Why are we unhappy?

I've seen a bizarre amount of "Nikon sucks, here's why" posts lately, and I'm trying to understand why.

The Z6iii I understand a lot of people want... an update to the DX line is something people want... *insert name of lens Nikon hasn't made yet here* is something people want...

We seem to have a lot of infrequent or first time posters wishing the Z8 costs more for everyone because it isn't a Z9, but should be apparently??? Or that Nikon's layout(s) are too inconsistent and everyone regardless of skill level or needs should have the exact same buttons and UI, because pros will love that and if they don't they should feel bad??

Did I miss anything? Of course this is crass and sarcastic, but what is the real reason we're unhappy? Is it really that Nikon somehow can't figure out how to make anything anyone wants, or is it that we're not going out and taking photos? I completely understand wanting a tool that makes our hobbies or work easier for us, but are we that far off from having an easy go of things?

All I'm asking, is it really that our gear is stopping us from taking photos?

It is a fact, that Nikon is the only key market player that does not have a modern 2000$ camera.

The Z6 II is good, but in some aspects outdated. Same for the entry segment.

As this is probably the most sold segment in terms of quantity it is actually a bit sad. I guess it is because they do not want to compromise Z8 and ZF sales.

It is amazing the petty stuff people will complain about. Now product will come out that is amazing and the people who were complaining about the wait now refuse to buy it because the lenses are ugly or the tilt screen doesn't suit them or the 2nd card slot is not to their standard.

I mean, I get that people want to buy the perfect for-them camera, but that never exists. Just adapt and enjoy what is good about stuff.

I'm not sure what you're referring to. After reading this forum for the last few months, I've learned that the answers to all of life's problems can now be found in the Z8 and/or Zf. :-D lol

I think your question and post consists of an over-generalization and is therefore somewhat wrong. It's not that "we" as Z forum members are unhappy; I'm most certainly happy with my Z7 and some lenses. There might be a few others in a more silent group here who are not feeling that unhappy about Nikon Z either; for example, look at the image-posting threads to see some of them.

I see it rather that the unhappy members are the most outspoken ones on this forum, thus creating the undertone of negativity, discontent, and unhappiness. Though I doubt that the most outspoken ones are actually a majority. I tend to ignore their posts as they don't add much value for me.

mgreene33 said:

I'm not sure what you're referring to. After reading this forum for the last few months, I've learned that the answers to all of life's problems can now be found in the Z8 and/or Zf. :-D lol

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Unhappy?

Not me. I am perfectly happy with my current Nikon lineup.

My D850 is a real workhorse that still gets a lot of use, mostly in the hands of a photographer that I hire to help out at events, but still, it produces great images.

My Z6 and Z6II are also getting regular use, They both exell in poorly lit arenas. I see no need for an update to these for what I use them for.

And then there is my Z9. As far as I can tell, this may be the last camera I will ever need. Something pretty increadible is going to have to be offered to get me to take my wallet out.

Maybe Nikon is neglecting the low and midrange lines, but Nikon is not a giant like Cannon or Sony. Putting their efforts into the Pro market first gets the product out in the eye of the public. That is a good place to be before comitting to lower profit margin consumer products.

I see a lot of hobbists and parents with consurer gear at the events I cover. These people buy what they perceive as the cameras that the pros choose and face it. If there are 25 professional photographers working an event and half or more are shooting Canon or Sony, the public doesn't even notice the Nikons among all of the higly visible white lens club members. Get Nikons into the hands of pros and consumer sales will be more likely to follow.

I have said for years that regardless of the product they sell, what Canon does better than Nikon is marketing.

Too many people went to the Eeyeore School of Photography.

Welcome to the internet. For all the good it has provided, it's given a megaphone to anyone who wishes to complain about anything. It somehow gives legitimacy to opinions that would otherwise have no audience, ultimately resulting in the "free, perfect and now" expectations that permeate the medium.

No complaints with my Z6 kit...and happily waiting if a z6iii comes out...

Because:
I want better AF and track and IBIS and Z8-like options in a lightweight body

I want it in a PRO DX body in the 3000-3200$ range
Dx 36mp, IBIS, 5" detachable 1500nits monitor, optional and removable EVF.

