The absolute swiss army knife that 100-400! I've used it for close up nature shots (near macro), sports, wildlife, distant landscape shots and even portraits. The aperture difference is not a big difference and the sharpness difference is only meaningful when zooming right in. My only gripe is the cost. Still, for outdoor sports the 100-400 and the 400 f2.8 are a magical combination.
The image quality on the 100-400 is amazing! I almost never use my 70-200mm f/2.8 anymore unless I’m shooting in a low-light situation (e.g. concert). And I often add the 1.4x TC if I need additional reach (560mm @ f/8).
Brilliant pick up for outdoor daytime events, add a 24-70 and your covered. Saves the wear and tear on the 70-200 2.8, which I think is one of the best l've ever used.
Enjoy the lens. I’ve had mine for a a year plus. It does feel heavy to hike with and pack along for landscape. (Still considering getting the Tamron 70-300 for these uses). A friend got the 400f4.5 and i still lust for that gem. But love the flexibility and very close minimum focal distance.
Beautiful lenses, I got my 400 4.5 about 2 years ago, and my 100-400 about 4 months ago and they are both wonderful to use and the results are, from my point of view, undistinguishable between the two. But I don‘t pixel-peep… every day, just sometimes :)
It makes sense to go with a variable aperture lens if said lens is not a focal length(s) you use all the time. It sounds like your 70-200 is a go to lens, so the constant 2.8 aperture is perfect.
I have the Z 100-400 as well, Loz (Like you, I also own the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 S lens.). The 100-400mm is a wonderful lens and I believe that you will enjoy it. I just finished a big five day shoot over 64,000 frames) last month. It was an indoor shoot, and while I shot with 4 different Z lenses during 5 days of shooting (24-120 f4; 70-200mm f2.8; 105mm f2.8 Macro, and 180-600mm f5.6-6.3), my close friend shot 3 days using both the Z 24-120 f4 and his Z 100-400mm f4.5-5.6. He's a very talented photographer and was very happy using the 100-400mm. My Z 100-400mm would have been a better choice than my 180-600mm (over 2800 frames with this lens alone) given the use-case of shooting lots of movement shots indoors, I was very happy with the performance of all my Z lenses.
I’ve got the 100-400, it’s brilliant. I’m amazed by how much I use it and for what. I bought it because I found my 500pf too restrictive and missed so many shots because I was too close so being able to zoom in to 100 is very useful.
I owned the Z 100-400 but as I preferred to use my Z 70-200 I felt that the 100-400 became unnecessary for me. Maybe one day in the future I intend to buy either the Z 600mm f/6.3 or the Z 180-600. But am more interested in the fixed lens.
Love my 100-400, shame the 180 to 600 is a little sharper, but the 100-400 being an s-lens with better seals and it's close focus ability makes it great for close up shots with insects and butterflies etc. Better for events / Low light too
I think the question should be why the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (in the NY, NY superstore: US$ 2,500 excluding sales tax) and not the Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR (US$ 1,700)? Alternatively, why not use the brilliantly excellent 70-200 with a 1.4 TC? I'm a fan of the "S" class lenses and they're the only ones I have, a bunch actually, but some of the non-S lenses are actually really good. They may have a quirk here or there, but if you know how to work with, or around that, they are great value for money.
The 100-400 is not inferior to the 70-200 in IQ. The 180-600 is the star of the show, but not for Loz's use. Good choice Loz, it will get a lot of use I suspect.
I have an idea - how about a x2 teleconverter on the 70-200 vs the 100-400mm? That would be a good watch! I also wonder why Loz didn't went with the teleconverter in the first place.
My response would be (Russ) that the 180-600 is a lot heavier and maybe not wide enough if only using one lens. But sure the 180-600 is better for things like birding
The absolute swiss army knife that 100-400! I've used it for close up nature shots (near macro), sports, wildlife, distant landscape shots and even portraits. The aperture difference is not a big difference and the sharpness difference is only meaningful when zooming right in. My only gripe is the cost. Still, for outdoor sports the 100-400 and the 400 f2.8 are a magical combination.
Welcome to the 100-400 club. This is such a wonderful and versatile lens, it's my absolute favourite.
The image quality on the 100-400 is amazing! I almost never use my 70-200mm f/2.8 anymore unless I’m shooting in a low-light situation (e.g. concert). And I often add the 1.4x TC if I need additional reach (560mm @ f/8).
Brilliant pick up for outdoor daytime events, add a 24-70 and your covered. Saves the wear and tear on the 70-200 2.8, which I think is one of the best l've ever used.
Excellent choice. The 100-400 is my most used lens, especially for landscape. Sadly, my 70-200 rarely gets used anymore.
I don’t have an interest in either of these lenses but yall are so wonderful to watch I watched it through to the end!
@@mikedfurman Thanks Mike
I bought the 400mm f4.5 as I used to have a 200-500 and mostly used it at 500mm. The 400 with TC 1.4 gives me 560mm which is great. Fantastic lens.
