Z6II or Z7II with 500mm pf

[Telscossie]

Hi I am looking to get either a Z6II or Z7II to pair with my 500mm pf for wildlife photography, Has anyone got this combo and how have they got on with it also looking to use with the 1.4 iii teleconverter or any teleconverter. many thanks .

 

[Outback]

This image was taken with the Z6_2 using the 500mm PF (no converter). I have had the camera only a couple of days so still in the process of working my way through it.

f9, 1/2500, ISO400. Dynamic-area AF, Handheld, 50%crop.

-David

 

[Telscossie]

This image was taken with the Z6_2 using the 500mm PF (no converter). I have had the camera only a couple of days so still in the process of working my way through it.

f9, 1/2500, ISO400. Dynamic-area AF, Handheld, 50%crop.

-David

Thanks David , Be interested how you get on once you have got to grips with it .

 

[BillW]

I have used the 500 mm PF extensively on a Z7, both with the bare lens and with the 1.4x TCIII. I generally used it handheld for birds and other wildlife, usually walking around or from a kayak or canoe. I think it works quite well. I love the light weight and small size. It is my favorite lens and body combination. I did not use it on my Z6.

For everything other than birds in flight, I prefer to use the 500 mm PF (with or without a 1.4x TCIII) on my Z7 rather than on a DSLR. I find focus more accurate and repeatable, at least for me. I like having focus points that cover the frame. I also like that all focus points work with the 500 mm PF + 1.4x TCIII, even though the combination is f8. For birds in flight, I find I get better results with my D500 or D850 (not that the Z7 is bad -- it's decent even here). However, even for birds in flight, if I am going to use the 1.4x TCIII, I prefer the Z7 as I think it focuses better with the f8 combo than the DSLRs, which only use a small number of central focus points at f8.

I use the 500 mm PF on a Z7 rather than a Z6 (or now Z6II) so that I have more latitude to crop when I need to. I try to get as close to my subjects as I can, but sometimes there is a limit and cropping helps.

I have received a Z6II, but I do not yet have the Z7II I ordered. I have not tried the 500 mm PF on the Z6II. Nor have I extensively tested the Z6II, as I got it recently for Christmas. It's cold here in Minnesota.

Based on comments by Steve and others on this forum on the Z6II, I expect that the Z7II will have improved autofocus when compared to the Z7. I hope I get my Z7II in time for spring bird migration in Minnesota.

Good luck with your choice. I am sure you will love the 500 mm PF on whatever body you put it on.

 

[Telscossie]

I have used the 500 mm PF extensively on a Z7, both with the bare lens and with the 1.4x TCIII. I generally used it handheld for birds and other wildlife, usually walking around or from a kayak or canoe. I think it works quite well. I love the light weight and small size. It is my favorite lens and body combination. I did not use it on my Z6.

For everything other than birds in flight, I prefer to use the 500 mm PF (with or without a 1.4x TCIII) on my Z7 rather than on a DSLR. I find focus more accurate and repeatable, at least for me. I like having focus points that cover the frame. I also like that all focus points work with the 500 mm PF + 1.4x TCIII, even though the combination is f8. For birds in flight, I find I get better results with my D500 or D850 (not that the Z7 is bad -- it's decent even here). However, even for birds in flight, if I am going to use the 1.4x TCIII, I prefer the Z7 as I think it focuses better with the f8 combo than the DSLRs, which only use a small number of central focus points at f8.

I use the 500 mm PF on a Z7 rather than a Z6 (or now Z6II) so that I have more latitude to crop when I need to. I try to get as close to my subjects as I can, but sometimes there is a limit and cropping helps.

I have received a Z6II, but I do not yet have the Z7II I ordered. I have not tried the 500 mm PF on the Z6II. Nor have I extensively tested the Z6II, as I got it recently for Christmas. It's cold here in Minnesota.

Based on comments by Steve and others on this forum on the Z6II, I expect that the Z7II will have improved autofocus when compared to the Z7. I hope I get my Z7II in time for spring bird migration in Minnesota.

Good luck with your choice. I am sure you will love the 500 mm PF on whatever body you put it on.

Many thanks Bill , I already have a 500mm pf which I use with my D500 but want a ff camera and was thinking of a D5 as I know its a good camera but should I go with a Z camera as its a more modern piece of kit and hopefully with firmware updates it would get better .

 

[BillW]

I’ve never had a D5 or other single digit Nikon DSLR. I think they are fairly different than the Z6II and Z7II, better for some purposes and maybe not for others. I think a Z6II or Z7II would be a good compliment to a D500. I have Zs and a D500 and D850. But the D5 (Or D6) certainly has, from what I have read, amazing autofocus and low light ability. May depend on what and how and where you like to shoot. I hope the coming new top end Z models will have autofocus as good as the D5/D6, with mirrorless benefits. I also hope that the ZII models will improve with firmware updates.

 

[FB101]

I’ve never had a D5 or other single digit Nikon DSLR. I think they are fairly different than the Z6II and Z7II, better for some purposes and maybe not for others.

