I'm trying to decide between the 500 PF and the Z 400 f4.5S for my next lens. I've used both in the recent past, the 400 f4.5 on my Z9, and the 500 PF on my Fuji X-H2S with a Fringer adapter. I didn't do any side-by-side comparisons, but my impression was the 500 PF was (noticeably) the sharper of the two. I also have the Z 100-400, so that makes the 400 f4.5 a bit redundant... but I wonder what I might be giving up if I go with the 500 PF and adapter instead of the native Z lens?
I think I'll take this z8/500PF out "looning" (lol) with me on Monday. I shy away from the weekends. I won't be photographing any loons because they are sitting on the nest. But the RWBB and Kingbirds are hunting insects. There should be a few action opportunities.
Getting so I like just one long lens on an outing. Today it was the 200-500 but it hunted with my D850. Now that I see how to apply the Z8's basic stills AF I think we're ready to on an outing.
molson wrote:
I'm trying to decide between the 500 PF and the Z 400 f4.5S for my next lens. I've used both in the recent past, the 400 f4.5 on my Z9, and the 500 PF on my Fuji X-H2S with a Fringer adapter. I didn't do any side-by-side comparisons, but my impression was the 500 PF was (noticeably) the sharper of the two. I also have the Z 100-400, so that makes the 400 f4.5 a bit redundant... but I wonder what I might be giving up if I go with the 500 PF and adapter instead of the native Z lens?...Show more →
Good morning,
I have the xh2s with the 500 pf and I would like to take a z8 or z9,
Could you tell me if the autofocus of the nikon beats the fujifilm? in photos and videos? Thank you very much because it's a big sum for me and I'm a little hesitant.
I love the xh2s but it hunts a lot with detection enabled, especially in video.
Have not been out on the pond yet but today (Sunday June 18) I worked on the Z8 menu options and shooting at near-ground-level with the articulating LCD.
As a wildlife photographer, I shoot at near-water-level on many days I am on the water. I've been shooting over the gunwale and down to near-water-level with my D850 and its Right Angle Finder. This is difficult, especially when I want to switch from that low perspective back to shooting at eye-level. It takes too long to screw and unscrew the RAF.
For me to move to MILC from DSLR, one of the features the Z8/Z9 camera would have to have is a very functional (AF!) articulating LCD. I was told by several photographers I trust here, that they use this feature a lot and that the articulating LCD IS highly functional.
They are right
So far (as of today), I am impressed. A word of caution: When I am down near ground-level the left hand is supporting the rig and my right hand is not holding the camera from the side grip. The fingers must be comfortable when using the buttons. If you choose the wrong buttons you cannot even shoot at ground or water-level.
Yes, the 500PF on the Z8 is very decisive. very quick and very accurate....... with no hunting at all.
Here is the problem though. That same problem others have discussed at length happened to me today. The AF system just decides to leave the subject and begin focusing on the background. There are ways around this until Nikon corrects it.
Main takeaway here is that YES, the 500PF works superbly with the Z8
bs kite wrote:
Have not been out on the pond yet but today (Sunday June 18) I worked on the Z8 menu options and shooting at near-ground-level with the articulating LCD.
As a wildlife photographer, I shoot at near-water-level on many days I am on the water. I've been shooting over the gunwale and down to near-water-level with my D850 and its Right Angle Finder. This is difficult, especially when I want to switch from that low perspective back to shooting at eye-level. It takes too long to screw and unscrew the RAF.
For me to move to MILC from DSLR, one of the features the Z8/Z9 camera would have to have is a very functional (AF!) articulating LCD. I was told by several photographers I trust here, that they use this feature a lot and that the articulating LCD IS highly functional.
They are right
So far (as of today), I am impressed. A word of caution: When I am down near ground-level the left hand is supporting the rig and my right hand is not holding the camera from the side grip. The fingers must be comfortable when using the buttons. If you choose the wrong buttons you cannot even shoot at ground or water-level.
Yes, the 500PF on the Z8 is very decisive. very quick and very accurate....... with no hunting at all.
Here is the problem though. That same problem others have discussed at length happened to me today. The AF system just decides to leave the subject and begin focusing on the background. There are ways around this until Nikon corrects it.
Main takeaway here is that YES, the 500PF works superbly with the Z8
bs kite wrote:
A word of caution: When I am down near ground-level the left hand is supporting the rig and my right hand is not holding the camera from the side grip. The fingers must be comfortable when using the buttons. If you choose the wrong buttons you cannot even shoot at ground or water-level.
You could try one of these, for more comfortable button operation:
bs kite wrote:
Have not been out on the pond yet but today (Sunday June 18) I worked on the Z8 menu options and shooting at near-ground-level with the articulating LCD.
