Put a tripod plate onto the lens collar and mount the lens on the tripod, light as the 400mm f4.5 is you don't want the 1.2kg force on the lens mount hanging off the camera. You need the camera (lighter of the two) hanging off the lens. This is both good practice for the well being of your camera mount but also drastically sharpens images as the slight movement of the suspended lens is magnified considerably at 560mm. Also given that haze and air pollutants can have a negative impact on IQ and there is little you can do to control it I would nonetheless use the lens hood as angle of light (especially polluted and or haze) can spoil an image. Secondly the large pool of glass on the end of your lens is very well protected with the hood on!
I usually use a hood but didn’t want to stick out the hide with it. But yeah seeing my footage it would be better to tripod from lens not body even though it’s a light lens. Still got as good as results as possible I think. 😊
Really enjoyed your video Russ....amazing what quality you can still achieve with slow shutter speeds and high iso in low light when shooting relatively slow moving subjects. Id have given up and gone home when it got that late 🤣, but maybe ill try some photography in lower light now? As most others have said, i think the 180-600 is the way to go, then add a fast prime later.
Thanks it is amazing how low we can shoot with Nikon now. I could never do that before. The 180-600 is pretty much the same focal length and aperture to what I have with my 400+tc.
You got some nice shots there but as always there is no substitute for reach and larger apertures which sadly means you have to invest big money in the more serious primes to get the results you want. Basically you need the 600mm f4 TC lens but at around £15K it's a massive commitment especially if nature photography is just a hobby..I own the 180 to 600 and all in all its perhaps the best compromise regards price, aperture and image quality. I think 400mm is just too short for your needs based on this showing. Don't discount adapting say an f mount 600mm f4, you might likely find something nearer your budget. Yes its going to be bulky and heavy compared to native Z mount options but you can't have it all unfortunately 😋
When you start contemplating about better lenses, I started to think about cheaper options to improve you photo- and videography. Toss the rubbish Nikon lens collar and replace it with an Arca Swiss+QD (leofoto) compatible lens collar and use that instead. Centre of gravity is better resulting in sharper images. Then, get a better panning head and a sturdy tripod (no centre column).
Yes I’ve heard Arca Swiss is better but why? Really I got still photos at very low shutter speeds. My issue seems to be needing a longer focal length too. But very much like the idea of getting better results a cheaper way 😊
@@russandloz Setup is easier to use, lighter (no additional plate), centre of gravity is better, you can hold your other hand on the whole lens thereby reducing vibrations, lens weight is not on the lens to camera mount and will save you from expensive repairs and QD allows you to put a sling on the lens collar.
Good one Russ, slowly slowly catchy monkey... Instead of all these teleconverters and constantly changing things my suggestion is to ditch the 400 f4.5 although it's a good, pretty sharp lens but always stretching, cropping using 2x teleconverters etc is slow, inconvenient and degrades image quality, and buy a 180-600 Z mount zoom. A 400 is just too short for a one lens wildlife quiver. The 180-600 isn't as sharp as the native 400 but is at least as sharp as the 400 plus 1.4 teleconverter, it goes to 600 too natively and in a pinch can be used with the 1.4 TC to give 840mm. It's easier to find, respond quickly and learn wildlife shooting and is very reasonably priced. It is heavier at 2.2 kg but manageable. I'm nearly 70 and carry mine on a strap from the lens foot diagonally over one shoulder and I can go all day like that. When you get better, learn what you like to really shoot and at what focal length, then invest in quality primes of choice. A friend of mine who mostly shoots from hides, just bought a mint f mount 400 f2.8 with TCs on a FTZ adapter. Heavy but unimportant in hides, and produces splendid results for around a 3K investment instead of 15K! Find out first what you need by using a zoom, you'll end up buying what you actually need and save money in the long run too. I bet you would still keep the 180-600 as a second lens. Enjoy, Cheers, Robert.
I was always eyeing the 180-600 as I came from a 200-500, but the size and weight put me off for such a relatively slow lens starting at 6.3. Being able to zoom while find the subject would be handy too. I'm tending to be out at dusk for the more reclusive animals, so even my 4.5 is struggling. But like you say, maybe a 2.8 for low light and hide work would be great if I can find a deal.
@@russandloz You can always rent one and find out that those lenses are quite good, but having not much experience yet you will find them difficult to use to the fullest extend. I would go with the 180-600 mm for a year or so, then perhaps get the 600tc.
@@russandlozHi Russ... The 180-600mm doesn't start @ 6.3, it's 5.6 upto 300mm, f6 to 500mm and only 6.3 from 5-600mm. All lenses of f4 and up, yes even the 9x the price 600f4 TC will struggle a bit in low light and technique has to be learned including zoom in and manual focus to handoff. Like the other commenter has said, rent some lenses, see where you are. For me, if I was learning I'd take the zoom then add expensive primes when I know what I want to shoot and when I'm ready. That's my advice anyway. 😊
@@musiqueetmontagne Thanks yeah, I did learn from my 200-500 that I only need from 400mm plus, that’s why I got the 400 prime to build on. Love its portability too. I need all the lenses! lol
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Put a tripod plate onto the lens collar and mount the lens on the tripod, light as the 400mm f4.5 is you don't want the 1.2kg force on the lens mount hanging off the camera. You need the camera (lighter of the two) hanging off the lens. This is both good practice for the well being of your camera mount but also drastically sharpens images as the slight movement of the suspended lens is magnified considerably at 560mm. Also given that haze and air pollutants can have a negative impact on IQ and there is little you can do to control it I would nonetheless use the lens hood as angle of light (especially polluted and or haze) can spoil an image. Secondly the large pool of glass on the end of your lens is very well protected with the hood on!
