My Z9 is setup and ready to go :)

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Hi Simone,
Very encouraging with regards to the Sigma 500, because apparently it did not do so well with the Z7II. I still use it on the D500, but in preparation for the coming 800PF want to migrate to mirrorless.
Someone shared some images from the Sigma 500+ Z6II combo, and these looked very good, so I am considering a Z6II. But since I also have the 500PF, a Z9 would have higher performance and useability, and reach is a bit of a concern with the Z6II.

If you could share some raw files that would be great!
Having the z7ii I totally get what you are saying. Unfortunately the Sigma, as most lenses, were driving half speed. I'm really happy now with speed, especially when focus fall on the back and I'm pushing the memory button to bring it back is just another world from the previous Z , and eye tracking look like work fine, but obviously need more testing, especially because I don't have comparision nikon long lenses, the only one is the 500 pf , but is new in my hands too. The only thing I'm not still sure, I mean that I'm still not convinced is about the colours on the z9/Sigma. They looked better on the Z7ii and d850. Is a shame that Sigma let us down with any firmware update while instead they did with Canon.
How can I upload the raw, here as the jpg?
These jpg are made with the z9 and Sigma 500 f4 sport
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Having the z7ii I totally get what you are saying. Unfortunately the Sigma, as most lenses, were driving half speed. I'm really happy now with speed, especially when focus fall on the back and I'm pushing the memory button to bring it back is just another world from the previous Z , and eye tracking look like work fine, but obviously need more testing, especially because I don't have comparision nikon long lenses, the only one is the 500 pf , but is new in my hands too. The only thing I'm not still sure, I mean that I'm still not convinced is about the colours on the z9/Sigma. They looked better on the Z7ii and d850. Is a shame that Sigma let us down with any firmware update while instead they did with Canon.
How can I upload the raw, here as the jpg?
These jpg are made with the z9 and Sigma 500 f4 sport
View attachment 29395View attachment 29396View attachment 29397View attachment 29398View attachment 29399

Thanks, it looks then as if adapted lenses will work as well, or almosr as well, as native! That is something that has been debated to death on the forums. Very good to hear.
Could you share a few raw samples via google drive or onedrive (pm me?)
I can then see what the colors look in my raw workflow, that would be very helpfull in deciding between the Z9 and the Z6II. (I already have raw samples from the Z6II, they look very good!)
Thanks in advance.
 
Having the z7ii I totally get what you are saying. Unfortunately the Sigma, as most lenses, were driving half speed. I'm really happy now with speed, especially when focus fall on the back and I'm pushing the memory button to bring it back is just another world from the previous Z , and eye tracking look like work fine, but obviously need more testing, especially because I don't have comparision nikon long lenses, the only one is the 500 pf , but is new in my hands too. The only thing I'm not still sure, I mean that I'm still not convinced is about the colours on the z9/Sigma. They looked better on the Z7ii and d850. Is a shame that Sigma let us down with any firmware update while instead they did with Canon.
How can I upload the raw, here as the jpg?
These jpg are made with the z9 and Sigma 500 f4 sport
View attachment 29395View attachment 29396View attachment 29397View attachment 29398View attachment 29399

That's super useful information! I am closing a deal on the Sigma 500 and have been anxiously waiting to hear how it performs on the Z9. I spoke with Sigma, who told me they wouldn't be able to confirm official support for the 500 Sport on the Nikon Z9 until February 2022. I am on the waiting list to be informed of said official statement on that, but getting this information now is priceless!

Please do share your findings with that lens. I made a specific thread for third party lenses on the Z9, if you feel like contributing.

If you are willing to share files taken with this combo, i would also love to get some samples!


Happy holidays.

-Lasse
 
Having the z7ii I totally get what you are saying. Unfortunately the Sigma, as most lenses, were driving half speed. I'm really happy now with speed, especially when focus fall on the back and I'm pushing the memory button to bring it back is just another world from the previous Z , and eye tracking look like work fine, but obviously need more testing, especially because I don't have comparision nikon long lenses, the only one is the 500 pf , but is new in my hands too. The only thing I'm not still sure, I mean that I'm still not convinced is about the colours on the z9/Sigma. They looked better on the Z7ii and d850. Is a shame that Sigma let us down with any firmware update while instead they did with Canon.
How can I upload the raw, here as the jpg?
These jpg are made with the z9 and Sigma 500 f4 sport
View attachment 29395View attachment 29396View attachment 29397View attachment 29398View attachment 29399


Colours on the 1st pic look amazing.
 
All made with the Z9 and Sigma 500 f4 sport



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That's it, im pulling the trigger on that Sigma 500 F4. Looks to be a sweet combo with the z9!
especially because the price, the optic of this lens is just amazing.
I'm having bit of trouble in the first days with the z9 and the Sigma to lock very far in flight birds.
And with very far birds on the brench, cropping a lot, I can't see them very sharp, could be the lens, because from what I saw from Ricci and company with nikon gear, should be sharp.
No prob of sharpness with normal cropping (till 60/70/80% crop) , but is not like with the d850.
Need more test, I'd wish to have more time.
 