Enjoy the lens. I’ve had mine for a a year plus. It does feel heavy to hike with and pack along for landscape. (Still considering getting the Tamron 70-300 for these uses). A friend got the 400f4.5 and i still lust for that gem. But love the flexibility and very close minimum focal distance.
Love these guy's and the banter.
Thanks Steve!
Beautiful lenses, I got my 400 4.5 about 2 years ago, and my 100-400 about 4 months ago and they are both wonderful to use and the results are, from my point of view, undistinguishable between the two. But I don‘t pixel-peep… every day, just sometimes :)
Looks like the prime has advantage when cropping in, which is needed for those small far away birds. But sure, they are both good
Loz is Mister Zoom like me. Congratulations, fantastic combo with the Z8.
Thanks !
It makes sense to go with a variable aperture lens if said lens is not a focal length(s) you use all the time. It sounds like your 70-200 is a go to lens, so the constant 2.8 aperture is perfect.
I have the Z 100-400 as well, Loz (Like you, I also own the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 S lens.). The 100-400mm is a wonderful lens and I believe that you will enjoy it. I just finished a big five day shoot over 64,000 frames) last month. It was an indoor shoot, and while I shot with 4 different Z lenses during 5 days of shooting (24-120 f4; 70-200mm f2.8; 105mm f2.8 Macro, and 180-600mm f5.6-6.3), my close friend shot 3 days using both the Z 24-120 f4 and his Z 100-400mm f4.5-5.6. He's a very talented photographer and was very happy using the 100-400mm. My Z 100-400mm would have been a better choice than my 180-600mm (over 2800 frames with this lens alone) given the use-case of shooting lots of movement shots indoors, I was very happy with the performance of all my Z lenses.
I am saving up for that 100-400 and a Nikon Z8. Will be great for landscape and some minor wildlife photography.
@@koenpijpersphotography look out for used deals to save!
I’ve got the 100-400, it’s brilliant. I’m amazed by how much I use it and for what. I bought it because I found my 500pf too restrictive and missed so many shots because I was too close so being able to zoom in to 100 is very useful.
I owned the Z 100-400 but as I preferred to use my Z 70-200 I felt that the 100-400 became unnecessary for me. Maybe one day in the future I intend to buy either the Z 600mm f/6.3 or the Z 180-600. But am more interested in the fixed lens.
Love my 100-400, shame the 180 to 600 is a little sharper, but the 100-400 being an s-lens with better seals and it's close focus ability makes it great for close up shots with insects and butterflies etc. Better for events / Low light too
Yeah I would suggest the 180-600 is for birds and wildlife, where as the 100--400 is much lighter and suited to other things.
I think the question should be why the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (in the NY, NY superstore: US$ 2,500 excluding sales tax) and not the Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR (US$ 1,700)?
Alternatively, why not use the brilliantly excellent 70-200 with a 1.4 TC?
I'm a fan of the "S" class lenses and they're the only ones I have, a bunch actually, but some of the non-S lenses are actually really good. They may have a quirk here or there, but if you know how to work with, or around that, they are great value for money.
Yeah I would suggest the 180-600 is for birds and wildlife, where as the 100--400 is much lighter and suited to other things.
Yep - the 180-600 is bigger and heavier; I’ve tried the TC 1.4 with my 70-200 and didn’t find any benefit to be honest 😬
Did Russ just ask Loz, "Why do you need a new lens?" Isn't he the expert on answering that question? 😂
@@UnconventionalReasoning It was nice to ask it for a change lol
@@russandloz True. Though you should have avoided mentioning that you now have two 400mm prime lenses. 😂
Indeed he is ! 😂
The 100-400 is not inferior to the 70-200 in IQ. The 180-600 is the star of the show, but not for Loz's use. Good choice Loz, it will get a lot of use I suspect.
Prime vs Zoom war going on here.
@@Ben_Stewart As usual lol. But really it’s a case of purpose. 100-400 has a different use to the 400 prime really
I have an idea - how about a x2 teleconverter on the 70-200 vs the 100-400mm? That would be a good watch! I also wonder why Loz didn't went with the teleconverter in the first place.
@@PavelGramatikov We tested the 2x in a previous video and the image quality wasn’t very good. Loz doesn’t like teleconverters as he sees no benefit
You should get a Kirk Replacent Foot for your 400mm
@@Mr09260 What does it do? Easy detachment?
180-600 didn't temp you? I know smaller apature and not S, but range fits perfectly
Yep just thought it would be too heavy and big 🤷♂️but was tempted !
@@lozzom I've just watched a whole load of comparison videos and I've got to say, I think you've made the right decision. Enjoy
@@exert2020 cheers - will do !
Pass me my 180-600 for wild life
Nice purchase but for Airshows wouldn't the 180 to 600 along with your 70 to 200 have been a better match? 🤔😊
My response would be (Russ) that the 180-600 is a lot heavier and maybe not wide enough if only using one lens. But sure the 180-600 is better for things like birding
@@russandlozyes - what Russ said!