To add, somewhat off topic, we can be most grateful to the Z mount for many positives; but for some of us, one especially is how it's liberating exotic F-mount optics, which many of us never had any hope of affording. The Used inventories have changed completely since late 2021. In particular, the Z9 liberated a surprising number of not only 180-400 TC's but also 800 f5.6E FL's. With very little demand for the latter in SA, Used prices abseiled even of mint cdn copies.....
[However, I've seen very few if any Used copies of the 105 f1.4E, 200 f2G, nor 120-300 f2.8E, which suggests a fair number have migrated seamlessly with their owners to those who've bought into the Z system
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The FTZ is one superb accessory, the FTZ II in particular. I see no need to ditch F-mount optics, nor in honesty
when to move to Z lenses 100%. Rather augment a F system with those more unique Z Nikkors., with distinct advantages. IMHO, the 180-400 f4 TC14 has many unique advantages for many needs in wildlife photography; although the 100-400 f4.5/5.6S is another alternative, which overlaps in many aspects.
Equally, admittedly in a tighter niche, I find the 800 f5.6/ 1000 f7.1 - in one huge prime - is unique with outstanding image quality in the 400 f2.8E realm, but it's important to add these exotics, i.e. heavy tele-zoom and heavier prime, are best confined and combined in fixed stations or hides (vehicle included). The 400 f4.5S or 500 PF are there for the sustained handholding and hikes etc, as is the 800 PF.
As my ornithologist friend did, he ditched the 500 f4 he loved the files from, parked the tripod/mono pods, took a D500 300 f4 PF 1.4 III tc, documenting different bird species migrating and breeding, his capture rate nearly tripled.
Lots of 500 pfs around, the 600 F4 FL will flow once the new supply rolls out.
I agree the 105 f1.4E, 200 f2G are desirable as is the 70-200 fl for myself.
When i bought my 300 f2.8 vr II a long time ago, i did a side by side comparison with the 200 f2 G and 200-400 using my D3X and i know the 200 F2 is spectacular, while there is a difference ever so slightly more so in lower light, i felt 200mm might niche me out to much, so with that small compromise and as i was boarder line on 300 as a minimum desired length i went for the 300 F2.8 with no regrets.
I was really wanting a 400 reach at F2.8 but it was a monster, so the 300 was the sweet spot i can easily hand hold and shoot.
Hands down the Z glass is excellent, however i am preferring to swim in the used FX exotic pool for a while.
My budget can handle the new gear but my principals cant, not the amount of times i would be using them, going forward i would rather rent if needed.
To me 2 to 3 kgs is as much in a lens as i want.
The 400 F4.5 is very interesting for me and i can swap the 300 2.8 out for it and half the weight, 2 issues, i will miss F2.8 or F4 as that's where i use the lens primarily, and then i cant use the Z lens on the D850 or other D6 Df etc.
A good used 500 pf seems the possible attraction for small and light but other than weight has only a small advantage over the 200-500 i have, the 500 pf used along side the 70-200 fl. is handy, my needs rarely go past 600mm and preferably on a F4.
Going slowly is OK for me, i have the Z9 and D850 and FX glass with options.
I am a F2.8 F4 lover.
A slot or two in PS raw editor or LR or NIK and you wont be able to tell to much of a difference which lens LOL.
Hey if you can get them and afford them more power to you, enjoy, life is short. There is no right or wrong, be happy.
