I will not likely use pre capture since jpg only but if I ever get into wanting to try the 120fps I may in the future.
Nikon 800PF Review For Wildlife Photographers (Official Discussion Thread)
- Thread starter Steve
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Chris K
Well-known member
I tried it out yesterday. I found it most useful for capturing birds jumping off their perches. At C30, I only got 2-4 extra frames, which was welcome, but not life-changing. The most useful part was that I didn’t have a pile of “false alarm” frames from times I falsely predicted action about to happen. The JPEGs were pretty good, too, but I had already spent the time to tweak my JPEG settings for sharpness/clarity and such.
C120, on the other hand, gave me a TON of great frames every time something interesting happened. I nailed every shot, and could choose wing and head position for each photo. The downside was a generally-softer image, which wasn’t so bad except for the lack of ability to crop at all.
So, now I have the one feature that might make me upgrade from my Z9: 120fps RAW pre-capture.
Anyway, none of that is about the 800PF, so I’ll be quiet now!
C120, on the other hand, gave me a TON of great frames every time something interesting happened. I nailed every shot, and could choose wing and head position for each photo. The downside was a generally-softer image, which wasn’t so bad except for the lack of ability to crop at all.
So, now I have the one feature that might make me upgrade from my Z9: 120fps RAW pre-capture.
Anyway, none of that is about the 800PF, so I’ll be quiet now!
arbitrage
Well-known member
First guy on FM posted samples with both TCs from his first day out in Thailand. He also has 400S so makes some comments down thread comparing them briefly. Still early days.
Official 800PF image and discussion thread
Just pick my up today and ran to a park near my apartment for a quick test.All shot handheld. I adjust the pictures in PS but did not apply any noi...
www.fredmiranda.com
G-FOTO.de
Active member
Well it somehow confirms what Steve showed with the pre-production sample. But even with the TC it seems to be amazing!
1/100 @1600mm - holy cow!
Well thats exactly what I am waiting for and I cannot stand the excitement anymore.
1/100 @1600mm - holy cow!
Well thats exactly what I am waiting for and I cannot stand the excitement anymore.
Joel N
Well-known member
Managed to get a unit. The vr is really good, for perspective. 1/30 at 800mm or dx mode with very high keeper rates.
Even with tc1.4 at dx mode the vr works really well. having prob uploading pics will figure it out later.
Side note: The included camera case (bag) LC-L3 Lens Case is single strap, it can fit a the 800mm pf mounted on the z9, with a tc1.4, the fit is snug but still feasible. IMO pretty nice with the hard bottom.
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Image size reduced. Not too sure what is the upload size limit.
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800mm w 1.4 tc, dx mode with pretty hard crop. Had applied slight sharpening.
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RoyC
Active member
Waiting to see some examples of BIF. Where one needs 2500-3000/sec to properly free the action @f6.3 and when the sun is not high in the sky with its always present harsh impact .
This should be enlightening.
This should be enlightening.
Joel N
Well-known member
Grey headed fish eagle was quite far away, I am afraid is still mid afternoon shot, as was eager to try out, the lighting was very harsh, size reduced to upload, this is from the jpg, didn't tweet or Denoise, but deep crop again.
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Steve's review of the pre-production 800 PF showed no problems photographing a great egret in flight. It's not a test image as it was a pre-production lens, but he was pleased with it.
RoyC
Active member
Eric one big white bird doesn't really tell us much.
Central Florida where in the AM you have an unobstructed view of the sun at the horizon behind you as you shoot is not a concern for this f6.3 lens. I am sure it will be fantastic there.
I have multiple birds taken in overcast, darker conditions.
Nikon 800PF: The Story Behind The Photos - Backcountry Gallery
In my last video, we did a general review of the 800PF, but understanding how I used the lens in the field might be even more helpful. So, in this video, I’ve tossed in a baker’s dozen worth of images I captured with the 800PF and I’ll discuss specific ways I was able to leverage […]
![backcountrygallery.com](https://backcountrygallery.com/nikon-800pf-the-story-behind-the-photos/\"/apple-touch-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
backcountrygallery.com
Not sure exactly what you're trying to figure out?
RoyC
Active member
How about a specific example. Its is 9 AM (sunrise 6 AM) and the Obsidian Sow is out feeding with her COY. If she is 100 yards west of the Grand Loop road the 800PF would surely be a good choice. But if she is east of the Grand Loop road does the 800 stay in the car and the $14K 400 f2.8 standby lens become the lens of choice. In other words, will the $6400 bargain 800mm need a $14 backup lens because the 800 does not come into it's own until there is a lot of light?
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D5 at 1/160 @f5.6 ISO1250. They were on the east side that morning and anything that included action was soft.
vulpess
Active member
I am not really sure what you are playing at. You asked about birds in flight in dim lit conditions, Steve has covered this in this take on the lens.
And now you explain a completely different scenario with large (more or less) stationary mammals?
I think we can all agree that a 800mm f6.3 and a 400mm f2.8 are completely different lenses for different purposes!
If you need the large aperture and can live with a shorter focal length, then of course the 800 is not for you.
And now you explain a completely different scenario with large (more or less) stationary mammals?
