Doing macro from a distance - my Z6iii, 180-600 lens, and TC1.4

Bumblebee I photographed today from 15 feet away using my Z6iii system.

I was experimenting today with my new system, a Nikon Z6iii, the 180-600 mm zoom, and Nikon's Ztc1.4 (the 1.4x teleconverter made for the Z system).  The problem with teleconverters is that they cause a loss of light (1 stop at 1.4x) and reduce the image quality (more glass means more distortion).  I have had good success with my 500 mm PF prime and F series 1.4tc (iii), but would the same be true with a zoom lens which typically produces poorer images than a prime does?

I usually use my D500 with the 500 mm PF lens and TC which gives me a relative focal length of 1050 mm.  The Z6iii is full-frame, so there is no crop factor.  The 1.4 TC gives the system a focal length of 840 mm.  The D500 has modest noise issues at high ISOs, while the Z6iii is superb.  The fact that the system's internal VR has 8 stops of motion compensation as compared to the 500 mm PF at 4 stops means that I can shoot at lower shutter speeds.  However, the low noise levels at high ISOs mean that I can shoot at high shutter speeds; the risk of blur is not from my movement but from that of my subject.

The duck photo below was taken with the same system.  You can see that the image quality is quite good, even when enlarging the pixels by 200%.  Sharpness, colour, contrast, and focus were all excellent.  

Lesser scaup male duck shot with Z6iii, 180-600 mm (@ 600 mm) and Ztc 1.4.

There is one thing I have done that seems to help.  Most lenses perform better if not used wide open.  Even though the Z 180-600 has a minimum aperture of f.6.3, that changes to f/9.  If you noticed, I shot this at f/11; this is 2/3rds of a stop slower than what f/9 is.  That tiny amount of aperture closure means a slightly sharper image.  And yes, it means a higher ISO to get the fast shutter speed - but the Z6iii can handle it.

I think that my D500 and 500mm PF lens sans TC is the best system I have ever owned for telephoto image quality, but I like what I am seeing with the Z6iii and 180-600.  The prime also costs $5000 while the zoom sells for about half that, and you don't need the FTZ adapter if you are using it on a Z system.  Of course, Nikon also makes the Z600 mm and Z800 mm lenses, but you are paying about $10 per millimeter.  Superb image quality, but at a cost.  Do I really need that, can I afford it, how do I feel about carrying around $11,000 of camera equipment on me?

All good questions.  For now,f I am happy with what I have.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Harjit Bahia - Science teacher and colleague from Garibaldi died August 2, 2024

Image
You will be missed Mr. Bahia.  You made a difference and we are sad you are gone. I keep in loose contact with my fellow retired teachers from Garibaldi Secondary School.  I talked with my long-time friend, Mike Lynch, today, and discovered that Hargit died over the summer.  Unbeknownst to him, he had an underlying heart condition and passed away after working out on his treadmill.  The date was August 2, 2024. I was shocked to hear this.  He was only 49 years old, turning 50 some 3 months later.  It was a shock to everyone, for he was loved by all who knew him.  As a teacher, Mr. Bahia was kind and fun.  He contributed to students in many ways and was always available to help those in need.   For myself, I knew him as a fellow science teacher and taught in the adjoining room to him.  He was always available to help, share ideas, and work together.  Easy to approach, I found that I could talk to him about anything and appreciat...
Read more

My longsuffering search for the Western Meadowlark

Image
Am I going to disturb a species I am photographing enough to negatively affect its relationship with the ecosystem?  This is an important ethical question that needs to be asked when looking to photograph a particular species.  And it's one that I don't think we do nearly often enough. I recognize the desire to capture remarkable images; I have been in search of premium photos the bulk of my adult life.  There is the personal connection - just the joy associated with doing something well and the praise we seek when others recognize it.  There is the professional connection - doing something as part of a job, assignment, or class.  Then there is the financial connection - the hope to win a contest, publish an image, or sell prints.   These are all worthy goals in their own right, but none of them should be the reason behind disturbing a species, especially ones that are endangered or are at a critical period in their life cycle.  Essentially it boi...
Read more

The hard workers aboard the Ruby Princess

Image
A worker cleaning the Grand Hall at 3:00 in the morning I salute the hard working men and women of the cruise line industry.  They come from all over the world, each one looking to find work, possibly a career, and to help both themselves and their families have better lives.  It isn't easy, and many have to work long hours and are isolated from the passengers and passenger-areas aboard the ships.  They don't partake of the luxuries experienced by the guests and have a limited amount of free time.  But most of them wouldn't trade it for any other job they have ever had. I was photographing the Grand Hall aboard the Ruby Princess early in the morning before the place was crowded with guests.  While there, I met a gentleman cleaning floors and took some shots of him, asking permission first.  I also got quite a few photos of the hall itself without people; I used my 14-30 mm ultra-wide angle lens on a full-frame camera to get the three-story plaza in my viewf...
Read more