Sony to Nikon Move ?

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the 180-600 and 200-600 are more or less a wash.

the lightweight primes are a nice benefit and if that's a key feature for you, it is pretty much a nikon exclusive

and if weight is a key consideration, you probably want to look at the z8 over the z9. it should preform the same and the primary things you give up is the vertical grip, a backup card slot that can keep up with bursts and improved thermal handling for long form, high bitrate video

performance will be similar to the a1, however it will be _different_, and you will need to take some time to learn to use it to it's best capabilities. Steve's ebook (available in the store) on nikon mirrorless autofocus would be a good way to learn a lot of the details about the system
 
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Telscossie said:
Many Apologies for not replying , was without internet . So to Answer some questions currently have the 600mm f4 and using 1.4 extender most of the time so at 840mm so was looking at the Nikon 800mm pf as would be a lighter lens and also looking at the 180-600 as a swap from the 200-600 .
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To get a lightweight 800mm seems like a valid reason. Do you have a lot of other gear or is it just those two lenses. In some cases it may make more sense to add to than fully replace. The 180-600 and 200-600 are fairly close so it would primarily depend on whether you wanted to give up the bigger, heavier 600mm F/4 for the 800mm. I have looked at the 800mm multiple times but I don’t often shoot more than 600mm but I’ve been trying my 180-600mm with 1.4x to see if the focal length works for me.
 
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Telscossie said:
Many Apologies for not replying , was without internet . So to Answer some questions currently have the 600mm f4 and using 1.4 extender most of the time so at 840mm so was looking at the Nikon 800mm pf as would be a lighter lens and also looking at the 180-600 as a swap from the 200-600 .
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You should have no concerns at all about the 800mm PF. It's an excellent lens, and easily light enough for hand holding. The difference between f/5.6 with the 600/TC combination and f/6.3 with the 800mm PF is insignificant.

The loss of the f/4 lens wide open could make a difference in low light or at dusk/dawn. I pair the Nikon 400mm f/4.5 with the 800mm PF to have the faster aperture covered. The 400mm f/4.5 is also an excellent lens - and in a new design that makes it lighter than my 70-200 f/2.8. Both 800mm PF and 400mm f/4.5 work very well with the Nikon 1.4 TC if you need more reach or to cover that middle focal length. The entire kit - Z8, 800mm PF, and 400mm f/4.5 would cost around $13,000. Of course it's a bit less with the 180-600.
 
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arbitrage said:
J'ai parlé bientôt... je répondrai plus tard.
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Telscossie said:
Toutes mes excuses pour ne pas avoir répondu, c'était sans Internet. Donc, pour répondre à certaines questions, j'ai actuellement le 600 mm f4 et j'utilise un multiplicateur 1.4 la plupart du temps, donc à 840 mm, je regarde donc le Nikon 800 mm pf comme un objectif plus léger et je regarde également le 180-600 comme un échange du 200-600.
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Telscossie said:
Salut, je suis curieux de savoir si quelqu'un est passé de Sony à Nikon Impaticulary A1 en passant par le Z9 ou le Z8, et qu'en pensez-vous. merci beaucoup
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Je suis passé de Canon à Nikon avec des reflex numériques et quand l'hybride est sorti, je suis revenu chez Canon avec le R5 mais le manque d'objectifs longs et le fait que j'avais gardé le 500 pf en attendant un hybride avec un af top de Nikon.

J'ai fini par acheter un z6 et un xh2s associé au 500 pf à la revente du r5.

J'ai ensuite vendu le xh2 pour un sony a6700 et le z6 pour le z8.

Aujourd'hui j'ai le 800 pf et le 400 f4.5 et j'ai vendu le a6700.

J'ai dépensé beaucoup d'argent mais je suis vraiment content du combo.

le z8 m'a apporté un autofocus comparable à l'autre boitier avec les couleurs de Nikon que j'aime toujours plus ainsi que cette dynamique et ces objectifs que je ne retrouve pas ailleurs, le viseur et la stabilisation sont mes préférés aussi. Il manque plus qu'un bon z apsc pour le couplé avec le 400 f4.5 et j'en serai le plus heureux.
 
