d800 to Z6

Alder1 said:

Hi All,

I am contemplating upgrading my D800 and taking the plunge into the Z mirrorless range. One of the main reasons for the upgrade, would be the size and weight advantages that the Z6 offers. I mainly shoot landscapes and travel photography and I don't mind sacrificing the extra megapixels for the decrease in size and weight.

The plan would be to sell off my D800 and accompanying lens's (24-70, 18-35, 50) and then buy the Z6 with the 24-70 and add the 14-30.

Do you think that the switch to the Z series is worth it given my use case? Currently, my fully packed lowpro with tripod is a heavy strain for long walks and is not very practical for travelling as I do not take everything with me.

TIA

Click to expand...

I did it.. sold 800e with 24-120.. bought Z6 with 24-70/f4 and 14-30/f4.. Not sorry at all.. loving the lighter weight, amazing photos, and great range of those 2 lenses.. having a lot of fun with the new camera and lenses!

Seems the advantages would be significant in your case. You might need to carry more batteries, depending on your usage.

Nigel

yep.. got them.. haven't needed them yet though..

I've still got my d800, but for most purposes I prefer the Z6. With the right lens choices, you can definitely lighten your load.

I still also have quite a few f-mount lenses. They generally focus better on the Z6 than on my f-mount bodies.

I do have several 24MP camera so I wanted the resolution and I'm happy I did. Everything is just better on the Z7, The AF is not inferior, just different and take a bit of time to learn the technique. The Z7 is as small as my micro 4:3 camera. Incredible. I also find the "battery problem" a non issue. Just positive not negatives.

I also didn't sell any of my F lenses, they work great including the Sigma. I like the 24-70 for video because of the smooth AF.

--
Regards
Gabriele
California, CA
Thom Hogan: "Stop arguing and do more study and shooting. Amazingly, the autofocus system you're complaining about will get better when you do."

Alder1 said:

Hi All,

I am contemplating upgrading my D800 and taking the plunge into the Z mirrorless range. One of the main reasons for the upgrade, would be the size and weight advantages that the Z6 offers. I mainly shoot landscapes and travel photography and I don't mind sacrificing the extra megapixels for the decrease in size and weight.

The plan would be to sell off my D800 and accompanying lens's (24-70, 18-35, 50) and then buy the Z6 with the 24-70 and add the 14-30.

Do you think that the switch to the Z series is worth it given my use case? Currently, my fully packed lowpro with tripod is a heavy strain for long walks and is not very practical for travelling as I do not take everything with me.

TIA

Click to expand...

My shooting these days mirrors yours. I did the same but from a D810 with 24-70 &16-35 to the Z7,24-70, 14-30 & 50S. I walk for long periods and the weight reduction is greatly appreciated by my shoulder. I even just use a neck strap rather than the BlackRapid and it far more comfortable. The body and lenses all fit into pockets in my camera jacket whereas before the body didn't and the lenses were a big struggle so didn't use the jacket much. Much easier to fit into carry-on luggage. IQ has been a good upgrade, mainly by the more accurate focus. The EVF is a little challenging but does have some upsides so not disappointed by it.

Sorry but I don't regard that as an upgrade. It's a move to a smaller and lighter kit and to something new. That's all. The Z7 would be an upgrade.

You would miss the megapixels you lose, I am pretty sure of that.

I sold my D800 , my 24-70 and 18-35 and bought a Z6 with the 24-70 f4.

the combo is much lighter and more versatile, but sometimes I miss this heavy piece of technology with the slapping mirror. Somehow it felt more like a professional equipment - especially during studio or outside portrait sessions. But this is more perception and feeling than hard facts. I am nearly 50 and in my mind a pro need to have a pro camera and that one is big.... but this is changing ....

z2122 said:

I sold my D800 , my 24-70 and 18-35 and bought a Z6 with the 24-70 f4.

the combo is much lighter and more versatile, but sometimes I miss this heavy piece of technology with the slapping mirror. Somehow it felt more like a professional equipment - especially during studio or outside portrait sessions. But this is more perception and feeling than hard facts. I am nearly 50 and in my mind a pro need to have a pro camera and that one is big.... but this is changing ....

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Yes, but the D800 doesn't fit that description (without a grip)... the D5 is bigger...

I went from the D800 to the Z7 and never looked back. However, occasionally I also miss the clonk but I think the D800 was exceptionally noisy in terms of mechanical noise, so I wished many times that it was just a bit less disturbing. I love the mechanical shutter sound of the Z7 and have practically abandoned the EFCS completely. I have no issues with shutter shock, so the only reason I find the EFCS useful is that it is a bit less noisy, but the Z7 is already so quiet so it isn't disturbing anyone.

Was in the same situation, but for me it was to sell D800 & buy Z7 or keep D800 and buy Z6 (for events & sports & travel) . I did the second as I always wanted a second backup body & could not be happier. I do not see a quality reduction from the 24MP (printing A3 max) but tons of better photos due to AF improvement (special wide open) and the overall ease of use opening new ways to shoot. The IBIS & the silent shutter make all the differences ...

Here is my first trip with Z6 after I had it for 2 weeks .. so in the learning curve.

Coming back with +2000 Raw files with 24MP made a huge difference for my computer churn & workload vs the 36MP from D800 ... this is the main reason why I did not go to the Z7. Shooting 24MP gave me some freedom back

https://bjoernhirsch.com/nepal-2019-web

I thought I would split my time 50/50 between Z6 and D800 , but in reality the D800 is rarely touched now . Only for portrait work & as my flash system does not work on Z6

I would not go back and my plan is to switched lenses overtime to S series & replace D800 in 2-3 years from now with a pro Z cam

--
Greetings Bjoern
Better to have it & not need it than to need it & not have it

I would recommend the Z6 and then a Tamron 17-35 2.8-F4 lens and the Tamron 35-150 2.8-f4 lens this will get you great range and both lenses are tack sharp I have them both.

