Great video Wayne. I have a Z8 and Zf, with 14-30, 24-120, 100-400, 180-600 and 105 2.8 MC. What are your pro's and con's on using the Z8 in DX Crop mode vs using the 1.4 TC. Would be a nice video to see image quality test comparing in crop mode vs 1.4 TC. You're correct about using left hand to support the longer lens. I assigned the movie record button to cycle through the focus modes. You can select only the 4 or 5 you use the most so you can cycle faster on the modes you use instead of all of them. Truly wish Nikon will replace the D500 with a pro-body APS-C
Hi Doug, thanks for watching and for your comment. You have some nice cameras and lenses! That is a good question about crop mode/cropping in post vs using a 1.4 TC. I think you could ask 100 people the same question and get many different answers! I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, it depends on quite a few factors and could make for a lengthy video for sure. I decide on using or not using my TC on location based on the situation I am in, various things can influence me one way or the other. However, if I am not concerned about the effect on aperture and potentially ISO, and I have time and the situation allows it, generally I will choose to use the TC. This is because I am very happy with the image quality using my TC and prefer that over cropping (I like to get my subject occupying more pixels). The Z TC I have is so good that image quality never crosses my mind when I am considering using it. If you scan the internet I'm sure you will find other people with this opinion and also others saying it does degrade image quality so perhaps something worth testing for yourself if you can. I'm very critical of my photos and wouldn't use my TC if I saw an easily noticeable difference in image quality. I do wonder if there are subtle sample variations between lenses and TCs as some people insist the TC makes image quality significantly worse but that's not my experience. I hope that helps and best wishes.
A great video and some beautiful photographs, thank you. I ordered my Z 100-400 way back when it was first announced and used it with my Z9 and, at that time, Z 7II for many wildlife shoots. I was very pleased with the Z 100-400 and produced my own RUclips video extolling its virtues - especially as a pseudo macro lens as it excels at close focussing for subjects such as butterflies, damselflies etc. The Z 100-400 was my "go-to" lens for two African safari holidays where the flexibility couples to its relatively light weight and small size were ideal. However, I was less happy with its performance when the 1.4x teleconverter was added. Back in the spring I was in a hide photographing grey-herons in flight and a guy sitting next to me had the new Z 180-500 lens and i had the opportunity to take a series of back to back photos with my Z 100-400 + the 1.4xTC and his Z 180-600 on my camera body using the same settings. I was surprised at how much sharper the images the latter produced- despite it not being an S-Line lens and that really set me thinking. I loved the 100-400 but was quite often frustrated by the need for that extra reach (hence the TC!) so went to my local camera store and borrowed a 180-600 for further back to back tests. These were conclusive and I sold off my 100-400 and replaced it with the 180-600 which really is an amazing lens for performance at a great price. The only downside is the loss of the close-focus advantage the 100-400 offers.
Thank you very much for watching and for sharing your experience! I’ve read many positive comments on the Z 180-600mm lens and it appears to be a great lens and offers really good value, I think it would be a fantastic wildlife lens. I have in the past wondered could there be some sample variation between lenses regarding the Z 100-400mm or indeed in TCs. As I said in the video I’m quite critical of my images and at 560mm I can see extreme detail in feathers, around a birds eye and even within the reflection on the eye. I’ve read of many people reporting a significant drop in image quality with the TC so I’ve always assumed sample variation must be the cause. Thanks again and best wishes.
Great video. I live in St Ives Cornwall so sea birds are my main images, I have the Nikon Z6 III, and the Z180-600 but my all rounder Z 100-400 is the one lens I will never sell.
I got tired of waiting for the Z6iii so I too ended up with a Z8. I got tired of waiting for the 200(180)-600 and ended up with the Z800/6.3. That said before I bought the 800mm I picked up the 100-400 as well as the 1.4TC. Between 100-300 the lens is brilliant, but at 400 or with the 1.4 attached, it's quite good but not great, IMO. That said, for large animals/landscape it is brilliant and I can't see getting rid of this lens especially since it makes a great "just in case" lens to bring with me when I might see animals while travelling but want to travel relatively light.
Thanks for a great video and honest review.
Thanks I appreciate it and I’m glad you enjoyed watching.
Fantastic video - thank you very much!
Thank you I appreciate it!
Very good to see you and your production back!
Thank you very much and I hope you are doing well!
Beautiful video Wayne very professional
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed watching.
