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Anyone try the Z and come back to Sony?

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Question for those who have used both: What Sony body would be best for left-eye shooters, if I’m looking for something to bridge the gap before an A7IV is released?

I currently use a Z6 and mostly love it, but Sony has something that Nikon doesn’t: the GM 24 f1.4 and brand-new GM 35 f1.4 primes. Those are my two favorite focal lengths, and I love wide-open environmental portraits. I’m considering switching systems for those two lenses specifically, since Nikon doesn’t have faster wide-angle primes on its roadmap and we still could be months or years away from Sigma and Tamron offering Z-mount lenses. I love the size of the Sony GMs, and frankly find the FTZ with similar-sized F-mount primes unwieldy. I’ve thought about trying the Techart TZE-01 adapter, but if my two favorite lenses are from another system, then it makes sense to just get a body to match, right?

When I tested the A7III, what pushed me toward the Z6 was ergonomics. I’ve also seen several folks mention in this thread that it’s not the best for left-eye shooters relative to Z bodies. I’d been thinking about picking up a used A7III while waiting for an A7IV, which I believe will be much better ergonomically if it’s like the A7RIV. But would an A7C be better specifically for a left-eye shooter? Something else?
 
e61 said:
Question for those who have used both: What Sony body would be best for left-eye shooters, if I’m looking for something to bridge the gap before an A7IV is released?

I currently use a Z6 and mostly love it, but Sony has something that Nikon doesn’t: the GM 24 f1.4 and brand-new GM 35 f1.4 primes. Those are my two favorite focal lengths, and I love wide-open environmental portraits. I’m considering switching systems for those two lenses specifically, since Nikon doesn’t have faster wide-angle primes on its roadmap and we still could be months or years away from Sigma and Tamron offering Z-mount lenses. I love the size of the Sony GMs, and frankly find the FTZ with similar-sized F-mount primes unwieldy. I’ve thought about trying the Techart TZE-01 adapter, but if my two favorite lenses are from another system, then it makes sense to just get a body to match, right?

When I tested the A7III, what pushed me toward the Z6 was ergonomics. I’ve also seen several folks mention in this thread that it’s not the best for left-eye shooters relative to Z bodies. I’d been thinking about picking up a used A7III while waiting for an A7IV, which I believe will be much better ergonomically if it’s like the A7RIV. But would an A7C be better specifically for a left-eye shooter? Something else?
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I'm a left eye shooter.... I just disable the touch options.

Same in other camera systems, my nose gets in the way :)
 
e61 said:
Question for those who have used both: What Sony body would be best for left-eye shooters, if I’m looking for something to bridge the gap before an A7IV is released?
Click to expand...
a7riv. Speaking as a left eye shooter that need a new camera.
 
e61 said:
Question for those who have used both: What Sony body would be best for left-eye shooters, if I’m looking for something to bridge the gap before an A7IV is released?

I currently use a Z6 and mostly love it, but Sony has something that Nikon doesn’t: the GM 24 f1.4 and brand-new GM 35 f1.4 primes. Those are my two favorite focal lengths, and I love wide-open environmental portraits. I’m considering switching systems for those two lenses specifically, since Nikon doesn’t have faster wide-angle primes on its roadmap and we still could be months or years away from Sigma and Tamron offering Z-mount lenses. I love the size of the Sony GMs, and frankly find the FTZ with similar-sized F-mount primes unwieldy. I’ve thought about trying the Techart TZE-01 adapter, but if my two favorite lenses are from another system, then it makes sense to just get a body to match, right?

When I tested the A7III, what pushed me toward the Z6 was ergonomics. I’ve also seen several folks mention in this thread that it’s not the best for left-eye shooters relative to Z bodies. I’d been thinking about picking up a used A7III while waiting for an A7IV, which I believe will be much better ergonomically if it’s like the A7RIV. But would an A7C be better specifically for a left-eye shooter? Something else?
Click to expand...
I turned off touch and having my nose and fingers fight for space when using the joystick really bothered me for about a week, then my brain tuned it out.

Unfortunately, it looks like all the A7-type bodies have a joystick close to the EVF.
 
crashwins said:
I'm experimenting with the Z6 and 50 1.8S and while I like the ergonomics and layout, I'm not quite sure about the lens. I think I preferred the Zeiss 55 over the 50 1.8S...something a bit too clinical with the 50 1.8S. Because my photo work is in a Covid lull, I'm trying some other kit out...
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Did you return it to Amazon for a refund yet? 🙄
 
Great to see this topic being discussed ! Now, maybe someone should ask the opposite question and see what the responses are.

