Well I'm back, needing more answers.

I've sent two groups of my Nikon F mount gear to KEH, I've yet to hear the total on the last group, should be Monday.

What I'm asking is I'm looking at a used Z6 or Z6 II, w/24 70 F4 lens. What is the biggest diff. between them? if its just the video on the 6II, not interested! one card slot doesn't bother me a bit,I just like the hobby of photography, 30 plus years.

Both cameras have low shutter count, and I'm fine with that. And good used works fine also.

I won't be doing anything along the line of pro work. I hope some one will give me your experience with either camera. Now I've been looking at you tubes till I'm blue in the face just your personal experience.

I shoot BMX racing and H S soccer, thats the fastest sports I do, very little wildlife, and i go to local zoo. The photo is from yesterday shooting my D2X, for the last time, I'll put it up for sale soon to KEH. I do 'street fests" and just shooting to have fun, barns and outdoor things.

For a number of years ago, a fella from Arizona, has been a great help in my quest to have better equipment or get the most out of it. I hope he finds this and gives his thoughts.

I feel either camera will have as good and fast focus as my departed D800E, and D610.

Will be looking over next few days to see your thoughts between the two cameras.

"dog house riley"

I'd have held onto your gear as you transitioned as ML has quite a learning curve.

I think the Wide (L People) AF mode is worth it for the II alone. In hand the II's are more responsive, but not everyone needs that. As a Z7II owner since release, who transitioned form a D500/D750, I find them both under-baked. Especially when you hear people rave about the Z8/Z9's abilities. This might be very helpful to you:

https://photographylife.com/comparison/nikon-z6-vs-z6-ii

Once the second and third rounds of Z8's starts shipping, the used market of Z6II/Z7II's should increase. I'd be hesitant to buy anything (other than a Z8/Z9) right now.

--
SkyRunR
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
TIPS: Be kind, RT#M, use gear not signature, limit/shorten replies with quotes!
'The first casualty, when war comes, is truth' - Hiram Johnson (1866-1945)

Here is a comparison between these two cameras. See for yourself what appeals to you. I like that Z6 II has dual slots and dual processors.

I love my Z6 and have no need for two slots or anything else the II offers. That said, long ago I shot sports with manual focus film cameras, including TLRs, so my AF standards are pretty low. Most people, however, would insist on better AF for sports than the Z6 offers. That's just not its strong point, though very good work has still been done with it. I just can't afford things like Z8 and Z9.

dog house riley said:

I've sent two groups of my Nikon F mount gear to KEH, I've yet to hear the total on the last group, should be Monday.

What I'm asking is I'm looking at a used Z6 or Z6 II, w/24 70 F4 lens. What is the biggest diff. between them? if its just the video on the 6II, not interested! one card slot doesn't bother me a bit,I just like the hobby of photography, 30 plus years.

Both cameras have low shutter count, and I'm fine with that. And good used works fine also.

I won't be doing anything along the line of pro work. I hope some one will give me your experience with either camera. Now I've been looking at you tubes till I'm blue in the face just your personal experience.

I shoot BMX racing and H S soccer, thats the fastest sports I do, very little wildlife, and i go to local zoo. The photo is from yesterday shooting my D2X, for the last time, I'll put it up for sale soon to KEH. I do 'street fests" and just shooting to have fun, barns and outdoor things.

For a number of years ago, a fella from Arizona, has been a great help in my quest to have better equipment or get the most out of it. I hope he finds this and gives his thoughts.

I feel either camera will have as good and fast focus as my departed D800E, and D610.

Will be looking over next few days to see your thoughts between the two cameras.

"dog house riley"

Click to expand...

My gut feeling is that the next cameras Nikon will come out with will be the Mark III versions of the Z6 and Z7. So, unless you know you won't be tempted by the newest version of these cameras, I would go with a used Z6 at this point.

The major differences between the cameras are the dual card slots (important for pros), additional processor (so faster) and improved AF system on the Z6IIs. I have the original Z6 and have no issues getting good results, although it does take a bit of time to master the Z AF system (much different than Nikon's F mount cameras). Nikon has been discounting the Z6II and Z7II quite a bit, which leads me to believe new versions of coming. Buying a first generation camera will allow you to learn the Z AF system while not breaking the bank, and then, if you are tempted by the new versions, buying the latest and greatest won't be as big a financial hit. To me, it makes sense to go from a Mark 1 to Mark III at this point.

