Nikon 800 PF Review For Wildlife Photographers

Nikon just announced their new 800mm PF and my extensive first-look review for wildlife photographers is ready to go!

In this first-look video, I’ll answer all the burning questions you have about the 800PF. We’ll talk about the specifications, the controls, features, technology, ergonomics, sharpness, rendering, autofocus, VR performance, how hand-holdable it is, how it handles in the field, and so much more! If you want the best 800PF review for wildlife photography, this is it!

Plus, I’ll pass along all of my insights, thoughts, and recommendations along the way!

Check out the video below:

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Sample images below, click to enlarge (note that since this was a preproduction lens, I can’t provide full resolution images per my agreement with Nikon).

Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/800th, F/6.3, ISO 640)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/800th, F/6.3, ISO 640)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/3200th, F/6.3, ISO 11400)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/2000th, F/6.3, ISO 900)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/800th, F/6.3, ISO 1400)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/320th, F/6.3, ISO 250)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/640th, F/6.3, ISO 720)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/3200th, F/6.3, ISO 3600)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/640th, F/6.3, ISO 900)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/800th, F/6.3, ISO 1000)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/1600th, F/6.3, ISO 3600)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/800th, F/6.3, ISO 900)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/1600th, F/6.3, ISO 3600)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/800th, F/6.3, ISO 1000)
Captured with a preproduction NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (1/2500th, F/6.3, ISO 1100)

If you enjoyed the video, please share it with your Nikon friends – and feel free to pass it on any camera forums or groups who may enjoy it. Thank you so much!

PS – If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll REALLY like my e-books and video workshops! Thousands of pages and hours of videos filled with tips, tricks, and techniques – all my best content! Check ’em out – click here (hey, it’s free to look).

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Chuck Savoie
Chuck Savoie
1 year ago

Hi Steve thanks for all you do! I have the 800mm and am using a z7ii on it with mixed results on birds. The question that I have is will the z8 be as good as a z9 in running it if I choose to upgrade ? Thanks so much !

Peter Hartel
Peter Hartel
2 years ago
Steve: these pictures here are indescribably beautiful, aesthetic, peaceful, perfect in their composition, the sharpness is at the point where it should be. I've learned so much from your Nikon books, maybe I'll be able to come to the CR workshop one day...greetings from Germany
Vonnie Lewis
Vonnie Lewis
2 years ago

These images are beautiful would love to have that Lense, I have the Z7ii and love it

Thom
Thom
2 years ago

Hello, Steve. This new 800mm looks very impressive and I can’t believe the price! Even though it’s probably out of my budget for a advanced shooter who basically does shoots for personal enjoyment and art work reference. But boy, would I love to have one of these. These bird images are just beautiful! However, I can’t help but think that the Z9 is a game changer as well for this sort of wildlife shooting. From everything I’ve seen that auto focus system is killer. And again, that camera is probably out of my budget. I’m considering moving up to the… Read more »

Dennis Klauer
Dennis Klauer
2 years ago

Steve – Is Nikon planning an 800pf for the use on the D850?

John Slaughter
John Slaughter
2 years ago

Great set of two videos on the new 800PF lens. As always, well done and well illustrated. Can’t wait to get my own then all I’ll have to do is find great locations to use it. Hopefully you will help me out in the future now that we are all traveling more. 🙂

Raphael Kopan
Raphael Kopan
2 years ago

Hi Steve, Big fan of your work- I am very glad Nikon recognizes your influence among wild life photographers. Like you, I shoot 840; I own D6, D500 and soon (i hope) Z9 (which will send my D500 to eBay). My thought is that hanging on to the D6 allowes me to shop the universes of superb Nikon F glass and use it on both bodies, so the 600+1.4 seems like the best for now. Can you talk me out of keeping the 600+TC and into switching to the 800PF? Eager to hear your thoughts.

Bernard
Bernard
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Perry

Ho Steve,
Thanks too for your excellent reviews.
I’m mainly a birds photographer.
I’m thinking as well of replacing my very good 500PF by the Z400 2.8 + TCx2 providing me with a versatile 400, 560 or 800, 1120mm.
The 800PF is lighter and cheaper but i’ll get only 800 and 1120mm with a TC14. In that case I’d complete my 800PF with the versatile Z100-400.
Regarding the aperture, both lenses (400 + TC2 or 800) are quite similar at 800mm (5,6 vs 6,3).
The choice is actually weight against bokeh at 400 only.

