p.46 #2 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
A few more...
The 400 f2.8 was quick to lock onto the bobcat, but it really struggled with the otters.
I actually had horrible success with these otters when they emerged from water and ran up the beach. I shot a group of 4 otters on consecutive days. They emerged from a creek, during two foggy mornings, ran up the sand hill, rolled around in the sand, and then ran back down hill. The Z9 AF failed (or I failed to use the optimal focus technique) on both days. The failure was specific and repeated.. Four wet otters emerged from a dark stream and ran up the sandy slope. Out of 150 photos, only two were in "acceptable focus." Once the otters rolled around in the sand and ran back downhill, the AF was able to lock on without a problem.
In my image analysis, it seemed that the wet fur was a real problem. In this picture, the AF focused on the sand trail ahead of the otters. The otters had enough detail that I could use aggressive sharpening to save the image. I would love to hear/learn what I could do to nail the focus if I encounter this situation again. For those who have thoughts, the following were my AF settings: 20FPS, AFC, C2 Wide Animal Detect AF. The C2 was set as a long horizontal bar that would allow for the 3D detect to lock on. Custom AF settings like speed and AF hold with obstructions were all in the default position.
Again... note, once the otters rolled in the sand, the AF would lock onto the head and body. Animal eye detect does not work well with this species or sea otters in low contrast light. The black eye in black fur does not trigger the af system to lock on, however, the AF system will lock onto the body.
p.46 #3 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
After 2 moths with 400 I mostly use it with external TC 1.4x. 560mm and 784mm is a great combination. Also sometimes I use TC 2.0x but for me 1.4x is better. Focusing is fast and accurate and images are very sharp. I was surprised to read Tom Hogan's review and especially the comments...
560mm f/4 (internal TC, or external 1.4x; external not recommended)
784mm f/5.6 (internal TC plus external 1.4x; not recommended)
I have found one small negative thing, vignetting with external 1.4x (560mm), which of course can be easily removed in post-processing.
p.46 #4 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
pietipe wrote:
After 2 moths with 400 I mostly use it with external TC 1.4x. 560mm and 784mm is a great combination. Also sometimes I use TC 2.0x but for me 1.4x is better. Focusing is fast and accurate and images are very sharp. I was surprised to read Tom Hogan's review and especially the comments...
560mm f/4 (internal TC, or external 1.4x; external not recommended)
784mm f/5.6 (internal TC plus external 1.4x; not recommended)
I have found one small negative thing, vignetting with external 1.4x (560mm), which of course can be easily removed in post-processing.
Willow warbler
ppie
www.petripietilainen.fi
Nice shot...
I rarely agree with Thom Hogan. Almost every other photographer I know, myself included, concludes that there is little to lose by using either the internal or external converter. While vignetting increases, this is quickly eliminated by DXO PureRaw or basic LR adjustments. I have corner composed so many images with this combination and I find no discernible loss of sharpness or contrast.
The stacking of an external TC w/ internal does result in greater vignetting and loss of sharpness, but I find this loss to be the same I experienced when adding a 1.4x to my former Z 400mm f4.5. When I used DxO with the stacked converters, the lens is basically what I saw w/ the 800PF. One benefit of the 400 f2.8 w/ Stacked TC's is that you have better close focus and this allows for a larger subject without cropping.
One more thing regarding usage. I just reviewed my posts on the last 2 pages. I've posted 24 images all taken within about a month's time. 10 images were at 400mm and 14 were a 560mm. Based on this, I feel as if I am using the right lens for the photography I like to do. A 600mm lens would be too long and the 180-600 would have been too slow. While i have the 100-400 and 180-600, I relegate them to shooting from the water (kayak/canoe) or a part of a travel kit where landscape photography would make up the bulk of my work.
p.46 #5 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
....One more thing regarding usage. I just reviewed my posts on the last 2 pages. I've posted 24 images all taken within about a month's time. 10 images were at 400mm and 14 were a 560mm. Based on this, I feel as if I am using the right lens for the photography I like to do. A 600mm lens would be too long and the 180-600 would have been too slow. While i have the 100-400 and 180-600, I relegate them to shooting from the water (kayak/canoe) or a part of a travel kit where landscape photography would make up the bulk of my work.
When dark season start in Finland, this lens working for me mostly without external TC. Two reason why I got this lens and not the 600 TC was f/2.8 and closest focus distance 2.5m. I used to have Z 800 f/6.3 and Z 400 f/4.5, but I didn't want to carry two lenses and these were too slow in certain situations This lens give me 400mm f/2.8, 560mm f/4, 784mm f/5.6, 800mm f/5.6 and 1120mm f/8 so it’s like many lenses in one lens. My main subjects are BIF and action pictures, so I need all the available light I can get.
I also photographing insects and I don't always have either the Z 100-400 or the Z MC 105 in my camera bag, so closest focus distance 2.5m let me shoot also insects.
I use camera backpacks Think Tank Glass Limo, Shimoda X40 V2 and X50 V2 to transport my equipment. All of them can fit the camera attached to the lens and if necessary, also external TC attached.
p.46 #6 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Tested TC-2.0x and internal TC together. AF still works quite well. Distance to honey buzzard was 47 meter, time 11:00 AM. Image cropped about 20%. There start to be a little bit heat distortion/haze but this time in post-processing I was able to eliminate it. So if use this combination, keep the distance to the target as short as possible or photograph early in the morning or evening.
p.46 #7 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Here in Finland, the goldcrests migration is currently underway. Birds feed on trees looking for small insects. The goldcrest is the smallest bird in Europe and the action shots are quite challenging.
p.46 #9 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
It took me 2 years of pretty regular visits to a local lake in my city to finally see this elusive cat. Very short encounter before he disappeared into dense bushes.
p.46 #11 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
nmerc_photos wrote:
Jealous of these cat pictures Luke and Bruce!
Well done!
I've never been able to see a bobcat (lynx?) and have very rarely ever seen foxes in situations I could photograph
I've photographed bobcats on a few previous occasions, but my last trip was by far the best bobcat trip I've had. I spent about 90 minutes over two days with a cat who seemed relatively unfazed by my presence. I'll share more, but don't want to bore people with redundant pictures
p.46 #18 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Loved this frame Bruce! OwlsEyes wrote:
I'm still working through my bobcat photos from a few weeks back. I ended up with quite a few different looks of this cat.
cheers,
bruce
p.46 #20 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Awesome!!
OwlsEyes wrote:
I'm still working through my bobcat photos from a few weeks back. I ended up with quite a few different looks of this cat.
cheers,
bruce
