Nikon Z* mirrorless

wilt said:
I'm seriously tempted to get the 400mm f/2.8 TC.
I can get it for £8799 at the moment, it's just explaining why we're eating beans and toast to the rest of the family for the next couple of years, that'll tricky to do.
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It'd be my dream telephoto lens for wildlife, but I just can't justify it - even at that price sadly. I may eventually swap my 500 PF for either the 600 or 800 PF but there's no rush for either - I'm pretty pleased with the Z 100-400 for most use cases
 
I
mav said:
Did you buy it. , I have had a hold of one of these they feel very balanced,

did you try comparing images shot with the tc in place compared with cropping a 400mm image
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I've tried both the Z 400/2.8 and the Z 600/4 at the Photography Show a couple of times - I wouldn't say either balances perfectly on a Z9, but the 400 certainly felt a lot more balanced than the 600
 
mav said:
Did you buy it. , I have had a hold of one of these they feel very balanced,

did you try comparing images shot with the tc in place compared with cropping a 400mm image
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No, I didn't. Believe it or not, I prefer something shorter, for flexibility and travel. I’m hoping that they’ll bring out a 300/2.8 with a built-in 1.4, and I will travel with a 2x TC - super compact but covers a very nice range.
Son_of_Thor said:
I

I've tried both the Z 400/2.8 and the Z 600/4 at the Photography Show a couple of times - I wouldn't say either balances perfectly on a Z9, but the 400 certainly felt a lot more balanced than the 600
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I have also written a bit about my experience with the 600/4, here.
 
Just to add… the 600 is one of the sharpest lenses I’ve used in a while, but its use will be limited to me. I think if I shoot more small avian species, then that would be my choice of weapon.

Below is a 100% crop with the 600, wide open at f4, ISO2200.
600mm.jpg
 
Anyone here used the 100-400 with the 1.4x teleconverter?

Pondering buying one but wanted to know what it’s like with one fitted.
 
chris321 said:
And also how much space and weight you can/want to dedicate to camera stuff. My default is now to take my 28-400 as a ‘do everything’ option, then add one or two specialised lenses depending on those shots I’d only be able to get with the right gear, like a fast prime, or UWA. Very rare I actually take my whole setup out with me!
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I'm exactly the same. When I went from Nikon to Sony I was using a 28-200mm/100-400mm for general use since there was no decent superzoom (I had the 24-240mm but mine was really bad) but I frequently found I didn't use the camera since I didn't have the right focal length when I needed so ended up often not taking the camera at all when I had nothing in mind. I've been really pleased with the 28-400mm because I can easily carry it with me most places often when I have nothing in mind to take photos of and it's so flexible if there is something I want a shot of, it will do a decent job. When I have something more specific in mind I can just a better lens.
 
inkiboo said:
Anyone here used the 100-400 with the 1.4x teleconverter?

Pondering buying one but wanted to know what it’s like with one fitted.
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I have both the 100-400mm and 1.4TC.
I've used them together quite few times but while each are brilliant, together there is a small drop off.
The 100-400mm while relatively fast to focus, adding the 1.4TC makes it a hair slower.
It's a light combination and can produce very good results, but if I go out with the idea of having the TC on all the time, I just take the 180-600mm instead.
I would use the 1.4TC quite often on the 70-200mm with great results.

Here's some images taken with the combination.
SFP_0131.jpgSFP_0246.jpgSFP_2070.jpgSFP_2965.jpgSFP_9525.jpg
 
Anyone heard any update on the release date for the Viltrox LAB 35mm f1.2 for Z mount?
 
wilt said:
I have both the 100-400mm and 1.4TC.
I've used them together quite few times but while each are brilliant, together there is a small drop off.
The 100-400mm while relatively fast to focus, adding the 1.4TC makes it a hair slower.
It's a light combination and can produce very good results, but if I go out with the idea of having the TC on all the time, I just take the 180-600mm instead.
I would use the 1.4TC quite often on the 70-200mm with great results.

Here's some images taken with the combination.
View attachment 458735View attachment 458736View attachment 458737View attachment 458738View attachment 458739
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Just for information, it is almost impossible to illustrate sharpness online unless the images are posted or cropped at 100%. Although I have never used the 100-400mm, the reviews suggest that it is a decent lens.
 
