I realized what I don't like about my Z6 III

The front wheel, for adjusting aperture, is too flush to the grip now. Comparing it to my Z6 II, the new wheel doesn't stick out as far and the notches almost feel more fine now, too. I don't have coarse hands nor fingers, and it's actually proven difficult to turn the dial at times in my limited use. I've never had to think about this procedure and operation before, but now I do.

Comparing pictures to the wheel on a Z8, which is robust and notchy for tactility, I'm surprised this design decision was made. Maybe I'm nit-picking, but I've never noticed this before on any other camera including my Z6 II. Anyone notice this new design choice? I'd say my hands and fingers are on the 'delicate' side already, which surely doesn't help matters.

Aston Senna said:

The front wheel, for adjusting aperture, is too flush to the grip now. Comparing it to my Z6 II, the new wheel doesn't stick out as far and the notches almost feel more fine now, too. I don't have coarse hands nor fingers, and it's actually proven difficult to turn the dial at times in my limited use. I've never had to think about this procedure and operation before, but now I do.

Comparing pictures to the wheel on a Z8, which is robust and notchy for tactility, I'm surprised this design decision was made. Maybe I'm nit-picking, but I've never noticed this before on any other camera including my Z6 II. Anyone notice this new design choice? I'd say my hands and fingers are on the 'delicate' side already, which surely doesn't help matters.

Click to expand...

I've heard this mentioned before. I'm pretty happy with my Z6 I front wheel. I wish they didn't try fixing things that weren't broken. There was no reason to change the way the front wheel was on previous bodies.

For whatever it's worth, my biggest initial complaint on receiving my Z8 was by far the feel of the two wheels. I have gotten used to it, but I would still say that compared to my Z7ii (which I assume is the same wheel as the Z6ii) and D500 the wheels feel a lot more uncomfortable and more "slippery."

Aston Senna said:

The front wheel, for adjusting aperture, is too flush to the grip now.Comparing pictures to the wheel on a Z8, which is robust and notchy for tactility, I'm surprised this design decision was made. Maybe I'm nit-picking, but I've never noticed this before on any other camera including my Z6 II. Anyone notice this new design choice? I'd say my hands and fingers are on the 'delicate' side already, which surely doesn't help matters.

Click to expand...

Yikes. That already bothered me on the Z6ii. Sometimes, I wonder why Nikon changes things like that.

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A sure sign of Cognitive Dissonance: NDS.

I too have had a harder time than necessary with my Z6iii front wheel as compared to my Z6 and Z6ii's in a very specific situation. Otherwise, it's great.

I've been using Z9's exclusively for the past 2 years. I haven't noticed any problem with the Z6III.

SCoombs said:

For whatever it's worth, my biggest initial complaint on receiving my Z8 was by far the feel of the two wheels. I have gotten used to it, but I would still say that compared to my Z7ii (which I assume is the same wheel as the Z6ii) and D500 the wheels feel a lot more uncomfortable and more "slippery."

Click to expand...

Yeah, this is/was my only gripe about the Z8 as well after I purchased it. I also had a Z7II and those dials felt much better as well. I've gotten used to the Z8 now, but the dials are still not as ideal as on some of the other models to me, including my Z9 and D850 which I was comparing it against in a previous post:

Z8 main command dial question...

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https://www.mlgreenephotography.com/

mgreene33 said:

SCoombs said:

For whatever it's worth, my biggest initial complaint on receiving my Z8 was by far the feel of the two wheels. I have gotten used to it, but I would still say that compared to my Z7ii (which I assume is the same wheel as the Z6ii) and D500 the wheels feel a lot more uncomfortable and more "slippery."

Click to expand...

Yeah, this is/was my only gripe about the Z8 as well after I purchased it. I also had a Z7II and those dials felt much better as well. I've gotten used to the Z8 now, but the dials are still not as ideal as on some of the other models to me, including my Z9 and D850 which I was comparing it against in a previous post:

Z8 main command dial question...

Click to expand...

Your post reminded me of the main issue I have with it: it's not so much that it's slippery as I said above, though it is a bit, but that it is very flush with the rest of the body making it pretty difficult to spin until I got used to it. I had never seen that angle on a Z9's wheel before and it looks far better.

