p.1 #1 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
I picked up the lens today and went to a park behind my apartment for some test shots. Nothing interesting but like to try AF, handling, bokeh, against strong light source kind of test. So far so good, I think.
p.1 #2 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
I wish I had nothing interesting like owls behind my townhome...
Nice demonstration of versatility... How do you see this fitting into your very large arsenal of telephoto lenses?
I've decided to pass on the 600PF,... with a 70-180, 400 f4.5, 180-600, 800PF, and 1.4x, I just don't see it getting much use by me.
p.1 #3 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
OwlsEyes wrote:
I wish I had nothing interesting like owls behind my townhome...
Nice demonstration of versatility... How do you see this fitting into your very large arsenal of telephoto lenses?
I've decided to pass on the 600PF,... with a 70-180, 400 f4.5, 180-600, 800PF, and 1.4x, I just don't see it getting much use by me.
bruce
It would be nice to get different kind of owls sometimes
I think 600PF will fit between 400/2.8 and 800PF very nicely mainly because of weight reduction.
I think I would have passed 600PF if it is around 2kg or more regardless of whether it is f6.3 or 5.6 personally.
While I can handhold 800PF and 400/2.8S very well, for small erratic bird, it is still quite difficult and I would end up
using 100-400 with TC1.4 instead. I think 600PF should be quite a bit better.
I could see 100-400+ 600PF as a light weight setup for when weight and size is an issue when traveling as well.
p.1 #4 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
It looks great and it seems to be a nice companion to the 100-400. It looks like my ideal lens.
At the moment it's too expensive for me and my 400/4.5 + 1.4x TC will have to do the trick.
p.1 #5 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
suteetat wrote:
It would be nice to get different kind of owls sometimes
I think 600PF will fit between 400/2.8 and 800PF very nicely mainly because of weight reduction.
I think I would have passed 600PF if it is around 2kg or more regardless of whether it is f6.3 or 5.6 personally.
While I can handhold 800PF and 400/2.8S very well, for small erratic bird, it is still quite difficult and I would end up
using 100-400 with TC1.4 instead. I think 600PF should be quite a bit better.
I could see 100-400+ 600PF as a light weight setup for when weight and size is an issue when traveling as well. ...Show more →
If I didn't have the 400 f4.5, I think I'd have looked for a way to purchase the new PF, but with the extra stop of light and super-light build of my 400, it would be lens that would stay home... We Nikon wildlife photographers are spoiled for choices that. just two years ago, no-one would believe.
p.1 #6 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
OwlsEyes wrote:
If I didn't have the 400 f4.5, I think I'd have looked for a way to purchase the new PF, but with the extra stop of light and super-light build of my 400, it would be lens that would stay home... We Nikon wildlife photographers are spoiled for choices that. just two years ago, no-one would believe.
bruce
It just happens that Nikon released 400/2.8S first so I went with that.
If Nikon released 400/2.8S and 600/4S at the same time, it would be a really hard choice.
600/4S TC with 400/4.5 would be another great combination.
On the other hand, 400/2.8S TC with 800PF combination is also very versatile and is great for low light, mammals and small birds and anything in between.
600PF is kind of a curve ball. I don't really need it but I really want it
p.1 #7 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
Chris Dees wrote:
It looks great and it seems to be a nice companion to the 100-400. It looks like my ideal lens.
At the moment it's too expensive for me and my 400/4.5 + 1.4x TC will have to do the trick.
Yes, there are so many choices now for Nikon to fit many levels of budgets.
It is good to be in Nikon's system now for all the choices but may be not the best for
the wallet.
p.1 #8 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
suteetat it is amazing you get to test so many of these beast lenses!
I'm still undecided whether the 600 6.3 has a spot in my arsenal or not
I have the 400 2.8/800 6.3 which are both hefty. would love a smaller walk around lens, but I often walk near sunset and I think the slow aperture would be an issue
recently I have been shooting wild whitetail bucks using a 1.4 lens and still need 1/10s shutter and 12.8k ISO...
p.1 #9 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
FYI
I’ve found the Kirk or RRS replacement feet for the Z 70-200 and Z 100-400 and I think the 400 f/4.5 fits the 600PF. Mounted on a Wimberley WH-200 the 600PF with the Kirk and a Z9 balances perfectly though slightly forward. The Kirk foot (4.28”) is longer than the RRS at (3.6”). I think the RRS should be OK with the Z8 but I’d be hesitant to use it with Z9.
p.1 #11 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
CanadaMark wrote:
Here is an extremely positive review for the 600PF from a Canon shooter that may be interesting to some, he seems downright giddy:
Thanks, nice review. I suspect if he tries the 400/4.5, 400TC, 600TC and 800pf he will be spinning uncontrollably. And then add Z9 and 4.10 to the mix....
p.1 #12 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
Alistair1 wrote:
Thanks, nice review. I suspect if he tries the 400/4.5, 400TC, 600TC and 800pf he will be spinning uncontrollably. And then add Z9 and 4.10 to the mix....
