Nikon 180-600 vs Eagles at Conowingo Dam

[@rogerashley8616]

Nice video, I hope to go there one day myself. Remember though, no such thing as a "sea gull" all gulls have names lol

[@RiveraLuis808]

😅 guilty as charged, I will remember that next time. Thanks for watching. 🙏

[@colincarter3529]

Teleconverter are really made for the fast telephoto prime lenses where they worlk superbly. Also if you add a teleconverter and still need to do a massive crop to get a frame filling shot, like here, then the subject is just too far away for the lens you have.

[@JayBlue2U]

I was at Conowingo today with my Z9 and 180-600 (handheld). The eagles weren't very active while I was there but the herons were quite busy. It was gray and overcast, but I got a few keepers and it was a good day.

[@JRodPhotoArt]

Well done! I love going to conowingo. I have never not seen any Eagles on every trip to the dam! Maybe I will see you there some day!

[@RiveraLuis808]

I hope you do! Thanks for watching!

[@myketripp3838]

Very cool video and realistic. I went with the Z600pf and haven't needed a monopod for all-day usage (the reason I opted for it). With my prime, I'm never happy with a TC-2 and I've stopped using it. I will give the 1.4 a chance. You were shooting in challenging environment. Again, good video and explanations.

[@RiveraLuis808]

Thanks for watching and appreciate the feedback! I hear the TC x 1.4 is better maybe ill check that out as well. Happy new year friend! 🙏

[@dominiclester3232]

Nice video, thanks! I’m a Z fan but I’ve kept my F mount long lenses and even bought a 400mm f2.8 recently which is probably much heavier than the Z 180-600mm lens. On the teleconverter shot, I wonder if the focus had locked on to the left eagle? There’s also a possibility that the main fish bound eagle has motion blur since it was jerking upwards as its talons locked on? Anyway, I have Topaz sharpen AI and DX0 Photolab, which recover soft shots if you want me to have a go for you?

[@RiveraLuis808]

Thank for tuning in, yes I have photoshop AI as well and it helped but sometimes the shots were too blurry to even enhanced and just looked plain horrible maybe on my next video I will go over that. Yes the F mount is very heavy compared to the Z mount 180-600. 🙏

[@dominiclester3232]

@@RiveraLuis808 Good points!

[@RiveraLuis808]

This is in the books let me know what you guys think!

[@MarkTisdelJr]

What an absolutely awesome day out! Definitely hype to go out with you again!

[@RiveraLuis808]

You know it! Thanks for coming and shooting amazing footage 🙌

[@m.maclean8911]

I have never used the Z 180-600 with a tripod nor a monopod. Same with my Z 800mm. The Z 800mm will even fit in a carry-on bag. The 180-600 and 800 are both very light and easy to use handheld for hours at a time. Love the new light Nikon long glass. Very sharp with the Z9.

[@Mr09260]

What Plate have you got on your 180-600 >> I am in S Africa and so have to order stuff like Plates from B&H and I dont need to buy the wrong plate

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

14:00 great little bit, I have a SIgma 150-600 and was tempted to buy a 1.4x for the dam, now I think I will just save up for a 300-800mm which will be quite a while to come.

[@RiveraLuis808]

Wow didnt know they made that kinda lens, I would still try to go out with the sigma and you never know eagles sometimes do come close! Thanks for watching. Hope to see you out in the field.

[@IANDAVID-n8z]

Great video, but the light was against you. Dull light = Dull shots even with the fastest lens and best camera. But if we wait until the weather gives us the best images, we won't get many photos. So you were working with what you had, thanks for sharing your day.

[@RiveraLuis808]

Thank you and yes weather was foggy but we made the best out of it! Thank you for watching!

[@Mr09260]

Use DX in cases like this with 3D Tracking???

[@RiveraLuis808]

I could give it a try and see if it crops and zooms in a little more. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@hojjatahangarikiasari7670]

That's a nice spot. I got good photos of vultures with a 70-200 f2.8. Couldn't reach the eagles 😄

[@RiveraLuis808]

You will get there! Sometimes eagles come a little closer hope you get em next time. 🙏

[@bird_whisperer]

Hello Luis. I envy you for getting to Conowingo Dam. Nice video and photos. Before you get rid of the teleconverter try it in good lighting and not so far photos. Autofocus has its limits. Distant shots don't always come out sharp with or without a teleconverter. Teleconverters are good with fast prime lenses because they allow more light than non prime lenses. But will not perform as well when lighting is poor. It all comes down to lighting Luis. It's not the equipment. Try using 2000 shutter on overcast day it will allow more light and still capture the action. If you use auto ISO with teleconverter it may give you better results. I've taken Bald Eagle photos at 167 yards with 1.4 teleconverter with a Sony 200-600 lens and Nikkor 600mm F4 and Nikkor 800mm F5.6 lenses and they all perform well. Lighting and distance are crucial in autofocus giving you sharp images. Thanks for sharing your captures. Good luck next time you visit Conowingo Dam.