As a wildlife photographer, I shoot at near-water-level on many days I am on the water. I've been shooting over the gunwale and down to near-water-level with my D850 and its Right Angle Finder. This is difficult, especially when I want to switch from that low perspective back to shooting at eye-level. It takes too long to screw and unscrew the RAF.
For me to move to MILC from DSLR, one of the features the Z8/Z9 camera would have to have is a very functional (AF!) articulating LCD. I was told by several photographers I trust here, that they use this feature a lot and that the articulating LCD IS highly functional.
They are right
So far (as of today), I am impressed. A word of caution: When I am down near ground-level the left hand is supporting the rig and my right hand is not holding the camera from the side grip. The fingers must be comfortable when using the buttons. If you choose the wrong buttons you cannot even shoot at ground or water-level.
Yes, the 500PF on the Z8 is very decisive. very quick and very accurate....... with no hunting at all.
Here is the problem though. That same problem others have discussed at length happened to me today. The AF system just decides to leave the subject and begin focusing on the background. There are ways around this until Nikon corrects it.
Main takeaway here is that YES, the 500PF works superbly with the Z8
You should rent the 400 4.5 , because of the difference in weight distribution (most of the weight is at the rear of the lens) you can handhold it down low easier and with the hand holding the front of the lense use one finger on the focus ring to adjust if it drifts. Just my opinion , I’m no pro wildlife shooter, but went from 300/500pf combo to the 400 4.5 with TC’s.
"Here is the problem though. That same problem others have discussed at length happened to me today. The AF system just decides to leave the subject and begin focusing on the background. There are ways around this until Nikon corrects it."
One of those ways as you may know Robert is to use "memory set" on the lens. I have mine set to the MFD of what ever lens I am using. This is a good option with the flip screen out and down low or anytime really.
Rimpson wrote:
"Here is the problem though. That same problem others have discussed at length happened to me today. The AF system just decides to leave the subject and begin focusing on the background. There are ways around this until Nikon corrects it."
One of those ways as you may know Robert is to use "memory set" on the lens. I have mine set to the MFD of what ever lens I am using. This is a good option with the flip screen out and down low or anytime really.
JustShootMe wrote:
You should rent the 400 4.5 , because of the difference in weight distribution (most of the weight is at the rear of the lens) you can handhold it down low easier and with the hand holding the front of the lense use one finger on the focus ring to adjust if it drifts. Just my opinion , I’m no pro wildlife shooter, but went from 300/500pf combo to the 400 4.5 with TC’s.
Thanks but I see no need to at this time:
The center of balance for this 500PF/FTZ2/Z8 is perfect. It is at the point of the dovetail slot in the lens collar, which rests dead center in the palm of my lefthand.
1. Both my left-hand thumb and index finger already fall exactly over the 500PF's silky-smooth focusing ring.
2. And (following Ricky Simpson's suggestion/reminder) I find that I have a Memory Recall button about 1 inch in front of that left hand thumb.
bs kite wrote:
I think I'll take this z8/500PF out "looning" (lol) with me on Monday. I shy away from the weekends. I won't be photographing any loons because they are sitting on the nest. But the RWBB and Kingbirds are hunting insects. There should be a few action opportunities.
Getting so I like just one long lens on an outing. Today it was the 200-500 but it hunted with my D850. Now that I see how to apply the Z8's basic stills AF I think we're ready to on an outing.
I went out this afternoon and struck out. Nothing worth posting.
It was good to get on the water and one of the nesting loons (both male and female share the duties) is still sitting on the nest. Fingers and toes crossed
molson wrote:
I'm trying to decide between the 500 PF and the Z 400 f4.5S for my next lens. I've used both in the recent past, the 400 f4.5 on my Z9, and the 500 PF on my Fuji X-H2S with a Fringer adapter. I didn't do any side-by-side comparisons, but my impression was the 500 PF was (noticeably) the sharper of the two. I also have the Z 100-400, so that makes the 400 f4.5 a bit redundant... but I wonder what I might be giving up if I go with the 500 PF and adapter instead of the native Z lens?...Show more →
If you think you'll be using the 400 4.5 with the 1.4TC a majority of the time, I highly recommend just going with the 500PF. Have used both setups on the Z9, I found the 500PF is noticeably sharper, and I just liked the images better.
Also, the bare 400 4.5 is great, but it's not that much greater than the 100-400, without the amazing versatility. If you'll be at 400mm most of the time though, I'd 100% go with the 400 4.5.
Nikon1960 wrote:
Even the 600 TC sometimes gets very lost on the background. I then make use of the manual focus ring and then let the camera take back over.
Same on my 400 TC. Actually I had that problem a number of times the week before last while in the Pantanal.
I'll set it right now to mfd! Thanks
