Been using the Z 800 PF for two years now and love it. I am over 75 but still find it easy to handhold and it gives superb results. A brilliant piece of Nikon glass.
I have and love this lens with my Z9. I bought an Arca Swiss replacement for the collar. I use it a lot with a monopod with an Arca plate. It’s rally heavy with the Z9 but manageable with the monopod. I do use the center ring for ISO since it allows me to underexpose if I am shooting a white bird or am otherwise concerned about blowing out the highlights. I enjoyed your review. You should consider investing in a microphone that you could clip on your shirt collar. I don’t think this lens is expensive, considering its capabilities. It is amazingly sharp. I would mention that the first version of this lens that I received was not sharp and the seller quickly replaced it. The second one was perfect. Thanks for posting the review.
If I ever move on from my D500 to a Z camera,I would go with the 180-600....I would keep my 500 pf and use the adapter Great video and beautiful images today
I have both, the 800 PF and the 180-600. 800 is great for open fields and birds in flight like Alan says ( I use a dot sight to find the birds easier. It works like a dream). I use the 180-600 for traveling to rain forests. Super versatile and light.
Using the drone for distance comparisons was ingenius! Loved the images, too! I currently have the 100-400mm , which is very sharp and autofocuses like the 70-200mm, but I'm looking for more reach for birds in flight and environment shots with songbirds. Saving up for this 800mm big guy! Looking forward to more videos!
The Nikon 1 V2 with the cx 70-300mm has an equivalent of 810mm on the longer end and is only 1kg 😅 For around 500$ used. Not the same quality of course, lower MP (14MP), not same AF and older tech but still usable in good light!
At 7:12 you say 8k for the 5.6 f-mount. It s $16.5k new. You can find the 600f4 used for around $6 - 6.5k right now. Not a bad review. Would have liked to seen a real world in-flight bird photos but hey…
You are quickly becoming my favourite UA-cam wildlife photographer. My biggest question is what lens are you using for your “talking to camera” clips? It’s really great quality 👌
When I first heard about this lens, and for quite sometime after, this became my dream lens... and I'm a Canon guy :) lol However, after using the Canon 800 F11, and then, the Canon 200-800, I've come to feel the PF 800 F6.3 is just not versatile enough for my purposes. Not to mention, Nikon still does not make a new APS-C body to put it on, and a straight 800mm is usually too short for the stuff I shoot. Not doubting the image quality. But then nearly ALL modern lenses made for mirrorless bodies can make sharp images with good contrast and color, when used correctly. As for the price, I'm not going to say the price is not some part of my thinking.... But then, if I felt my end results would be better with the PF 800, I'd do whatever I had to to get one. Lucky for myself, and my purposes (and my bank account) the best lens on the market is only $1900 :) Edit: You mentioned "heat haze" from shooting stuff a long ways away..... JMPO, but I think the biggest mistake folks make with long lenses, is to think, "Great ! Now I can shoot things a long ways away" Ha :) I shoot with an 800mm lens on an APS-C for a 1280mm equivalent,. and yet I typically try to get within 22-30 ft of my birds :) Heat haze is almost never a problem :) You can see my stuff on my photo page. Link on my channel.
this is quite a weird comment. it is the only 800mm lens in existence that allows for handheld shooting for extensive amounts of time and it is only 1/3 stops slower than the canon 800mm f5.6 for example that costs more than $10.000 more. You're not gonna get a better sweet spot in the weight/focal length/price equation. and it's certainly gonna yield much better results than a f11 lens.
$6000 is MUCH better than the $20,000 that Canon demands. I realize it's one/third stop of light less, but still, and AMAZING prime. Low weight, low price, and great IQ.