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I didn't switch totally to Nikon but recently added the Z8 and 800 f6.3. I was a previous Nikon user for 32 years, but somewhat reluctantly switched to Sony in 2021. I had 2 A1s, one on the 200-600 and the other on the 600mm f4, but I found that I was always leaving my Sony 600mm at home or in the car. It is the lightest 600mm I've ever owned, but at my age now, I'm not able to handhold it for very long. And it was big and a little awkward to carry along with the 200-600. The Z8 with the 800 is much smaller and lighter and easy to handhold. Now I generally carry the both the A1 with 200-600 and Z8 & 800 with me (unless its a long hike). I have to admit I'm a little disappointed with the AF on the Z8 so far, compared to the A1, but I'm still learning the best settings to use for different scenarios. If I decide to keep it, I'll more than pay for it by selling one A1 and the Sony 600. If I decide not to keep it, I will take a monetary loss on it.
 
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nmerc_photos said:
The lion's share of people I've seen swap have been primarily wildlife photographers who want the big primes with built in TC's, or the lightweight PF lenses - both of which Nikon is the only competitor in the market.
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Sony has an answer to the PF lenses with the 300mm GM now. It’s not apples to apples. The 300 + 2x TC is (in my understanding) at least as good at 600 mm as the 600 PF. It’s a bit more expensive and can’t be extended to 840 mm, but it also doubles as a 420 mm f/4 which the 600 mm PF can’t do.

Still no answer to the built-in TC and there probably never will be because Sony generally focuses on being as small and light as possible within the constraints of image quality. The 300 GM with a toggleable TC would be a dream lens for me.
 
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I have both - A1 with 200 600 mm & Z9 with 400 f 4.5 , 500 PF & other older Nikon lenses
For small birds & BIF i prefer A1.For videos & low light i prefer Z9
The biggest issue with A1 is lack of mid range lenses like Nikon has. I am yet try the new Sigma 500 f 5.6
I started feeling that Sony does not consider the wild life segment important where as Nikon's main stay seem to be Wild life
 
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Venkatesh VT said:
I have both - A1 with 200 600 mm & Z9 with 400 f 4.5 , 500 PF & other older Nikon lenses
For small birds & BIF i prefer A1.For videos & low light i prefer Z9
The biggest issue with A1 is lack of mid range lenses like Nikon has. I am yet try the new Sigma 500 f 5.6
I started feeling that Sony does not consider the wild life segment important where as Nikon's main stay seem to be Wild life
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Yes I totally agree with you about Sony not interested in wildlife , wish they had a 600pf version
 
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Yes, I've just done the swap. Main reason was to use the 600mm PF. I do little apart from bird shooting and had been handholding an A1, 2xTC and 400/2.8 and at 4.5kgs I was missing shots. The 600mm PF, Z8 and 1.4xTC weigh c 3kg and can be handheld all day. The quality with the TC is very good and 840mm is darned handy to have. f9 is less of a problem than expected as high ISO files, 56K, processed with DXO Photolab, are more than acceptable. The Z8 AE in high contrast and variable lighting is much better than the A1's and with birds close to a busy background it does better in staying with the birds.
The Z 400mm f4.5 is attractive but I can't really justify it.
Nikon could learn something from the A1 menu setup (never thought I'd say that) but MyMenu solves most of the wandering. And the Z8 isn't overall as mature a system as the A1. If you get a lock with a BIF eg on the A1 you can then have it fly out of the AF area while you concentrate on composition.
For the price I sold the A1 for I bought a new Z8.
 
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If as you say in your followup post your main driving factor to consider a move to Nikon is one of their lenses then I'd say that is a valid reason. 800PF, 600PF and the 400TC/600TC are all very attractive options each in their own way.
If you are really into handheld wildlife videography than a move to Nikon can certainly make sense.
However, if you are chasing better AF, especially for BIF or any faster moving subjects then Nikon is not an answer.

FWIW, I've tried to buy into the Z system 3 times now. The first two times I actually paid for new Nikon gear. The most recent time I just borrowed gear to test on the latest AF updated FW. First time I bought Z9 and still had my 500PF to adapt. I sold the Z9 and 500PF 2 weeks later. 2nd purchase was Z9, 400/4.5, 1.4TC...this was when FW 1.3X was out and people were raving about it. I sold that kit 2 weeks later. 3rd time was a month or so ago when I borrowed Z8 on latest 2.0FW and the 400/4.5 and 1.4TC. After that testing I lost my itch for a full (or partial) switch to Nikon. The AF for the stuff I shoot is still just not up to what I get from my A1 for BIF. I also find the Nikon EVF to be a very poor representation of WYSIWYG and after using Sony zebras for years it is very hard to go back to that. The button customization on the Nikon is okay but so far behind Sony.

