Getting to the point: what have other owners of the Z 800mm f6.3 lens decided to use the programmable buttons for? Obviously the focus memory recall is top of my list already (loving that feature). But not sure what to do with the other button and 2nd control ring.
I finally was quoted a price I could not refuse for the Z 800mm f6.3. Additionally, I have a small bird project I've been struggling with using the Z 180-600mm - a case where just a few more milimeters would get the job done. My reasoning when I got the lens a month ago was, "well, I'll complete the project and trade the lens in for a Z8.
yea.... that's not gonna happen as I think the 800mm is a keeper.
The Z 180-600 fits nicely into my travel backpack. My wife and I do a lot of hiking and the backpack comes along to capture what we see. Regardless of country we are hiking.
But sometimes you need what we hilbillies call a "BFL" and this one is WAY easier to use than I could even imagine. Easier to use than the Z 180-600 at 600mm. Kinda spooky. Even the first photo turned out well (below).
So - what did you use the programmable buttons for. For that matter, ISO programmed on the second control ring has to go. That seems to work on the Z 105mm, but not on this one where I'm more likely to be wide open.
Thanks in advance for the ideas.
(I must have been tired when I posted. The 2nd control ring is defaulted to the aperture not ISO. Not sure how to edit posts here.)
(I must have been tired when I posted. The 2nd control ring is defaulted to the aperture not ISO. Not sure how to edit posts here.)
Not sure it can help, as each has its own preferences of course, but on Z8 and 400mm F/4.5, I set L-Fn on My Menu top item which is "Af Subject detection opyions". That way I can change quickly between birds or other subjects if needed.
L-Fn2 is set on "AF-area mode + AF-ON", while having AF-ON back button on current AF setting (usually 3D). That way I can switch between both AF modes instantly (I used that on D500, and found it as handy on Z8).
M-Set is on Zoom by now. I used to use focus position recall on D500+500PF, but found it less useful with 400mm F/4.5 as the AF ring is really fast and easy and I'm more at ease with turning the ring instantly when neeeded than seeking the button when I4m concentrated on a subject.
The second ring is set to exposure compensation... but sometimes I change it to "no function". It's the only one I'm not realy fixed about ;).
Once again, that's me ;).
Actually this may be helpful! I'm still using a Z7ii so some of the AF options are not available on that camera body. However, there are a few optoins I can use.
Also - thanks for the confirmation that the second control ring is not very useful. I though I was missing something.
I'm still experimenting with the focus memory. My hope is that learning the behavior of the subject (birds right now) I can quickly recall where they frequent. But that is one big lens making the focus ring and the AF-ON button more useful.
Thanks again for the ideas!
Almost a year in! Well, not trading the 800mm for a Z8. Yea, I might buy a better body than the Z7ii at some point. But the 800mm has opened a few doors I did not realize could be opened ....
Still not fond of this one. But kinda cool anyway.....
I think you made a wise choice by not getting the Z8. You got some good shots. In my opinion, a lens is way more important than a camera body. Z7 II vs Z8 DOES restrict the ease with which you can get SOME kinds of shots, but a new lens opens up entire domains that are impossible with a shorter focal length.
I though I understood your comment "a lens is way more important than a camera body". The Z 100mm macro and this Z 800mm really did open doors I didn't realize were closed. (I'm staying away from anything more expensive - don't need any more proof!)
The ability to take a shot an still be sharp with only 20% of the pixels in the final file is just mind blowing.
Now I just need to learn how to take better photos... but that is a fun journey.
This appears to be a useful example of the PF element acting wierd. The other long lenses I have don't seem to make back lit limbs look like the ones in this photo. Other lenses make these lenses look more like broad lines. The PF tends to break them up or do other odd things from time to time.
This effect does add to the disturbing view if this crow that was sitting in the middle of a lot of tree limbs. The focus is about as good as you can get as the bird is on the far side of one of the libs. Still an interesting shot.
Let me konw if I got it wrong on the odd effect of the limbs duplicating. If this is the PF element acting up then it is by far the worst I've seen it. (Also shot through glass at an angle. It was an experiment.)
While it's possible that the effect is worse because of the PF element, I'd say it's mostly because it's shot through glass at an angle - the look is quite typical for that. Also, high-contrast lines that are slightly out of focus often cause unpleasing effects, even with fast non-PF telephoto lenses.
I don't think it's a PF element acting weird. The PF bokeh is a very specific thing that happens with specular highlights. I have never noticed the PF bokeh being much different than regular bokeh with out of focus close-by sticks, which look doubled or tripled like that no matter what the lens.
Thanks for the feedback!
This one is very wierd and I think Nightjar nailed it - through the glass likely caused the issue.
I'll look back through my images where it appears the 800mm is acting differently than I would expect. Pretty rare. I thought this one was an example and did want the feedback to see if that was the case (or not) - thanks!
(Whatever did cause the effect, it is somewhat interesting to me - makes me want to read some Edgar Allen Poe!)