p.51 #2 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Finally bit the bullet and scored one of these gems after the sun, planets, and stars aligned just perfectly! After being done dragging around the front-heavy G VR version, I decided to sell it due to thinking I would be moving away from genres requiring such a lens. Well - that was short lived. After selling and looking at where my camera gear slush fund was at...I was really close financially wise...so took the plunge and not regretting it one bit! Wowzers, what a lens!!!
Really like that it's hand-holdable and so much easier to use than the boat anchor G version! The 800PF is my main birding lens and have the 180-600 to help cover shorter distances, but initially thinking this lens will supersede not only the 186, but possibly the 800PF. Unfortunately, Old Man Winter decided to ratchet it down on the midwest...so weather has not allowed a lot of opportunities to showcase this lens, but here are a few braving the cold Nebraska days.
Also looking forward to spring field sports where I know this lens will continue to shine!
p.51 #4 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
jcnemy wrote:
Finally bit the bullet and scored one of these gems after the sun, planets, and stars aligned just perfectly! After being done dragging around the front-heavy G VR version, I decided to sell it due to thinking I would be moving away from genres requiring such a lens. Well - that was short lived. After selling and looking at where my camera gear slush fund was at...I was really close financially wise...so took the plunge and not regretting it one bit! Wowzers, what a lens!!!
Really like that it's hand-holdable and so much easier to use than the boat anchor G version! The 800PF is my main birding lens and have the 180-600 to help cover shorter distances, but initially thinking this lens will supersede not only the 186, but possibly the 800PF. Unfortunately, Old Man Winter decided to ratchet it down on the midwest...so weather has not allowed a lot of opportunities to showcase this lens, but here are a few braving the cold Nebraska days.
Also looking forward to spring field sports where I know this lens will continue to shine!...Show more →
Beautiful shots and a huge congratulations on the new lens, yes it's amazing for sure!! Enjoy it!!
p.51 #5 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
George DeCamp wrote:
Beautiful shots and a huge congratulations on the new lens, yes it's amazing for sure!! Enjoy it!!
Thanks George on both accounts! Really wish the weather was a little more accommodating...both for subject availability and on me.
Anyways - with some recent snow fall, went out and about trying to get it to add some ambiance to usual shots. Again - not a lot of activity....seems everyone was hunkered down...rightfully so!
Tech note - on this outing I started out with the external Z1.4TC mated to the 400TC and when needed, flip to 784. Wanted to get a better feeling on resolution and sharpness. As most have reported, seems a little soft and lacking crispness, but a quick pass through DxO Pure RAW 4 tightens it up to where it's acceptable. But - due to the weather, driving snow, and other factors, I would not consider this a solid test scenario.
p.51 #9 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
A good friend shared the location of a hummingbird nest with me yesterday, so I was out early shooting the nest just after sunrise. I stacked my 2nd 1.4x on the 400TC and was shooting at 784mm.
p.51 #10 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
A good friend shared the location of a hummingbird nest with me yesterday, so I was out early shooting the nest just after sunrise. I stacked my 2nd 1.4x on the 400TC and was shooting at 784mm.
The 400 f2.8TC is such a great performer!
cheers,
bruce
Wow! Isn't it early for hummingbird nests? Maybe not in other parts of the world?
I got my first and only hummingbird nest photos last year, and checking the exif - they were in June of 2024.
p.51 #11 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
nmerc_photos wrote:
Wow! Isn't it early for hummingbird nests? Maybe not in other parts of the world?
I got my first and only hummingbird nest photos last year, and checking the exif - they were in June of 2024.
Excellent capture as always Bruce!
Thanks....
I moved from MN in April 2024 and now live on the coast in central CA. Our climate is moderate year round, so the Anna's stick around. We do have a migration, but we have a lot of resident bird species that stay during the "cold" months. I was surprised to learn that the Anna's were breeding. I had never seen an active hummingbird nest until yesterday... a friend shared the location of two different nests!... One has chicks, while the other is being built and tended... no eggs in the second nest yet.
p.51 #12 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
A good friend shared the location of a hummingbird nest with me yesterday, so I was out early shooting the nest just after sunrise. I stacked my 2nd 1.4x on the 400TC and was shooting at 784mm.
The 400 f2.8TC is such a great performer!
cheers,
bruce
Lovely shots of what I highly suspect was a cool experience!
p.51 #13 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Some more owl action with the external and internal 1.4x engaged with some also taken in DX mode.
Now I have an idea of what image quality will be, even after post, I'm thinking that the obvious answer to the an easy question...if you need FL to cover distance and you have the 800PF....then use that over the 400TC and TCs. I know....it's been stated, tested, and rehashed many times, but I'm a guy who likes to get punched in the face to confirm it will really hurt versus what people attest to.
But - as others have mentioned...if you can only take one long lens...the 400TC with one of the TCs or two really provide a lot of flexibility where some of the shortcomings can be made up in post....not all, but at least get them to acceptable levels.
Anyways - looking forward to keep working this lens as the weather improves, especially with it being in the 50s all next week here in the heartland.
p.51 #14 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
jcnemy wrote:
Lovely shots of what I highly suspect was a cool experience!
Thank you...
It was my first HB nest... I'm gone for a few days with the goal of photographing bobcats again, so I'm not sure if I'll have a chance to get any more nest action... I don't know how long it takes for hummingbird chicks to fledge.
p.51 #15 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I recently returned from another multi-day outing on "safari" along California's Central Coast. Point Reyes National Sea Shore has so much to offer if you are willing to put in the time on your legs and exercise your patience powers. I spent close to 20 hours in the field over 2.5 days, much of which was spent waiting for light, wildlife, and gestures. By the time I left I had a fairly limited number of subjects, but all resulted in quality images... while I'm not posting all of the species I photographed, I am sharing some work as a preliminary share. I have so so so many images to work through that I can't determine my bests yet.
During my short stay, I photographed: Ravens, Kestrel, Burrowing Owl, Coyotes, Coyotes, Coyotes ( ), Bobcat and Elk....
Cheers,
bruce
I spent two hours watching this one.. waiting for behaviors and eyes
p.51 #16 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Female Kestrel just as the sun was setting, albeit heavy clouds. Almost didn't see her perched there because I was tracking a northern harrier couple hunting the same field. This kestrel allowed me to get various angles and perspective from my truck window, so got quite a few lovely variations - but this one is catching my eye for now, especially since it's all natural....FX mode, 400mm and f2.8.
p.51 #17 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
And another of a female kestrel hunting at sunset...this was one of the first shots taken in this 10 minute series where there was a slight kiss of sunsetting colors...tried to extenuate more in post, but my current LR skills made it look to fake...so slight bumps in various sliders.
), Bobcat and Elk.... 
