Nikon Z9 - quick thoughts and In UK + Europe availability is trickling through

Ordered Z9 UK from London Camera Exchange Mid November and got one through today - spoked to manager who said that they receiving couple of Z9's centrally before redistributing to next person on the pre-order list. but he did say the rate of flow of Z9's to UK and their branches are now picking up / increasing (however did say that it is a big pre-order list )

My pre'order on London Camera exchange was about 2.5 weeks after release announcement with sad trade in of old Z cameras (Z6 II, etc) and Sony APS ML camera + lenses -> going over to Nikon now.

Love the lighter weight of Z50 and Z7 still - and reckon Nikon this year will pack in a good AF update (algorithms and better use of dual processor) to MK 2 of Z6 & Z7, along with I think end of the year release of G3 of Z6 (may be 32 mp) and Z7/Z8 60 mp with tech derived from the Z9 + expeed 7 processor.

In my hand without lens attached, to me the weight of Z9 in hand is same with a D800 + MB-D12 battery grip - used to own D850 + MB-D<grip> before selling it for Z6 & Z7.

Now I'm happy to still own the D800 (Great still camera), a Z50, Z7 (sold Z6's for Z9) and the pro Z9

Camera seems positive and responsive; bit of sausage fingers sometimes with the buttons (playback / delete) being in different places than the D800,Z50 & Z7.

Love the Inbuilt Network, GPS, AF modes selection of modes seem very good and quite responsive, 4k & 8K Video small samples I tried seem good and the night light lit button option.

Think this will be my final camera and taking long term view to add new Z lenses once my older F lenses break down like 105 AFS Macro, 80-400, etc.

Manage to now own a few Z's lenses now 24-70/120, 70-200 & couple of Z small primes

Without being flamed down by Fanboys and Fangirls there are aspects of Z9 that wish could be better like still having option for cooked Mraw and cooked Sraw, Canon R5 / R3 flywheel selection wheel (not keen on the small D-pad and OK ) and curve body like Canon R3 - apart from that very Happy.

Good to hear that more are trickling through in the UK now. I have a late November order (albeit not with LCE), so perhaps my best case expectation for a spring delivery might not be too far off the mark. I've got the 50 1.8 that I ordered a month ago arriving tomorrow and really need to get on the backorder list for a 24-70 2.8.

The Z9 that I received in UK today had initial firmware 1.0

Make sure you format the Memory card first, add the 1.11 Bin and found that having no card 2nd in the camera and lens made the update go through ok.

Also the camera checks to make sure battery has enough charge to start the update - charged battery to 100%

With having a 2nd memory card and lens attach made the firmware update stop at 10%.

The Firmware 1.11 is large at 86mb and took 7 nervous minutes to complete and now camera is at F/ware 1.11

The LCE branch I ordered from told me just over two weeks ago that I was now number one in their list. On the one hand I don't know if they were just saying that to give me hope or it was true, but maybe what youve said means I will get some good news soon.

It seems that UK dealers have their own priority list and it is not transparent; so you can't be sure where you are in the queue!

You can order directly with Nikon UK - it seems more straight forward. It is first come first serve and they said 1-3 weeks estimated time.

The branch told me I was no one last wednesday and camera came about 5 days later on Monday AM and received it yesterday by LCE Derby - DPD Postal service - I wasn't around on Tuesday to receive camera but for some reason (can't remember why I initiated the email )

It's a good camera for sure based on few test shots (inside - no flash and outside few snaps) will be gradually opening up the use of it from this weekend onwards.

For Z6 (when I had it) and Z7 brought 2 x Integral 128GB CFexpress Memory Card - Professional (up to 4 K 60 fps) and 1 x Integral 128GB CFexpress Memory Card Type B 2.0 8K RAW.

These cards don't appear on Nikon's approved card list nor can't see them being tested as being 100% compatible with Professional reviewers like Matt Grange - so for high 4k - 8K video and fast continuous shooting / commercial / paid shots it is wise to only use the cards on the Nikon / MG list.

Think I read punters are happy with 'ANGELBIRD AV PRO CFexpress' cards and the prograde cobalt cfexpress card type b cards. Mixed reviews I saw (yesterday) of punters using the Integral cards with R5 and D850

Further F/ware updates from Nikon may improve the reliability with non approved cards ?.

Quick test of Burst up to 12 FPS 45 MP ( set it to CH limit & 60 shots) found camera okay with the Integral Professional Cards - 60 shots test but doing on Integral Cinema version of the Card (500 m/bs sub stained) found camera didn't like this card at all.

