To Z or not to Z (Page 2): You have a long 2.8 lens?

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Tomfl101 wrote:

Weight will not be a factor going mirrorless. This big difference for me is in focusing at apertures 2.8 or wider, and the eye-focus capability. Your percentage of sharp images will definitely increase. If your main subjects are still objects, I wouldn’t bother with the upgrade.

You have a long 2.8 lens?

Pierre1965

CHG_CANON wrote:

You have two premium DSLRs, easily expected to del... (show quote)

Paul, You have a concise and direct manner of hitting the nail directly on the head. I have the same issue as this gentleman and I appreciate your insight as well as your photos on flickr. Thanks Jacques.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Pierre1965 wrote:

Paul, You have a concise and direct manner of hitting the nail directly on the head. I have the same issue as this gentleman and I appreciate your insight as well as your photos on flickr. Thanks Jacques.

Thank you Jacques! I believe in mirrorless digital, but I don't believe dropping excellent equipment to simply by new excellent equipment without a mirror.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Bayou wrote:

…Nobody makes adequate birding lenses in the DX format…

No help for Nikon users, but Fuji is introducing an XF 150-600 in crop format later this year. Paired with any of their 1Lb ASP-C bodies, and you might have a substantially lighter BIF package - have to wait to see what it weighs.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

TriX wrote:

No help for Nikon users, but Fuji is introducing an XF 150-600 in crop format later this year. Paired with any of their 1Lb ASP-C bodies, and you might have a substantially lighter BIF package - have to wait to see what it weighs.

There's a couple of, what could be, very interesting longer lenses coming in the Z mount from Nikon in the, hopefully, not to distant future as well. Best of luck to all.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Here you go -

https://versus.com/en/nikon-d850-vs-nikon-z7
https://photographylife.com/nikon-z-7-vs-nikon-d850
https://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/nikon/d850/vs/nikon/z7/
https://camerajabber.com/nikon-z7-vs-d850-which-is-best/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXRaNkFfHNs

PACSMAN Loc: MA

zacksoccer wrote:

Looking for advise from all the Hogs. Current equi... (show quote)

I had an 850 and several lenses. I sold everything and purchased a Z7II and new lenses. I can only tell you my experience. My backpack went from 28 pounds to 17 so for me it was well worth it. I really like the Z7. For lenses I have 16-30 and 70-200 with 2X converter. I don't see any image degradation using the converter. I have the 24-120 on order.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

PACSMAN wrote:

I had an 850 and several lenses. I sold everything and purchased a Z7II and new lenses. I can only tell you my experience. My backpack went from 28 pounds to 17 so for me it was well worth it. I really like the Z7. For lenses I have 16-30 and 70-200 with 2X converter. I don't see any image degradation using the converter. I have the 24-120 on order.

You will find the 24-120 Z mount to be an excellent choice. I really like mine! Best of luck.

PACSMAN Loc: MA

cjc2 wrote:

You will find the 24-120 Z mount to be an excellent choice. I really like mine! Best of luck.

Thanks. Really looking forward to getting it. I had the F mount version but find the z lenses so muck better.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

You have great equipment already and as stated above, none of the mirrorless gear will immediately improve you images. UNLESS, you are not getting sharp images due to camera shake related to size and age.

Consider, Olympus M43 equipment. My 300mm f4 Pro lens (600mm FFE) is about the same size and weight that my Canon 70-200 f2.8 L IS II lens was. And the OMS 100-400 is also a very good lens. The 150-400 with 1.4 TC built in is even better image quality from what I have read but in short supply currently.

For BIF, the M43 lenses will give you the biggest weight and hand holding gain.

BigOldArt Loc: Seminole, FL

zacksoccer wrote:

Looking for advise from all the Hogs. As I age, I find it harder and harder to shoot BIF for long periods of time with longer lenses. .

What are you going to do with the pictures you take?
As strictly an amateur, I occasionally print 4*6 on inkjet. I usually display pix on a 27 inch UHD monitor, on a 40 inch HD TV, or a 65 inch UHD TV.
I considered getting a camera with replaceable lenses. But I bought a NIKON p900 which zooms to 83X. It does not take location data from the cell phone even though it has GPS & WiFi. For BIF though, you will not be doing that indoors and will be outside long enough for the GPS to work.

I did not verify this but I was told that the p900 weighed less than the equivalent 2000mm lens.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

zacksoccer wrote:

Looking for advise from all the Hogs. Current equi... (show quote)

Well there is no Z8 so that part is problematic. And you’re really not gonna get a big enough weight savings to make much of a difference. I just sold my D500 and I’m totally mirrorless now. I never used a tripod with the D500 and 200-500mm lens. Mostly I’d shoot handheld, but when I was shooting in a situation like a rookery where I might want to train my lens on something like a nest for a long period I would use a monopod with the Wimberly monogimbal. Right now while I wait for my Z9 I’m using my Olympus E-M1X with the 100-400mm lens which I can easily handhold all day.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

larryepage wrote:

There is no question that the manufacturers have d... (show quote)

Mirrorless is the way to go for IR conversions. I bought an old Panasonic GH2 and had it converted. If I start doing more I’ll get the G85 that I never use converted. Actually mine is full spectrum and I have filters for a few different wavelengths. The biggest advantage with mirrorless is no need for focus adjustment. I can use any of my M4/3 lenses with accurate focus. I just had to buy filters large enough and use step down rings. The most important thing I learned is to shoot raw and use the camera manufacturer’s software to set white balance before going to LR/PS.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Bayou wrote:

The best way to go (significantly) lighter is to g... (show quote)

So two manufacturers make cameras with the same M4/3 mount? That’s twice as many that make cameras in any other mount.

bocaphotogal

zacksoccer wrote:

Looking for advise from all the Hogs. Current equi... (show quote)

This is just my experience--I have a Nikon 750 and Z 6-ii. By the time I put a lens on the Z with the adapter, I'm finding it's heavy which was exactly what I wanted to avoid. Using the mirrorless has been a real challenge for me since I'm not very technical and all the tracking options are confusing. I've gone back to using my 750 which feels more comfortable. Some mirrorless lens are backordered which doesn't help either. I took a virtual class on using the Z which added to my confusion. Best wishes.