Adding a Z 6III as a second body to Z 7II?

I have been a Nikon hobbyist since the 1980s. As I eventually purchased newer bodies, I generally kept the last most recent one as a second.

I currently have a Z 7II and a D500. (I sold my D750 when I bought the Z 7II.) I'm considering picking up a Z 6III and selling the D500 and some of my F lenses.

I shoot still photography but don't rule out the possibility of getting more interested in video.

I sometimes act a bit on the compulsive side so I'd like to get some of your thoughts on this before I make a move. I only have a few days left to decide before the sale ends and prices increase...

Really depends on what you're doing with your photography, what genres/subjects you like to shoot etc.

The Z7II and Z6III would complement each other nicely though, slower high IQ sensor combined with a fast "low mp" sensor with better AF should cover most usecases very well within the same mount (a Z8 would prove better for small fast subjects than the Z6III due to more cropability). I wouldn't mind having such a setup though. Shooting Z6II and Z6III myself, and wouldn't mind a switch of the Z6II for a Z7II (or a Z8 if I win the lottery).

That said, if you're not really needing the Z6III features or is in process of switching fully to Z-mount, it might be more GAS and compulsive lust for purchasing that is dragging, the D500 is still a great camera.

CNorre said:

Really depends on what you're doing with your photography, what genres/subjects you like to shoot etc.

The Z7II and Z6III would complement each other nicely though, slower high IQ sensor combined with a fast "low mp" sensor with better AF should cover most usecases very well within the same mount (a Z8 would prove better for small fast subjects than the Z6III due to more cropability). I wouldn't mind having such a setup though. Shooting Z6II and Z6III myself, and wouldn't mind a switch of the Z6II for a Z7II (or a Z8 if I win the lottery).

That said, if you're not really needing the Z6III features or is in process of switching fully to Z-mount, it might be more GAS and compulsive lust for purchasing that is dragging, the D500 is still a great camera.

Click to expand...

I do enjoy the D500 but it seems like I rarely use it. I often feel I was mistaken in selling the D750 instead of it, as the majority of my F-mount lenses seem more suitable for FX use.

And, sadly, now that I've built an assortment of Z-mount lenses I'm content with, I tend to look down on my F-mount glass -- the same lenses I was so pleased with a few years ago. It might be irrational but the thought is there, at least subconsciously, and hard to dispel.

The incredible Z-mount lenses and GAS have made my DSLR and F-mount lenses forsaken and unloved. :-(

rscott900ss said:

I sometimes act a bit on the compulsive side

Click to expand...

For me, criticizing such a position would be a bit like what my mother used to call "the pot calling the kettle black" I bought a Hasselblad just because I thought I'd enjoy using it

Having made that admission in advance .............

........ why is it that you even want a new camera?

I mean, I've 6 or 7 of the damn things so I'm not going to criticize somebody just wanting one cause it looks like fun, but at least I'm honest about being a gear freak

I suggest you make a list. Write down the SPECIFIC benefits you anticipate receiving as a result of a new purchase. If you are unable to articulate, SPECIFICALLY what you are going to gain from a new body that doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't get one, just nail down why you're spending the money up front.

--
Making good decisions is generally the result of experience. Unfortunately, experience is generally the result of making bad decisions.

I shoot mainly action and use two Z9’s so that when I quickly change to the second body with a different focal length lens all the controls feel natural. I also have a Z6III, but the handling is quite different to the Z9, so I only use it as a travel body.

The Z6III is not that different to the Z7II so the controls might feel more natural.

The Z6III is far better than the Z7 series in terms of acquiring and tracking moving objects and would be useful if you plan to get into video, but remember it has a 24.5MP sensor so you will lose some cropping ability.

Schrodingers cat said:

rscott900ss said:

I sometimes act a bit on the compulsive side

Click to expand...

For me, criticizing such a position would be a bit like what my mother used to call "the pot calling the kettle black" I bought a Hasselblad just because I thought I'd enjoy using it

Having made that admission in advance .............

........ why is it that you even want a new camera?

I mean, I've 6 or 7 of the damn things so I'm not going to criticize somebody just wanting one cause it looks like fun, but at least I'm honest about being a gear freak

I suggest you make a list. Write down the SPECIFIC benefits you anticipate receiving as a result of a new purchase. If you are unable to articulate, SPECIFICALLY what you are going to gain from a new body that doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't get one, just nail down why you're spending the money up front.

Click to expand...

