Z lens, to upgrade or to add…?

[DW Stone]

Hi everyone, I’d be keen to hear any thoughts or advice from anyone who is, or was in a similar position as below, and also to hear from anyone who has experience of the kit mentioned and could add anything.

I may be in a position next spring to invest in one of the Nikon Z super primes, but I’m having trouble deciding on a couple of things - firstly choosing between the 400 F2.8 TC and 600 F4 TC, or doing neither and just purchasing the 800 PF.

I already have a Z8, 70-200 F2.8 and the 400 4.5, plus I have the 1.4 TC. The 400 4.5 would get sold if I was to purchase the 2.8 Primarily I shoot birds (perched/BIF/all kinds really) and recently sold a 600PF to buy a 400 4.5 plus 1.4 TC to give me the option for more environmental wildlife shots in addition to birds. Typically I would be at 600 and still crop a little, which makes me lean towards either the 600 TC or 800mm.

A few thoughts:

Would I get more out of the 2.8 for an environmental wildlife style or would the 4.5 do the job on that front?

Is the 2.8 with TC engaged to 560 ‘enough’ for birds in the wild? Perhaps not as I am already cropping at 600, but are cropped results of better quality with the 2.8?

Would a 600 F4 be overkill on a birding/photography trip somewhere like Costa Rica or Peru?

How does the 600 F4 with TC engaged compare against the 800 PF?

Ultimately I could end up with one of the three options:

1. 400 2.8
2. 400 4.5 + 1.4 TC + 600 F4 TC
3. 400 4.5 + 1.4 TC + 800 PF

Any advice from the forum would be much appreciated!

Best,

D

 

[DRwyoming]

Is the 2.8 with TC engaged to 560 ‘enough’ for birds in the wild?

Not very often

Would a 600 F4 be overkill on a birding/photography trip somewhere like Costa Rica or Peru?

Nope, travel might be tougher carrying the larger lens and potentially a tripod or monopod but once shooting it's certainly not overkill.

How does the 600 F4 with TC engaged compare against the 800 PF?

Just fine.

Ultimately I could end up with one of the three options:

1. 400 2.8
2. 400 4.5 + 1.4 TC + 600 F4 TC
3. 400 4.5 + 1.4 TC + 800 PF

Given your stated primary interest in birds flying or perched I'd go with the 600mm f/4 over the 400mm f/2.8. It's rare that 400mm is enough for birds in the wild though it can work near feeders or other situations with somewhat habituated subjects. Personally I wouldn't purchase a lens knowing it would be operated with the TC more often than not.

As posted in other threads with some of the same questions, I wouldn't put too much attention on the wide open aperture vs thinking about the focal lengths you'll really need for your main subjects. Steve did a good video on why too much attention on 'fast glass' can be misleading: