Dreaming of a 300mm 2.8 Z! Slow shutter tips and what I've been shooting! Wildlife Photography Q&A

[@johnclay7644]

informative video thanks Tom.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ManchmalGaming]

Really happy with my 300mm f/2.8 non-vr for wildlife. Becomes a 600mm f/5.6 with 2x TC and is still pretty sharp.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Yes the 300mm 2.8 is just such a great lens, I love mine, just the look of the images and the flexibility is perfect for such a range of subjects!

[@adammutolo5800]

Know KZbin isn’t how you make a living but miss regular vids from you. Hope the business is thriving! Cheers!

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Yes with KZbin not being my living, other work projects have certainly held my attention this last year, but don’t worry, more videos will be incoming, and on a more regular schedule for sure! Thanks for keeping with me whilst I’ve not been regular!

[@EugeneMaynard]

I am not a wild-life shooter but I like your channel! 😎I thought I was the only one left that still loves a 300 f2.8!😂 I bought the Canon EF 300 F 2.8 when it was first launched in 1987, it is still one of my favourite lens! Through the years I adapted it first to canon mirrorless , then Panasonic with a metabones and now finally on a Z9 and Z6III with a Friinger adapter! It performs better today than ever, 3D tracking and being able to use IBIS plus the focus speed is better than on any of my past Canon pro cameras! When it finally dies, only then will I buy the Z400 f2.8 or hopefully that future dream mythical Z300 f2.8 TC. 👍🏾🙏🏾 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇸🇪🇹🇹

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Well I'll be here pushing the 300mm 2.8 for as long as I'm shooting, I love it! I DREAM of a 300mm 2.8 with a built in TC thats even lighter in weight, I doubt that would ever be off my camera!

[@jakesdewet3567]

Great Video and agree the 300 f2.8 is a magic lens, In the days of everyone looking for more reach, cropping double TC's etc to shoot at 1200 mm or even 1800mm on M43 crop sensors at f11 or f16, I think we lost the plot a bit, every image is tight crop or frame because sharpness and detail has become an obsession. For a very long time the 300 f2.8 was my only telephoto with a 70-200. I now shoot also with a Fuji Xh2s with a finger adaptor using a 300 f2.8. The field of view of 450 f2.8 makes for a crazy combination, I hope Nikon will give us a Z500 to replace the D500.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Yes I have never really understood the obsession with focal length... people just seem hell bent on wanting more and more reach, rather than thinking about the actual frames they are crafting! I love the 300mm 2.8 and as Ive said, if I get a Z mount 300mm 2.8 thats light weight, I can see the 600mm F4 will be only used when I NEED the reach!

[@GeoffCooper]

Cool to see some new content from you :) Yeah, the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 is the only lens I have ever really regretted selling on - such a great lens! A Z-mount version would certainly be interesting, though I now have a 400mm TC so it would be hard to make me part with that! So true that the encounter can happen at any time, including in the first minute or right as you are packing up to leave :D

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Totally agree! The 300mm 2.8 is just such a Ledgend of a lens, funny how the 120-300 never really hit the same spot! Hopefully we see a Z mount version one day, It will be a MUST PURCHASE for me and I think many many others too, especially as its likely to come in on the more "affordable" end of the exotic lenses!

[@Ben_Stewart]

The 180-600 is just unbeatable for the price and quality. 400 4.5 is niche but has character. I could be happy with either one. I like the 800 since it gives me so many moon/wildlife landscape options.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Yes the 180-600 is hard to beat for the price and the 400mm 4.5 certainly adds something different, as you say the 800mm gives some options other lenses just can't, but might be a little niche for many!

[@ath3263]

Great to see your videos and inspirational content

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Thank you! many more to come, any topics you'd like to see me cover?

