Glad I found this video! I found a used 55-200mm zoom lens at a pawn shop for only $85 and snapped it up. Although the autofocus was a little sluggish at first, it has now become one of my FAVORITE outdoor lenses! Thanks again for your informtion...

Steve thank you for sharing your experience. Sometimes it is things I know but I forget why I do them and those reminders helps me to rethink what and why I do what I am doing. Good shooting!

Great video Steve, thanks a lot! My wife and I went on a day tour with you in Grand Teton about five years ago and you gave us invaluable pointers at the time for which I remain grateful. Ever since then I have been using my 600mm f/4 regularly and consider myself lucky to know the ins and outs of the lens. But every time I watch one of your videos I learn something new. The lenscoat neoprene cover has been a frustration as it gets in the way when using a backpack. Also it moves ever so slightly at times and makes manual focusing difficult. And the plastic see-through windows for the switches are cumbersome. I have been looking for a thinner alternative and will definitely check out the Alphaguard sleeves! Thanks for your great help and hi from a fan from Switzerland 😊

Steve excellent advice!! All are great suggestions that one should take seriously. Thanks for sharing!😊

Great video Steve! I'm currently in the market for a new super telephoto lens. Thank you for sharing this information, it was very helpful. Have a great week and be safe out there.

Thanks for the tips. I tend to shoot more with wide-angle lenses than with telephoto lenses. At one time, a 300mm f/6.3 Takumar and an 800mm f/8 Soligor were the longest lenses I used. Later, I replaced those two lenses with a 400mm f/5.6, 500mm f/4, and 1000mm f/11 Nikkor lenses. I use my long lenses for wildlife, surveillance, sports, and astronomy. I support my long lenses with bean bags, a Tiltall tripod, an Acratech ball head on a Manfrotto monopod, or a Wimberley gimbal head on a Sokkia wooden surveyor tripod. I use Arca-Swiss quick release clamps and Arca-Swiss quick release plates.

Thanks for the great video Steve. I've had a sigma 50-500 for years and last year I bought sigmas 150-600 sport lens. Both lens are awesome but I still love the range of my 50-500. Keep videos coming.

Very good advice Steve. Thank you for making this video !

Great advice for newbies and a good refresh for more experienced people.

Great advice. I miss my 500 f4 but I just didn't use it enough. Another item for anyone still shooting DSLR - check focus accuracy and tune if required. That matters a great deal with the off-sensor PDAF in a D850 or D500 or 5D IV or whatever.

Thank you for a very helpful video Steve. Really appreciate your great tips :)

Very informative Steve Thanks info that not many talk about..

Thanks Steve! Good advice

What a nice puppy, to keep you company. Good tips. Thanks.

I’ve been working for years as an event photographer, mostly using a 35, 24-70 and 70-200. I decided to try some wildlife photography, so I got a Tamron 150-600 to start with. This video is definitely helpful, so thank you very much! And, I did sleep a few nights with my brand new parachute rig when I got it many years ago, it saved my life after all, but I think I’ll pass on the lens!

Practice Practice Practice spot on !! Great tips

Absolutely WONDERFUL advice... I initially got the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 (2.3 kg)... Practiced with it for a year or so before selling it and getting the 400 f4.5 z (1.26 kg)... Have ordered myself a 600 f4 z after using it a little bit... Will be keeping my 400 4.5 as well because of its light weight as the 600 is heavy compared to this one (3.2kg)... I have been an event/portrait photographer for almost 20 years now... But getting into nature/wildlife (long tele lenses) has taught me how different it is to use such heavy gear... Finding a way to carry these boulders... Is something one needs to figure out (Like you mention)... VERY important... Also practicing this style of photography was something I had to do a LOT of... As its soooo different to carry and make good images with such heavy gear... And the depth of field point you mentioned... spot on...

great little video...Just bought my first "BIG" tele zoom lens ( NIKON 80-400) 1.5 factor on my D7000.....super exited but also aware how much I need to learn on this lens....I want to have fun with it, but also do serious photography with it!! Time will tell, me as a lower rank Amateur need to do do lots of field trips this coming year!! Cant wait!! Really liked your info, tips and tricks!! TNX

Good video, thank you. Just received Z600 f4 tc a week ago. AMAZING lens, i shoot sport smore mainly AMA Superbike racing and car stuff. I dabble in some birds hunting on occasion. Amazing how handholdable the lens with z9 is and very slow shutter speed you can get handholding this combo.

