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Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

dipan0000
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

Hi.

I am looking to pick longer FL lens for Z6. Currently I have 300mm PF with FTZ and nothing longer than that. Spoiled by sharpness of 300mm and a usual "prime > zoom" situation, I am leaning towards 500mm PF.
But then I am looking at Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S as well. Even with zoom, its aperture is bigger at short end and equal at long end. I am wondering, if sharpness and bokeh of 100-400 will be less than 500mm. Any opinion on this?

Two reasons to pick 500mm are, I will get extra 100mm and I can get used good copy in $1500, while 100-400 will be extra $600. But more than pricing, I am focusing on sharpness and bokeh quality to separate subject (birds) from background.

While going in field, either I will shoot under 100 (or even under 70), or at 300 and up mostly. So zoom feature may not be first priority for me.

Please share your opinions.

Thanks

Sep 04, 2024 at 02:17 PM

OwlsEyes
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

dipan0000 wrote:
Hi.

I am looking to pick longer FL lens for Z6. Currently I have 300mm PF with FTZ and nothing longer than that. Spoiled by sharpness of 300mm and a usual "prime > zoom" situation, I am leaning towards 500mm PF.
But then I am looking at Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S as well. Even with zoom, its aperture is bigger at short end and equal at long end. I am wondering, if sharpness and bokeh of 100-400 will be less than 500mm. Any opinion on this?

Two reasons to pick 500mm are, I will get extra 100mm and I can get used...Show more →

You'll get a lot of input, as opinions will vary here. I have owned the 300PF, 400 4.5, 500PF, 800PF, 400 f2.8TC, and 100-400Z
The lenses left standing out of them all are the 400 f2.8TC and 100-400Z. My choice was based on what I shoot and what I want to achieve with my camera.

I am way more obsessed with the "vision thing" than I am with the brute optical sharpness a lens can deliver. With the latter in mind, you need to ask yourself about what you want to photograph and the type of images you want to produce.
The 500PF is an amazing lens, but it is predominately a wildlife lens. Its optics are remarkable, given its size, and is better than it should be given its used price. However, it is a wildlife lens and an F-mount lens that requires an FTZ. If the latter is ok, and you intend to specialize in wildlife (or sports... or landscape extractions), then go with it.

In contrast, the 100-400 is a multipurpose lens that can be paired with a relatively inexpensive 24-70 f/4. You can do every type of photography with the 100-400... even a bit of macro. Given you are using a Z6, you might want to add a 1.4x as you have fewer pixels from which to create a tighter crop on distant or small subjects. Finally, the 100-400 was designed for the Z-system and will be optimized for Z bodies.

Both lenses are outstanding, and were it possible... I'd suggest you sell your 300PF and get both the 100-400Z and 500PF.

cheers,
bruce

Edited on Sep 04, 2024 at 10:55 PM · View previous versions

Sep 04, 2024 at 05:08 PM

Eco-Scott
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

It depends somewhat on your primary use, but the 100-400 is certainly more versatile.

The 100-400 with a 1.4X TC was my primary lens when I was working in the Galapagos and is sufficient for larger birds and other animals. I noticed little image deterioration with the TC, but then of course, you're at f8. As mentioned, it also has a very short minimum focus distance, making it useful for macro photography of flowers and insects. For that reason, it is the ideal lens for me for hiking.

The 500 PF is a nice lens, but it needs more of a supporting cast.

Sep 04, 2024 at 05:29 PM

dipan0000
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

OwlsEyes wrote:
You'll get a lot of input, as opinions will vary here. I have owned the 300PF, 400 4.5, 500PF, 800PF, 400 f2.8TC, and 100-400Z
The lenses left standing out of them all are the 400 f2.8TC and 100-400Z. My choice was based on what I shoot and what I want to achieve with my camera.

I am way more obsessed with the "vision thing" than I am with the brute optical sharpness a lens can deliver. With the latter in mind, you need to ask yourself about what you want to photograph and the type of images you want to produce.
The...Show more →
Yes, there are lot of opinions, when I browsed past posts and that was making me more confused :-)

Is it general consensus that primes are sharper than zoom? 100-400mm is 4.5-4.65, while 500mm PF is 5.6, which means zoom have even bigger aperture in most of the length and should better better even in low lights ?

Edited on Sep 04, 2024 at 06:33 PM · View previous versions

Sep 04, 2024 at 06:25 PM

dipan0000
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

Eco-Scott wrote:
It depends somewhat on your primary use, but the 100-400 is certainly more versatile.

The 100-400 with a 1.4X TC was my primary lens when I was working in the Galapagos and is sufficient for larger birds and other animals. I noticed little image deterioration with the TC, but then of course, you're at f8. As mentioned, it also has a very short minimum focus distance, making it useful for macro photography of flowers and insects. For that reason, it is the ideal lens for me for hiking.

The 500 PF is a nice lens, but it needs more of a supporting...Show more →

Recently I visited few National Parks. I took my 300mm and it was short for most of the subjects. For general photography 24-70/f4 worked well. That is the reason, I was stuck with confusion of these two options. I am not into serious bird photography, but occasionally yes. That's why I don't want to pay $4000 for 600mm f/6.3, which is just 100mm more than asked 500mm PF.

Having said that, I would focus on close-by birds, mammals. Anything above 300mm should work for me, I guess. I am debating between sharpness between both these lenses. Just thinking, is 100mm is only benefit of PF lens, as 100-400 aperture is already matching to PF lens ?