I also have the Kit 24-70 F4 and both my Tamrons are as sharp or better. The 35-150 is a fantastic lens I use it all the time now for most everything.

You are doing what I have just done............ Except I bought a Z7. I am still selling of all my F mount lenses except the 200-400 f4

PQ wize the upgrade is fantastic. I have NEVER seen results quite as sharp as the Z7. I believe this is solely due to the lack Fine tuning necessary.

I spent hours fine tuning all my lenses but the value did change over time. I am happy this is now GONE.

Dont forget to add in the cost of a few XQD cards. I am stunned how expensive they are....

I am currently looking at what I can use to trigger my flashes with CLS. I think I will buy a Debao SU800 as a trigger on camera. And a used SB400 as an on camera flash if needed.

tektrader said:

You are doing what I have just done............ Except I bought a Z7. I am still selling of all my F mount lenses except the 200-400 f4

PQ wize the upgrade is fantastic. I have NEVER seen results quite as sharp as the Z7. I believe this is solely due to the lack Fine tuning necessary.

Click to expand...

Don't forget that the Z7 does not have AA filter, which also contributes to the detail you see.

tektrader said:

I spent hours fine tuning all my lenses but the value did change over time. I am happy this is now GONE.

Dont forget to add in the cost of a few XQD cards. I am stunned how expensive they are....

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Yes, they are expensive but the speed of it is amazing. Especially for the Z7 with the large file sizes, I think it's good that Nikon abandoned the SD.

tektrader said:

I am currently looking at what I can use to trigger my flashes with CLS. I think I will buy a Debao SU800 as a trigger on camera. And a used SB400 as an on camera flash if needed.

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I have a Yongnuo YN622N kit. It's cheap and excellent. Works of course in iTTL mode and also HS. In fact, it also "converts" Nikon clone flashes which don't work in iTTL on the Z7 (but worked on the D800) into iTTL, so I can actually use those flashes in iTTL as well, not just the SB700 and SB900 I also have. Of course, the SB700 and SB900 works on the camera also.

I made the same move. Even sold off my F glass. Ha.

I love the Z6!

I got a Z7 and since them I haven't use the D800. I still use the D810 in combo with the Z7 but at the end of the day the number of shots taken with the Z7 double the ones from D810. The only thing keeping me from getting a Z6 to combine with the Z7 is that I have 4 "D" lenses that will not autofocus with the Z cameras. Anyway, I will be selling the D800 and keeping the D810 for now.

D800 to d750 best upgrade ever made back in 2015 :-D

olyflyer said:

Sorry but I don't regard that as an upgrade. It's a move to a smaller and lighter kit and to something new. That's all. The Z7 would be an upgrade.

You would miss the megapixels you lose, I am pretty sure of that.

Click to expand...

Yes and especially with landscapes. I have just fitted the Laowa 12mm F2.8 on the "Laowa Magical Shift Converter" that is only made for Canikon to Sony E, so had to get a 2mm spacer from Kipon that sits permanently on the shift converter, and...

...no more disturbingly leaning fence posts, trees, houses, tall flowers and for video? No other way! So now I have a 17mm F4 with a shift capability of plus minus 10mm. The Samyang 14 mm ought to become a 19,6mm F4 shift lens.

Remains to be seen if the F-stop thingy on the adapter works with my 20mm F2.8 Nikon that becomes a 28mm F4 shift lens.

Fun-fun-fun (ref. BeeGees)

It is only the Z6 and Z7 and Sony E-mount bodies that can do this trick.

For landscapes definitely go for Z7.

It also does a video trick: amazing 4K video downsampled from APS-C 20Mpix crop of the 47Mpix sensor, so videoing birds gains a factor 1.4 on tele lenses.

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-magic-shift-converter-17mm-4-0/

Alder1 said:

Hi All,

I am contemplating upgrading my D800 and taking the plunge into the Z mirrorless range. One of the main reasons for the upgrade, would be the size and weight advantages that the Z6 offers. I mainly shoot landscapes and travel photography and I don't mind sacrificing the extra megapixels for the decrease in size and weight.

The plan would be to sell off my D800 and accompanying lens's (24-70, 18-35, 50) and then buy the Z6 with the 24-70 and add the 14-30.

Do you think that the switch to the Z series is worth it given my use case? Currently, my fully packed lowpro with tripod is a heavy strain for long walks and is not very practical for travelling as I do not take everything with me.

TIA

Click to expand...

I have the D850 and I also purchased the Z7. I shoot birds, landscapes and travel mainly. Since getting the Z7 when it first became available in early October 2018, I have almost not used the D850, even for birds. I have only used the D850 when I did some fast moving birds and needed it's excellent tracking ability. I have shot over 13,000 images with the Z7 and took it on a trip to New Zealand where I shot over 4,000 images. On that trip, it never missed a beat and I never missed not having the D850, in fact the light weight and compactness was a Godsend for travel. I think you'll love the Z6 for your purposes.

I have D7500 but also bought Z6. It is used for video, and I also invested in native 50mm F1.8S but all mine Nikkor DX and F lenses work beautifully with the FTZ adaptor, so additional costs were minimum. Video is incredible on Z, so I would like to buy Ninja V in addition to get ProResRaw and 10 bit video in addition, but even now inbody video is incredible and on pro level.