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Mark, Excellent video.  Yours is one of the few channels genuinely focussed on wildlife photography, not on shiny gear.  Please keep up the good work!

Welcome back Mark!!

Congrats on the second body Mark, that’s a super little camera. I’m jealous about the camera trap, super keen to see what photos you get!!

All the best with your channel, I really enjoy your content and videos. I don’t have access to much wildlife in the UK but I enjoy watching you in Africa!

Thanks for another excellent video and I have to agree with you on what a great lens the 180-600 is. I just upgraded my second camera to a Z6iii from a Z50ii and it pretty well lives on that camera. My main camera is a Z9 and I used to use a 800mm PF lens on that camera but I recently traded the 800 for a 600mm PF mainly because of the weight difference and I was finding that the 800 was not as versatile as the 600. I highly recommend the 70-200 2.8 Z  lens as well, it is probably the sharpest lens that I have ever used. It is also such a versatile lens as it takes both the 1.4 and 2X teleconverters extremely well. Owning that lens has saved me from buying a 100mm-400mm lens. Thanks again for sharing I always enjoy your videos and Africa has always been a dream for me.

Hey Mark, exact setup I'm taking to Madikwe next month. Plus a Z6iii back up w a 24-120. --Cheers

Super video!🙂

Thanks Mark for sharing your kit , I am a canon shooter, I have for many years used and still use a 300mm f28 prime lens and have taken beautiful photos with it , I fact I own two 300mm lens, the mk 1 and a mk 2 ! I had a 70/200 mk1 which I was very disappointed with! I shoot wildlife and landscape , so I use primes for my landscape using zeiss primes . I own the Canon 5DSR for landscape and I do and have used it for years with wildlife and worked well with the 300mm primes ! I now have the R5 and the 100-500mm lens, which I love . It’s as you say more versatile and seldom get compromised for distance unlike I had moments where I was compromised with my 300mm primes . But when the prime is used in the right situation it cannot be beaten for image quality and sharpness . I use mindshift back packs which are light but very strong and practical . I don’t keep up with gear and all the hype with the new tech . What is important as you mentioned is getting out and just enjoying the outdoors and capturing nice wildlife and landscape photos . Gear doesn’t make one a better photographer . Your mind controls that part . The gear assists but doesn’t help your creativity side of photography . Stay well and nice to hear you are settling down in your new home .

I feel like I met my twin. I have the 180-600, 400 4.5, and 800PF. If I had to let one go it would be the 400 but it would be a tough pill to swallow. I recently sold my Z8 and swapped in a Z50ii to pair with my Z6iii and Z6ii(a). The truth is the Z8 and Z6iii are so close together in their abilities with the Z6iii having the better EVF and a decent partially stacked sensor. The Z50ii is just plain fun and when paired with my 400 4,5 gives me a great super lightweight punch. Looking forward to the Z8ii but I might have a GAS problem... Cheers.

Very helpful, thanks Mark. We're off to Tanzania in a month or so, and I'll be using very similar gear to what you have. I have the 800, but I'm thinking that I'll take the 180-600 instead due to the flexibility it will offer. The second camera will either use the 24-200 or 24-70. I have the Atomos Ninja as well, so the tip on a good mic for it is much appreciated.

Nice video and overview, Mark, thank you. I bought a 70-180 2.8 for hide and night photography. Decent quality, compact and doesn’t break the bank for a secondary lens. I understand, though, why you’d opt for the excellent 70-200.

I have just arrived back to SA after living abroad for awhile, your channel is awesome.  Quick question, where did you buy your 180 - 600 lens camo protector/cover?  Cheers, keep up creating great content

Nice video I sold my 180-600 to get the Z 600 f6.3 then I also bought the Z 100-400 but I kind of think I should of kept the 180-600 and just paired it with the new 70-200 f2.8, I am also patiently waiting for the Z9II, My Z9 is great but I need that RAW pre capture and hopefully they'll add it.

Z8 and 180-600 is what I also use for Wild Life , the 20 f1.8 for Astro /Milky Way and my 3rd lens the superb 24-120 F4 for close shots and enviromental Wild Life .. Same as you Mark >> I havent got a 2nd Body  though

obviously Im not a pro like Mark, and with my limited resources I would like to throw my setup out there for the viewers. I use a z6iii +180-600mm (+tc 1.4 when possible) and along with this I have a z50ii + 300mm Fmount f4 PF dslr lens. this lens I use via the FTZii adapter. And folks let me tell you on the z50ii this lens reaches 450mm f4 due to APSC crop and my oh my does it work well! (full disclosure this is my wife's setup and I use it when she is not with me) along with this I have the 24-120 f4 also for and a 20mm f2.8 viltrox lens for the occasional really wide and astro photos. if anyone is thinking about primes it look into the f mount 300mm f4 PF lens!! its a ridiculous value lens for birding on Nkon Z systems. FYI the ftzii is fully weather sealed!

Thanks Mark! At 0:54 Sec you show the back screen / settings. I assume you might be sitting in a car or at least on steady ground, therefore, why do you „need“ the SPT mode for stabilization?

Thanks for this Mark. What is your take on using the F-lenses with the Z8 and/or Z5II (via FTZII), e.g. the 70-200 F2.8 (or even all 3 of the holy trinity), rather that selling the latter for 10-20% of the replacement cost of z equivalents?

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I need a bag that can fit my new 200-800mm with the rest of my gear