review - 800mm f6.3S PF Review byThom

[KnightPhoto2]

I'd say it is more hand holdable than Thom indicates.

Actually almost all photos I've taken with 800/6.3 have been hand held and I'm not a particularly big or strong guy. I took the lens foot off completely (making the lens 5% lighter )

The biggest issue has been atmospheric as can be expected with high magnification and distant subjects.

Great lens, great AF, great as a discussion starter too.

How are you carrying the 800PF without the foot?

Digression: I recall an earlier reviewer saying he also left OFF the hood. The 800PF without hood and foot would magically become a small rig, I'll have to try it for a lark.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

How are you carrying the 800PF without the foot?

Digression: I recall an earlier reviewer saying he also left OFF the hood. The 800PF without hood and foot would magically become a small rig, I'll have to try it for a lark.

The 800 PF comes with a decent lens strap.

 

[NFE]

https://www.zsystemuser.com/z-mount...unt-lens-reviews/nikon-800mm-f63-pf-vr-s.html

Highly Recommended

Kills me that he owns it, but doesn’t use it very much, where I can’t afford it (and a Z9 to go with it) but would use it for 95+% of my shooting if I could

But I guess it says something when a guy says, it’s really more reach than he needs for a lot of his shooting, but he still bought it, and highly recommends it.

Brad Hill said he wasn't going to buy one (April 7, 2022 blog post) because it's too long for his use pattern, but after borrowing one for 10 days he ended up singing its praises and buying one himself.

 

[shuncheung]

https://www.zsystemuser.com/z-mount...unt-lens-reviews/nikon-800mm-f63-pf-vr-s.html

Highly Recommended

Thom's provided a very good review.

I've been using the 800mm PF since May 2022. It's remarkably good as Thom describes.

I haven't had the 800mm PF for as long, only since late November, 2022, but it is indeed an excellent lens for wildlife photography, especially for small or distant birds. It is relatively light so that it is quite handholdable.

Just one minor nitpick, Thom refers to the F-mount 800mm as the "the 800mm f/5.6E TC VR." The F-mount lens is a 800mm/f5.6 AF-S VR, and Nikon ships standard with with a custom 1.25x TC that would make it a 1000mm lens, at no additional cost. However, that is an external TC that you mount between the F 800mm and F (D)SLR body. Today, we refer to those lenses with built-in TC with the acronym "TC" in the description, e.g. the F 180-400/4, Z 400/2.8 and 600/4 where the 1.4x TC can be easily swapped in and out, without unmounting anything.

BTW, when Nikon pre-announced the 800mm PF, I posted here a few times that I thought it would be a $10,000 lens, and I gave myself a wide margin of +- $2000. Nikon really surprised me to price it at $6500. With that "low" price, it should have surprised no one that demand has been really high. A friend of mine, who has some money, is replacing his F 800 with the 800mm PF mainly due to the much lighter weight.

 

[KonradE]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the AF-Area wide mode ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

 

[chambeshi]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the AF-Area wide mode ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

Nikon states the MFD of the 800 PF = 5m. Focusing this close on a subject that's very blurred tends to challenge all mirrorless cameras, Z9 included. This will not be helped if a bird hops lands within the MFD, of course. I use the Memory Focus button to recall to a preset point within 10m away.

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

DoF is very shallow obviously close to the MFD, and it can be tricky to frame the subject in some cases. Otherwise, no differences from subjects further away.

I mostly rely on Custom Area (CA) modes and also 3D tracking, and rarely need to turn off Subject Recognition (which is always set as Animal Only). Nikon launched the CA AF mode in the D6, which gives tremendous advantages - latterely updated in the Z9 since FW 2.0

The option for a 1*1 CA with subject-recognition is a significant difference from the D6 IME

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

I have my Z9 customized to enable RHO [Right-Hand-Only] Dynamic Switching for wildlife photography, this optimizes a Hybrid focus setup. I have Red Record button to scroll Focus settings, but the latter is still nowhere near as quick as toggling custom buttons between assigned AF modes;

Both Fn1 and Fn2 are set for AFmode+AFOn; these are single point 1*1 Custom Area (CA1) and a larger narrow rectangle as CA2 (5*3). I use larger areas for Active subjects in a different pair of Shooting-Custom Banks;

Lens Fn is set to AutoAF+AFOn; or I use a pair of Lens Functions to Save and Recall a closer focus distance;

Fn3 to Recall Shooting Functions ( Hold ie toggle setting) to switch Animal Recognition on\off in 3D tracking, AutoAF, CA AF modes, and 3D is often the default mode enabled with BBAF. Fn3 is accessible shooting the Z9 in either orientation;

Sub-selector Center to Wide L+AFOn, particularly useful with my CA modes delimiting tighter areas. But I can change this to AutoAF+AFOn.

