p.17 #1 · Official Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Image Thread
this is me wrote:
I stopped going out to bird about 3 years after my second kid. It just wasn’t convenient. At the time, I just got the 800pf and had two previous gens of 600mm f4. Loved the 800pf but after the 600mm f4 TC was announced, I decided to sell it.
When I went to handle the 800pf again and the 600Z, it didn't feel that much different to me. Maybe I've been holding babies for too long The bulk of both lenses felt similar.
I mostly enjoy shooting song birds and small birds but I do like large birds from time to time and to practice with my BIF with tracking the bird. The built-in TC solves a lot of problem I had with the 600E and the 800pf. I don't like to use a tripod. I use a Black Rapid strap and handhold the lens so changing TC in the field is not feasible. I either walk out of the house with the TC attach to the 600E or not. This, however, can be a problem sometime depending on what shooting and the situation. I'm sure you've heard all this before by this time.
I've been wanting to photograph these Indigo Bunting for years. It has been one of the bird on my checklist for awhile. I heard it calling but spotting it was not easy since it's so small and it camouflage quite well with the dark green foliage. I stood there for a good 45mins to get these shots. I probably going to return tomorrow morning to see if I can get it in better light.
So far, I'm very happy with this lens. It really solves my issue with the 600E and the 800pf. https://pbase.com/nicksreef/image/175678019/original.jpg
Story of my life too... having kids changed things considerably, they threw a wrench in my plans to be a professional bird photographer (not really). It's been 5 years since my youngest was born and I'm slowly clawing back some of that personal time I lost as they get more independent, but it's tough now to decide: go birding or spend time with the kids? Can't go wrong with either, so I'm in a good spot now All the whining/crying/diapers/sleep-deprivation was worth it.
p.17 #2 · Official Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Image Thread
Yup. It’s a balance act. Luckily, most of my bird shooting is before they wake up right now. I’m sure this will change as they get older.
I wasn’t really thinking of getting this lens. Then the price increase from the tariffs made me look and it just happened that the LCS had one that just came in.
p.17 #3 · Official Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Image Thread
MatthewK wrote:
Story of my life too... having kids changed things considerably, they threw a wrench in my plans to be a professional bird photographer (not really). It's been 5 years since my youngest was born and I'm slowly clawing back some of that personal time I lost as they get more independent, but it's tough now to decide: go birding or spend time with the kids? Can't go wrong with either, so I'm in a good spot now All the whining/crying/diapers/sleep-deprivation was worth it.
p.17 #4 · Official Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Image Thread
It gets more fun, they become... TEENAGERS... then they go off to school. My youngest granddaughter flies the nest this week and moves to UVA for pre-med...
MatthewK wrote:
Story of my life too... having kids changed things considerably, they threw a wrench in my plans to be a professional bird photographer (not really). It's been 5 years since my youngest was born and I'm slowly clawing back some of that personal time I lost as they get more independent, but it's tough now to decide: go birding or spend time with the kids? Can't go wrong with either, so I'm in a good spot now All the whining/crying/diapers/sleep-deprivation was worth it.
Z9, 600/4s TC with internal TC and 2x external TC, 1680mm, F11, 1/1600, iso 320, handheld.
Not bad with 2 TCs. Cropped a little bit to get rid off partial penguins at the edge of the frame.
p.17 #10 · Official Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Image Thread
suteetat wrote:
Z9, 600/4s TC with internal TC and 2x external TC, 1680mm, F11, 1/1600, iso 320, handheld.
Not bad with 2 TCs...
I can second that this combo (stacked 2x with internal 1.4X) is surprisingly good, particularly stopped down just a tiny bit. It also blows my mind that I've gotten useable images handheld with this combo. Not saying its easy to frame something at 1680mm handheld, but the fact that the combined VR & IBIS yield sharp images at normal shutter speeds is truly amazing. I only use a monopod when I am on the tired side or know I will be in the same position for a while, and hardly ever use a tripod with this lens.
p.17 #11 · Official Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Image Thread
Story of my life too... having kids changed things considerably, they threw a wrench in my plans to be a professional bird photographer (not really). It's been 5 years since my youngest was born and I'm slowly clawing back some of that personal time I lost as they get more independent, but it's tough now to decide: go birding or spend time with the kids? Can't go wrong with either, so I'm in a good spot now All the whining/crying/diapers/sleep-deprivation was worth it.
These are beautiful pics MatthewK - really like the loose framing and singing going on.
3) Rufous Fantail - been chasing a decent shot of one of these for a while. They are fairly uncommon near me and they flit about all over the place at breakneck speed rarely stopping for a moment. Just lucky this guy decided to take a rest on a clear branch. I have many shot of him behind leaves and branches etc.
p.17 #13 · Official Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Image Thread
Lance B wrote:
I have had little time for birding lately, but I did get an afternoon spent at the local National Park and was lucky enough to get a few little birds.
3) Rufous Fantail - been chasing a decent shot of one of these for a while. They are fairly uncommon near me and they flit about all over the place at breakneck speed rarely stopping for a moment. Just lucky this guy decided to take a rest on a clear branch. I have many shot of him behind leaves and branches etc.
p.17 #18 · Official Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Image Thread
"Oronkai"
Z8 & 600Z F4 at 5.6. A lot of early season rain in Kenya. May as well leverage the lush greens with these beautiful Cats. Kicheche camp, Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
p.17 #19 · Official Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Image Thread
There is a pond/lake in the national park near my home where the birds roost and generally congregate across the lake rather than the accessible side where they would be more easily photographed. So, as a bit of fun and to see how well it worked, I decided to push the limits of my Z 600 TC and add the 2x TC as well as engage the internal 1.4x TC for a total of 1680mm focal length and a max aperture of f11. The good thing is that the afternoon sun lights them all up and thus I could use relatively decent low ISOs. For these I used a monopod. The Cormorants and Egrets were across the water about 70mts away - 230feet.
Cormorant:
Z8 + Z 600 TC internal TC engaged + 2x TC, 1/320s f/14.0 at 1680.0mm iso800 - cropped about 20%
The bulk of both lenses felt similar. 
(not really). It's been 5 years since my youngest was born and I'm slowly clawing back some of that personal time I lost as they get more independent, but it's tough now to decide: go birding or spend time with the kids? Can't go wrong with either, so I'm in a good spot now 
All the whining/crying/diapers/sleep-deprivation was worth it.
