Nikon 100-400mm Z Lens VS Nikon 500mm PF on the Z9 - Which Lens Is Best for Bird Photography PART 1

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Spoonbill workshops: photoworkshopsandtours.com/index.php/2018/07/16/roseate-spoonbill-photography-workshop-2019/

[@64BBernard]

I think for many it depends on your typical bird photography location. If you are in a bay type of location where subjects are at varying distances, then the 100-400mm would be a better choice. If your subject is farther away, then a 500mm prime may be better. While primes are nearly always the best for best image quality, much can be said for the convenience of a zoom like a 100-400mm.

[@robwasnj]

Pink Spoonbills are beautiful birds, in fact all birds I feel are beautiful even vultures and crows, in fact crows are one of my very favorites to watch. What a shame the Z9 doesn't have highlight zebras or some sort of indicator inside the EVF... it's one of those things I never knew I needed until I had it and now it's how I set my exposure almost exclusively on my A1. Awesome photos and storytelling as always, your videos are enjoyable for the entire family that doesn't care about cameras and lenses.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks and I agree about the zebras. Once you use them it’s there is no turning back!

[@forkintherode8236]

Truly spectacular Mark. Aren’t we fortunate to have this awesome equipment. Spoonbills aren’t just beautiful, they are elegant.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks and yes we are lucky to be out there with this gear. Any and all of it.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Wildlife photography is a new genre for me, and I marvel at the work you produce. It certainly gives folks like me something to aspire to. I have this lens on order through NPS, so hopefully will have it before too long, and it is great to see such remarkable results with it.

[@bradbenjdm9341]

roseatte spoonbills are so cool. I love watching them at Paynes Prairie

[@falcosparverius6385]

thanks for the throwback style video mark. Reminds me of your old school ones!

[@benwilliams7502]

Mark the Spoonbills are beautiful and I cant wait to catch one of your workshops.

[@paulkirk5760]

Great video Mark. The eyes bulge out to the side so it has good peripheral vision to see predators approaching from the side/behind. You’ll notice predators including eagles, hawks, owls have forward facing eyes to focus on their targets.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Make sense

[@jakesdewet3567]

Amazing images and a great reflection of the camera and lens. Still waiting for Z9 but have the 100-400 and 500pf use both as safari lenses here in Africa. Use on a Z6ii and Z7ii. I have come to "master" the focus on these bodies and can honestly say they have limitations but in 90% of the cases they work fantastic. With BIF this is where the Z7ii and Z6ii is not on par with Sony A9ii. Many say the 100-400 se no impact using the 1.4 TC, sorry but the focus is slower and the IQ takes a hit especially for distant subjects. But that is the case for most zoom lenses. For me the 500 pf on the Z7ii is a stunning combination. The 100-400 on the Z6ii is for versatility and this is where this combination shine. But in ideal world I would love the Z9 and the Z6ii in combination. With The Z9 on the 500pf. Looking forward to your 500 pf video

[@johnredrup1036]

After shooting both lenses in Costa Rica, and more recently at the Spoonbill Rookery, I like both of them equally at this point. I like the ability to assign the control ring to Exposure Comp on the 100-400 along with the flexible focal length, and the extra reach on the 500. I look forward Part2, thanks for the wonderful images and story!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for watching

[@verlenelewis9866]

I have been fascinated by the Spoonbills since I was a little girl. I think it is the unusual bill and fabulous coloring that got me. I hope someday I can see a live one. The Great Blue Heron is one of my favorite birds, enjoyed your shots and video of them, they are so majestic.😎

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Spoonbills And herons are amazing.

[@MrDaveB123]

Finally !!!! Some great images with the New Z 100 to 400. Im convinced I do not need to spend the money on the Z 400 2.8 to get incredible images with my Z gear. Thanks man you saved me a ton of cash

[@MarkSmithphotography]

My pleasure. It is a great lens.

[@collectGenX]

You do the best play by play on KZbin. Appreciate ya!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@alanlyle8618]

As usual your videos and images are outstanding. I recently received my Z9 and Z100-400mm lens and am trying to master all of the settings. I find your video quality to be some of the best I have ever seen. What video file type and picture control settings are you using. Thanks for all of the videos and help.

[@laurelb8372]

Those pink spoonbills are gorgeous, just trying to decide on 100-400 lens to save weight over my 200-500mm

[@edwinmaldonado8761]

Another fantastic video Mark. Doesn’t matter what gear you used is the person behind the gear.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks Edwin!

