ChrisMak
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 p.2 #10 · 800 6.3 in addition to 400 2.8 or 600 4 | |
nmerc_photos wrote:
Adding more feedback now almost a year since the last post. I have taken 96,000 images/videos totaling about 2.5TB since then with my new-to-me Nikon system.
It has been a wild ride trying all of the various Nikon offerings and figuring out what I like to shoot, at what focal length, aperture, DOF, subject distance, etc.
The one thing I found - which seems to be consistent with a lot of other users is that it doesn't make sense to own the 800PF in addition to the 400TC or 600TC.
Both of the TC lenses offer better images and flexibility at all focal lengths, especially when shooting at range. It is easier to get more consistent results with the TC lenses as there can often be a sort of "haze" associated with the 800PF.
For a full year I lugged both the 400TC and 800PF around in a backpack that ended up weighing 25lbs+ because I thought the 800PF would offer a better "long-range" option than the 400TC. After lots of testing, I determined this theory was bunk. If you buy the 800PF to shoot close subjects and fill the frame, you will be happy. If you buy the 800PF because you think it will allow you to shoot subjects further than the 400TC/600TC (as I did) - you will be disappointed.
The 800PF is a fantastic lens, and I still believe it to be one of, if not the best value wildlife teles out there. Especially at used prices of $3500 - $4500 USD nowadays. But if I'm going to give up using one of the best lenses (either TC lens) I need to gain significantly in terms of size and weight, which the 800PF doesn't offer.
I consider the 180-600, 800PF, 400TC, and 600TC all to be "big and heavy" lenses, while the 300GM, 400 4.5, and 600PF are "small and lightweight" lenses.
Regarding the 400TC vs 600TC - in the end I opted for the 600TC. The 400TC is a phenomenal lens, and definitely more versatile especially if you dabble in sports or large mammals. But in my case, I was using TC's and cropping every image significantly. I very rarely ever shot at 400mm or at f2.8.
When I initially chose the 400TC, I thought f2.8 was some magical thing that would allow me vastly more light, lower ISOs, higher shutter speeds and more dreamy bokeh. I didn't recognize that when cropping - you end up giving all of that away and end up with a worse image than if you had just shot at 600mm f4 to begin with.
I also didn't realize the 400TC had less subject separation and a deeper DOF compared to the 600TC. That seemed counterintuitive to me.
In order for the 400TC to offer significant value above the 600TC, you must be able to shoot it wide open and fill the frame. Two things that were often difficult, if not impossible for me.
I traded the 400TC + 800PF for a single 600TC, and will be pairing it with a 300GM moving forward. Instead of two large lenses, I will only have one contender for the best images and will have a much smaller lens for when I don't feel like lugging around the big beast.
Packing will be much easier, compact, lighter, and I will also have greater variety in my lens lineup. Instead of competing lenses, I will have complimentary.
Hopefully this will help someone in the future as they make their decisions on what wonderful Nikon lenses make the best sense for them. We really are spoiled by Nikon's options....Show more →
This sounds all perfectly logical to me. The 600mm f4 primes are true allround champions for birding, allowing all sorts of shots without any real weaknesses exposed. Reliable BIF, frame filling songbirds at f4 nicely blending into their surroundings, shooting further out with great cropping latitude, and even relatively close backgrounds nicely separated. Allowing for keeping the iso low in most circumstances, the option of closing the aperture a bit to f5 for a nice contrast bump.... Anything you name it and a 600/4 does it well.
I have the Sony 600GM, and although the built in TC of the Nikon lens sounds awefully nice, I don't really miss the TC that often with the 600GM on the A1. Had it been a 24mp A9III, then yes, but 50mp allows for substantial cropping, and when comparing cropped images to images taken with the 1.4TC, I don't feel I am missing a whole lot. The resolving power of the 600GM is so high, that if I cannot get a decent shot with cropping, the bird or other subject is too far out anyway.
But still, the built-in TC is thé one attractive item in the 600TC, and if I had to start fresh now, after having tried many lenses and bodies, I would go for the Z8 with 600TC.
The big advantage of teh Sony is the lighter weight of lens ánd body (I use the A1 ungripped). I don't really long for a smaller lighter lens anymore now that I am used to the 600GM.
What I would like however, Is for the traditional 500mm f4 lens to get a revival. I used that lens in the past, and it is nicer to handle than a 600mm f4 lens, and has a true sweet spot with 1.4TC as a 700mm f5.6 lens.
Although merely a rumor, still I believe Sony will be thinking about v2 of the 400 and 600mm primes, and might catch up and even overtake Nikon. Perhaps they will make them very small with the design approach of the 300GM:
https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/wild-rumor-will-sony-announce-an-updated-400mm-f-2-8-lens-in-2025/
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