Anybody that comments on the Z9 and the 400 2.8 combo that has not used it should know that this camera and lens is phenomenal. And no, you cannot get the speed and sharpness in any of the other lenses, all which I've used, so comparing this to the 200-500 is insane. If you can't afford it just say it...don't tell me your 5.6 lens is as good as the 400 2. Nikon is competitive and Sony and Canon are trailing at the moment...but just give it a minute...they will all up their game in the future. My recommendation is right now, nothing beats the z9/400 2.8 combo for wildlife...people who get poor results have not mastered the camera...it does take time and effort to and yes you have to study a bit..this camera is not for beginners

Best camera that I've used in my photography career

Excellent camera set-up for wildlife photography. Great shared!!!!

Hi Tin Man - nice to catch up, at least virtually, with you. Glad to hear you are staying out of the corporate world. I retired 3/1 so fully dedicating myself to video production. Haven’t given up still photos completely, so I like to at least keep up with that part of the industry. Nice video and good information on the Z9. I’m not in the market but appreciate your efforts here. You continue to get some awesome images! Take care and hope to see you out in the field.

the z9 for me is amazong and i finally get the 400mm 2.8 TC and is soamazing and lightweight, im really amazed

Great video! I think it’s worth pointing out the the z9 does have zebras in video. I’ve been shooting a lot of video lately and really appreciate all of the z9’s features. I shoot in SDR 4k 120, with the 2.3x crop (if necessary). The flat video profile coupled with active d lighting set to high and noise reduction set to normal and you will get amazing video quality that is easy to grade in post and much smaller files! So many amazing features in the z9!

How does the new 4.0 fw upgrade improve the tracking compared with your review version? Thanks for a great video

I own a Z9 and completely agree with you on the camera and lens. Have you tried the 800 6.3? I know it is 6.3, but it is quite good and the reach is a dream. I will DM you for trip information. Frank.

I change iso a lot i have a nikon d850 and was thinking of getting a z9 you can’t program one of the custom buttons to activate the iso to change it quickly on the Z9? With the wheel? As i am used to having two dials to change on the fly as i always shoot manual especially with some of the lenses I have. It’s not a deal killer it’s just perplexing that you have to go into the menu each time if thats the case.

Z9 and a AFS 300 2.8. TC1.4 if needs be. Lovely. Makes a great portrait/model lens as well.

As a multiple system user and Z9 owner, the lack of 3rd control dial has been my number 1 complain on the Z9, the second complain is the lack of duplicated custom function 9 ( Custom Fn 1 and 2 ) for vertical shooting) so those two custom function button is all gone when I am shooting the camera vertically using the VG.

Congratulations on becoming a nature photographer! :)

I just got my 400 - I waited 1 year and 8 months. I also have the 800mm. I bought the Sony a1, A7rV and a 400, 600, 200-600 lenses because of the long wait. Overall I think Sony is better for wildlife shooting. I may keep both since I’m retired and photography is my primary hobby.

Also, the ISO button on the Z9 is on top above the dial. I turn off auto-ISO in the menu settings, and then hold down the ISO button while turning the front dial to quickly adjust ISO when needed. My only complaint is that the ISO button sometimes gets mixed up with the other top button.

Thank you very much for your insights. Concerning the jpeg issue. I think you switched the shooting bank by turning the back dial . It might help to configure all shooting banks the same even if you don't use them. I have recently watched a video on the channel of Lichtbildidealisten about it. It's in German so it might not help you.

Great review! Thank you. Question: have you adjusted the Z9’s 3D tracking between smooth and sporadic? If so, which worked better for your uses?

About going from Photo to Video. I do this every day for no less than 10 hours a day and has never done that. So I believe was a human error. Greetings from Costa Rica. Good video was well explained.

