Yes this lens is due. Hopefully to have one by 1 Jul. for a trip later in july.
Other questions I have is about the future of the 180-400. There is no replacement for it on the roadmap.
Where is 200-600mm lens?
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Other questions I have is about the future of the 180-400. There is no replacement for it on the roadmap.
There's no 500 f4 on the map either. Nor 300 2.8.
Darrellhar
Well-known member
It will be interesting if they continue with the road map approach or go back to "release when they are ready to do so" method. I would guess that once line up is filled out it will go back to no road map. There is no doubt that there are several more lens that will be released under Z line in coming years.
do you think that the 400 F/2.8 TC will cover both 400 F/2.8 and 500 (okay) 560 f/4?
I think the roadmap was out of necessity to hopefully prevent people jumping ship rather than switching from F to Z mount. They had to provide some idea of what was coming. We'd like to hope that Nikon have turned over a new leaf with the way they've announced things well in advance of releasing the hardware. I'll believe it when I see it. My bet is they revert to historical silence.
As far as focal length that's a good point. But when both cost and size/weight are considered many of us have no interest in the 400 2.8. Historically the 400 2.8 and 600 f4 have been the favorites of pro sports/wildlife shooters while the 500 f4 has been more high end "pro-sumer". Due to both cost and size being more manageable for average folks. I think what we've seen so far is consistent with Nikon's stated path forward of prioritizing the pro market. We can only hope that the long range plan is to eventually come out with Z mount versions of those currently missing from the roadmap.
Wonder what the role of lenses like the 400 F/2.8 TC will be versus PF lens? Will Nikon ever make a PF lens with a drop-in TC?
John Navitsky
Well-known member
i'm very curious as well. why, for example would i buy a 400pf vs a 100-400? seems like some weird overlaps
IMO PF is to lenses what DX is to cameras. Great for serious amateurs but never going to be top end.
Maybe I'm crazy but I was so disappointed to see Nikon push out the lens roadmap to end of 2023 with no indication of the 200-600 coming any time soon that today I decided to cancel my Z9 and 800PF preorder. I'lI just continue to be happy and shoot my Sony 200-600 which never comes off my A1. Being mostly into video these days, the 200-600 is an essential lens and I'll only consider shooting Nikon when they get around to releasing their own version.
John Navitsky
Well-known member
while i know the pain of the wait, one thing to consider is it’s pretty clear nikon has shown the fortitude of taking as much time as they need to make each product be compelling. ymmv
One of the reasons I did not buy the z9 was lack of 200 600 mm apart from the heavy body of Z9
After shooting with A1 & 200 600 for six month I can certainly say that 200 600 mm is really a dream lens for my kind of wild life & birding ( where I do lot of safaris on jeeps & birding while hiking)
I am earnestly hoping that Nikon will bring out a lighter body & 200 600 mm so that I can buy them & use them also
After shooting with A1 & 200 600 for six month I can certainly say that 200 600 mm is really a dream lens for my kind of wild life & birding ( where I do lot of safaris on jeeps & birding while hiking)
I am earnestly hoping that Nikon will bring out a lighter body & 200 600 mm so that I can buy them & use them also
This is the second comment I've seen about this. What/where was this announced? I mean beyond the blogosphere and linked directly to a Nikon announcement?
I understand this sentiment, but you should know this... you lose nothing when using an FTZ + 500PF on a Z9. This pairing is as responsive as the "native" lens is on the D5 or D6. If you use the FTZii, you won't have that annoying bump.I'm losing my Nikon patienceInitially, I was going to get the 500mm PF, but I don't want to be using the FTZ adapter, so I'd prefer a native Z lens.
The only "quirk" of adapting this lens to the Z9 relates to the continuous running of the VR motor. If the camera is not in standby, the VR motor will run. Other than this, the lens behaves as well as my 100-400S.
Now, if you are holding back on a 500PF purchase because you've prioritized flexibility, then you've made the right decision. If it's only related to adapting the optic, I think you should reconsider.
Please note, I've been using the 500PF on a Z6/Z7 and D500 for years. I took them to photograph bears via zodiac in the Khutzeymateen in Canada. All of the shooting was from a bouncing zodiac. Even my Z6 w/ firmware 1.40 was amazing with the 500PF... now w/ the Z9, the lens is nothing short of amazing.
regards,
bruce
abc123brian
Well-known member
I don’t have the link, but I believe this occurred at the time they added lenses to the roadmap. My assumption was that the newly added lenses are what extended the roadmap, but that could be wrong. To meet their goal, they have to continue releasing lenses at a rapid pace so they still have more coming this year.
I have no doubt that it will have an internal zoom (the lens silhouette is nearly identical to Sony's) and performance will be right-up-there with Sony's version. Even Nikon's non-'S' Z lenses have been excellent as I'm sure will be the 200-600Z.
