Approaching The Scene 305: Why The 400 2.8 TC S Is So Special & Yes, I Dropped Mine!

[@demipita9090]

So happy of you Sir Hudson, that everything work out in the end. Looking always forward to see your amazing work !

[@GaryKFroehlich-jh5mm]

Horror indeed, but good outcome! I have a suggestion based on my own experiences. I’ve been a huge fan of Really Right Stuff ever since Bryan Geyer started it, and have had their plates and feet on my Nikons going back to the F2. However, when I replaced the feet on my 400mm f/2.8 TC and 600mm f/4 TC, I opted for Kirk’s foot instead. It’s longer, which I prefer, plus it comes in a version that has a rough, grippy surface. I recently lugged the 600mm f/4 TC, with a Z9 attached, all over Costa Rica’s Atlantic slope, Pacific slope, the highlands around Arenal, and the Talamanca Mountains. It was hot, it was HUMID, my hands were continually sweaty, but the rough-finished grip never slipped out of my grasp. Just FYI. (And I have no relationship of any kind with Kirk. In fact, I have always preferred RRS solutions, with only a handful of exceptions-and the grippy foot is one of those!)

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

RRS WAS great years ago yes. Those days have long past in my opinion and I now VASTLY prefer working with Kirk. I have the Kirk foot too, but it doesn't fit in my backpack for the plane with the other gear. It just sticks out too far off the lens than either the stock or RRS foot. I'd have to take it down and reassemble each time.

[@edbritelight7683]

Can fully confirm…that rough version of Kirk is a super piece of kit. Always a firm and secure grip!

[@davetv8171]

I have the zemlin hood on the 300 GM with the A7CR with a peak design strap and on one end had a holdfast anchor and I’m guessing the swing of that caused the strap end to unlock and drop down on the concrete. The hood must’ve taken impact cause it was tilted from impact but probably helped save my lens. I love lens hoods

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@davetv8171 I only use QDs. Milspec failsafe. Glad you had the hood. I really only use them on my my long glass these days, but that's what they're for. Impact bumper/rain guard. :)

[@davetv8171]

@@HudsonHenryPhotoQD? I’m looking to get the 400 2.8 next year for use with the z8/6iii. I’ve been debating on this or the 800 but I’ve wanted the 400 for a while especially for its versatility and I believe it seems sharper than the Sony 400 GM.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@davetv8171 I use QD port swivel connectors on Kirk feet and Brackets. They're designed for special operations military unit slings. When you punch out it leaves a perfectly clean body too. No dangling bits blowing in the breeze. I'm not a P. D. fan at all. They're brilliant at marketing. I'll give em that. There was a company Luma Labs who made the prefect QD sling camera strap. I treasure mine and regularly sling my Z9 and big glass on my hip with it. They're no more sadly. I'm working with another company to create something as good again. For now you can adapt black rapid's basic strap. There's links in the strap section of my links page. Www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks Some like the QD rifle strap that RRS promotes, but I find it awkward like PD and even heavier.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@davetv8171 oh and yes... the 400 all the way. Loved the 800, but always coveted the 400TC. No regrets on the trade. None.

[@davetv8171]

@@HudsonHenryPhotothanks for the info. I will investigate this

This lens would be a dream! Unfortunately, I would have to sell my apartment to afford one. By the way, on the other video, you said Sony's version is much lighter. I went to BHPhoto to check the difference between both, and it is only a 55-gram difference (Nikon 6,5pounds and Sony 6,4 or 2,950 kg against 2,895 kg), thus, their weight is virtually identical, and Nikon has a TC. Sony's 300 2.8 seems awesome and is indeed much lighter than the now very old 300 f-mount; it would be awesome if a lightweight Nikon 300 2.8 with TC would come out. I am very happy with the fact that one company is pushing the other, and the photography equipment has become so much better in the last few years. Enjoy your photography!

[@davetv8171]

The 300 GM is very good and I believe sharper than the Sony 400 2.8 I had before. For the price, the 300 is a better deal. I have Sony and Nikon and will think of either adding this lens or the 800 PF next year. I’m having a hard time deciding which. Is the 800 sharper and cheaper?! But the 400 you can shoot more events and eventually go out to 800 if you need to without much compromise? Length and weight are about the same it seems.

[@garyrothstein4468]

Good Morning...JUst received my new backpack L50 from the Kickstarter and shipped from Hong Kong.. Looks great and I will be setting up today after I finish editing last night assignment of 21 Savage group. Thanks. Gary

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

So glad you're digging the bag. No idea about savage stuff, but sounds fun.