Great video but I had to watch it twice.. I was watching your cute pup on the chair and missed what you said the first time. What a sweetheart. ❤

Thank you Steve .

Thanks Steve, just ordered through your link with B & H.

Your professional presentation was very informative. Have a great year in the field.

Thank you for this good advice, When I received my 400 2.8 from Nikon, many of my photos were blurry, my D800 causes a lot of vibrations and I needed advice and practice to master it and have sharp photos. Mr Arthur Moris helped me a lot. Your video is important and explains things well.

Perfect timing for this video. My 400 2.8 is arriving today!

Good stuff, Steve! I’m hoping my Z400 2.8 arrives someday 😊 I look forward to giving it your suggested treatment.

Steve great advise. As hobbyist photographer and mainly shoot while travelling I don't typically need a telephoto lens that has lots of reach. My travel camera is the Nikon Z50 with both it kit lenses, so my range is 16 to 250mm which is equivalent to 24 to 375mm for my Z50. So far it's worked well for my travel's.

Awesome video, thank you😊

Just got myself a 200-500mm and here come the fun part for me I’m trying to figure out how to carry it since I can’t carry anything on my shoulders butt that’s alright it’s part of the fun to figure it out Thanks for a great video

Another thing to do initially (although not necessary for mirrorless systems) is autofocus fine tuning for each camera and lens combination.

I think that you may have one of the best intros of all KZfaq 👍

Some Great tips & Advice love my my Sony 600 F4 Cheers

Every point is a must do especially the fun and play/work with it! Back when I only had my A7S '15 (no IBIS) I stopped at the Florida Caverns State Park during a trip and found out no tripods were allowed during the tour. Thinking fast I got out my binocular harness AND a yellow bungee cord that I attached to the camera plate on the bottom and my belt, then I became the tripod! The tour guide did not like it because I was clicking away and not in the group much. But using the Voigtlander 10mm I got wider shots with no flash also. Today I have the prize of the Sony FE 200-600mm plus 1.4x and 2x. I use the same method, sorta, at times doing birding when a fast response to a Egret flying out of a tree right in front of me with it on my chest not in a bag on my back or on a stick where I have to plant it first. Also play time is doing a full moon capture at 1800mm in APS-C mode using 2x, this way you get a legitimate moon for it wobbles through the night and upside down in the southern hemisphere. The most fun or challenge is a Lunar Eclipse like in '17 January at 20 degrees for almost 10 hours start to finish or one off my front porch in '22 for you will want every phase. Hint the moon moves fast and settings ISO/SS are equal 125 or faster for ghosting and f/# 8-11 for sharpness adjust, need an head with adjustable screws for up/down and sideways as it moves across the sky up and over your head straight up, camera needs adjustable screen so your not on your back! you will need the same setup for a Solar eclipse. Take a stroll at the zoo on a hot day, they do not like sticks either, you will find the binocular harness a godsend also wear a extra large Photo Vest to hide the lens from prying eyes. The camo skins/rap is also great for a white lens will scare the wildlife, wear camo also but also a white lens says money so it also helps hide from prying eyes another reason for insurance - you may be leaving at your car and get hit in the head!!!! You can drive with it on, get in and out with it on your chest under your vest. I have seen many carry from car to hotel room also to car openly. Yes carry sticks and small folding chair for sit and wait times. Also a bikers mirror on your glasses to see what is happening behind you!

Amazing wildlife shots!

What a great video and thank you. I have a Nikon z6 and the longest telephoto I have is a 70-180 2.8 with a 4x additional magnifying. It does a great job for my church shots from the balcony and gives me plenty of light. I want to move up to maybe a 600 and need your recommendation. I thought I could then use this outside to catch some nature photography as well as some interesting shots inside at the church. I have a very large church sanctuary with limited light but at times, not too bad. Give me a couple of choices if you would and remember, I am retired and on a limited budget. Thank you in advance. PS, I do not mind refurbished lens and I have an adaptor for the older Nikon lens.