--

If the price difference is small, I’d go for the Z6ii. There’s not a huge difference in performance in the real world, but perhaps just enough - along with a couple other features - to justify a little extra cost. If it’s a major price difference, I’d probably go for the Z6 unless you plan to shoot significantly more sports and fast moving subjects than other situations.

skyrunr said:

I'd have held onto your gear as you transitioned as ML has quite a learning curve.

Click to expand...

They sold their old gear to get the new stuff. that isn't most likely an option. The learning curve is not that bad as you suggest. It differs for different people. For me it was fine.

skyrunr said:

I think the Wide (L People) AF mode is worth it for the II alone. In hand the II's are more responsive, but not everyone needs that. As a Z7II owner since release, who transitioned form a D500/D750, I find them both under-baked. Especially when you hear people rave about the Z8/Z9's abilities. This might be very helpful to you:

https://photographylife.com/comparison/nikon-z6-vs-z6-ii

Once the second and third rounds of Z8's starts shipping, the used market of Z6II/Z7II's should increase. I'd be hesitant to buy anything (other than a Z8/Z9) right now.

Click to expand...

I upgraded Z7 to Z7ii on release and then also bought a Z6ii later. This may seem fairly minor but I wanted the extended shutter times as I do night photography and Star tracking. I often use one to two minute exposures. It was worth it for me, and also being able to combine long exposures with the internal intervalometer was handy. I am likely not a common user example.

More in the everyday world I did find that the EVF felt more responsive but I traded up and never used the two models side by side.



I do backup storage on the second card for jpg. I’ve never had to use the backups but I do feel a little better knowing they are there.



just my personal views. With lenses sometimes older is better or more to your taste. Here there is no reason aside from possible economics to buy an older model. None. There is nothing the older models do better.

Fullframer said:

skyrunr said:

I'd have held onto your gear as you transitioned as ML has quite a learning curve.

Click to expand...

They sold their old gear to get the new stuff. that isn't most likely an option. The learning curve is not that bad as you suggest. It differs for different people. For me it was fine.

Fullframer said:

I think the Wide (L People) AF mode is worth it for the II alone. In hand the II's are more responsive, but not everyone needs that. As a Z7II owner since release, who transitioned form a D500/D750, I find them both under-baked. Especially when you hear people rave about the Z8/Z9's abilities. This might be very helpful to you:

https://photographylife.com/comparison/nikon-z6-vs-z6-ii

Once the second and third rounds of Z8's starts shipping, the used market of Z6II/Z7II's should increase. I'd be hesitant to buy anything (other than a Z8/Z9) right now.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I know, but that is still my advice for others transitioning. Maybe my being more technical than most actually made my transition more difficult. Just going from a pro layout to the Z body was a challenge. I had tried the D780 after the Z50 and Z6II, and it was like "going home." All I had to do was set Fn1 to spot metering and I was ready to go. I spent hours customizing the Z's, and never really got them how I wanted.

There are LOTS of LITTLE things like:

• No AF-Area lock
• No BKT button
• The AF pod is gone
• No 1/3 grid
• Going from banks to user modes that don't save all settings
• 13+ AF modes on the II's down
• Flicker control
• Customizing the "i" menu
• Somewhat limited button remapping
• The ins and outs of subject tracking

I'm certainly not the only one with this view here. I still want a more pro layout body, but smaller than the a D500/Z8. I don't think the Z6III will be it either, but I'll likely buy it anyway. LOL

--
SkyRunR
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
TIPS: Be kind, RT#M, use gear not signature, limit/shorten replies with quotes!
'The first casualty, when war comes, is truth' - Hiram Johnson (1866-1945)

I also would recommend keeping some of your dslr equipment. You might be disappointed if you are really comfortable with the speed and response of dslr's. Mirrorless does not have this same attribute. It is ok and you can probably adapt to it with patience. I love my Z camera and use it for most everything except when the game of the day is fast moving and making sure I catch the right moments is really important to me or someone else, then my DSLR comes out to remove any doubt. I am for sure glad I did not get rid of my dslr's.

skyrunr said:

Fullframer said:

skyrunr said:

I'd have held onto your gear as you transitioned as ML has quite a learning curve.