SCoombs said:

mgreene33 said:

SCoombs said:

For whatever it's worth, my biggest initial complaint on receiving my Z8 was by far the feel of the two wheels. I have gotten used to it, but I would still say that compared to my Z7ii (which I assume is the same wheel as the Z6ii) and D500 the wheels feel a lot more uncomfortable and more "slippery."

Click to expand...

Yeah, this is/was my only gripe about the Z8 as well after I purchased it. I also had a Z7II and those dials felt much better as well. I've gotten used to the Z8 now, but the dials are still not as ideal as on some of the other models to me, including my Z9 and D850 which I was comparing it against in a previous post:

Z8 main command dial question...

Click to expand...

Your post reminded me of the main issue I have with it: it's not so much that it's slippery as I said above, though it is a bit, but that it is very flush with the rest of the body making it pretty difficult to spin until I got used to it. I had never seen that angle on a Z9's wheel before and it looks far better.

Click to expand...

Yep, you're right, the Z8's is way too flush with the body for my liking, especially compared to the Z9 rear command dial. As you can see in my image, the Z9 has a bit more real estate and is easier to "grip" with my thumb. The front dials on both seem fairly even. With the Z8, I have to use more of the side of my thumb or make it more pointed to adjust the rear dial instead. It's not the end of the world, but still a significant difference compared with these other Nikon bodies, including the DSLRs.

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https://www.mlgreenephotography.com/

I have heard that about the Z6 III and didn't really bother me too much when I played with the camera for the first time. I actually like a little bit of resistance to the dial so you don't accidentally change settings by a finger twitch or bumping it with a hand or finger.

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Ryan

Comparing product images off of B&H. Top is Z6 III, bottom is Z6 II. It's a very very minor change, but it's there, and using them back to back, there is a difference. Chunkier notches on the wheel would definitely make for better tactility; The fine teeth almost make for a smooth surface to me.













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www.mitchellweitzmanphoto.com

Nikon has really lost some of their key ergonomic features. The buttons on top used to have a different feel. I'm pretty sure exposure compensation was counter-set or had a concave surface along the way. I hope they put more effort into future designs.

When I used the R7/R8 for a month I was surprised how quickly I got used to the "front" dial. It was actually more ergonomic and stable in use. Even though some of the buttons are way too small. Sony brick, no comment, but it wasn't a big problem either.

Luckily, you can customize A or S to always use the back dial. They sure buried the options under the custom controls.

Oh, this is an interesting discussion.

I have my 2019 Z6 and new Z6 iii side by side.

Perhaps the Z6 iii front dial is very slightly less protruding? It's pretty close, though. The dial teeth look very similar in pitch and depth.

The biggest difference, going back and forth, is that the Z6 iii needs more force to get the dial turning. I have to press a little harder on the dial to turn it without my finger just slipping on the dial surface. I haven't tried gloves yet! Bigger dial notches would be good.

I haven't noticed this in the 32 days I've had the camera. I have long, thin fingers, and perhaps that helps? And the Z6 iii fits my longer fingers better, so maybe there's a little more leverage for me?

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The change I immediately noticed was the much better Exp Comp button size and placement. On the Z6, I had originally built up the flush Exp Comp button with some hot glue dabbed on it, so I could better find it by feel and effectively press it. The Z6 iii button is farther back--very good, and much more rounded. Nice!

The ISO and Red record buttons are great too.

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I've always used f7: Release button to use dial, so I don't need that very awkward "index finger holding the button, middle finger trying to turn the dial" method. Press and release the button, then I can take my time turning the dial with my index finger. A half press (or any button) sets the change.

Rear control dial differences

I didn't notice a difference between the Z6 and Z6 iii when using the rear dial.

But now, I'm looking for differences. The Z6 iii rear dial seems obviously easier to turn. (While the Z6 iii front dial has more resistance. huh.)

Either the Z6 or Z6 iii is fine for me. I'm turning the rear wheel just above (toward the finger tip) the first thumb joint.

It's interesting that my thumb turns either camera's rear dial at the same point on my thumb surface.

But my right hand camera grip is way different:

The smaller Z6 rests just on the base of my pinky and the ball of my thumb (and got lots of wear on the camera corner there.)

The Z6 iii sits firmly in the outer half of my palm, with a small assist from the ball of my thumb. That's a better grip for me.

I just tested this on a z8, z6iii, and z6ii.

The difference is mostly in the resistance in the wheel; it takes more force to spin the z6 iii than the z8, and then z8 more than the z6ii.

