ChrisMak wrote: OwlsEyes wrote: lukemeup wrote: OwlsEyes wrote:
Just one from my second outing to find Long Eared Owls.
Shot with the 1.4x, I am amazed by the soft bokeh... even at f6.3. This may be the one real tangible optical improvement over the 500mm PF.
regards,
bruce
So good!
Thanks Luke...
I was on the other side of some cattails and the wind was blowing. If it weren't for the 20fps of the Z9, i don't think I would have had the clarity in the face of the LEO. Most of my photos have the "haze" of shooting through the foliage. This was one of two where the owl's head was crystal clear...
It was a fun shoot... I'm hoping to head out there again for an hour or so on the weekend.
I don't know about others, but I am loving this 560mm focal length with the ability to hit DX crop with the touch of a button. This one change in the the Z9 firmware has made a real difference for me.
Based on my usage and the way I like to take pictures, I would love the 400 f2.8S... but not sure I can justify the outrageous expense of a lens like that.
bruce
I am close to settling on this combo, I have been on the list for a Z800PF since april, but the prospects are not good, so I am thinking of getting the Z400+1.4TC ahead, and add the Z800PF later. A portable combo like this is very welcome, even next to the 800PF. I really enjoyed hiking with the D500+500PF.
The images by the Z400mm have convinced me, I really like the color and bokeh this set-up produces. How does this combo perform on BIF? Is the initial AF aquisition good enough, and does it have the stickiness?
Hey Chris...
I am surprised that you are thinking about returning to Nikon again. I recall that you like the 500PF but was put off by the weight of the Z9. In the end, I have found that the added mass of the Z9 near my face has made of a much better balance than a heavy lens at the front of the barrel.
I have been amazed by the performance of the AF with the camera and lens. Like you, I have the 800PF on pre-order from NPS, but doubt I my "number" will come up until summer, fall. or next winter... bummer for sure.
Lukemap has some AMAZING short eared owl in flight shots with the lens on the page prior to this one... this pictures say it all , as some of the photos were agains a cluttered background.
As for me, I posted some images of the Z9/400mm f4.5 + 2x converter (@ f/9) earlier in this thread I think... they were shot in crappy conditions.. early morning and high ISO, but they show the ability of the combination to grab and hold focus. I will repost them here... so apologies to those who are forced to see these twice
I'll report back on flight shots tomorrow or Sunday, as I will be heading to my swan spot and owl spot on the weekend.
regards,
bruce
Dec 09, 2022 at 07:49 AM
Previous versions of OwlsEyes's message #16115218 « Nikon Z 400 f4.5 VR S Image Thread »
