I have the lens and the Kirk Fort and could not agree more about its versatility ..... I love In flight shots spot I start each shoot at 400mm F2.8 1/3200 SS and Auto ISO and adjust from there could not be happier!!
All I can say is - I am insanely jealous!!! As a UK pensioner, there is no way I could ever afford this lens - unless I win a lottery!!! I will just have to make do with my Z 800 PF and my Z 100-400 - both of which are cracking lenses in their own way. Great video, I will just sit and turn green whist practicing the sin of envy!!
The Z 800 PF and Z 100-400 are both in my kit and are both excellent lenses! I will sell the Z 800 PF now, because I am satisfied that using the 2X on the 400 gives me about identical results.
Both your lenses are pretty amazing - a fellow shooter let me try them out on a wolf expedition last year. If you add the prices, you’re getting near a 400mm 2.8 😎
@@SwanSycorax one day we will have all the gear ⚙️!! But which one lens would you choose rn?! I’m thinking of two words: epic, story. Wide end of the setup (21-210) has been accomplished.
I own one myself. It took nine months to get, and that's even with ordering it the minute after it was announced. I received mine, in late October. Definitely worth the wait.
I waited 11 months for this lens and agree it's good value when you realise what you have, a truly fabulous lens looking forward to more videos, thanks for this one.
I've waited since July. I wish they could figure out that whole "supply and demand" thing that I learned in third grade... but certainly happy to have it now!
Yes, it's expensive - but it is legitimately three top quality lenses in one. If you shoot in that range, and think about it from that perspective - the cost suddenly makes sense. I'm itching to get back on a football field again with this lens!
I see you are gaining many new subscribers. I have to say I really didn't expect to like this channel as much as I do (especially because I don't own a camera). I hope one day you will produce an album of still shots or a dvd of videos (wildlife of course) and offer them for sale. I would be very interested in both of those.
Thanks. I would really love to grow this channel. I'm really pleased to hear your kind words of encouragement! It would be cool to do a coffee table book at some point, if there is enough interest and a way to market it. Just so you know, my SmugMug site (in the description info) is a place where prints can be purchased.
Great review! This lens is definitely on my radar, and your thoughts and results push me more towards the purchase. I am not NPS, so I know my wait time will be longer. Looking forward to more to come. Thanks! -Bud
Great video, I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to more of your work using it. Product photography is your day job? No wonder some of the hardware photos look even better than what you get on the Nikon site. No way can I justify this lens for my personal use at this time but I will enjoy living vicariously via your photos and videos!
Thank you for the kind words sir! I try to make the type of video I'd like to watch with the info that I think folks are interested in. Always pleasing to hear that I'm on the right track!
Interesting to see your results at 800mm. I noted someone testing the lens at 800mm in Africa and got significant degradation with that 2x TC, and indicated he didn’t think it was atmospheric distortion. But the shots were at painfully great distance and the animals were small in the frame, so I wasn’t convinced. I’m looking forward to trying this out for myself, but I’m encouraged by your experience. 👍 I’m currently shooting the 400 4.5 and the 180-600 6.3, but I shoot a lot in the blue hour and the 400 2.8 could replace both these lenses. Cheers
you can easily use the lenscoat part around the converter lever on your 400mm. I removed the transarrent window using a buttonhole cutter and have free access to the lever now.
Nope. It's going to be a lens like Sony's and that's exactly why they didn't release it before the expensive glass. I don't believe it will be a S lens. But if you are right it might be the best Nikon lens ever for wildlife for the smaller budget
Great Video. Not a Nikon user but very interesting content. People seem to have an aversion to the “Crop Form” (DX), forgetting that APS-c, APS-h & APS-p have been around a lot longer than Full Frame. Most modern lens will adequately supply information to all Format Sizes. Keep well & stay safe 👍🇬🇧
I currently own the F-mount 120-300 2.8 that I use a lot for sports. How would you say this compares to that and if you had the choice would you sell the 120-300 for this, or keep both?
This is the top of the line sports lens, bar none. I will not disparage the other good lenses, but it is way out of their league for sharpness and performance speed, etc.
Great video, very informative, especially as I'm trying to decide between the 400f2.8 or the 600f4 ... I am only allowed one mid-life-crisis lens so I better pick carefully. One request. it would be great of you had the pictures from the review available for download, preferably unedited (watermark is fine - just want to see how it comes out). Thank you
Nice review. My understanding is that you would be better to use the internal 1.4X TC with the external 1.4X TC to achieve your (approximate @ 784mm) 800mm 5.6 than you are by just using the 2X TC without the built in TC. This is because the built in TC is so tuned that you lose basically nothing in IQ and the 1.4X external TC is noticeably better for IQ than the 2X TC - the 16mm reach at the long end that you lose is negligible. Admittedly, I do not have this lens, nor have I personally done any tests, but this is what I have gleaned from Nikon and the many reviews that I have seen on this lens. -PD
I don't think you're wrong. I've used it that way a bit and plan to do more. Meanwhile, I now have the Z 600/4 TC in hand so this one is feeling neglected!