I started with the 400 4.5 and absolutely loved it. It was a little short for the birds but the 1.4 tele helped. The 70-200 with the 1.4 tele basically does the job of the 100-400. The 800 is to the moon and I love it. The 180-600 is the travel lens but you just can't beat the weight and size of the 400 4.5.
For an all purpose birding lens, the Z 400 4.5 is much too short. Add a 1.4TC to achieve 560mm at f/6.3 for over $3500 is relatively expensive when for half the price and with far more flexibility the 180-600mm f/6.3 can be had. A bit heaver at 4.3 pounds but with stellar optics, this option is much preferred by many, as can be seen in sales data of each lens.
Depends where you live, next to big cities wildlife is not skittish and 300mm is more than enough so the 400mm is perfect. That kind of photographer gonna be interested in this lens😉
@@Dan.gibson.photographerI live in a big city. You need more focal length if you shoot small birds (so basically every single bird except for geese where I live).
I absolutely love my 400mm 4.5!!!Images are super sharp and crisp!!!evah You are sooooo right no compromises in this Lens.. I use it for indoor events such concerts, conference meeting, and NCAA bball, along with PGA Tour outings!! Thank you for your review!!!
I am in love with this lens. Bought it last month before a safari. I feel the 400mm is a sweet spot for shooting big animals in safaris. With a Z8 this lens is sharp and fast. I have handheld it for 4-7 hours with no issues. My plan is to add Nikon’s legendary 300mm 2.8 for taking those artistic shots of animals with creamy BGs on my d850. While I will use 400 f4.5 when I need extra reach and faster speed. With both the setups I believe I am sorted for any kind of wildlife photography of animals (mind it I am not planning to do any birding). Your thoughts?!
I find this lens to be a very interesting. It is probably the longest lens most photographers would need. But for birding it will be short for most situations but as general scouting lens it could work even for birds. It won’t be the ideal lens on you if it’s the only lens you’re carrying but if you pair it with a longer lens it will workout.
Yeah this lens is a bit of a head scratcher… very interesting at first, but then you figure it’s only 2/3 stop faster than 100-400 f5.6 without the flexibility. Then add the 1.4x tele you’re at 560 f6.3 which you get with the 180-600 f6.3 plus more reach & compression. Both at a lower cost. Idk why they didn’t just make it f4, I think it would have been far more appealing both psychologically and practically. Appreciate your videos and honest opinion!
If weight is not a concern, then getting a used 500mm F4 FL is a better choice for both birds & mammals. And the 500mm F4 is sharper than the 400mm F4.5 & creates more background separation.
Nice comparison and images! Went with the 100-400 myself. On the F-mount lenses + TC, which version of the TC did you use? I also have the 300pf and an older and the current version of the 1.4TC, and do notice a difference wide open.
The Z 400 f4.5 is the only "tough" decision in the Z super tele lineup. The F 300 PF can be gotten in 10/10 used condition for under $1000 all day. It is as sharp as the Z 400 f4.5 with comparable AF and VR. But its only 1.7lbs and fits in a large jacket pocket. IMHO, 300-400mm lenses are more suited to captive animals than wildlife. The F 500 PF can be gotten in 10/10 used condition for under $2200. It is notably sharper than the Z 400 f4.5, especially in the corners, while having faster AF and comparable VR. 500mm+ is better suited to wildlife. The Z 100-400 is just a different lens altogether. It is exceptionally sharp at the wide end. It is less sharp at the long end vs the Z 400 f4.5, slower AF but the VR is about the same. This lens is better suited to macro (perhaps the best macro zoom ever made), landscapes, niche portraits, and cooperative captive animals and wildlife. The AF speed is what really holds it back.
I started with the 400 4.5 and absolutely loved it. It was a little short for the birds but the 1.4 tele helped. The 70-200 with the 1.4 tele basically does the job of the 100-400. The 800 is to the moon and I love it. The 180-600 is the travel lens but you just can't beat the weight and size of the 400 4.5.
