Saw a couple of mentions already but arguably, the 120-300 may be the best of the best. I own them all and if someone told me I could only have only one, it would be that one due to it's versatility and image quality. Yes, the 200 is sublime but limited in use and yes, at $10k USD, the 120-300 is prohibitive. At 300 and maybe even 200, the zoom rivals the 200. Adding a 1.4eIII results in virtually no loss in quality. Admittedly, the 180-400 is my go-to lens for sports, but when light levels or confined spaces dictate, the 120-300 gets the call. Like the 200 when it was new, and the new Z teles, Nikon pulled out all the stops in their technical bag of tricks when they made the 120-300. It is truly one of Nikon's "see what we can do" lenses.
Most sports venues have a ton of restrictions bringing in lenses. They usually measure the length of lens I have before entering unless it’s an minor league event.
I've run into that. It's one reason I rent telephotos, to have flexibility in many ways, fitting size restrictions (I've run into fitting in a security bag for scanning), length, fast if shooting at night ... etc.
@@Spock105 yeah anything that looks “professional” they’ll reject. I get a similar reaction when I go to my kid’s swim meets. A lot of times nobody will question me walking around thinking I’m a paid pro taking pictures of the event.
I shoot a lot of sports (tennis included) and depending on where you get positioned the Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8 can also be very effective for tennis, particularly if you are courtside near the net. Last week, a friend and I went to Conowingo Dam in MD. Conowingo is world famous for Bald Eagles, particularly in December although you can go year round and shoot them. Between the 2 of us we brought the following: 4ea. Z9 cameras, a Nikkor 800mm f/6.3 Z S Fresnel, a Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 Z S (switchable to 560mm f/4), a Nikkor 100-400mm Z S, a 70-200mm Z S and a couple of TC 1.4's. We tried almost every conceivable combination of stacking lenses and TC's out to 1100mm. We were both blown away by how sharp the images were out past 100 yards. I've been a Nikon shooter for a lot of years and I have been shocked at how impressive the new Z line of cameras and lenses are. Note: I also brought a TC 2.0 and tried that but it just isn't tack sharp like the TC 1.4.
My favorites are my 300 f/2.8G, and 500 f/4E. I shot motorsports and aviation all last year with both on my Z9. Incredible results. Even if Nikon does make Z versions of these lenses eventually, I see no reason to upgrade. I have been shooting this prime combo in both Canon and Nikon systems since 2008. I just can’t do long focal length zooms after using primes for so long.
I noticed at one point in the video that you were having trouble coming to terms with the fatigue of hand holding vs. the restriction of being mounted on the monopod, so you were leaning on the monopod which didn't work so good. At that point a small tripod with a flat wood surface plate could provide a place to put an elbow down, or to put down the camera to rest your shoulders.
In my opinion I would still get the Nikon 200-400mm f/4. Definitely not the sharpest but what is the point of sharpness when you can't properly frame the subject. It's also very affordable at around US$2500 used. The other option is the 120-300mm f/2.8, where the Nikon option is prohibitively expensive and I have never used one, but the Sigma version has been my favorite for years.
You make a very good point. There is an obsession with sharpness, vs composition. all lenses are so good today that even the 3rd party zooms like the 150-600 or 150-500 produce fantastic results. If you get paid big $$ for your photography work, agree the big primes made good sense, but for the rest, I take flexibility every time.