Rather than comparing f-stops, compare entrance pupil diameters. At f/6.3, the 800mm PF has a 127mm diameter entrance pupil. That ranks behind only the 600mm f/4 (150mm) and 400mm f/2.8 (143mm) among Nikon's Z-mount long telephoto. In short, the 800 PF is a fantastic low-light lens. Whether you're pairing lenses like the 500mm f/5.6 PF or 400mm f/4.5 with TCs or cropping the photos made with those lenses to match the angle of view delivered by the 800 PF, the longer prime will produce images that are sharper and less noisy.
I just put a video out on it today, but opted to go with the 400 4.5 and the 800pf with a teleconverter. That gives me a minimal 2 lens setup with options for 400 4.5, 540 6.3, 800 6.3, and 1120 9. I think the 600 is a great lens, but I prefer having more options in the field.
Thanks appreciate your videos - I ended up returning the 600 pf for the 800 pf! This thing has already clipped some wall hangers in the first two weeks. Cheers!
@@alanyoungphotoI’m looking to complete my kit right now with the 800 and juggling the 600 or 800 are you still happy with the 400 and 800? I own the 100-400f4.5 thanks in Advanse!
I think the "f stop" is the last important thing. Look at the weight... I am not the "monopod" guy, only handheld. For me anything above 2,4 kg is just big "nope".
Been using the Z 800 PF for two years now and love it. I am over 75 but still find it easy to handhold and it gives superb results. A brilliant piece of Nikon glass.
I have and love this lens with my Z9. I bought an Arca Swiss replacement for the collar. I use it a lot with a monopod with an Arca plate. It’s rally heavy with the Z9 but manageable with the monopod.
I do use the center ring for ISO since it allows me to underexpose if I am shooting a white bird or am otherwise concerned about blowing out the highlights.
I enjoyed your review. You should consider investing in a microphone that you could clip on your shirt collar. I don’t think this lens is expensive, considering its capabilities. It is amazingly sharp. I would mention that the first version of this lens that I received was not sharp and the seller quickly replaced it. The second one was perfect. Thanks for posting the review.
If I ever move on from my D500 to a Z camera,I would go with the 180-600....I would keep my 500 pf and use the adapter Great video and beautiful images today
I think you will be very happy with this combination!
I have both, the 800 PF and the 180-600. 800 is great for open fields and birds in flight like Alan says ( I use a dot sight to find the birds easier. It works like a dream). I use the 180-600 for traveling to rain forests. Super versatile and light.
@@juliodumbobkwhat is a door sight? Can you explain a little bit more please
You should be able to set your control ring to manual focus which will help with how you feel about the placement
Using the drone for distance comparisons was ingenius! Loved the images, too! I currently have the 100-400mm , which is very sharp and autofocuses like the 70-200mm, but I'm looking for more reach for birds in flight and environment shots with songbirds. Saving up for this 800mm big guy!
Looking forward to more videos!
The distance comparison was super cool!
Great review, you explore the practical aspects of having this lens which is really helpful.
I love the 800PF. Just so much fun.
Great shots..especially love the barn swallow!
I ended up fitting a red dot sight to help pickup the subject quickly 😃
The Nikon 1 V2 with the cx 70-300mm has an equivalent of 810mm on the longer end and is only 1kg 😅 For around 500$ used. Not the same quality of course, lower MP (14MP), not same AF and older tech but still usable in good light!
Great image quality, looks a good lens
Im not gonna lie, I wished canon made a similar lens 😅
Although I don’t use Nikon, this was a very good and informative video. I especially liked the drone view for the different distances. Nice job!😊
Rather than disable the control ring, why don't you set it up for manual focus?
The control ring doesn't turn with ease. No free lunch here.
I own one and no complaints. awesome piece of glass for the price.
quick question: will a monopod be helpful for extended period of shooting ?
Nice video. I don't understand why the don't make a arca swiss profile the lens foot, so you don't have to add plates and keep them tightened.
A brilliant review, thanks!