It isn't a huge difference, but the z6ii/z8 I never really "fail" to spin the wheel. On the z6iii it kinda depends on the angle you're holding it, but still not really that hard.

Aston Senna said:

The front wheel, for adjusting aperture, is too flush to the grip now. Comparing it to my Z6 II, the new wheel doesn't stick out as far and the notches almost feel more fine now, too. I don't have coarse hands nor fingers, and it's actually proven difficult to turn the dial at times in my limited use. I've never had to think about this procedure and operation before, but now I do.

Comparing pictures to the wheel on a Z8, which is robust and notchy for tactility, I'm surprised this design decision was made. Maybe I'm nit-picking, but I've never noticed this before on any other camera including my Z6 II. Anyone notice this new design choice? I'd say my hands and fingers are on the 'delicate' side already, which surely doesn't help matters.

Click to expand...

Well, I don't have a Z6 III but my Z7 II was that way. I'm wondering if it's just a tolerance issue. Mine had dto be used quite a bit before it got "broken in". Didn't help the fact it was recessed a little compared to my Z6 II but got easier to use/turn after using the camera for a month or two.

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PLEASE NOTE: I usually unsubscribe from forums and comments after a period of time, so if I do not respond, that is likely the reason. Feel free to PM me if you have a questions or need clarification about a comment I made.

I've just gotten my Z6 III (my first ever Nikon) and have noticed the front dial does require a bit more effort to turn - but I don't think it'll bother me too much. At least in it's default role (aperture) you don't necessarily turn it as many "clicks" as you would for shutter speed - which is then perhaps easier on the rear dial which has more surface area for your thumb to grip to.

Aside from that, coming from Fujifilm - my first impressions are it feels well put together, while my X-T4 felt solid, some dials and switches did have some "wiggle" in them, and I'm not noticing that on the Z6 III, it just feels good.

HRS said:

Aston Senna said:

The front wheel, for adjusting aperture, is too flush to the grip now.Comparing pictures to the wheel on a Z8, which is robust and notchy for tactility, I'm surprised this design decision was made. Maybe I'm nit-picking, but I've never noticed this before on any other camera including my Z6 II. Anyone notice this new design choice? I'd say my hands and fingers are on the 'delicate' side already, which surely doesn't help matters.

Click to expand...

Yikes. That already bothered me on the Z6ii. Sometimes, I wonder why Nikon changes things like that.

Click to expand...

Agree. The Z8 has the same feel as the classic Nikon DSLRs. The Z6/Z7 feel very different (I am being generous here).

I always loved the Nikon ergonomics. Traditionally, this has been one of the biggest strengths of the brand IMO. I originally switched from Canon back in 2004, and was immediately impressed by the improved ergonomics.

I am concerned that Nikon is moving away from this tradition. I don't understand why my camera now has two multi-selectors on the back, to give one example. The lack of consistency in controls on the new Z lenses is another.

I would love to see Nikon place a renewed emphasis on ergonomics.

Sometimes its the little things that ruin an otherwise good experiance. I've suffered this and with time the annoyance grew to the stage where i stopped using it. Maybe you might comes to terms with it so it doesn't bother you. Give it time.

Aston Senna said:

The front wheel, for adjusting aperture, is too flush to the grip now. Comparing it to my Z6 II, the new wheel doesn't stick out as far and the notches almost feel more fine now, too. I don't have coarse hands nor fingers, and it's actually proven difficult to turn the dial at times in my limited use. I've never had to think about this procedure and operation before, but now I do.

Comparing pictures to the wheel on a Z8, which is robust and notchy for tactility, I'm surprised this design decision was made. Maybe I'm nit-picking, but I've never noticed this before on any other camera including my Z6 II. Anyone notice this new design choice? I'd say my hands and fingers are on the 'delicate' side already, which surely doesn't help matters.

Click to expand...

Comparing images of the Z series cameras to the D4 and D5, the main and sub command dials on the Z have reverted to horizontal/vertical from the ergonomically angled dials on the DSLRs. The angle of the top plate around the shutter release is also shallower.



Comparing the images of the Z6 to the D5 and F5, the front dial is little changed, the F5 dial is further to the left and slightly less easy to use than that on the D5. Nit picking? Possibly but Nikon got the handling right on the D5 so why go backwards. I don’t think the difference would be enough to cause a problem though.