[@martinsmyth5580]

Wow, I always watch your videos Mark, but for some reason, the colors in this one are just unique and the detail, wow

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@randygoodsell1533]

Love the photo around 7:24 where the wings are overhead with tips almost touching then the neck and head protruding outward.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Yeah me too. It’s a cool wing position.

[@tc6912]

Love the Spoonbills, prefer the raptors. As for as the lenses, I think you need both, at least until one of the 600's comes out.

[@ulfmoller8701]

Fantastic images! I use the 500 PF on my Z50 and can't wait for your comparison later! Very satisfied with it but it would be nice to see if there is any reason to switch. And I think the spoonbill is a very pretty bird but maybe a bit "jurassic"!

[@BayouJosh]

“Coy cautious curiosity”… Beautiful use of alliteration. Gorgeous video.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks Josh!

[@Mglaiel]

Hi Mark Can you go thru the mechanics of actually shooting the fast action birds in flight please. Are you doing back button focus with your thumb and shutter release with your pointer finger ? Do you keep the back button held all the time while shooting ? I use a Nikon D850 and a 500pf but seam to have trouble panning the camera and trying to hold my thumb and pointer on the buttons Thanks Mike

[@victoriamannina8933]

I want know this too, Mark. Are you going to respond to this message?

[@pauljanosi1881]

Awesome video Mark. I was there last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Best location we found in Florida to photograph Spoonbills! I used the Z9 and both the 500 PF as well as the 100-400 Z lens.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

What gave you the best results?

[@pauljanosi1881]

@@MarkSmithphotography I preferred the Nikon 100-400 Z lens. I was cropping the wings too often with the 500 mm PF. Given there were several photographers there, I couldn't go back any farther, they blocked my view. I had to be at the same distance as they were.

[@smilsmff]

at Conowingo ,the huge Rookery at Island , all day long GBH flies over to park lot, grabs one branch there and flies back to the trees on other side for its nest

[@steveottavaino3804]

Your skill continually impresses me Mark. Superlative work. Thanks for sharing!!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you!

[@seandavis6458]

You are a great story teller Mark. I currently shoot with a Z9 and 500pf and am very happy with it, but the old 200-500 i have is out of it's league and I am hoping the 100-400 will be great replacement. Perfect for shooting on safari also. Thanks for the great content and waiting for part 2.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for the compliments!

[@markrigg6623]

Well made video Mark, the sharpness and detail in your shots is really well reproduced. Makes want to get out there and shoot. But I've got to go to work.....

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@kilohotel6750]

I love the spoonbills but I still haven't been able to get a shot of one that I like.

[@thomasstapel6824]

Some amazing and beautiful birds. Just WOW. It's not possible to believe all this wonder was just natural selection.

[@omarcoutinorodas2564]

Beautiful pictures! I like see your videos, because I learning photography. Thanks.

[@garfieldirwin]

Wonderful storytelling Mark! Image quality is absolutely stellar. I'm interested to hear your overall thoughts of the Z9 video capabilities -- my impression is the video IQ is a solid notch above the A1? Too bad Nikon is dragging their feet on releasing the 200-600Z, a must have lens for me. The 500pf is an amazing lens that.has deservedly achieved near "cult" status for DSLR owners, but it cannot trump the versatility/value of a high-quality native zoom of similar size that can handle a TC IMO.

[@raysanders332]

Yes, I am also waiting for the release of the Nikon 200-600 and see the quality of that lens. I feel the detail of the photos in this video is not the usual quality of Marks photos.

[@garfieldirwin]

@@njrtech The Z9 provides superior oversampled HQ 4k up to 60fps where the A1 bins all of its 4k modes = lower IQ. @120fps they're about equal.

[@pahafx]

@@njrtech Where does that "1 full stop" come from? I haven't seen single test or sample photo which proves this much difference. Also, the A1 dynamic range gets lower if EFCS is not in use, that is above 12 fps, or when shooting video.

[@jamessaxon3859]

Love those Spoonbills with their rich color. Can't believe you have a location where you get that close. I am on the Texas Gulf Coast and have a rookery that is close but the background is cluttered with other birds making it difficult for a clean background. Curious as to you thoughts on the Z9, 100-400 combination in comparison to the Sony gear you use?