Great video as always. Owning the 70-200, 100-400, 500pf, I have found a 2 lens kit of the 300 f4 pf prime and a 120-300 f2.8 to be incredibly versatile leaning on the zoom as the main lens. The 120-300 is the best Nikon zoom I have ever handled. Works great on D6 alone, with 1.4 or 2.0 TC's. Works great on a Z9 with FTZ II alone or with the TC's. With the 1.4, you get 170-420 f4. With the 2.0, you now have 240-600 f5.6. With a TC in place on the Z9 on the zoom, a monopod works well. Having the 300 prime on a second body is a great handheld back up. I have subsituted a 70-200 or even a 24-70 on the handheld but have also found having no second body isnt much of a compromise with the versatile zoom lens. IQ is the best I have ever experienced with a Nikon zoom, better than any of the 3 pf primes I have. I do not have the new 400mm f2.8 prime to compare unfortunatley and I know that is pretty amazing too. The built in TC makes that very versatile and could probably be paired well with the 70-200 on a second body. I have found gear restrictions dictating lens selection as much as desired results at times. At a wolf sanctuary, I had my 70-200 denied while I was allowed the 300pf because it was shorter. I dont mean to open cans of worms. I would be curious on your thoughts of the 300mm pf and especially the 120-300 f2.8 fiiting in the same arsenal. Regards. :)
For many of these lenses, I would like to see a comparison of the Z lens to its G or E equivalent. For example, in terms of image quality and sharpness-- not weight-- is the Nikon 800mm f6.3 S better than the Nikon 800mm f5.6 E?
Very helpful, thanks. I believe that the 200 was originally intended for indoor sports in smaller venues. Love this lens. Does the VR make a lot of noise on the Z9?
Hi Matt, thanks as always for all the content! Can we talk budgetography for a moment? I’m headed to Alaska in July and am in the market for something in the 100-400 / 200-500 range but don’t want to drop almost 3k on the z100-400. (Body:Z6ii) Have you ever tried the Sigma 100-400 on a Z Body? I’d be super curious to see a comparison between this and the Z variant and at $699 it looks like a steal price wise. I Also see a lot of positive reviews on the Nikon 200-500 5.6 but it’s a gigantic lens 😅.
I use Sigma's 100-400 adapted to the Z7ii and get pretty good results. I struggle with fast moving stuff...bit of front focus and back focus, but for relatively still wildlife and things its not bad at that price. Ive done mostly whale and bird stuff lately with it. Might want to rent it for your trip if the price makes sense, but as I said that price isnt too bad. Its light and easily zoomable and hand holdable all day. Video looks great on it as well. Hope that helps!
Have you considered renting a lens? I do that several times a year for long telephotos. Unless you use one constantly, it takes a lot of rentals to equal their cost. Plus, you get far more flexibility renting. Lensrentals and Borrow lenses are reliable.
Matt, you seem to be a loyal Nikon shooter. Has the brand ever let you down and do you see yourself shooting with any other brand in the future? How does Nikon serve you well when you’re doing portraits? There is all the controversy about eye af and all sent that seems to separate one brand from the rest which is quiet sad seeing how good of quality images you get from Nikon.
I’m a Nikon user, but I’m not a share holder or ambassador. If I’m future something else suits me better, I could move, but like anyone I’m invested now. I also own hasselblad
You ran through the lenses at the beginning without quoting F or Z! So the 500 and 200 primes were obviously F lenses but the 400 f2.8 and the 70-200 could be either... I think they were Z lenses but you didn’t clarify!!
Saw a couple of mentions already but arguably, the 120-300 may be the best of the best. I own them all and if someone told me I could only have only one, it would be that one due to it's versatility and image quality. Yes, the 200 is sublime but limited in use and yes, at $10k USD, the 120-300 is prohibitive. At 300 and maybe even 200, the zoom rivals the 200. Adding a 1.4eIII results in virtually no loss in quality. Admittedly, the 180-400 is my go-to lens for sports, but when light levels or confined spaces dictate, the 120-300 gets the call. Like the 200 when it was new, and the new Z teles, Nikon pulled out all the stops in their technical bag of tricks when they made the 120-300. It is truly one of Nikon's "see what we can do" lenses.
Most sports venues have a ton of restrictions bringing in lenses. They usually measure the length of lens I have before entering unless it’s an minor league event.
I've run into that. It's one reason I rent telephotos, to have flexibility in many ways, fitting size restrictions (I've run into fitting in a security bag for scanning), length, fast if shooting at night ... etc.
@@Spock105 yeah anything that looks “professional” they’ll reject. I get a similar reaction when I go to my kid’s swim meets. A lot of times nobody will question me walking around thinking I’m a paid pro taking pictures of the event.
I shoot a lot of sports (tennis included) and depending on where you get positioned the Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8 can also be very effective for tennis, particularly if you are courtside near the net.
