Testing My New Lens Setup for Bird Photography (Nikon 400 4.5 + 800 PF)

[@Bikerbeest]

You can use the DX mode on your Nikon Z9 , files are 20 MB large enough to get decent quality pictures. I have both lenses and don't use any converters , but sometimes use the DX mode.

[@randyschwager84]

Nice job! Thanks for taking me along!

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Great photos! The 180-600 on a second body is also a great combo! I have been so happy with the results I’ve been able to achieve with the Z9 and both the 180-600 and 800 PF lenses. The Z8 would be a great second body!!!

[@bubby372]

Great stuff. Such an amazing variety of birds. I think you were being stalked by that critter. :)

[@JonnyPink65]

Beautiful photos!!! 💖

[@alanyoungphoto]

Thank you!

[@JonnyPink65]

@@alanyoungphoto 💖

[@smallfarmfun]

Thank you for your channel; I really look forward to your next video each time! You brought up that you do not like the 1.4 f mount converter. What is it that you do not like about it and do you find the Z mount converter to be much better? I am just starting in the mirrorless arena. I have pre-ordered the Z6iii. I have the f mount 200-500mm f mount brick. I shoot song birds mostly but birds of all types at times. I am just looking for the most cost effective way to reach a little further. I know there is always a tradeoff and I am just looking at all my options.

[@alanyoungphoto]

Thank you for the kind words! I do find the Z teleconverter to be much better. Maybe it’s just my individual f-mount TC, but I am never happy with how the image looks. I can’t seem to get a sharp image with it even in controlled conditions and good light. The z mount 1.4 has been really good, in my opinion, though!

[@keithmacdonald4805]

I have exactly the same setup and I replaced the tripod feet with 3rd party tripod feet with Quick release sockets. It makes it so much faster to change camera straps especially the Peak Design strap you are using. The replacements also have Arca Swiss so they are much easier to set up on a tripod or monopod. I think you will enjoy the 400 4.5 it is an excellent lens. Thanks for sharing your video.

[@alanyoungphoto]

I love this suggestion, thank you for sharing this!

[@FLAPS5]

Have the exact same setup 😊

[@gregorytortissier5518]

Do you need 2 lenses for your pictures and video? If these 2 lenses purpose are only shooting still, the 400f2.8 with built in 1.4 teleconverter and then add a 2X converter and you can go 400f2.8, 560f4, 800f5.6 with 1 lens and 1 teleconverter. And it is more or less the same price than your 2 lenses combo (at least here in Japan) but with only 1 cumbersome lens instead of 2 ^^. Don’t you think?

[@lekkerpruven887]

About 6,5 + 3,5 here in NL (and less second hand 5,5 and 3ish) vs 15 (13,3 second hand if you can find it). So still around 50% more expensive, but a lot of advantages. Closer focus distance. Bigger separation and ability to shoot in lower light. But downside besides the price is the heaviest set up. Not if you calculate all the weight, but to handhold on camera.

[@philperry8748]

Where are you located in the SE.

[@johnray424]

Currently use the Z50 with the Z400 f4.5. My Z1.4 will be here tomorrow in fact. Either going Z 6III or used 8. With this being a hobby, 8 kinda high and would rather go on trips to use gear. You’ve seen my work on instagram with the Z50/Z400. Looking forward to seeing how much a difference the 1.4 will make.

[@lelandfitz1762]

What does PF mean?

[@tonysvensson8314]

Why don´t you show us how smoothly yoy can switch between the 400 and the 800? Either you go out with the 400 or the 800 with your converter in your pocket! Maybe the 400 can be on your backpack but a much better combo is a lightweight 100-400 in the backpack and the 800 on the camera. Or just the 180-600 zoom with a converter in your pocket (with it´s worse IQ @ 600).

[@loitruong4821]

awesome video. Honestly this would be my ideal setup too once I have money 😂 Also the fact that you could handhold the 800 with TC and shoot at 1/125s (the second pic) is insane

[@alanyoungphoto]

The VR is wicked good!

