Owney
Active member
Now that the 400 4.5 lenses are being delivered I wonder if people who already have the 100-400 will wind up keeping both or choose to keep one? And if they decide to only keep one, which will they choose?
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extrapolation only, but the 100-400 is considered very decent with the 1.4, and the 400 4.5 is reported to be a fair bit sharper, so i can't help think it would fair wellMy main question would be how good the 400 mm f4.5 is with the 1.4x Z TC -- 560 mm at f6.3, so 60 mm more of focal length and 1/3 stop less light/aperture. Has anyone done that comparison?
If I recall, Ricci's video compared the bare 400 f4.5 to the bare 500 mm PF. I don't recall that he compared the 400 f4.5 with the 1.4x Z TC to the 500 mm PF.Ricci, a UK Nikon employee and Nikon School member, who makes videos on tube has a recent video comparing 400 f4.5 to the 500mm PF, the Z 100-400 and the Z 800mm.
Here is the link to the video:When he compares the 400mm f4.5 to the 500mm f5.6 PF, he finds little difference.
Comparing the 400mm to the 100-400mm the background smoother with the 400mm (probably because it is f4.5 instead of 5.6) and the 400mm is slightly sharper.
Comparing the 400mm + 2X TC (800mm at f9) to the 800mm f6.3, the 800 mm is sharper.
There is nothing unexpected with these results. So I guess it comes down to the versatility of the 100-400 zoom vs the somewhat increased quality and wider aperture of the 400mm prime lens.
When it comes to deciding what set of lenses to have, one might also consider the soon (hopefully) to be announced 200-600 and the 600mm. If the 600mm is an f4 lens with a built in 1.4X TC and if it is not too heavy, then it will be a great lens and probably a very expensive lens.
This is essentially the same kit I'm putting in place - 70-200, 400mm f/4.5, 800mm PF and the 1.4 TC. My 400mm f/4.5 is due to arrive tomorrow. I've got a major event where I'll be using it in late August for professional golf. Since I average 15,000+ steps per day photographing that event, the size of the 400mm lens is small enough I will be carrying it at least two or three days with the 70-200 and 24-70.For my use case F8 on 100-400 with TC would see a very limited use (if I was living in the sunny Florida or California maybe it would be different), so I built my longer glass with the following setup: 70-200, 400 4.5, 800 6.3 (to come) + TC1.4. I have no budget for the 400 f2.8 or the future 600 f4 & I value portability over the ultimate image quality.
400 4.5 with TC1.4 is a better lens than 500 PF (subjectively). More reach at a cost of 1/3rd stop, better weight distribution and balance on the body & no FTZ.
Good on you for doing that. I'm amazed at how few people do. Many people talk about how much they need the zoom capability but shoot at max zoom 90 percent of the time. Much depends on how we use a lens. I had a 200-500mm used mainly for shooting birds or as second body for larger subjects. I found that I shot at 500mm 90 percent of the time. On the other hand I have the 80-400mm used mainly for large mammals and/or paired with a DX body for wildlife when traveling. Consequently I shoot a good bit with it in the mid-range. All equipment is fit for purpose. The trick is for the photographer to understand his/her own purpose and decide which lens fits best.The arrival of the f/4.5 had me analyze how much I used a 100-400 at various distances throughout the range. I found that I regularly used it between 100 and 300...
i think if the question is f/4 vs f/4.5, it's still a nobrainer90%+ of my shots with the 100-400 thus far have been at 400mm. If the 400mm was an F4, it would be a no brainer.
i suspect you might like the 24-120 to replace the 70-200. yah, it's not as long, but my guess is it will work better than one might suspect.I am contemplating selling the 100-400 and switching to the 400mm. But I am not super excited about the prospect of hiking around with 70-200 and the 400mm.
I think the best way to describe my position is I’ve decided to sell the 100-400 but now need to decide on the 400mm f4.5 or the 500mm f5.6i think if the question is f/4 vs f/4.5, it's still a nobrainer
i suspect you might like the 24-120 to replace the 70-200. yah, it's not as long, but my guess is it will work better than one might suspect.
You said you're shooting 90 percent of the time at 400mm. How often are you cropping on top of that? I've now got both but don't plan on keeping both. Time will tell which one stays. But I have a hard time even imagining parting with the 500PF.I think the best way to describe my position is I’ve decided to sell the 100-400 but now need to decide on the 400mm f4.5 or the 500mm f5.6