500Gr for a revolutionary Z4

Expeed 8 will be gratefully accepted, but not mandatory.

.

Instead,
I have to buy a cheap ugly duck that is an FX heavy ugly duck.

( Money may not be an issue - availability of it may be an issue )

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Mid of French/Italian Alps - Hardiness Zone 8A
I Love all Carnivores, I have mostly Red Dioneas.
https://eu.zonerama.com/AlainCH2/1191151

Nobody hates nikon like nikon users. And the usual drive by "Sony/canon af is better" posting.

Shooting more solves most problems. I wish I could, but real life and weather is stopping me right now.

Unhappy? Nah… Why? Who cares… Who is “we”?


D7100 + 18–140

Why do people like to say “we”? It’s like saying everyone on DPReview thinks and feels exactly the same as the person who is speaking.



“I” couldn't be happier with what I have. Ok, I would like nuclear power cells that last forever but other than that….

ghostfox_1 said:

Nobody hates nikon like nikon users. And the usual drive by "Sony/canon af is better" posting.

Shooting more solves most problems. I wish I could, but real life and weather is stopping me right now.

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That's because only Nikon users have to actually use Nikon cameras.

john isaacs said:

1. john isaacs wrote:

That's because only Nikon users have to actually use Nikon cameras.

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With the exception of my Yashica A, I only use Nikon camera's. I am happy, and I believe that Nikon is the best camera and lens manufacturer overall.

The question "why are we unhappy" is one that goes beyond the brand and its products, and centers upon the vapid one-upmanship rat race that is the current reality of the digital camera marketplace.

But for me it goes deeper than that. I am primarily a film photographer. I don't get the same joy and satisfaction out of shooting digital. I don't create as many keepers with it either.

My Nikon film camera's are more of a joy to use, giving me a more tactile experience. They range from an F2 to a F90x, with an FM and FG in between. They all have an equal place, but for different tasks and assignments.

My Nikon D2x is currently my favorite and most used digital camera despite the fact that my D300s is smaller, lighter, and is far easier to use, let alone less discerning of the quality of lens used on it.

Most of you would probably pick the D300s every time, but not me. Why, because the challenge of using my D2x makes it more fulfillng to use, and its greater resolution and color accuracy makes it more fulfilling when I get it right.

I could care less about the technical superiorities of modern cameras because they hold no particular relevance for me.

I laugh when I see people get upset over the lack of mostly trivial features. Better autofocus? 9 out of 10 of my lenses are vintage manual focus Nikkors. Better dynamic range and highlight handling? I am a life-long slide film shooter.

And the you have the performance differences at high ISO's, which is made mostly redundent with todays noise reduction software.

And none of this stuff matters whatsoever when one is out blissfully shooting with a vintage manual film camera. Try it, and you too may be happy.

LTheWafflePWN said:

I've seen a bizarre amount of "Nikon sucks, here's why" posts lately, and I'm trying to understand why.

All I'm asking, is it really that our gear is stopping us from taking photos?

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I am not " unhappy", actually I am very happy with the current collection of gears I have, but a high end D500 mirrorless equivalent kind of camera and a GPS in the Z8 will just make me feel even happier because I do use GPS a lot and I can take advantage of the DX crop factor when shooting wild animal and airshows, in the mean while, I am having a lot of fun with my Z9 and bunch of other Canon Sony stuffs.

No, my gear doesn't stop me from taking picture, but the " better" gears will encourage me to go out more and take even more pictures.

By the way, what else are we going to talk about in the gear forum without talking about gears??? if someone is annoyed about all the gear talk, maybe he/she should just stop coming here?

Like others, I don't buy your use of "we". I'm very happy with my gear. I did a large shoot just the other day and came home thinking, wow, the ease with which I can get great results today is so far past what I could do ten years ago. What's not to like?

This forum seems heavily represented by users who measure satisfaction with their gear primarily in how it compares to those with gear from other manufacturers and principally in terms of technical specifications, regardless of the overall performance of the camera. For example, how can one be happy with a camera that can shoot fantastic high res raw at 20fps knowing that a Sony shooter can shoot at 30fps? It's some kind of competitive or insecurity thing.