[@RiveraLuis808]

Thank you for the insight, it is always a pleasure knowing more tricks to help with the photography shoots. I will hold on to it and take your advice. I am still learning the mechanics of teleconverters and I think this will help greatly on the next run. Thank you so much! Hope to see you out there in the future! And thanks for watching. 🙏

[@SirIronJim]

Nice Video!, I have a pair of Nikon Z Teleconverters, and I have to tell you, they work quite well, I couldn't help but to notice that you were not using anything to mount your camera on, with a long lens such as the 180-600, especially in bad lighting, any vibration (even pressing the picture button) can give you a blurry picture. I'd give anything to be in an area where Eagles can be photographed, I'm in Northern CA (near San Francisco) and unfortunately, you'll get either Crows, pigeons, or Seagulls. I do occasionally get to shoot Humming Birds in my Back Yard from time to time. to make a long story short, I've been shooting pictures of the Moon with my Z9 and Z8 using a Z 100-400mm Lens, and adding the 1.4 and 2.0x Converters to increase the Photo Range. Both Converters work well if the lens is mounted on a Tri-Pod, without the Tri-Pod, the shots always come out Blurry. I received the Z 180-600 about a Month ago, and received the Z 400mm 2.8 tc 5 days ago (ordered 20 Months ago). I haven't had a chance to use either of the longer lenses yet mainly due to weather, but will let you know how they perform when adding the TC's to them.

[@RiveraLuis808]

I hope you do get the chance to come on over and shoot these majestic birds! I heard yellowstone has a nice eagle nesting site not sure how true it is today but still I would look into that. Also I should've added that I was using the tripod at first and when my buddy was filming video I took it off on both perspectives to see if i could shoot without the tripod. Like you mentioned before even touching the fire button causes it to shoot blurry. With my settings on fast shutter speed and high ISO I thought I would improve on my results. Unfortunately ended up not being the case. I will still give it another shot, I been getting very helpful tips by YT community that I am willing to check out and give it a try. Thanks for watching and thanks for the tip. 🙏

[@craign1133]

Thanks for the info. I am headed to Conowingo in the next few days, but…. I’m shooting the Z9 and D500, but I Dont have the 180-600mm Z yet. So I only have the 400mm f/4.5 prime, or the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6. That’s where my long end max’s for now. So I will try anyway, and maybe get lucky. Does anyone think my gear might be too short for this distance and BIF. I have all 4 TC’s, both Z and AF-S. Thanks for the video.

[@RiveraLuis808]

Hey craig thanks for watching.yes! Shoot inside the power lines if you are going to use those lens. Also be there early to get a good parking spot. Also everyone is friendly and enjoy your time there!

[@stevethornhill8383]

Great shots!!! I was lucky enough to order one today… I’m from Md …

[@RiveraLuis808]

Nice! It is an amazing lens! I hope you enjoy it when you get it. Thanks for watching. 🙏

[@turboprop50]

Nice shots. What's the name of this place? Thank you

[@RiveraLuis808]

Conowingo Dam, Darlington, MD 21034 great wildlife photography!

[@robertdane1212]

Sucks I was going to watch this video as have the 180-600mm and shoot alot of birds in flight but once you said you needed a monopod or tripod I just stopped. I have the 600mm f4 and that is a lens you need a mono or tripod for NOT the 180-600. I have shot full soccer, football and baseball games without the need for any support. Hopefully someone sees this comment and realizes that most people can handhold this lens.

[@RiveraLuis808]

One, thanks for watching. Two I was also using a 2x teleconverter and half my shots were really blurry. Three I need to work on my arm game a little bit better. Some people don't need a tripod or monopod. Try it out, I needed it mostly for my teleconverter and when I didnt use my tripod my shots were even worse . Can't blame no one but myself I guess.

[@robertdane1212]

@@RiveraLuis808 I was really hoping you were going to say later on in the video you were only joking and you handheld it lol. Also being you replied to my comment and can take criticism I’m going to go back now and watch your whole video now.

I only use it handheld and I’m not a big person. I’m liking this lens a lot. I use it with a Z8. Cheers

[@RiveraLuis808]

Do you use it with a teleconverter or just the lens by itself? Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@chipsrafferty8362]

I cannot stand a tripod,I use the 800 f6.3 on A Z9 handheld all day and I don’t workout.Tripods equal missed shots.Maybe stop working out with marshmallows and up your game.

