Nikon 500G f4 VR II slight blackout with Z8 beyond f5.6.

[Mhamdoun]

I’m experiencing a slight blackout on my Z8 and 500G f4 VR II when I stop down to f5.6 and any smaller aperture. It happens when I start shooting (full-press shutter release) and then at the end when I remove my finger off shutter release. I don’t see any frames that are affected by this behavior. The diaphragm closes down when shooting beyond 5.6 and then when I stop (which is perfectly normal). It is at those two instances when I experience this black out for just an instant. I don’t see any obvious misalignment in the aperture blades when I look down the lens.

I never had this lens before having this camera, and I still have store warranty on it.

Is this normal?

Thanks

 

[Krümelkraft]

What you describe sounds like something I have experienced with stopped down lenses on the Z9.
I think what happens is that the viewfinder picks up the closing of the aperture blades causing a sudden drop of brighness in the viewfinder.

So, I wouldn't actually call it a blackout. It totally makes sense to me.

On the Z9 the aperture of faster lenses already closes during live view as soon as you select a larger F number (possibly to improve performance) until a certain F number is reached (around 5.6). Beyond this point, the aperture stays constant until you press the shutter release.

 

[Mhamdoun]

Ok thanks for the thorough reply. I also have automatic viewfinder brightness adjustment. Perhaps that makes this even more accentuated. I’m gonna try to disable auto adjustment and see what happens.

I wonder if this happens with the 500E which has electronic aperture control.

The stark contrast between the old 500G and the Z8/9 is bound to show somewhere I guess (not to forget all the clunky sounds the earlier makes) !

Thank you