Nikon 800PF Review For Wildlife Photographers (Official Discussion Thread)

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All with TC1.4x

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Pacific swallow, drying in flight.

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What is often overlooked is that with Nikon each new lens often provides improved VR. No designation for the VR module as is done for the iterations of EXPEED processors so difficult to know what one is actually getting with a given lens. VR II on a lens can be inferior to the VR on a different lens with a more recent introduction date.

I expect that the 800mm f/6.3 VR will provide better image stabilization than my 600mm f/4E lens with a TC-14 teleconverter. That gain is important to me and along with the 2 lb. lighter setup is why I did not hesitate to order the new 800mm lens.

I also live in California and so camera to subject distance tend to be far greater than I would find living in a place like Florida. Even with a large grizzly bear one needs 800mm or longer focal lengths.
 
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The lens is exceeding expectations - it's very sharp. I've used it with shutter speeds as slow as 1/100 sec handheld.

800mm is a lot of focal length. It works to get close without pushing animals, but it also can be too long for a cooperative subject that walks toward you. I found myself backing up rapidly photographing big horn sheep and bison. Also remember the long length and light weight can make it tough in the wind. The last photo here is a screen shot from today - images in the same burst.


Here are a few from this week:
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These images were shot in the same burst with a 20 mph cross wind. I was having to lead the subject and frame it in anticipation of wind. (Unedited screen shots in a single burst.)
Wind impact - 800mm PF.jpg
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EricBowles said:
The lens is exceeding expectations - it's very sharp. I've used it with shutter speeds as slow as 1/100 sec handheld.

800mm is a lot of focal length. It works to get close without pushing animals, but it also can be too long for a cooperative subject that walks toward you. I found myself backing up rapidly photographing big horn sheep and bison. Also remember the long length and light weight can make it tough in the wind. The last photo here is a screen shot from today - images in the same burst.


Here are a few from this week:

These images were shot in the same burst with a 20 mph cross wind. I was having to lead the subject and frame it in anticipation of wind. (Unedited screen shots in a single burst.)
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How is the lens performing on the Z7II?
I currently use the Sony A1+200-600G combo, but came from the D500+500PF, and I really liked that combo. So the 800PF with its weight and price have me looking to get back into Nikon.
My intention is to keep the A1+200-600G combo for the action style of birding, at which it excells, and use the Z7II+800PF for the more static birding, where reach and IQ are paramount.

The Z7II+800PF is still 30% less expensive than the Sony 600GM+1.4TC, and also a good deal lighter and smaller than the A1+600GM+1.4TC. I am afraid that however good, the Sony 600GM is too big a lens for me, especially when adding the 1,4TC, and it may take the fun out of shooting.
I would not consider a Nikon Z9 for exactly that reason, I like to move freely, pack light and don't own a tripod.

Thanks
 
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ChrisM said:
How is the lens performing on the Z7II?
I currently use the Sony A1+200-600G combo, but came from the D500+500PF, and I really liked that combo. So the 800PF with its weight and price have me looking to get back into Nikon.
My intention is to keep the A1+200-600G combo for the action style of birding, at which it excells, and use the Z7II+800PF for the more static birding, where reach and IQ are paramount.

The Z7II+800PF is still 30% less expensive than the Sony 600GM+1.4TC, and also a good deal lighter and smaller than the A1+600GM+1.4TC. I am afraid that however good, the Sony 600GM is too big a lens for me, especially when adding the 1,4TC, and it may take the fun out of shooting.
I would not consider a Nikon Z9 for exactly that reason, I like to move freely, pack light and don't own a tripod.

Thanks
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It works very well. For the kinds of photos shown, AF speed on the Z7ii is quite fast - near the same as my Z 70-200. It's hit and miss on subject recognition so I was using Dynamic AF or the wide modes most of the time. It did employ Animal Eye AF using the Wide Animal mode for prairie dogs and did well. There is a normal amount of hunting. I did find that when it missed, focusing on the grass under the animal was the fastest way to find focus on the distance of the subject. Continued attempts at the animal were not good. For some reason it was instantaneous focusing on grass. I used the AF limited a little, but did have to turn it off occasionally when the subject is inside 30 feet.

One of the people with me was talking about moving back to Nikon when the smaller version of the Z9 is released. I'll get that camera as well. He has an A1 and 200-600 as well as other lenses, but also has a Z7ii and a bunch of Nikon lenses (and an Olympus kit).
 