Whenever I test out new gear and am considering a switch, I always come down to asking myself a single question..."what camera would I most trust to get me the shot if a once in a lifetime opportunity appeared out of nowhere?" To date the A1 always is my answer.

If Nikon finally gets the camera to a level where my answer to that question would be the Nikon or even on par with the A1 then the lenses would drive me to make the switch. The built in TC would be a huge plus and either the 600PF or 800PF would be my other temptation. I think I'll be waiting for Z9II/Z8II before that happens....I just don't see Nikon getting the cameras to what I want with FW and of course they won't have a better EVF or more buttons until a new body comes out.

That all said, the Z9/Z8 is still an excellent camera, I could still get the shots I wanted to in the end but it took more effort and more misses to get them. If the lenses are really important to you then I think one can adapt and be happy with the Z9/Z8. If you would be coming from any other Sony camera other than A1 or A9III or any Canon camera (yes I've owned those too) or any other Nikon camera then the Z9/Z8 will be amazing. But if you are coming from A1 you will feel you are missing something but it may not matter if the 800PF lets you get out and shoot easier than the heavier and more cumbersome 600GM/1.4TC.

If you need a lighter 800 with quality to rival a 600GM/1.4TC then Nikon is the ticket. There is no other option. If you can live with 600 and forgo 800 then I've been super impressed with the new Sony 300GM and 2xTC. I'd totally stopped using the 2xTC on my 400GM and 600GM but the 300GM does amazing with it and makes it a very good 600/5.6 option in a small and relatively lightweight setup. But it sounds like you want 800 so in that case the 800PF could be your dream lens. I've held my friend's and it is a pretty sweet lens. Personally I'd be tempted by the 800PF but I can't see myself giving up f/4 and I shoot a lot more at 600 than 800. So if I went Nikon and bought a 800PF I'd still be wanting a 400TC to pair with it.
 
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arbitrage said:
If as you say in your followup post your main driving factor to consider a move to Nikon is one of their lenses then I'd say that is a valid reason. 800PF, 600PF and the 400TC/600TC are all very attractive options each in their own way.
If you are really into handheld wildlife videography than a move to Nikon can certainly make sense.
However, if you are chasing better AF, especially for BIF or any faster moving subjects then Nikon is not an answer.

FWIW, I've tried to buy into the Z system 3 times now. The first two times I actually paid for new Nikon gear. The most recent time I just borrowed gear to test on the latest AF updated FW. First time I bought Z9 and still had my 500PF to adapt. I sold the Z9 and 500PF 2 weeks later. 2nd purchase was Z9, 400/4.5, 1.4TC...this was when FW 1.3X was out and people were raving about it. I sold that kit 2 weeks later. 3rd time was a month or so ago when I borrowed Z8 on latest 2.0FW and the 400/4.5 and 1.4TC. After that testing I lost my itch for a full (or partial) switch to Nikon. The AF for the stuff I shoot is still just not up to what I get from my A1 for BIF. I also find the Nikon EVF to be a very poor representation of WYSIWYG and after using Sony zebras for years it is very hard to go back to that. The button customization on the Nikon is okay but so far behind Sony.

Whenever I test out new gear and am considering a switch, I always come down to asking myself a single question..."what camera would I most trust to get me the shot if a once in a lifetime opportunity appeared out of nowhere?" To date the A1 always is my answer.

If Nikon finally gets the camera to a level where my answer to that question would be the Nikon or even on par with the A1 then the lenses would drive me to make the switch. The built in TC would be a huge plus and either the 600PF or 800PF would be my other temptation. I think I'll be waiting for Z9II/Z8II before that happens....I just don't see Nikon getting the cameras to what I want with FW and of course they won't have a better EVF or more buttons until a new body comes out.

That all said, the Z9/Z8 is still an excellent camera, I could still get the shots I wanted to in the end but it took more effort and more misses to get them. If the lenses are really important to you then I think one can adapt and be happy with the Z9/Z8. If you would be coming from any other Sony camera other than A1 or A9III or any Canon camera (yes I've owned those too) or any other Nikon camera then the Z9/Z8 will be amazing. But if you are coming from A1 you will feel you are missing something but it may not matter if the 800PF lets you get out and shoot easier than the heavier and more cumbersome 600GM/1.4TC.

