Z9 photo thread

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great shots Lance... A peregrine came out from nowhere?? love it! Especially because you share it among common birds like "yeah...a peregrine" lol.
Thank you very much, Simone! :)
I am sure you know Peregrines, they can literally come out of nowhere as they fly so damned fast, LOL. When they really decide to motor, they are like a bullet. It was more that he was at a distance and was so small compared to the Pelicans I had been photographing that I hadn't noticed him until the last minute. I have photographed many Peregrines previously and so, I recognised the way he flew rather than his outline becasue he was so dark against the bright white cloudy sky.
 
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This is quite a decent environmental shot Lance, don't mind it at all👌
 
Thank you very much, Simone! :)
I am sure you know Peregrines, they can literally come out of nowhere as they fly so damned fast, LOL. When they really decide to motor, they are like a bullet. It was more that he was at a distance and was so small compared to the Pelicans I had been photographing that I hadn't noticed him until the last minute. I have photographed many Peregrines previously and so, I recognised the way he flew rather than his outline becasue he was so dark against the bright white cloudy sky.
ahaha Sure I know, the fastest animal on earth actually. good one mate
 
In my limited use of the Z9 so far, I feel the AF mostly struggles irrespective of the 4 focus modes (auto, large, wide, 3D) & sensitivity settings for distant birds when its colour greatly resembles the background or surrounding.

I mean to say the camera struggles to acquire the initial focus under the follow circumstances.

1) Bird colours resembles surroundings/background. (Pied Kingfisher, River Terns against a dull or white background/sky)

2) The bird is less than 30% of size of the frame even with "DX mode" on a 500 pf. (Meaning it is about 150 feet away or more)

3) When the background appears limitless or any obstacles is 1000s of metres away.

In such situations I find the Z9 to be extremely jumpy. The focus motor keeps racking up & down as if it has got epilepsy. But once it picks up it latches on to the bird well. I often find myself having to turn the focus ring to drive some sense into it.

However I have never had such issues if the background is a concrete wall or a row of trees or foliage within 200-300 feet. Z9 does a good job in acquiring focus on the birds...it is as if a limitless horizon confuses the Z9 more than anything!


So have you encountered anything like this folks?

I unfortunately did not get to test that yet.
I got my Z9 last Tuesday, and I work 8-5 Monday through Friday in an office, with a 45 minute commute, so during the week my Sunrise-Sunset are shot.
I was really looking forward to the weekend, but we got heavy winds/overcast skies/rain/sleet/snow almost the entire weekend, so I only got to shoot for a couple of hours and didnt have any opportunities other than the 2 pics I posted.

I went to a local dam, but there werent even any gulls or cormorants flying around nearby this time, which is unusual. There were 4 bald eagles but they were all 400yds away and didnt move from their perch for over an hour.

Hopefully I will have better luck this weekend.
 
I unfortunately did not get to test that yet.
I got my Z9 last Tuesday, and I work 8-5 Monday through Friday in an office, with a 45 minute commute, so during the week my Sunrise-Sunset are shot.
I was really looking forward to the weekend, but we got heavy winds/overcast skies/rain/sleet/snow almost the entire weekend, so I only got to shoot for a couple of hours and didnt have any opportunities other than the 2 pics I posted.

I went to a local dam, but there werent even any gulls or cormorants flying around nearby this time, which is unusual. There were 4 bald eagles but they were all 400yds away and didnt move from their perch for over an hour.

Hopefully I will have better luck this weekend.

I think the Z9 will do fine in shooting big raptors like Eagles. I wonder if you get to shoot tern like brids in your area...
 
I think the Z9 will do fine in shooting big raptors like Eagles. I wonder if you get to shoot tern like brids in your area...

I dont get those directly near me, but I could head out toward the coast one weekend (I need to do that again soon anyway). Places like Pea Island NWR and that area...should be lots of shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, etc.

If the weather is cooperating locally, I should be able to try a lot more Red Headed Woodpeckers in flight, and maybe some Eastern Towhees, as I know a pretty regular place to check for those. Hopefully I'll get some more chances with the Pileated Woodpeckers in flight again soon as well.

I'm sure there will be no problem with the eagles or even gulls/herons/etc...but I was at least hoping to TRY out the different modes on them lol. Couldnt even do that due to weather and lack of action.
 
I just saw Steve's video about the FTZ and its speed on the z9.
I always thought to buy the F mount TC 1.4iii but the down of AF/quality always stopped me to buy it.
Steve solved my questions about the speed.
Any of you can tell me about the details quality with the z9 and F lenses? Is that improved or is still like in the dslr?
Simone
 
I dont get those directly near me, but I could head out toward the coast one weekend (I need to do that again soon anyway). Places like Pea Island NWR and that area...should be lots of shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, etc.

If the weather is cooperating locally, I should be able to try a lot more Red Headed Woodpeckers in flight, and maybe some Eastern Towhees, as I know a pretty regular place to check for those. Hopefully I'll get some more chances with the Pileated Woodpeckers in flight again soon as well.