I usually use a hood but didn’t want to stick out the hide with it. But yeah seeing my footage it would be better to tripod from lens not body even though it’s a light lens. Still got as good as results as possible I think. 😊
@@russandlozI’ve told you that ! 😂
Really enjoyed your video Russ....amazing what quality you can still achieve with slow shutter speeds and high iso in low light when shooting relatively slow moving subjects. Id have given up and gone home when it got that late 🤣, but maybe ill try some photography in lower light now?
As most others have said, i think the 180-600 is the way to go, then add a fast prime later.
Thanks it is amazing how low we can shoot with Nikon now. I could never do that before. The 180-600 is pretty much the same focal length and aperture to what I have with my 400+tc.
You got some nice shots there but as always there is no substitute for reach and larger apertures which sadly means you have to invest big money in the more serious primes to get the results you want. Basically you need the 600mm f4 TC lens but at around £15K it's a massive commitment especially if nature photography is just a hobby..I own the 180 to 600 and all in all its perhaps the best compromise regards price, aperture and image quality. I think 400mm is just too short for your needs based on this showing.
Don't discount adapting say an f mount 600mm f4, you might likely find something nearer your budget. Yes its going to be bulky and heavy compared to native Z mount options but you can't have it all unfortunately 😋
Hi, yeah at 560mm with the TC it's not enough reach, but managed to get clean photos. But yeah the 600f4 or 400 2.8 with TC might work with my budget.
When you start contemplating about better lenses, I started to think about cheaper options to improve you photo- and videography. Toss the rubbish Nikon lens collar and replace it with an Arca Swiss+QD (leofoto) compatible lens collar and use that instead. Centre of gravity is better resulting in sharper images. Then, get a better panning head and a sturdy tripod (no centre column).
Yes I’ve heard Arca Swiss is better but why? Really I got still photos at very low shutter speeds. My issue seems to be needing a longer focal length too. But very much like the idea of getting better results a cheaper way 😊
@@russandloz Setup is easier to use, lighter (no additional plate), centre of gravity is better, you can hold your other hand on the whole lens thereby reducing vibrations, lens weight is not on the lens to camera mount and will save you from expensive repairs and QD allows you to put a sling on the lens collar.
@@Mr1Spring Sounds good and heard a lot of people use them as standard, shame Nikon doesn't use them
With the larger aperature you buy yourself 30 min. more time. Quite expensive!
The 400 2.8 apparently works well with the teleconverters which would still have larger apertures?
Good one Russ, slowly slowly catchy monkey... Instead of all these teleconverters and constantly changing things my suggestion is to ditch the 400 f4.5 although it's a good, pretty sharp lens but always stretching, cropping using 2x teleconverters etc is slow, inconvenient and degrades image quality, and buy a 180-600 Z mount zoom. A 400 is just too short for a one lens wildlife quiver. The 180-600 isn't as sharp as the native 400 but is at least as sharp as the 400 plus 1.4 teleconverter, it goes to 600 too natively and in a pinch can be used with the 1.4 TC to give 840mm. It's easier to find, respond quickly and learn wildlife shooting and is very reasonably priced. It is heavier at 2.2 kg but manageable. I'm nearly 70 and carry mine on a strap from the lens foot diagonally over one shoulder and I can go all day like that. When you get better, learn what you like to really shoot and at what focal length, then invest in quality primes of choice. A friend of mine who mostly shoots from hides, just bought a mint f mount 400 f2.8 with TCs on a FTZ adapter. Heavy but unimportant in hides, and produces splendid results for around a 3K investment instead of 15K! Find out first what you need by using a zoom, you'll end up buying what you actually need and save money in the long run too. I bet you would still keep the 180-600 as a second lens. Enjoy, Cheers, Robert.
I was always eyeing the 180-600 as I came from a 200-500, but the size and weight put me off for such a relatively slow lens starting at 6.3. Being able to zoom while find the subject would be handy too. I'm tending to be out at dusk for the more reclusive animals, so even my 4.5 is struggling. But like you say, maybe a 2.8 for low light and hide work would be great if I can find a deal.
@@russandloz You can always rent one and find out that those lenses are quite good, but having not much experience yet you will find them difficult to use to the fullest extend. I would go with the 180-600 mm for a year or so, then perhaps get the 600tc.
@Pandles639 Every lens has a different advantage right, always tricky to pick one but sure the 180-600 is a great price and great flexibility.
@@russandlozHi Russ... The 180-600mm doesn't start @ 6.3, it's 5.6 upto 300mm, f6 to 500mm and only 6.3 from 5-600mm. All lenses of f4 and up, yes even the 9x the price 600f4 TC will struggle a bit in low light and technique has to be learned including zoom in and manual focus to handoff. Like the other commenter has said, rent some lenses, see where you are. For me, if I was learning I'd take the zoom then add expensive primes when I know what I want to shoot and when I'm ready. That's my advice anyway. 😊
@@musiqueetmontagne Thanks yeah, I did learn from my 200-500 that I only need from 400mm plus, that’s why I got the 400 prime to build on. Love its portability too. I need all the lenses! lol