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EricBowles said:
It works very well. For the kinds of photos shown, AF speed on the Z7ii is quite fast - near the same as my Z 70-200. It's hit and miss on subject recognition so I was using Dynamic AF or the wide modes most of the time. It did employ Animal Eye AF using the Wide Animal mode for prairie dogs and did well. There is a normal amount of hunting. I did find that when it missed, focusing on the grass under the animal was the fastest way to find focus on the distance of the subject. Continued attempts at the animal were not good. For some reason it was instantaneous focusing on grass. I used the AF limited a little, but did have to turn it off occasionally when the subject is inside 30 feet.

One of the people with me was talking about moving back to Nikon when the smaller version of the Z9 is released. I'll get that camera as well. He has an A1 and 200-600 as well as other lenses, but also has a Z7ii and a bunch of Nikon lenses (and an Olympus kit).
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Appreciate it!
I like the image rendering of the Nikon primes, but of course the body has to be on par also. But since I have the A1, I can wait a while for the Z9 tech to trickle down into a Z7III or such. My intention is to find a nice used Z7II to tide me over.
 
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With bison my go to lens has been the 80-400mm as it allows for including much more of an animal's environment in a picture. It is also to have slung over my shoulder with a second camera while using something like a 600mm lens on a tripod.

Big advantage as shown in Eric's pictures is that shooting hand held it is much easier to get lower and shoot from the subject's eye level and create a much stronger image in the process.

Many have complained about the weight of the Z9 but I like that it uses the EN-EL18 batteries. No such comparable camera from Sony or Canon with 45MP. Adding a battery grip with their cameras or the Z7II means still using small batteries, unlike the D850 with the MB-D18 battery pack that could use EN-EL18 batteries for a high fps and nearly 4 times the shots or video using a single battery. Great also when traveling to be able to go multiple days without needing to recharge batteries.
 
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I have only made 6 trips to Costa Rica but I have been to every part of the country except the Osa Peninsula. The lenses I have used the most have been a 200mm macro, 80-400mm zoom and the 500mm PF. The lens I have used by far the least is my 600mm f/4 lens. Even with the 600mm the longest setup I used was with the TC-14 teleconverter for a 840mm focal length. I actually regretted having switched from a 500mm f/4 to the 600mm f/4 lens in Costa Rica.

The fellow who is taking the 400mm f/2.8 with a couple of teleconverters is going to be a lot happier with his choice than Henry when they travel around Costa Rica. With Covid my travels have been greatly reduced, especially overseas, so the 800mm PF will be better for the western USA for the foreseeable future. The Pantenal is one place in South America where the 800mm lens would work very well.

Spending more than $15,000 for a 400mm f/2.8 lens on a dollars per additional keeper image not a good value for what is a hobby for me.
 
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I am really frustrated, because I still did not get my 800PF although I ordered right after Steves video of the pre-production test.

In the meantime I bought an A1 instead and I will figure out, if the Nikon stuff is really needed. Because waiting months for new stuff, is not something I like a lot. On top I am questioning more than ever, to use 2 systems in parallel. Nevertheless I will keep the order, because it should be pretty easy to re-sell the 800PF without any loss quickly.
 
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i'm afraid waiting is something we're going to have to get used to for the next couple of years. sony might be in a good spot with their currently in-production items, but i think it's going to be the norm for any new and highly in demand items regardless of what you want and from what brand. my dishwasher is sick and it sounds like about a year wait if i want to get a higher end model from companies i would want. i waited a year for some outdoor furniture and i'm still waiting for a bbq i ordered over a year ago. nobody in my area has fine garden bark. i ordered some plexiglass the other day and they didn't have it in the color i wanted so i had to change it to a different color. and if you want a new, in-demand truck.... well :ROFLMAO:
 
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John Navitsky said:
i'm afraid waiting is something we're going to have to get used to for the next couple of years. sony might be in a good spot with their currently in-production items, but i think it's going to be the norm for any new and highly in demand items regardless of what you want and from what brand. my dishwasher is sick and it sounds like about a year wait if i want to get a higher end model from companies i would want. i waited a year for some outdoor furniture and i'm still waiting for a bbq i ordered over a year ago. nobody in my area has fine garden bark. i ordered some plexiglass the other day and they didn't have it in the color i wanted so i had to change it to a different color. and if you want a new, in-demand truck.... well :ROFLMAO:
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You are right, unfortunately. I am also a member of an RV forum and and the discussions on truck orders is that there is a minimum of a 6 month wait for a truck now. One mentioned a used 1 ton DRW with 78K miles selling for $28K over what it sold for it new. I have looked at a couple different vehicles, but they aren’t available for purchase. Most you have to wait until 2023 model year orders open.

