Camera Labs is extremely positive about the 800mm f6.3 PF. They find the bokeh to be excellent, the lens seems as close as it gets to true APO, no fringing on high contrast edges either.
They also comment about how incredibly good the 400mm f2.8 TC with TC x2 is in the center.
Cheers,
Bernard
Thank you for posting the link Bernard
The comments regarding focus breathing, and focus accuracy and repeatability concern me in this review. MFD maximum magnification is also a potential show stopper.
There are a few small annoyances though: Focus breathing is on the very visible side which might annoy videographers. The minimum focusing distance of 5m only yields a meagre maximum magnification of 1:5.8 and can be a real nuisance when that small bird is finally coming closer to your shooting position. Plus focus accuracy and repeatability was a bit lower than I’m used to see.
I think he was using the Z7 for the focus tests so I'm not putting a lot of stock in the focus accuracy/repeatability concerns. If it's the same on the Z9, then I'd be concerned.
One thing to consider, Z7 ii firwmare 1.4 and Z9 firmware 2.0 added support for 800PF. If he uses Z7, latest firmware 3.4 only support up to 400/2.8S but no support for 800PF so far so that might or might not make a difference.
Otherwise, it is a stationary target, Z7 or Z7 ii with the right firmware should have no problem with focus accuracy and repeatability though.
Focus breathing at least for me works in my favour as if I understand correctly, image is magnified as you focus closer. So does this mean that focal lenght is actually longer than 800mm at near minimum focusing distance (assuming it is 800mm at infinity) is image is 17% magnified at 8.3m in comparison to infinity. It would be worse if focal lenght is shorter than 800mm at near minimum focusing distance I think but I understand that videographer may not like it.
May 05, 2022 at 04:16 PM
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