MatthewK wrote:
Please elaborate! Why do you regret it?
Last year, I followed a circular path: 400 4.5 > 100-400 > 180-600, and finally back to 400 4.5. I thought the 180-600 would be the ultimate lens, and it is superb, but I find I much prefer using prime lenses. Paired with my 600PF, the 400 4.5 serves as my closer-in, lower light lens; I don't reach for it often, but the role it plays is crucial for certain species/situations, and it renders so deliciously.
Part of me debates going back to the 100-400, as it'd pair great with the 600PF, but... the 400 4.5, I can't part with it again. ...Show more →
Well, it's along answer And it has nothing to do with the quality or usefulness of the 180-600. I think it's a brilliant lens and was a steal as I got mine on release before the price increase.
I had a Z9 and the 400 4.5 and the 180-600. My intention was to keep both lenses. For my small, lightweight option I went to a EM 10 Mark IV and a Panny 100-300. I found I was using the 400 4.5 less and less and the EM 10 and 100-300 wasn't doing it for me so I sold the 400 4.5 and used the funds to upgrade to an OM-1 and the Olympus 100-400. I absolutely love that combo. Knowing what I know now, I would rather have the 400 4.5 back for the extra light gathering, smaller size, and the upgrade, even though it's small, in IQ. And the 100-400, for all practical purposes, is a stand in for what I use the 180-600 for. Usability plays a much larger role in my purchase decisions than any amount of pixel peeping.
I have the 100-400, 180-600 and 400/4.5
The 400/4.5 is by far my favourite, but is most of the time too short.
The 180-600 is the most versatile, but too heavy for me. I just returned from a trip to South-Africa and used the 100-600 almost every day and now I have a nasty shoulder injury.
So I decided to sell the 180-600 and go for the 600PF. I probably have to sell the 400/4.5 as well to fund the 600Pf.
So somewhere next year my combo will be Z8 + 600PF and Z6III + 100-400
ChrisMak wrote:
The Nikon Z400mm f4.5, bare or with the 1.4TC produces images that simply look very good, Color, contrast and overall look are consistently pleasing in the image threads featuring this lens.
If I had not decided to stop spending money on camera gear, I would have gotten the Z8+Z400/4.5 as a lightweight alternative to the Sony A1+600GM (instead I now have the 200-600G as a lighter weight/smaller size option).
I think the Nikon Z400/4.5 is a very well executed lens.
My favorite Nikon Z lens though, judging by images from others of course, is the Z400TC, I enjoy watching the images you post with it...Show more →
I remember when you decided to move to the Sony system. Nikon seemed so far behind that they'd never be able to match Sony's offerings. While I won't claim that the Z9/Z8 is the equal to the A1, it's definitely close enough for me. As for the 400 f4.5, it's in the sweet spot. Much like the 500 f5.6PF, its price to performance ratio is very hard to beat.
Thanks for your kind comment about my images... the 400 f2.8 w/ built-in TC has allowed me to produce the type of photos of wildlife that I have always wanted to make.
Z8 + TC 1.4x + Nikkor 400mm f/4.5S (=560mm f/6.3) hand held, ISO 5600, f/6.3 at 1/640s; DX mode, 38% cropped (17/45MP). The confident male let me approach to use the MFD of the lens!
from 45 to 17 Mpix the crop I calculate is (45-17)/45 x 100 = 62%. In other word, you've thrown away (i.e., cropped) 62% (more than half) of the pixel.
And it has nothing to do with the quality or usefulness of the 180-600. I think it's a brilliant lens and was a steal as I got mine on release before the price increase. 