[@MarkSmithphotography]

The z9 is missing a few things that the Sony gear isn’t and the evf on the a1 is the best I’ve used yet.

[@lindacunningham3005]

Your work is amazing! I love Spoonbills! I sure wish that I was shooting when I lived right down the street from Sanibel Island~! I'm using the 500 pf but am missing the ability to zoom out for some really close subjects and often I wish I had more reach. Yes, I want it all...

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks! Nothing wrong with wanting it all!

[@csc-photo]

Gorgeous images. Curious to hear which lens you like better on the Z9, I've heard tremendous things about both. For my needs, I'd likely opt for the 100-400. Looking forward to part 2! Also, is this shot at 60fps / playing at 24 (40%)?

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@networm64]

KZbin says the playback is at 60p. I think that's why slowmos look smoother than ever!

[@lukes5533]

Love these sharp Nikon images 👍

[@melaniecrump7595]

I love your picture at 7:25, such a beautiful bird. I didn’t know existed until I found you here on YT

[@MarkSmithphotography]

They are beautiful indeed!

[@cyrilmattaliano5473]

Hi Mark ! Great images again ! 👍 I read that you have the 800mm F6.3 in preorder, but will you have the opportunity in the futur to test the Z9 with the 400mm F2.8 TC ? Bye. Cyril, from France. ;-)

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you! I’m not sure on the 400 2.8. Nikon doesn’t contact me.

[@Take60B]

@@MarkSmithphotography I guess that's their loss then. (And ours..) you would still be my fav Nikon ambasedour Mark. I remember when we talked about the D500 and look where we are now with al the fancypancy stuff. 😁

[@antonoat]

Sensational images and video Mark. The image quality from the lens and z9 are surely as good as it gets. A 100-400 mm zoom lens with that quality has me drooling to own one, lol. Great job Mark with the wonderful film and kudos Nikon for delivering top notch gear, yet again! 👏👍😀

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@MrHentech]

I would like to ask what makes your videos and photos so beautiful? The colors are so beautiful. What format do you record?or what LUT do you use? I want to get as much out of my machine as possible, but I only have a sony a6500.could you give me some information about this?i prefer to take photos and do our post-production in the lightroom, but i am also interested in the video.Thank you for your answer

[@MarkSmithphotography]

All video is straight out of the camera

[@dougcooper4917]

Excellent Video Mark, and Amazing Photography! Thank You.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@ramachandraursh.s3903]

Which is the lens collar that you are using for 100-400m Z S lens ? Awesome pics and video..

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Kes

[@jerryeisner1]

Hey Mark, I love all the photos and the filming and the narration! I'm sharing your stuff with anyone who will listen. On the humorous side, I love the Bird photo that you show at 7:36 on the time line as a possible fun shot.The bird looks like he could be imitating a Photo Soft Box. Keep up the amazing work.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

[@Veracity24U]

Thanks very much for sharing your physical distance. 😀 ✅️🤸💃🦉

[@4gharpure]

I went to this location at sunrise next day after the 4/19 Osprey workshop and got amazing shots with Sony A1 and Sony 600 f4. 🙂

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I bet you did

[@cii1072]

Great images. You got great front to back focus with incredible DOF. What F stop were you shooting at?

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks. I listed the meta-data for each image on the bottom of the screen

[@charlesdavis6371]

Some really great shots. There's a lot of good photography out there, but I'm really getting hooked on your style Mark - I love it. Can't say which lens I'll get first (still saving for the Z9), but probably the 100-400. Both are great lenses. Looking forward to part 2.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

They are both great!

[@mikearmstrong7956]

Love ❤️ the Colours of Spoonbills 👏🤣😀

[@abelfernandez5648]

Otro gran vídeo con tu toque profesional, enhorabuena.

[@kubacz6145]

Are you photographing those birds from the blind? I find photographing herons(white and grey) difficult as they are extremely alert and timid, capable of hearing mechanical shutter from 20 meters and reacting on the slightest movement ...but I live in Poland and maybe things are this way here

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Nope. Standing right next to them!

[@rmclark339]

Mark you're just the best at this stuff. Honest and an amazing wildlife photographer (PS...I use venmo :)) On the Z9, I'm not a Nikon shooter but I have a friend that is and he's been waiting for his Z9 forever. Hopefully they are released soon so we can compare with my A1.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks! I appreciate the comments!

