MatthewK
Well-known member
Excellent, means they’re on their way! I’ve only seen a few Yellow-rumps so far.
Nikon 600PF - Share Photos & Discuss!!!
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beano
Well-known member
Recently updated my Zf's FW to version 2.00, which now officially supports Bird SD, and decided to take it for a quick outing this morning, with the 600 6.3. Yesterday's shots were on the Z8, but I always enjoy shooting with the Zf /24MP body, as it has fantastic DR and very good low-light ISO performance. Large pixites have their benefits, IMHO.
Anyway, below a few shots at ~ golden hour, I have to say, the 600 6.3 is a very sharp lens. Especially considering the relatively slow shutter-speeds. One could hardly need/want/expect better, except if you're chasing light. Admittedly, I expect the 600 4.0 or 400 2.8 will have better micro-contrast, but at 3x the price, so they should. For 90% of people, I would imagine the 600 6.3 and 400 4.5 would be more than sufficient. Especially as I often do animal/game portraits in BW, these will be purrfect.
Note, pix simple RAW's out of the camera, with vivid picture profile applied. NR turned off, you can see a bit of noise in the bottom-most image, but I left it on purpose, so you can get an idea how good the 24MP sensor performs at higher ISO's.
Anyway, below a few shots at ~ golden hour, I have to say, the 600 6.3 is a very sharp lens. Especially considering the relatively slow shutter-speeds. One could hardly need/want/expect better, except if you're chasing light. Admittedly, I expect the 600 4.0 or 400 2.8 will have better micro-contrast, but at 3x the price, so they should. For 90% of people, I would imagine the 600 6.3 and 400 4.5 would be more than sufficient. Especially as I often do animal/game portraits in BW, these will be purrfect.
Note, pix simple RAW's out of the camera, with vivid picture profile applied. NR turned off, you can see a bit of noise in the bottom-most image, but I left it on purpose, so you can get an idea how good the 24MP sensor performs at higher ISO's.
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beano
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Nice micro-contrast. But I focused on the body, sigh.
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MatthewK
Well-known member
You're putting this bad boy to good use, loving the results you're getting so far! Very crisp and detailed.
As someone who has shot the 600PF since release, and as a recent new owner of a 600TC, I can verifiably state that both lenses are ridiculously sharp and contrasty, and if one was intent on plopping down the exorbitant price for the 600TC just for that extra nth % sharpness contrast, they're going to end up sorta disappointed because it isn't earth shattering, and the little bit can be made up in post with ~10-15 points on the sharpness slider. No, the raison d'être of the 600TC is the built in TC and that extra 1 1/3 stops of light; so far it's been a substantial tool to have in the kit. At some point I want to do some comparison shots between my 600s, but at this level it really doesn't matter all that much to me, it'd just be for fun.
My kind of a silly, non-scientific way by which I measure how my lenses perform sharpness-wise is how much I have to apply the Sharpness slide in Lightroom over the default 40 to get them up to the point where they're sharp, but natural, not over-sharpened and artifact-y. The 600PF was the former champ in this area, usually landing between ~50-60, but she's been usurped by the 600TC: there's some shots where I don't have to touch the slider at all
. For references, my 100-400 takes anywhere from 70-80, and my former 180-600 a ~65-75. Of course it all depends on a whole bunch of variables, this is just generally what I've experienced with them over the years.
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beano
Well-known member
Cheers Matt. Yes, I might probably grab the 400 2.8 at some point, simply for those early morning-hours in the bush. Might have a go with it on the z50ii body as well, if the Missus allows, haha. Otherwise, 400-600 is my usual range, so it will be great for low-light. Until then, the 600 6.3 and 400 4.5 primes will tide me over
All my shots posted earlier is sans any sharpness adjustments, tbh, I am not using Adobe at all at this point in time, I simply open the RAW’s up in NX Studio, add my simple color-profile and that‘s it. 99% of the time, I don’t touch anything else, perhaps tweak exposure and protect the shadows, nothing else.
I usually shoot at a low’ish shutter when testing a new lens, just to see what I can do in case of emergency, if pushed for light. So I have to say, I am suitably impressed here. This afternoon, I might take the 400 4.5 on the z50ii and see how it compares, I will leave it wide-open, and drop iso as low as I can, to get a more or less apples-pears.
Your shots above are great, thanx for sharing!
All my shots posted earlier is sans any sharpness adjustments, tbh, I am not using Adobe at all at this point in time, I simply open the RAW’s up in NX Studio, add my simple color-profile and that‘s it. 99% of the time, I don’t touch anything else, perhaps tweak exposure and protect the shadows, nothing else.
I usually shoot at a low’ish shutter when testing a new lens, just to see what I can do in case of emergency, if pushed for light. So I have to say, I am suitably impressed here. This afternoon, I might take the 400 4.5 on the z50ii and see how it compares, I will leave it wide-open, and drop iso as low as I can, to get a more or less apples-pears.
Your shots above are great, thanx for sharing!
My wife has me watching this show on Netflix. However, one of my favorite places to shoot is a little lake and township called Ransom Canyon which is just southeast of Lubbock, Tx in Yellow House Canyon. Took a few pics their this evening.
