The Lightweight Monster: Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR 'S'
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- Опубліковано 29 лис 2022
- Being far smaller, lighter, and more affordable than any 800mm f/5.6 lens on the market, can this ambitious Nikon lens tick all the boxes for quality, too?
Find it here (Amazon affiliate link - thanks for the support!):
geni.us/NikonZ800
Support me on Patreon! / christopherfrost
All pictures taken by me on a Nikon Z7 camera.
Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate links):
Canon EOS R5: geni.us/CanonEOSR5Body
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Sigma 50mm f/1.4 'Art': geni.us/Sigma50mm14Art
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM: geni.us/CanonRF35mm18Macro
Marumi Fit and Slim CPL Filter: geni.us/MarumiFitSlim77
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Rode Smartlav+ Microphone: geni.us/RodeSmartLavalierPlus
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DJI Mini 2 Drone: geni.us/DJIMini2FlyMore
Music:
'Opportunity Walks', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b... - Навчання та стиль
My husband just surprised me with this beautiful lens for my birthday! Paired with the Z9 this is a dream.
1:47 That portrait of your wife must have been a tough shot, accounting for the curvature of the earth and all that. Thank you for another great review!
I have this lens and it is truly a game changer. Light, wonderful optics, easily handholdable, everything has to be rethought with this thing. By they way, fresnel lenses are named for physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel, who pronounced his name in the typical French manner, Fray-nell.
Brilliant corner performance for such a large lens. This thing is amazing for those who can afford it.
beautiful images and as always a nice on point test. thank you very much for doing this helpful content.
Currently rocking a 30 year old Canon 500mm f/4.5L USM for wildlife (no IS!). This Nikkor is the reason my eventual transition to mirrorless will likely be in the Z-mount.
Appreciate the review. Gave a lot more context than most reviews I've seen for it online. Keep up the excellent work!
I have the 500 4.5 also. I love how light that lens is compared to the newer 500 f4 with IS.
Still waiting for the 200-600.Great review by the way!
Hello Christopher many thanks for another discerning and detailed lens review, as always very much appreciated. Your image quality testing portion with the multi image background and circular sharpness test discs always gives much clearer definitions than anything I can acheive. May I ask if you've ever produced a video showing how you made the target and discs please? If you have could you point me to it please? Kind regards and good wishes Oliver.
Nice video presentation for a fantastic lens. I have the 800mm and the Z 180-600mm lenses. I love them both for different reasons. Both carry that Nikon quality glass and color rendition with the Z9. These two lenses are both a very good price point for what they are. - Jim
I liked that you spent more time showing the front of the lens, and without making sudden movements. It's cool to look at the elements. Try to do the same always. I mean, you spent quite a time with this one. No need for this much time, but definitely more than usual is welcome. Thank you!
Brutal lens from Nikkor!
such a brilliant lens
It's a great lens had mine since End of July love it on my Z9 n Z6II.
Thank you for another review! If possible, I'd love to make a request for a video covering the "Sharpest full frame Sony E-Mount Lenses" you ever tested, as you have so much experience testing so many of them. I tried looking for a similar video elsewhere on UA-cam and couldn't find any!
I imagine you had to call your wife to make this portrait
Chris, any review of such bazooka is incomplete if a Moon shot wasn't attempted! :D
00:08 - Bangs it on the table..."Hope it still works..." - LOL
3:25 charge your battery!
This PF lens is a stunner and Nikon has perfected PF with learnings from 300 and 500 PF. Other than slightly more contrast on the 800mm f/5.6 which gives it the false impression of being very slightly sharper than the PF, there is absolutely no need to spend 10 THOUSAND dollars more for that monstrosity because the contrast is not at all worth 10 THOUSAND dollars more. And if you are looking for background blur, this 800 PF delivers it in truck loads. Any bashing about the PF bokeh is just an attempt by 800mm f/5.6 owners who just lost 10 THOUSAND dollars on their splurge because I ordered an 800mm f/5.6 Used from KEH, did all my testing and returned it so I am damn sure the 5.6 is neither sharper, not has better bokeh... only very slightly more contrast.
4:39 indeed as we should for everything in our lives. Praise God indeed!
Amen
Pretty amazing lens, I wish Sony would make a 800mm F/6.3 lens for that kind of money.
The possibility that Sony makes 800mm is very low, b/c Sony is only interested in big market lenses, while 800mm is quite niche, only wildlife and aircraft photographers have the use
@@Lonelyu89757 yeah it's a niche market but the profit from such a lens is insane.
