John Navitsky
Well-known member
lol, yah, i was thinking in one day Steve grabs shots that are better than anything i'll do in my lifetime
Nikon 800PF Review For Wildlife Photographers (Official Discussion Thread)
- Thread starter Steve
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lol, yah, i was thinking in one day Steve grabs shots that are better than anything i'll do in my lifetime
The last lens I think I was excited about was probably the 500PF for many of the same reasons (although, no VR). Since the 500PF, I've had multiple exotics, including the outstanding Sony 600mm and 400mm GM lenses as well as the Canon 600 F/4 (iii). All nice glass, but they essentially are just better versions of what was there before. However, the PF versions - this 800mm in particular - actually changes how I shoot and what I can do in the field. The 500PF did, but it was a bit shorter and slower than I like at that focal length. This lens though is an even more dramatic change, at least for me.The fascinating thing to me with the 800pf announcement is that I can’t recall your being that worked up about any gear, ever. Not the D6, not the 500pf, not any of the z bodies (including the z9), not even the A1. The 600 f:4 GM is the only piece of equipment I can remember your showing some emotion about, and that wasn’t even close to your reaction to the 800 pf. By the end of video #3 I thought you were ready to date the lens
At a minimum that should mean everybody stop and pay attention, whether one shoots Nikon, Sony, Canon, Fuji or Olympus. Nikon has achieved something unexpected and surprising with this lens and as you say, thinking about what it means in each of our individual context doesn’t lessen anybody else’s choices.
FB101
Well-known member
Yes, and that wasn’t even a good day. If nothing else, he is teaching us modestylol, yah, i was thinking in one day Steve grabs shots that are better than anything i'll do in my lifetime
Not the a1 but was on a three days shoot with a guy who used the a7r4/200-600mm. So I handled it a bit. Didn't actually shoot with it and bring home results to look through on the computer. Size/weight of the overall package was nice. Of course it didn't have the whiz bang AF system of the a1.
DaveR
Active member
Wow. Alaska. You've actually made me feel better about the English weather and that's some achievement!Anchorage isn't exactly on the Sun Coast. I couldn't find anything listing sunny days per year for Norfolk, UK. But I did find data claiming 1610 hours per year of sunshine. Presumably measure in hours because it's rare for the sun to shine all day? At any rate whoever it is that tracks such things claims that in Anchorage we get per annum 61 sunny days, 65 partly sunny day, and 126 days that the sun at least makes an appearance. Oof. Now I'm depressed :( Need to spend less money on camera equipment and more on travel
This week has been high winds mixed in with rain at times and cloudy. Today is the first day with sunshine and the wind has dropped although it's a northerly wind and still a bit chilly. This morning I spent an enjoyable few hours photographing blackcaps in spring sunshine trying to get them in the blossom that's around at this time of year. They are largely summer visitors and it's the first time I have seen any this year. I'll be out tomorrow and probably Sunday too. So three days shooting and four days not. That's fairly typical for a UK week.
To stay on topic an 800mm f6.3 would have been ideal for this given how close I was able to get to them and the good light that was available
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I am really looking at the 800PF for the same reasons as others but with a twist. I now how some physical limitations I did not hace even 18 months ago and reach matters more now than it did a couple of years ago because zooming with my feet is not as easty as it used to be. Balancing that with large hands that keep me in larger camera bodies for pure ergonomic reasons, the Z9 with long lenses are a great fit for me along with a monopod or tripod. Along with the D850/500PF combo I am feeling good. Waiting for my Z9 to arrive and likely to pre-order this lens at my local camera store. This would have been a good lens for our crane shoots this week!
Doug Herr
Well-known member
The PF lenses for sure are what have me interested in the Nikon system, but the system overall has to deliver. Many times I've finished a photo session out of exhaustion (and tried not to make the photos look like I'm exhausted) only to face a long hike over difficult terrain back to the car so weight is a big deal to me. I typically invest a lot of time getting to and with my subjects and having the equipment work against me after a big investment in valuable time (the most precious asset IMHO) is a non-starter. I'd love to be able to use a PF lens on a lightweight high-performance body like the a1. I don't care what brand it is. So far with the Nikon system there are wonderfully lightweight PF lenses and a choice of either lightweight or high-performance bodies, nothing that combines light weight with high performance. A heavier camera like the z9 or R3 or gripped a1 means I'm exhausted sooner, and I make fewer photos. A camera without the z9 or a1 performance means I make fewer photos. A lower MP camera like the R3 means less-croppable photos. BTW I'm a retired triathlete, not a couch potato. I've put 900 miles on my bicycle since last fall and have hiked the Sierra Nevada with a 60-lb pack, and 5+ miles hiking day after day is typical. |
Doug Herr
Well-known member
Anchorage isn't exactly on the Sun Coast. I couldn't find anything listing sunny days per year for Norfolk, UK. But I did find data claiming 1610 hours per year of sunshine. Presumably measure in hours because it's rare for the sun to shine all day? At any rate whoever it is that tracks such things claims that in Anchorage we get per annum 61 sunny days, 65 partly sunny day, and 126 days that the sun at least makes an appearance. Oof. Now I'm depressed :( Need to spend less money on camera equipment and more on travel
OTOH the quality of light in AK is fantastic.