I think we can all agree that a 800mm f6.3 and a 400mm f2.8 are completely different lenses for different purposes!
If you need the large aperture and can live with a shorter focal length, then of course the 800 is not for you.
Got mine on 21th of april
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G-FOTO.de
Active member
Here is a full unboxing video from Japan.
padrepaul
Well-known member
Looking forward to getting mine, still awaiting the NPS email. Do you know where I could get that nifty bag?
Thanks,
Paul
G-FOTO.de
Active member
Its in the box. See the unboxing video I just linked before.
padrepaul
Well-known member
Oh wow, a free bag too? That's sweet.
arbitrage
Well-known member
I'd certainly require the $14K lens for the stuff I shoot. I've tried going with an f/6.3 as my only supertele (with the Sony 200-600) and it certainly didn't work for me. I need at least my 600 f/4 for early mornings. I've ordered a 400/2.8 to pair with that. I rarely use my 200-600 anymore because I crave the light gathering of the big primes. But if one wants 800mm then the best you can do is f/5.6 anyways so then the 800PF makes sense but still probably not as your only lens. If one was only shooting 800mm occasionally and was okay with the IQ of the 400/2.8 at 800mm (or 784mm) then I'd just buy the 400/2.8 and skip the 800PF.
Joel N
Well-known member
I concur.
Initial impression on the 863, So far on use, greatest downside of the 863 is the minimum focus distance of 5m and also the long focal length (makes it a very specialized lens) It is a very sharp and contrasty lense wide open, you can make up in the min focusing distance with cropping in if you have a high resolution camera. In comparison to the 400 f2.8 tc, it lacks the lens fn ring and doesn’t sport the new Silky Swift VCM, believe the Af will be slower compared to 400 f2.8, anyway usually af will also be faster with more light gathering as well. On feeling with Af for 863 is very fast but still need to use it more to get a more accurate feel as af speed defers in different lighting situation. With the 1.4x tc, sharpness and contrast is slightly reduced, stopping down to f10-f11 can visible increase the sharpness. I feel It is actually a very good portrait lens in terms of image quality and rendering, feasibility is another question. Greatest merits are the superb vr which allows very low shutter speed with high aperture (with tc or in low light) and the way it renders the image and then background. makes it extremely good for static or less moving subject or object shooting.
Also using the 500pf you won’t break a sweat, but the 863 with z9, definitely will sweat like a light workout. Planning to use it to lose some weight.
padrepaul
Well-known member
I concur.
Initial impression on the 863, So far on use, greatest downside of the 863 is the minimum focus distance of 5m and also the long focal length (makes it a very specialized lens) It is a very sharp and contrasty lense wide open, you can make up in the min focusing distance with cropping in if you have a high resolution camera. In comparison to the 400 f2.8 tc, it lacks the lens fn ring and doesn’t sport the new Silky Swift VCM, believe the Af will be slower compared to 400 f2.8, anyway usually af will also be faster with more light gathering as well. On feeling with Af for 863 is very fast but still need to use it more to get a more accurate feel as af speed defers in different lighting situation. With the 1.4x tc, sharpness and contrast is slightly reduced, stopping down to f10-f11 can visible increase the sharpness. I feel It is actually a very good portrait lens in terms of image quality and rendering, feasibility is another question. Greatest merits are the superb vr which allows very low shutter speed with high aperture (with tc or in low light) and the way it renders the image and then background. makes it extremely good for static or less moving subject or object shooting.
Also using the 500pf you won’t break a sweat, but the 863 with z9, definitely will sweat like a light workout. Planning to use it to lose some weight.
I have no idea what a meter is
but the 800 5.3 is actually 3 feet better than the 800 5.6 for minimum focusing distance, so that's nice. I do feel the 800 5.6 can handle low light well too coupled with noise reduction; for instance I took these owlets late in the day, ISO 3600, 1/200. f5.6 at 1/200/sec on a cloudy cold early evening; the sun was still out but nowhere to be seen on the Z9 with the 800 5.6. I'm getting the 6.3 and trading in the 5.6 as I'm very happy with the offer from the local dealer (unless something comes out that says do not trade it in it's that much better) but everything I've read and watched so far indicates it's great; in this situation I'd expect I'd have to be at ISO 5000 perhaps? Hard to know how big a difference a third of a stop is.
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A lot has been said about the 5m minimum focusing distance. Maybe I’m missing something but I wouldn’t be buying an 800 mm lens to shoot a subject 16 feet away. The primary purpose of a less like that is to bring in objects that are too far away to fill the frame while using a 500 or 600 mm lens. If something does come in closer than 16 ft change lenses. But if you are using this lens for the purpose it was designed for, that situation will seldom occur.
Awesome shot!I have no idea what a meter is
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padrepaul
Well-known member
I'm actually pleased with it's closer focusing distance than the 800 5.6; 3 feet does make a difference. There have been times when I'm shooting warblers and one comes in closer than I thought he'd be and I'd have to back up. But even then it's fairly seldom, and that minimum distance isn't too much of a concern. So at 16.4 feet on the new one vs. 19.3 feet on the one I have now that will help.
great shotI have no idea what a meter is
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