Dogan Bilge
Dogan Bilge
2 years ago

Steve, I’m in love with my Z9 and 500PF. I’m seriously considering this lens as an addition to 500PF. But on the other hand I may sell my 500PF and get the new 400 2.8Z, which costs a lot more obviously. I shoot mostly wildlife, that’s my passion, but I’m also shooting sports at the moment where I make some money. And 400 2.8 is a sports lens which doubles as a wildlife lens with the internal TC. It’s heavier, more than twice as expensive as 800mm, but I could just carry that one and use it for close mammals… Read more »

Rick Erbach
2 years ago

Steve, Fantastic review as always. I was on the fence with the 800, but I’m going to pre order. Can you tell me the make and model of the plate you use on the 800’s foot? I also purchased your Mirrorless Book. It answered about a dozen Z9 questions I had. Thanks for your insight and mentorship.

Rick Erbach
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve Perry

Thanks for the quick reply… maybe RRS has a solution.

Paul Arneson
Paul Arneson
2 years ago

Thanks, Steve. I always love your reviews and instructional videos. My name is on the list for an 800 PF at my local camera store.

Pierre
2 years ago

Hello, As usual, excellent summary and descriptions of your independent opinions on the lens. I also love Nikon’s PF lenses (DSLR/D6). I will surely buy the PF 300mm Z glass when its available. An 800 PF could be useful to a younger man. I am 77, and cannot really run around any longer. I have bought your e-books on the Sony Alpha 1 and its excellent. It did take more than one afternoon to read, set and retain all your excellent suggestions. To get everything right, I printed it and gribble my comments on most pages to force my head… Read more »

Federico Marconi
2 years ago

Bought your mirroless book, thanks much needed for the F9

Bud Betz
Bud Betz
2 years ago

Fine review Steve! Looks like Nikon does it again with the S series of glass.

Bud Betz
Bud Betz
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve Perry

I too purchased the updated mirrorless AF book. Great production!

Federico Marconi
2 years ago

As always great review. You made a mention of your carrying bag that you use. Could you provide me with that information? Do you ever check your gear as baggage at the airports?

Federico Marconi
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve Perry

Thanks

Shutterbug Sue
Shutterbug Sue
2 years ago

Another great review, Steve. Thank you!

Clark Johnson
Clark Johnson
2 years ago

Wonderful review, Steve. When you do your full review, could you comment on how this new lens compares with the 500 PF paired with various teleconverters?

Don Curry
2 years ago

Thanks Steve, this was really helpful.

Johnston Don
2 years ago

Thanks for that Steve! I’m wondering if you would like to respond to a criticism that ‘800 is too long’ and might present problems shooting ‘through the weather’ Like heat waves and rain. See any issues there?

Richard Zingery
Richard Zingery
2 years ago

Thank you for the very informative review. I will be moving up to a mirrorless later in the year and this is looking to be a must have lens for me. I am looking forward to further reviews and videos on this lens. Thank you for what you do.

Bill Mihalovits
Bill Mihalovits
2 years ago

Thanks for the great preview. Were you shooting in the Everglades?

Dale Keith
Dale Keith
2 years ago

Steve, your review was very informative. I will be looking forward to your review of a production unit. Concerning your shooting on an overcast day, those days are my personal favorites as I feel the ambient light of a cloudy day gives my images greater clarity and less hot spots from the sun. Once I read your review of the production lens I will have to make a decision on selling current inventory thus transferring assets to the 800PF. For the time being my Z9 with the 500PF and the 100-400S allow me to had hold shooting. The Z9 with… Read more »

Ben
Ben
2 years ago

Just wondering if this will only ever be available with a Z mount?

David Sneddon
David Sneddon
2 years ago

Steve good morning, I just love your breathless delivery every time. This is just excellent so can’t wait to see the full review. First class as always. This lens looks amazing and the price point is sensational.

Richard Bedford
2 years ago

Great video, Mr Perry! All my Nikon gear has now gone but this looks brilliant for all the Nikon boys & girls out there! Cleverly priced by Nikon.

Ben Eisenstein
Ben Eisenstein
2 years ago

I currently have a Z6. Would this lens make sense on a Z6 or would I not get the best performance with it. I’d like to get a Z9 but can’t afford both that and this lens!

Mike D.
Mike D.
2 years ago

Great information and overview on the NEW 800mm lens.

John Ehrenfeld
2 years ago

(RE-POST) I am a member not a guest. * I am a nature, wildlife, bird photographer. * I currently have the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR Lens with adapter and a Z9. * I am considering selling the 600mm and buying the 800mm PF. * Understanding it’s an f6.3 versus an f4; that is not a major concern for me. * I am interested in your opinion if this is a good tradeoff considering ‘image quality’ first? * The 600 f4 is the best long lens I have ever shot with. Would I be upgrading or downgrading… Read more »