Paper Wasps Z100-400 with Z1.4TC

[Hooligans Imagery]

I am continuing my testing of this combo. I am still undecided.

I believe VR Sport helps as best shots need more light and f11 or greater helps so if you have to drop the shutter speed it's good to have it. The paper wasps were shot at F10 though and I think they could benefit from f11 or greater. The last image of the bee at f13 seems sharper.

I do believe sharp images are possible. For some reason AF-C is not as consistent as AF-S. I have not tested the lens without the TC to see if that is the same. If you don't need C then S seems to give more keepers. I was surprised by the first set comparing the focus point in NX Studio. The jpgs from the camera are attached so you can look closely and the NX studio screen shots. First two at 560mm and last one at 370mm

So far I think the best success is shoot bursts (5-10), with VR Sport, SS 1600 or more for moving objects, and f11 as the starting f stop.

I plan to shoot more in AF-S with the TC and then shoot without the TC comparing AF-C and AF-S and overall sharpness.

If anyone has any observations I am happy to hear them.


2464 jpg from camera


2464 NX studio 100% zoom showing focus point


2488


2488 showing focus point


2513


2513



And a bee taken at f13 with AF-S seems sharper to me.




Bee f13 AF-s





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Thanks for your help, Michael

 

[BasilG]

The first one is clearly missed focus, but the others are not too bad. The subject is just rather small in the frame. Given the reproduction ratio of that lens, I'd have thought you could get a lot closer, particularly with the TC (well - the TC doesn't allow you to get physically closer but it will increase the reproduction ratio by 1.4x).

 

[Richard Eskite]

If you're not on a tripod as (at least) a control group, you're not really getting an accurate assessment of the lens's potential. I understand that VR is something to be tested, also, but shooting so close with a long lens is very hard to hand hold and judge critical qualities.

Nice images, by the way.

Just my opinion.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

If you're not on a tripod as (at least) a control group, you're not really getting an accurate assessment of the lens's potential. I understand that VR is something to be tested, also, but shooting so close with a long lens is very hard to hand hold and judge critical qualities.

Nice images, by the way.

Just my opinion.

These may have been with a monopod. I agree it is very hard to get these buggers hand held so close, especially the bees.

Here is a crop of one without the TC today.

I originally got the TC when I had the Z5 and now I have decided to sell it (see the buy/sell forum), as with the Z9 it's just easier for my to go into DX mode and just leave it at that when I need the extra reach.







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Thanks for your help, Michael

 

[Michael Firstlight]

...with the Z9 it's just easier for my to go into DX mode and just leave it at that when I need the extra reach.

Isn't going into DX mode just doing in-camera cropping rather than cropping in post? I thought the "DX provides extra reach" myth was debunked long ago - yet I still read folks saying this more than a decade later...

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

...with the Z9 it's just easier for my to go into DX mode and just leave it at that when I need the extra reach.

Isn't going into DX mode just doing in-camera cropping rather than cropping in post? I thought the "DX provides extra reach" myth was debunked long ago - yet I still read folks saying this more than a decade later...

Yes I think you are right for many purposes, yet it was my understanding that the camera will use the (DX) cropped area to AF and set exposure which can be an advantage I believe in many instances. I don't know which for sure but am guessing with smaller subjects that could be helpful.

 

[Jim Keye]

...with the Z9 it's just easier for my to go into DX mode and just leave it at that when I need the extra reach.

Isn't going into DX mode just doing in-camera cropping rather than cropping in post? I thought the "DX provides extra reach" myth was debunked long ago

Indeed. But if you're going to do it anyway, might as well write, read, and then store files that are significantly smaller. I don't think anybody still things it actually changes the focal length or anything like that. At least I hope not...

 

[BasilG]

...with the Z9 it's just easier for my to go into DX mode and just leave it at that when I need the extra reach.

Isn't going into DX mode just doing in-camera cropping rather than cropping in post? I thought the "DX provides extra reach" myth was debunked long ago - yet I still read folks saying this more than a decade later...

Yes I think you are right for many purposes, yet it was my understanding that the camera will use the (DX) cropped area to AF and set exposure which can be an advantage I believe in many instances. I don't know which for sure but am guessing with smaller subjects that could be helpful.

You also get a magnified view (only the DX area), right?

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

...with the Z9 it's just easier for my to go into DX mode and just leave it at that when I need the extra reach.

Isn't going into DX mode just doing in-camera cropping rather than cropping in post? I thought the "DX provides extra reach" myth was debunked long ago - yet I still read folks saying this more than a decade later...

Yes I think you are right for many purposes, yet it was my understanding that the camera will use the (DX) cropped area to AF and set exposure which can be an advantage I believe in many instances. I don't know which for sure but am guessing with smaller subjects that could be helpful.

You also get a magnified view (only the DX area), right?

Yes and some will argue why not choose your crop after. Perfectly fine, yet for me seeing the DX view helps with my initial on the scene composition. Both approaches make sense to me. So to sum up why use DX it seems to me you see your initial composition and the camera uses that for AF and exposure. Thus there is a case for using the camera for DX just as there is for shooting in FX and cropping later.

 

[CAP2904]

I think that choosing DX mode in camera ensures that focus and exposure are both calculated using just that area. That's my understanding at any rate.

 

[ANAYV]

I think that choosing DX mode in camera ensures that focus and exposure are both calculated using just that area. That's my understanding at any rate.

Indeed.

Plus ..before 45MP resolution was available...cropping or...using an APS-C sensor would give more FOV ( or is it AOV?).or reach.

My Z 50 has Only 20.67MP resolution...benefit is my Sigma 100-400mm reaches as a 600mm lens would...and I get to keep the 20.67MP resolution.

AF and metering exactly were they need to be..and I get to see the final.image Before I take the shot.

I still can crop a little in post, of course...not nearly as much as ...say a Z7 or Z9

( not enough cropping ability using Z5/6, IMHO).

ANAYV