I only wish that canon has 400mm 2.8 with interntal TC that will by no brainer for me. But i am considering purchase 400mm 2.8, probably RF 4002.8., i have R5 and A1 and i much more like working with R5. And also, i was considering this particular lens 400mm 2.8 1.4TC, but that mean i must buy another body and another system and wait for lens nobodyknows how much time (on internet forums many people are wainting one year for example). I will propably buy RF and start saving for nikon.... Oh man, what a time to be alive, with so much posibilities to purchase gear... but money... Tin Man Lee, i really like your channel, it is special one on YT, nobody makes this content like you, with real word wildlife experience with both 3 systems. Many thanks for your informations. Good luck with your next works.

About the problem on the Z9 you were taking video and switched to taking photos, you suddenly get bigger image and all were Jpeg files. It happened to me few times in Z5 as my lens were not fast and I switched video when lights was low and photos often. After I came back and checked the images it was some jpeg files and I never pressed at all and the AFS . I got bigger image as z5 video was cropped 1.7 time. Now I can understand it can happend when switching between video and photos.

On the a7rv... you can also use crop mode to extend the reach 1.5x (26mp) + in crop mode would be using the full sensor

Thank you so much for this Tin Man…I’m on the fence …i don’t like auto iso - as often the camera will select a much higher iso than needed for very slow shutter speeds…i like to control my shutter speed with my iso dial…and get away with as low a shutter as possible especially in low light but ensuring iso isn’t too crazy…can you do that on the Z9?

The video functions is also a big plus for Nikon. Now they've added video zoom, auto capture, it really looks them about the other brands.

The Z9 has me won over, in spite of its sometimes annoying AF. It is a pro camera. It looks and feels like a pro camera. It is heavy, but I've become accustomed to it. (Except that I have a portfolio of involuntary images of the ground from when i forget to lock the verticle grip shutter button,and fire off a bunch of frames accidentally.) Although the A1 performs exceedingly well, it seems more like a "consumer" camera than a pro cam. it doesn't feel nearly as durable, and your fogging story suggests that my concerns of build limitations may be justified. Anyway, on balance, the Z9 is the best camera I have ever had the pleasure of shooting. Finally, Nikon glass is superb, but their supply line issues are indeed a royal pain that has caused a few folks I know to jump ship to Sony and not look back. None of them have admitted any regrets.

I have the Sony A1 and 400 F2.8. That wide aperture I find invaluable for wildlife photography. I have the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters but rarely use, more often cropping when need be. When on Safari I also take my F2.8 70-200 mounted on a second A1 body. That means I don’t need change lenses while on drives, and have reliance in case of problem with one of the cameras

thanks for sharing your thoughts on the difference, I wished Sony would come out with a lens similar to this 400 Like Nikons

Very honest opinions expressed

So far I have loved my Z9 and 400sf2.8. Also love it with 800mmPF. Honest opinions. I wonder if the Z8 will be like the Sony R75 or better? Thanks for the video.

Really appreciate the input. My old Canon 7DII broke a little dial when I fell on the beach while shooting Orcas. So I am GLAD it is finally time to get a mirrorless. I have limited funds so it will probably be the Sony with a zoom lens. Trying to keep it less than 10K. Worried about the weather proofing though. It rains all the time here. And moody rain pictures with orcas are wonderful to shoot, so what can I do to keep my Sony dry? I really can't carry the Z9. Like the Canon camera, it's a brick, and my wrists are very arthritic now. So I need a light set up. Thanks for all your help Tin Man. Good video. - Nadine

The upcoming release of the Z8 should address the weight. But likely to come with one less Function button. Will also be much cheaper than the A1.

Thanks for your opinion Tin Man, i Love my 400/2.8tc 👍

RIGHT NOW as I type this, the Sony 600 F4 & the 400 F 2.8 are on back order. Does the Sony 200-600 play well with the A7R5? Anyone know? Even the Z8 (or any camera) at $4k US, if you loose focus = a blurry photo of a shot of a lifetime isn't worth $1k. Now realizing that no camera's AF will give a 100% keeper rate, what would you say (best guess & feel free to add thee Canon R5 if you want) is the keeper rates between Sony & Nikon? Just curious.

