Nikon Z6ii or Z7ii autofocus performance with 500 or 600 f4 AFS FL lens

[uday592]

I currently have the Nikon 500 f4 AFS FL lens which I use with D5 body. I would like to buy the Z6ii or Z7ii body as it significantly lighter than the D5. Like your comments though still too soon.

 

[BillW]

What do you like to shoot? I have a Z6 and Z7 and have ordered the Z6II and Z7II but not received them yet. I ask the question, because I think the answer may be mixed and dependent on what you want to shoot.

I use the Z7 with a 500 mm PF lens (with and without a 1.4x TCIII). I also use the 500 mm PF on a D500 and a D850. I don’t have a D5 or the 500 f4 or 600 f4.

For subjects that are stationary or slowly moving, I think the autofocus on the Z7 and Z6 is better than the autofocus on my D500 and D850. More precise and consistent. Maybe because there is less need to focus tune. Maybe because there are focus points that cover the entire frame. Or maybe because focusing on the sensor is inherently more accurate. I expect that this favorable performance will continue with the new ZIIs.

For birds in flight or other fast action, I think the answer is different. I find my D500 and D850 are quicker to achieve focus and I get more keepers. Not that you can’t do BIF and other fast action with a Z7 or Z6. I have done that and they are decent. Here I expect the ZIIs will be better than the first generation Zs. But I doubt as good as a D5. Steve has been testing his new Z6II. The Z7IIs aren’t out yet.

As to focus speed, some report that it is overall slower on the Zs. I have not found this a significant issue with the 500 mm PF, particularly as I am not usually trying to go from close focus to infinity.

 

[uday592]

I primarily photograph birds and it is difficult for me to hand hold the 500mm/ D5 combo and gets worse if I add a teleconverter. I use a monopod but many times wish I could hand hold especially for flight shots or when shooting small birds. I also have D500 which is somewhat manageable with 500mm f4 lens. The focus point of D500 is larger than D5 and creates problem when shooting small birds. I primarily shoot still photos. Steve has commented that autofocus performance of Z6 is not as good as D5 or even D500. Will wait till testing of nex gen Z6 is done

 

[BillW]

I primarily photograph birds and it is difficult for me to hand hold the 500mm/ D5 combo and gets worse if I add a teleconverter. I use a monopod but many times wish I could hand hold especially for flight shots or when shooting small birds. I also have D500 which is somewhat manageable with 500mm f4 lens. I primarily shoot still photos. Steve has commented that autofocus performance of Z6 is not as good as D5 or even D500. Will wait till testing of nex gen Z6 is done

Have you thought of trying the 500 mm PF lens? It’s very light — you’d save more weight going to that from the f4 exotics than shifting your DSLR to a Z body. Of course, its f5.6, so you would lose f4 for subject isolation or low light. I use the 500 mm PF on my Z7, D850 and D500. I prefer it on the Z7 unless I am expecting birds in flight, in which case I tend to take the D850 or D500. Great for handholding in a kayak, canoe or while hiking.

Steve is testing the Z6II and has been commenting on its autofocus. While he is not planning a full review, I believe he is going to do a report on its autofocus.

 

[uday592]

I have thought of trying 500 PF lens but was waiting out in case Nikon came out with 600 PF lens. But does not look like that is going to happen. Maybe will go for 500PF lens.

 

[BillW]

I'm hoping for a 600 mm PF f5.6 too. But enjoying the 500 mm PF for now. The 500 mm PF is actually available now and has a discount.

 

[uday592]

One thing I forgot to mention is quite often use the 500 f4 with 1.4TC on the D5 as the image quality is quite good. This combo could be an issue for 500PF as I was reading in another trail.

 

[BillW]

The 500 mm PF with a 1.4x TC is f8. On a D500 or D850, that means that only a small number of focus points near the center of the frame work. Not sure about the D5. From what I have read, there may be a need to focus tune a DSLR + lens +TC combo, even if the bare lens does not require it.

On a Z7, all the focus point work across the frame, even with an f8 combo. Also there is often no need (or at least less need) to focus tune.

I find the image quality with my Z7 + 500 mm PF + 1.4x TCIII to be quite good. (Purely from an image quality perspective, I think it is also quite good on a D500 or D850, although you may need to focus tune.) I started using this combo to photograph warblers, as they are small and I could use all the focal length I can get. They move around a lot and quickly, but most of my shots are with them perched. I also used this combo a lot this summer to photograph loons, mergansers, herons, and other water birds. But I am not a professional and I usually shoot handheld from a canoe/kayak or while hiking. I don’t think a D5 + 500 mm f4 + TC would work for me in a kayak, although it would offer many benefits.

The TC does slow autofocus some on the Z7 + 500 mm PF, depending on the light, but I have done birds in flight with that combo too. Not the best set up, but good enough to be worth using when the opportunity arises, especially for slower birds like eagles, herons, egrets, swans and the like. Given the focus point limitation, I mostly don’t use the 500 mm PF + 1.4x TCIII on my D500 or D850.

 

[Steve]

I currently have the Nikon 500 f4 AFS FL lens which I use with D5 body. I would like to buy the Z6ii or Z7ii body as it significantly lighter than the D5. Like your comments though still too soon.

I just finished up some speed tests you might want to see. Check the 11-29 update:

First Z6II Impressions - AF Speed Test - A Update 11-29-2020

I received my Z6ii today and took it out for a spin at a local beach area. These are just some VERY preliminary thoughts. I normally wouldn't share this stuff, but we're all friends here :) Sadly, all I could find were seagulls (and they would't let me approach as close as I'd like), but I did...

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