Great take on Telephoto lenses, Steve. I had the alpha guard skin on my RF100-500 for a while but went back to lenscoat. You aint kidding the skin was a pain in the arse to apply lol. Took a couple hours to apply evenly and smooth with all the cut outs. Im hoping to get a used 500 f4 mkii within the next few years for my car photography and stationary blind, and keep my 100-500 for my hikes. Glad to see you doing well.

Been waiting many months for my Z600 tc; beginning to wonder if Nikon is actually making any :) Have had the 180-400 tc for a few years; love it for both the zoom and the tc. Can't wait for the 600. Haven't slept with the 180-400 (well, other than it's been in the tent vestibule next to me when camping :) Good video, as always; thanks!

Crazy expensive describes the main reason why I don't have a 600mm f/4 lens, the other reason is I'm crazy poor. I was fortunate enough to get a Tamron 150-600 zoom, which has really opened up a lot of shots for me. Definitely has it's limitations, but I just learn to work with them and get what I can. Great points all the way around Steve, thank you.

Great video Steve

If you're prepared to buy used some of the the older big telephoto primes l have come down in price alot, recently seen a EF 600f4 original image stabilization version for just over 2k usd, so no more expensive than a new 24-70 2.8.

Helpful... thanks.

I seen your intro, and I immediately clicked the subscribe and like buttons. You're the GOAT!

Thanks for backing me up on this one Steve! My girlfriend says I don't need an RF 600mm F4 but clearly I do and now I'm going to make her watch this!

Great tips!👍👍

I just received,after a 54 week wait,my 800 6.3 pf ed Nikon of course,and couldn’t be more impressed.I am planning a trip to Jackson with my time devoted to the Tetons.Should we cross paths Steve a fond hello will be in order.Great channel.🎉

The first long telephoto that I bought was a 600mm years ago for my Canon system which I used at that time. What a beast. It had it's own ecosystem. I bought a larger tripod just for it. And a gimbal head just for it. And drop in filters, just for it. As well as a bag, just for it. But, I didn't use it that often. So, after a few years, I sold it. I didn't buy another 600mm lens until the Sony, which I shoot now, 200-600mm G lens was released. What a great lens. Sharp, affordable, and relatively light. I love using that lens.

Great fun episode. Love these "interviews" with self. :-). I'm glad I dont have the funds to purchase big prime yet as I'm still unsure 400 or 600.. uggh. Just wish they had a 600 f2/8. ;-)

Wow! How did you know?!? You posted this video 40 minutes ago. Here I sit waiting for my first MAJOR telephoto lens to arrive at my doorstep. Canon RF 400mm 2.8. Should be here within the next couple of hours. Thanks for the wonderful recommendations! We love your videos!

Great tips.

Thank you for the video going to get an 800 PF tonight for my Z9.

Thanks for this Steve, great information as usual. Love Lulah as well! :)

bonus bonus tip is to work out, as you get stronger you can hold a camera and lens of any weight steadier for longer I use the Sigma 150-600 contemp on my hikes and my entire set up with strap weighs 6.3 pounds and I let people hold the set up and they can't stay steady for long with the set up, I bet that 600mm weighs more then my entire set up.

Currently saving hope to have the money by elk season this fall

very helpful, and well thought out video....Now, let's talk about your pup!!

Great video! Thanks for sharing, do have a link for the qd quick release connector you use? I don’t think I’m searching for the correct thing on Amazon haha Thanks again 😊

Love beagles. I had two for almost forty years. One lived 18 years and Katie almost twenty two! Great hiking companions. I have a difficult time trusting quick release straps. Are your arca plates machined for the straps? Great vid. Thanks!

“Take selfies with it” I know you meant “take selfies with the two of you in the frame”, but my first thought was to use a 600mm to take a selfie with. So it’s either a selfie of a single pore of your skin or set the tripod up and run 300m to be in the frame I wonder what time delay you’d need to set to do that…

I recently bought my first full frame camera and also grabbed a 150-600. I have a love hate relationship with it still - when I am on my game, it is really enjoyable. When i am flubbing along making mistakes I despise the weight. Thanks Steve for the tips, i can't wait to tell my wife there will be a lens between us in bed tonight.