I have an alternative Autofocus setup for Active subjects on the same RHO setup in Bank D, where it's quicker to scroll from Bank A, as well as a Landscape Macro setup in Bank C. It's easier to have key Menu items in the iMenu,so these are "near-line" to scroll.

Yet another useful custom setting is make sure to turn On the option for 'Release button to use Dial'. This empowers scrolling up a ISO or Exposure Compensation setting with 1 digit only. This also helps switching AF modes on the Red Record button. It's f6 in the Z9, f8 in the D6.

I've been using the above custom setup since June, with only minor tweaks. Test-drive alternatives but I find i return to the above.

There's many threads comparing custom settings for the Z9

 

[Kuvasauna]

I'd say it is more hand holdable than Thom indicates.

Actually almost all photos I've taken with 800/6.3 have been hand held and I'm not a particularly big or strong guy. I took the lens foot off completely (making the lens 5% lighter )

The biggest issue has been atmospheric as can be expected with high magnification and distant subjects.

Great lens, great AF, great as a discussion starter too.

How are you carrying the 800PF without the foot?

Digression: I recall an earlier reviewer saying he also left OFF the hood. The 800PF without hood and foot would magically become a small rig, I'll have to try it for a lark.

I have the lens strap around my neck and occasionally carry the lens like a baby with both hands also.

I would not dare to take the hood off, at least when I'm walking around. The hood protects lens from bumps and scratches.

Taking the foot off doesn't really help much but since I don't use the lens on tripod I haven't bothered screwing it back on.

When I travel, I put the lens with Z9 attached in the great bag that was provided with 800PF.

 

[FrankG]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the AF-Area wide mode ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

No problem at all really. I don't generally have any problem with nailing extremly accurate eye AF at very close range. Not sure why you would be having any issue with this as I find the Z9 with 800 PF (or other lenses) focusses extremely quickly, very accurately and competently on all sorts of birds at close range.

I normally have the shutter button set to Auto-area on half press as my default AF mode and for birds at close range that usually works without recourse to any other AF mode(s) .. although there are circumstances (eg birds partially obscured in a bush or a tree etc) where I will if necessary resort to switching via FN button to another mode such as custom "wide-area" set as a single point etc. For BIF I usually rely on the default "auto-area" AF mode to initially acquire focus and then I will switch (via FN1) to 3D tracking mode if the bird isn't too far away, or if there is a difficult environment with much to potentially confuse the AF system then I sometimes resort to one of the "wide area" modes (via FN button press). Occasionally if one of those situations arise (rarely since the firmware upgrades) where the AF seems to get obsessed with the wrong target such as the background I can use the FN2 button, which I have setup for dynamic medium (see my settings below) which, with no subject detection allows fall-back to a simple AF mode which can allow rapid reset of AF position.

Here are a few examples:

The first 4 are different versions of the same shot (which was one of many from the same location at the time, and as far as i can remember the camera and lens nailed the all), this one was at range about 6.3 metres, 1600th second at f/7.1:


Willow TIt - downsized version of the full shot, Z9 with 800mm PF


Willow Tit - a cropped and resized version of the above


The same Willow Tit shot as showing in the NX Studio editor showing focus point, fil info data etc


Willow Tit - same shot as above, a tight crop to show detail at 1:1

I don't see any issue with the focus accuracy. DOF can be an issue with very close range which is why I stopped down a little here. Perhaps even F8 would have been a bit better.