It seems like most of the focus of discussion after @Steve 's videos has been about hand holding the 800 PF. What interested me the most was how many times he mentioned the IQ as being on par with any of the big primes. It is a small lens relative to the alternatives to get to 800mm but it is still substantial when paired with a Z9. Personally my interest in it is for shooting mounted on a tripod or supported on a beanbag. At which times I typically have a second body/lens with a shorter focal length and normally a zoom. The small size and relative weight of the 800 is most attractive to me for travel/transport.
Presumably you mean the quality of the sunlight in Alaska. I find overcast light to be much the same regardless of location. Grey skies/blue light are much of a muchness the world over.
RoyC
Active member
Anchorage isn't exactly on the Sun Coast. I couldn't find anything listing sunny days per year for Norfolk, UK. But I did find data claiming 1610 hours per year of sunshine. Presumably measure in hours because it's rare for the sun to shine all day? At any rate whoever it is that tracks such things claims that in Anchorage we get per annum 61 sunny days, 65 partly sunny day, and 126 days that the sun at least makes an appearance. Oof. Now I'm depressed :( Need to spend less money on camera equipment and more on travel
The Kingdom of Tonga, they used to claim 364 sunny days per year.
We should start a thread "rationalizing where you live". Maybe provide an interlude for those bent on rationalizing their choice of camera system
As I watch the snow falling outside my window
haha, go for it. I live in perhaps the most boring place in America. Very little landscape opportunities, the wildlife opportunities are pretty standard and mundane. But when the spring ephemeral wildflowers bloom in Kentucky there is magic.We should start a thread "rationalizing where you live". Maybe provide an interlude for those bent on rationalizing their choice of camera system
So to get back on track withthe800 discussion, 3 degree FOV and 0.16 magnification ratio is not great for flowers. Though some of my best have been at 500mm.
I have used my 500 PF for shots around the gardens at home for larger blooms and plants with multiple blooms. I have also used it with an extension tube for frogs and other small critter. It gets me closer but not close enough to scare tremors away. Also plan to use the 100-499 with and without a Canon 599D closeup lens. Each of us have our own way to a good shot.
I seldom use the 500 pf anymore ... great lens but I use the 600 f/4E on the D850 and the Z100-400 with and without TC on the Z6II. The 500 pf does offer f/5.6 compared to f/8 with the Z100-400 and 1.4TC but if low light is the issue then I use the 600 f/4. But I have shot t he Z6II with the 500 pf in low light and it is very good but the Z6II not a great BIF rig so anxious to have the Z9 arrive.The Nikon 500 PF has singlehandedly kept me in the Nikon camp to date. I've been testing the Z9(my first Z) all the while continuing to consider the switch to Sony. But with the release of the 800 PF and the prospect of the 400 down the road it looks like I'll stick with Nikon. In the short term I'll carry on with the D850 as second body and hopefully a viable MILC alternative won't be too far away. Though I'm still contemplating the a1/200-600 as a second system rather than waiting for a future Nikon Z. Used a1 prices are creeping downwards
I was going to sell the 500 pf to help pay for the 800 PF but I finally got my wife to try the 500pf on her Z50 yesterday and now the 500pf is not for sale
SteveJN
New member
Thanks for your videos Steve. Always enjoy them and learnt a lot.
Ordered the 800 PF, my first big lens. Finally decided after watching your video.
Had the Z9 since launch day and can’t wait for the new lens to go with it. No idea how long it will take to arrive here in Australia.
Ordered the 800 PF, my first big lens. Finally decided after watching your video.
Had the Z9 since launch day and can’t wait for the new lens to go with it. No idea how long it will take to arrive here in Australia.
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I have used the 200-500 for flowers but, honestly, 90+% are taken with my 105mm Nikkor Micro and about 5% taken with my 85mm Nikon DX macro (quite a great lens in its own right).
I think I'll save the 800 for deer, beaver, waterfowl, shorebirds and the like. I'll most likely end up with one some day. Hopefully some of you all who are getting them now will put them on the used market in a year or two.
What is the camera bag you were using in this video? Thanks
It's a gura gear kiboko 30L - great bag
padrepaul
Well-known member
It's a gura gear kiboko 30L - great bag
I have a big bag for my 800 5.6 and Z9; would you recommend this then as a smaller option as Im guessing the new 800 6.3 wont be as long?
Thanks,
Paul
DGettisNC
Well-known member
I'm not the one annoyed by different brands...hence why I've never posted in a single Sony or Canon thread. I AM annoyed by angry trolls that hop into every single Nikon thread created, for the sole purpose of justifying their move that they are obviously still questioning.
pwaring
Well-known member
It's a gura gear kiboko 30L - great bag
I've got one of these on order but they got hit by some pretty hefty delays because of all the global issues getting materials etc. I'll hopefully be turning up this month and I'm excited to try it out. I've been using an F-stop Ajna for quite a few years and I like it a lot, especially for landscape photography. I'm hoping the kiboko v2 30L will be the one true bag to rule them all though, at least for wildlife trips.
Which plate, if I may ask? I'm in the same boat. Did you order the 3.6 inch? Thanks.