So, is it worth it to upgrade from Z400mm F4.5 to 500mm F4E FL + FTZ II for the Z8. Or, should I get the 180-600mm instead. All other options are out of budget.
Thank You

Hi there! Thank you for visiting! 🙂

I’d say the 500mm PF is a sizeable upgrade from the 200-500mm in terms of IQ, but there are numerous other factors worth considering over sharpness alone. I’d say the biggest advantage you’d notice in the field with the 500mm PF is its light weight and quick auto-focus. It is an incredible lens for photographing birds in flight. However, the 200-500mm offers the flexibility of a zoom lens which absolutely should not be overlooked. I think any differences in sharpness is overshadowed by the other auxillary benefits these lenses provide so you can’t really go wrong with either of them in reality.

At this point in time, I’d also suggest looking at some of the Z-mount options on the market (if you own a mirrorless camera) such as the 400mm f/4.5 and the 600mm f/6.3 as I’ve heard great things about them. The 180-600mm could be a decent upgrade from your 200-500mm as well.

Hope this helps!
-Adi

Is it worth upgrading from 200-500mm f5.6 to 500mm pf in terms of sharpness and quality? I know other factors are weather sealing, weight, more bokeh effect etc

You’re 100% correct the 500FL is extremely sharp and has excellent micro-contrast and overall contrast. It’s sharpness is off the charts even wide open, you only need to stop down for depth of field needs. It does take the TC-14E II and III extremely well. I especially like the version III myself. I’ve owned and used the 1.7x TC and 2x TC’s and wouldn’t recommend either. You’re better off using a crop sensor or cropping in post along with the TC-14E III. I personally use both the D6 and D500 along with the TC-14E III if need more reach. So you’re looking at 700mm f/5.6 and retain fast autofocus and excellent sharpness with the 1.4x TC’s! With the DX bodies or DX crop mode, obviously it’s 750mm equivalent focal length or field of view and 1050mm with both the 1.4x TC and DX crop!

I highly, highly recommend this lens to anyone who shoots sports, wildlife it’s worth every penny. Plus they’re more affordable than ever used right now, even in excellent or mint condition. I’ve seen them for as low as $4800 USD used. For a mint copy, maybe $5,500 at most! It’s a much better build quality, quality control, better glass elements and better AF even when compared to say the new 800mm PF or other Z-mount primes, made in China. This lens like all professional grade super-tele Nikon’s are made in Japan by lifelong expert technicians/engineers! I’ve had a long relationship with Nikon and NPS from working for large newspapers and news/sports wire services.

I’ve always used Nikon flagship bodies and pro-grade, made in Japan lenses for 27 years and I’ve only ever once needed a repair. Funny thing is that was a repair from an accidental drop and was covered by my insurance. So you can absolutely trust buying a used copy and I doubt you’d even be able to find a new copy. Nikon stopped making the FL super-tele primes and zooms about two years ago. So finding a new copy would be near impossible right now in 2024! For $4800-$5500 this is an incredible lens for the money! It’s lighter weight even when compared to the new Z-mount 600mm f/4 S and not far off from the new 400mm f/2.8 S, but unfortunately no built in TC here. I stilll borrow a 300mm f/2.8 VRII once in awhile from work, but I almost use the 500FL for my long shots!

Otherwise I use the 70-200mm f/2.8E FL with 1.4x TC and or with 1.5x crop. I may someday add the 120-300mm f/2.8E FL or 180-400mm FL if I get a good price on a nice used copy. Anyways if you’re reading this and considering the 500pf, only get the latter if health or the weight is an issue for you. Im still relatively young and Im above average strength wise, so I handhold this 500FL almost exclusively! I only put it on my monopod or tripod if I’m injured and or sitting/standing in one spot for hours! If you’re strong and can hold 10lbs or so, you’ll be good and honestly this lens is so well balanced it feels like 7-8lbs!

Hi Martyn! Thanks for the kind comment! I just popped the 500mm PF and 1.4x TC on my D850, and 3D Tracking wasn’t available on this combination either. At apertures of f/8 and smaller (which is the case when a TC is attached to the 500m PF), only the central cluster of AF points are available on the D850 (and, indeed, the D5 and D500). Hope that helps!