Another example, this one at a range of about 7.5 metres:


Blackbird (female), Z9 with 800mm PF, cropped and downsized version


A full size crop to show detail at 1:1

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

At the moment these are my main working settings:

Shutter button: Auto-area

AF-ON button: Wide-area (C1) [custom (extra large)]

FN1: AF-area mode + AF ON 3D Tracking

FN2: Recall shooting functions (hold) : AF-area mode dynamic Medium, AF subject detection options OFF, Focus Tracking with lock-on ON

FN3: AF-area mode + AF-ON - Wide-area AF (S)

Sub-selector centre: AF-area mode + AF-ON: Wide-area AF (C2) [custom single point]

FN4: Metering

Video record button: Choose Image Area

... but I may change some of these in future!

I rarely need anything much different in button settings for most bird photography.

I didn't mention but of course all the above assumes use of "animal" subject detection with eye AF switched ON.

Also, another potentially very important point, I usually use this lens with VR set to "Sport" mode (has to be done via the Z9 menu system as there is no switch for this on the lens). Normal VR mode gives stronger VR but I find that use of Sport mode avoids any issues with focus-point positioning representation accuracy in the viewfinder (such that can occur with "Normal" VR mode).

Frank

 

[shuncheung]

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

No problem at all really. I don't generally have any problem with nailing extremly accurate eye AF at very close range. Not sure why you would be having any issue with this as I find the Z9 with 800 PF (or other lenses) focusses extremely quickly, very accurately and competently on all sorts of birds at close range.

Those 600mm/f4 and 800mm/f5.6, 6.3 lenses tend to have very long minimum focus distances: 5 meters, 16.4 feet for the 800/6.3 PF. I wonder whether some of the difficulty for focusing to close subjects is the result of bumping into the minimum and hence cannot focus any more.

I have yet to use the 800 PF on hummingbirds. I think that 5-meter limitation can be problematic. Perhaps we need extension tubes.

 

[ericbowles]

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

I have done a good bit of testing using the 800mm with and without the 1.4 TC on birds at my feeder. All of my recent test photos have been at short distances - approaching minimum focus distance of the lens. Images are exceptionally sharp, and my criteria for judging sharpness is the tiny feathers that make up the eyering. These feathers are around 0.025 inches wide, and I'm able to resolve the details in these feathers.

For close distances, I'm using AF-C with Single and Dynamic area on my Z7ii. I've also tried Pinpoint but it requires AF-S. My first choice is Dynamic. All of those are selected because they offer precision - something very important at close range. At longer distances I'd use Wide Small.

My Fn1 button is assigned to Zoom to 100%, and I use it before making the shot as well as for review.

My Fn2 button is the default - AF modes.

My iMenu is pretty standard and includes Shutter Type, IBIS/VR, and Image Size. I have occasionally used DX mode if I know I'm going to be cropping anyway. It enlarges the subject in the EVF to DX proportions and makes the AF area outlines larger in relative terms.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

Not sure why you would be having any issue with this as I find the Z9 with 800 PF (or other lenses) focusses extremely quickly, very accurately and competently on all sorts of birds at close range.

There can be a minimum contrast for AF to work - which I encountered today.

Trying to shoot grey pigeons bathing in water with reflection from a grey sky on grey tarmac through a windowing in low level low contrast light when it was raining - AF failed to find my intended subject.

Just to make sure my Z9/800 PF had not suddenly developed a fault I checked the AF a few minutes later in not so poor light - and AF performed as it should.

 

[somecallmetim]

Trying to shoot grey pigeons bathing in water with reflection from a grey sky on grey tarmac through a windowing in low level low contrast light when it was raining - AF failed to find my intended subject.

I could see how this could be an interesting capture, but luckily it doesn't seem like a hugely common use case.

I'm picking up a barely used 800 this weekend from someone who's now got the 400/2.8 and 600/4 just in time for a spring migration trip to southern Spain next week. Can't wait.

 

[ARClark]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the AF-Area wide mode ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

I wasn’t sure what you meant by having trouble focusing at short distance with this lens. Just in general, I’ve found the Z9 doesn’t auto focus well on close small isolated subjects with my long teles when refocusing from a more distant subject. It needs prompting to get it in the same distance ballpark by manually focusing, auto-focusing first on a frame-filling subject at a similar or closer distance, or using a recall button on the lens or camera set at a similar or shorter distance.

However, I would find it concerning if the 800 PF/Z9 combo wasn’t able to grab sharp focus on a close isolated subject once focus distance was close to the subject distance.

