Not a Nikon shooter anymore but I do own a 400f2.8, 600f4, 200-600 and 1.4x and 2x converters. I used to own the Nikon 300f2.8 and have had one version of that lens in my kit since the 90’s when I was a photojournalist.
For wildlife my favorite is the 600f4. I do shoot a lot of song birds and the 600 I can typically get close enough to not need a tele but for when I do the tele is handy. I prefer to shoot lenses without converters even with my current ones having almost no negative impact on image quality.
The 800 for song birds would be a great choice. Not super thrilled with the fstop but it would work. It’s an advantage I have with an f4 lens is I can focus more on getting closer and keeping iso lower vs a slower more magnified lens that I have no choice. It doesn’t make the 800 bad but in my opinion does limit it a little when shooting in heavy trees or early/late light. It’s essentially the same limitations my 200-600 has and my 500PF had before.
The 400f2.8 would be a solid choice. If money is a concern I’d sell the 300f2.8 as I enjoy the 400 a lot more and with the new Z lens having a built in tc it would be a pretty strong contender as a lens that can do most anything and do most anything well.
As I mentioned above I still prefer not to use TC but with the mirrorless cameras improved af capabilities, lenses and improvements in TC there isn’t much negative about them when compared to DSLR and older TC.
So to me if you can afford it I’d buy the 800PF and the 400f2.8. For larger closer birds and mammals the 400 is great. For song birds and more distant mammals the 800 is a solid choice in good light. I think in the Nikon ecosystem Z mount today it’s your best choice for a two lens wildlife system.
When the 600f4 comes out with a built in TC I’d take it over the 800PF but it could be a while till that lens is obtainable. When it does the 400 and 600 both with built in TC would be a killer combo. By that time there is likely a new Z9 out as well and as they say you’ll be cooking with fire by than.
This is assuming you have the budget for all of this. If not I think I’d trade things around when the time comes and get the Z 600f4 and pair it with the 100-400 and get out and shoot.
For wildlife my favorite is the 600f4. I do shoot a lot of song birds and the 600 I can typically get close enough to not need a tele but for when I do the tele is handy. I prefer to shoot lenses without converters even with my current ones having almost no negative impact on image quality.
The 800 for song birds would be a great choice. Not super thrilled with the fstop but it would work. It’s an advantage I have with an f4 lens is I can focus more on getting closer and keeping iso lower vs a slower more magnified lens that I have no choice. It doesn’t make the 800 bad but in my opinion does limit it a little when shooting in heavy trees or early/late light. It’s essentially the same limitations my 200-600 has and my 500PF had before.
The 400f2.8 would be a solid choice. If money is a concern I’d sell the 300f2.8 as I enjoy the 400 a lot more and with the new Z lens having a built in tc it would be a pretty strong contender as a lens that can do most anything and do most anything well.
As I mentioned above I still prefer not to use TC but with the mirrorless cameras improved af capabilities, lenses and improvements in TC there isn’t much negative about them when compared to DSLR and older TC.
So to me if you can afford it I’d buy the 800PF and the 400f2.8. For larger closer birds and mammals the 400 is great. For song birds and more distant mammals the 800 is a solid choice in good light. I think in the Nikon ecosystem Z mount today it’s your best choice for a two lens wildlife system.
When the 600f4 comes out with a built in TC I’d take it over the 800PF but it could be a while till that lens is obtainable. When it does the 400 and 600 both with built in TC would be a killer combo. By that time there is likely a new Z9 out as well and as they say you’ll be cooking with fire by than.
This is assuming you have the budget for all of this. If not I think I’d trade things around when the time comes and get the Z 600f4 and pair it with the 100-400 and get out and shoot.