With regard to the 'electronic' company(Sony) vs 'camera' company(Nikon), there's some truth to that, but ultimately I suspect that the marketing 'geniuses' have more effect on the product being produced than a company like Nikons ability to draw on past camera expertise and prowess.

I would expect that just only so much of Nikon's past camera building knowledge was able to be 'injected' into the DNA of their mirrorless designs. .

There are probably thousands of decisions and compromises made along the way to produce a camera and how each company works through that is something I find to be a most interesting subject.

Here's to wishing Sony can inherit some of Nikon's 'polish'...

..
bokeh-master said:
pollup said:
bokeh-master said:
#5. Lenses: I felt Z 50 1.8 is sharper than 55ZA (I used to own it), but not by much. Z 24-70 f/4 is phenomenal as kit lens.

But Z lenses are much larger/bulkier/larger filter thread than Sony FE lenses and there is no compact lens like 35 2.8 ZA or 55 1.8 ZA in Nikon world. Not to mention plethora of 3rd party glasses available to Sony.
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^ This is the main thing. Not only are equivalent lenses much bulkier and heavier, the lens AF system is also much worse, I would even say outdated. I mean when their 35mm f1.8 Z focuses slower than their F lens, you know there's a problem.

You can expect bodies from all companies to be improved over the years with better AF systems and ISO performance and so on, but you're not going to see those lenses being replaced with an Mk II any time soon. So, to me it's all about the lenses.
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Note Z6/Z7 are 1st iteration bodies. Remember original A7R? I had it and sold it. AF was terrible, hunted like a cybershot, no IBIS and shutter shock on top of that.

To me, Sony is primarily an electronics company, wonderful sensor, top of the line electronics, superb Zeiss glass but adding all doesn't make a great photographer's camera. Not bashing Sony, but they are trying to be expert in making camera with their expertise with electronics. Whereas, Nikon has knowhow of making camera and lenses but learning/borrowing electronics prowesses.

By the way, I compared Z6 to A73 side by side(Z6 with 35 1.8 z lens and A73 with Batis 40 f/2) in low light. Z6 was able to focus while A73 was not. So, can't say that Nikon's AF is outdated.

But Nikon's eye AF doesn't always work, that I agree. Also AF-C might be weak. I never tested AF-C as I never shoot moving objects.

Again, I am trying to be honest and not bashing any brand. These are my observations. I still have both A73 and Z7 and I am coming from Sony legacy A100>A700>A900>A7R>A73.

I believe what I see and feel, YMMV.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
 
Buy the large mount they said... better smaller lenses they said... I don't see it!

20G vs Z20 - must be an anomaly
20G vs Z20 - must be an anomaly

24mm f1.4 vs. f1.8 - hmmm... may be only the wide angles have this issue
24mm f1.4 vs. f1.8 - hmmm... may be only the wide angles have this issue

35mm f1.4 vs. 35mm f1.8 - now I see a trend developing now
35mm f1.4 vs. 35mm f1.8 - now I see a trend developing now

85mm f1.4 vs 85mm f1,8 - ok I they lied to me :-P
85mm f1.4 vs 85mm f1,8 - ok I they lied to me :-P

The lens that really liked or wanted to like was the Z 14-30mm f4. The sharpness isn't great at f4. It really improves at f5.6, I even though I had a bad copy and took it to Nikon and the rep told me to treat it as a f5.6 zoom with f4 available if I absolutely need it in low light conditions.

Also all the prime lenses focus slower than Sony ones which isn't helped by the slightly subpar AF system. I really like having fast focusing primes simply because I use them indoors to shoot toddler(s) and people.

Its not all bad though, Z7 feels lovely to handle in comparison to any and all Sony e-mount bodies I have shot. in fact Sony is a really rubbish considering they've been at it so long and they still can't sort it out.

At this point if I move it'd be to canon RF especially for that 85mm f1.2 lens. too bad they don't have lenses that'd cover the 35mm or 24mm range. may be one day....