So you think there might be a compatibility issue with the lens? is it acting strangely on the Z9?

Those posted images looks amazing mate!
Thanks
As I said, the lens work much better here than on the Z7ii.
Its speed , the one as I was used to have on the d5 / bit slower on d850 , is back.
I had no issue at all with use it , if comparing using it in the past with those two cameras, and look like when you are at the right distance, the eye tracking is working great.
In only one day of shooting (the one with the birds , not the bats that was with the PF in hard situation), I did not see the camera lock far birds in flight, hunting a lot.
I don't have any Nikon long prime (as I said the PF is with me only 3 days) to compare the behaviour. So need more test
For sure Sigma let us completely down with the firmware of this lens, never ever updated for Nikon, only updated for canon.
So this lens is running great so far with a 2017 firmware on a Z camera. Who is buying it now, must be aware of this.
In my dream there is the nikon 600, obviously. But now I have to keep this beautiful lens
 
Thanks for the update Simo.

Looks like i will put my purchase on hold then. I want to let you first movers test it out before spending that amount of money if it does not work as it should.

Please do keep us updated! I am very interested in your findings.
 
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Thanks for the update Simo.

Looks like i will put my purchase on hold then. I want to let you first movers test it out before spending that amount of money.

Please do keep us updated! I am very interested in your findings.

That may be wise. As Simone says, Sigma severely neglected to update the firmware for this lens in Nikon mount, even though there have been many issues with the auto focus of this lens in Nikon mount.
I bought one new myself 6 months ago, because the Nikon 500mm f4E is far too expensive where I live for what it is (€12.000), but I have my own AF issues with this lens on my D500, where the lens starts to stutter as soon as I track birds that move towards me or away from me, making it effectively useless for this scenario.
The bokeh and sharpness are very, very good, but personally I would wait for the 800PF if you are considering a Z9.
I am contemplating a Z6II myself, because that body produces really wonderfull image quality with the Sigma 500mm.
 
@ChrisM

That is the same reason i was looking at the Sigma. A used version here is around 25% of the price of the 500 FL so that is a pretty big incentive. I am sorry to hear about your troubles, i have read all forums thin about this lens and i saw your post about it. Hopefully you can get it returned or fixed? In either case, the lens may take stellar images (and it does) but the auto-focus has to work.

I have considered waiting for the 800PF, but my guts tells me it's going to be punching above my budget.

So my bets are on that the Sigma will show itself to work great on the Z9, or that Sigma releases a new firmware update for it (won't expect that til beyond February, when they will confirm compatibility with the Z9 officially)

If all else fails, i will be looking at a used Nikon 500G, 500PF or trying to scout for a discounted 500 FL.
 
Thanks for the update Simo.

Looks like i will put my purchase on hold then. I want to let you first movers test it out before spending that amount of money if it does not work as it should.

Please do keep us updated! I am very interested in your findings.
I'll be happy to help, until a 600 show up lol
 
@ChrisM

That is the same reason i was looking at the Sigma. A used version here is around 25% of the price of the 500 FL so that is a pretty big incentive. I am sorry to hear about your troubles, i have read all forums thin about this lens and i saw your post about it. Hopefully you can get it returned or fixed? In either case, the lens may take stellar images (and it does) but the auto-focus has to work.

I have considered waiting for the 800PF, but my guts tells me it's going to be punching above my budget.

So my bets are on that the Sigma will show itself to work great on the Z9, or that Sigma releases a new firmware update for it (won't expect that til beyond February, when they will confirm compatibility with the Z9 officially)

If all else fails, i will be looking at a used Nikon 500G, 500PF or trying to scout for a discounted 500 FL.

It is such a tricky, borderline issue, that I fear attempting to get it fixed will be an excersise in frustration, and will do the lens more harm than good. I try to keep in mind that this lens is reversed engineered to begin with, and I suspect all of its chronicled af issues in the Nikon mount lead back to that. Adapters for Nikon lenses are also seldom a big success.
The lens at least now works optimally at what it does do well. I have given up on ever getting it to work as a native lens, and now limit its use to what works, hence my intention to get a Z6II for it.

The Z800PF will be more expensive, but will always work much, much better when it comes to critical AF. And should be a dream combo with the Z9. Although I doubt it will equal the sharpness and bokeh of the Sigma 500.
 
Has anyone seen a test comparing the D850 or Z7 to the Z9 in terms of dynamic range and noise at higher ISO's? Just one simple test would suffice say at ISO 6400 where you shoot the same subject with both cameras with exactly the same settings with all the internal mods disabled. I just want to be sure I don't lose any image quality over my D850 which I consider to be excellent in both those regards. Matt Grainger did one, but the settings were different and the Z9 color noise was quite a bit worse than the Z7. I'm still keeping my preorder in place, even though I am not a NPS special person, just a mere mortal. :)
 
But has anyone actually tested that? Thats my question.
CineD did, albeit for video. My ASSUMPTION is that their results correlate to stills, although I am not certain about that. From their very detailed tests, they get 11.5 stops at SNR=2 AND 12.4 at SNR=1, so about 1.5 stops below A1.
 
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