Last week, a friend and I went to Conowingo Dam in MD. Conowingo is world famous for Bald Eagles, particularly in December although you can go year round and shoot them. Between the 2 of us we brought the following: 4ea. Z9 cameras, a Nikkor 800mm f/6.3 Z S Fresnel, a Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 Z S (switchable to 560mm f/4), a Nikkor 100-400mm Z S, a 70-200mm Z S and a couple of TC 1.4's. We tried almost every conceivable combination of stacking lenses and TC's out to 1100mm. We were both blown away by how sharp the images were out past 100 yards. I've been a Nikon shooter for a lot of years and I have been shocked at how impressive the new Z line of cameras and lenses are. Note: I also brought a TC 2.0 and tried that but it just isn't tack sharp like the TC 1.4.
My favorites are my 300 f/2.8G, and 500 f/4E. I shot motorsports and aviation all last year with both on my Z9. Incredible results. Even if Nikon does make Z versions of these lenses eventually, I see no reason to upgrade. I have been shooting this prime combo in both Canon and Nikon systems since 2008. I just can’t do long focal length zooms after using primes for so long.
Thank you for all the telephoto content. Much appreciated.
I photograph a lot of field hockey games from the touchline. The 70-200 works very well on my Z7II, which also
gives me a lot of scope for zooming in.
Just today i was wondering if i should upgrade from my 200-500mm and here you are..
I have the new Z400 2.8 TC, and I love it! I use it mostly for birds.
The 120-300/2.8, the 180-400/4 and the 200-400 II are missing, do them in the following video.
Yeah. The only good thing about Nikon is that they have a 120-300. You cant leave that lens out of the discussion.
As you all know the 70-200mm 2.8 S is my jam! You all know my type of photography and you all love it! Thanks Matt Ganger!
Love your intro - "why the hell not?" Sometimes that's honestly the best reason to do something.
I noticed at one point in the video that you were having trouble coming to terms with the fatigue of hand holding vs. the restriction of being mounted on the monopod, so you were leaning on the monopod which didn't work so good. At that point a small tripod with a flat wood surface plate could provide a place to put an elbow down, or to put down the camera to rest your shoulders.
Hi Matt Franger! You wouldn't believe it but you look just like that Nikon guy...
No way! For real? That's such a nice compliment - thanks!
In my opinion I would still get the Nikon 200-400mm f/4. Definitely not the sharpest but what is the point of sharpness when you can't properly frame the subject. It's also very affordable at around US$2500 used. The other option is the 120-300mm f/2.8, where the Nikon option is prohibitively expensive and I have never used one, but the Sigma version has been my favorite for years.
You make a very good point. There is an obsession with sharpness, vs composition. all lenses are so good today that even the 3rd party zooms like the 150-600 or 150-500 produce fantastic results. If you get paid big $$ for your photography work, agree the big primes made good sense, but for the rest, I take flexibility every time.
“Very affordable”
Great video as always. Owning the 70-200, 100-400, 500pf, I have found a 2 lens kit of the 300 f4 pf prime and a 120-300 f2.8 to be incredibly versatile leaning on the zoom as the main lens. The 120-300 is the best Nikon zoom I have ever handled. Works great on D6 alone, with 1.4 or 2.0 TC's. Works great on a Z9 with FTZ II alone or with the TC's. With the 1.4, you get 170-420 f4. With the 2.0, you now have 240-600 f5.6. With a TC in place on the Z9 on the zoom, a monopod works well. Having the 300 prime on a second body is a great handheld back up. I have subsituted a 70-200 or even a 24-70 on the handheld but have also found having no second body isnt much of a compromise with the versatile zoom lens. IQ is the best I have ever experienced with a Nikon zoom, better than any of the 3 pf primes I have. I do not have the new 400mm f2.8 prime to compare unfortunatley and I know that is pretty amazing too. The built in TC makes that very versatile and could probably be paired well with the 70-200 on a second body. I have found gear restrictions dictating lens selection as much as desired results at times. At a wolf sanctuary, I had my 70-200 denied while I was allowed the 300pf because it was shorter. I dont mean to open cans of worms. I would be curious on your thoughts of the 300mm pf and especially the 120-300 f2.8 fiiting in the same arsenal. Regards. :)
It'g good to see this (former) Nikon guy. :)
Stan Wawrinka, 2nd from left @ 2:08
1 of my fav TeNNiS PLaYeRs
good tutorial, i ill try buy it 2023 lens
Trank you!!! Bit could you throw in a comperison with the pls Tamron 150-600 G2 and Nikon 200-500? Would be awesome!