It seems like most camera gear is in the same situation. Some waits may not be as bad for things that have been released a year or more ago, but the reality seems you will be waiting for most things for now.
 
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PhilM said:
Thanks Bruce.

You bring up a very interesting observation - one that I made as I've started processing our shots for this trip.

I suppose we may have experienced a "right place / right time" scenario with regard to the diving pelicans. There was a group of approx. a dozen brown pelicans that must have come across a large school of fish passing through the inlet. They began repeatedly diving and scooping out fish. It didn't last very long, and we went back to check several times over various days and only saw it that one time. The crazy angles & speed make it near impossible to fully observe with the naked eye. I wish I had shot a video or two of it. :-/

Here's another odd sequence - 4 consecutive frames.

20220507 PDM Z9, 800PF, Fl Vaca - Pelican Dive1-1021 by Phil McKinney, on Flickr

20220507 PDM Z9, 800PF, Fl Vaca - Pelican Dive2-1022 by Phil McKinney, on Flickr

20220507 PDM Z9, 800PF, Fl Vaca - Pelican Dive3-1023 by Phil McKinney, on Flickr

20220507 PDM Z9, 800PF, Fl Vaca - Pelican Dive4-1024 by Phil McKinney, on Flickr
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Avideo might have shown more completely the dive, but these photos just rock my boat!
 
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Steve said:
In this first-look video, I'll answer all the burning questions you have about the 800PF. We'll talk about the specifications, the controls, features, technology, ergonomics, sharpness, rendering, autofocus, VR performance, how hand-holdable it is, how it handles in the field, and so much more! If you want the best 800PF review for wildlife photography, this is it!

Plus, I'll pass along all of my insights, thoughts, and recommendations along the way!
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I am sorry if it is a repeated question (please direct me to the answer if so).
Have someone found 800PF replacement foot already? I am now using a long Arca-Swiss plate, but it would be nice to have a proper replacement food installed.

On the configuration side of things - I am using command ring for easy exposure compensation. It seems to work very well in concert with viewfinder histogram. I did not find any other assignable function useful.
 
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I have a really good question here for the lucky few who has already had their hands on the 800PF.

How is the sharpness compared to Nikons other super telephotos?

I know that the MTF charts says one thing, but i ran into a review saying it was sharp, but not that sharp.

How are you guys finding it in comparison? I know sharpness is often a subjective thing, but i´d love your opinion.

PS. Can´t wait to see Steves review of this beast :D
 
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Lassep said:
I have a really good question here for the lucky few who has already had their hands on the 800PF.

How is the sharpness compared to Nikons other super telephotos?

I know that the MTF charts says one thing, but i ran into a review saying it was sharp, but not that sharp.

How are you guys finding it in comparison? I know sharpness is often a subjective thing, but i´d love your opinion.

PS. Can´t wait to see Steves review of this beast :D
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If you can get the subject in focus. It will be really sharp even at min focus distance. Although, the 800pf focuses slow (probably slower than I had expect) on min focus distance under low light. Below is a pic with heavy crop.

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Juvenile pin-striped tit babbler.

Original uncropped frame.
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Joel N said:
If you can get the subject in focus. It will be really sharp even at min focus distance. Although, the 800pf focuses slow (probably slower than I had expect) on min focus distance under low light. Below is a pic with heavy crop.

View attachment 40444
Juvenile pin-striped tit babbler.

Original uncropped frame.
View attachment 40445
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Also previously I had complained about the long min focus distance of 5m. As I use it more for my use case on small birds tend to be okay with that distance and with the z9’s resolution and the 800pf fov and resolving power, i can easily crop in and still be satisfied with the result.
 
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I think we are seeing the capabilities of the 800mm lens along with the more accurate autofocus of a mirrorless camera. I saw this with the Olympus MFT cameras and great that Nikon is slowly catching up. Now if only their production of lenses would improve it would be great. I am at the point where I hesitate to buy green bananas and placing orders for Nikon lenses is a leap of faith.
 
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