It's guys like you who make GAS seem like some kind of bad thing... :-D

rscott900ss said:

CNorre said:

Really depends on what you're doing with your photography, what genres/subjects you like to shoot etc.

The Z7II and Z6III would complement each other nicely though, slower high IQ sensor combined with a fast "low mp" sensor with better AF should cover most usecases very well within the same mount (a Z8 would prove better for small fast subjects than the Z6III due to more cropability). I wouldn't mind having such a setup though. Shooting Z6II and Z6III myself, and wouldn't mind a switch of the Z6II for a Z7II (or a Z8 if I win the lottery).

That said, if you're not really needing the Z6III features or is in process of switching fully to Z-mount, it might be more GAS and compulsive lust for purchasing that is dragging, the D500 is still a great camera.

Click to expand...

I do enjoy the D500 but it seems like I rarely use it. I often feel I was mistaken in selling the D750 instead of it, as the majority of my F-mount lenses seem more suitable for FX use.

And, sadly, now that I've built an assortment of Z-mount lenses I'm content with, I tend to look down on my F-mount glass -- the same lenses I was so pleased with a few years ago. It might be irrational but the thought is there, at least subconsciously, and hard to dispel.

The incredible Z-mount lenses and GAS have made my DSLR and F-mount lenses forsaken and unloved. :-(

Click to expand...

With you already in the transition to Z-mount lens wise it could make good sense.

I really enjoy my Z6III, to the point I mostly use that one these days (though the Z6II have a slight edge IQ wise for landscapes/low iso situations, where your Z7II is even better DR wise), it is a blast of a camera and as ajr points out, they are very similar layout and handling wise between the two, which makes switching between them quite natural.

I would have loved a higher MP sensor for anything bit more cropability for smaller subjects and macro, though 24 MP is usually enough for most usecases.

If you would benefit of better and more intuitive AF-C from the Z6III or would like to dabble into video, the Z6III will be a nice addition.

Take up the suggestion and write down what you would gain/lose from the D500 to Z6III switch and evaluate based on that.

It does sound though, as if you're on the way away from F-mount, this could be the full switch over to Z.

Just keep in mind that your D500 will put more pixels on target, if you're photographing small targets, so if that is important, you might want to look at the Z8 instead (or a Z50II even).

--
Photography is one of my hobbies and a way to enjoy the world of light.
My public portfolio can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/chrisnorrephoto?igsh=b2t3aHVqYWZib29u

I slightly damaged my Z6 sensor (which can show up in certain types of photos, otherwise okay). So I was looking to upgrade. I was considering the Z8, but waited for new announcements in early 2024. I got the Z6 iii the first week it was available locally, June 28 2024, almost a year ago.

The Z6 was normally in AF-S, single point AF. I occasionally used AF-C, but didn't like that it wouldn't indicate when it was in focus, and the tracking accuracy was hard to predict. I really liked it for various "landscape" and city architecture shots.

Z6 iii

The Z6 iii is a whole new experience for me. Fast startup, fast and accurate AF. Lots of new, useful customizations in the menu system. I now normally have the camera in AF-C, Wide area small, 2-3 fps mode for general shooting sessions -- that's really flexible. And I switch AF box sizes a lot, with an F1 control that makes it fast and easy.

New things to try: Starlight View, focusing in near pitch black. 4-shot Pixel Shift. 3D handoff for tracking. 20 fps electronic shutter for as long as I hold the shutter button down. Panning fast action. Even the 2-frame HDR mode, set to save the two raw files along with the in-camera jpg.

It just seems way more "pro" to me, very satisfying.

I don't notice the smaller dynamic range in my shooting. Even an informal test of a night scene with deep shadow details didn't show a significant difference between the Z6 and the Z6 iii, with the same exposure and lens.

I still have my Z6, since I don't want to sell a damaged camera. I don't really use it, but I would likely use a Z7 or Z7 ii for it's landscape strengths if I had one.

jthomas39 said:

I slightly damaged my Z6 sensor (which can show up in certain types of photos, otherwise okay).

Click to expand...

A little off topic, but can I ask how you damaged your sensor?

rscott900ss said:

Schrodingers cat said:

rscott900ss said:

I sometimes act a bit on the compulsive side

Click to expand...

For me, criticizing such a position would be a bit like what my mother used to call "the pot calling the kettle black" I bought a Hasselblad just because I thought I'd enjoy using it

Having made that admission in advance .............

........ why is it that you even want a new camera?

