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 p.6 #1 · Would you buy the Z 600mm 6.3 ?? | |
OwlsEyes wrote:
I'm not sure if I have anything to contribute to this thread, but here it goes.
In the last 24 months I have owned &/or continue to own the following: 400 f4.5, 400 f2.8TC, 100-400S, 800PF, and 180-600.
In terms of usefulness for general wildlife photography, I'd rank the order: 400 f2.8TC > 180-600 > 100-400S > 400 f4.5 > 800PF
In terms of raw sharpness and appealing bokeh, I'd rank the order: 400 f2.8TC > 400 f4.5 > 800PF = 100-600 > 100-400S
While I realize that last line will be controversial, I only found the 800PF to be useful when shooting small birds up close and that it winds on bokeh and sharpness for this. I did a side-by-side comparison of my 800PF w/Z9 and 180-600 w/ Z8. This was not test chart shooting, but life action of chipmunks that I baited with bird seed on a natural log. I put two tripods together shot the 800PF w/ one and the 180-600 w/ the other. I would shoot straight up at about 20'. I also compared the 800PF FX against the 180-600 in DX.
My findings were clear... the 800PF is sharper and faster to AF but not so much that it impacted image quality after post. The 800PF is slightly sharper at distant shooting, but the impact of heat distortion seemed worse with the 800PF than the 180-600... this makes it a wash. In my opinion, the 180-600 was so versatile that this versatility made it a "better" lens than the 800PF.
Months later, you may be surprised to know that my bag consists of the 400TC and 100-400S. I have sold the rest recognizing that I gave up my most versatile and useable lens. My reason... I am very committed to the 400 f2.8 and want to use it for as much of my wildlife photography I can. I am also a landscape photographer and find that the pairing of the 24-120 and 100-400 makes more sense than using the 180-600. I also shoot birds and otter from a kayak, and wanted a lens that could be handheld more easily.
In the end, I opted for a "worse" zoom in terms of raw optics because of my needs.
The last sentence is the key... define your shooting needs / desires first... if you do so, your choice in lenses will be made obvious.
regards,
bruce...Show more →
well said Bruce. I admire your swap to "just" the 100-400 and 400TC. I'm trying to do the same, but I really hate the 100-400. It's often too short, optical quality isn't great naked - and gets worse with a 1.4x....
But like you - I value a compact lens setup. And it really does simplify things to only have a 1-3 lens combo.
ChrisMak wrote:
Thanks for your input.
Although I am currently not a Nikon shooter, I have little doubt that within a year or so, I will be (again).
I will definitely get an 800PF for birding, because of the reach, and the ratio (or combination) weight/size to subject isolation. For me personally, that ratio is off with the other wildlife lenses like the 600PF or Z600TC. I follow 800PF image threads, and I am extremely impressed with the look of many of the images, very clear and natural.
I also browsed through Z400TC and Z600TC image threads recently, and these lenses are top of the line, but also big and extremely expensive. The Z400TC would be a superb allround lens though, and size/weight are just manageable.
So a set-up with Z800PF and Z400TC would be my preferred choice.
My current plan is to keep the Sony A1 with 600GM, and add a Z8 with 800PF, and then later on trade the Sony combo for the Z400TC. To have only an 800PF would be too limiting, I intend to at least have one faster and shorter lens....Show more →
400TC + 800PF is a combo I see touted by a lot of people, which is why I bought the same combo.
it's interesting for sure. I find that I prefer images from the 400TC even with extenders and stacked extenders, more than the 800PF. so for me it should be easy to sell the 800PF.
however, it really is such a perfect lens for small birds. it's lightweight, rather short, and easy to talk around with. often times 600mm does not feel like it is enough, and no other option can get you 800mm with such good IQ, size/weight, aperture, and price.
so for that reason, it stays in my kit even if it would make far more sense to let it go
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