Many wildlife photographers who have upgraded to the Nikon Z9 are still using the F mount lenses they previously used with their DSLR cameras.
Nikon have been slower than their competitors to role out their native Z mount lenses designed for their mirrorless camera range, and this is one of the reasons many photographers are still using the F mount line-up.
I paired the Z9 with the Nikon 400mm f2.8 E FL ED VR lens on a recent trip to the Kruger National Park, South Africa and here are my thoughts, together with images taken on the trip.
Take a look also at the video at the end of this article.
Key Take-aways
Pros
- Ultra sharp lens which works well using the FTZ II
- No impact on autofocus of the Z9
- High resolution images allowing large crop
- Wide aperture allows fast shutter speeds at low ISO’s
Cons
- the 400 mm f2.8 is too heavy and big for use in a vehicle
- difficult to use hand held
- difficult to maneuver to portrait orientation quickly
- needs a 1.4 x teleconverter to be truly adequate for bird photography
Read also Nikon z9 with 500mm PF f5.6 lens
Can I use the AF-S 400mm f2.8E with the Nikon z9?
Yes, the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR can be used on the Nikon Z9 camera.
The Nikon Z9 is a full-frame mirrorless camera that is compatible with Nikon F-mount lenses, including the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR.
To use this lens on the Nikon Z9, you will need to use a lens mount adapter, such as the Nikon FTZ Mount Adapter. This adapter allows you to use F-mount lenses on the Z-mount camera body, allowing you to take advantage of the advanced features and capabilities of the Z9 while using your existing lenses.
It is worth noting that when using an F-mount lens on the Z9, you will not be able to take advantage of the camera’s in-body image stabilization (IBIS) feature. However, the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR has its own Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, which can help to reduce camera shake and blur when hand holding the lens.
Nikon Z9
The Nikon Z9 is a high-end mirrorless camera that was released in 2021. It boasts a full-frame sensor with a resolution of 45.7 megapixels, making it one of the highest resolution cameras on the market.
The Z9 also has a powerful processor, the Expeed 6, which allows it to shoot at an impressive frame rate of 20 frames per second with continuous autofocus.
One of the standout features of the Z9 is its autofocus system. It has a total of 567 focus points, which covers almost the entire frame, giving photographers a wide range of options when composing their shots.
The camera also has advanced tracking capabilities, making it ideal for action photography.
The Z9 has a sturdy, weather-sealed body that can withstand a range of conditions, making it a great choice for photographers who frequently shoot outdoors.
It also has dual memory card slots, allowing photographers to easily back up their images or shoot in a continuous burst without running out of space.
The Z9 has a variety of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, allowing photographers to easily share their images and control the camera remotely from their smartphone or tablet.
It also has a built-in HDMI port, allowing photographers to easily connect the camera to a larger screen for reviewing their images or recording video.
Overall, the Nikon Z9 is a top-of-the-line mirrorless camera that is suitable for a wide range of photographers, from professionals to enthusiasts.
Its high resolution sensor, fast frame rate, and advanced autofocus system make it an excellent choice for capturing high-quality images and video.
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
The AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR is a professional-grade telephoto lens made by Nikon. It is designed for use with Nikon’s full-frame DSLR cameras and has a focal length of 400mm, making it ideal for capturing distant subjects such as sports, wildlife, and action.
One of the standout features of this lens is its fast aperture of f/2.8, which allows it to capture a large amount of light and produce sharp, detailed images even in low light conditions. The lens also features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, which helps to reduce camera shake and blur, making it easier to handhold the lens and capture sharp images.
The AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR also has a number of other advanced features that make it a top choice for professional photographers. It has a highly advanced autofocus system that is fast and accurate, allowing you to quickly and easily focus on your subject. The lens also has a number of lens elements made from extra-low dispersion glass and fluorite, which helps to reduce chromatic aberration and produce images with excellent clarity and color accuracy.
In terms of build quality, the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR is built to withstand the rigors of professional use. It is made from high-quality materials and has a durable, weather-resistant construction that allows it to withstand harsh environments. The lens also comes with a detachable tripod collar, which allows you to easily mount it on a tripod or monopod for added stability.
Read also Best Wildlife Photography Lenses
Nikon FTZ II lens mount adapter
The Nikon FTZ II lens mount adapter is a versatile and convenient accessory that allows photographers to use their F-mount lenses on the latest Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras.
This adapter enables photographers to take advantage of the high-quality optics and construction of their existing F-mount lenses, while also enjoying the benefits of the more compact and lightweight mirrorless camera bodies.
