Nikon Z 600mm 6.3PF - Z 800mm 6.3PF

[AdamSi]

Hi all,

Does anyone here currently have—or have had—both lenses? I’m currently using the 400mm f/4.5 and the 800mm f/6.3. I’m considering the Z 600mm f/6.3 because while the Z 400mm with a 1.4x teleconverter is very good, I know it’s not quite as sharp as the 600mm bare lens.

The 800mm is great, but even at 2.2kg, it’s more about the length of it and tends to be used mostly from a fixed position. I’m not sure if switching to a 100-400mm and 600mm f/6.3 combo is the right move.

I really enjoy the mobility the Cotton Carrier G3 harness offers, which suits the smaller lenses perfectly. I’m thinking about selling the 800mm to get the 600mm, and maybe selling the 400mm to move to the 100-400mm for more flexibility.

Any input from those who have used both setups would be greatly appreciated!

 

[cliffG]

I have both the 600 and 800 and use the 600 mostly, as my bird photography is mainly walking around taking whatever is there, and I can carry using a Sun Sniper strap and QR clamp and can hand-hold the 600 all day long. If I know I'm going to be static, and need the reach, then I take the 800, or if I know I'm not walking far then I'll take a monopod or tripod depending upon how mobile or static I'll be, as whilst I can hand-hold the 800 and have done so for a day, I feel it later.

There is only one thing wrong with the 600, it's not 800! and reach is everything for small birds here in the UK. The 800 is light for what it is, but for me my back can't take it using it all the time. I particularly don't like using the 800 if in a hide, especially if busy as it is unwieldy to swing around in a restricted space, not so with the 600.

How often do you feel you need 600 vs 400/800, if not often then the difference in sharpness from the 400+1.4 might not be an issue, plus the 400 has a much closer MFD, which is very occasionally an issue for me, e.g dragonflies, but in the UK most things aren't that close. I also find it easier to find birds in the viewfinder with the 600 vs 800.

All three lenses are sharp and fast focussing, they all take the 1.4 very well, I used to use the 400+1.4, and wasn't disappointed with it at all, but hardly ever use it now I have the 600. I always want to take the 800 but end up taking the 600 80% of the time, I accept I just have to crop a bit more.

 

[Peter123]

I have 100-400, 400 4.5 and 600mm PF.
The 100-400 is excellent for that zoom range. Very good mfd.
I use the 600 quite a lot. Again an excellent lens.
The 400 prime gives (IMO) slightly better image quality than the other 2, mfd is ok.
I use the zoom and the 600 most.
All 3 take the 1.4 tc well, but I prefer cropping to this.

 

[AdamSi]

I have both the 600 and 800 and use the 600 mostly, as my bird photography is mainly walking around taking whatever is there, and I can carry using a Sun Sniper strap and QR clamp and can hand-hold the 600 all day long. If I know I'm going to be static, and need the reach, then I take the 800, or if I know I'm not walking far then I'll take a monopod or tripod depending upon how mobile or static I'll be, as whilst I can hand-hold the 800 and have done so for a day, I feel it later.

There is only one thing wrong with the 600, it's not 800! and reach is everything for small birds here in the UK. The 800 is light for what it is, but for me my back can't take it using it all the time. I particularly don't like using the 800 if in a hide, especially if busy as it is unwieldy to swing around in a restricted space, not so with the 600.

How often do you feel you need 600 vs 400/800, if not often then the difference in sharpness from the 400+1.4 might not be an issue, plus the 400 has a much closer MFD, which is very occasionally an issue for me, e.g dragonflies, but in the UK most things aren't that close. I also find it easier to find birds in the viewfinder with the 600 vs 800.

All three lenses are sharp and fast focussing, they all take the 1.4 very well, I used to use the 400+1.4, and wasn't disappointed with it at all, but hardly ever use it now I have the 600. I always want to take the 800 but end up taking the 600 80% of the time, I accept I just have to crop a bit more.

Thank you Cliff, this is my dilemma, I love the reach of 800 but if driving around Exmoor where I live in the car, the 800 is very hard to quickly get into position on edge of window/bean bag etc I am thinking maybe both are needed as you say reach is everything here for birds and know when the SEO’s arrive in winter I might be longing for 800 again, lots to think about, that 600 itch is getting worse and can hear it calling me.

I have 100-400, 400 4.5 and 600mm PF.
The 100-400 is excellent for that zoom range. Very good mfd.
I use the 600 quite a lot. Again an excellent lens.
The 400 prime gives (IMO) slightly better image quality than the other 2, mfd is ok.
I use the zoom and the 600 most.
All 3 take the 1.4 tc well, but I prefer cropping to this.

Thank you Peter, I do love the 400’s versatility, I forgot about MFD, it was great on the levels for dragon flies and 4.5 does let a lot more light too, decisions decisions !