I am not NPS either, but I am first on my local dealer’s list. Hoping one will arrive soon.
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Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Nikkor
- Thread starter fcotterill
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Michelle Valberg (a Nikon ambassador) has been posting photos taken in Canada and along the Antarctic Peninsula with the 100-400 mm lens with a 2x Z TC and the Z9. I think she also tried that combination on the Z7II earlier. Some of the photos are on Instagram. And she did a presentation at Paul’s Photos a while back where she discussed the combination. I think she likes it, but she’s an ambassador.My 100-400mm is scheduled to be delivered "by the end of the day" today. I am confident that it's a great lens. Having already shelled out for a third party lens foot (Kirk) and the 1.4x Z tele-extender, I am wondering whether it would be a good investment (ha ha) to buy the 2x tele-extender, as well. The reviews so far indicate that the lens performs remarkably well at 800mm f11. Versatility! But hey, I already own the 500mm PF and I use it with my F mount tele-extenders with excellent results. Maybe $500 for the Z doubler is not a great way to spend my money.
Do other people plan on getting the 2X (those who don't already have it for the 70-200?) It will be a while before there is another lens on which to use that optic.
So I am hoping to hear more about TCs with this lens from Brad Hill. And Steve. I have both the 1.4x and 2x Z mount TCs that I have used (with good results on my 70-200 Z mount lens), so I will given them a try when I get the 100-400 mm lens.
Nikon Z 100-400 | Teleconverter Field Test Z 1.4 & 2.0 - Cool Wildlife
Field testing the Nikon Z 100-400mm lens with both the Nikon Z TC-1.4X and TC-2.0X teleconverters. Sample wildlife images for each combo.
coolwildlife.com
eaj101
Well-known member
Brad Hill's initial review of the 100-400.
www.naturalart.ca
Natural Art Images: Voice: Brad Hill Blog
The Blog of Brad Hill, wildlife photographer. Cameras, lenses, camera gear, field tests, conservation, photo tours, and other bits of questionable wisdom from a young-at-heart nature photographer!
www.naturalart.ca
fcotterill
Well-known member
Thank you
"...For a Nikon shooting wildlife photographer (or sports photographer, or...) using Z series bodies this lens is just golden. And I suspect it won't be long before it becomes the key lens in the kit of the vast majority of Nikon wildlife photographer..."
"...For a Nikon shooting wildlife photographer (or sports photographer, or...) using Z series bodies this lens is just golden. And I suspect it won't be long before it becomes the key lens in the kit of the vast majority of Nikon wildlife photographer..."
Brad Hill's initial review of the 100-400.
Natural Art Images: Voice: Brad Hill Blog
The Blog of Brad Hill, wildlife photographer. Cameras, lenses, camera gear, field tests, conservation, photo tours, and other bits of questionable wisdom from a young-at-heart nature photographer!
John Navitsky
Well-known member
i had no doubt it was going to be great, but that made me downright giddy that i impulse preordered that on day 1
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My dealer emailed me this afternoon to say my 100-400 mm lens had arrived. Unfortunately, I can’t pick it up until tomorrow morning. I am not NPS, but was first on my local dealer’s list. Excited to get it, especially after Brad Hill’s preliminary comments.
I’m not NPS and preordered mine a couple of days after the Z9 launch date. Just picked it up from my local dealer! They said they got 6 total 100-400s in for their store, but they have several stores in the area
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Yep Mikes on Colorado. Haha yep I'm waiting on something to attach it to as well. I asked several of them about the Z9 delivery date, but they were all being very secretive
Nextlife1
Active member
Was just in Mike's (California) to pick up my 100-400. Email for Mike's (California) says they are getting 4 non-NPS Z9s and one is mine (I got on their list with a deposit back in June and am number 3). Supposed to start selling Dec. 23, but they don't have the units in the store yet so not clear if that will happen. But I saw the internal email myself so I know for certain that is at least their plan.
I ordered the Z9 on launch day as soon as the store opened so it will be interesting to see where I am in line
Ordered 100-400 on launch day from Adorama. UPS just delivered, but it's too dark outside to play...
sid_19911991
Well-known member
100-400 is too short for birding.Thank you
"...For a Nikon shooting wildlife photographer (or sports photographer, or...) using Z series bodies this lens is just golden. And I suspect it won't be long before it becomes the key lens in the kit of the vast majority of Nikon wildlife photographer..."
Most would opt for 1 lens for both mammals & birding. 200-600! is crucial for Nikon to get it right.
The plethora of nature photographers photograph a variety of subjects. While I realize that many choose to define a camera and lens's capacity by its ability to photograph small birds, this is not the only criteria that should influence a person's purchase choice.
A small bird specialist may be wise to invest in a lens with a 600mm focal length, but if one likes to photograph mammals, large birds, animal landscapes, and general landscapes, a 100-400 would be capable of meeting 90%+ of their needs.
