Photographing Mountain Bluebirds with the Nikon Z9 and Z400mm f/2.8S TC in the Tetons - Wildlife

[@alexanderlintott4286]

Quality video Steve your footage is constantly getting better and better.

[@simonbarrett1481]

Such wonderful shots, the bluebirds are beautiful and the tree swallow positioning is just terrific. Wonderful!!

[@davemartin2068]

Wonderful site and video. Just as Lee Walsh said a few days ago please tell us about your clothing. I'm sure many other viewers are interested in how to dress in similar conditions. I'm always underdressed and cold. Thanks again for putting up this site. We all enjoy it. Dave

[@WVScrubhunter]

Patiently impatiently waiting to see your African Safari videos!!!! Those pics you are posting on IG are awesome! Keep up the great work!

[@KevinNordstrom]

Those bluebirds look fabulous with the snow white backdrop. Stay safe, Steve and keep on truckin man. Theres no such thing as a bad photograph, only a missed opportunity. Glad you stuck it out. Cheers, friend

[@raymondpenalver7095]

Beautiful photos Steve and such an enjoyable video to watch !!!!!!

[@michealpociecha8351]

You got some great shots. Well done. Thanks.

[@maryh3878]

Beautiful!!!!

[@PhotographybyTimWMoore]

Glad you are back in your home element doing what you love! Every time I’ve been to the Tetons, I’ve been lucky to see mountain bluebirds. Such a beautiful blue color. I’m home with some back/hip pains keeping me in bed. Thanks to you, I’m enjoying being outdoors in the elements! Hoping to return your way this September. Keep up the great videos Steve!

[@NikCan66]

another fabulous vlog

[@599miata]

Wow, those are super beautiful photos , Steve. 👌👌👌

[@yanpermana8685]

Wow! That tree swallow shot at 13:55, I'm digging it.

[@grom5756]

Snow and cold, you suffered, but you got something out of it. Great photos.

[@evgenygorshkov9893]

Hi Steve ! Great video , beautiful photos !!!

[@joebecker3107]

Beautiful images! Im so jealous of the 400! I cannot wait to get my hands on one!

[@RttnAm1]

Hello Steve ! Thank you for your videos. What is you opinion on image quality of the 400 2.8 z with external tcs ?

[@bruceflyr7359]

Fantastic shots, we are really biting at the bit to get back to the Tetons but work keeps getting in the way.

[@boblacourse1430]

Another great video Steve. I got lucky at the end of March when I was there, and got some close up shots of the Mountain Blue Birds About a mile past the Teton Science School. Heading back up a week from today.

[@markattardo]

Great images! Enjoyed the spring snow vlog.👍👍

[@lukemedcraft446]

lovely video Steve! some great captures..I love the tree swallows such a fun bird to try capture

[@michaelpaulphotoworks5392]

Hey Steve, how do you feel about the image quality when you stack a 1.4tc with the internal 1.4 engaged? Also how do you feel the af tracking performance compares with these tricky small birds. Does the 400 loose some of its AF vigor with both TCs?

[@amranackerman9656]

Ahhhh those blue birds-- Aka u got a sweet shot -- At times a one great take is all I need . I'm going to need em this summer -- got to find a wild flower blitz up on a mountain valley-- with em peaks and blue birds **

[@brianlemke6017]

Beautiful shots under difficult lighting and weather. I appreciate your humility; it gives me hope as I work to improve my skills. I have the 400 2.8 on order; hopefully it arrived before I depart this rock! Looks like a fantastic lens.

[@SteveMattheis]

It’s so goooood👍

[@keithdickson8364]

Beautiful shots Steve.

[@peterb.7437]

Beautiful video. Very inspiring

[@phooesnax]

Great stuff Steve. Thank You. Our eastern bb are so different.

[@HalMoran]

Come on down to St. Charles, MO. I've got them nesting in my backyard. They have become very familiar with me the past few years. (I feed them suet)

[@SteveMattheis]

But is it snowing? 😬

[@HalMoran]

@@SteveMattheis I'll let you keep the snow, Steve. I prefer sunny and 70. I've got all kinds of warblers moving through right now. Let me know if you want to see any of my snaps. Great work btw!

