Alistair1 wrote:
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 all in the shooter's hands rather than cantilevered to the front and the Z9 grip is just so much more comfortable for my hand size and shape than the sharp and cramped little grip on the A1. The A1 may improve with the addition of a grip but then the weight would go up even more.
It really does sheet it home to me that one can read all the reviews, opinions and spec sheets one wants but not until the equipment is in your hands, attached to your body, attached to your grey matter, shooting in your locations and your subjects do you really understand how well a piece of equipment is going to work for you. ...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...
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)
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-1.4x lens560mmf/6.31/320s3200 ISO0.0 EV
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.
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 9NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z TC-2.0x lens800mmf/9.01/320s6400 ISO0.0 EV
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.
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?
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.