I used to be an out and out fan of Nikon the last being the D810. but now oh boy the weight difference having Gone over to MFT with Panasonic has been a game changer. The Panasonic 100-400mm lens (200-800 in ff terms) for example is a prime example
n ikon

Nikon AF-S 800mm f5.6E FL ED VR Lens £18000​

Panasonic 100-400mm f4-6.3 Leica DG Vario-Elmar ASPH Power OIS II Lens £1500​

I would hate to do a weight or size comparison
 
realspeed said:
I used to be an out and out fan of Nikon the last being the D810. but now oh boy the weight difference having Gone over to MFT with Panasonic has been a game changer. The Panasonic 100-400mm lens (200-800 in ff terms) for example is a prime example
n ikon

Nikon AF-S 800mm f5.6E FL ED VR Lens £18000​

Panasonic 100-400mm f4-6.3 Leica DG Vario-Elmar ASPH Power OIS II Lens £1500​

I would hate to do a weight or size comparison
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While MFT undoubtedly has a weight/size advantage, it has many draw backs compared to Full Frame. The lenses in your example are night and day comparisons. One is a professional fixed aperture prime, while the other is consumer/prosumer variable aperture zoom. The Z mount 800mm f/6.3 prime can be had for around £4300, while still very expensive compared to the Panasonic, it's certainly more affordable compared to the old f-mount 800mm f/5.6.

The weight of my current Nikon gear is slowly telling on me and I'd be tempted to have another look at MFT.
 
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dragonfly said:
Just for information, it is almost impossible to illustrate sharpness online unless the images are posted or cropped at 100%. Although I have never used the 100-400mm, the reviews suggest that it is a decent lens.
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This is true, not only does the compression ruin the quality but also the size limitations of this forum. I'm only going by my own experience and images.
 
jamesev said:
Anyone heard any update on the release date for the Viltrox LAB 35mm f1.2 for Z mount?
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Y’know I was searching for info yesterday. No firm update. Rumours say about now…it’s a guessing game.
 
realspeed said:
I used to be an out and out fan of Nikon the last being the D810. but now oh boy the weight difference having Gone over to MFT with Panasonic has been a game changer. The Panasonic 100-400mm lens (200-800 in ff terms) for example is a prime example
n ikon

Nikon AF-S 800mm f5.6E FL ED VR Lens £18000​

Panasonic 100-400mm f4-6.3 Leica DG Vario-Elmar ASPH Power OIS II Lens £1500​

I would hate to do a weight or size comparison
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I don’t think you can compare a full-frame to a M43 as the two systems are so different. The main thing is that you’ve found something that works for you. As with all systems, there’ll always be strengths and compromises; it's a question of what aspects/features are more important to you and what shortcomings you can live with.
 
Just ordered Viltrox 27mm f1.2 Pro and 135mm f1.8 and TT artisans 50mm f2. Also to compare, the Samsung 135mm f1.8. One will go back after comparisons.
 
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Yep, seemed pretty good from my fairly limited experience! I had an 85mm f/1.8 a while back - liked the image and build quality, but just didn’t use the focal length enough to keep it.
 
dragonfly said:
I don’t think you can compare a full-frame to a M43 as the two systems are so different. The main thing is that you’ve found something that works for you. As with all systems, there’ll always be strengths and compromises; it's a question of what aspects/features are more important to you and what shortcomings you can live with.
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I think you can in simple terms.
Pixel detail, bokeh and poor light - FF
Good light, versatility and price - MFT
 
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So both the Viltrox 135mm and they Samyang 135mm f1.8 turned up at 2.00pm today. Here is my viewpoint after a short set of tests;-

Viltrox optically sharp as a tack in the middle and in the corners, lovely bokeh, well put together lens. If you are thinking of this lens you need to have a gym membership and strong wrists. At 1265g it is so heavy, and the weight is the reason I will be sending it back.

Samyang is a beautifully weighted lens at 772g, I could walk around all day with this lens. Simple in stature, no bells and whistles. Optically sharp in the middle moving to slightly softer in the corners. This will complement my 50mm & 85mm sigma f1.4’s.

My only negative with the lens was down to quality control, the focus ring was heavily mottled under the reversed lens hood, as if someone had put their hands in flour before turning the ring. So this copy will also be going back, I have contacted customer services who will be sending me a new lens.
 
Adamcski said:
I looked at the Viltrox and was going to order but then read they charge a 15% restocking fee if you send them back.

Did you order direct or from elsewhere?
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I ordered direct from WEX, they haven’t charged me before for returning anything.
 
