That's awesome, congratulations. Looking forward to the full review and pics

"stop stroking it like that" LMAO! that should be on a t-shirt. 🤣

That's quite the lens! When hand holding, as opposed to tripod mounted, Moose Peterson and Steve Perry recommend spinning the foot out of the way, so that you have a larger area on the lens in contact with your hand. I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

at 1:41 IT'S NOT plastic, it's carbon fibre, like a set of tripod legs, that's why so expensive, like fibreglass it has to be moulded into shape, thats where the cost comes in.

Awesome - that's a great price for that lens! Very interesting use of the 1.7x TC - never thought of that, but the on-sensor AF of the Z camera eliminates much of the classic issues of teleconverters.. Yeah, the lens hood replacement price is totally daft! There are a number of much cheaper folding alternatives if you really did want to replace it.

Congratulations! HAPPY shooting!

A monopod into a pouch on your belt, Manfrotto does one but you can use anything, takes the weight on your waist so your arms aren't carrying the load. Moto sports photographers do this a lot. You can pan with your body.

Great choice, great price! My local store had the matching 600f4 for a similar price but I ummed and ahed for too long and it was gone! Those lenses are brilliant and I'm sure you will enjoy it.

That is a fine bargain! I am still using the Nikon 200-500 5.6 f-mount on my Z9 with quite good results so I can imagine what you’re getting with such high spec glass. Looking forward to see some pictures on your Flickr group which I’m a member of.

Be carful of that lens hood fastener. They tend to break easily. Don’t over tighten. The 2.8 400mm is exceptional image quality perfect for nighttime sports and daytime too. Short for birds but doable with 1.7 extender. I’ve used it many years and it blows away the 100-400, and 180-600mm with smooth bokeh tack sharp images. The cost and weight are the obstacles to over come. A Monopod I found is the way to go. Love your banter ..keep up the good work..

the VR sport mode is for panning it work for up and down movement

Tip? - Get a red dot and put it on the camera. Suddenly you will have a much higher success rate in finding those creatures you want to photograph.

Nice video guys, thanks! I’ve have used Park cameras quite happily in the past but they and WEX are always the most expensive for new gear, unless you price match. I’m a huge fan of MPB whenever I buy used, which is very often. Maybe don’t look at MPB if you have just bought something 😂. Ps. I’m not sponsored, just honest...

The lens hood is the same price for my Nikon 1 J5 & V3 Mirrorless Cameras with two lenses. Cheers!

A 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water, and a bit of gentle elbow grease will get that sticker off.

I see that someone else mentioned the carbon fibre hood - which, as said, is the reason it is so expensive. And, as far as the lens cap, I've seen recommended just buying a plastic shower cap, and stretch around the end of the hood. Way cheaper, and takes up less room for storage!

ive got the nikon 300mm f2.8 vr don't use it a lot but when I do the results are great , I am sure you will love this lens

Great lens and i use a flat folding velcro lens hood that attached to the front of the lens. Leave the proper lens cover at home when travelling

Another option would be the 200mm f2 with the 1.7 teleconverter. A bit smaller overall.. and probably the same weight. 340mm at f 3.3 with the TC. This combo is very versatile and probably about the same as long as you get 1st version of the 200mm f2 lens. If you can shoot at 200mm at F2 it produces jaw dropping results. Just an idea. Congratulations on the new lens!

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR Lens for $2900 in my local camera store which is in good condition. I have the smaller version which is quite good also but the aperture does not quite match the 2.8. Have the Z 100-400mm & 180-600mm telephoto zooms. Cheers!

Definitely a monopod for long use, even a gimbal.

I bought a 400mm 2.8 E FL Like New- from KEH a couple of months ago. The images are incredible…. It’s a great Lens, lighter and better IQ than the G and every bit as good as the new Z400mm 2.8 TC. Enjoy!

I would walk with my family around Magic Kingdom with that set up , just to see reactions from people and make a yt video out of it.

180-600 f5.6-6.3 will get you closer and be cheaper. If you’re spreading the cost and adding TC… Just get the 800f6.3pf Z mount glass is top notch in the telephoto lenses and the 800f6.3pf is the king of the wildlife photography. running tc for reach is not the way to go about things. TC is for magnification purposes. Focal length over distance dictates the subject size you are shooting. You’re always better off investing into the focal length you need than add the slop in with tc. Main issue with F glass is it’s crap at distances over 80-100m and it can’t control atmospheric diffraction at all. Saw that with my old 500f4G and even with my 500f4L. All that said - congratulations on the purchase. It’s a great lens regardless. Prior to 800f6.3 I shot with 500f4G and although a heavy beast that lens right conditions was astonishing.

If the lens is dropped, with the lens hood on, the lens will survive. This is a great lens for 'isolation-style' portraits, like with an engagement session. In a location like gardens, the setting is discernible without being distracting, and the subject separation is special.

That's a steal.

Nice lens , well done 👍 I might give the next video a miss if it involves a camouflage suit 😱

This is my main sports photography lens used with my Z9 but I found it too hard to hike with for wildlife due to the weight.

😂😂😂 that’s a nonsense, it’s a plastic hood! When I win the lottery I’m buying a 400 2.8 z but until then wow that’s a bargain. Great buy 👍😀

Wow Superb! Just out of interest why didnt you go for 800mm F/5.6 Vr version? almost same price ? To get Barn owl that far wouldn't that be handy with 1.25TC included in the lens? Anyhow you already had 400 Z version with you. You need a bigger reach!

Russ, KZfaq keep deleting my posts. I will try again. Zemlin are amazing for lens hoods and caps or Outdoor Photography Gear to cover it with a neoprene cover, they do black if you don't want camo.

I reckon a bit of rubbing alcohol will get those sticker residues off...