LTheWafflePWN said:

I've seen a bizarre amount of "Nikon sucks, here's why" posts lately, and I'm trying to understand why.

The Z6iii I understand a lot of people want... an update to the DX line is something people want... *insert name of lens Nikon hasn't made yet here* is something people want...

We seem to have a lot of infrequent or first time posters wishing the Z8 costs more for everyone because it isn't a Z9, but should be apparently??? Or that Nikon's layout(s) are too inconsistent and everyone regardless of skill level or needs should have the exact same buttons and UI, because pros will love that and if they don't they should feel bad??

Did I miss anything? Of course this is crass and sarcastic, but what is the real reason we're unhappy? Is it really that Nikon somehow can't figure out how to make anything anyone wants, or is it that we're not going out and taking photos? I completely understand wanting a tool that makes our hobbies or work easier for us, but are we that far off from having an easy go of things?

All I'm asking, is it really that our gear is stopping us from taking photos?

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It's a gearhead forum. Same as any gearhead forum dedicated to anything else. Doesn't matter if it's 4x4, skiing, climbing, ultralight backpacking, or cycling.

Love my Nikon gear. The z 9 is everything I could want in a camera, and when I need to go smaller the z 6II more than fits the bill for me.

I've never been a huge fan of mid-range zooms; I always felt they were kind of "meh." But the 24-70 f/2.8 S has completely changed my mind. Absolutely brilliant lens. And the rest of the S-series lenses I have are absolutely fantastic.

As a Nikon shooter for well over 20 years, I couldn't be happier with the gear I have right now.

LTheWafflePWN said:

I've seen a bizarre amount of "Nikon sucks, here's why" posts lately, and I'm trying to understand why.

The Z6iii I understand a lot of people want... an update to the DX line is something people want... *insert name of lens Nikon hasn't made yet here* is something people want...

We seem to have a lot of infrequent or first time posters wishing the Z8 costs more for everyone because it isn't a Z9, but should be apparently??? Or that Nikon's layout(s) are too inconsistent and everyone regardless of skill level or needs should have the exact same buttons and UI, because pros will love that and if they don't they should feel bad??

Did I miss anything? Of course this is crass and sarcastic, but what is the real reason we're unhappy? Is it really that Nikon somehow can't figure out how to make anything anyone wants, or is it that we're not going out and taking photos? I completely understand wanting a tool that makes our hobbies or work easier for us, but are we that far off from having an easy go of things?

All I'm asking, is it really that our gear is stopping us from taking photos?

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Simply put, I think we are looking for perfection, and when we don't have it, we are unhappy and we think what we have is bad.

For example, Some are perhaps unhappy because they felt they were perhaps mislead into thinking something was better (ex. the Z6 vs Z6 II) when in fact, it wasn't as big of a deal as Nikon made it sound. Or even just switching from DSLRs to ML. Nikon made it sound like the ML cameras were better than the DSLRs in every way, which is not necessarily true.

Personally I don't look that closely into these things (how does the Z system stack up against the competition in terms of AF, or video, or lenses, etc). I don't shoot professionally and that may be part of the reason why I don't, and perhaps someone who does, may be missing a critical feature or spec they need.

But basically I think we feel our brand is inferior if it doesn't perform to OUR expectations, even if the paper specs and real world tests suggest otherwise.

As for the whole Z8 and Z9 think, people just need to realize if you're complaining about the Z8 not being as fast or durable as the Z9, you also didn't pay the extra $1500. If you need the features or speed of the Z9, get a Z9. If you don't and can live with the drawbacks/limitations, save some money and get the Z8. This is my justification for getting the Z8 over a Z9. It's better performance-wise than what I had, it 's not as fast as the Z9, but then again I don't shoot professionally, don't really shoot sports, but do shoot some wildlife, and I can live with the limitations of the Z8 myself perosnally. Others may disagree and that's fine. So people should probably look at their needs and buy what they need and not trying to skimp out, realize they made a bad decision and then blame the mfr.