At 7:12 you say 8k for the 5.6 f-mount. It s $16.5k new. You can find the 600f4 used for around $6 - 6.5k right now. Not a bad review. Would have liked to seen a real world in-flight bird photos but hey…
You are quickly becoming my favourite UA-cam wildlife photographer. My biggest question is what lens are you using for your “talking to camera” clips? It’s really great quality 👌
That is so kind of you to say!
I’m using the Viltrox 24mm 1.8 for field video and I also really appreciate how it looks
The 800mm f/5.6E VR costs $16,296.95, new, through B&H. The 800mm PF, new, is 40% that cost.
Great callout! I had it wrong in my notes - even better value than I said and I think it makes the PF a no-brainer over the old version.
When I first heard about this lens, and for quite sometime after, this became my dream lens... and I'm a Canon guy :) lol However, after using the Canon 800 F11, and then, the Canon 200-800, I've come to feel the PF 800 F6.3 is just not versatile enough for my purposes. Not to mention, Nikon still does not make a new APS-C body to put it on, and a straight 800mm is usually too short for the stuff I shoot. Not doubting the image quality. But then nearly ALL modern lenses made for mirrorless bodies can make sharp images with good contrast and color, when used correctly.
As for the price, I'm not going to say the price is not some part of my thinking.... But then, if I felt my end results would be better with the PF 800, I'd do whatever I had to to get one. Lucky for myself, and my purposes (and my bank account) the best lens on the market is only $1900 :)
Edit: You mentioned "heat haze" from shooting stuff a long ways away..... JMPO, but I think the biggest mistake folks make with long lenses, is to think, "Great ! Now I can shoot things a long ways away" Ha :) I shoot with an 800mm lens on an APS-C for a 1280mm equivalent,. and yet I typically try to get within 22-30 ft of my birds :) Heat haze is almost never a problem :)
You can see my stuff on my photo page. Link on my channel.
this is quite a weird comment. it is the only 800mm lens in existence that allows for handheld shooting for extensive amounts of time and it is only 1/3 stops slower than the canon 800mm f5.6 for example that costs more than $10.000 more. You're not gonna get a better sweet spot in the weight/focal length/price equation. and it's certainly gonna yield much better results than a f11 lens.
Very nice video
What was the name of the bird park in NC
Sylvan Heights
$6000 is MUCH better than the $20,000 that Canon demands. I realize it's one/third stop of light less, but still, and AMAZING prime. Low weight, low price, and great IQ.
Rather than comparing f-stops, compare entrance pupil diameters. At f/6.3, the 800mm PF has a 127mm diameter entrance pupil. That ranks behind only the 600mm f/4 (150mm) and 400mm f/2.8 (143mm) among Nikon's Z-mount long telephoto. In short, the 800 PF is a fantastic low-light lens. Whether you're pairing lenses like the 500mm f/5.6 PF or 400mm f/4.5 with TCs or cropping the photos made with those lenses to match the angle of view delivered by the 800 PF, the longer prime will produce images that are sharper and less noisy.
Thank you for the video! Greetings from Ukraine.
Would you take the 800 pf over the 600 pf?
I just put a video out on it today, but opted to go with the 400 4.5 and the 800pf with a teleconverter. That gives me a minimal 2 lens setup with options for 400 4.5, 540 6.3, 800 6.3, and 1120 9. I think the 600 is a great lens, but I prefer having more options in the field.
Thanks appreciate your videos - I ended up returning the 600 pf for the 800 pf! This thing has already clipped some wall hangers in the first two weeks. Cheers!
@@alanyoungphotoI’m looking to complete my kit right now with the 800 and juggling the 600 or 800 are you still happy with the 400 and 800? I own the 100-400f4.5 thanks in Advanse!
Can here from my Spanish lesson on Duolingo
Hola
The 800 5.6 is 16,000
I think the "f stop" is the last important thing. Look at the weight... I am not the "monopod" guy, only handheld. For me anything above 2,4 kg is just big "nope".
Buy a $10 lav mic...
why not get a hands free mic? you making the video look like hard work