Having had access to a pre-release copy of the Nikkor Z 800mm f6.3 VR S lens to shoot the promotional work for Nikon with Edin, I had a sneak preview of this lens’ capability prior to the announcement that it was in development. I have been hesitant to share these impressions until now, but as I write this the first of these lenses into New Zealand is on the courier about to be delivered to me. I had to await the announcement before placing my preorder but knew that this lens would be a big step forward for bird photography, especially when attached to a Nikon Z9.
Impressions were, firstly that is not a small lens. Physics tells us that as an 800mm f6.3 the front element has to be 127mm in diameter (focal length divided by maximum aperture) which is essentially the same as a 500mm f4 (125mm). Photos of Edin with the lens show the size. The lens hood adds a fair bit to the length.
The Phase Fresnel design reduces the amount of glass required so we can expect a lighter and shorter lens. First glance revealed a big lens but significantly shorter (16%) than a regular 800mm. The shock comes when picking it up. Even after using it repeatedly I was surprised at how light it was compared to what I felt the size should dictate (At just under 2.4kg it is about 50% of the previous Nikon 800mm). Much easier to carry and use handheld than my 500mm f4 which I would often use with a monopod in stationary setups.
Ease of use means nothing unless the results are up to scratch. I think it is fair to say that Nikon would not release a telephoto prime that wasn’t in line with previous lens quality. The Z mount S line lenses that I have used to date have been stunning.
The Nikkor Z 800 f6.3 VR S performs as well as any other telephoto prime that I have used with bitingly sharp images. Webres files just do not do justice to the details resolvable with this lens. To date my Nikkor 300mm f4PF has been my most impressively sharp lens for birds and the 800 is at least it’s equal.
The above images where shot at Muriwai (Gannet) and Tawaharanui (gull). Closer to home a trip up to Okareka gave another brief opportunity to test in rather poor and flat light at the end of a cloudy day but again showed the detailed images achievable.
This panning shot was much easier to execute with the 800mm f6.3 than with my 500mm f4.
This image of a Stilt was shot while lying prone on the lake edge handholding the lens. Again a much more comfortable and sustainable situation than when using the 500mm f4 which I would have needed to consider using a groundpod for. This shot of a Canada goose was from the same position.
When the light had finally gone I managed a couple more shots on the way back to the car.
The low light highlighted the efficiency of the Vibration Reduction with this final California Quail image having been shot at 1/400s.
For me, the overwhelming impressions of the Nikkor Z 800mm f6.3 VR S was extremely positive. To the point that I put in a preorder as soon as the lens was announced. The question for me was going to revolve around price. Based around the price of the 500mm f5.6PF, I ball-parked a price, which I thought optimistic, of NZ$12 000. When finally announced at US$6500 I thought that I had underestimated but when the NZ price of NZ$11 500 was confirmed it was a pleasant surprise. This article on Photographylife about the pricing of the lens is an interesting read.
For Edin’s impressions and more example see her blog post.
Images with Nikon Z9 and pre-production Nikkor Z 800mm f6.3 VR S lens. Next week I will post some images with a production copy of the lens.
