p.17 #1 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Modifying an image in post process to make it "better" is a grey area as we all know. When photography started out they used flash and reflectors to modify the scene to suit, albeit pre photo rather than post photo, but it is still altering the scene to suit. Masking and boosting exposure under the mask largely accomplishes the same thing but without the harsh shadow that a flash can do. To be honest, I can spend quite a lot of time on an image getting the lighting right where I want it to be.
I think it is the individual photographer that has to come to terms with what they believe is going too far and what is acceptable. For me, AIing a branch or whatever from a bird or whatever is no big deal and I can live with it. At the end of the day, unless you're some sort of reportage adherent, I post photos for the aesthetic (and sometimes artistic) value and if that means removing a few distracting branches, then so be it. I went to the trouble of "hunting" a bird and why should I be penalised because the bird just didn't want to sit in the right place or in the right light! I just think we get a little too caught up in purism rather than getting a photo that looks great.
p.17 #2 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
bs kite wrote:
These are all outstanding Gary! I'm impressed by the first image showing what the lens can do wide open with a TC. And the last image is just over the top!
The more I see of this lens the more convinced I am to buy it in awhile.
Robert
I think I am over the weight thing too. CanadaMark helped with his characterization (on page 14 I think). Yesterday I went to the estuary with the 500PF and 200-500 (on good images for show for the outing). For weeks, I've been thinking about disciplining myself to use only the lightweight PF... as Morris does in the Wildlife/Nature forum. Any of the lightweights would great for this, including the 400 4.5. But still, I love video and am tired of hefting the 2-5. I noted you captured these handholding.
Yes Robert, it's taken me a long time but I'm finally comfortable leaving the tripod at home. I used to shoot with a 500 f4 AF-I and a tripod was mandatory for that beast. And the OS on the Sigma 150-600 S was not the best and that was also a very heavy, awkward lens so I used a tripod with that lens too. So for the past few months I've been using the 400 4.5 and tc. Needless to say, that lens is a joy and no tripod required. I will use a monopod with the MH-100 for hummingbirds and such and that works great. This 180-600 is obviously heavier but the VR is so good and it balances really well on my Z9 so I'm not saying I'll never use this lens with a tripod but it's certainly not necessary when walking around. I've never owned the 500 PF but it seems owners of that lens have a tough decision to make if they're thinking of switching. There's a lot of argument to be made to just keep that lens if you already own it. But personally, I wouldn't be keen on needing the ftz and then adding the F mount 1.4 for more reach. Just seems a bit bulky to me. Plus I find the long fixed focal lengths too limiting for my uses which is why I have no interest in the new 600 6.3 I've never owned but have used the 200-500 though. The 180-600 seems to be a clear and substantial upgrade.
Gary
p.17 #3 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Here's a couple from the weekend.
Again, I pulled these off my Flickr page at a reduced res so the EXIF data got stripped. They may look better on Flickr at full res. https://www.flickr.com/photos/128329716@N05/53296709440/in/dateposted-public/
The small (about the size of a nickel) grey & yellow butterfly is ridiculously sharp at full res on a Studio monitor. Hard to believe how sharp this lens can be.
p.17 #4 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Another great horned owl shot, this time a vertical. I have many more sample images to share, but am backlogged with work that needs to be edited. Between this and an ongoing photo project, I'm a bit underwater at the moment
bruce
NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens560mmf/6.31/320s3200 ISO0.0 EV
p.17 #6 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Was out specifically using the 180-600 with the 1.4x to see how I like it when pushed a bit -- answer is it worked pretty darn well. Of course this was in good light, so there is that. It's also a post-capture crop to Dx, so this is effectively 1200mm, net 24MP. One nit was the camera locked onto the salt pickle brush instead of the black-necked stilt when it was walking behind it. It may have been too far away and/or too little eyeball contrast for an eye detect lock, especially with his white "eye-patch" to confuse things. Darn little DoF to play with for sure...
p.17 #8 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Jman13 wrote:
That second shot is spectacular!
Yes, watching such a magnificent animal in life in that quiet snow must have been a spectacle. A couple of others have posted a few gorgeous bucks on the forum.
p.17 #10 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Another beautiful animal! You'll be fine this winter Bruce. And we'll look forward to some more deer images in the snow.
This is the time of year I do not like in Maine. What am I saying? It just occurred to me that I should get out there and do the same. There are a few places not far from here where the deer are not hunted.
p.17 #12 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
bs kite wrote:
Another beautiful animal! You'll be fine this winter Bruce. And we'll look forward to some more deer images in the snow.
This is the time of year I do not like in Maine. What am I saying? It just occurred to me that I should get out there and do the same. There are a few places not far from here where the deer are not hunted.
Thanks for the tip guys
Thanks Robert...
I had hoped that my return to California would have happened by now, but I am still wrestling with permits, so I guess it's one more winter in my frigid north mid-continental state... after surviving 33 of them, what's one more year
Get out there and find those deer... you've got some of the most beautiful foliage in the country to support the wildlife.
cheers,
bruce
p.17 #14 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
sum1sgrampa wrote:
470mm 1/80 @ ISO 12,800. Yikes ! The tools and software we have available these days is nothing short of amazing.
These amazing tools and software are only amazing in the hands of someone who knows how to effectively use them. Gary, you are that someone. My observations of your posts regardless of the equipment used indicates that you really know how to make a lens sing.
p.17 #15 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
cseelye wrote:
These amazing tools and software are only amazing in the hands of someone who knows how to effectively use them. Gary, you are that someone. My observations of your posts regardless of the equipment used indicates that you really know how to make a lens sing.
-Chris
That's really kind of you Chris. I don't feel that I'm worthy of your assessment but it's really nice to hear regardless.
The most input I get here at home when I show my wife something is "oh. pretty"
p.17 #17 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
OwlsEyes wrote:
Thanks Robert...
I had hoped that my return to California would have happened by now, but I am still wrestling with permits, so I guess it's one more winter in my frigid north mid-continental state... after surviving 33 of them, what's one more year
Get out there and find those deer... you've got some of the most beautiful foliage in the country to support the wildlife.
cheers,
bruce
Thanks Bruce.
Wow! Thirty-three years of tolerating mid-continent winters after coming from California is quite an accomplishment.
p.17 #20 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
A selection of shots from a 34 shot sequence of an Osprey being harassed by a Magpie. The earlier shots cropped more than the latter shots, the last with little cropping. I only included the Magpie in the shots that had it close to the Osprey or the Magpie was not partly cut off. The Z9 didn't miss eye focus in any shot.
Z9 + 180-600, all at 600mm f7.1 and 1/3200sec with various ISO's from 1400 to 3600.
I just think we get a little too caught up in purism rather than getting a photo that looks great. 