Will try and keep the comment short. 1st: Fair assessment of the Nikon Z9. I've been shooting with it for over 1 year. I shoot with friends that use the Sony A1 and Canon R3/R5/R6. 2nd: Firmware updates have continually improved the AF, but it is still not as sticky as Sony/Canon and requires too many decisions as to AF mode at this point compared to the other two brands mentioned. Leaving out Olympus because I do not have enough exposure to their brand. 3rd: 2 EF Express type B card slots vs. A or mixed bag. 4th: Agree, that the lenses with built in TC are game changers for many if you can afford them and justify the expense. 5th: Sensor shield for harsh conditions. Agree with the negatives and I'll add one. This includes 1. weight, 2. need to simplify Subject detection / AF mode selection and speed of AF as well as accuracy for many of the more commonly used lenses. 3. No zebras (one of my first complaints) in stills. 4. A battery life percentage (not just the bars) would be handy - although the Z9 battery lasts all day for me as well. 5. Third wheel (in this case - as opposed to a date) would be nice. 6. A more simplified menu system. 7. Camera internal memory that would store bank settings (without having to save them to a card). 8. Single press change to video as opposed to turning a switch - so in the middle of shooting you could just hit a programmed button and shoot video - to make it as easy as engaging the TC on the new lenses. 9. Allow visualization of DOF past f/5.6. I realize this limitation is probably there secondary to the phase array AF/contrast detection abilities in mirrorless cameras at this point. Love the Z9 - but that doesn't mean there aren't things that would make it even better. Adding Zebras seems like it would be a no brainer, so what is making that difficult to do? I simply do not know. Last thing: I can think of several scenarios which might have lead to JPG and AFS. I will leave out user error (which can happen to anyone). Curious if you enabled the press and release feature for buttons (i.e. press and release the ISO button, but you can still turn the wheel and adjust ISO, until you press the ISO button again or half depress the shutter? This can happen without realizing it (i.e. press and release a focus area or AF mode - and inadvertently try to adjust the wheel). Since the buttons on top of the Z9 on the left are different (i.e. frame rate) it's also possible to put the camera into a high frame rate (JPG) and then AFS. I haven't heard anyone else shooting the Z9 have this issue yet over the last year, so my guess is that it was likely an inadvertent dial or button tap and change. Will be curious if you figure out what happened. Thanks for the review. Love the images.

For the people with a less fortunate back pocket … try the OM Systems OM-1 and 150-400mm ….much lighter … yep no FF ..you do not need it without cropping 😂

Great video. Re the JPEGs, I’ve never hears that happening to any Nikon camera. Until now. Very strange.

So Z8 would help you now. Z9 no battery grip, would be interesting to see you response after testing it.

Z9 is best camera I have owned to date. My last camera was a D850 and I thought it couldn't be beat. Wrong. Hands down Z9 is better.

I have used the Z9 in Costa Rica for a year and as you all might know the weather here is challenging. It has never failed on me. I am a professional photography tour leader and seen Canon R5 and Sonys Mirrorless giving up on my clients. Not to rave about this camera but if you are planning to visit extreme weather conditions Z9 is the way to go. Recently I saw a Canon R5 shoot down while trying to take Resplendent Quetzals in the very early morning wt

Thanks for sharing.. interesting you recomended RV not A1 but I guess thats because you dont require the faster action capabilities of A1. Thus RV is fast enough.

I understood that it does have a Zebra mode?

My first Z9 with the firmware version 3.01 (I recall) and it was frozen. I had to turn the camera off and I removed the battery for safe. Then I re-inserted the battery and turned the camera back on. I got the 2nd one with the firmware 3.01, it worked great. After I updated to the firmware version 3.10, it caused the files corrupted on my 3-19-2023 photography excursion. Few days later, I reversed my Z9 back to the firmware version 3.01 and it works normal until now.