Yes, I expect the main reason the road map was pushed out to end of 2023 was to accommodate some new, previously unannounced lenses. But IIRC the 200-600 was originally due by the end of 2021, then 2022. Now all we know is that it could be released anytime between now and the end of 2023. Since it's not even announced, realistically it's at least 6 months from being able to be purchased, and too many things can happen between now and then, so I'm just going to wait and see what Canon and Sony come out with in the meantime.
Chris K
Well-known member
It's just a silhouette on a roadmap right now, but if we assume it's a 400/4 and consider the other PF lenses, I think its comparative virtues would likely be:
- One stop faster at 400mm
- A bit sharper
- Slightly faster AF
- "Zero" degradation with a 1.4x
- Very good with a 2x
Compared to the 100-400 its biggest virtue would likely be similar to the 500PF's advantages: slightly longer, slightly sharper, slightly better with TC's. Very important advantages, but not not a large delta in any measurement.
For me to be interested in this lens, it would have to have an internal TC and retain image quality comparable to the big primes with its internal and Z 1.4x mounted. In that case it's a super compact 560/5.6 to 800/8 "zoom", which is a useful thing. Otherwise I might as well get a 200-600 or just slap a TC on my 100-400.
John Navitsky
Well-known member
considering how good the 100-400s is, i think the key word there is “slightly”, which is why it seems odd
Chris K
Well-known member
Agreed. The 100-400 is no slouch with the 1.4x. I think there's two things the 400PF could do to earn its keep over the 100-400:
- Some stupefying new level of image quality
- Performance with the 2x TC that is short of the 800PF only in the fact that it is 2/3rds of a stop slower
Drbobcameraguy
Active member
I have a 300-800mm f5.6 so I don't care. Lol lol lol
Roy
Well-known member
I believe the 200-600mm is still in the testing phase - should be out by the end of the year (i hope)
The 200-500mm is a great lens and is probably the basis for the 200-600mm but with improvements.
Nikon make great cameras but their marketing people could stand replacing...
GregWCIL
Member
We went there several years ago on a photographic emphasis trip. They kept telling us a 70-200 is plenty. But I also took my 200-500 and used it most of the time. Yes there are usually animals very close but the one in the best light or doing the interesting behavior was inevitably further away. If the 70-200 with tc gives you good quality you will probably be fine.Thanks Mike!
that’s answered one query I’ve been posing on, I’ve been debating in my head to take the z 70-200 S f2.8 with the 2xTC or rent a z 100-400. rental is available and surprisingly cheap, but maybe not necessary.
‘Back in the dslr day the 2x just didn’t cut it. I hear they are better on the Z9. Wonder if it is due to on-sensor focussing vs. the old fine tuning?
Have a great trip.
The 200-600 is why I added a Sony camera to my collection. The Sony 200-600, in my opinion, is as sharp as my Nikon 500/4, and has very quick and accurate focus. I believe that Nikon will roll out the most expensive lenses first and the most usable lenses last. That's their style.
I continue to use my Nikon 80-400/5.6, especially for travel, cause it is passably sharp, and couples with the D500 pretty well; but I’m so tired of hearing the focus motor “chatter” on that lens (a well documented issue).
I continue to use my Nikon 80-400/5.6, especially for travel, cause it is passably sharp, and couples with the D500 pretty well; but I’m so tired of hearing the focus motor “chatter” on that lens (a well documented issue).
Google Search... Sony introduced their 100-400mm f/2.8 in spring 2017, 400mm f/2.8GM and 200-600 in the summer 2018.
Let's compare this to Nikon... 100-400 and 400mm f/2.8 available in Fall 2021, and 800mm PF in spring 2022. With the large number of F-Mount lenses still available, Nikon doesn't need to rush everything to market. In contrast, Canon has rushed their long RF lenses to market, but they do not seem to be as well received as the Nikon. At this point, I do not see Nikon's strategy as a flaw. I'd rather see them produce a high quality 200-600 that matches or exceeds Sony's offering instead of meeting the short term desires of an impatient market.
When A1 came out 200 600 mm was already available & many bought the combo ( including me) & never looked back. Probably it is the most popular combo for wild life & Birding for Sony shooters
Chris K
Well-known member
In my opinion, slow lenses on mirrorless are not such a problem because:
1) AF is considerably better with slow lenses than with DSLRs
2) You never get a dark viewfinder with mirrorless
3) Mirrorless cameras don’t have mirror slap, so they’re easier to handhold at marginal shutter speeds
4) Newer TCs seem to be of better optical quality than our older EF & F mount TCs
Avoiding AF fine-tuning is another great mirrorless advantage, but I don’t think TCs benefit extraordinarily from this improvement.
My best direct TC comparison is my EF 100-400 versus my Z 100-400. The EF lens could barely manage a 1.4x, even with “good” cross-type AF sensors. With the Z lens you can’t really even tell the TC is mounted.
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