Click to expand...

They sold their old gear to get the new stuff. that isn't most likely an option. The learning curve is not that bad as you suggest. It differs for different people. For me it was fine.

skyrunr said:

I think the Wide (L People) AF mode is worth it for the II alone. In hand the II's are more responsive, but not everyone needs that. As a Z7II owner since release, who transitioned form a D500/D750, I find them both under-baked. Especially when you hear people rave about the Z8/Z9's abilities. This might be very helpful to you:

https://photographylife.com/comparison/nikon-z6-vs-z6-ii

Once the second and third rounds of Z8's starts shipping, the used market of Z6II/Z7II's should increase. I'd be hesitant to buy anything (other than a Z8/Z9) right now.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I know, but that is still my advice for others transitioning. Maybe my being more technical than most actually made my transition more difficult. Just going from a pro layout to the Z body was a challenge. I had tried the D780 after the Z50 and Z6II, and it was like "going home." All I had to do was set Fn1 to spot metering and I was ready to go. I spent hours customizing the Z's, and never really got them how I wanted.

There are LOTS of LITTLE things like:

• No AF-Area lock
• No BKT button
• The AF pod is gone
• No 1/3 grid
• Going from banks to user modes that don't save all settings
• 13+ AF modes on the II's down
• Flicker control
• Customizing the "i" menu
• Somewhat limited button remapping
• The ins and outs of subject tracking

I'm certainly not the only one with this view here. I still want a more pro layout body, but smaller than the a D500/Z8. I don't think the Z6III will be it either, but I'll likely buy it anyway. LOL

Click to expand...

True.. I went from D5 to the Z9, flagship to flagship's body, so it was closer of an experience for me. Z9 has all the extra buttons/size etc. There are a few things I come across where I knew where they were exactly on the D5.

The only real difference that will affect you between the two bodies is the card slots, with the Z6II you will be able to use your existing SD cards if you have any, you will have to buy CFExpress cards for a Z6.

I don't really know much about the Z6, but I think Thom Hogan said the II versions were basically better for moving subjects. And I've long hear the Z6 was better at video than the Z7, I assume because of the (lower) resolution.

After going D800e, D810, D850, Z9, I would suggest you take a hard look at a Z7/Z7ii, for the extra pixels. I think the body size and weight is the same, but 45mp instead of 24.

More pixels means more cropping ability, which translates in your case to lighter lens loads.

Nikon 45mp sensors are gorgeous at base ISO and amazingly detailed. And the Z7 lenses are clearly better (thus even more crop-able).

I'm getting used to my Z9, now with firmware 4. Each new major firmware release makes it a new camera in some ways. Too bad Nikon hasn't been doing much with the Z6 or Z7 lately. Not sure where they are going there, but since the Z8 is in production, hopefully Z6ii and Z7iii soon. Which will drive down prices on the older models.

Given "I shoot BMX racing and H S soccer, that's the fastest sports I do" - you would be better off with the Z6ii. But when buying older tech it is all about condition and price.

Personally I would go fgor the 24-120/4 rather than the 24-70/4

See various comparisons - Photographylife AND DP Reviews own review

--
areallygrumpyoldsod
Nikon and Hasselblad shooter -- wildlife and and -- https://www.andymillerphoto.co.uk/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajm057/

If there is not a big price difference I would go for the Z6ii over the older Z6. I would not expect any firmware upgrades of any significance so make sure you like the camera. I think you will find it very similar in capability to the D610. The sensor to both cameras you are looking at are a modernized D600 sensor. So a similar “look” and post processing treatment. All of which may be why you are looking at the two cameras

If I already had the Z6 I would have been reluctant to move to the Z6ii for my photography. The extra features were not enough for me. But starting from scratch the AF improvements are enough to recommend it over the Z6. Kids riding bikes and soccer enough to suggest it.
The 24-70/4 is a great lens but if you are buying new get the 24-120/4. I haven’t upgraded but I can digitally zoom to 105ish mm with the Z7 without much a hit in pixels on subject (compared to Z6, D600 and the like. There are other issues like noise). So the extra zoom of that lens in the 70-120 range may be useful

Fullframer said:

skyrunr said:

I'd have held onto your gear as you transitioned as ML has quite a learning curve.

