Been thinking about this and honestly... i've been pretty disappointed with the native Z lens weight and prices lately. @Reply #1 - good point on those primes but they are just massive. I tried hiking with the native 600 and it just wasnt as good as expected for my back. I actually went back to some F-mount glass with the Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter because the balance feels better. Iirc some guys on the Nature Photographers Network mentioned that these older lenses actually perform better on the Z9 than they ever did on the D6. Not sure but i think the AF speed is basically identical now with the newer firmware.

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR - specifically for hiking, nothing beats this weight.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR - old but gold, though the zoom throw is way too long for my taste.
• Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S with a Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x - works in a pinch for closer stuff. Check out Thom Hogans site for the technical charts if you want to see how the FTZ affects things. Its a bit of a headache to deal with adapters but the native stuff is just so expensive right now.

Just catching up on this. Since youre rocking the Z9, you really have to watch out for the technical bottlenecks when picking your glass. That sensor is so fast it actually exposes the flaws in older or cheaper AF motors.

• AF Motor Lag: Be wary of older third-party super-zooms. Even if theyre compatible via the adapter, their AF motors often struggle to keep up with the Z9's 20fps or 120fps bursts. Youll end up with a lot of near-misses on focus tracking because the lens cant move the elements fast enough.
• Mount Integrity: If youre using heavy adapted glass, definitely use the lens's tripod collar instead of the camera's. The leverage on that mount can cause tiny gaps that let in moisture or dust, which is a nightmare for a pro body.
• Electronic Communication: Some older lenses have weird glitches with the Z9's blackout-free EVF where the aperture wont snap fast enough between shots, which messes with your exposure consistency. If you want alternatives, looking into some of the older F-mount primes with phase-fresnel elements is a solid move for weight savings. Or even some of the newer third-party 150-600mm options, though honestly, the AF reliability just wont match the native S-line stuff.

Helpful thread 👍

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If you're looking for the best wildlife lens for the Nikon Z9, there are several great options depending on your specific needs and budget. Here's a summary of some of the top choices:

For a versatile zoom with decent reach:

• Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S: Great for larger wildlife and pseudo-macro. The wide focal range is very handy, though the max aperture of f/5.6 at 400mm can be limiting in low light. ($2,700)

For the best bang for your buck super-telephoto zoom:

• Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR: An excellent choice for birds and wildlife. Sharp, well-balanced, and very versatile. Not as fast as the primes but a great value. ($1,697)

For a lightweight prime with incredible sharpness:

• Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S: Compact, sharp, and fast-focusing. Ideal for birds in flight. Pairs well with a 1.4x TC for a 560mm f/6.3 combo. ($3,250)

For the ultimate in image quality and low-light performance:

• Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S: A top-tier super-tele with a built-in 1.4x TC. Razor sharp wide open at both 400mm f/2.8 and 560mm f/4. The best choice if you need speed and versatility, but very pricey at $14,000.

Other great choices include:

• Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S: Compact and sharp. A great portable option for a 600mm prime thanks to the phase fresnel element. ($4,796)
• Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S: The newest option with a built-in 1.4x TC, providing an 840mm f/5.6 option. ($15,500)
• Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S: The longest native Z mount option. Ideal if you need the most reach possible for small or distant subjects. ($6,500)

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your style of shooting and what subjects you photograph most. The $100-400mmf/4.5-5.6and$180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 zooms provide the most versatility for general wildlife. The $400mmf/4.5and$600mm f/6.3 are great lightweight primes. And the $400mmf/2.8and$600mm f/4 with built-in TCs are the cream of the crop if you need the absolute best in image quality.