--
Focus on what you have, not on what you don't.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nandbytes/
 
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nandbytes said:
Its not all bad though, Z7 feels lovely to handle in comparison to any and all Sony e-mount bodies I have shot. in fact Sony is a really rubbish considering they've been at it so long and they still can't sort it out.
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Yeah, the company has huge ergonomic and controls blind spots (see: touch in menus as a new feature in 2020 or EVF/joystick placement).

As a leftie I was very close to pulling the trigger on a used Z7, but the lack of Tamron zooms and tiny buffer dissuaded me. If they had opened Z mount from the start I'd be shooting Nikon.
 
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These days all that stuff with different mount openings and "better possible lenses" doesn't really matter. We see 3rd party vendors making awesome and affordable lenses, and they won't make something "exclusively for Z-mount", best you can hope is an adaptation of existing and future lenses to Z-mount. And Nikon, well, fails with compact lenses.
 
nandbytes said:
Buy the large mount they said... better smaller lenses they said... I don't see it!

20G vs Z20 - must be an anomaly
20G vs Z20 - must be an anomaly

24mm f1.4 vs. f1.8 - hmmm... may be only the wide angles have this issue
24mm f1.4 vs. f1.8 - hmmm... may be only the wide angles have this issue

35mm f1.4 vs. 35mm f1.8 - now I see a trend developing now
35mm f1.4 vs. 35mm f1.8 - now I see a trend developing now

85mm f1.4 vs 85mm f1,8 - ok I they lied to me :-P
85mm f1.4 vs 85mm f1,8 - ok I they lied to me :-P

The lens that really liked or wanted to like was the Z 14-30mm f4. The sharpness isn't great at f4. It really improves at f5.6, I even though I had a bad copy and took it to Nikon and the rep told me to treat it as a f5.6 zoom with f4 available if I absolutely need it in low light conditions.

Also all the prime lenses focus slower than Sony ones which isn't helped by the slightly subpar AF system. I really like having fast focusing primes simply because I use them indoors to shoot toddler(s) and people.

Its not all bad though, Z7 feels lovely to handle in comparison to any and all Sony e-mount bodies I have shot. in fact Sony is a really rubbish considering they've been at it so long and they still can't sort it out.

At this point if I move it'd be to canon RF especially for that 85mm f1.2 lens. too bad they don't have lenses that'd cover the 35mm or 24mm range. may be one day....
Click to expand...
True regarding the lens bulk.

Color/WB and flash photography are where Nikon shines. Sony A100, A700, A900, A7R, A73 - none showed better color than Nikon nor the correct flash exposure. I was tired of fixing those in post, now I barely touch color or WB.

I shot A700 side by side with Nikon D300. Same observation, Nikon colors/WB were so much more natural/better than Sonys.

I can compromise on lens bulk if every shot turns out better, YMMV.
 
bokeh-master said:
True regarding the lens bulk.

Color/WB and flash photography are where Nikon shines. Sony A100, A700, A900, A7R, A73 - none showed better color than Nikon nor the correct flash exposure. I was tired of fixing those in post, now I barely touch color or WB.

I shot A700 side by side with Nikon D300. Same observation, Nikon colors/WB were so much more natural/better than Sonys.

I can compromise on lens bulk if every shot turns out better, YMMV.
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I don't have a massive problem with colours tbh. The original A7 were kinda bad but past A7RII I haven't had much issues.

I personally prefer canon colours if we are going for in camera colours. but everything gets processed anyway for me so I won't be saving much time going with any single brand on this front.

Let's say I save 5 seconds per image... that's 20,000 seconds in a year for me which is about 5-6 hours in a year if my mental math is correct. I waste more time than that debating colours on the forums, I'd be better off if I stopped coming on photography forums than changing brand for colours :D

--
Focus on what you have, not on what you don't.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nandbytes/
 
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bokeh-master said:
nandbytes said:
Buy the large mount they said... better smaller lenses they said... I don't see it!

20G vs Z20 - must be an anomaly
20G vs Z20 - must be an anomaly

24mm f1.4 vs. f1.8 - hmmm... may be only the wide angles have this issue
24mm f1.4 vs. f1.8 - hmmm... may be only the wide angles have this issue

35mm f1.4 vs. 35mm f1.8 - now I see a trend developing now
35mm f1.4 vs. 35mm f1.8 - now I see a trend developing now

85mm f1.4 vs 85mm f1,8 - ok I they lied to me :-P
85mm f1.4 vs 85mm f1,8 - ok I they lied to me :-P

The lens that really liked or wanted to like was the Z 14-30mm f4. The sharpness isn't great at f4. It really improves at f5.6, I even though I had a bad copy and took it to Nikon and the rep told me to treat it as a f5.6 zoom with f4 available if I absolutely need it in low light conditions.

