Thank you for sharing. Very informative. There does appear to be significant differences in the results between the various hot card/camera reviews that I’ve watched and it’s not immediately clear why. Obviously the variables as you say such as card, ambient temperature, video códex affect the outcome

Absolute perfect review, excellent detail with real world testing.

I have the lens and the Kirk Fort and could not agree more about its versatility ..... I love In flight shots spot I start each shoot at 400mm F2.8 1/3200 SS and Auto ISO and adjust from there could not be happier!!

This is the best review I have seen since looking for info on this lens.

Nikon DK 19 Eye Cup made for D850 is way too less priced and it also fits well in Z9, with a bit of effort.

I have the older 70-400 Nikon. I've had it many years and use it almost every day. I mostly go out hunting birds but sometimes I'm after flowering plants and sometimes even street photography. It has progressed from the D-200, D-300, D-800E and has been on the D-850 since it first hit the market. It just gets better with every step-up in camera quality. I couldn't begin to estimate how many hundreds of thousands of images I have made with it and it still looks great with no blemishes and still makes sharp and beautiful bird pictures. If I ever replace it it will be with the Z100-400 and a new mirrorless camera. It is easy to carry, focuses fast, and had the right zoom range for hand held work.

Great initial review, Dave! Really looking forward to the growth of your channel.

Whaaaat!?!? It's Justin!! I almost didn't recognize you without your sunglasses!

Many thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have recently sold my mirror cameras and lenses to buy mirrorless Nikons. I needed a telephoto lens for sports and wildlife photography. I have been considering this lens. Your review has convinced me to purchase it.

That's awesome that you could get your photography channel off the ground. I had over 900 survival and primitive technology videos on KZfaq. I was also very interested in photography. I started another channel, and it never did anything, so I pulled all the videos. I figure if nothing happens in 4 years, it's time to pull the plug. At least my books do well.

Excellent review, I purchased mine last weekend through amazon, came next day. I highly recommend those who have the two lenses mentioned to change the foot as soon as you can.

Thanks for the video looks better than the Wimberly for my 500pf!

Almost 2 years last, I would love an update on how this Lens Coat has held up. Are the edges curling, fraying?

Have you done any comparison to the 1.4x vs the 2.0x TC? If so, any thoughts?

Does the display show the aperture correctly when using a converter?

I am from Costa Rica and although we have many of those species and tested myself with similar results. I am starting to produce a similar video about birds in the rainforest. I have been capturing wildlife for more than 25 years but I never made a video like this. Any advise?? I am going next week to photograph Resplendent Quetzals on several nesting sites and other iconic birds. My gear is z9 and 600 mm f4 among others. I appreciate all help. Muchas Gracias Randall Ortega Chaves

Was this handheld and have you added any stabilisation in post? Thinking about changing to Nikon from Sony as the oss is so poor, thx

As a Z6 nature and bird photographer (mainly not in flight !) I’m upgrading to the Z8 and 180-600 mm combo. I see this as a natural progression since I need more reach from my lens, and bird id/higher mp count from the camera. From my research I sense that this camera will be the go-to camera for Nikon nature shooters because of its smaller and lighter form factor over the Z9. Nikon are also supporting firmware updates in this direction. The excellent Z prime and tele lenses that are best in class make staying with Nikon a no brainer for my use case

Got mine in today, took about 1,000 shots with it on the 180-600… had a horrible time with it paired with the 180-600 (not saying it’s terrible with other lenses… I’m sure it’s perfectly fine with larger apertures). I’ll be sending it back for sure.

ist the eyecup better than the original if you wear glasses? I'm looking for something that helps here & maybe someone who is an eyeglass wearer also have an expertise? ... thx a lot! 👊🏼

Really nice review!! I want that lens in the worst way!!!

Looking for a Z lens for aviation fast jets at low level, it’s a toss up between this lens or the 180-600mm. Great review.

I currently own the F-mount 120-300 2.8 that I use a lot for sports. How would you say this compares to that and if you had the choice would you sell the 120-300 for this, or keep both?

My husband just surprised me with this beautiful lens for my birthday! I immediately ordered a Zemlin lens cap, Kirk replacement foot and the lenscoat for it before I even saw your video😂

Dave, I truly enjoy your presentations. Thank you so much.