[@RiveraLuis808]

Give up the marshmellows copy! I will up my photography hold and be better.

[@bigboi36]

One of the main comments about getting that 1.4 crop that y’all not talking about it the use of an APSC camera! Listen I’m a full frame guy I love my Nikon full frames, however I do NOT hesitate to use a cropped sensor camera when it’s needed. Yes I use is to get closer. It gets closer than full frame but it’s giving me all its megapixel goodness without compromising. The D500 was the best DSLR APSC bar none. I used a D3 / D300 combo for years! From weddings , concerts and all the event photography you can throw a stick at. Not once have my images been criticized as being too soft. It is the right tool to have if you wanted reach. Back then the D3/D300 were both 12.3 mp! The D5 and D500 were both 20mp cameras. We need to have the same MP for APSC. If Fuji produced a 40mp APSC, Nikon need to have a 45mp. APSC to go go along with the Z9. Not 33mp. Give us 45mp APSC and watch Nikon take back the S.A.W!

[@RiveraLuis808]

Im not sure if you know this but you can put the Z9 to a dx Format in the menu. I used to own the D500 and I will say this, that was one of the best low light fast shooting cameras and was not afraid of ISOs. You could ramp up the ISO pretty high and achieve great results still. I do miss that camera. Then I got the Z 6 and said well I made a decision and I cant go back. (I shouldve went back) 😔 but hey! Thanks for watching!

[@imjooboy]

Last time I was at Conowingo, there was a couple who drove down from Canada to photograph the eagles.

[@RiveraLuis808]

Still shocked how everyone knows where the best place to get wildlife photography is around the world! To me, this is the number one spot ! Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@JayBlue2U]

While I was there today there was a guy from Wisconsin who came to see the eagles. Conowingo is quite well known as a great location to see bald eagles.

[@RiveraLuis808]

I agree! it is every wildlife photographers dream to capture something amazing at that place. Also got to give it to conowingo fishermans park for letting us photographers go down there and shoot. 🙏

[@oceanbeliever681]

That is a beast wow

[@RiveraLuis808]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@stevethornhill8383]

Keep up the great work!! Happy holidays!!!

[@jimbird963]

A very popular site always thought about getting there I use 1/4ii on my 100-400mkii canon actually works very well but you have to have lots of light I don’t use it morning or evening with my 7d2 my 400 becomes a 600 anything within several hundred yards I can capture it’s hard to get close to eagles have to get them in compromising conditions

[@RiveraLuis808]

Im sure Canon has a great autofocusing system and I would have done the same thing in using a teleconverter to get that extra reach. For Nikon though I missed alot of great shots and the lighting was excellent! Thanks for watching and I hope you do get a chance to go! The Eagles are amazing to capture! Thanks for watching.

[@yophotodude7693]

Your TC can certainly be used with moving subjects, but you have to increase your shutter speed, because you're shooting at 1200mm with the 2X TC. If you need 1/2000th to freeze action at 600mm, you will need 1/4000th to freeze it with a 2X or more. That's also going to cost you another stop of ISO for the extra shutter speed in addition to the two stops of ISO the TC is costing you. Three stops more ISO is going to soften images. The extra subject movement is going to soften your image. The atmospheric distortion will hurt your image more at 1200mm than 600mm. The 1.4X of course will be better since it's only going to cost you about 1.5 stops of ISO and less motion blur issues. Finally, the Z TCs work great on the prime lenses and even the Z 70-200/2.8 because it's a much higher quality lens. You're putting the TCs on a non-S-Line lens with a bigger zoom range, so there will even be more lens distortion to magnify with the 180-600. I would not recommend the 2X. It's just too much. You can use various resizing techniques to crop significantly and then blow the image back up with better results than the 2X. The 1.4X is really a wash. I'm okay using it. But if your subject is so far away, that you have to crop where you need to enlarge 4X or more, then the extra pixels from the TC can save you, but you're going to have some detail loss. Physics.

[@RiveraLuis808]

Wow so your saying if I understood you correctly double my shutter speed and double my ISO to keep up with the 2x Z TC? Also my chance would be better with a 1.4x than 2? Noted! This is amazing feedback! Learning so much from everyone's comments. Thank you for this. I would keep this in mind for my next run. Also thank you for watching! 🙏

[@prokremelskidezolati1426]

it is not heavy at all, exactly the opposite for the range - 8-10 pounds, that is a heavy lens

[@RiveraLuis808]

I definitely need to work out more then. 😅 thanks for watching the video!

[@prokremelskidezolati1426]

@@RiveraLuis808 yep, maybe :))