Sep 04, 2024 at 06:27 PM

Eco-Scott
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

Recently I visited few National Parks. I took my 300mm and it was short for most of the subjects. For general photography 24-70/f4 worked well. That is the reason, I was stuck with confusion of these two options. I am not into serious bird photography, but occasionally yes. That's why I don't want to pay $4000 for 600mm f/6.3, which is just 100mm more than asked 500mm PF.

Having said that, I would focus on close-by birds, mammals. Anything above 300mm should work for me, I guess. I am debating between sharpness between both these lenses. Just thinking, is 100mm is only...Show more →

There are several people in this discussion thread that own both lenses and comment on them: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66333184

Sep 04, 2024 at 06:50 PM

dipan0000
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

There are several people in this discussion thread that own both lenses and comment on them: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66333184

Thanks.
Probably I will follow good advice given up, I will sell 300mm and buy 100-400mm and eventually 500mm PF too. Given its used price, it is really nice

Sep 04, 2024 at 06:51 PM

OwlsEyes
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

dipan0000 wrote:
Yes, there are lot of opinions, when I browsed past posts and that was making me more confused :-)

Is it general consensus that primes are sharper than zoom? 100-400mm is 4.5-4.65, while 500mm PF is 5.6, which means zoom have even bigger aperture in most of the length and should better better even in low lights ?

In terms of statistical analysis, primes will be sharper than zooms. With that said, few will notice the difference unless you are presented with side-by-side comparisons. Furthermore, a 24MP camera like the Z6 will be less demanding (in terms of sharpness) than a 47MP camera (Z7/Z8/Z9). In the end, you need to be honest about the lens that will get you "the shot." If a zoom will enhance you chances of making the image you want, then you should get a zoom lens. If, on the other hand, you are pursuing smaller or more distant wary subjects, then the telephoto prime makes more sense.

regards,
bruce

Sep 04, 2024 at 11:01 PM

urbanwild
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

Have both and use both for different purposes. They're both fantastic lenses. If I were a birder and don't worry about other genres, I'd just get the 500 pf. But I really love the versatility of the 100-400 which others have highlighted above. The 100-400 is excellent for closer wildlife, near macro shots, sports, distant landscape shots and even candid portraits. The output is excellent as well.

Sep 05, 2024 at 04:54 AM

woodstork
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

Very different lenses, both are excellent. It comes down to how often are you going to regret not having the reach of 500mm, versus how often do you want to shoot at less than 400mm and at 0.38x magnification.

I don’t use teleconverters on my 100-400 very often, and the F 1.4x on the 500 was on it about half time. IQ of the 500 is moderately sharper than the zoom at 400, and it definitely shows better when both are with TC. The zoom is prime level sharp from 100-350, and close to that at 400. Literally splitting hairs. If I can I take a step or two forward and rack the zoom a bit tighter than max extension, I do it, but otherwise don’t give it much thought. The zoom has a really nice draw with smooth falloff from focal plane to blur, especially close up. I like its render better, but that’s subjective.

The render of the 24-120 is pretty consistent with 100-400 - they give a similar look. So, a big factor for me is how does a lens fit with my kit. The 100-400 is kind of a keystone for me. Fine totally as the only lens I bring, if I could only bring one lens on safari it would be that. Nice to bring when I’m looking for birds or other at range subjects paired with my 800PF and think there may be times I need to close the subject distance closer than the 800 allows or the 800 is cropping out the wings. Nice to bring with the 24-120 when I’m thinking there’s also a possibility of wanting more range and compression than that lens. Both of those also enable great close focus, so their my intimate landscape, and small critter kit.

I still have the zoom. I saw it as complimentary to the 500, not an alternative to it. The 500 PF was replaced by the 800 PF mainly because I was often shooting the 500 with a TC.

Sep 05, 2024 at 06:17 AM

Laslo Varadi
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

I suggest that you also consider the Tamron 150-500 (see link below). Price is right (half the cost of the Nikon 100-400) and it performs very well. And as other said it depends what wildlife and distances you are shooting at. I also have the 600PF and 800PF. Ytired the 400MM f4.5 but it was a bit short for me and that is why I also have the Tamron.

Sep 05, 2024 at 09:26 AM

rick-reno
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

I have both. Probably use the 500pf more, I like the way it balances on my Z9.

Sep 05, 2024 at 09:48 AM

bs kite
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

For all the obvious reasons I love my 500pf.

Below is a link to a past thread on the uniqueness of the 500pf. Please note that the first response was made that mirrorless is the future. I agree and agreed then. I shoot my 500pf on a Z8.

At the time of this link, I think most believed that Nikon had archived the 500pf. Nikon still makes the 500pf and they still service it. I just got mine back from servicing by Nikon in Melville NY. My VR was occasionally acting up and I chose to replace it.

Everything eventually needs maintenance and when Nikon services a lens they go through it entirely. My 500pf is as good as new. Well... close

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1839722/

I also own the 80-400 AF, which is fine for now but I suspect I would favor the S 100-400

One advantage the zoom has over the prime is a significantly closer MFD. Most of my shooting this 2024 summer has been in my wildflower/butterfly garden. The zoom was favored over the 500pf because its MFD was much closer. I also still have the 200-500 and greatly favor it over the 80-400. I just have to use it on a tripod now.

Edited on Sep 05, 2024 at 01:29 PM · View previous versions

Sep 05, 2024 at 10:16 AM

Kingfishphoto
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Should pick 500mm PF or 100-400mm, for Z6 ?

I have the 500PF and the 100-400 Tamron. I recommend both. Buy the Tamron and third party tripod collar on B/S and t he 500PF and you should be a happy camper as they say. I shoot mostly with the Z711 and i believe my images match my friends Nikon Z 100-400 on his Z9.

Sep 05, 2024 at 10:37 AM


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