400mm Nikon manual lens?? at DVinfo.net

Jake Latendresse · June 27th, 2008, 12:14 PM

Anybody have any insight or at least a good guess as to how a Nikon 400mm f/3.5 manual lens will behave on a Z7?? I am on the cusp of buying one, and wondered if any of you had an educated guess??

Thank you
Jake

Mat Thompson · June 27th, 2008, 01:02 PM

It would be almost unworkably long without a very good tripod and support. On 1/3rd I tend to stop at 300mm and simply then improve my positioning on the subject. Also without any zoom actually finding your subject will be difficult to say the least.

That said some folks do use 400mm primes so with the right kit and patience they can work if you require big telephoto.

Jake Latendresse · June 27th, 2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mat Thompson

It would be almost unworkably long without a very good tripod and support. On 1/3rd I tend to stop at 300mm and simply then improve my positioning on the subject. Also without any zoom actually finding your subject will be difficult to say the least.

That said some folks do use 400mm primes so with the right kit and patience they can work if you require big telephoto.

I often film mountain animals (ie...Dall's Sheep, Mountian Goats, Big Horn Sheep etc..), and I also film whitetail deer, often times in low light conditions. So yes, I do require super telephoto. I have adequate supports such as tripods, but I am more interested in knowing if f/3.5 will work in morning and evening light conditions on the Z7 and what the limitations will be? I shouldve been more specific with my initial question, but I didnt want to limit the responses.

I understand that the 7X factor will essentially give me 2800mm of zoom. How does that effect the light?

Thank you
Jake

Zach Love · June 30th, 2008, 02:51 PM

if I'm wrong about this, someone please correct me, but an f-stop is an f-stop

I don't think the X7 factor will change the light. stand alone light meters don't ask for legnth of lens, they only ask for ASA & f-stop. so if you're wondering about 3.5 being too dark for you on a 400mm lens, see if 3.5 is too dark on any lens you already have.

but I have to agree w/ Mat Thompson in saying a 400mm fixed lens (ie no zoom) will be tough to find anything, though not impossible. I would think you might almost have to have a spotting scope added onto your camera to help "aim"

Per Johan Naesje · June 30th, 2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Latendresse

but I am more interested in knowing if f/3.5 will work in morning and evening light conditions on the Z7 and what the limitations will be? I shouldve been more specific with my initial question, but I didnt want to limit the responses.

Jake, your question are almost impossible to answer. Light will vary where on the globe your are and what season you are filming! I'am living far north on the northern hemisphere and during summer I can use f/3.5 or even f/4.5 lens almost all night. So the answer for your question will be: yes, you can use a f/3.5 lens in morning and evening light if the conditions is right!
I'm not familar with the Z7, but I'm using huge prime lenses with the Canon XLH1, both 300mm f/4.0 and 500mm f/4.5. In fact I prefer to do my footage in evening and morning light where the colors are more than beautiful and no hars lightning.

Jake Latendresse · June 30th, 2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Per Johan Naesje

Jake, your question are almost impossible to answer. Light will vary where on the globe your are and what season you are filming! I'am living far north on the northern hemisphere and during summer I can use f/3.5 or even f/4.5 lens almost all night. So the answer for your question will be: yes, you can use a f/3.5 lens in morning and evening light if the conditions is right!
I'm not familar with the Z7, but I'm using huge prime lenses with the Canon XLH1, both 300mm f/4.0 and 500mm f/4.5. In fact I prefer to do my footage in evening and morning light where the colors are more than beautiful and no hars lightning.

This actually does answer my question. Having been to your part of the world, I can visualize the twilight hour there in the summer and it would be very similar to the light I am referring to. So, I think it will work out great!!

I ordered the lens today, so it should be here in a few days. When i get it, I will post some sample footage with the Nikon 400mm f/3.5 ASi-ED attached to the Z7.

Thank you for the replies...please keep it coming.

Ofer Levy · June 30th, 2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Latendresse

This actually does answer my question. Having been to your part of the world, I can visualize the twilight hour there in the summer and it would be very similar to the light I am referring to. So, I think it will work out great!!

I ordered the lens today, so it should be here in a few days. When i get it, I will post some sample footage with the Nikon 400mm f/3.5 ASi-ED attached to the Z7.

Thank you for the replies...please keep it coming.

