One Lens Plus Two Teleconverters Equals One Superb Safari

Fast query: what’s the most efficient lens for photographing natural world at other distances? A telephoto zoom, in fact, as a result of then you’ll be able to zoom for the focal duration and framing you need. But when that’s true, then why did I take a set telephoto with me at the safari I simply resulted in Africa? As a result of, paired with two teleconverters and one digicam function, it in fact gave me MORE focal lengths to paintings with. Let me provide an explanation for…

I’ve been taking folks to the Serengeti, in Tanzania, for just about two decades now. Up till this shuttle, I’ve at all times used Nikon’s 200-400mm f/4 or 200-500mm f/5.6 lenses. However pictures is an artistic procedure, and that implies making an attempt various things. So as an alternative of opting for between those self same two lenses as soon as once more, I made up our minds to deliver the slightly new Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens.

Reasonably compact, gentle, and really sharp, it’s simple to hand-hold. Plus, paired with two Z teleconverters and capturing with the Nikon Z 8 (switching out and in of FX/DX crop mode for both 45-megapixels or 19.4-megapixels), I now have a collection of those focal lengths:

400mm (simply the lens)
560mm (with 1.4X TC)
600mm (an identical the usage of the 400mm in DX crop mode)
800mm (with 2X TC)
840mm (an identical the usage of the 560mm in DX crop mode)
1200mm (an identical the usage of the 800mm in DX crop mode)

So as an alternative of wearing a bigger, heavier zoom, I’d have a lens that’s smaller and more uncomplicated to deal with, and with a bit additional effort (swapping out teleconverters and biking between FX/DX), finally end up with extra choices. Certain, I used to be giving up finer compositional keep watch over via now not having the ability to zoom, however there’s otherwise to take a look at that as neatly. By means of now not having the zoom, I used to be compelled to shoot tighter or looser than I might have differently, which if truth be told, compelled me to be extra inventive in my framing.

Thank you goodness for animal eye-detect! That is any other full-frame shot, as a hyena walked via our truck whilst scouting for useless wildebeest. Typically, with a zoom lens, I’d had been zooming out. With the fastened lens, even though, I didn’t have that choice, so used to be compelled to shoot tight. And I truthfully consider this can be a higher picture as a result of that. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 1800, 1/2000 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S with Z TC-1.4X for 560mm.

Right here’s any other large reason why I made up our minds to take this lens, as an alternative of the zooms I’d used up to now – Nikon’s higher Z mount has allowed them to construct their Z lenses to a fair upper stage of high quality and sharpness. This supposed this one lens, paired with the ones two teleconverters (and the Z 8), may give me even higher high quality photographs than I’d made up to now. After all, because the 400mm, paired with both teleconverter could be very sharp huge open, I hardly ever used a smaller aperture. And that, in fact, allowed me to higher isolate my topics the usage of shallow intensity of box (and steer clear of going to unnecessarily top ISOs).

Two lions greet every different after waking from naps. By means of pairing the 400mm lens with the 2X teleconverter, I had 800mm to paintings with and wanted it all for this picture. And whilst the aperture is now f/9, that quantity of focal duration, with the themes slightly shut, totally does away with the background. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 1100, 1/1250 at f/9 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S with Z TC-2.0X for 800mm.

In fact, making footage with this package wasn’t on the subject of the lens, teleconverters, and focal lengths. I leaned closely into Nikon’s new autofocus choices, continuously converting them according to framing and topic. The 3-d AF-area mode used to be my default, with “Animal” topic detection became on. However I every now and then switched to Auto-area AF, or a customized Large-area field, relying on what I used to be capturing.

For birds, I continuously switched to Pre-release seize, to simply catch them starting up. Body fee used to be any other surroundings I continuously modified, briefly biking between 6, 8, 15, 20, and 30 frames-per-second, once more according to topic and form of motion. In different phrases, I leveraged as most of the chocolates packed into the Nikon Z 8 as I may. In spite of everything, what’s the purpose of getting a cutting-edge virtual digicam in case you’re now not profiting from all of its options?

The usage of the Nikon Z 8’s Pre-release function, I may shoot at 30 frames-per-second and in fact wait till AFTER the motion to push the shutter button and get the image. That makes shooting footage like this, of a Lilac-breasted curler launching off an acacia tree, beautiful simple. A few people in my staff have been additionally the usage of a Z 8, so I confirmed them the right way to make the most of this wonderful choice. Nikon Z 8, Guide publicity, Sunny white stability, ISO 400, 1/2000 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens.

Actually, talking of options, you’ll be questioning why I didn’t take my Nikon Z 9 and Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC? In spite of everything, the Z 9 provides a couple of extra options and longer battery lifestyles. And that lens is quicker (wider aperture) than the 400mm f/4.5, plus the 1.4X teleconverter’s already in-built. So why now not that mixture, along side the 2X teleconverter?

Easy. Measurement and weight.

I’d be taking more than one flights via more than one airports to get midway around the globe, then loading out and in of safari vans and capturing from a restricted area inside them. Sporting and managing larger equipment would make my lifestyles tougher. As I really like to inform my scholars, pictures is all about possible choices. You’ll hardly ever to find your self with just one approach of doing one thing. The hot button is in opting for the person who’s best for you, for that state of affairs.

All of it comes all the way down to the type of footage you need to make and the way you’re going to try this. For me – for this shuttle – the Z 8 paired with the 400mm f/4.5 and teleconverters used to be the very best mixture.

This received’t be the closing time I take a bunch to Africa, and wager what? I’m certain that subsequent time I’ll deliver a unique package. As a result of once more, what’s the purpose of doing the similar factor the similar approach over and over again?