[@ath3263]

@@TomMasonPhoto maybe cover issues and differences between home insurance for your camera and specialist camera insurance whilst travelling within and outside the Uk

[@maranoblet]

What a fantastic video Tom! So much great info and great to hear such a different perspective. You won't get many other wildlife photographers recommending 300mm and 24-70 lenses! But when you see your images it makes perfect sense. The 600 f4 tc is my dream lens but the 400 4.5 I own is a very versitile option. Was considering the 800 pf but you've made me think, I might look at 500 or 600 larger aperture f mounts instead as they don't need to be walkabout lenses. Keep the videos coming! It's always too long a wait between them!

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Thanks so much for the reply and great to hear you enjoy the 400mm 4.5, Id certainly look at F mount FL options right now as the prices are so good for the higher aperture tele lenses like the older 500mm f4 and 600mm f4 FL's are half the price and similarly priced to the 800 PF! Oh and on the video front... I'm going to be more consistent going forwards don't worry!

[@amnaturephotography]

@maranoblet, If you are interested I have a Nikon 600mm Fl F4 that I am thinking of selling as I am now fully in the Z system

[@dalemews1]

Great video Tom! And a great insight into your thoughts on equipment and how you approach your photography. I do own the 300mm f2.8 and the z800mm. I thought long and hard before purchasing this one, worried that it might have been just a little too long, but i honestly haven't found that to be the case as most of my photography tends to be of small birds anyway. Plus i do have the 300mm for the wider shots when required.

[@tr3v87]

I'm currently using a 400mm 4.5 and 800mm 6.3 after moving from a 500mm f4. If they made a 300mm 2.8 z with tc built in I would be all over it!

[@RezaTamez]

You took my heart away when you said Z mount 300 2.8 with a teleconverter! Hell yeah we need that. Now I am in dilemma whether to go for the 300 f2.8 ed vr ii in next 3 months or wait for an eternity for that Z mount lens!!!😂 For context I use a d850 with 70- 210 f4 tamron and a Z8 with a 400 f4.5 for wildlife. My plan is to add the legendary 300 f2.8 in front of my d850 because that body deserves pro optics. And continue with the same z8 combo. Thoughts?!

[@TomMasonPhoto]

OOOOH yes, my HEART would skip beats if we see a Nikon Z 300mm 2.8 TC, that was lighter in weight and great with a 2.0 TC. BLISS. As for right now, I think if you feel like you wan't one and you can afford it the 300mm VR II is such a great deal right now, and you can always sell in the future if you wanted to have a "Mythical Z" Version! I used the simply adore my 300mm 2.8 in front of the D850, dream, but its still cracking with my Z9!

[@markglenday7291]

Hi Tom Mark from Australia here, love your videos. I am wanting to try some new stuff and I am looking at doing wildlife and outdoor sports. However I have a a question for you and I would like to ask for your thoughts. I currently own a Nikon D500 and a D5, however I am looking at buying a second hand lens but not sure which one to purchase, I am looking at Nikon 300mm f2.8 VR either vri or vrii, Nikon 200-400mm f4 vrii, or the Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF ED. I know you use the 300mm f2.8 and I know your thoughts on that but I would like your thoughts on the other two please. Thanks for sharing, from Australia.😀👍

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Hey Mark! So luckily I have experience with all the lenses you've asked about! They are all good lenses but each kind of has a niche... The 500 Pf is great if you want something light. The optics are great for the size but it lacks something of the other super telephotos. The f5.6 aperture really doesn't give you the "look" of the super tele lenses that you might be after if you're also looking at the 200-400 f4 and 300 2.8. You'll also find with the slower aperture its limiting in regards to gaining more light for shutter speeds and the look of the f4 out of focus areas. yes you gain a bit more reach but, I have a hard time "loving" the 500 PF. The 200-400 is a great lens, very flexible, excellent optics although not as perfect as the 300mm. The lens takes a 1.4 TC easily, giving great reach options and still being 5.6 even at 560mm eqv. The lens has great rendition and is loved by many photographers, they can also be had for a bargain price! Ive seen VR II models for £1400. I would get the VR II model as it has updated and newer AF motors that are better than the original but increased VR performance. IT is a big lens! and its rather FRONT HEAVY that can make using it hand held for many hours fatiguing. You'll likely want a tripod/monopod. There build/optics and feel of the lend > 500 PF. The 300mm 2.8 VR II, is my favourite lens. The combination of the look of the images, the 2.8 aperture - amazing for fast AF, and low light performance are great, bound together with the smaller size, lighter weight and handling, make it great. Works flawlessly with a 1.4 TC and you're at 420mm f4 eqv, but it doesn't lack the longer reach than the 200-500 / 500 pf combinations. I feel the focus is faster, IQ better and overall usability is better than the other mentioned lenses but if you want more reach. do lots of birds and don't have access to a 600mm like I also have, then the 200-400 might be a better 1 and done super tele lens. I feel if you are looking at these three the 200-400 or 300mm 2.8 will give you more of what you're looking for in the quality of a super tele Lens, the 500mm pf is great for those who are mostly concerned with weight and size, but its not really in the bracket of the other two! Hope that helps, Cheers, Tom