If you need a lighter 800 with quality to rival a 600GM/1.4TC then Nikon is the ticket. There is no other option. If you can live with 600 and forgo 800 then I've been super impressed with the new Sony 300GM and 2xTC. I'd totally stopped using the 2xTC on my 400GM and 600GM but the 300GM does amazing with it and makes it a very good 600/5.6 option in a small and relatively lightweight setup. But it sounds like you want 800 so in that case the 800PF could be your dream lens. I've held my friend's and it is a pretty sweet lens. Personally I'd be tempted by the 800PF but I can't see myself giving up f/4 and I shoot a lot more at 600 than 800. So if I went Nikon and bought a 800PF I'd still be wanting a 400TC to pair with it.
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I can totally follow you here.
Mirrorless auto focus is a very complicated matter, and not as "simple" as the auto focus on a traditional dslr, where Nikon led the pack I believe with the D5 and D500.

Still, I see a shortcoming in your assesment regarding Sony stacked sensor auto focus (A1) versus Nikon stacked sensor auto focus (Z8 and Z9) and that has all to do with the lenses you have tried.

-they lack the f2.8 and f4 brigh5 apertures that your Sony high end lenses have.
I see a noticeable difference between auto focus performance wide open at f4 (very fast and very accurate) and closed down to f6.3 when using the Sony 600GM. Often for that reason, I use it wide open even if light allows for stopping down.
-the lenses that you have tried have substantially inferior focus motors compared to the Sony GM lenses, which feature very fast, twin linear motors.
The Nikon lenses have single stepper motors, that are not nearly as fast to begin with.

So this comparison may not be totally fair to Nikon.
For that, you would have to try the Z400TC or Z600TC, with the same large, bright apertures and top end, fast focus motors that the Sony GM lenses have.
 
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arbitrage said:
If as you say in your followup post your main driving factor to consider a move to Nikon is one of their lenses then I'd say that is a valid reason. 800PF, 600PF and the 400TC/600TC are all very attractive options each in their own way.
If you are really into handheld wildlife videography than a move to Nikon can certainly make sense.
However, if you are chasing better AF, especially for BIF or any faster moving subjects then Nikon is not an answer.

FWIW, I've tried to buy into the Z system 3 times now. The first two times I actually paid for new Nikon gear. The most recent time I just borrowed gear to test on the latest AF updated FW. First time I bought Z9 and still had my 500PF to adapt. I sold the Z9 and 500PF 2 weeks later. 2nd purchase was Z9, 400/4.5, 1.4TC...this was when FW 1.3X was out and people were raving about it. I sold that kit 2 weeks later. 3rd time was a month or so ago when I borrowed Z8 on latest 2.0FW and the 400/4.5 and 1.4TC. After that testing I lost my itch for a full (or partial) switch to Nikon. The AF for the stuff I shoot is still just not up to what I get from my A1 for BIF. I also find the Nikon EVF to be a very poor representation of WYSIWYG and after using Sony zebras for years it is very hard to go back to that. The button customization on the Nikon is okay but so far behind Sony.

Whenever I test out new gear and am considering a switch, I always come down to asking myself a single question..."what camera would I most trust to get me the shot if a once in a lifetime opportunity appeared out of nowhere?" To date the A1 always is my answer.

If Nikon finally gets the camera to a level where my answer to that question would be the Nikon or even on par with the A1 then the lenses would drive me to make the switch. The built in TC would be a huge plus and either the 600PF or 800PF would be my other temptation. I think I'll be waiting for Z9II/Z8II before that happens....I just don't see Nikon getting the cameras to what I want with FW and of course they won't have a better EVF or more buttons until a new body comes out.

That all said, the Z9/Z8 is still an excellent camera, I could still get the shots I wanted to in the end but it took more effort and more misses to get them. If the lenses are really important to you then I think one can adapt and be happy with the Z9/Z8. If you would be coming from any other Sony camera other than A1 or A9III or any Canon camera (yes I've owned those too) or any other Nikon camera then the Z9/Z8 will be amazing. But if you are coming from A1 you will feel you are missing something but it may not matter if the 800PF lets you get out and shoot easier than the heavier and more cumbersome 600GM/1.4TC.