So now you recognize what equipment I used in this picture journey and why. Now let me display you a couple of extra footage, and provide an explanation for how I made them:

That is any other full-frame, 45-megapixel symbol shot with the Nikkor 400mm f/4.5 lens closing week. I saved the aperture huge open just about all of the shuttle with the intention to make the most of the shallow intensity of box it creates, to assist the backgrounds soften away. In the event that they have been in focal point, the ones branches in the back of the leopard could be actually distracting. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 450, 1/1250 at f/4.5 in Matrix metering, +0.7 EV (to atone for the intense sky in the back of the leopard), Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens.

Once more, the usage of 400mm and staying huge open at f/4.5 supposed that if I used to be centered at the child elephant’s face, it will be the best field in sharp focal point. And that makes it more uncomplicated for me to stay the viewer’s consideration there. Doesn’t harm that the ones little guys are so darn lovely! Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 1250, 1/640 at f/4.5 in Matrix metering, +1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens.

Sure, there’s a hippo in the course of that muck. On this case, I’ve added the 1.4X teleconverter to take me from 400mm to 560mm however once more stayed on the most aperture, now f/6.3, to once more stay the background great and comfortable. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 1250, 1/1250 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S with Z TC-1.4X for 560mm.

Even with the 1.4X teleconverter taking me out to 560mm, those playful monkeys have been slightly a ways away. Now not having time so as to add the 2X teleconverter, I took benefit of the digicam’s 45 megapixels and cropped in. This ultimate symbol nonetheless has nine-million pixels, greater than sufficient for massive use on display screen, or a pleasing print. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 720, 1/1600 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Z lens with TC-1.4X added for 560mm.

A lioness clamps down on a wildebeest’s windpipe to suffocate it. Referred to as “the killing chew,” finished at the nostril, mouth, or throat, that is how the large cats continuously kill their prey. In spite of the tall grass, the digicam’s 3-d AF-area mode used to be in a position to fasten onto the lion’s eye. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 280, 1/800 at f/4.5 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens.

A Shrike (within the air) tries to chase a Secretary fowl clear of its nesting field. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 110, 1/1600 at f/4.5 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens.

Combining eye hit upon and the shallow intensity of box created via capturing the lens huge open (at 400mm, 560mm, and 800mm) is what let me make gorgeous footage like this all the way through the shuttle. In fact, it by no means hurts when the cheetah walks proper towards you! Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 450, 1/1250 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S with Z TC-1.4X for 560mm.

We spent two days photographing the nice migration on the Mara River, as Wildebeests crossed north. Capturing from our truck on a bluff above the river, I used a sluggish shutter pace to turn motion within the splashing water. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 64, 1/100 at f/11 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S with Z TC-1.4X for 560mm.

That is any other full-frame 45MP symbol the usage of the 1.4X teleconverter with the 400mm. Actually loads of vultures had amassed on the river to feed on useless wildebeests who drowned after breaking a leg all the way through the crossing. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 800, 1/1600 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S with Z TC-1.4X for 560mm.

We have been observing this pair of male cheetahs stalk a bunch of wildebeest, and subsequent factor we knew they’d run one down. Once more, the shallow intensity of box and sharp focal point saved the grassy background from being distracting. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 360, 1/1600 at f/5 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens.

At 400mm, the framing in this scene used to be a bit unfastened, and I used to be afraid the Impala would transfer sooner than I added a teleconverter. So I simply tapped my Serve as 2 button (Fn2) – which used to be programmed to take me into DX crop mode – to get this tighter, higher composition. That took me from 45 megapixels to almost 20, which remains to be overkill for a big print. In fact, I may have shot it looser and easily cropped it later at the pc. However I take a look at, each time conceivable to get it as with regards to absolute best within the digicam. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 220, 1/1600 at f/4.5 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens.

Leaving camp simply after dawn, we got here throughout this Cerval cat searching alongside the aspect of the filth highway. Leaning out the window of my truck, I were given a couple of dozen frames in lower than a minute whilst it used to be in sight. Concerning the measurement of a area cat, I’ve hardly ever observed them up to now. Being early, there wasn’t a lot gentle but, however the Z 8 does any such great process at top ISOs that that noise isn’t noticeable. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 3600, 1/640 at f/4.5 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens.

Within the wild, out of doors of sport parks, rhinos are just about extinct. However Ngorongoro Crater has a wholesome staff of over 30. Visiting there at the ultimate day of the shuttle, our hope used to be to peer and {photograph} one. And we were given fortunate. Sadly, it used to be a ways away, however with the 2X teleconverter after which going to DX crop mode, that is the 20-megapixel symbol I finished up with. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Precedence, Sunny white stability, ISO 720, 1/1250 at f/9 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S with Z TC-2.0X for 800mm.

Right here’s the entirety I took with me to Africa. On the decrease left, in a Suppose Tank Airport Necessities backpack, is the entire equipment I wanted for pictures, weighing in at just below 20 lbs. You’ll see how slightly compact the Nikon Z 8 and 400mm f/4.5 lens are. Additionally in that pack used to be my 15-inch computer, Nikon Z 6 II, Nikkor Z TC-1.4X and TC-2X, Nikkor 24-200 f/4-6.3, Nikkor 20mm f/1.8 plus FTZ adapter, playing cards, batteries, charger, card reader, USB-C energy provide and a couple of odds and ends.

Concerning the creator: Reed Hoffmann is a photographer and pictures trainer who has been within the picture business for many years and who has used each and every Nikon DSLR (and taught maximum of them). The critiques expressed on this article are only the ones of the creator. Practice along side Hoffmann’s newest workshops right here. You’ll additionally to find extra of Hoffmann’s paintings and writing on his website online, Fb, Instagram, and Twitter. This text used to be additionally printed right here.

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