If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).
Action shots or just perched birds in deep forest? If just perched, then no issue still. Unless its deep forest and overcast or something.
Oops, right not a full stop - I'm not too concerned about this at all - now time to retire the 200-500mm is the plan.
Or if you don't need super fast focus such as for BIF, you can get by with the Z50 - that's what I'm paring up the lens with. The hope is that Nikon puts out a Z series crop sensor that is equivalent to the D500 then we're gold!
Same - I was really surprised when I saw those comparisons. Different countries seem to have different policies. For instance, here the Nikon rep has to be on-site and with the lens at all times, yet Jen Wagner in Australia had the lens for a week - I doubt Nikon was with him the entire time. So, it seems maybe each region sets their own policies or something.
I've never seen so many bags 'reviewed' for the same camera lens combo...what a great resource that is...
I am in the same boat. I have the 100-400mm , the Z 1.4x tc, and the F mount 500mm f5.6 pf. I really need the extra reach of the 180-600mm but I do not want to dump my 100-400mm (just yet) . And I love using my 500mm f5.6 pf on my Z9. Logic says to skip the 180-600mm for the time being. But who knows? The $1700 price point is very attractive and thank goodness it has internal zoom.
Another advantage for the 100-400mm is its close focusing distance. This makes it very useful for closer in subjects like butterflies and dragonflies and some flowers. And its image quality with the Z mount 1.4x tc is very good.
The 100-400 does well with the 1.4TC and that'll be the route I take to get from 400 to 560 (tho I have not tried this combo yet as I'm still waiting on the zTC)
Nikon plays favourites. Nothing new but not very nice.
Might also be a matter of how many people exist that do the reviews and previews in each area, along with how many lenses they have to loan, plus travel time.
i've seen comments that suggest the different regions act very independently so maybe it's favorites, but maybe it's just they make decisions at a regional level. dunno.
this seems very plausible
Honestly, I don't think that's what it is. I really feel like it's more regional policy than anything else. Although my time was very short with the lens, I don't think anyone in the US had much more time with it. I think Fro had it a couple of days, but I also think his schedule is easier for Nikon to manage since he's very close to their NY HQ. For me, I was traveling and they had to work around my schedule and really went out of their way to squeeze me in. Time was short, but the rep flew in and out the same day (about a 4.5 hour flight each way )and that really had to be grueling for him but he never complained once and repeatedly said it wasn't a big deal. The truth is, it seems like Nikon USA has a very tight schedule and I think it's that more than anything else - and they have a very strict policy about not letting people use the lens without the rep there. My guess is that they were burned in the past.
and with limited samples available, it’s probably a pretty big problem if someone damages it
Just to clarify...it's actually also an extra 20mm on the lower end. I realize what you were trying to say but by saying it's 20mm less on the lower end, it implies it would be a 220, not an 180
I was not only referring specifically to lens/body/product testing. More in general - and also to be fair more specifically in my country as this is the only place I have any experience of in regards to Nikon. But I do think I should leave it there, it doesn't really matter what I believe - as I may also be wrong. My apologies. I should have kept my trap shut.
One sample in the US was all they had. LOL, I'm sure my rep was cringing as I jumped from boulder to boulder with it in my hand! He was probably glad I was the last reviewer!!
No worries, I think every Nikon regional division is different and what you said may be true for your area. I just wanted to be clear on my end that Nikon really went out of their way for me. Now, if I can only talk them into letting me use the lens on my own for a week next time
I can only imagine.
Ricci works for Nikon and is often the guy carrying the new stuff for ambassadors etc to use. He brought both lenses to an NPS event in London yesterday.