[@phillipespinasse4937]

Hello Steve, I've been debating for some time between the z 400mm F/2.8TC and the Z600mm F/4TC - I tend to shoot mostly at the long end (600 and 800) but the 400mm lens seems particularly versatile given its 2.8 aperture capability and if the use of 1.4x and/or 2x external TCS provides better than usable images for high quality prints - My question to you - Do you have any reservations about IQ/sharpness using either of the two external TCs with the 400mm lens or pairing the 1.4 external with the 1.4x internal engaged?

[@tomfranic]

Beautiful photos & story 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻🥂

[@fredericbeudot822]

Superb video as always; I just hope you start sharing 4K footage out of the Z9, it's so gorgeous and 1080p just doesn't do it justice.

[@markrigg6623]

I can see the reason those birds are so blue!☃️☃️☃️

[@matthewulmer1423]

The “hot yoga class, oh yeah” had me dying 😂 That first tree swallow shot is 🔥Great video.

[@charlesdavis6371]

enjoyed the video - no comment on the butt pad. You really got some great shots - ty for sharing.

[@SteveMattheis]

The butt pad rulez 🤘

[@RandyPollock]

Really enjoyed the images...thank you

[@daviddowling9830]

Great video as usual,looking forward to your Africa story. I’m fortunate enough to choose between the 800 6,3 and the 100-400 or…the 400 2.8,primarily birding in Florida where reach is an optimal concern.I already have the 1.4 and 2.0 extenders as such I have many options,any comment would be appreciated. Really enjoyed your trip to SUN N FUN,great airshow 👍

[@SteveMattheis]

Get them all! Or just the 400 2.8 if you sometimes need 2.8. Or both the 800 and the 100-400 if you don’t ever need 2.8… 😬

[@ozarkmtnloghomes]

Hey Steve, love all your videos, Watch every one. Plan on coming out for a day with you one day. Hey, talk about your accessories in the video. Coat, pants, butt cushion (ha) camera lens cover, etc. We need to get prepared for your weather!! Keep up the awesome work. You are the best!

[@haraldstelzer2664]

Hi Steve, really like your videos and work. I was wondering if you could make a more detailed review one day of the 400. There are not many out there. I am still waiting for mine, even though I am very happy with the results of the Z9 and the 600 FL up to now. Still I do some hide photography all over Europe and for this the 400 would be better.

[@trishaharrison6183]

Magnificent 😘

[@j.kimmer1509]

Amazing images; 'makes me ask, how did he get that?" love the bird jumping between rocks, amazing, looks like it was photo shopped but you caught it mid jump in the air..love it. Imagine the beautiful moments in nature we all would of missed without your challenging efforts and sustaining endurance out there in the snow. Thank you.

[@barryinn1778]

BTW, When will we be able to view the photos from your last safari trip?

[@SteveMattheis]

Follow me on Instagram, I’m posting lots of them👍

[@tc6912]

Looks like a great day. Love your presentation with the frame and the notes. Care to share how you do that?

[@SteveMattheis]

Not sure what you mean but I edit video in Final Cut Pro.

[@danfrei2636]

Hi Steve, great video as usual. For those of us who can't afford the 400 current version, and would be in the either rent one (when they become available) at a decent price I'm sure, or buy an older used one categories. Can you compare them as far as quality of photo. The new one sounds great quality, lighter, built in TC. But if you had to chose between renting one (not having it available day to day and having to plan those "big trips" around the rental or vice versa) or buying an older used one in good shape. Also here you are using a 1.4 added to the built in getting almost a 2.0. Could you also comment on the quality of an older one using a 1.4 and a 2.0 (again getting to what you were getting here) in that same context of better to rent because the lens is just sooo much better or... Thanks Steve. Dan

[@AndyGustavsson]

Well done Steve love the swallow photos!!😊💪

[@HotGates]

Great video and shots, Have you ever tried Canon if so what did you think compared to the Z9?

[@sherylgaasch4584]

Hello Steve! I absolutely adore your work. I wanted to see if you could help me out. I currently have a Nikon d5600 and I’m looking to really just UP my camera gear. I would love to upgrade. I unfortunately cannot afford anything very very expensive at this time. But still wanted to know if you have any suggestions?

[@SteveMattheis]

Is there something specific that your camera can’t do, that you need it to do? If not, keep using it, it’s a very capable camera👍

[@bublebuble2004]

What great idea a mini mat, May we’ll look into one those also what is the lens cover you have on too ??

