NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Images and Discussion

[PhilM]

NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Specs:
Maximum Aperture: f/6.3
Minimum Aperture: f/32
Lens Mount: Nikon Z
Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
Angle of View: 3° 10'
Minimum Focus Distance: 16.4' / 5 m
Maximum Magnification: 0.16x
Optical Design: 22 Elements in 14 Groups
Diaphragm Blades: 9
Focus Type: Autofocus
Image Stabilization: Yes
Tripod Collar: Fixed and Rotating
Filter Size: 46 mm (Drop-In)
Dimensions (ø x L): 5.5 x 15.2" / 140 x 385 mm
Weight: 5.2 lb / 2385 g

 

[PhilM]

I forgot to add a few sample shots...
Z9, 800PF
20231112 PDM Z9A 800PF, FL Vaca, Sebastian-01494 by Phil McKinney

Z9, 800PF
20231112 PDM Z9A 800PF, FL Vaca, Sebastian-01439 by Phil McKinney

Z9, 800PF + 1.4xTC
Z9A, 800PF_1737 by Phil McKinney

Z9, 800PF
20221230 Z9, 800PF - Hagerman Female Northern Harrier-271 by Phil McKinney

 

[Mr Chodes]

Tough crowd, no comments....

This lens interests me. The recent 600 PF makes me even more interested (in the 800).
Currently I use Sony 200-600 a lot. Close to same weight, same aperture, 200mm less focal length.
Compared to the 'top line' 800s, you only lose 1/3rd stop. The 600 on the other hand, is 1 1/3rd stop slower.

Your examples look great. Bokeh is pleasing.
I see you also have the 180-600.
I would hope that the 800, when used on high rez Z9, would show an obvious advantage in image quality over the 180-600.
Not chalk and cheese, but obvious. Bokeh I would expect to show more advantage than sharpness and contrast.
Bokeh is easy for me to evaluate while sharpness and contrast is more difficult due to processing variables.

Thoughts?

 

[PhilM]

Tough crowd, no comments....

This lens interests me. The recent 600 PF makes me even more interested (in the 800).
Currently I use Sony 200-600 a lot. Close to same weight, same aperture, 200mm less focal length.
Compared to the 'top line' 800s, you only lose 1/3rd stop. The 600 on the other hand, is 1 1/3rd stop slower.

Your examples look great. Bokeh is pleasing.
I see you also have the 180-600.
I would hope that the 800, when used on high rez Z9, would show an obvious antage in image quality over the 180-600.
Not chalk and cheese, but obvious. Bokeh I would expect to show more advantage than sharpness and contrast.
Bokeh is easy for me to evaluate while sharpness and contrast is more difficult due to processing variables.

Thoughts?

Lol... Yeah, there's probably a pretty limited Nikon user pool here at the moment.

Yes, I do have both the 800PF and the 180-600. Additionally, Santa brought Wifey a 600PF and we both had 500PF's for almost 5 years.

The 800PF (and 600PF) are both sharper than than the 180-600, but that's not to say the 180-600 isn't an excellent lens fully capable of producing great images.

All three are also able to generate a nice creamy bokeh, but the shooter needs to understand how to maximize the effect - lens to subject distance vs. lens to BG distance. I have a lot of shots yet to process for a fall visit to Florida where I shot both the 800PF & 180-600 and the Mrs. used her new 600PF. I'll have more samples to share as soon as I get caught up on my canine sports shots (that generate $$).

Also, regarding the 180-600.... It's been several years since I shot a zoom for wildlife photography and I have honestly forgotten just how advantageous they can be.

Regards,
Phil