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Archive 2022Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
p.22 #1Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
huismus / house sparrow by Arend, on Flickr
huismus / house sparrow by Arend, on Flickr
merel / blackbird by Arend, on Flickr
Feb 23, 2023 at 08:35 AM
p.22 #2Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
Alistair1 wrote:
Pretty much everything... 
Most of my Nikon gear is older (pre-Z) and has been sitting in storage for the last 4 or 5 years, but after seeing so many great images coming from Z9 users, my curiosity got the better of me. I'm just astounded by how light this lens is!Yesterday I was shooting this lens with 1.4x on my Z9 alongside my recently acquired ungripped A1 and 200-600mm, both handheld. The conditions were the ultimate test for AF (fast erratic hunting Welcome Swallows against very difficult BG) and I felt the A1 AF system had a somewhat noticeable performance edge over the Z9. Nonetheless I found myself putting the A1 down and using the Z9 much of the time, it is just so much more comfortable to hand hold. Whilst it is not that much lighter than the Sony combo, it feels a LOT lighter as the weight is...Show more →
I can imagine that with ease, the Sony A1 ungripped is not really suited for (wildlife) use with a long lens. I only use it ungripped for travel photography, and for that it is great. For birding/wildlife, I personally use a Meike small grip extension (Meike MK-A9II) on the A1 (wtih 600GM), which improves the grip by a mile without adding much weight (85gr I believe).
And still the ease of use and comfort of holding the A1 does not come close to what was for me the best handling camera I ever owned (and I have owned a few...): the Nikon D500.
The Z9 would be overkill for me, but if Nikon ever uses a D500-like casing for a Z camera, I would be all over it. The Nikon Z or Sony A bodies are too small and finicky for wildlife, the Nikon Z9 or D6 bodies are way too big and heavy.
They need to find a new drawing board...
Edited on Feb 24, 2023 at 01:32 AM · View previous versions
molson wrote
cvrle59 wrote
Sorry, but I wasn't aware what you used in your long photography history.Most of my Nikon gear is older (pre-Z) and has been sitting in storage for the last 4 or 5 years, but after seeing so many great images coming from Z9 users, my curiosity got the better of me. I'm just astounded by how light this lens is!
I can imagine that with ease, the Sony A1 ungripped is not really suited for (wildlife) use with a long lens. I only use it ungripped for travel photography, and for that it is great. For birding/wildlife, I personally use a Meike small grip extension (Meike MK-A9II) on the A1 (wtih 600GM), which improves the grip by a mile without adding much weight (85gr I believe).
And still the ease of use and comfort of holding the A1 does not come close to what was for me the best handling camera I ever owned (and I have owned a few...): the Nikon D500.
The Z9 would be overkill for me, but if Nikon ever uses a D500-like casing for a Z camera, I would be all over it. The Nikon Z or Sony A bodies are too small and finicky for wildlife, the Nikon Z9 or D6 bodies are way too big and heavy.
They need to find a new drawing board...
Edited on Feb 24, 2023 at 01:32 AM · View previous versions
Feb 23, 2023 at 01:48 PM
p.22 #3Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
This is when I wish the Z9 didn't weigh quite so much. This shot was taken standing at the edge of my deck, holding the camera and lens at arm's length above my head and using the tilting LCD to frame the shot of this Anna's Hummingbird hiding behind a branch. This camera almost makes it too easy...
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-1.4x lens 560mm f/6.3 1/320s 3200 ISO 0.0 EV
Feb 23, 2023 at 05:22 PM
p.22 #5Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
molson wrote:
This is when I wish the Z9 didn't weigh quite so much. This shot was taken standing at the edge of my deck, holding the camera and lens at arm's length above my head and using the tilting LCD to frame the shot of this Anna's Hummingbird hiding behind a branch. This camera almost makes it too easy...
Super sharp!
I think I can see a house light in the eye of the hummingbird.
bruce
This is when I wish the Z9 didn't weigh quite so much. This shot was taken standing at the edge of my deck, holding the camera and lens at arm's length above my head and using the tilting LCD to frame the shot of this Anna's Hummingbird hiding behind a branch. This camera almost makes it too easy...
Super sharp!
I think I can see a house light in the eye of the hummingbird.
bruce
Feb 23, 2023 at 08:37 PM
p.22 #6Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
Z7II with 400F4.5s at F4.5, ISO400, 1/1000
Male Cardinal by DjCj-Foto, on Flickr
Z7II with 400F4.5s at F4.5, ISO360, 1/1000
Female Cardinal by DjCj-Foto, on Flickr
Male Cardinal by DjCj-Foto, on FlickrZ7II with 400F4.5s at F4.5, ISO360, 1/1000
Female Cardinal by DjCj-Foto, on FlickrFeb 25, 2023 at 12:38 PM
p.22 #7Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
With 1.4TC.