If you need a lighter 800 with quality to rival a 600GM/1.4TC then Nikon is the ticket. There is no other option. If you can live with 600 and forgo 800 then I've been super impressed with the new Sony 300GM and 2xTC. I'd totally stopped using the 2xTC on my 400GM and 600GM but the 300GM does amazing with it and makes it a very good 600/5.6 option in a small and relatively lightweight setup. But it sounds like you want 800 so in that case the 800PF could be your dream lens. I've held my friend's and it is a pretty sweet lens. Personally I'd be tempted by the 800PF but I can't see myself giving up f/4 and I shoot a lot more at 600 than 800. So if I went Nikon and bought a 800PF I'd still be wanting a 400TC to pair with it.
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Many thanks I always like your informative answers. I just wish Sony had better options than the 200-600 as a lightweight alternative to 600mm prime .
 
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Telscossie said:
Many thanks I always like your informative answers. I just wish Sony had better options than the 200-600 as a lightweight alternative to 600mm prime .
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It's quite a dilemma. I have a similar but opposite one. I don't shoot super teles, at most 300/400. The combination of the A9iii and 300/2.8 which I borrowed last week is simply not attainable by any other company. I shoot Nikon for stills and some video and Sony purely for video, but I am again at a crossroad.
 
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Nimi said:
It's quite a dilemma. I have a similar but opposite one. I don't shoot super teles, at most 300/400. The combination of the A9iii and 300/2.8 which I borrowed last week is simply not attainable by any other company. I shoot Nikon for stills and some video and Sony purely for video, but I am again at a crossroad.
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I suspect you'll see a Nikon Z 300mm f/2.8 within a year. Not that it makes your dilemma any easier. :)
 
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I was in the same mind as you a few months ago but in the end stayed with Sony. After trying Nikon Z8 with the latest firmware I decided the only benefit I would get is pre capture and the cost involved was not worth it.
 
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LTK said:
I went from D850 to Sony A9ii to A1 , I've had the A1 for over 3 years and thought about going Z9 mainly for the 600mm PF . I do a lot of walking around looking for wildlife with my gear . Would the Z9 offer an improvement over my A1 ? probably not but I personally like the Sony's customisation and rear dial . The Nikon lenses are nice though
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If you’re walking around a lot, avoid the Z9 and consider a Z8. The Z9 is just too heavy.
 
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ChrisM said:
I can totally follow you here.
Mirrorless auto focus is a very complicated matter, and not as "simple" as the auto focus on a traditional dslr, where Nikon led the pack I believe with the D5 and D500.

Still, I see a shortcoming in your assesment regarding Sony stacked sensor auto focus (A1) versus Nikon stacked sensor auto focus (Z8 and Z9) and that has all to do with the lenses you have tried.

-they lack the f2.8 and f4 brigh5 apertures that your Sony high end lenses have.
I see a noticeable difference between auto focus performance wide open at f4 (very fast and very accurate) and closed down to f6.3 when using the Sony 600GM. Often for that reason, I use it wide open even if light allows for stopping down.
-the lenses that you have tried have substantially inferior focus motors compared to the Sony GM lenses, which feature very fast, twin linear motors.
The Nikon lenses have single stepper motors, that are not nearly as fast to begin with.

So this comparison may not be totally fair to Nikon.
For that, you would have to try the Z400TC or Z600TC, with the same large, bright apertures and top end, fast focus motors that the Sony GM lenses have.
Click to expand...

Well I also use 100-400GM and used to use the 200-600 and I use the F/4 and f/2.8 lenses with TCs to f/5.6 (rarely to f/8). Using the 100-400 the AF is every bit as good and fast as the two primes. Using the primes with TCs certainly hits AF prowess of the A1.
I could certainly see the IF hit rate using a 400TC or 600TC could improve over the lenses I've used on the Nikon system. But even with the lenses I've used I don't really find a much inferior hit rate with the Nikon once it has a lock and is tracking the correct subject.
What I don't believe would change is how it drops focus randomly on a bird approaching even without major distractions in the background/foreground. Also its inability to acquire at distance.
Essentially once the Nikon system is doing what it is supposed to be doing it is great, getting it to that point is where the Nikon system falls behind.
The OP is looking at an f/6.3 lens so even if the 400TC and 600TC would improve things over my experiences it won't really change things for his intended purchase.
 
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