I have yet to watch your video but would like to answer your title question without being influenced by your comments. I had the F-mount 200-500 and used it on my Z6, Z7ii and Z9 up until June 2022. It was a great lens - especially for the price but a bit slow at focussing which was highlighted when I started using the Z9 for birds in flight! I replaced ed it with the Z 100-400 and have since added the Z 1.4xTC. For me, the flexibility of the zoom outweighs the slight added sharpness of the Z 400 f/4.5 prime and is now my most used and regular go-to lens. So for me, the answer is absolutely clear - the Z 100-400 f/4.5-5.6. Now I will watch your video!!!

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

thanks for the comment! I do find the 200-500 proper good enough for photography. It had the obvious advantage of price point. The 100-400 is my go-to, and have nothing bad to say about the 400. I'm hearing good things about the 1.4 TC you mentioned but it was out of stock on my last shopping trip and I passed on buying the 2.0.

@SwanSycorax

Жыл бұрын

@@folkartandcamera I had to wait for three months from ordering the Z 1.4TC (I am in the UK) before receiving it, but am very impressed by it. With the very short nearest focal point the 100-400 achieves, the combination almost makes a pseudo-macro!!

@boostedmaniac

8 ай бұрын

I have the 200-500 and love it. Having said that, I have a 180-600 Z mount on order. I’ll be glad to lose the adapter.

@boostedmaniac

8 ай бұрын

Quick question on your 200-500 adapted, do you have any play in the lens mount and adapter when mounted on your a mount camera? I get a slight amount of rotational play like when I’m zooming which at time seems to trigger the camera causing the screen to give me the red dots like when you’re slightly out of focus. Plus I can hear the VR click on and off like I’ve temporarily lost connection with the camera.

@SwanSycorax

8 ай бұрын

@@boostedmaniac It is over a year since I traded my 200-500 but certainly didn't have the issue you mention. As I said before, it gave me excellent and consistent results but was a bit slower to focus compared to the newer Z-mount glass.

The Z 8 is a wonderful camera! Thom Hogan a friend rates the 1.4 TC as VERY good, and the 2.0 TC as borderline. I already had used the prototype Z 8 and knew I was really going to be VERY fond of that camera. The Z 9 is worth every penny they charge for it. I handle farm equipment every day and the Z 9 weight is OK by me. I consider the cameras as farm tools and they produce results!

You kinda sound like Mr. Rogers. You’re easy to listen to! Good info. One day I may make the move to mirrorless and I would more than likely get the 100-400 as well.

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

thanks for the comment!

An interesting discussion. I'd like to add my thoughts and experiences. I don't have the 400 prime but have the other two. I also recently got the Z 800mm F6.3. My cameras are D850, Z5 and Z9. before going Z, I used the 200-500 and D850 of course with TC1.4. I found 500 wasn't quite long enough for me even with the extra reach the 45Mp sensor affords. I also had the F 105 micro but rarely used it because MFD of 2200mm and 700mm got me close enough to the smaller things. So when out in the bush, I got bug, butterflies AND Eagles all with the same kit. I hate changing lenses in the field! I bought the 100-400 at the same time as the Z9 and both Z TCs. Well, the macro reach went through the roof. 800mm F11, and 1m MFD. That's a factor of 0.8 compared to true macro at 1.0. I also got the Z 105 micro too but as before it mostly stays home as well. I was hoping to be even more macro-greedy but sadly the Z TCs don't mount with the 105. Bugga! FOr almost a year the 2xTC stayed between the Z9 and 100-400 and apart from slow subject detection, ( lived with it) I am very happy with that combo. But of course, now the 800 F6.3 is almost wedded to the Z9. But the 2x TC comes into play for the moon at 1600mm. Awesome. But I do miss the zoom factor. 800mm is a narrow field of view and it can take too long to find a small bird. And we all know how little birds are not keen to perch in one spot for long LOL. Bottom line? Love it all. But I am most likely to get the Z 200-600 when it is eventually released. Hmm.

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

thanks very much for the interesting comments! A few days ago I was at the counter of my go-to, in-person camera store and the 2.0 TC was on my 'likely' list. I tried it on the 400 prime and was having trouble getting focus to lock on distant subjects inside the store. Wasn't sure if it was me doing something wrong or a menu setting some person playing with the demo camera body had set previously? I didn't buy one that trip at least. The 800 has priced me out, but I'm interested in seeing the 200-600 when it eventually comes along. It might be a lens that causes some shakeup in the used market, inducing people to make trade-ins and freeing up something they would otherwise hold on to. maybe...

Thanks for your review and thoughts on the three lenses. You are very fortunate to have a partner that shares your interest in photography. What a great thing to be able to go out on a shoot together at least I guess until you both have a desire to use the same lens and you only have one lol. Whose the better photographer??

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

she's the better photographer. since she doesn't do much video I can be the better one at that. thanks for the comment!

Haven't watched the video yet, but I'll keep using my F 200-500 lens until the rumored z 200-600 comes out. When that comes out, then I'll make my decision on either the Z 400mm f/4.5 or the new Z 200-600

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

I still think the 200-500 is a solid value after using the other two. thanks for the comment!