Thanks again. It is great to see a video which really is sharp!!! I had yet to be fully convinced about this lens as I have been waiting to see some videos produced by "regular" photographers, not just the "named influencers who get a three month advanced copy to produce "come and get this lens you have all been waiting for" videos. In the last hour or so I watched three "regula" photographer's videos "reviewing" the Z 180-600 and, frankly, I have been underwhelmed. One, who shall be nameless, introduced the video saying he wanted to show just how sharp this lens is with bird photos taken straight "out of the camera" but when I looked at the first image it didn't strike me as that sharp at all. He then took it into Topaz to remove noise AND sharpen it and then, the results looked good, but that meant that out of the camera there was distinct room to sharpen up! I have been considering selling my Z-100-400 S-Line lens to get the 180-600 non-S-Line lens as I regularly find the 400 is too limited for the majority of wildlife hides I visit. I do have the Z 800 but that can be too powerful in some cases and, with the very narrow field of view, can make it difficult to grab birds in flight until it is too late - probably my age and speed of reaction has something to do with that!!! Your video has re-energised my thoughts of making the switch whereas the others I watched actually put me off!

Yup, it's a tool, a $429 tool 😬😬😬 Wish Nikon priced it lower, I found out about this because it came up on one of the features on my zfc firmware update, I guess if I own the very minimum a z6ii or higher this will be a good investment but it's always good that Nikon is giving us some awesome tools (somewhat very pricey) 😂😂

Watching this one year on… my Z-MC 105 is out for delivery. Yes, excited indeed! Love your side-by-side comparisons.

I just happened to find this video as I was scrolling. I’m a subscriber on one of your other channels and have long enjoyed the time and effort you put into your content. I just picked up one of these lenses and just love it!

Great I just Bought it !! It is amazing, what backpack do you use to transport?

It's kind of a bummer, that it just covers up the FN2 buttons, especially since the ring is made of rubber anyway, so doesn't even really need to be covered. I think I'll just keep it as it is right now, the parts that are most prone to bumping against something are covered in rubber anyway, so it's unlikely to scratch something up.

Agree, using an external 2X TC at 400mm, images are equivalent to those from the 800mm PF. Cheers from Australia.

Very nice vlog. A lot of useful information told in a calm way. Not only the pros but also emphasizes the cons. Not ever reported. Compliments. Please go on this way.👍👍👍

Great content 👌

You are certainly sacrificing with the Z8 when compared to the Z9 … you are sacrificing a built in GPS and logging, you are sacrificing 2 high speed card slots, you are sacrificing a built in vertical grip (what a monstrosity of a grip the Z8 has - makes it larger than the Z9), you are sacrificing battery life (big time), you sacrifice the amount of controls (& a top command dial), and you don’t have a secure cover. But most of all you sacrifice comfort for those who do not have small hands. I actually ordered the Z8 and when it came in and I tried to use it, I quickly chose the Z9. Best decision ever. There are so many advantages for the small price difference. If you don’t need all those advantages then of course don’t buy one. Add up the monstrous grip, extra batteries needed to have available, an external GPS unit, and the price is negligible. Turning on the GPS and shooting all day with one battery is worth it alone. The comfortable grip, ease of use, and smaller lighter gear compared to the equivalent F mount gear is fantastic. I love how much smaller my Z9 is compared to what I was using … amazingly light even with my 800mm.

I'm 50/50 about getting this one or the old 600mm f4 E FL ED lens used for a similar price. The 600 F4 is about 1.5 Kilos heavier, and I'm only shooting handheld, but is much more usable in low light. The 800 PF is of course the lighter option, and it's native, so probably fewer issues with the AF, but it's kind of a pain shooting early in the morning or at/after sunset.

For over $20,000 it should be good …

If you would use it with battery grip what’s the point of buying small camera. I think it’s bigger than Z9 with the battery grip.

Great shots! Much more impressive than charts. I was looking at the 180-600mm vs the 600mm prime and I chose the 180-600 and the cost savings paid for half of my Z 800mmm. Sweet.

This device is awesome but it's price it really makes the whole thing terrible....

Do you know the quality of external 1.4x tc together with internal 1.4x tc compared with the quality of external 2.0x tc?

Many thks for your video

Amazing work. Thank you so much for sharing.

Thinking of selling my a1 and 200-600 for z8 and 800 pf

Are you sure you are not a professional actor? lack of ums and ahs is very impressive!

If you decide to shoot a simple talking review in 60Hz, please at lest get a better led light in the background - the constant flashing light is so distracting :( But in general, I would recommend the lower end of the frame rate for this kind of videos

I'll never believe that the 400/2.8 with the 2x is on par with the 800/6.3. Physics is not an opinion, and the 2x asks an heavy toll in term of IQ.

Fantastic,😊🎉😊

I see most of your examples were at over 1200mm effective fov. For a 1/3 stop slower, you can get a 800pf and save about 9 grand.😊

If you could only have one Which would you prefer 400 2.8 TC or 600 F4 TC ?