I’ve not used the 800 PF, but I have shot extensively with a 500E and TCs up to 2x on the Z9 and had no trouble auto-focusing on close, small, isolated subjects using one of the three AF prompting measures noted above.

Two last things which you’ve probably already considered, but I’ll throw out anyway. The MFD for that lens is about 5 meters. So just make sure the subject is beyond the MFD. Secondly, I’ve occasionally set the range limiter to long distance, forgotting to reset it to full, and then wondering why it wouldn’t focus close in.

--
Alan Clark
https://arclark.smugmug.com/

 

[The red mansion]

This is what I got with the 800 PF and the Z9 at 5 meters. The opportunity came, but I wouldn't do 5 meters subject with a 800 lens. I'd rather use a 400 or 500 for such close distance.

 

[FrankG]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the AF-Area wide mode ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

I wasn’t sure what you meant by having trouble focusing at short distance with this lens. Just in general, I’ve found the Z9 doesn’t auto focus well on close small isolated subjects with my long teles when refocusing from a more distant subject. It needs prompting to get it in the same distance ballpark by manually focusing, auto-focusing first on a frame-filling subject at a similar or closer distance, or using a recall button on the lens or camera set at a similar or shorter distance.

So you mean you sometimes need to manually get the focus somewhere near before the Z9 will grab AF on a close subject (if previously the lens was focussed on a far range target)? I wouldn't exactly characterize that as "not focussing well", merely that the Z9 sometimes needs an AF nudge. Although I think I have noticed (not that I have rigorously tested this) that this type of issue seems a lot less prevalent since the latest firmware updates.

However, I would find it concerning if the 800 PF/Z9 combo wasn’t able to grab sharp focus on a close isolated subject once focus distance was close to the subject distance.

So would anyone .. if this problem existed. It doesn't.

I’ve not used the 800 PF, but I have shot extensively with a 500E and TCs up to 2x on the Z9 and had no trouble auto-focusing on close, small, isolated subjects using one of the three AF prompting measures noted above.

I have used the 800 PF quite extensively for several months now and I have no trouble with AF accuracy with this lens at any range near or far. Excellent IMO.

Two last things which you’ve probably already considered, but I’ll throw out anyway. The MFD for that lens is about 5 meters. So just make sure the subject is beyond the MFD. Secondly, I’ve occasionally set the range limiter to long distance, forgotting to reset it to full, and then wondering why it wouldn’t focus close in.

Yes that would cause a problem!

Frank

 

[Chris Wolfgram]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the AF-Area wide mode ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

I wasn’t sure what you meant by having trouble focusing at short distance with this lens. Just in general, I’ve found the Z9 doesn’t auto focus well on close small isolated subjects with my long teles when refocusing from a more distant subject. It needs prompting to get it in the same distance ballpark by manually focusing, auto-focusing first on a frame-filling subject at a similar or closer distance, or using a recall button on the lens or camera set at a similar or shorter distance.

So you mean you sometimes need to manually get the focus somewhere near before the Z9 will grab AF on a close subject (if previously the lens was focussed on a far range target)? I wouldn't exactly characterize that as "not focussing well", merely that the Z9 sometimes needs an AF nudge.

I'm not even sure this is 100% an issue with the lens, but rather the autofocusing system in mirrorless cameras. My Canon sometimes needs a "nudge" as you put it also. I'm starting to learn how to manually override my auto focus when it is screwing up, and all I need to do is get it "close" to what is correct. Then the camera seems to zero it in for me no problem.

Although I think I have noticed (not that I have rigorously tested this) that this type of issue seems a lot less prevalent since the latest firmware updates.

However, I would find it concerning if the 800 PF/Z9 combo wasn’t able to grab sharp focus on a close isolated subject once focus distance was close to the subject distance.

So would anyone .. if this problem existed. It doesn't.

I’ve not used the 800 PF, but I have shot extensively with a 500E and TCs up to 2x on the Z9 and had no trouble auto-focusing on close, small, isolated subjects using one of the three AF prompting measures noted above.

I have used the 800 PF quite extensively for several months now and I have no trouble with AF accuracy with this lens at any range near or far. Excellent IMO.

Two last things which you’ve probably already considered, but I’ll throw out anyway. The MFD for that lens is about 5 meters. So just make sure the subject is beyond the MFD. Secondly, I’ve occasionally set the range limiter to long distance, forgotting to reset it to full, and then wondering why it wouldn’t focus close in.