Didn't like doing f/ware update (stopped at 1 bar) and freezing in and out on continuous long bursts as well - reset option didn't settle issue.

Viewing my Z9 & other Z's as long term keeps and will be gradually adding better glass along with investment in approved and faster Memory cards for the Z9.

Yep I know it's a village idiot problem of ordering a Ferrari Z9 and pairing it with Happy Shopper Tyres / in my case memory cards but the features that Z9 pack in and the unbelievable price that Nikon sold it for (compared to R3 and A1) was an opportunity not to be missed.

Good point - they are a good supplier and quite efficient in getting Nikon Z's to the punters around 2-3 working days, however ordered before Brexcit and was a couple of Z lenses and a Z6 II.

Z6 II / Z6 is superb camera for sure but dumped it when Z9 and the ludicous low price of Z9 was announce - it was a pre-order for me day 1 from Park Cameras but I ordered 2nd one from London Camera Exchange 2 weeks after release date when I traded old photo equipment including Z6's.

I received the Camera first from London Camera Exchange yesterday and good news for waiting punters - I cancelled my other pre-order from Park Cameras so hopefully some one will get a Z9 shortly.

I was only in market for 1 x Z9 but preordered from 2 to try to get a Z9 quicker / not as long.

Doing some quick snap shots - camera is very good but learning from my mistakes - for Zippy shots / high video work a faster CFE card is needed and one from the approved Memory card list (Nikon and also Matt Granger tested out suitable cards for fast work).

Here is MG's video on good CFE cards to use with Z9 for Fast work & High video


and plenty of good reviews / testing of Z9 on his Youtube Channel ' search by matt granger z9'

Nikon Z9 fits like a glove and isn't too heavy / bulky - slightly lighter than D850 but this baby is featured pack with excellent image rendering, improved Video - 10-bit 4K up 60 fps crispy and detailed indeed, love the AF modes, Scene Recognition and my favourite 2 features GPS tagging and huge battery life (even with B EN-EL18 Battery) - especially if you compare it with low - mid APS and FF cameras, Z6/Z7 (probably applies to R5/R6 as well).

The Integral Professional Memory cards worked fine using CH at 12 FPS and up to 60 shots and video up to 10 Bit 4K 60 FPS was recorded to the card without issue.

Going above 12 FPS and 4K 60 FPS likely require a faster card with sustainable write speed > 1000 mb/s, e.g., Angelbird, etc. Matt Grange has done a video on good cards to use for full bean / all on table action.

It’s mid October and I ordered a Z9 from Wex in mid May: still nothing, though they sent the FTZ II adapter which was part of the deal straight away and separate to the order. Contacted Wex today who said it was normal wait time.
So I’ve ordered one off Nikon which could arrive within a week. Really disappointed with Wex who seem to have pushed me down a list.

someone on twitter indicated Jessops supplied after 5 months wait.



Looking forward to Z9, I have a Z6II which is very impressive however the low light AF is atrocious. Will the Z9 be similar?

I ordered the 2nd Feb and they offered me the camera yesterday, alas I had already got one. But have a feeling that pre orders are now being fulfilled pretty quickly.

Here in Italy it looks like dealers have been getting a couple (literally two) at a time for the last month or so. They've been putting them onto the websites so the backorders must be filled.

JamieGrayPhoto said:

Looking forward to Z9, I have a Z6II which is very impressive however the low light AF is atrocious. Will the Z9 be similar?

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The AF of my Z6 is quite adequate, even in low light - I certainly don't find it to be "atrocious". Having said that, My Z9 is rather better in similar conditions.

I'm doing low light drinks reception type photo's and its embarrassing waiting for the thing to lock on. The D cameras just grabbed within millisecs. The obvious reason for this is the AF infrared help from the flash is obsolete on the mirrorless cameras so the Speedlights are no help whatsoever. There's a lot of hunting going on and I have subjects stood in front of me smiling patiently while the lens goes into a long hunting manoeuvre. I now have the Z9, its a lot better but really needs that red AF beam from Speedlight to help it. I have a Godox flash head with built in focus assist lamp now so hopefully that helps but appreciate its a lot harsher for those stood in front of the camera. A lot of compromises have been made along the Z route and I don't think its quite there yet.

I their weekly round up Beckie from Greys of Westminster stated that they expect to clear their pre-order list soon and that wait times might be down to a few weeks soon as well.

Try london Camera Exchange - they got me my Z9 within 6 Weeks (back in Feb 2022) and at that time were getting good supplies of Z9 in -

Not sure whether their latest ad is true "100+ working days" - bit of a %^%^%^ to wait 3+ months