I mean, I've 6 or 7 of the damn things so I'm not going to criticize somebody just wanting one cause it looks like fun, but at least I'm honest about being a gear freak

I suggest you make a list. Write down the SPECIFIC benefits you anticipate receiving as a result of a new purchase. If you are unable to articulate, SPECIFICALLY what you are going to gain from a new body that doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't get one, just nail down why you're spending the money up front.

Click to expand...

It's guys like you who make GAS seem like some kind of bad thing... :-D

Click to expand...

if only that were true. Then maybe I wouldn’t have so much money tied up in cameras

CNorre said:

jthomas39 said:

I slightly damaged my Z6 sensor (which can show up in certain types of photos, otherwise okay).

Click to expand...

A little off topic, but can I ask how you damaged your sensor?

Click to expand...

I was blasting the sensor with an older rocket blower, for dust removal. Blowers get rid of the largest particles, but many are still stuck by static electricity or similar forces. So I was squeezing hard.

The nozzle broke off when the rubber bulb split at the top of the nozzle. It slammed into the sensor, and bounced away, off the desk. Oh no! There was a smear on the sensor that partially was improved by wet cleaning.

It's not easy to find the area with a flashlight on the sensor. But it will show up toward the bottom center of a frame with smooth areas of color there. Normal scenes don't show it.

I didn't want to send it in during the Covid lockdowns, and it was "good enough" as is.

Sensors are tough! That was a bit hit!

jthomas39 said:

CNorre said:

jthomas39 said:

I slightly damaged my Z6 sensor (which can show up in certain types of photos, otherwise okay).

Click to expand...

A little off topic, but can I ask how you damaged your sensor?

Click to expand...

I was blasting the sensor with an older rocket blower, for dust removal. Blowers get rid of the largest particles, but many are still stuck by static electricity or similar forces. So I was squeezing hard.

The nozzle broke off when the rubber bulb split at the top of the nozzle. It slammed into the sensor, and bounced away, off the desk. Oh no! There was a smear on the sensor that partially was improved by wet cleaning.

It's not easy to find the area with a flashlight on the sensor. But it will show up toward the bottom center of a frame with smooth areas of color there. Normal scenes don't show it.

I didn't want to send it in during the Covid lockdowns, and it was "good enough" as is.

Sensors are tough! That was a bit hit!

Click to expand...

Auch, sorry to hear - thanks for the feedback though

rscott900ss said:

I have been a Nikon hobbyist since the 1980s. As I eventually purchased newer bodies, I generally kept the last most recent one as a second.

I currently have a Z 7II and a D500. (I sold my D750 when I bought the Z 7II.) I'm considering picking up a Z 6III and selling the D500 and some of my F lenses.

I shoot still photography but don't rule out the possibility of getting more interested in video.

I sometimes act a bit on the compulsive side so I'd like to get some of your thoughts on this before I make a move. I only have a few days left to decide before the sale ends and prices increase...

Click to expand...

The Z6 III would work if you do plan to do video, otherwise the Z5 II is also a good option (an also do video but not quite to the level of the Z6 III). So yes, it would make sense if you are planning to do video. If you are going to do this, the current sale ends on the 22nd I think as Nikon is said to raise some prices on the 23rd so I would order one this weekend if you are thinking about it (currently about $400 off).

The Z7 II and Z6 III combo would give you the best of both worlds for the most part. Speed from the Z6 III when you want it and IQ from the Z7 II when you don't need the speed, but both bodies are quite small (smaller than the Z8 for example).

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* PLEASE NOTE: I generally unsubscribe from forums/comments after a period of time has passed, so if I do not respond, that is likely the reason. *

rscott900ss said:

I have been a Nikon hobbyist since the 1980s. As I eventually purchased newer bodies, I generally kept the last most recent one as a second.

I currently have a Z 7II and a D500. (I sold my D750 when I bought the Z 7II.) I'm considering picking up a Z 6III and selling the D500 and some of my F lenses.

I shoot still photography but don't rule out the possibility of getting more interested in video.

I sometimes act a bit on the compulsive side so I'd like to get some of your thoughts on this before I make a move. I only have a few days left to decide before the sale ends and prices increase...

Click to expand...

Why did you buy the Z7ii? Resolution? Are you OK with stepping down to24MP?

That's the big question. If you're OK with that then sure. Get the Z6iii.

Changed my game plan and ordered a 24-70mm f/2.8 to upgrade my 24-70mm f/4. Since my foray into video is still just a possibility, I'll be content with my Z 7II and D500 (and my old D200 kit in the car) for now.

Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts and opinions. I do appreciate your taking the time to do so!