Yes that would cause a problem!

Frank

 

[ARClark]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the AF-Area wide mode ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

I wasn’t sure what you meant by having trouble focusing at short distance with this lens. Just in general, I’ve found the Z9 doesn’t auto focus well on close small isolated subjects with my long teles when refocusing from a more distant subject. It needs prompting to get it in the same distance ballpark by manually focusing, auto-focusing first on a frame-filling subject at a similar or closer distance, or using a recall button on the lens or camera set at a similar or shorter distance.

So you mean you sometimes need to manually get the focus somewhere near before the Z9 will grab AF on a close subject (if previously the lens was focussed on a far range target)? I wouldn't exactly characterize that as "not focussing well", merely that the Z9 sometimes needs an AF nudge. Although I think I have noticed (not that I have rigorously tested this) that this type of issue seems a lot less prevalent since the latest firmware updates.

I don’t think it’s a lens focusing matter. I consider it an MILC AF weakness relative to DSLRs. I shoot small birds a lot at varying distance. With the Z9, I’ve had to change my grip on my long lenses to be holding the focusing ring to provide a manual AF nudge, whereas when using the same lenses on my DSLRs, I could support them with my hand a little further back on the lens barrel and let the lens/camera do the work most of the time. But I’d say this has improved through the various firmware updates.

I raised this as an alternative explanation to the poster who’s having problems focusing closeup with the 800 PF, suggesting it could be more of an MILC issue than the lens.

However, I would find it concerning if the 800 PF/Z9 combo wasn’t able to grab sharp focus on a close isolated subject once focus distance was close to the subject distance.

So would anyone .. if this problem existed. It doesn't.

Which is good since I have one on pre-order.

I’ve not used the 800 PF, but I have shot extensively with a 500E and TCs up to 2x on the Z9 and had no trouble auto-focusing on close, small, isolated subjects using one of the three AF prompting measures noted above.

I have used the 800 PF quite extensively for several months now and I have no trouble with AF accuracy with this lens at any range near or far. Excellent IMO.

Two last things which you’ve probably already considered, but I’ll throw out anyway. The MFD for that lens is about 5 meters. So just make sure the subject is beyond the MFD. Secondly, I’ve occasionally set the range limiter to long distance, forgotting to reset it to full, and then wondering why it wouldn’t focus close in.

Yes that would cause a problem!

Frank

--
Alan Clark
https://arclark.smugmug.com/

 

[ARClark]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the AF-Area wide mode ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

I wasn’t sure what you meant by having trouble focusing at short distance with this lens. Just in general, I’ve found the Z9 doesn’t auto focus well on close small isolated subjects with my long teles when refocusing from a more distant subject. It needs prompting to get it in the same distance ballpark by manually focusing, auto-focusing first on a frame-filling subject at a similar or closer distance, or using a recall button on the lens or camera set at a similar or shorter distance.

So you mean you sometimes need to manually get the focus somewhere near before the Z9 will grab AF on a close subject (if previously the lens was focussed on a far range target)? I wouldn't exactly characterize that as "not focussing well", merely that the Z9 sometimes needs an AF nudge.

I'm not even sure this is 100% an issue with the lens, but rather the autofocusing system in mirrorless cameras. My Canon sometimes needs a "nudge" as you put it also. I'm starting to learn how to manually override my auto focus when it is screwing up, and all I need to do is get it "close" to what is correct. Then the camera seems to zero it in for me no problem.

Agreed!

Although I think I have noticed (not that I have rigorously tested this) that this type of issue seems a lot less prevalent since the latest firmware updates.

I think it’s significantly less prevalent through firmware 3.10 than from when I received the Z9 14 months ago.

However, I would find it concerning if the 800 PF/Z9 combo wasn’t able to grab sharp focus on a close isolated subject once focus distance was close to the subject distance.

So would anyone .. if this problem existed. It doesn't.

I’ve not used the 800 PF, but I have shot extensively with a 500E and TCs up to 2x on the Z9 and had no trouble auto-focusing on close, small, isolated subjects using one of the three AF prompting measures noted above.

I have used the 800 PF quite extensively for several months now and I have no trouble with AF accuracy with this lens at any range near or far. Excellent IMO.