@@jeroenvdw The cost of developing telephoto lens is quite high since telephoto lenses are generally larger than most lenses, Sony might think it is unworthy to spend money and resources on making 800 lens
Good review
Great video - looks wonderful - one thing though can you confirm that you are using the latest firmware updates on the Z7 Thanks
Nice review, still waiting for my order to arrive since April here in Indonesia 😪
I'm huge fan of your reviews mainly because they are consistent, fair and honest. Lately I became interested in drones and immediately started thinking what would Christopher Frost said about particular drone's camera? I'm wondering if you would be interested in reviewing also drone cameras? I would love to see that :)
I own a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone which is absolutely fantastic :-) but I'm just so busy testing lenses these days that I don't have time to cover drone too :-(
@@christopherfrost do you have a plan to make a review about m43 lenses and L mount?
These Nikon supertelephoto lenses seem to become a very good reason for wildlife photographers to switch to Nikon.
Do you have test charts of different sizes for wide angle and extreme telephoto lenses?
How about test the Nikon 24-200 f4-f6.3 vr ?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Hi Christ, can you do a review of Tamron 35-150mm f2.8-f4 for canon? Thanks you.
Great video would like to see a video how some of the cross brand lens converters work where you can put such as canon lenses on Nikon bodies and vice versa would love this lens on my R6 / R7 if that’s possible with the converters
It is theoraticaly possible to adapt any lens on nikon body (Sony E to Nikon Z AF adapters are already available) because the Z mount flange distance is the shortest on the market (16 mm), but that also means Nikon Z lenses cannot be adapted on any other mount without loosing the capability to focus at infinity (an adapter would work like an extension ring in this case).
Still waiting for my Z 800, on order since May. That means I’ve waited three times as long for it than I did for my Z9, and I’ve still no idea when I’ll get it.
Although there may be fewer physical switches on the lens body, there are function-assignable buttons which can be programmed to provide the kind of controls on older super-telephoto lenses.
Unless you are NPS, be prepared to wait for more than 1.5 years. I had ordered mine within the very 1st minute of preorders on 6th April 2022 and got mine 10 months later on 6th February 2023.
@@aniketranade4422 I finally got mine yesterday. I’m an NPS.
If you're not made of money, an AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 zoom on a DX body provides a 750mm equivalent. You can shoot it on an FX body in DX mode for the same effect.
Center sharpness seems a bit worse than the 400 f/2.8, corners look pretty much the same, in this compressed UA-cam video.
Was a bit sceptical about the sharpness myself, but I finally got this lens a couple of days ago, and it's absolutely amazing, especially considering the price. From what I've seen, the only better options for reaching 800mm, are the Z 600mm TC (840mm) and the old 800 f/5.6, both cost over 3x as much (where I live) and both weigh significantly more.
How many years before Canon competes in this market?
I saw one complaint about the weather seal of this lens. Has anyone had this issue? I may get this lens next year or so to get more reach. Thank you.
It is necessary to use a CPL filter for this kind of super telephoto lens. I would like to hear your experience and suggestions about using filters at super telephoto.
How's it necessary? I've never used one, and I am pretty sure 99% of professional wildlife shooters won't ever use one either.
Question, do you shoot this lens using sport mode on VR? I cannot get a sharp photo using this lens. 😮Everything looks completely soft. And I am shooting at 1600 shutter speed with normal VR, I would appreciate any advice.
Maybe your copy of the lens has a problem (de-centered optical elements).
Nikon are really trying to lure me in from Fuji.
How is the coma?
Is it just me, or does it look sharper and more contrasty in the corner than the center? Maybe something odd with the fresnel optics? Either way, great lens, great review.
It's not... This PF lens is a stunner and Nikon has perfected PF with learnings from 300 and 500 PF. Other than slightly more contrast on the 800mm f/5.6 which gives it the false impression of being very slightly sharper than the PF, there is absolutely no need to spend 10 THOUSAND dollars more for that monstrosity because the contrast is not at all worth 10 THOUSAND dollars more. And if you are looking for background blur, this 800 PF delivers it in truck loads. Any bashing about the PF bokeh is just an attempt by 800mm f/5.6 owners who just lost 10 THOUSAND dollars on their splurge because I ordered an 800mm f/5.6 used from KEH, did all my testing and returned it so I am damn sure the 5.6 is neither sharper, nor has better bokeh... only very slightly more contrast.
