Nikon Z8 and z 400mm f/4.5 - first impressions from a Canon R5 user

Good to see you out and about. The kit looks stellar!

The seagull w/ fish shot was insanely good. I think you’re really going to enjoy the Bird af mode that the Z9 currently has. Hopefully it comes to Z8 in the next few weeks.

Thanks from a Nikon user. Yet to go mirrorless, constantly torn between the 3 brands at this point of time!

You’re my favourite youtuber under 100k subs currently. And one of my favourite photography youtubers. Was so excited when i saw the thumbnail. I can’t afford any of this Nikon or Canon gear but i love thinking about and researching the options. The z8 + 400mm combo is so intriguing. Love hearing your thoughts.

Great info! Also, can’t help but see you as Matt Murdock from Marvel’s Daredevil 😆 Name, voice, hat, sunglasses - uncanny 😎

Thanks great video 😊

I went this route as well although along with the 800PF. Very sharp and lightweight.

Thanks for sharing your insight on this topic! For years I have used zoom lenses compromising on aperture but it was the only choice I had given the financial situation and what not. The first time I went to Africa is when I realised the importance of f4 and f2.8. With hot summers you would only get to shoot 2-3 hours max in the morning and evening including and the light would be very insufficient to get any kind of decent pictures with zoom lenses with aperture upwards of f5.6 or f6.3. I was also transitioning into mirrorless which meant selling old gear and buying new. I made the best decision ever to invest in Sony 400mm f2.8. What a change it made into my photography. Now I can’t live without f2.8. I know it’s expensive but i have in fact invested in it for the next 10 years!

7:18 what a great shot, congrats.

Z8 version 2.0 bird detect is fabulous!

Hi, Z8 with version 2.0 the bird detection is amazingly sticky!!!

Hallo Matthew hab seit ein paar Tagen auch das 400 an der z 8 dein Video macht Laune auf mehr Grüße Georg

thanks for the review, I am a long time Canon shooter, Im currently using 2 R5's, on the RF 600mm F4. Im not quite sure how you miss oncoming shots, I don't really have any trouble with acquiring focus and holding focus. Hit rate is very high. Im am happy that Nikon seems to feel well and work great, its healthy to have all 3 manufactures doing great so keep the market competitive. On a side note, the R5 is now pushing 4 years, its widely rumoured an R5II is coming and Im sure it will be a stacked sensor (thanks to the Z8) with far updated AF, which if I was to guess will be better then the current Z8. For that alone is why I'll stay with Canon. appreciate the video.

Wow, it sounds like after some use, your opinion has changed regarding the subject detection differences between the Canon R5 and Nikon Z8? Cheers for another great video!

The 400 f4.5 & 70-200 f2.8 is a great combo for mammals and with the 1.4tc it's mostly good enough for birding from say like the 200-500mm.

What is the application at 6:05? And is that what you use for raw processing the Nikon raw images?

'Boosting ISO' is not a compromise. The compromise was using the exposure that you chose to use in the first place. Raising the ISO does nothing bad over using that exposure.

I find the combo is quite a valuable compromise, it is mainly why I went for this lens with a 1.4TC - I have it paired with a Z9, which was even more important to me to have a lighter lens, since the Z9 is about 30% heavier than the Z8. The quality of the images are, most of the time, more than my eye can process, if I am doing the right things in the field while shooting (exposure, light direction, perspective, etc.). Your lens protection looks to cover very well the lens, are you happy with the lens cover/coat? If you are, can you share the brand? Thank you!

Great video!!! I have been torn between the Z 600 PF 6.3 & the Z 400 4.5!!! My dilemma is the low light scenario shooting high school football!!! I think the Z 400 4.5 may be the answer considering with Z8 I can switch to DX mode & get 600mm with out teleconverter & still have f4.5!! Tell me your thoughts on my situation???