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Feb 26, 2023 at 12:01 AM
p.22 #8Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
My Z 2.0X teleconverter arrived today, so I finally have the same "effective" focal length that I had with my OM 150-400mm f4.5 zoom. It's definitely more challenging being limited to an f/9 aperture on dull winter days like today.
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-2.0x lens 800mm f/9.0 1/320s 6400 ISO 0.0 EV
Feb 28, 2023 at 12:08 PM
p.22 #9Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
At least you make it look like it's no challenge, beautiful capture!
Maybe Nikon should look around this thread for advertising photos for their Z 400/4.5 VR S, which are suitable to trigger a massive purchase incentive/incentive to buy, so much great shots.
Maybe Nikon should look around this thread for advertising photos for their Z 400/4.5 VR S, which are suitable to trigger a massive purchase incentive/incentive to buy, so much great shots.
Feb 28, 2023 at 12:47 PM
p.22 #10Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
molson wrote:
My Z 2.0X teleconverter arrived today, so I finally have the same "effective" focal length that I had with my OM 150-400mm f4.5 zoom. It's definitely more challenging being limited to an f/9 aperture on dull winter days like today.
Amazing, does AF take a big hit with the 2.0?
Feb 28, 2023 at 12:54 PM
p.22 #11Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
Alistair1 wrote:
Amazing, does AF take a big hit with the 2.0?
Out of several dozen frames, there were only a handful that had the eyes in sharp focus - and those were all where the bird was stationary, perched on the feeder. The shutter speed was too low for a lot of the shots as well.
Amazing, does AF take a big hit with the 2.0?
Out of several dozen frames, there were only a handful that had the eyes in sharp focus - and those were all where the bird was stationary, perched on the feeder. The shutter speed was too low for a lot of the shots as well.
Feb 28, 2023 at 02:24 PM
p.22 #12Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
The sun came out this afternoon, but most of the birds seem to have left, except this flicker.
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-2.0x lens 800mm f/9.0 1/125s 3200 ISO 0.0 EV
Feb 28, 2023 at 04:37 PM
p.22 #13Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
Spring is almost here! Backyard beauties are showing up!
NIKON Z 7_2 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens 400mm f/4.5 1/640s 1100 ISO 0.0 EV
NIKON Z 7_2 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens 400mm f/4.5 1/640s 1100 ISO 0.0 EV
NIKON Z 7_2 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens 400mm f/4.5 1/640s 64 ISO 0.0 EV
Feb 28, 2023 at 07:51 PM
p.22 #14Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
Taken yesterday, with Z9, 400mm f/4.5, and 1.4x TC:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Things/Great-Blue-Herons/i-xCShxgN/0/4b8472f4/X2/20230228-_DZ90511-Edit-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Things/Great-Blue-Herons/i-xCShxgN/0/4b8472f4/X2/20230228-_DZ90511-Edit-X2.jpg
Mar 01, 2023 at 12:19 PM
p.22 #15Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
These shots feel cleaner than anything from my 500PF, these look great.
shekarn64 wrote:
Spring is almost here! Backyard beauties are showing up!
shekarn64 wrote:
Spring is almost here! Backyard beauties are showing up!
Mar 01, 2023 at 01:10 PM
p.22 #16Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
Out and about this morning with the 400mm f4.5 and 2.0x TC
Immature Bald Eagle
Immature Bald Eagle
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-2.0x lens 800mm f/9.0 1/1000s 1100 ISO +1.0 EV
Mar 02, 2023 at 02:40 PM
p.22 #17Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
And one from the other side...
Immature Bald Eagle
Immature Bald Eagle
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-2.0x lens 800mm f/9.0 1/1000s 400 ISO 0.0 EV
Mar 02, 2023 at 02:47 PM
p.22 #18Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
TC2.0 works really well in your setup, Molson!
Mar 02, 2023 at 03:19 PM
p.22 #19Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
cvrle59 wrote:
TC2.0 works really well in your setup, Molson!
Only if you don't look too closely; the eye AF struggles with this combination, even in good light.
TC2.0 works really well in your setup, Molson!
Only if you don't look too closely; the eye AF struggles with this combination, even in good light.
Mar 02, 2023 at 08:03 PM
p.22 #20Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread
If it is raining and there is nothing to shoot, just turn on the fireplace and shoot!
NIKON Z 7_2 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens 400mm f/4.5 1/50s 3200 ISO 0.0 EV
Mar 03, 2023 at 07:41 PM