Hi folks.
My current kit is a Nikon Z8 with a 500pf: However, like many people, I am always on the search for more reach. The simplest (and cheapest) option would be to buy a 1.4TC to use with my 500pf, but I'm also curious about the 180-600. My concern with the latter option is that it's "only" 100mm longer, and still won't give me the equivalent to the 500 + 1.4TC. The upside is that it will be f6.3, rather than a f8. Tbh, I don't need the zoom, so that seems a bit of a waste, but I can't afford the 600pf without selling the 500pf, and even then it's a bit of a stretch to make up the difference.
I live in British Columbia and therefore low light shooting is a consideration, so I'm a little skeptical on how much I would actually use a f8 lens (500 + TC).
My questions are:
1. Is there much benefit going from 500mm to 600mm?
2. Am I right in assuming that the AF of the 600pf would outperform the 500 + TC?
3. If I sold a kidney to replace my 500pf, is the 600pf a worthy replacement?
For reference, my subject matter preferences are fur > feathers, although I love shooting raptors (ospreys, eagles, owls etc). I'm not a birder and don't photograph songbirds, typically.
Sorry for the rambling musings and thanks for looking and input.
First of all I have to say, I envy you a bit for living in BC. I had the opportunity to travel there ages ago and absolutely loved it.
As always there is no binary answer.
First of all, if you don't need the zooming flexibility, stay with primes as they are always the lighter and faster alternative, usually give the best IQ and are better compatible with TC's. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule and one reason to favour a zoom beside its flexible focal length is that they usually have a much better MFD.
Despite all the modern software tricks available it's still best to get things close to optimal in the first place. Shooting hires (45MP) means being more prone to Hi ISO noise, so your concern about low light shooting is more than valid. It is always good to keep as much headroom as you can in the first place.
On the other hand f8 a is not as much a limitation as it was in DSLR times, where you ended up with something between 1 to 12 or 15 AF sensors left working, when putting an f8 lans combo on the camera. You might still loose a bit of AF speed, but the AF system of the z8 doesn't care too much. So, until you can get something longer and/or faster, I would give it a go with a TC14E II or III. That said, there are statements around claiming that the TC14E III works better with E seriens lenses thand the II. I can't confirm that, because when I started chaging over to mirrorless I had a 500PF myself and used it with the TC14E II without problems. It is more importnt that you get a good copy of either version. Many used TC's that are traded secned hand have suffered and sometimes are damaged in a way that it's difficult to see on images.
Obviousl this is nothing for low light, but - and I apologize for not finding the post instantly - in another thread there was a member posting stunning examples shot with a - believe it or not - TC20E III on the 500PF giving him 1000mm f11
I use the 180-600 mainly because because it allows for very good agility and flexibility and once I managed to get my second body, it allows me to be prepared for more or less anything with just bodies and two (zoom) lenses. Yes, the 180-600 takes a little dip in resolution at the long end, but it's still o.k. and although it doesn't provide top notch resolution it produces nice images even on a hires sensor. There's a good reason, why even
@Steve likes it
. But if am not moving all the time and work more stationary I always favour using my 500 f4 on a tripod- either solo of with TC. Due to the better AF technologyeven the combo with the TC17E II (which didn't work satisfactoy on DSLR's) works perfect on the Z8.
Q1:
The difference from 500 to 600 is nothing I would worry about, especially because you shoot 45MP and - although not everyone likes it - slight cropping would still be an option, if you don't have the light to put the TC on. Otherwise using one is not an issue with the Z8 AF system.
Q2:
I think
@Steve had a comparison somewhere, but he also stated - for good reason - that in the range of top primes - including the 500PF - AF speed differences are overrated and differences can easily compensated by adapting the right procedure. But if I remember right the Z 600 f6.3 is a nit faster than the 500PF adapted.
Q3:
From what you are writing, I would say it is an adequate replacement. Is it worth swapping ? I don't know. As stated before the difference from 500 to 600 is not that much and the difference of 1/3 stop of light shouldn't make a big difference either. The IQ of the 500PF is stlll pretty outstanding. One dfference might be that a an s line lens the 600 has these additional and flexibly configurable control elements on the lens, where as the 500PF is limited to what the F-mount lenses had at the time, and the flexinbility of using their existing buttons is somewhat limited.
If you look for a replacement and you are not afraid of a bit more size and weight a real good thinking-out-of-the-box alternative could be a used 500 f4 FL. COmpared with my dinosaur it is significantly lighter and much less front-heavy which makes it pretty manageable. You gain one full stop of light at 500 mm (good for low light), you have an IQ good enough to easily allow using a TC - and not just the TC14, which gets you to 700mm f5.6 and beyond, and this is a difference that matters. Last but not least you can get really good copies used for much less than a Z 600 6.3.
On the other hand, if you look for a light and agile super tele prime, without having used one I think this lens is hard to beat. Maybe you should take your existing gear, force yourself to shoot f9 all the time and then see what you get an whether you are happy with it after post processing. If the answer is yes the 600 6.3 plus a TC14 could be the way to go, but PLEASE DON't SELL THE KIDNEY FOR IT
), so can't respond to each post, but I'll have a deeper read tonight.