I lived with a 200-400mm lens for 6.5 years, and a 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x for ten years prior to that. These smaller focal lengths were capable, it just required that I learned how to approach smaller subjects or shoot from blinds...
Other than the small bird specialist (a fragment of nature photographers), I agree with @fcotterill
regards,
bruce
sid_19911991
Well-known member
I agree, but I am talking about the bottom of the pyramid, where most of the volume comes from... precisely the reason why Nikon sells 200-500 at a rate cheaper than Tamron despite being way better.
joe43
Well-known member
I ordered my 100mm-400mm with my Z9. I agree that it is too short for most birding. But I already have the 500mm f5.6 pf and i will use that too. I much prefer a zoom for "shorter" focal lengths than longer ones where I prefer prime lenses. And I ordered a Z 1.4x tc too that I will use with the 100mm-400mm.
I agree with the people who have posted that a 100-400mm is too short for much if not most bird photography, BUT--I have noticed in recent years that a lot of top photographers' travel kit includes a very long lens like a 600mm then also a 100-400mm (these are Canon and Sony people) for those opportunities to get closer or to take photos of groups of bird or more "environmental" shots. I had and then sold the 80-400mm G and there were times I was sorry I didn't have it any longer, so I went ahead and bought the new 100-400mm.
fcotterill
Well-known member
Roland's Photosynthesis database has logged 211 961 copies of the 1st AFD version of the 80-400 and 88297 copies of the 80-400 G. These numbers likely reflect relative affordability, but in any match it is a genuinely successful zoom range. By comparison, approx 25 000 copies of the two versions of the 200-400 G are recorded. This telephoto zoom was swiftly adopted by many wildlife photographers, especially in Africa. It was cost a fair amount more than a 80-400.
These will not only be for wildlife but also sports and pets etc, but the 100-400 S zoom should continue to be an primary earner for Nikon. All the more so if it delivers decent images with the Z-TC's, TC14 primarily but the first results posted with Z-TC2 are not that bad at all.
These will not only be for wildlife but also sports and pets etc, but the 100-400 S zoom should continue to be an primary earner for Nikon. All the more so if it delivers decent images with the Z-TC's, TC14 primarily but the first results posted with Z-TC2 are not that bad at all.
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I will insert here that in another forum (Facebook, sigh) I got into a short argument (of course, it was FACEBOOK!) over whether Nikon screwed up by releasing a 100-400mm instead of another 80-400mm. To me, the inclusion or not of the 80-100mm range is not particularly important, but to this other guy the lack of those focal lengths was a deal breaker. I offered that if Nikon were to expand the focal range my own preference would have been for the lens to be 100-500 (like Canon's), but since Nikon already has a 200-500mm and an upcoming 200-600mm Z I hardly found it surprising that they made a 100-400mm instead. The Canon zoom is also slower at the telephoto end (f4.5-7.1, with the aperture being 6.3 at 400mm). The guy I was "discussing" this with then played the "I'm a professional and you're not" card to discredit my viewpoint, and for me, that was the end of the discussion
John Navitsky
Well-known member
yah, i’ve gotten the “you’re not a pro” before, lol. well, clearly he knows better than nikon as well. it must be a frustrating world that just doesn’t listen to his wisdom 
fcotterill
Well-known member
crazy, and over a mere 20mm, similar to portraiture fanatics quibbling over 85, 90mm or 105....I will insert here that in another forum (Facebook, sigh) I got into a short argument (of course, it was FACEBOOK!) over whether Nikon screwed up by releasing a 100-400mm instead of another 80-400mm. To me, the inclusion or not of the 80-100mm range is not particularly important, but to this other guy the lack of those focal lengths was a deal breaker. I offered that if Nikon were to expand the focal range my own preference would have been for the lens to be 100-500 (like Canon's), but since Nikon already has a 200-500mm and an upcoming 200-600mm Z I hardly found it surprising that they made a 100-400mm instead. The Canon zoom is also slower at the telephoto end (f4.5-7.1, with the aperture being 6.3 at 400mm). The guy I was "discussing" this with then played the "I'm a professional and you're not" card to discredit my viewpoint, and for me, that was the end of the discussion
On saner aspects, I agree Nikon probably aim to keep earning off the 200-500 f5.6E and also didn't want to infringe on the 200-600 Z mount (probably a f6.3).
A more interesting question is what will make sense 200-600 OR 100-400 f4.5/5.6D ....OR.... 400 f4.3S PF [assuming both the latter are highly likely to pair well with Z-TC14, if not Z-TC2 as well]. Obviously it's still far too early until we know more, but brace yourself for the debates....
John Navitsky
Well-known member
i'm very curious about that. i'm wondering if the 400pf will offer advantages over the 100-400
eaj101
Well-known member
Probably at least be faster.