crowding in front of that tree and only deep, water filled ditch was saving the relative peace of this bird.

At least the bird is protected by a 'moat' and doesn't appear stressed. The most common indicator of stress in Long-eared Owl is the straight-up pencil thin posture. The 'I am not really here look.' Thanks for examining your ethics not all wildlife photographers do.

I say this as a longtime field biologist who has worked extensively with birds. I have to check myself too when I am out taking photographs. Because the temptation to get closer is always there.

frank

Jan 11, 2023 at 10:43 PM

cvrle59
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p.19 #19 · p.19 #19 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Z7II with 400f4.5 at F4.5, ISO900, 1/2000

Juvenile Bald Eagle by DjCj-Foto, on Flickr

Jan 14, 2023 at 06:28 PM

4mpx
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p.19 #20 · p.19 #20 · Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread

Australian Superbike:

Nikon Z fc, Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S

Jan 14, 2023 at 10:42 PM

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