mike_halliwell

Humm, is there a reason the 85MM DX macro is close to real focal length at 1:1?

There's quite a big gap between the Z135mm Plena and the Z400mm 4.5 prime, macro or not! No 180mm, 200mm or 300mm lenses. Z200mm f2? I'm sure it could be a LOT lighter than the old F mount VR models 😉

Very similar to the 300mm PF. What I don't get (!) is that zoom lenses such as the Z100-400mm can have a so much better MDF than the Z400mm 4.5 prime. 1:2.6 v 1:6.3 is significant. Maybe 1:2 ?

What were your VR settings?

+1. The 100-400mm takes the ZTC 1.4 quite well.... not as good IQ as the 500mm PF at the resulting long end, but maintains the MFD for bugs and small beasties. That's one of my pet annoyances as to the poor MFD of the longish Z primes. I'd love someone to make a 1:1 300mm f4 macro. The old F mount 300mm f4 AFS was often praised for it's macro combo with a TC.

... and birds/wildlife... 😉

It seems x3 is the sweet spot for wide zooms. I quite like the 20-60mm idea, maybe as a f2. 70mm is never long enough for my use. Modern high refractive glasses and polymers could mitigate the high weight.

24mm is a very, very LONG way from 35mm!

No one! I think the G1 version was a big mistake. Considering Sony is about to bring out a full frame 24-70mm f2, i'd love to see Nikon go 24 - 140mm f2.8 with VR. I really like my 24-120mm f4 as a walk-around, but it's a bit short and a bit slow. IBIS is good, but I want more help in dim light.

Nikon Z8 + 800mm PF. ISO 360 1/2500 f6.3. Yellowhammer.

Perfect example of the Darwin Awards. 😂 Exmouth? Z8 + 400mm 2.8 VR FL. 1/320 ISO 80 f4.5. Goldcrest.

Sure, I agree. Howabout Eye AF as a lens feature?

From the Tamron link above.. ■ For Sony E-mount includes: ・Fast Hybrid AF ・Eye AF ・Direct Manual Focus (DMF) ・In-camera lens correction (shading, chromatic aberration, distortion) ・AF Assist ■ For Nikon Z mount includes: - Hybrid AF - Eye AF - M/A Mode - In-camera lens correction (shading, chromatic aberration, distortion) So, Nikon's doesn't have FAST Hybrid AF? Doesn't have Direct Manual Focus, whatever that is Doesn't have AF Assist, whatever that is Does have M/A Mode. I don't understand how Eye AF is a lens feature?? I must be missing something!

Got it! It stacks very competently too..😉

The press release emphasises video. I guess it's probably quite OK for DX crop and/or 4K. So, 28 > 600mm in one lens weighing 725g 😉 Having said that, the 24 - 200mm on the same score becomes a 24 > 300mm is a f6.3 @ 570gm.

Just noticed, it comes with a square lens hood. Wonder why?

https://www.nikon.com/company/news/2024/0327_imaging_01.html Ultimate single walkaround lens ?

😞 Nothing to do with the fact you can't get a lens cheaper than Nikon Official Price. Can't you get grey imports? Blame the EU not the UK. Here maybe? https://grandyscamera.com/products/nikon-z-400mm-f-2-8-tc-vr-s-lens?variant=42065245896843&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2022-11-25&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZx3_r2j2Cy3O2nL-ULjL0vhBxIG0UyZEUNiqPfz7wilV56Cu7amdqTxoCWSMQAvD_BwE

https://www.cotswoldcameras.co.uk/NIKKOR-Z-400mm-f-2-8-TC-VR-S-Lens-1 10K

Available grey here now for under 10k pounds...! If you say it fast enough, it almost sounds reasonable.. 😉

Yup, that's why the weighing up, rather than decided to.. 😂 If the Z400mm 4.5 (don't have) and the F500mm PF (do have) focussed a bit closer, i'd use them as a more walkaround nat. hist. lens, where'as the Z100-400mm does focus pretty close, but gets a bit slow at the long end. Oddly, the Z400mm 2.8 TC focusses the closest at 1:4, but short of selling EVERYTHING but my Z9, it's a lot of money! and of course becomes the 560mm f4 with the TC. ... and it's a kilo lighter than my 400mm 2.8 FL, which is handholdable for short stints. In hindsight (bad idea!) the Z800mm PF + Z600mm PF roughly equals the best grey price for the Z400mm 2.8 at about 10k.

I'm currently weighting up ditching the 500mm PF and getting the Z600mm PF. My D850 is getting very little, ie, no outdoor action, but I'll keep it for studio use, it still takes a very nice picture. I've a fair number of longer F mount lenses to trade in to soften the pocket pain 😂

Yup, too true. But it does work as a AF mode toggle. Spot, Custom Square and Auto. Although I got very confused the other day with my F 400mm 2.8 FL. The LFn kept resetting the focus; Doh, it's set to Focus Memory and not AF Mode. Must fix that soon!

Many of the Nikon promo images show handheld use of the Z800mm. I fact the Nikon UK promo page ONLY shows handheld use by a female photographer. There was some 'issue' about her holding technique I remember.

I tried EC on the Function Ring, but do get a bit messed up with Nikon's ring 'order' and the ability to reach lefthandedly. My Z8 and 800mm PF has AF acquisition problems when the target is well OOF and needs a MF nudge, again with the left hand. ...and then there's access to the Ln function buttons, which I've got set to cycle AF mode. For a lens designed for handholding, that's a lot of shifting for the left hand with a pretty weighty lens