Interesting, I have the Z8 and Z9 and using the 400 f4.5 S on both testing the focus on black birds stationary. I shot at different distances and used different focus settings. Shot bursts of 10 fps. The Z9 focus accuracy and consistency over 5 series of 10 frames per series was 49 frames 100% in focus. the Z8 was 43 sharp frames. On subjects with high contrast such as different colours and black and white birds the Z8 performance was slightly better. This is with the latest firmware updates on both bodies. I also tested the 180-600 on both bodies and there the difference is even bigger. Both cameras had more frames not in focus, Z9 46 frames in focus and Z9 39 and on the second test 41. Then Tasted the 500 pf on both and surprisingly the 500 pf on the Z8 with two tests were better 44 and 45 frames in focus vs the 43 of the 400 f4.5. Here is the interesting stat. When I disable Subject detection, every lens on the Z8 had a better score. The 180-600 was 46 and 47 sharp and the 400 and 500 both 48 sharp. On the Z9 all three lenses all 50 frames were sharp. Like other real photographers like yourself commented, the Z8/9 focus system is very good but complex and, in many instances, there is a need to step away from subject detection. Great channel and thanks for your great content.
Hi Scott, good to see you looking so well my friend, I just wanted to say that your reviews are second to none, even tho I’m a canon r5 with 100-500 user I still watch all your reviews whatever, your attention to detail and the amount of time you put into these are superb and I’ll be interested to see what you think of the r5 mk11 when you hopefully get your hands on one 👍 cheers Terry
Good review. Honestly, I would rather go with the F 300 f4E PF as a budget 500mm or less option for wildlife. You can get them in 10/10 used condition and a TC14EIII for about the same total price as the Tamron Z 150-500. You'd have 300 f4/450 f6 (crop mode) and 420 f5.6/630 f9 (crop mode) with the TC. You're talking vs 1.7lbs vs 4.2lbs. Or, 2.1lbs with 1.4x TC on the PF. Same price, f4 possible for the low light situations, better IQ without the TC vs the Tammy, about the same IQ with the TC vs the Tammy, better AF, better VR, half the weight, and fits in a large jacket pocket. This starts with one understanding that you will virtually never use a 150-600, 150-500, 180-600, etc., at the very wide end. 99.99% of your shots will be 300mm plus. If you can spend a few more bucks, get the F 500 PF. If you can spend a lot more bucks, get the Z 600 PF.
This is my backup to the 180-600 and at times I prefer it. The smaller size makes it nice and like you said, no it’s not quite on par with Nikkor lenses but it’s still very capable.
Thank you Scott for this review. I'm still thinking about buying my first telephoto lens (Sony E mount), I'm watching different reviews, reading opinions... As for a beginner nature photographer, it looks like this lens could be an interesting option.
Appreciate the review! Stopped at that same area on the way back from seward too. Such a beautiful place. Quick question. What gear are you wearing when you are laying down? Seems like a good but light waterproof jacket?
my question for 150-500 is, is it long enough for birding? Nikon doesn't have a decent APSC camera for birding, so it is shorter than most 150-600, plus other cameras have good APSC cameras that can do 1.5x or 1.6X.
500 is good enough for birding. You just have to work on getting closer. That's the hard part. IM expecting Nikon to drop an APSC sometime in the near future. The 180-600 from Nikon takes teleconverters very well. I have a video on it if you look through the videos.
Scott that lens is performing a lot better than my 150 to 600 Tamron if I had an option to buy that lens in a Canon RF mount I'd buy it in A heartbeat . I have sent my Tamron Lens in to Tamron 3 times for lens focusing issues and there repair people at Tamron just can't get it right , Basically it's a junk lens .
@garymeredith2441 isn't the 150-600 G2 from 2013 and also uses a much older version of the focusing motor? So that might be the only reason it works, not that accurate compared to the newer 150 to 500.
Hey Scott stumbled across your video, I bought this lens in April and I’m getting terrible results on my Z6ii with birds especially out at 500mm.. Conclusion never again buying non native glass!!!!!! And getting the Z8…. That should solve the problems I’m having, expensive damn birds!!!
Yes expensive dang birds for sure lol. I'm not huge on 3rd party lenses except in the wide angle lenses (28-75, nifty 50's, etc.). the ART series from sigma and such on wide side are good and some of the Tamron. But big glass, get native for sure.
That mention of “..I single pointed the bird…boom boom…” I get the feeling you aren’t talking about scrolling through focus settings. Is that a custom setting? If so, 1.) is it doable on the Z6ii? 2.) can you point me to your “settings” video where you cover that?
any camera with subject detect you can do this with. Just have one button assigned to single point auto focus and another button with your subject detect. You are using the single point to get closer to your subject then engage the subject detect. This is a canon video but same concept. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-K9HdS81rp7E.html
The problem with 3rd party lenses is that future camera updates may, for want of a better word, screw them up. Besides which the camera company may block them.