I'm sure there will be no problem with the eagles or even gulls/herons/etc...but I was at least hoping to TRY out the different modes on them lol. Couldnt even do that due to weather and lack of action.
Sounds good.
 
1/2500 f5.6 ISO 8000 - Black kite. Z9 + 500 pf. Cropped by about 20%. Subject about 80 feet away. Fx mode.

The Z9 sometimes surprises me with how well it can handle noise. Contrary to my expectations, it handles low-light better than harsh light. In my limited experience, its overexposed photos even by a small margin are harder to deal with...


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1/2500 f5.6 ISO 900 White-eyed buzzard. Cropped 50%. Subject about 200 feet away. DX mode.

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I went to Taronga Zoo to try out the Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S.

Capybara

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/320s f/5.3 at 270.0mm iso80.

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Masked Lapwing

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.0 at 200.0mm iso110.

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Little Lorikeet

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso220.

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The *very rare* Regent Honey-eater. On the critically endangered list with opnly about 300 left in the wild. A breeding program has been going on at Taronga Zoo (where these photos were taken) and at the Hunter Valley where they released about 60 birds back into the wild. The breeding program also planted trees that these birds feed on to help with their regeneration.

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.3 at 320.0mm iso640.

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Bronzewing Dove.

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.0 at 240.0mm iso800.

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Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.3 at 340.0mm iso360.

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Zebra Finch

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso125.

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Cassowary

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/125s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso2800.

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I went to Taronga Zoo top try out the Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S.

Capybara

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/320s f/5.3 at 270.0mm iso80.

original.jpg


Masked Lapwing

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.0 at 200.0mm iso110.

original.jpg


Little Lorikeet

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso220.

original.jpg


The *very rare* Regent Honey-eater. On the critically endangered list with opnly about 300 left in the wild. A breeding program has been going on at Taronga Zoo (where these photos were taken) and at the Hunter Valley where they released about 60 birds back into the wild. The breeding program also planted trees that these birds feed on to help with their regeneration.

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.3 at 320.0mm iso640.

original.jpg


Bronzewing Dove.

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.0 at 240.0mm iso800.

original.jpg


Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.3 at 340.0mm iso360.

original.jpg


Zebra Finch

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/100s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso125.

original.jpg


Cassowary

Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S, 1/125s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso2800.

original.jpg

Very nice images Lance! The Masked Lapwing is a striking bird, very different from our European Lapwing.
I have noticed so far from seeing the Z9 images posted, that it appears the Z9 produces somewhat more low-key images overall than the super contrasty/saturated Z7II images. There seems to be adifferent feel to the images, that I like more btw. A more natural appearance.

I am waiting for the Z800PF to add to the 500PF and sell the D500 for the Z9. Z9 + 500PF + 800PF should fill every need, and not break my back carrying.
 
I went to Taronga Zoo top try out the Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S.

Well I's say it was a huge success! I still have to get mine on the camera but just sent it to my friend who owns LensCoat to use for a prototype so he can make covers etc for it. Will get it back next week! So anyway great shots!
 
I went to Taronga Zoo top try out the Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S.

Great shots Lance. I notice that almost all your SS are 1/100 - 1/125. Just curious if these were handheld or on a tripod? I have been doing a lot of experimenting with relatively slow SS with this combo in preparation for an upcoming trip to Ecuador and am curious about your experience. Thanks!
 
Very nice images Lance! The Masked Lapwing is a striking bird, very different from our European Lapwing.
Great shots Lance. I notice that almost all your SS are 1/100 - 1/125. Just curious if these were handheld or on a tripod? I have been doing a lot of experimenting with relatively slow SS with this combo in preparation for an upcoming trip to Ecuador and am curious about your experience. Thanks!

I have noticed so far from seeing the Z9 images posted, that it appears the Z9 produces somewhat more low-key images overall than the super contrasty/saturated Z7II images. There seems to be adifferent feel to the images, that I like more btw. A more natural appearance.

I am waiting for the Z800PF to add to the 500PF and sell the D500 for the Z9. Z9 + 500PF + 800PF should fill every need, and not break my back carrying.
Thank you very much, Chris! :)
Well I's say it was a huge success! I still have to get mine on the camera but just sent it to my friend who owns LensCoat to use for a prototype so he can make covers etc for it. Will get it back next week! So anyway great shots!
Thank you very much, George!:)
Great shots Lance. I notice that almost all your SS are 1/100 - 1/125. Just curious if these were handheld or on a tripod? I have been doing a lot of experimenting with relatively slow SS with this combo in preparation for an upcoming trip to Ecuador and am curious about your experience. Thanks!
Thank you very much, Nextlife1! :)
All handheld. If the bird is still, you could go lower shutter speeds for sure.
That is a fantastic set Lance. All beautifully captured, processed, and sharp as a tack!
Thank you very much, Phil! :)
This lens renders beautifully. There is more to Nikon lenses than simple sharpness etc. They really know how to make lenses with beautiful overall IQ.
 
I would venture to say that 90 percent of the shots I am getting with the Z9 I could get with my D500 when the light isnt really low....however that 10 percent that would be difficult for me to nail with the D500 makes me smile when the Z9 nails one of those shots. This is one of those shots.
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