Buying the Z800mm 6.3 PF (upgrade or downgrade)

ndwgolf

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Neil Williams
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Ive had the Nikon 600mm F4 ED FL VR lens for over 4 years now and its an amazing piece of kit I used it on D4S D810 D850 for wildlife and birds and then about 2 years ago I decided I didn't want to shoot photography any more and sold everything ...................Hasselblad, Leica Nikon I sold the lot apart from my D850, D500 and my 600mm f4 lens (mainly due to trying to sell the 600mm durning COVID). Anyway about 6 months ago I sold the D850 so that left me with my D500 and 600mm F4. I then got into portraiture (got a new girlfriend) so decided to buy the new Z9 along with the new Z85:1.2 (love this combination)
Anyway I am now thinking of selling the 600mm f4 and replacing it with the new Z800 mm 6.3 PF ..............assuming I can sell the 600mm would replacing the 600mm with the new 800mm be an upgrade or a downgrade considering the 1/3rd of a stop of light loss.
Im 66 years old in a few months time and find it impossible to hand hold the 600mm f4 for anything so Im hoping that the 800 mm PF which is half the weight of the 600mm lens will work good both on a tripod and hand held for birds in flight...............what do you guys think?
 
Big weight difference so makes sense, however it depends what you’re shooting also. Did you often use a 1.4 tc with the 600?

Nikon also have the PF 500 and Z400 f4.5 which are both fantastic options if you don’t need 800mm
 
Big weight difference so makes sense, however it depends what you’re shooting also. Did you often use a 1.4 tc with the 600?

Nikon also have the PF 500 and Z400 f4.5 which are both fantastic options if you don’t need 800mm
James I had the 500 PF and sold it along with all the rest of my digital camera gear. That was a fantastic lens especially coupled with the D500..........I would just feel stupid going out and buying that lens again.
Im mainly shooting birds from a tent/hide with the camera on a tripod/gimbal which is fantastic if the birds come and land on the tree in front of you but if they land to the left, right and behind then its a nightmare with the camera on a tripod, so I am thinking if the camera was on my lap and hand holdable it would be very easy.
I also enjoy shooting birds in flights the 800 mm would be perfect for that...........I say that but Ive never tried lifting it with my Z9 but lots of folks on Youtube have done and say its okay hand held.
 
I’ve used the 800 PF with the z9 and it’s definitely hand holdable but for that focal length any slight movement ends with a blurred photo. I had the 800 f5.6 which was heavy but optically awesome. Might be worth renting the 800 PF if you can where you live to see if you get on with it
 
Try a mono pod .
 
Big weight difference so makes sense, however it depends what you’re shooting also. Did you often use a 1.4 tc with the 600?

Nikon also have the PF 500 and Z400 f4.5 which are both fantastic options if you don’t need 800mm
James it’s mainly for birds from a hide and hopefully shooting birds in flight hence the lighter weight
 
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