I have three of your lenses. The 24-70, 24-120, and the 100-400. I also have the 85 1.8. The 24-70 and 85 now stays in my bag and the 24-120 takes over most of my pics now. The 100-400 is marvelous but I find little use for it. I did do a series in my local city on the water tower painting with men hanging off the side of the tower painting. The 100-400 was great for that. As I get into birding, like many of my friends, I am wishing that I had your 400. As a matter of fact, in my city, I have seen two these 400 lenses selling for about $2500 used. But I haven't bought because I would think it would overlap the 100-400. My wife is not a photographer, like yours. So, would you still buy the 400 if it was just you?

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

First, thanks for your comment! As to your question, probably 'No' on buying the 400 prime, if it was just to suit me. As it's in my household and I see its output, I'm glad we have it though. I, too, have looked at the 85 1.8, but there are always many things to want, and alas, a finite budget.

The Z 8 with the 400 and the 1.4 TC is very good, have not owned it long enough to get the right photo op to put on a website, But the Z 9 and Z 8 are a GREAT combo. I have had WAY better results with the Z 50 and the kit 50-250. NIKON knew that there were some people very unimpressed with the Z 6 II. The Z 9 however was a quantum leap forward. I have owned the 100-400 for about two years. It focuses MUCH slower than the 400 prime. However it is required to have a zoom sometimes. NIKON needs to have a Z 600 without the HUGE size and the 180-600 var. should be OUT now. They are still testing prototypes. It will be patented by both Tamron and Nikon like the 200-500.

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

I'm still thinking about the 1.4 TC but after having tried the 2.0 on a 400 prime in the store, I passed on buying it. thanks for the info!

I sold my 200-500mm after getting my 400mm f/4.5.

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

we also thought about trading the 200-500 but makes a nice spare. thanks for the comment!

With what camera body are you shooting?

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

Z6 2. (About every time.) However a new camera body has arrived which I'll be talking more about in upcoming segments. thanks for the comment!

No discussion of what cameras? I own all of them and Z 9 X 8 and use the 200-500 f 5.6 with the D7500 and my D 500 has lived in a UW housing. I use the 400 a lot with the 1.4 TC and mostly on the Z 8 now. For what it is worth I use these cameras almost always on DX.

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

Mostly I use a pair of Nikon Z6 2s. Assume you are doing photography and not video with the DSLRs? Also, can you let us know how shooting the Z8 with the 400 +1.4 TC turns out? I'd be interested to know your results. thanks for the comment!

I don't buy protective filters anymore. They lower the quality of the images/video taken. Instead, just put the hood on for protection when using the lens. It comes with the lens and doesn't cost any extra. The amount of force required to break the hood and damage the front element would be so great that it would also destroy a protective filter and lead to more potential damage to the front element of the lens as the protective filter is so close to the front element that it would not do much in these circumstances. I would only use a CP or ND filter on a lens and spend more for better quality filter that is in line with the quality of the lens.

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

thanks for the comment! I told another KZreadr that buying filters was more of a 'belief system', so I can't really provide an ironclad rationale. If I end up face planted with my camera on one of the hillsides I climb up/down for photography, I'd like to think the $100 for a filter might do something. it's a pay your money and take your chances game.

1 you can fix lenses.... 2 you can buy actual insurance instead of covering up Nikons design with crap glass filters. Just a thought.

Use your Lens Hood as Protection plus insurance policy >> big no No to use a Filter on Digital camera body lenses especially Mirrorless >> Filters give rotten results on these camera /Z Lenses

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

thanks for the comment! can't help myself, filters are part of my belief system. I have recently begun using my smartphone with no protective cover, so maybe there is a way forward...

@RobToz2011

4 ай бұрын

Agreed. I stopped using filters too after noticing the image quality reduction when using them.

Sorry Dude the Nikon 200 -500 mm FX lens is not a DX lens. It is designed for a full frame F mount Nikon. Of course it can be used on a DX camera.

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

hello, yes all 3 lenses are for full frame cameras. the 200-500 is indeed F mount and was designed for Nikon's DSLR line.(it's what I said in the video.) I've used Nikon Z mount full frame lenses with the Z30, an APSC sensor camera, and have made a couple videos doing so. thanks for the comment.

I sold my Z 6 II as it was probably the WORST Nikon I have ever owned. And I got enough to buy towards something worth owning. It sure a Hell isn't any Z 9 or Z 8. I shoot both photos and video. My Grandson's videos are all over the Internet. They have a fortune in gear. He says the Z 9 is better than their Sony A I and the Sony lens. They use Black Magic, RED and a LOT of other gear.

@folkartandcamera

Жыл бұрын

True, not much out there compares to the Z9. thanks!

Maybe I'm weird, but comparing a prime lens with zooms makes no sense. They have very different purposes. The 180-600 would have been a good option rather than the prime. Also it is sharper than the 200-500.

@folkartandcamera

6 ай бұрын

@m.maclean8911 thanks for the comment! it's a comparison of the applicable focal length, not so much primes vs. zoom lenses. also, the 180-600 hadn't even been announced when I made this video.