Two last things which you’ve probably already considered, but I’ll throw out anyway. The MFD for that lens is about 5 meters. So just make sure the subject is beyond the MFD. Secondly, I’ve occasionally set the range limiter to long distance, forgotting to reset it to full, and then wondering why it wouldn’t focus close in.

Yes that would cause a problem!

Frank

 

[KonradE]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the Bokningsnummer: 313742 ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

I wasn’t sure what you meant by having trouble focusing at short distance with this lens. Just in general, I’ve found the Z9 doesn’t auto focus well on close small isolated subjects with my long teles when refocusing from a more distant subject. It needs prompting to get it in the same distance ballpark by manually focusing, auto-focusing first on a frame-filling subject at a similar or closer distance, or using a recall button on the lens or camera set at a similar or shorter distance.

So you mean you sometimes need to manually get the focus somewhere near before the Z9 will grab AF on a close subject (if previously the lens was focussed on a far range target)? I wouldn't exactly characterize that as "not focussing well", merely that the Z9 sometimes needs an AF nudge.

I'm not even sure this is 100% an issue with the lens, but rather the autofocusing system in mirrorless cameras. My Canon sometimes needs a "nudge" as you put it also. I'm starting to learn how to manually override my auto focus when it is screwing up, and all I need to do is get it "close" to what is correct. Then the camera seems to zero it in for me no problem.

Although I think I have noticed (not that I have rigorously tested this) that this type of issue seems a lot less prevalent since the latest firmware updates.

However, I would find it concerning if the 800 PF/Z9 combo wasn’t able to grab sharp focus on a close isolated subject once focus distance was close to the subject distance.

So would anyone .. if this problem existed. It doesn't.

I’ve not used the 800 PF, but I have shot extensively with a 500E and TCs up to 2x on the Z9 and had no trouble auto-focusing on close, small, isolated subjects using one of the three AF prompting measures noted above.

I have used the 800 PF quite extensively for several months now and I have no trouble with AF accuracy with this lens at any range near or far. Excellent IMO.

Two last things which you’ve probably already considered, but I’ll throw out anyway. The MFD for that lens is about 5 meters. So just make sure the subject is beyond the MFD. Secondly, I’ve occasionally set the range limiter to long distance, forgotting to reset it to full, and then wondering why it wouldn’t focus close in.

Yes that would cause a problem!

Frank

Thanks for all replies. Actually my concern is wether the AF-motor is as fast as on other Nikon high end teles? When I was photographing small birds at a distance near the closest 5-6m, the AF was really slow and sluggish. Then I switched to 500/5,6 pf +1,4E and a distance abot 4m and this combo worked with the AF much better. I have had really good experience with my 800/6,3 at medium to long distances. Approaching the subject I mostly first use my AF-ON button which is assigned for AF Area wide mode and when I have the bird nicely in vewfinder I switch to 3D-tracking. As I have had these AF problems with AF Area wide mode I have tried with the Fn2 button which is assigned to Single point AF. This seems to work better for nailing the focus on the bird. Sometimes I still prefer making a manual adjustment at close distance and when the bird is almost in focus to switch to AF-area mode or 3D-tracking. I made a strange observation that using the single point AF, the focuspoint started to track the birds eye! ( I have animal detection). I have thought that the single AF-point should always be manually changed. Pls give your comments on this.

 

[ARClark]

I just returned from a bird photographing trip and have some thoughts of my 800/6,3 pf + Z9. I was photographing small birds at a hide and seabirds both from a hide and a boat ( BIF) and my thoughts are concerning the autofocus. I use AF-Area wide mode with the AF-On button, 3D-tracking with the Fn 1 and single point with the FN 2 button. The lens works perfect with my AF-ON autofocus for BIF and birds at medium distance ( >7-8m). My problem is birds at short distance , near 5m. I found it very difficult to nail the focus. I mostly use the AF-Area wide mode for getting the first contact with the subject, and I have good experience with this mode at longer distance. My 800/6,3 pf had big problems at short distances. I took my 500/5,6+1,4 E and this combo worked much better, at short distances 3-5m. I also noticed that in order to "nail" the bird in focus , the single point AF got the best results ( birds at the feeding station). As I really like both the Bokningsnummer: 313742 ( BIF , snappy focusing of all subjects at medium distance) and the 3D-tracking ( birds or animals moving around in the frame), I have assigned the single point AF to the FN2 button though I find it very difficult to locate it with my fingers. So my questions are:

1) Whats your experience with the 800/6,3pf at close distance and what AF-mode are you using for nailing the subject?