I also noticed that, the shot is a bit over-exposed, and the (arguably very slight) vignetting in the corner means it's less over-exposed in the corner.
Just compare this test shot to the one in the Sigma 150-600 or Canon RF 400 f/2.8 tests, they're perfectly exposed, and much darker overall.
@@aniketranade4422 According to the test on "Photographylife", the old lens is significantly sharper. (2646 vs 3151 in terms of centre sharpness)
But it weighs twice as much, costs more than 3x as much (here in europe) and has to be adapted using the FTZ adapter. If you need 800mm, this lens is a no-brainer, even if it's not as razor sharp as the much more expensive long primes, the reach will give you plenty detail.
😄😄😄Thank you for sharing. This Z lens is definitely an incredible one but it's short of supply for a long period of time. I have been waiting for it over...........six months and is still frustratingly waiting 😞😞😞
Unless you are NPS, be prepared to wait for a VERY LONG TIME. I had ordered mine within the very 1st minute of preorders on 6th April 2022 and got mine 10 months later on 6th February 2023.
@@aniketranade4422 😄😄😄Thank for your support. I eventually bought it after waiting for six months and now I'm going to adapt the use of this lens as the angle of view is much narrow.
I don't really do wildlife, however I'd love to rent this lens and take some moon pictures!!
Does the TC work on this lens?
Yes and that was mentioned at the beginning of the video.
I think I would have purchased it if it was not for the relatively poor magnification close up and slow AF. I photograph small animals and have been using the Sony 200-600 + 1.4TC which has a magnification ratio nearly twice that of the Nikon Z 800, and the AF speed of the Sony is an order of magnitude faster. Obviously the Sony is not as bright, but then again, the Nikon does not zoom... so to me it's hard to justify the purchase. Thanks again for an excellent review.
Af looked slow because he was in AF-S and not AF-C. And Nikon still doesn’t have a camera outside of Z9 (lens af so much quicker with Z9) that can move this lens at its fastest speed when battery is about to die.
Autofocus with this lens goes on the Nikon Z9 much faster and pinpoint accurate.
Good Information, but at that price, I'll never own one.
We want the rf 1200mm
Whenever you review lenses like these, testing them also with their respective TCs would be so, so useful. It would be incredibly useful for people looking to get these kinds of lenses as performance with a TC is very important! Just a suggestion.
So, send Christopher Frost the money to buy their respective teleconverters.
You buy the 800 so you don't need a teleconverter.
@@jbilly24 for this one yes it's a lot less needed. But Chris never does test TCs as far as I know, it would be such a useful to have for many others. Especially the cheaper teles, since those usually are bad with TCs, but we don't know by how much.
Imo it would just make sense to test all of them with at least a 1.4x, since it also acts as a bit of stress test on sharpness as well.
hi i have a question for you how come all camera makers are going for slower f stop lenses i remember the days you could get f3.5 tof4.5 now its f3.5 to f5.6 i'm comparing the nikon af-s 18-55 and nikon af 28-85 i use both on my d5300 even this monster you are showing now is f6.3
To keep size and weight and cost of lenses down. Also, autofocus systems in mirrorless cameras are improving to the point of working well enough with darker aperture lenses.
@@christopherfrost ok thanks that makes sense but why do a lot of people say such bad things about them i'd rather be caught with a slow lens than no lens at all auto iso helps a lot to compensate with dark areas so you could at least get a shot that you would of never been able to capture thanks love the run down of lenses for 2022 you did recently
@@samuelstewart2762 High-end photographers are perfectionists and the phylosophy is the opposite - better no photo at all than bad quality one. Sadly I'm becoming one of those but I got no money for the z600 TC so there must be always some compromises as everything in life ;D
@@christopherfrost I think also that high ISO performance in cameras is better than it used to be, allowing smaller apertures to be used.
They don't go for slower f stop but mostly for constant f stop. In your example the AF-D 28-85 is a lens in the same category and weight/size class as Z 24-70 f/4 or Z 28-75 f/2.8. There was also a slower, cheaper, lighter AF-D 28-80 f/3.5 - f/5.6 which was sold as a kit lens.
Why this one is f/6.3? Well, weight and size matters a lot, which just blooms up when you go faster - especially in such tele-photo ranges.
Nice review. I wonder if you tested chromatic aberration?
You won’t see any.