Speaking of Z9 4.10, why is Nikon so slow for any similar firmware updates for Z8? Are they just trying to establish the Z9 as their top camera and purposefully holding back the updates on the Z8? We have had two updates for the Z9 since the Z8 was released and nothing yet for the Z8.
Back to the 600 PF. Seems to me like if your top focal length is gonna be about 600 then the 400 f/4.5+1.4XTC is likely to be a better choice but if you start at 600 and need up to 800 that’s where the 600/6.3 is going to excel for a lightweight system. The 600 PF and 1.4XTC combo is quite a bit lighter and more manageable than the 800 PF f/6.3 as long as f/9 gives you the bokeh and speed you need. .
p.1 #13 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
wjmeyer wrote:
Speaking of Z9 4.10, why is Nikon so slow for any similar firmware updates for Z8? Are they just trying to establish the Z9 as their top camera and purposefully holding back the updates on the Z8? We have had two updates for the Z9 since the Z8 was released and nothing yet for the Z8.
Nikon said the Z8 will get the Z9 4.1 updates in the New Year, so hopefully you won't have to wait too much longer. On the flip side, when the Z8 was released, it had FW features the Z9 didn't have (and still doesn't - like HEIF, which is a bit of a head scratcher). The two cameras are so similar performance-wise, it wouldn't' surprise me if Nikon uses FW to an extent to differentiate them, even if all they do is give the Z9 priority updates.
Personally I don't see a big different with 4.1, at least for birds which is mostly what I shoot these days. It might be a little stickier or the keeper rate might be a couple percent higher but I'm not getting any shots I wouldn't have easily got pre-4.1. I've shot about 10k frames since updating and I'm still struggling to find situations where the camera behaves differently than before. Others have reported more noticeable improvements though so obviously it's made a difference at least in some scenarios.
p.1 #15 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
Speaking of Z9 4.10, why is Nikon so slow for any similar firmware updates for Z8? Are they just trying to establish the Z9 as their top camera and purposefully holding back the updates on the Z8? We have had two updates for the Z9 since the Z8 was released and nothing yet for the Z8.
There was a minor update for the Z8.
The Z8 will get bird AF and other improvements in the first half of 2024, according to Nikon.
No doubt Nikon would like to sell more Z9's before they give the Z8 more feature updates in firmware.
p.1 #18 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
We got rain (a LOT of rain) for the 1st time in what seems like forever just when I went out to try "my wifes" new 600PF. This is going to be a great lens! It gave me the same "giddy" feeling I got the 1st time I went out with a 500PF.
Since many have written it off because of the F6.3 max aperture, it was probably fitting that I was forced to shoot slow and at elevated ISO right out of gate. It did not disappoint. Here's a couple from the 1st few shots out of this lens.
The grackle was sitting on a sign as I walked past & I simply raised the camera and snapped this as I was walking by. This lens is VERY nimble - just like the 500PF, only 100mm longer & even faster focus!
p.1 #19 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
EyeSpyEagle wrote:
We got rain (a LOT of rain) for the 1st time in what seems like forever just when I went out to try "my wifes" new 600PF. This is going to be a great lens! It gave me the same "giddy" feeling I got the 1st time I went out with a 500PF.
Since many have written it off because of the F6.3 max aperture, it was probably fitting that I was forced to shoot slow and at elevated ISO right out of gate. It did not disappoint. Here's a couple from the 1st few shots out of this lens.
The grackle was sitting on a sign as I walked past & I simply raised the camera and snapped this as I was walking by. This lens is VERY nimble - just like the 500PF, only 100mm longer & even faster focus!
Thank you Phil! First image at 22,800 ISO no less! So much for the naysayers. I knew this lens would be fast and nimble (as you say). I believe it is going to be quite fast and very sharp even with its TC1.4 (even at f9!)
If I did not have the 500PF, I believe the 600 6.3 would be the one long prime for me. It checks all the boxes for me.
p.1 #20 · Official 600PF image and discussion thread
@suteetat Lovely test shots once again. I will be in BKK last week November. Where do you find those cute owls? :-) Is that the same place where you had that kingfisher? I plan on bringing my 100-400 or even de 180-600 if it arrives in due time.
Thx.
Looks like readily available. 