One thing is for sure, if I need to whack an inquisitive black-bear in the head to protect myself, I'll go for the D5 over the Z6 anytime!

 

[BillNaiman]

Z6_2 with 500PF + TC 1.4X III, handheld

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[drsteven]

Just checking to see if anyone knows whether the Z7ii will work with The NEW 1.4 Z TC, the FTZ adapter and the 300 PF. I cannot test it myself, as the Z7ii has not arrived as yet, but I do have the other gear.
thanks

 

[BillNaiman]

I'm not clear about the exact order in which you would like to connect everything. Are asking can the order be Z7ii <-> 1.4 TC Z <-> FTZ <-> 300PF ?? No, that will not work. The components will not interconnect physically. The TZ Z will not fit into the FTZ. Plus, I would think the optical properties would be incompatible.

You can do the following: Z7ii <-> FTZ <-> TC 1.4 III (F mount) <-> 300 PF. I use that combination with the 500 PF. I also the the 300 PF, though I have not used it in this manner.

I have all the components in the question and could try something for you. If I misunderstood the question, please clarify and I will respond.

 

[FB101]

You can do the following: Z7ii <-> FTZ <-> TC 1.4 III (F mount) <-> 300 PF. I use that combination with the 500 PF. I also the the 300 PF, though I have not used it in this manner.

I have all the components in the question and could try something for you. If I misunderstood the question, please clarify and I will respond.

How do you find the physical sturdiness of that stack? Are things locked solidly in place or do you end up with some play due to the number of connectors? I remember stacking extension tubes with multipliers in the good ol' days when I couldn't afford longer macro lenses and the stack was always wobbly (but it worked and the results were decent - it just never felt "right")

 

[BillNaiman]

How do you find the physical sturdiness of that stack? Are things locked solidly in place or do you end up with some play due to the number of connectors? I remember stacking extension tubes with multipliers in the good ol' days when I couldn't afford longer macro lenses and the stack was always wobbly (but it worked and the results were decent - it just never felt "right")

With the configuration I use for the Z6ii or Z7ii with the 500 PF, I have no problems with flexing, play, or wobble. I have been shooting birds in my backyard handheld with what I believe is a high degree of success.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[drsteven]

I'm not clear about the exact order in which you would like to connect everything. Are asking can the order be Z7ii <-> 1.4 TC Z <-> FTZ <-> 300PF ?? No, that will not work. The components will not interconnect physically. The TZ Z will not fit into the FTZ. Plus, I would think the optical properties would be incompatible.

You can do the following: Z7ii <-> FTZ <-> TC 1.4 III (F mount) <-> 300 PF. I use that combination with the 500 PF. I also the the 300 PF, though I have not used it in this manner.

I have all the components in the question and could try something for you. If I misunderstood the question, please clarify and I will respond.

You did indeed get my question. I do not have the F mount TC any longer. I do now have the Z mount TC and the 300 PF. I was hoping to use the Z ii when it arrives, the Z mount TC and then the 300 PF. You are correct, I just tried to connect the TC to the FTZ it will not connect. The TC has a lens that protrudes and that will not fit into the Square opening in the FTZ. Sorry I wasted your time Thanks for the information. The only way for me to "extend" the 300 is to set the Z7 to DX and just crop in camera. I do know it is better to do that in post, but doing it in camera does give me a closer appearing subject when shooting. Again, thanks Steve

 

[Anjin San]

Just checking to see if anyone knows whether the Z7ii will work with The NEW 1.4 Z TC, the FTZ adapter and the 300 PF. I cannot test it myself, as the Z7ii has not arrived as yet, but I do have the other gear.
thanks

I asked that before and the Z TC won’t work behind the FTZ...and the Z TC.only is compatible with the 70-200/2.8 as of now.

 

[BillNaiman]

You did indeed get my question. I do not have the F mount TC any longer. I do now have the Z mount TC and the 300 PF. I was hoping to use the Z ii when it arrives, the Z mount TC and then the 300 PF. You are correct, I just tried to connect the TC to the FTZ it will not connect. The TC has a lens that protrudes and that will not fit into the Square opening in the FTZ. Sorry I wasted your time Thanks for the information. The only way for me to "extend" the 300 is to set the Z7 to DX and just crop in camera. I do know it is better to do that in post, but doing it in camera does give me a closer appearing subject when shooting. Again, thanks Steve

One advantage of setting the Z7ii to DX mode is that you will see the full DX image in the view finder, unlike the D500. Based on the situation, that could help to focus on a small target like an eye. Also, the images are smaller and, I do wonder if that could help the frame rate in any way, and if so, just how much it would matter.

 

[ShaneB]

I didn't buy my Z6II to photograph birds - I still have my D850 for that. However, I put my 500pf on the Z using the FTZ converter and photographed this Grey butcherbird in a nearby park. All I've done is import it into Capture One and export as a JPEG.

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I think the Z6II/500pf combination would be very capable for wildlife.