I'm quietly hoping the 400 S PF transmogrifies into a f4 (currently it scales at a f4.5 or f4.3). This depends if the silhouette in the current Z roadmap inflates [
this thread]; IF it does emerge as f4, one will get a compact light 560 f5.6 with Z-TC14, and 800 f8 in essential situations with Z-TC2. Besides less wieght, Nikon might have decided to use a stop faster speed to differentiate the 400 PF from the 100-400 f4.5/5.6S.
Last year we saw the the 800 PF silhouette change dimensions when Nikon confirmed the f6.3. As B&H list it already, Nikon should announce this PF prime soon (CP+ end of this month ?) - and not an outrageous RRP, hopefully. Considering image quality of all Z S telephotos and with TC-Z's) we can be confident the 800 PF will continue the standard.
Over in F-mount land, the 2 interesting options are the 120-300 f2.8E (3.25kg) and 180-400 f4E TC14 (3.5kg). Although heavier, these are N+ primes-in-One, significantly faster and work seamlessly across the Greater Nikon ecosystem. After waiting and watching Used copies of the 180-400 showing up over the past year, this week I finally committed on a basically new copy at a decent price. Replacing a hardworking 400 f2.8E, it is going to be my core wildlife lens on D5 and Z9: ultimately with the 800 f6.3S PF.... I'm keeping the 500 PF with either 100-400 S or 400 PF for lighter system (hiking etc). Harsh lessons in Africa teach the criticality of having backups in a "redundant" system.
The 300 f4E PF is the other excellent long lens on a Z camera as it works really well with both TC14 III and TC17 II. If Nikon do do the DX Z90, this prime will become all the rage again (although again let's see how the 400 PF turns out).
I currently have the 500 mm PF lens as well as the 70-200 Nikon Z lens. These are the only long lenses I have at the current time. I don’t really know what to expect from Nikon regarding the 200 to 600 mm lens or for that matter the 800 mm prime on the road map. I absolutely love the 500 mm PF lens and it’s really great with the 1.4 teleconverter. The only unfortunate part of that is you’re all the way down to F8 with a teleconverter which is definitely not ideal for low light conditions. This is certainly one area where Sony has the advantage at this point by offering the 200 to 600 mm lens. I cannot support a 600 mm F4 lens and not even sure I could support it on a tripod carrying it for that matter. I’ve been looking in the used market at the 500 mm F/4 lenses. again this is a fairly substantial lens as far as weight and size but I would have a 5.6 500 mm lens with the teleconverter. They still are fairly expensive even used at this point and are definitely a phenomenal lens. I’m just wondering if I should go this route or just wait on the Nikon to come out with a longer lens? I am pretty certain that either the 800 mm prime or 600 mm prime for the Z system is going to be substantially more than a used 500 mm f/4. If I did go this route, I would definitely keep the 500 mm PF for a lightweight handheld lens. This is definitely what made the decision to send the Sony A1 and the 200-600 mm lens back so hard. I’m sure there are others that are having the same dilemma with what to do for a longer lens I would just like to get some thoughts from the members on here of what would possibly be the best route to go.