Great video Wayne. I have a Z8 and Zf, with 14-30, 24-120, 100-400, 180-600 and 105 2.8 MC. What are your pro's and con's on using the Z8 in DX Crop mode vs using the 1.4 TC. Would be a nice video to see image quality test comparing in crop mode vs 1.4 TC. You're correct about using left hand to support the longer lens. I assigned the movie record button to cycle through the focus modes. You can select only the 4 or 5 you use the most so you can cycle faster on the modes you use instead of all of them. Truly wish Nikon will replace the D500 with a pro-body APS-C
Hi Doug, thanks for watching and for your comment. You have some nice cameras and lenses! That is a good question about crop mode/cropping in post vs using a 1.4 TC. I think you could ask 100 people the same question and get many different answers! I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, it depends on quite a few factors and could make for a lengthy video for sure. I decide on using or not using my TC on location based on the situation I am in, various things can influence me one way or the other. However, if I am not concerned about the effect on aperture and potentially ISO, and I have time and the situation allows it, generally I will choose to use the TC. This is because I am very happy with the image quality using my TC and prefer that over cropping (I like to get my subject occupying more pixels). The Z TC I have is so good that image quality never crosses my mind when I am considering using it. If you scan the internet I'm sure you will find other people with this opinion and also others saying it does degrade image quality so perhaps something worth testing for yourself if you can. I'm very critical of my photos and wouldn't use my TC if I saw an easily noticeable difference in image quality. I do wonder if there are subtle sample variations between lenses and TCs as some people insist the TC makes image quality significantly worse but that's not my experience. I hope that helps and best wishes.
Hi, thanks for video, do you try z 180-600 mm?
Thanks for watching! No I haven’t used that lens.
A great video and some beautiful photographs, thank you. I ordered my Z 100-400 way back when it was first announced and used it with my Z9 and, at that time, Z 7II for many wildlife shoots. I was very pleased with the Z 100-400 and produced my own RUclips video extolling its virtues - especially as a pseudo macro lens as it excels at close focussing for subjects such as butterflies, damselflies etc. The Z 100-400 was my "go-to" lens for two African safari holidays where the flexibility couples to its relatively light weight and small size were ideal. However, I was less happy with its performance when the 1.4x teleconverter was added. Back in the spring I was in a hide photographing grey-herons in flight and a guy sitting next to me had the new Z 180-500 lens and i had the opportunity to take a series of back to back photos with my Z 100-400 + the 1.4xTC and his Z 180-600 on my camera body using the same settings. I was surprised at how much sharper the images the latter produced- despite it not being an S-Line lens and that really set me thinking. I loved the 100-400 but was quite often frustrated by the need for that extra reach (hence the TC!) so went to my local camera store and borrowed a 180-600 for further back to back tests. These were conclusive and I sold off my 100-400 and replaced it with the 180-600 which really is an amazing lens for performance at a great price. The only downside is the loss of the close-focus advantage the 100-400 offers.
Thank you very much for watching and for sharing your experience! I’ve read many positive comments on the Z 180-600mm lens and it appears to be a great lens and offers really good value, I think it would be a fantastic wildlife lens. I have in the past wondered could there be some sample variation between lenses regarding the Z 100-400mm or indeed in TCs. As I said in the video I’m quite critical of my images and at 560mm I can see extreme detail in feathers, around a birds eye and even within the reflection on the eye. I’ve read of many people reporting a significant drop in image quality with the TC so I’ve always assumed sample variation must be the cause. Thanks again and best wishes.
Great video. I live in St Ives Cornwall so sea birds are my main images, I have the Nikon Z6 III, and the Z180-600 but my all rounder Z 100-400 is the one lens I will never sell.
Thank you Mike for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. You have a great camera and set of lenses for your wildlife photography!
I got tired of waiting for the Z6iii so I too ended up with a Z8. I got tired of waiting for the 200(180)-600 and ended up with the Z800/6.3. That said before I bought the 800mm I picked up the 100-400 as well as the 1.4TC. Between 100-300 the lens is brilliant, but at 400 or with the 1.4 attached, it's quite good but not great, IMO. That said, for large animals/landscape it is brilliant and I can't see getting rid of this lens especially since it makes a great "just in case" lens to bring with me when I might see animals while travelling but want to travel relatively light.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I think the Z 100-400mm is a great choice for those doing both landscape and wildlife photography.
The 1.4tc is a great addition to my kit, it works great with my 100-400 and my 180-600. Great video.
I agree about the 1.4TC and thank you for watching!