Nice, thanks! Btw the bonus tip matches the front of the video...😂

Good suggestions as always, maybe one day I’ll have a lens expensive enough to insure 😂

Great video, Steve. When will long lens manufacturers just put Arca compatible feet on them?

The algorithm is amazing and scary. Bought a Sigma 60-600 E-mount on sort of a whim yesterday. Today this is the first video recommendation. Great Video Thanks.

I just got my Z400 2.8 TC last week😊

I love my telephoto! It's only a Sigma 150-600 C and is not "that" expensive and I do have the neoprene cover on mine. It mostly lives on my camera. I have been able to shoot some awesome images of the moon (hand held). Image stabilization stays on with my lens always. I did also add a foot extension to allow for balancing it on a tripod. Thanks for your thoughts!

I just bought an 800mm prime should be here in two days. I also have a 200-500mm an a 500mm prime, thanks for the insurance tip.😊

I routinely use a 300 f2.8 and I always use either a tripod or more frequently a monopod. His monopod seems to have a ball head with a quick release platform. My suggestion is that if your lens has a tripod collar then you don't need a ball head on the monopod. In fact it weakens the setup insofar as you've introduced a "bad knee", which becomes just an unneeded unstable joint. With the tripod collar I can move from vertical to horizontal effortlessly and the centre of gravity never changes. Using a ball head on a monopod with a shorter camera/lens setup means that it's all flopped over to one side and the centre of gravity is no longer directly over the monopod. I find that very awkward. To me a monopod replaces hand holding, not a tripod, so for shorter lenses handholding is what I do until the shot requires a tripod. Although I use the tripod screw to attach my lens to the monopod, if I was using a quick release system I'd just mount the platform - and there are tens of Arca-Swiss type platforms available on Amazon - directly onto the monopod. Just leave the ball head out.

.... great advice young man .... 😎

Of course if you're in Jackson and you pull out anything less than a 400 2.8 you're going to be the one with lens envy. A downside of the big glass one photographer described to me is that if you're out somewhere by yourself and a rather seedie individual or group of people come along it can heighten anxiety proportionally. Thanks for the video. Great point on the DOF. A straight on headshot of a heron at close range will provide a learning experience

Strict definition of a telephoto is a lens whose focal length is longer than its physical length. That could include some relatively short focal lengths. What you are discussing here might be called extra-long (focal length) lenses. Your holds resemble what many rifle shooters use for target and hunting, for the same reason. Study what rifle shooters do. Notably the "knee support" (aka "hamster"). When standing try bracing your elbow against your chest with your hand under the lens foot (with it down).

Love your co-host 🦴. Suggest folks check their basic home owners policy to see what their limits are. Some may be fine but don’t assume. With current pricing for good glass, it’s easy to find yourself in excess of your coverage.

I could only dream of a 600mm f4. I currently own an apsc camera (Sony a6400) and a tamron 150-500 f5-f6.7. And a Sony 70-350 f4.5-f6.3. They work well. Low light is a battle. As anyone with any photography knowledge would know. Works good enough for me. Only way I could buy a f4 600 is if I made money with it.

Your dog seems to enjoy life very much on the sofa!

Just left the Tetons after a week and ran into a guy that told me I should follow you. After watching your videos for several days now I wish I would have heard about you before my trip. I notice you have the 600 f/4 in some of your videos and the 400 f/2.8 in others In your gear list on your website I don't see your 600 f/4 listed so did you get rid of it because you like the 400 f/2.8 better? If that is the reason could you give me more detail on why you preferred one of the other as I am thinking seriously about buying one of them? I still have many videos of yours to watch and your book to read but looking forward to many more. Thanks for the great information thus far!