From the thumbnail I thought you were reviewing a legacy lens.
is that thing any good for taking pics of the moon and planets and stuff in the sky?
Sure
@@christopherfrost wonder what the difference is, compared to telescopes you can buy around the same price range
I took some good moon shots with a 500mm and a 24mp crop camera, so effectively 750mm. This one at 800mm will be even better and you can add a teleconverter.
@@colinbluth5461 You can use it, and it will probably give nice results.
However, if it is what you are after, buy something else. The thing will not allow you to work with a dedicated astro camera and regular astronomy filters, will not allow you to use a robotic focuser, and you'll have to figure a way to stitch a guiding system on that. Long story short, a terrible choice. For deep space, buy a 120mm apperture triplet refractor (esprit 120ED for example) and the required accesories, you'll be much better served.
And for planets and moon, you need large apperture, a fast recording camera, and likely stuff like atmospheric difraction correctors, you'll have none of them here. A 300mm aperture Ritchey-Chretien will blow it away for cheaper.
@@Thefuror38500 thanks for the detailed reply, ill check that 120mm apperture triplet refractor thing out, but it sounds expensive :P
Ok nikon, send me this 800 to review in my yak.
Lucky Nikon shooters!
First....wow thats a big one
It's smaller than the F mount 200-500 so I couldn't call it a big lens in the telephoto universe. But yeah, still big :D
It’s a shame you can’t actually buy one if you want one. I’ve been waiting months for mine without even the slightest of information when it might arrive.
Call around to local camera stores that ship. If you bought online from a big dealer you’ll probably be waiting a year more to get it.
I lost an arm and a leg just watching this video. 😂
Can the image quality of the Canon RF 800 mm f11 keep up with this Nikon lens? Under good conditions (enough light) the Canon also seems to perform very well and the autofocus is quite fast.
For the price and weight difference, absolutely. After all, it’s 6x cheaper. But definitely not 6x worse.
Ignoring the "value" proposition. No, not even close. A 45 MP full frame sensor is diffraction limited by f/8, at f/11 diffraction is making everything soft no matter how good the optics are.
1 and 2/3 stops difference. It's pretty huge. And it's more important than the same difference in general lenses, like difference between 2.0 prime and 3.5 on kit lens. Because 6.3 is already demanding and in practice with aperture like that you must use some borderline ISO values and each stop higher would be noticeable worse.
But ISO's from Z files or Sony render a bit better than RF ones. The final result is better and cheaper on Z.
No. Big difference.
Just the lens for those on the average wage. The dictionary doesn't contain adjectives to describe Canon and higher prices.
Watch out, Z cameras loose a bit of focusing speed when the battery falls below 50%
Nikon Z7 focusing system is terrible. Testing this awesome lens with it is not fair. The speed of the autofocusing lens is directly affected by the sensitivity of the sensor and the circuitry inside the camera. You picked the wrong camera to test the autofocus speed of this lens. Do it with the Z9 and or the Z8. The low light sensitivity of the Z9 autofocus system is -8.5EV. The best in the world today. No other camera has such a low EV value. Test with the Z9 and you will see what I am talking about : )
Indeed I have the Nikon Z9 and the autofocus from the Nikon Z 800 mm F6.3 is very fast and also accurate It goes much faster than his example the Nikon Z7
Wow, only $6500??? What a bargain! I'll take 3!
You could in fact buy three of these things for about the same price as the Canon RF equivalent...which is the point I was trying to make ;-)
@@christopherfrost i think its something wed like to have targeted at enthusiasts (so like 2-3k max) but it probably isnt. lens look great and it's interesting to see it reviewed but most of us will definitely never buy it. for a professional it seems like it would make a lot of sense however, and indeed, competitive in the market (that i like it or not haha)
Ironicly or not, you can't even if you have the cash, haha. You will be waiting A LOT. I waited for 5 months and that was before they shut down the orders
🤣🤣🤣
@@christopherfrost just being a smartass of course :)
0:28
Fresnel 💀💀💀
The guy was french, the s is silent
the autofocus seems way too slow for such a lens
Keep in mind he tested on a Z7 which has a smaller battery than something like a Z9. Smaller battery means less power to the lens autofocus motors so they are less responsive.
I've used it on a z6ii and it was way faster. I suspect there is something wrong with this z7, haha
Also he was in af-s which is slower than af-c
It's pronounced "frenel".
That's not how "Fresnel" is correctly pronounced :)