[@GiridharK-j5d]

I came across your interesting video "Nikon 500PF for Bird Photography - Still Good in 2024?". I have a 500mm f/5.6 VR PF and have been considering to sell that and get the Nikon 600mm f/6.3 S PF - to avoid the FTZ II and get the most portable 600mm that I will actually use in real life on my Z8. I had a 600 f/4E FL VR for around 6-7 years but I did not use that as much compared to the 500mm PF or the 80-400 (that I had at the time). Your video convinced me to keep the 500mm PF and think of the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 S PF to complement the 500mm PF. So in some ways going back to a big and relatively heavier lens than the 600 PF. I ordered both 600 PF and the 800 PF with the idea of returning one of them to really decide which one I will actually go for. I received the 800 PF yesterday and I will get the 600 PF tomorrow. Both are used lenses - to keep the upgrade costs low. The 600 is $3800 and the 800 is $4900. If I go with the 600 PF, I can sell the 500 PF + the TC14E III + FTZ II. The 800 PF feels much lighter than my old 600 f/4E. Still may end up being a rarely used lens because of the size and not being easy to travel with. On the other hand, it could give me stunning images similar to my previous 600mm f/4 that would not be possible with the 500 PF / 600 PF. And I will likely use it more frequently compared to the 600 f/4 - at least locally. So now an interesting decision looms between the 600 PF and the 800 PF. If I do choose the 800, I do not plan to carry the 500mm and 800mm together. For travel, it would be 14-30 f/4 + 70-180 f/2.8 + 500 PF while the 800 PF would be used locally. Choosing the 600 PF will make the decision of which lens to take out for an excursion a lot easier as it would always be the lighter weight lens. If you have any thoughts / suggestions beyond what I said, I will definitely be interested in knowing those.

[@KungPowEnterFist]

I have both the 500 PF and 600 PF. In few words, the 600 PF is the better lens. At or near MFD on a test chart, they are virtually indistinguishable. But the 600 PF maintains that sharpness considerably further out, better overall AF performance, and better VR. I find the 500 PF gets stuck on foregrounds a lot my my Z8/Z9, whereas the 600 PF will keep hunting for a subject. I have and will be keeping both lenses, because my wife prefers the slightly wider FOV with the 500 PF and can track birds easier with it than on the 600 PF.

[@stonewheel2007]

What focus mode setup do you use?

[@alanyoungphoto]

Back-button autofocus, AF-C, and 3D tracking with Bird Subject Detection along with custom front function buttons assigned to custom AF-area modes.

[@cameraprepper7938]

THAT is a great set ! Exactly the same set of Lenses I would choose if I was young and strong. I am a sucker for more compact cameras like the Z7II, so no Z8 or Z9 (where are the Z7II?) !

[@Ben_Stewart]

My favourite combo. It might be enough to buy a second body.

[@woodymallory9058]

What trap are you using? Looks like what I have been looking for

[@alanyoungphoto]

I can’t remember the exact model, but its a DSLR strap by Peak Designs and I adore it.

[@robertlawrence7958]

For me, the obvious answer to your set up would be to have a second body. I would rather have two 'lesser' bodies than having all that faff changing lenses. All that moving around is going to increase the likelihood of scaring off your subject.

[@LisaSaffell]

Yes!

[@IamNoOne-001]

8:30 Could've been either a small deer🦌, a hare🐇 or a chupacabra👾. Be careful next time! Awesome shots by the way!!!😎📸

[@williamchan8866]

Nice lens indeed. But to refine your setup a bit use two Z8, no need to switch coz it seems awkward now. Or use 500pf, getting back the 5.6….and not deal with any converters….but however you do it that 800 is so sweeeet.

[@alanyoungphoto]

I’m pretty happy with this setup as-is, but I wouldn’t say no to 2 Z8s! I’ll also be keeping the 500pf to use on occasion because its still my favorite lens of all time. You’re right though, the 800 is sweeeeet!

[@williamchan8866]

@@alanyoungphoto like your vids esp you’re using lens that make sense those PF series are all great.

[@AlexanderYoung-fw9de]

I have been summoned

[@richardfink7666]

At some point you drop the camera.....certainly! P.S.: very nice pictures

[@IamNoOne-001]

He's got 12.000 dólars worth of gear. I'd fight for till my last breath! 😂

[@terencetang4990]

I normally use a monopod as support and for self-defense against wild dogs😉

[@alanyoungphoto]

That’s a great point - self defense against the wild animals hunting me is a plus 😅

[@woodymallory9058]

Could it have been a ground hog that surprised you?

[@alanyoungphoto]

Possibly! I also wonder if it may have been a young deer….

[@jessejayphotography]

It was a deer. Probably a doe and the "sneeze" you heard is an alarm call they do for their fawns to hit the deck and don't move.

[@kevins8575]

Rf 200-800?

[@shahg5524]

Great setup. Now just need to sell a kidney and few organs to afford this setup 😅

[@alanyoungphoto]

Kidney, arm, and leg!