Also all the prime lenses focus slower than Sony ones which isn't helped by the slightly subpar AF system. I really like having fast focusing primes simply because I use them indoors to shoot toddler(s) and people.

Its not all bad though, Z7 feels lovely to handle in comparison to any and all Sony e-mount bodies I have shot. in fact Sony is a really rubbish considering they've been at it so long and they still can't sort it out.

At this point if I move it'd be to canon RF especially for that 85mm f1.2 lens. too bad they don't have lenses that'd cover the 35mm or 24mm range. may be one day....
Click to expand...
True regarding the lens bulk.

Color/WB and flash photography are where Nikon shines. Sony A100, A700, A900, A7R, A73 - none showed better color than Nikon nor the correct flash exposure. I was tired of fixing those in post, now I barely touch color or WB.
Click to expand...
wouldn’t you just set up an x-rite profile?
bokeh-master said:
I shot A700 side by side with Nikon D300. Same observation, Nikon colors/WB were so much more natural/better than Sonys.
Click to expand...
I think in the D300 days, Nikon CLS was definitely cream of the crop, these days I think very few people use first part wireless flash systems. I would also say a73 equalled / bested Nikon on color science and that the newer bodies are definitely ahead.
bokeh-master said:
I can compromise on lens bulk if every shot turns out better, YMMV.
Click to expand...
 
bokeh-master said:
True regarding the lens bulk.

Color/WB and flash photography are where Nikon shines. Sony A100, A700, A900, A7R, A73 - none showed better color than Nikon nor the correct flash exposure. I was tired of fixing those in post, now I barely touch color or WB.

I shot A700 side by side with Nikon D300. Same observation, Nikon colors/WB were so much more natural/better than Sonys.

I can compromise on lens bulk if every shot turns out better, YMMV.
Click to expand...
It's really funny to see how these color talks change over time :) Back in the 2010s, D300 was criticized because it's "so-so" color. People were talking about the transition from CCD to CMOS sensor, and how it affected color in a bad way while D200 was considered as a "good color" camera, same as D80 which I owned. The same was with Sony. A700 was a "bad color" camera while a850-a900 was a "good color" one. And I won't even talk about Nikon vs Canon color wars and a lot of talks about "wonderful Canon color" and "bad Nikon color but good AF".

Today, I'd say that all modern cameras are good in this sense. Whether it's Z6, a7-3, EOS R, or something newer, you won't have color issues. It's especially impressive what Sony achieved through the last years. From mediocre a7 to almost perfect color science in a7-3 and newer cameras.
 
BrentSchumer said:
e61 said:
Question for those who have used both: What Sony body would be best for left-eye shooters, if I’m looking for something to bridge the gap before an A7IV is released?

I currently use a Z6 and mostly love it, but Sony has something that Nikon doesn’t: the GM 24 f1.4 and brand-new GM 35 f1.4 primes. Those are my two favorite focal lengths, and I love wide-open environmental portraits. I’m considering switching systems for those two lenses specifically, since Nikon doesn’t have faster wide-angle primes on its roadmap and we still could be months or years away from Sigma and Tamron offering Z-mount lenses. I love the size of the Sony GMs, and frankly find the FTZ with similar-sized F-mount primes unwieldy. I’ve thought about trying the Techart TZE-01 adapter, but if my two favorite lenses are from another system, then it makes sense to just get a body to match, right?

When I tested the A7III, what pushed me toward the Z6 was ergonomics. I’ve also seen several folks mention in this thread that it’s not the best for left-eye shooters relative to Z bodies. I’d been thinking about picking up a used A7III while waiting for an A7IV, which I believe will be much better ergonomically if it’s like the A7RIV. But would an A7C be better specifically for a left-eye shooter? Something else?
Click to expand...
I turned off touch and having my nose and fingers fight for space when using the joystick really bothered me for about a week, then my brain tuned it out.

Unfortunately, it looks like all the A7-type bodies have a joystick close to the EVF.
Click to expand...
sony real-time af made the joystick obsolete for shooting stills.
 
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