Yes, Dbez1:True amazing photos Dale. I’m a Nikon guy also. I’ve always been a sucker for sharpness and these are some of the best I’ve seen. In some cases, like the tiger pacing, there is very narrow depth of field but the eye is still perfectly in focus. Technology has come a LONG way. Enjoy your trip and your new camera.
I was happily surprised to put those images on my screen and see the amazing details in the blacks (the monkey and the rhino) and the details in the whites. The images were crisp. I found the shutter response to be very acceptable for me with no delay. I was really expecting a short lag in shutter response as compared to my experience in prior Africa trips with their rented flagship Nikkor 600mm f/4 which responded instantaneously.
Here is the side story, if you care.
I ordered the Nikkor 600mm f/4 rental 6 or 7 months ago to hedge myself to have a long lens in time for the big safari, (of course it weighs 10+ pounds and is like carrying a bazooka onto the small African bush planes).
I ordered the Nikon 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 (4.1 pounds) June 26th on pre-order expecting to receive it in time for the trip but even after calling Nikon in New York repeatedly I got no assurance I would have the lens in time. At the beginning of September I called them urging and pleading to be put on a priority list, and even applied for and was accepted to the NPS (Nikon Professional Service) which qualified me as a professional photographer for sales purposes (priorities in sales and service). Two days after asking to be put on priority I received my notice from Nikon that they were shipping! So I have cancelled the rental (($1250 for 3 weeks) and bought the 180-600 for $1700.00.
So, I am out a net $600.00 for the lens!
I'd recommend that as a Nikon user, if you make any money on your photography whatsoever, to apply for the NPS. The now send me videos on the Z8, etc. And of course, I have priority in orders and service.