I bought the exact combo one year ago and got rid of it after a month. Z9’s autofocus is just not in the same league as my Sony A1 and Canon R3. the Nikon Z400/2.8S TC was quite amazing but I couldn’t fully utilize its capabilities with the Z9 at the time.

The grip on the Z9 was not designed only to have a "better grip". The body of the camera is big manly to provide the best heat dissipation when video is made. There's no camera out there with the capability of the Z9 in terms of video recording endurance. BTW, There's so much more about this camera than what meets the eye...

Amazing leopard clip there

il n'y pas besoin de revenir dans le menu pour passer en iso auto !!! Il faut rester en appuis sur le bouton iso et tourner la molette avant.

So finally you switched to Nikon and Sony from Canon 😅 Nothing beats the ecosystem of Nikon lenses at various price points

The difference between the 45mp of the Z9 and 61mp of the A7RV is the difference between a 20 x 30" print and a 23 x 34.5" print.

Z9 is awesome. Sadly Nikon still sucks because that’s the only option. Nikon has the best lenses and the best flagship camera. I waited for years for the camera to come… the 2500-3500 dollar camera. It never came. So it’s the best ecosystem if you have 20k to buy the Z9 and Z lenses. Used f mount lenses for Nikon aren’t as light or as good as Canon. Canon used market on EF glass is amazing. So for the prosumer, canon and Sony are the only option. Yes I’m butt-hurt because I waited and they still haven’t produced the camera I needed. Maybe I will switch back once they do… if I can even get the camera in my hands.

Thanks for the video Tin man!! Your insights are appreciated Regarding your situation where you somehow switched JPEG etc, there is a way to assign a function button to do a ton of changes in one press. I wonder if that's what happened Scott Keys did a video about it. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/euB-h8Ko3KnedZ8.html

Z9 autfocus is horrible for a camera of that price, miles behind Sony A1 and R3. I have a better keeper rate with my ancient D300 and 200-500 lens. 400 2,8, sure, a great lens but you expect it to be for that price. However, I think the micro contrast and rendition are better on the old 400 2,8 AF-S VR. As far as dynamic range and workable files I feel that my 850 is superior. For the price, the Z9 is not worth it so I sold mine.

I used to shoot with Sony and they always let me down so went with Nikon many years ago. Yea Nikon is a tad behind on a few things however, the Nikon always works. I've shot in rainstorms, blizzards and saunas and the Nikon cameras never stopped. Watched other photographers and their A7's and A1's fail in the middle of shoots many times over.

The thing about digital cameras that I have learned is, whatever the "best" digital camera is today, give it six months and it won't be. Give it two years and it will be a piece of junk. "Oh! You're still shooting with THAT!" I miss the good old days when using the latest and greatest meant I was trying the newest film on the market!

Is your video about the Z9 Or the SONY A1 ..Make yer mind up ffs .. And Correct the blatent clickbait video title

You do not need a 400mm 2.8 with the Z9 camera. I am using the adapted 200-500 f-mount lens and am taking some of my best photos. Once they release the 200-600 Z mount lens I will probably purchase that. Nikon is slow on getting new lenses out, but the Z9 is miles ahead of the Sony A7RV! The Sony has half the frame rate of the Z9! The Z9 does 8k internal recording, the Sony does not. There are so many other things like the full e-shutter which I love. It is dead quiet. The list goes on and on.

I shoot Canon and Sony. I feel like it’s all rock, paper, scissors. Sony is the video king, but not very durable. Canon decent video, but super expensive no third party support. Nikon needs to catch up with AF.

I tried to watch the video but at a few key points when you draw attention to a small device and you showcase it, the focus remained on your face and the device could not be made out in any detail at all. A prime example of this is at 5:35 when you tried to show the converter lever on the big lens. Frustrating enough to make me stop watching.

Why not talk about the CHOKING issues in RAW, instead of praising that trash...