Hi Jake,
Check this out http://www.vimeo.com/1127928/l:transcoded_email

Got this with the Z7 + Nikon 400 f3.5 ED AIS which I find it to be a SUPERB lens !!!
It is difficult to find your subject but I am sure this can be solved with a small binocular mounted on it.

Jake Latendresse · July 1st, 2008, 07:15 AM

Ofer,

Approximately how far were you from your subjects (the bats)? And what were your ambient light conditions? Morning, mid-morning, mid-day, early afternoon,etc???

Thank you...your video gives me great confidence!!!

Jake

Jake Latendresse · July 1st, 2008, 07:40 AM

Also...Ofer,

What support system do you use for this camera/lens set up?

Do you have a photo you could share of this particular set up?

Thanks
Jake

Ofer Levy · July 1st, 2008, 08:58 AM

Hi Jake,

I assume I was 20 meters or so from the bats. Keep in mind this is an effective 2800mm lens !!! This was taken in mid morning in a sunny day.

The support system is a Vinten Vision 3 fluid head and Miller carbon fibres tripod. I attach the camera+lens combo to lens "leg" as the lens is far heavier than the camera body. I use a RedRock base with the quick release plate attached to the lens "leg".

One thing to keep in mind is that with such long telephoto lens it is impossible (at least based on my short experience) to avoid vibrations when touching the camera/lens/handle. I can't really get clean, vibration free, camera movements. I have started to use a rubber band attached to the handle to reduce the vibrations while panning and it does help.

Good luck and please share your experience with us.

Cheers,

Ofer Levy - Nature Photographer
Sydney-Australia
http://www.oferlevyphotography.com

June 27th, 2008, 12:14 PM	#1
Jake Latendresse Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Platte River, NE Posts: 86	400mm Nikon manual lens?? Anybody have any insight or at least a good guess as to how a Nikon 400mm f/3.5 manual lens will behave on a Z7?? I am on the cusp of buying one, and wondered if any of you had an educated guess?? Thank you Jake

June 27th, 2008, 01:02 PM	#2
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	It would be almost unworkably long without a very good tripod and support. On 1/3rd I tend to stop at 300mm and simply then improve my positioning on the subject. Also without any zoom actually finding your subject will be difficult to say the least. That said some folks do use 400mm primes so with the right kit and patience they can work if you require big telephoto.

June 30th, 2008, 02:51 PM	#4
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	if I'm wrong about this, someone please correct me, but an f-stop is an f-stop I don't think the X7 factor will change the light. stand alone light meters don't ask for legnth of lens, they only ask for ASA & f-stop. so if you're wondering about 3.5 being too dark for you on a 400mm lens, see if 3.5 is too dark on any lens you already have. but I have to agree w/ Mat Thompson in saying a 400mm fixed lens (ie no zoom) will be tough to find anything, though not impossible. I would think you might almost have to have a spotting scope added onto your camera to help "aim"

July 1st, 2008, 07:15 AM	#8
Jake Latendresse Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Platte River, NE Posts: 86	Ofer, Approximately how far were you from your subjects (the bats)? And what were your ambient light conditions? Morning, mid-morning, mid-day, early afternoon,etc??? Thank you...your video gives me great confidence!!! Jake

July 1st, 2008, 07:40 AM	#9
Jake Latendresse Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Platte River, NE Posts: 86	Also...Ofer, What support system do you use for this camera/lens set up? Do you have a photo you could share of this particular set up? Thanks Jake

July 1st, 2008, 08:58 AM	#10
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Hi Jake, I assume I was 20 meters or so from the bats. Keep in mind this is an effective 2800mm lens !!! This was taken in mid morning in a sunny day. The support system is a Vinten Vision 3 fluid head and Miller carbon fibres tripod. I attach the camera+lens combo to lens "leg" as the lens is far heavier than the camera body. I use a RedRock base with the quick release plate attached to the lens "leg". One thing to keep in mind is that with such long telephoto lens it is impossible (at least based on my short experience) to avoid vibrations when touching the camera/lens/handle. I can't really get clean, vibration free, camera movements. I have started to use a rubber band attached to the handle to reduce the vibrations while panning and it does help. Good luck and please share your experience with us. Cheers, Ofer Levy - Nature Photographer Sydney-Australia http://www.oferlevyphotography.com