Excellent info!
For many of these lenses, I would like to see a comparison of the Z lens to its G or E equivalent. For example, in terms of image quality and sharpness-- not weight-- is the Nikon 800mm f6.3 S better than the Nikon 800mm f5.6 E?
Like the way you confess your love to the 400mm f2.8 s
What is the best camera today that you’ve used for multi purpose?
For what I do, it’s obvious. The Z9 - that’s why I own two of them.
le 400mm f2.8 + tc2 vs le 800pf vs le Z 600mm f/4 TC (tc 1.4 interne ) vs 400mm f4.5 tc2 et le test du 400mm f2.8 vs 400mm f4.5
Got myself a mint 600 mm 5.6 ais nikkor from ebay Japan for 900 dollars. Manual focus, great for cinematography.1
Very helpful, thanks. I believe that the 200 was originally intended for indoor sports in smaller venues. Love this lens. Does the VR make a lot of noise on the Z9?
Not noisy
Il aurait été aussi intéressant de comparer le 400mm f4.5
Dude, you need the 1200-1700 for that one!
Nice lenses all right, but I prefer that Batman ;)
Fair enough!
Hi Matt, thanks as always for all the content!
Can we talk budgetography for a moment? I’m headed to Alaska in July and am in the market for something in the 100-400 / 200-500 range but don’t want to drop almost 3k on the z100-400. (Body:Z6ii)
Have you ever tried the Sigma 100-400 on a Z Body? I’d be super curious to see a comparison between this and the Z variant and at $699 it looks like a steal price wise.
I Also see a lot of positive reviews on the Nikon 200-500 5.6 but it’s a gigantic lens 😅.
I use Sigma's 100-400 adapted to the Z7ii and get pretty good results. I struggle with fast moving stuff...bit of front focus and back focus, but for relatively still wildlife and things its not bad at that price. Ive done mostly whale and bird stuff lately with it. Might want to rent it for your trip if the price makes sense, but as I said that price isnt too bad. Its light and easily zoomable and hand holdable all day. Video looks great on it as well. Hope that helps!
Sorry I haven’t tested the sigma.
@mattgranger I appreciate the reply 🙏 thanks again Matt!
Z100-400mm is the way, you don't buy lens for a single trip but supposedly for all your life 🤷♂️
Have you considered renting a lens? I do that several times a year for long telephotos. Unless you use one constantly, it takes a lot of rentals to equal their cost. Plus, you get far more flexibility renting. Lensrentals and Borrow lenses are reliable.
Matt, you seem to be a loyal Nikon shooter. Has the brand ever let you down and do you see yourself shooting with any other brand in the future?
How does Nikon serve you well when you’re doing portraits?
There is all the controversy about eye af and all sent that seems to separate one brand from the rest which is quiet sad seeing how good of quality images you get from Nikon.
I’m a Nikon user, but I’m not a share holder or ambassador. If I’m future something else suits me better, I could move, but like anyone I’m invested now. I also own hasselblad
@@mattgranger do you feel like another system could yield better results for you because of how Nikon just isn’t as good as them?
No
You ran through the lenses at the beginning without quoting F or Z! So the 500 and 200 primes were obviously F lenses but the 400 f2.8 and the 70-200 could be either... I think they were Z lenses but you didn’t clarify!!
You’re correct. Only 200/500 are F
If you won’t compare all of em you cannot say “THE BEST” 😊
Ha, with this set of lenses everybody knew who's the boss, right? 😉
Great.
感謝你支持香港的抗議者
🤩
1🎉🎉🎉
The word is borrow!
Thanks- if I only messed up 1 word in 14 minutes, I am happy with that result.