[@PharaohMan007]

Fantastic shots!!! The 100-400 looks like a great lens.

[@dlanska]

Great video as always, but meatus has 3 syllables: mee-AY-təs, not 2, meet-əs.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you. I had no idea

[@1946bike]

Spoonbill is beautiful...

[@NikCan66]

beautiful spoon bill

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Wow, Mark. I'm on a pre-order list for the 100-400, (Finally got my Z9 today!) so this series is of special interest to me. Gorgeous work, as always. :)

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you. You will love your camera and the lens.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

@@MarkSmithphotography Following up... I got my 100-400 on May 10th, and have barely taken it off my Z9 since then. Wow... It can capture some convincing "macro" shots too. Love it. :)

[@thomastuorto9929]

Great vid & so good to see Nikon equipment holding up mit's end of the bargain. Are some of these photos grabs from video clips? Just curious.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks. No, they are all stills captured in camera.

[@jamesnelson1443]

Spoonbill is gorgeous

[@kevinj.murphy6582]

Real nice work Mark, so amazed at how steady your hand held video is. Technique like no other. Roseate's have such beauty only their mother can Love. Curious if Wide Area Large w/animal subject detection is still your most referred AF option w/Z9 for stills & whether you use same for the Video? If this is to be revealed in part II I'll be refreshing screen often.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks! For stills I do still prefer wide area large. For video I can’t remember what I was using lol. I’ll have to go look.

[@robertkaplan2833]

I don't see the link for the workshop you mentioned at this location.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

photoworkshopsandtours.com/index.php/2018/07/16/roseate-spoonbill-photography-workshop-2019/

[@enigmabletchley6936]

Great video and amazing photography of beautiful, colourful birds (you can tell by the way I spell colourful, I'm British!). One question - and it may be difficult to answer - but is 400mm really long enough for bird photography? Just how far did you have to crop in on these photographs? Or were you really that close!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Most of these were shot under 400mm they are very close at this location

[@MichaelSeneschal]

As always, just fantastic videos man. Always look forward to them.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@jameslove1092]

Hi Mark. All nature is beautiful. Keep clicking from James l. In bonnie scotland.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Agreed!!

[@Tomod89]

Nice video. I have a question though, when you photograph the spoonbills in flight at 1/3200, do you turn off lens stabilisation?

[@MarkSmithphotography]

No I kept it on the whole time

[@Tomod89]

Oke thanks for replying

[@cristianandreica5665]

Great footage!

[@TimSiggs]

Hi Mark, these videos are inspirational. I have recently received my Z9 and I mainly shoot video. It's early days but I am struggling with white birds on dark backgrounds and the whites seem to blow out. In the absence of zebra, can you advice how you expose the white birds so well? Actually, your videos on the Z9 are brilliant and maybe you could share your settings at some stage ie Codecs, FPS, shutter speed, focus settings etc. Cheers from Oz.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!! I tend to underexpose with the Nikon. I have a lot of experience with being able to “see” the scene and know how the Nikon will “see” it and adjust accordingly! You have to take practice shots and shoot in full manual. No auto iso

[@TimSiggs]

@@MarkSmithphotography I appreciate the tip Mark and I'll give it a go without Auto ISO.

[@chinitopinoy1726]

Those are some gorgeous shots!

[@user-hg1es4dm4y]

Beautiful birds! 🤩😍

[@DjCjFoto]

Amazing footage... I'm very happy with my 100-400s, but one thing is kind of wierd for Z9, missing zebra in video mode. I just checked my z7II, it's implemented here, but I'm not sure, it was always part of it, or it came with new FW 1.40. BTW, thanks for discovering DX mode in video section, I didn't even know I had it...lol!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

The z9 has zebra for video but not stills and thanks

[@DjCjFoto]

@@MarkSmithphotography Sorry, I missed it then, I understood in video, thanks for quick reply!

[@lorenroot7667]

What lens foot do you use on the 100-400? Thanks!

[@CamillaI]

I would always go for a Prime lens over a zoom .🤔

[@gosman949]

times are a changing. Zoom lenses are not your father's zoom lenses!

[@duncangroenewald]

Great images, fantastic location, stunning birds. I shoot smaller birds in flight like swallows, sandpipers and terms but have had little success acquiring focus on them with the Z9, it seems to ignore them even when prefocussed. Perhaps you could try it out with smaller fast subjects and give us some tips on focus acquisition if you have any success.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I have and had the same problems.