Click to expand...

They sold their old gear to get the new stuff. that isn't most likely an option. The learning curve is not that bad as you suggest. It differs for different people. For me it was fine.

Fullframer said:

I think the Wide (L People) AF mode is worth it for the II alone. In hand the II's are more responsive, but not everyone needs that. As a Z7II owner since release, who transitioned form a D500/D750, I find them both under-baked. Especially when you hear people rave about the Z8/Z9's abilities. This might be very helpful to you:

https://photographylife.com/comparison/nikon-z6-vs-z6-ii

Once the second and third rounds of Z8's starts shipping, the used market of Z6II/Z7II's should increase. I'd be hesitant to buy anything (other than a Z8/Z9) right now.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I'd say learning curve for mirrorless is easier as you can see the exact exposure before taking the picture.

jjz2 said:

Fullframer said:

skyrunr said:

I'd have held onto your gear as you transitioned as ML has quite a learning curve.

Click to expand...

They sold their old gear to get the new stuff. that isn't most likely an option. The learning curve is not that bad as you suggest. It differs for different people. For me it was fine.

jjz2 said:

I think the Wide (L People) AF mode is worth it for the II alone. In hand the II's are more responsive, but not everyone needs that. As a Z7II owner since release, who transitioned form a D500/D750, I find them both under-baked. Especially when you hear people rave about the Z8/Z9's abilities. This might be very helpful to you:

https://photographylife.com/comparison/nikon-z6-vs-z6-ii

Once the second and third rounds of Z8's starts shipping, the used market of Z6II/Z7II's should increase. I'd be hesitant to buy anything (other than a Z8/Z9) right now.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I'd say learning curve for mirrorless is easier as you can see the exact exposure before taking the picture.

Click to expand...

Yeah, that is a big bonus now. DSLR, starting with D90 you could do that if you did live view, but the autofocus stunk on that, esp lower indoor light.

jjz2 said:

I'd say learning curve for mirrorless is easier as you can see the exact exposure before taking the picture.

Click to expand...

That is a great benefit and more of a safety net. Image review did the same thing, and I no longer use image review. That is due to the annoying flicker and delay it causes. I find that kind of freeing, and because of WYSIWYG I chimp less. For better or for worse though. You can't always trust the AF overlays unless you own a Z8/Z9.

Here I slipping into a few more quirks... LOL

• There are times when you should disable exposure preview
• Flash doesn't work if EFCS/Silent are enabled
• Green focus assist is not as effective as infrared on a DSLR
  • Most flashes have IR assist
• Your sensor is more likely to get dirty changing lenses
• Vertical lines (blinds, siding, clothing) can throw AF off
• Studio lighting needs to be a bit brighter compared to DSLR's

skyrunr said:

You can't always trust the AF overlays unless you own a Z8/Z9.

Click to expand...

I noticed the other day that even with the Z8 you can't always trust the autofocus box overlay (I'm sure this is occasionally true for almost any camera, though my R5 experience was pretty incredible autofocus-wise).

My wife was sitting at the kitchen table and I was sitting in another chair at the table with the Z8 and Z glass, so I snapped a few shots of her at roughly a 3/4 view. Well-lit, nice and close with just her head and shoulders taking up the majority of the frame, no movement from either of us, AF-C and the eye detection locked right on...or so it seemed. When I checked the photos in Lightroom, the majority of them locked onto her eyebrow, almost none actually catching her eyeball.

It was disappointing and, frankly, surprising. It hit a little too close to my Z6 experiences over the past few years, but I'll continue testing to see if it was a fluke. Overall, I'm loving the camera.

cosmicnode said:

The only real difference that will affect you between the two bodies is the card slots, with the Z6II you will be able to use your existing SD cards if you have any, you will have to buy CFExpress cards for a Z6.

Click to expand...

XQD cards work too. A lot of us have some old XQD cards lying around.