[@motobruce]

Just saw this video while sitting in the Dallas airport - OMG what a horror story. I truly hope that everything is back to good and working condition. I am sure that you checked everything out again when you got back to Portland. Glad you got some great shots in CR. This is a constant reminder to be very careful and vigilant with our cameras and lenses. All the best, Bruce.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Yeah, gotta keep your thumb hooked behind the foot. It's back from nikon like new already. $450 with the NPS discount. They replaced the whole front magnesium and mount and reskinned the body. :)

[@cspencer9141]

Wow Hudson, not a peep about this “incident” during the workshop from you or David? It’s pretty impressive that you and David could a) find all the pieces b) find the right screwdriver in little Puerto Jiminez and c) put Humpty Dumpty back together again!!!!

[@kuau714]

I own both the Z400/2.8 TC and the Z600/4TC and both Teleconverters. The number one issue that kills image sharpness is atmospheric disturbance when the subject is further away. Very frustrating though something that can be an issue

[@GeoffCooper]

Yeah, the 400mm TC is absolute magic with any combination of teleconverters you can throw on it - I got mine last Autumn and haven't looked back (just hope I don't need my savings for anything in the next few years lol!) Yikes!! That's actually the third time I've heard of someone dropping this camera and lens combination now, and the result has been the same every time! The lens is totally fine but the mount disengages from the body - possibly by design as you suggest. Amazing luck that you were able to get it fixed up and working again with the mount shims all back in place!

[@boboneill1828]

It's amazing how good and how tough today's gear is. We don't know we're alive! I use a Peak Design strap to support my big lens to reduce the risk. My lugs aren't as intrusive as yours.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I absolutely can't stand those straps. I would NEVER put those tabs on my lens. Ever. Haha. I'm a QD guy to my core. I want nothing at all on the camera (not even those little triangles) when it's disengaged, but I just rushed out carrying the long lens on this one.

[@boboneill1828]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto I agree about the little triangles. I leave the strap on all the time so the tabs are not an issue. I don't have your (relatively) young physique to carry the weight for any length of time otherwise.:)

[@DarrenLloydPDX]

...the look on my face yesterday when you showed me this clip... 😱

[@felixunger-ol1ic]

WOW Hudson that was a nightmare!!! And at the start of the work shop!! You did carry on your shoulder for the entire week, like nothing was wrong. Good job Nikon for building rugged gear!!!

[@robertpatterson5491]

Love your channel. I noticed you do not have the Hoodman Eye Cup on your Z9. Are you using a different eye cup now and if so, can you give me the link or add it to your Accessories list?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

You bet. I'm really liking Karl Zemlin's hood. www.zemlinphoto.com/

[@richcower]

Great story about dropping that setup. I’m looking around for that gear angel you’ve found.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Ha, it's called nikon. I've seen thier gear survive more horrific drops and emersions and keep shooting over the past 20 years than I care to recount. :)

[@nicolaas7]

Approaching the Scene 200: Why I Love the New Nikon 800mm 6.3 PF S. How an attitude can change within 2 years. Now you seem even prouder, like a little boy with a new toy. I know how you feel. I'll hope soon to have enough money to buy the Nikon Z 400 TC 2.8 too.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@nicolaas7 I loved the 800 as well, but the 400 has always been an aspirational lens. Not a change really. From June of 2022: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp_EgJ2XZquEiNk

[@nicolaas7]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Yes, the Nikon Z 400 TC 2.8 is a lens to strive for if you can overcome the financial hurdle. Due to its quality, the lens offers so many possibilities that you can use as a photographer. The purchase remains desirable.

[@Bikerbeest]

I never carry my Nikon Z 9 and the Nikon Z 800 mm F 6.3 this way like you do I wear this with the lens strap that is attached to the lens.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Yeah. I often use a QD that way, but simply hooking my thumb behind the foot is an absolute failsafe I'll never neglect to do again. I ONLY use QDs for my bodies and lenses. I dont even keep the strap lug triangles attached I pull them as it comes out of the box. I can't abide loose clattering attachments! ;)

[@uritom26]

Wow , what a story , glad it ended this way :) as someone who has this incredible lens , she is actually my fourth child , I can imagine your feeling in that moment 😅 I want to ask you about that zemlin 200 hood , I have his 115mm and I’m thinking about the 2 piece 200 for extra protection around dust/salt water condition. How do you like the long hood ? Do you thing one piece is better? Thanks

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I have and like them both. The long is super protective even in the bag inverted.

[@petersuvara]

Where is your shoulder strap? 😊

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

David was like... I'm not even taking a strap. I was still unpacking. I was like, OK I'll roll with out it too. Bam --- AHHHHHRRRRR!!!!