[@markglenday7291]

@@TomMasonPhoto Hi Tom thanks for getting back to me. It’s 12.30am here in Australia. That information that you gave me has been really helpful, I sort of had an idea which lens that I will purchase and that is the 300mm f2.8 as I feel that is more versatile than the other two, because it will be paired with the D500 I will be getting an equivalent to a 450mm f2.8 and then if I was to add a 1.4 TC then it would extend to a 630mm f4 and if I was to add a 2 x TC then I could get a reach of 900mm f5.6. Also with the 300mm f2.8 I can use it in low light where the other two would struggle, I really appreciate your thoughts and it has helped me decide on which lens to purches, the 300mm f2.8 vrii will set me back $4,999.99 AU dollars second hand. Thanks for sharing your videos love your work. Regards Mark from Australia👍👍👍👍

[@simon.b71]

Thanks

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Thank you!!

[@ryancooper3629]

I'm always amazed at the quality of work you can pull off with a 300mm. You are the only wildlife shooter I've ever seen who consistently makes great work with a 300. Have you ever tried the 300 F/4 PF? I have it and adore that lens, its just so portable but I hella struggle to use it in many situations because 300 just feels too short. I have way better results with my 500mm in most cases. Side note, in the 1 lens forever side, wouldn't choosing the 24-70 essentially mean you would no longer be a wildlife shooter? I'm surprised that you wouldn't just go with a high end super zoom if it was only one choice forever so that you can still do wildlife work? For example, you could use a 100-400 for wide work by doing pano stitch, but there is nothing you can do to make a 24-70 reach very far. Personally, I kinda wish Nikon would continue to release DSLRs, like I get it that they are commited to Z and mirrorless but I still prefer the feel of the D850 to any Z camera I've shot. Yes, the Z cameras have a lot of features the old DSLRs don't, but I just love the way those old DSLRs snap to focus without hunting around and the sound of the shutter is just so eternally appealing imo. Idk, even when I pick up my ancient D800 these days, its still "feels" better to shoot with than any of my modern kit, even though the results are worse. I'd love to see a D880 hit the market but I know it never will.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Thank you so much! I do indeed adore the 300mm and I feel some of my best work has been made with it, maybe I've just spent so long with it I really feel like I "know" that lens! I own a 300 PF however I have mixed opinions, yes its wonderfully light and small, gives a fantastic walk around setup thats easy to take anywhere, I got it to run alongside my 600mm f4 when I didn't want to LUG everything, but I find it's never as perfect as I want, and I just feel the images lack "something", that I actually prefer the older 300mm f4 AF-s (that I also have ;) ) I just can't quite tear myself from the 300mm 2.8! In regards to the 24-70 its more about flexibility within my career, I shoot more "wildlife in the landscape" than ever before, often focusing on wide angle shots than tele images these days, generally a 35mm prime is always on the camera as a lens I love to shoot. Its a harder way of crafting wildlife images, rakes much longer but just has a different look, thats with the 24-70 would give me the flexibility to do that kind of shooting yet still the odd portrait in the right situations. I also am looking to go more into wildlife stories and so "if I have to pick one" that lens would provide me the best overall flexibility. Although as I said, that 300mm is going nowhere!