Adamcski said:
Viltrox lenses any good?

85 mm F1.8 is sub £400 on Amazon?
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Their new Pro series lenses are much better than the older 1.8 ones... the only problem is that the Z-mount ones aren't released yet :D A 85mm f1.4 Pro one is supposed to be coming quite soon to Z-mount, but the Sony version of it is already highly praised and costs around £500.

For what it's worth, their Pro series lenses for Fujifilm are some of the very best lenses around for Fuji X-mount.
 
asinivali said:
Their new Pro series lenses are much better than the older 1.8 ones... the only problem is that the Z-mount ones aren't released yet :D A 85mm f1.4 Pro one is supposed to be coming quite soon to Z-mount, but the Sony version of it is already highly praised and costs around £500.

For what it's worth, their Pro series lenses for Fujifilm are some of the very best lenses around for Fuji X-mount.
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I've just ordered a Nikon 70-200 F2.8 and the Nikon 85 mm F1.8. That gives me the 24-120 and those two to start with.

I do like the look of the 135 F1.8 Lab. Half the cost of the Plena. Reviews seem to suggest it's very good and you get 10% off if you order direct.

Not sure what I will add next. Perhaps a wider prime, or 14-30 ? Will have to hide all this from the wife lol
 
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Hi all,

Being new into Nikon, Voigtlander and manual lenses, can someone explain what the little piece of metal is on the side? What does it do?

Thanks
 
Gandalf said:
Hi all,

Being new into Nikon, Voigtlander and manual lenses, can someone explain what the little piece of metal is on the side? What does it do?

Thanks
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Do you mean the horseshoe shaped tab on the aperture ring?

I can't think of any other little pieces of metal.
 
myotis said:
Do you mean the horseshoe shaped tab on the aperture ring?

I can't think of any other little pieces of metal.
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Yes Graham, I’ve seen it on older lens too.
 
myotis said:
Do you mean the horseshoe shaped tab on the aperture ring?

I can't think of any other little pieces of metal.
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it's the old Non Ai meter coupling that the early Nikon F used, they were obsolete when the Ai lenses came out, but they still put them on so they could be used on earlier bodies.
 
Nikon photographer said:
it's the old Non Ai meter coupling that the early Nikon F used, they were obsolete when the Ai lenses came out, but they still put them on so they could be used on earlier bodies.
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I’m still good to use with the ftz ii adapter on my zf?
 
Gandalf said:
I’m still good to use with the ftz ii adapter on my zf?
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Absolutely, I haven't got an Ftz adapter anymore, as I sold most of my F mount lenses for Z mount ones, but I did try non Ai, Ai and Ais lenses on it, they all mounted on it fine.
 
Gandalf said:
Yes Graham, I’ve seen it on older lens too.
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just to add to what @Nikon photographer said.

The original Nikon F didn't come with built in metering, but it did come with an interchangeable prism.

Nikon introduced a "Photomic" metering prism that replaced the standard prism and overhung the lens, allowing a pin coming from the prism to engage with the lug attached to the lens aperture ring. This allowed the aperture setting on the lens to communicate with the meter on the camera.

The lug is electronically and mechanically "dumb", so it will have no effect on any adapters you use.

Unlike Geoff, I still have a couple of AIs and AIs lenses with aperture lugs fitted, and they work fine with the FTZ. Within the limitations of there being no communication between the lens and camera. Though, in my case, my 105mm F2.8 micro-nikkor has been "chipped" to add electrical contacts to it, so it fully communicates with the camera.

Some of the F-mount Voigtländer lenses (maybe all of them) come with the coupling lug and electronic contacts, but I don't think any Nikon lenses do, unless they have had the electronic contacts added by a third party. Though at one time Nikon did the modification.
 
Exciting news over here as my Z8 landed today.

A decade ago I invested in a D500 (one of my best ever purchases) due to the sport, animal and airshow photography I was doing. A few years ago my style of photography completely changed and I went full-frame for the first time with the marvellous Nikon Z7ii. With more wildlife photography coming again I really wanted to give myself the best opportunity in some hopefully very interesting and privileged positions, hence the Z8.

Of course, first thing I did was pop a battery in it and fire the shutter in burst mode so I could say to my wife 'see, it's worth every penny!' She was actually pretty impressed.

Is everyone else this mature when they receive their latest piece of kit?
 
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