[@SteveMattheis]

Here’s an affiliate link : amzn.to/37H3OTC

[@bublebuble2004]

@@SteveMattheis cheers perfect for the uk weather

[@apumountainguides]

Excellent 👍🍺🍺🍺

[@mamanda15]

Hi Steve, love your work as always. I was curious about your white balance settings when shooting in the snow. I don't hear you talk too much about that. I don't get snow where I live but I do get fog in the winter. On those days when I have some visibility I really struggle with the WB. I recently started using my Kelvin settings but it seems I'm either too cool or too warm on those days. Just curious about what you use when shooting in the snow or if you had any suggestions? Thanks!

[@naturallyadriftphotoadvent123]

Tree swallows are super tricky in flight since they are so fast! Are there any blue birds back at the Molton Barn. We saw quite a few there while on vacation last September. I over heard a guide say it was a hotspot for bluebirds. Phenomenal photos as usual!

[@SteveMattheis]

I haven’t seen any there this year …

[@naturallyadriftphotoadvent123]

@@SteveMattheis yet, maybe there are running a bit late (hopefully). We went out to a local nature preserve today and photographed our first two Eastern Blue Birds of the year. Sadly, we have to travel 2,000 miles to see the Mountain Bluebird which I do love!

[@DeeDeeDIY]

Bird migration has been weird here on the Gulf coast too

[@glenpearson8277]

What lens and camera cover are you using ?

[@barryinn1778]

Steve, would it help to sit in a white blind, where they can't see you ?

[@SteveMattheis]

Maybe?

[@scottvolleyball7507]

Steve, I enjoy your videos and photos. Still learning this bird photography and keep getting better but tac sharp photos is tough in those conditions you had. I use Sony 200-600 and was using teleconverter 1.4 but think it hazes too much and sharper with crop. Did you find that when shooting Sony? Or is it user error. Also what rain cover were you using? Thanks and enjoy videos.

[@phooesnax]

I have done swallows in a head wind. Not sure that counts!?

[@brianaikens7282]

Great video. I have been shooting both the tree swallows and the Bluebirds with the Z9 here in my area as well, but I have not received my 400/f2.8 yet. I have been using the 500pf and a 1.4tc. The results have been good. I am wondering why you chose the 1.4tc with the 400(with tc engaged) over using the 400 with a 2.0tc in order to get to 800mm? I was assuming two tc's would not deliver the same quality as one alone....? I would also be interested in what focusing mode(s) you might be using for the BIF shots. Keep up the fine work.

[@SteveMattheis]

Because with the 1.4 I can quickly bounce between 560mm and 784mm

[@powermfp1]

For how long into April/May does it typically snow there? Asking because I have a trip planned there for the end of May.

[@souvik8335]

Hi Steve, You have got pretty good captures in this heavy snowflakes. What is your take on new Nikon z 400 f/2.8 TC VR S lens with Z9 in this harsh situation? Also do you looking for new Nikon Z 800 PF f/6.3 ? Thanks 🙏

[@SteveMattheis]

It’s a wonderful combination 👍

[@JoaoRodrigues_photo]

Hi steve! Hope you are doing great! Why do you use the lens cover since the lens is weather sealed?

[@SteveMattheis]

Weather sealed does not mean waterproof.

[@terrywbreedlove]

Z9 with 400mm F2.8 yowza 😎

[@DanimalJ3666]

For the swallows, were you using 3D or a different focus mode?

[@SteveMattheis]

Mostly 3D and wide large …

[@jabonaelwuo9703]

Is there any more expensive equipment on this moment?

[@SteveMattheis]

Yes, plenty. Sony A1, Canon R3, Canon 800mm, Canon 1200mm, Nikon 800mm5.6… why do you ask?

[@jabonaelwuo9703]

@@SteveMattheis it's just my jealousy :)

[@georgefrench1907]

👍

[@justingates1122]

Mountain blue bird right

[@SteveMattheis]

Yep

[@trydl88621]

What if you dressed in white.

[@SteveMattheis]

I would look fancy.

[@beaugonzales5171]

Is there somewhere i can reach you? I would like to know your opinion on some eagle shots i got. I wrote you a couple messages on IG