[@duncangroenewald]

@@MarkSmithphotography hmm not just me then - that's disappointing, well "Nikon are you listening ?"

[@brandonhaynes9120]

I was taking photos from my d500 in video mode without knowing now most of my files are in dsc format, I can still see the images but is this a issue? Does it reduce quality? Couldn’t find anything online about it

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Beautiful bird and great captures as always Mark! Thank you for sharing them with us!👍💖😎JP

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

@@MarkSmithphotography Your very welcome Mark! Have a wonderful weekend!😎

[@marleenvandam6931]

while the 500 pf might be a hair sharper , the 100-400 is the newest tech and much more versatile. If invested in the Z system , I would no longer invest in a 500 pf , but wait for the 800 pf or 600/4 in the future

[@MarkSmithphotography]

The 500 pf is not any sharper.

[@shotsbyscott6243]

Thanks Mark for the video and looking forward to part 2. I have been twice the past week and it was excellent. The main lens I used is the Nikon 300mm AF-S lens. I have thought about getting the 100-400 lens but in most of my photography I think it will be too short. Have you tried the 1.4x TC with the lens and if so, how does it perform? Thanks!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I’m really enjoying the 100-400z I don’t have the teleconverters so I can’t say.

[@Mr09260]

Thanks Mark just what I want to see

[@ginafriend1690]

Thank Mark, WONDERFUL!!

[@arjun9431]

Waiting. Excited!

[@fired789]

I have a rebel t7i and was looking to get into bird photography do you guys thing the canon 100-400 mark i or the sigma 100-400 would be better. Looking to stay under $1000

[@rickleinen1881]

Gorgeous shots and video!!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@victorlim5077]

Beautiful photos, Mark.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@jmwlaw2000]

What is the location of this shoot? Great stuff..

[@PhilThach]

Loved it, Thanks, Mark!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks!

[@Coreyvallephoto]

Wonderful stuff, as usual! …even from a sony lover 😄

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Lol thanks

[@ohrah2003]

Did the firmware upgrade correct the EF issue?

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I was using the old firmware but nowhere in the new does it list live highlights for stills.

[@gosman949]

Was everything handheld? Very steady!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Yes sir!

[@davidtaddei419]

Amazing footage and beautiful stills as always, Mark! Really looking forward to part II as I am debating my first Z telephoto lens: bet this is going to come down to versatility and video-friendly AF vs longer reach of the PF lens... fast forward to your future comparison in several months (years? Come on NIkon!): ''Z 100-400 vs Z 400 PF vs Z 200-600mm, the ultimate native Z mount lens for wildlife photography'' :-)

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I think you might be on to something!!! Video friendly af plus silky smooth vibration reduction only comes from one lens.

[@davidtaddei419]

@@MarkSmithphotography Of course, the combination of lens-VR and IBIS... With the 100-400mm and the 400/800mm primes, handheld photo- and videography seem to be high on Nikon's list when it comes to Z lens design!

[@Bob4golf1]

Well done Mark!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@charlybread]

Great video Mark😊👏👏

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@kuau714]

Mark whenever I watch your videos which are all excellent btw, I feel like I am watching a old episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom with Marlin Perkins I think you can start a new career

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I watched that religiously as a kid! That’s probably why! Lol

[@kuau714]

@@MarkSmithphotography me too as a kid I remember it was always on Sunday before or after Disney

[@jeannieab5218]

Amazing photography Mark 👍

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@phooesnax]

Nice work Mark

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@wesleystagg9347]

What foot are you using on that lens Mark?

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I’m not sure. A friend let me borrow the lens for the video.

[@vahidyavari3904]

well done

[@glimmrmoon]

Thanks!

[@NikCan66]

another great video

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@ammadoux]

lovely video. thanks

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@gcarmichael]

Nikons obviously giving out lots of equipment for reviews (seeing the trend elsewhere). Sony's your camera. Furthemore, Sony has produced some of the most stuning images you have posted.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Nikon gave me nothing. They don’t talk to me. Lol

[@gcarmichael]

Stick with the master - Sony.

[@slideworks]

Great video Mark! Uh... your "subscribe" graphic at 3:07 says.. subcribe... :)

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Oh, that’s no good. And to think I paid for that.