One of the key features of the FTZ II adapter is its ability to maintain full autofocus and autoexposure performance when using F-mount lenses on Z-mount cameras.
This is thanks to the adapter’s advanced optics and electronics, which work together to ensure accurate and reliable performance.
Additionally, the FTZ II adapter is compatible with the latest generation of Nikon lenses, including those with VR (Vibration Reduction) and other advanced technologies.
Another important aspect of the FTZ II adapter is its durability and reliability.
The adapter is made of high-quality materials and is built to withstand the rigors of everyday use.
It is also designed to be easy to use, with a simple and intuitive design that makes it easy to attach and remove lenses.
Overall, the Nikon FTZ II lens mount adapter is a valuable accessory for photographers who want to use their existing F-mount lenses on the latest Nikon Z-mount cameras.
It offers excellent performance and reliability, making it a convenient and cost-effective way to expand the capabilities of your camera system.
So, it’s a good choice for photographers who want to take advantage of the latest technology while still being able to use their trusted F-mount lenses.
Read also Nikon z9 : 13 must have Accessories
Images taken with the Nikon z9 and 400mm f2.8 E
Here are some examples of wildlife photographs taken with the Z9 and 400mm f2.8 lens combination.
Camera settings are also included for your information.
Lioness
This lioness was about 25 m away from me, facing into the bush. She is stalking an impala which you can just see as an out of focus blob above her head.
Weather conditions were overcast and hot. Taken from a vehicle using a bean bag as support.
Bull elephant
This bull elephant was photographed in a river bed and he was walking towards a breeding herd.
The sun was out and it was mid day. As these conditions are very harsh for wildlife photography I converted the image to black and white.
This image was taken hand held.
Wild dog
This wild dog is the alpha male of a small pack of wild dog that I came across in the southern part of the Kruger Park.
Taken from the vehicle on a bean bag. Conditions were sunny and hot.
Baby elephant
Baby elephant photographed in the Kruger Park with the 400mm f2.8 on the Nikon Z9 with FTZ II lens mount adapter.
The conditions were overcast and the elephant was under the shade of some trees.
Read also The Big 5 : Photographing the Elephant
Is 400mm enough for Bird Photography?
A 400mm focal length is definitely good enough for bird photography.
Of course, not all 400mm lenses are created equal. In low light situations it is difficult to get fast enough shutter speeds with aperture settings of f6.3 and above without raising your ISO levels to very high levels.
Hidh ISO levels produce noise in your image which would need to be treated in post processing – using something like Topaz AI denoize or DxO Pure Raw noise reduction software.
If you have a 400mm lens that has a wide aperture of f2.8 you will be able to acheive faster shutter speeds and cleaner images.
Birds in flight with 400mm f2.8
Take a look at the bird in flight images below taken with the Nikon Z9 and Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens (with FTZ II lens mount adapter)
Read also my Ultimate Guide for Photographing Birds
400mm lenses and cropping of images
Another factor to consider when photographing birds with a 400mm lens is the resolution of the camera you are using.
If you are using a 45MP camera then you will be able to crop into the image more than if you have a 24MP resolution camera.
Birds at a fair distance from you will appear small in the frame when photographed with a 400mm lens and cropping is inevitable.
Pairing the Nikon Z9 with a 400mm f2.8 lens gives you the option to crop quite aggressively in post processing.
Recommended accessory for 400mm lens - Nikon 1.4x Teleconverter
The Nikon 1.4x TC is a teleconverter lens accessory that is designed to increase the focal length of a lens by a factor of 1.4x.
This means that it effectively extends the reach of the lens, allowing photographers to capture subjects that are farther away.
One of the key benefits of the Nikon 1.4x TC is that it can be used with a wide range of Nikon lenses, including both prime and zoom lenses.
This versatility allows photographers to use the teleconverter with their existing lens collection, rather than having to purchase new lenses.
In terms of image quality, the Nikon 1.4x TC is designed to maintain the sharpness and clarity of the lens it is used with.
However, it should be noted that using a teleconverter will result in a loss of light, which can impact the overall image quality.
This is especially noticeable when using the teleconverter in low light situations.
The Nikon 1.4x TC is constructed with high-quality materials, including a metal mount and durable exterior.
It is also weather-sealed, which makes it suitable for use in a variety of environments.
Attaching a 1.4x teleconverter to the 400 mm f2.8 gives you 560 mm at f4.
This configuration makes bird photography much more achievable and there is no discernible impact to image quality.
A teleconverter can be used with the FTZ II lens mount adapter without any problems.
