OwlsEyes
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 Re: 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 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
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 your sell your 300PF and get both the 100-400Z and 500PF.
cheers,
bruce
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