[@petersuvara]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto I feel you in the wallets pain 😬

[@zZola_Photography]

So are you going to be selling your 800pf? Or do you feel each has its use in an arsenal?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I did sell it to a wonderful workshop regular. I know one other person selling a pristine 800pf though if anyone is interested. ;)

[@zZola_Photography]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto with the 400/2.8 being 1lb 4oz heavier how noticable is that for hand holding?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I do notice it a wee bit, but it's so balanced... It's not bad at all. It's very handholdable.

[@dougsphoto]

HI Hudson thx for great video. But my question is regarding DX crop mode. Do you get more reach in DX mode when using a Z lens on a Z camera. I thought that was the whole point but someone commented on one of my posts where I used the DX mode on my Z6ii and 180-600 and the commend was that it doesn't give more reach it only crops the sensor, but now that you are saying you got more reach I'm just not sure anymore and would like you to confirm if that's the case. thx

[@ste286ste]

DX mode crops the image. It gives the effect of adding reach, as it still fills the viewfinder fully, but it becomes a near 20mp image instead of 45mp. The bit that confuses many people is how interchangeably reach and crop are used. In other words an FX image at 400mm is 45mp, but in dx crop it becomes a 600mm (effective focal length) at 20mp, in the same way if you had just cropped the 45mp image in post down to 20mp. I hope this helps you Douglas.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

You get no more reach at all, BUT! you get to see your distant subject larger. It goes full screen in the viewfinder to see those perfect moments and poses and frame for the final edit. It's only for instances where you KNOW you're going to crop anyway. Way bring home a bunch of superfulous pixels and look at a tiny subject in the center of the frame. Yes, DX gets you more "Reach" not more millimeters. It gets you the field of view of 1.5 times the current lens, but at the same aperture and focal length properties. It's just cropping the center of the projection from the sensor.

[@dougsphoto]

Thx for both replies and it also means a smaller file you need to store on your computer. As money is an issue now I think in the future I’d shoot mostly in DX on the Z8 as 20mp is plenty and it’s affectingly the same as my current Z6ii in FX

[@patrickhoran2675]

The Kirk lens foots amazing and less money than rrs's foot.well worth the reasonable cost.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I have both, but the Kirk foot wouldn't fit in the bag sadly. It's just that little bit longer off the lens. The RRS is lower profile. Both are great. I prefer Kirk every time when possible.

[@coIorsone]

Two guys casually standing there with bazooka’s!

[@NikCan66]

Another tour de dorce but shocked to see the lens falls. The lens its very well built shows up how robust Nikon camera gear is made.

[@cameraprepper7938]

It will be very nice if the Sony APSC sensor that Fuji uses in their Cameras, finds it way to Nikon and Sony Cameras, that 40 megapixels APSC sensor is perfect for Bird, Wildlife and Macro Photography ! Then we do not need to carry big and heavy "bazooka" Lenses like the 400mm 2.8 Lens. I am the very happy owner of the excellent, compact and light weight Sigma 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens which I highly can recommend for those who have Leica, Panasonic, Sigma or Sony Cameras.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

The insanity is that when you pull the 400 TC's hood, it fits in the normal large RCI in my NYA EVO 50C bag and it's light enough for me to handhold all day long. They put all the wieght of it in the back too so it's balanced for handholding. I've yet to mount it on a tripod. I can even hold it steady for video with the IBIS. I'd still use it on APS-C. It's just a VERY special lens. It's got a character that goes beyond pure sharpness analysis. When I first shot David's several years ago and looked at the results, they never left my mind. It's a bit like the Leica Q cameras. That 28 1.7 is just special. Nothing else touches it. Sure lenses are just as sharp and render similar fields of view, but none render them in the same way. ;-)

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto IMO though the new Nikon 400mm 2.8 is more compact and light weight, then it is too big and heavy for my kind of use, I wanna go hiking in the wild nature as light weight and compact packed as possible, that you cannot do with a Lens like the Nikon 400mm 2,8 !!! Lenses like Nikon Z 400 4.5, the old Nikon F 500m 5.6 PF, Nikon Z 600mm 6.3 are much better for my style. Iwill not comment in the Q camera, I do not like cameras like that and I have never liked the focal length of 28mm.

[@joelwexler]

14000 Samolians... how many people need this lens?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

A lucky select few. ;)

[@joelwexler]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto And those who get to write it off, soften the blow considerably. If a person of your skill shoots it at f/5.6 and the 160-600 at the same focal length, do you see that much difference? Thanks.