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MatthewK
Well-known member
Yes, would like to know how the Z50II + 400 4.5 perform!Cheers Matt. Yes, I might probably grab the 400 2.8 at some point, simply for those early morning-hours in the bush. Might have a go with it on the z50ii body as well, if the Missus allows, haha. Otherwise, 400-600 is my usual range, so it will be great for low-light. Until then, the 600 6.3 and 400 4.5 primes will tide me over
All my shots posted earlier is sans any sharpness adjustments, tbh, I am not using Adobe at all at this point in time, I simply open the RAW’s up in NX Studio, add my simple color-profile and that‘s it. 99% of the time, I don’t touch anything else, perhaps tweak exposure and protect the shadows, nothing else.
I usually shoot at a low’ish shutter when testing a new lens, just to see what I can do in case of emergency, if pushed for light. So I have to say, I am suitably impressed here. This afternoon, I might take the 400 4.5 on the z50ii and see how it compares, I will leave it wide-open, and drop iso as low as I can, to get a more or less apples-pears.
Your shots above are great, thanx for sharing!
beano
Well-known member
All good, Matt, will let you know! In the mean time, check out my 'Members Gallery', I think all the photos in 'Cormorant Day' folder was taken with the Z50ii/400 4.5 combo.
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Krish
Well-known member
Grey-headed Bulbul
Nikon Z8 + 600PF + TC 1.4
Nikon Z8 + 600PF + TC 1.4
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bcgnz
Active member
Did you apply sharpening to this image? Lol
Looks kinda surreal!!
bcgnz
Active member
Really really nice photos!You're putting this bad boy to good use, loving the results you're getting so far! Very crisp and detailed.
As someone who has shot the 600PF since release, and as a recent new owner of a 600TC, I can verifiably state that both lenses are ridiculously sharp and contrasty, and if one was intent on plopping down the exorbitant price for the 600TC just for that extra nth % sharpness contrast, they're going to end up sorta disappointed because it isn't earth shattering, and the little bit can be made up in post with ~10-15 points on the sharpness slider. No, the raison d'être of the 600TC is the built in TC and that extra 1 1/3 stops of light; so far it's been a substantial tool to have in the kit. At some point I want to do some comparison shots between my 600s, but at this level it really doesn't matter all that much to me, it'd just be for fun.
My kind of a silly, non-scientific way by which I measure how my lenses perform sharpness-wise is how much I have to apply the Sharpness slide in Lightroom over the default 40 to get them up to the point where they're sharp, but natural, not over-sharpened and artifact-y. The 600PF was the former champ in this area, usually landing between ~50-60, but she's been usurped by the 600TC: there's some shots where I don't have to touch the slider at all
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But to be fair though, the difference lies else where more so than in sharpness………………………….
Maybe you could share some photos someday for blind tests… that way we really know
MatthewK
Well-known member
I’ll get some comparison photos someday, after spring migration is over and it isn’t rainy/dreary/windy here everyday.
Aside from sharpness and bokaaaay, what differences are you anticipating?
MatthewK
Well-known member
First warbler of the season (aside from the Yellow-rumps, some of which over-winter here), my regular visitor each Spring who drops in to the muddy, tangled creek out behind my property. Getting a clear shot is EXTREMELY difficult due to the sheer amount of twiggy, overgrown crap along the banks (though is probably why this guy likes it here), along with the issue of there being no waterside/water level access, so you're almost always shooting down on the bird through aforementioned brush. I haven't worked up the cajones to actually get into the creek yet, it's so muddy and disgusting, probably chock full of pesticide runoff (I live in farmland, yay).
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Four of the 707-shots taken 04/21/2025 on a very cloudy, dreary, sunless day in SW Louisiana. Nikon Z9, Nikon 600mmPF, f/6.3, minimum 1/2500 shutter, auto ISO; Lightroom Classic for adjustments, Topaz DeNoise. I love this lens and the sharpness it provides.
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maxxus46
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Excellent captures
Thank you Marcus!
dbertheau
New member
Late evening, I had just sat down and out of the corner of my eye I saw something walking outside. It was Bob.
I ran upstairs and grabbed my Z8 with the Z 600mm. I went out the front door and snuck around to the back. He didn't see me, and with just socks on I was able to sneak up reasonably close. I made a loud "kissing" sound and he stopped walking and looked at me. I'm still getting used to the camera and lens. Really like the lens.
I ran upstairs and grabbed my Z8 with the Z 600mm. I went out the front door and snuck around to the back. He didn't see me, and with just socks on I was able to sneak up reasonably close. I made a loud "kissing" sound and he stopped walking and looked at me. I'm still getting used to the camera and lens. Really like the lens.
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beano
Well-known member
Welcome Swallow - he let me get close - appreciated his patience and pose. DOF at f/6.3 indeed very shallow once you get close to them
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maxxus46
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ExcellentSwallow let me get close - appreciated his pose. DOF at f/6.3 indeed very shallow once you get close to them
View attachment 111919View attachment 111920
beano
Well-known member
Red Rumped Parrot /Australia. Apologies for the poor composition.
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The Wife and I headed to Guadalupe Mountains National Park on Friday. On of the places we visited was Rattlesnake springs. It is and Oasis in the desert with plenty of wildlife. Below are a few pics i was fortunate to get of Vermillion Flycatchers.
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Wow. Beautiful birds and well captured.