[@ED-on8to]

Hello Tom, what do you think about getting a Nikkor 500mm F4 IF-ED VR as first supertelephoto-prime lens? These are quite cheap to get and my idea is that I have the quality and look that a 180-600mm can't give me. The price is obviously the weight. I want to use it with a Nikon Z6 II and later with a Z9.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

For sure the F mount tele lenses are certainly a greta option if you are not totally weight concerned, and as you say the 180-600 just can't give you the "look" of the 500 f4! The Fl versions might be what I'd push for as they have a lighter build and slight better IQ but in all honesty I ave good friends with the 500 f4 VR and they haven't ever considered updating and just get out and enjoy shooting!

[@simon.b71]

One of my biggest photography regrets is selling my D500. 18 months ago I ‘upgraded’ to the z7ii and although the z7ii is superior to the D500 for landscapes and general shooting, the D500 blows the z7ii out the water for wildlife. A decision I’ve regretted ever since. No, dslr’s are not dead. 10:43

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Yes the DSLR is certainly still kicking! Will do a few videos using them in the next few months with some suggestions especially for people starting out. I do love my Z9 and Z8, excellent cameras but if I’m honest I have them set up just as I did with my DSLRs and really only needed the video features for my professional work!

[@ivaneberle3972]

If I only ever shot stills... I'd not be looking to upgrade from my D500/200-500

[@Karkawry1970]

due to pick up the 600 TC this month, and you won't believe the times I have ummed and arred about getting the 400 instead! I think I will stick with the 600 though, and if, over time, I find myself wishing for the shorter focal length, brighter aperture and better MFD I can always trade!

[@Karkawry1970]

Oh and I am also wishing for a 300 with or sans TC! Would be epic, and would totally counter what I just wrote above....

[@TomMasonPhoto]

100% the 600mm TC you won't be disappointed and for situations where you want the reach and are working with harder to get close to wildlife, its the dream! I REALLY want a 300mm 2.8 TC, nice and light, easy to travel with, with the newer better 2.0 TC as well it would be a wonderful combination! Let's keep our fingers crossed!

[@markglenday7291]

Hi Tom I have another question for you pleas, in regards to the Nikon 300mm f4 PF, for the optics, I have seen one up and close and it is very light but I would like to know your thoughts on that lens. Thanks in advance Mark from Australia 😀

[@TomMasonPhoto]

The PF I have a mixed relationship with. the lightweight size and portability are amazing... but I just find the IQ never hits the spot for me (personally) I actually prefer the older 300mm f4 AFS that I have and own... I actually have a video coming out on all three 300mm lenses soon!

[@markglenday7291]

Thanks Tom I will keep an eye out for that video.

[@Rob.1340]

👍📷😎

[@johnhjic2]

Hello Tom, I am thinking of swapping my 300mm PF for the 400mm f4.5 is it worth doing as I will only get around £500 for the 300mm PF (or that is what I have been quoted) working it with a Z8 or Z9. Now one other question I was at the Bird fair this year and got myself a hide. (From Trigopan) I have one or two areas that have permission to take image, but have you any tips on locating the hide.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

That's a hard one, personally I'm NOT a BIG fan of the 300mm PF, I find the images it creates are just missing something - find the older 300mm F4 AF-S better in terms of IQ, the 400mm 4.5 I feel is a worthy upgrade (especially if you find yourself using the 1.4 TC a lot?) it isn't a major increase in weight, but obviously it is a little larger, however I feel the benefits of the IQ and performance you'd get on the Z8 or Z9 would be worth it. Yes the trade in values of £500 isn't great, but you could always buy the 400mm 4.5 see how you like it before selling off the 300mm? In regards to hides, I'll need to do a video on that at some point as many ask questions, a lot of the time its about looking for shots and imagining the perfect positions before you then set them up, the flip side of that is finding a good area to set things up and then attract wildlife in! Both work, but I'll do a video on hides at some point!

[@johnhjic2]

@@TomMasonPhoto Thank you for the response.