For an all purpose birding lens, the Z 400 4.5 is much too short. Add a 1.4TC to achieve 560mm at f/6.3 for over $3500 is relatively expensive when for half the price and with far more flexibility the 180-600mm f/6.3 can be had. A bit heaver at 4.3 pounds but with stellar optics, this option is much preferred by many, as can be seen in sales data of each lens.
Depends where you live, next to big cities wildlife is not skittish and 300mm is more than enough so the 400mm is perfect. That kind of photographer gonna be interested in this lens😉
@@Dan.gibson.photographerI live in a big city. You need more focal length if you shoot small birds (so basically every single bird except for geese where I live).
@@Sinthora97 like I say it depends personally I’m good with 300mm😃
I absolutely love my 400mm 4.5!!!Images are super sharp and crisp!!!evah You are sooooo right no compromises in this Lens.. I use it for indoor events such concerts, conference meeting, and NCAA bball, along with PGA Tour outings!! Thank you for your review!!!
I currently use the Z50 and really like this lens and with the 1.4.
I am in love with this lens. Bought it last month before a safari. I feel the 400mm is a sweet spot for shooting big animals in safaris. With a Z8 this lens is sharp and fast. I have handheld it for 4-7 hours with no issues. My plan is to add Nikon’s legendary 300mm 2.8 for taking those artistic shots of animals with creamy BGs on my d850. While I will use 400 f4.5 when I need extra reach and faster speed. With both the setups I believe I am sorted for any kind of wildlife photography of animals (mind it I am not planning to do any birding). Your thoughts?!
I find this lens to be a very interesting. It is probably the longest lens most photographers would need. But for birding it will be short for most situations but as general scouting lens it could work even for birds. It won’t be the ideal lens on you if it’s the only lens you’re carrying but if you pair it with a longer lens it will workout.
I find it to be a great lens to take out along with the 800pf.
Yeah this lens is a bit of a head scratcher… very interesting at first, but then you figure it’s only 2/3 stop faster than 100-400 f5.6 without the flexibility. Then add the 1.4x tele you’re at 560 f6.3 which you get with the 180-600 f6.3 plus more reach & compression. Both at a lower cost. Idk why they didn’t just make it f4, I think it would have been far more appealing both psychologically and practically. Appreciate your videos and honest opinion!
If weight is not a concern, then getting a used 500mm F4 FL is a better choice for both birds & mammals. And the 500mm F4 is sharper than the 400mm F4.5 & creates more background separation.
Nice comparison and images! Went with the 100-400 myself. On the F-mount lenses + TC, which version of the TC did you use? I also have the 300pf and an older and the current version of the 1.4TC, and do notice a difference wide open.
I use version 2, which I read was sharper for the 300pf. Have not been able to compare version 3, though.
I broke the lens hood on my pf500 lens too...black electric tape worked great to fix it
I may just have to try this!
The Z 400 f4.5 is the only "tough" decision in the Z super tele lineup. The F 300 PF can be gotten in 10/10 used condition for under $1000 all day. It is as sharp as the Z 400 f4.5 with comparable AF and VR. But its only 1.7lbs and fits in a large jacket pocket. IMHO, 300-400mm lenses are more suited to captive animals than wildlife. The F 500 PF can be gotten in 10/10 used condition for under $2200. It is notably sharper than the Z 400 f4.5, especially in the corners, while having faster AF and comparable VR. 500mm+ is better suited to wildlife. The Z 100-400 is just a different lens altogether. It is exceptionally sharp at the wide end. It is less sharp at the long end vs the Z 400 f4.5, slower AF but the VR is about the same. This lens is better suited to macro (perhaps the best macro zoom ever made), landscapes, niche portraits, and cooperative captive animals and wildlife. The AF speed is what really holds it back.
can u mount the z1.4tc an then the ftz adapter?
Not the z mount version, no.
minor correction: introduced June 22, 2022. You can now find "like new" copies for less than $2100.-
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It’s new Alan video backwards