I recently got the Nikkor 200-500/5.6E. Nothing too special but definitely my largest lens. Something that I noticed? When I'm walking around with it I get a LOT more looks from people compared to my 70-200/2.8 or my previous 100-400. Way more people comment about the size of it or make comments about "what a serious camera" I have. It's very strange and I don't like the extra attention 😅

Hi Steve, Thanks for the great content you put out for us, much helpful and inspiring. About sharp photos...i got myself a Sony 200-600mm and for shots under 10 meters, works almos good, but if there is more than 10 meters, but less than 20, i just can not find the plane of focus anywhere in the picture. They are blurry, not alot, but the whole image is out of focus. Doesn't seem to be motion blurr, just there is no plane of focu. I have tried different F stops, different shutter speeds and different focus modes, no improvement. Got in touch with Sony and they asked me to send it in. The problem is that in two weeks time i have a hide rented and i am affraid the lens won't come back by then. Would you have any idea/suggestion what should i try doing to find out what the problem is ? Thanks alot !!

it depends what you do, if you're panning then turn on Sport VR and not the 'Normal' VR. Also if you're shooting above 1/2000 then switch it off all together you'll be surprised at the results...

Can you tell me the brand of that QD quick connector

Mind me asking what kind of monopod and head that is, and if you like it?

What is the QD that you are using? Looks good. Great video. Thanks.

Steve Perry says that camera gear are "tools not jewels". Sometimes given the price of high-end camera gear, it's hard to not treat them like jewels.

Exactly what I had done except the insurance. Thanks. Some more, i had bought a rain jacket, a foldable trolley 😂

2:55 Thanks! I send an email to my insurer about the new baby.

Can you add your replacement foots to your gear list?

Hey Steve, thank you for this excellent video! I have a NIkkor Z 180-600 on order, and need to know who makes an Arca-Swiss compatible foot for the Nikon 180-600 f/5.6-6.3 zoom lens? (I don't understand why Nikon doesn't supply an Arca-Swiss compatible foot with these lenses! Isn't that what 99% of photographers use?) Thanks again sir!

very nice video. I confess I suffered every time you lifted the Z9 from the camera body attached the 600mm... I think that is a recipe to damage the mount over time. much better to lift the lens from the foot. no?

Carefull buying used some of these lenses have had a rough life , hidden by neoprene cammo or black velcro jackets , keeping them looking mint , but inner wear on 200-400f4, graunchy zoom between 3-400 is an avoid me warning ,if you get a good one , you will want the backpack that fits a body and grip , not carrying a case is a bonus ! Warning the lowa 600 bag is £200 +

Steve got a question for you. im also a nikon shooter and looking to purchase my first telephoto zoom. im looking at the older nikon 600mm f4 g and the 500mm f4g. both have the older d series afs versions im curious if youve used the d series versions and how the autofocus speeds are. also curious what your thoughts are on big telephotos like the 600 and 500mm that dont have vr.

one important thing you forgot s to mount the lens and then practice holding to build up strength in your wrist and arms also at the same timer how to keep it steady when shooting as well. You don;t wan to just put it on the first time you need to shoot important images and figure out you can hold it etc. if you using it on a tripod only then practice mounting and unmounting the monster.......

I really like the look of that Black Rapid strap you showed but the one on your website is way different. Which strap did you show and how did you get one with a QD attaching point?

Hehe look at the hound completly disinterested , just love him/her.

I need a camera so I can record my shooting at 1 mile distance. What camera, lense, solution do you recomend which will allow me to see holes on paper target 1 mile away? Will Coolpix P1000 do?

I am surprised that you did not include calibrating the lens.

Did you keep the 400 f2.8 as well for low light? Glad to see you got the 600 TC, I’m sure that is better for you.

My 1990s 600mm nikon prime is like 6 and a half kilos so it doubles up as a big dumbbell. Everything else needs protection from it.

what about dry box?

Great video. Your 400mm is all fine now? You motivated me to film more youtube videos! It's not easy!

I’m glad to see you have a good assistant with you. Supervisor maybe?

Thank you for your thoughts. What lens hood do you have on the 100-400?

What I struggle with more than anything else is finding my subject with the narrow field of view I have with a 600. This takes lots of practice.

Hey Steve... Do you have an affiliate link for the Alphavuard skins so you get credit for it when I order? The link you have is just to their store.