2) How have you assigned your buttons especially for birdphotograhing for different situations (BIF, close birds, birds at medium distance)?

I wasn’t sure what you meant by having trouble focusing at short distance with this lens. Just in general, I’ve found the Z9 doesn’t auto focus well on close small isolated subjects with my long teles when refocusing from a more distant subject. It needs prompting to get it in the same distance ballpark by manually focusing, auto-focusing first on a frame-filling subject at a similar or closer distance, or using a recall button on the lens or camera set at a similar or shorter distance.

So you mean you sometimes need to manually get the focus somewhere near before the Z9 will grab AF on a close subject (if previously the lens was focussed on a far range target)? I wouldn't exactly characterize that as "not focussing well", merely that the Z9 sometimes needs an AF nudge.

I'm not even sure this is 100% an issue with the lens, but rather the autofocusing system in mirrorless cameras. My Canon sometimes needs a "nudge" as you put it also. I'm starting to learn how to manually override my auto focus when it is screwing up, and all I need to do is get it "close" to what is correct. Then the camera seems to zero it in for me no problem.

Although I think I have noticed (not that I have rigorously tested this) that this type of issue seems a lot less prevalent since the latest firmware updates.

However, I would find it concerning if the 800 PF/Z9 combo wasn’t able to grab sharp focus on a close isolated subject once focus distance was close to the subject distance.

So would anyone .. if this problem existed. It doesn't.

I’ve not used the 800 PF, but I have shot extensively with a 500E and TCs up to 2x on the Z9 and had no trouble auto-focusing on close, small, isolated subjects using one of the three AF prompting measures noted above.

I have used the 800 PF quite extensively for several months now and I have no trouble with AF accuracy with this lens at any range near or far. Excellent IMO.

Two last things which you’ve probably already considered, but I’ll throw out anyway. The MFD for that lens is about 5 meters. So just make sure the subject is beyond the MFD. Secondly, I’ve occasionally set the range limiter to long distance, forgotting to reset it to full, and then wondering why it wouldn’t focus close in.

Yes that would cause a problem!

Frank

Thanks for all replies. Actually my concern is wether the AF-motor is as fast as on other Nikon high end teles? When I was photographing small birds at a distance near the closest 5-6m, the AF was really slow and sluggish. Then I switched to 500/5,6 pf +1,4E and a distance abot 4m and this combo worked with the AF much better. I have had really good experience with my 800/6,3 at medium to long distances. Approaching the subject I mostly first use my AF-ON button which is assigned for AF Area wide mode and when I have the bird nicely in vewfinder I switch to 3D-tracking. As I have had these AF problems with AF Area wide mode I have tried with the Fn2 button which is assigned to Single point AF. This seems to work better for nailing the focus on the bird. Sometimes I still prefer making a manual adjustment at close distance and when the bird is almost in focus to switch to AF-area mode or 3D-tracking. I made a strange observation that using the single point AF, the focuspoint started to track the birds eye! ( I have animal detection). I have thought that the single AF-point should always be manually changed. Pls give your comments on this.

This is what a Petal Pixel review stated about the motor in 800 PF:

This lens uses an STM (stepping motor) for autofocus. It’s not the company’s latest and greatest technology, which would be the Silky Swift VCM found in the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, but I haven’t seen a strong case in my shooting where it needed to be. It’s fast enough not to become a problem when making dramatic shifts in focus distance, although it’s not blink-of-an-eye fast. It is that fast, however, when making more common focus shifts, for example, from 20 feet to 30 feet.

Here's a link to the full review. https://petapixel.com/2022/07/22/nikon-z-800mm-f-6-3-vr-s-review-in-a-class-of-its-own/

I've not shot the 800 PF, so I have no firsthand observation to offer, but I will echo Steve Perry’s question as to why Nikon does not provide a close range limiter option on this lens (and some other higher end teles I've used like the 500 PF and 500E FL)?

--
Alan Clark
https://arclark.smugmug.com/p