What to go for???

[Madstacks]

Interestingly I just found this image taken at Palm Springs with the 24-120 on a Z9. There's hardly any cropping here, so your new 24-120 might work for you at airshows.

That's pretty good! I think 120mmat the show I go to would be just that bit to far away on a FF body (140mm was pushing it on my D7200) But I do think the AF-P 70-300 might be enough!

 

[Madstacks]

You made the best choice. The learning curve is not as big as one might think. I switched over from the D750 a year ago and it only took me a couple of hours to get the hang of it. The menus are very similar to Nikon's DSLR bodies, there's just a few more options for AF to consider. There are plenty of YouTube videos that explain in detail how to best set up the menus for wildlife and sports. Give yourself some time to get used to it, but I think you'll enjoy it almost immediately.

And yes, as ajr suggested, get one or two more spare batteries for the heavier shooting days! And a couple of fast XQD cards as well. I bought two Delkin Devices Power 128GB G4 cards and they have been working well for me even while shooting 20FPS. Others may have better, or additional suggestions. The nice thing about the Z8 is that you can also charge the battery in-camera via a USB-C power delivery cable. It comes with the camera.

Thanks for the heads up, the in camera usb charge is a handy thing to have! I have bought a gen 4 prograde 1tb type B card for now but can add more if needed, I have bought a OEM spare battery, But I am wondering If I should get a second spare as Its a long show! That said I try and also make sure I spend some time just enjoying the planes with my own eyes to so hopefully one is enough for now.

I think youtube tutorials are a great idea.

 

[ajr images]

Use CFe cards rather than XQD. I use 325GB Delkin Black cards in my Z9's and Z6III and never had any problems or overheating issues. Type 2 cards are fine as the latest Type 4 cards can't run at the faster write speed in current Nikon bodies, although you might be able to read them at the faster speed in certain computers with a Type 4 card reader.

 

[TheSoaringSprite]

Use CFe cards rather than XQD. I use 325GB Delkin Black cards in my Z9's and Z6III and never had any problems or overheating issues. Type 2 cards are fine as the latest Type 4 cards can't run at the faster write speed in current Nikon bodies, although you might be able to read them at the faster speed in certain computers with a Type 4 card reader.

Thanks for the tip! The ones I bought haven't caused any issues whatsoever, but I don't ever shoot video, so that might make the difference. I'll look into the CFe cards. If you have a link, that would probably help more than just myself.

 

[TheSoaringSprite]

Thanks for the heads up, the in camera usb charge is a handy thing to have! I have bought a gen 4 prograde 1tb type B card for now but can add more if needed, I have bought a OEM spare battery, But I am wondering If I should get a second spare as Its a long show! That said I try and also make sure I spend some time just enjoying the planes with my own eyes to so hopefully one is enough for now.

I think youtube tutorials are a great idea.

I have three batteries and I've never ran out of juice thus far. It's more peace of mind than anything else. I've used up two batteries once, while shooting diving birds non-stop for 2-3 hours at 20FPS. I was constantly engaging the AF and EVF, plus reviewing the images, so it's not surprising. One battery is enough for a day of casual shooting. Two batteries are necessary for a day of heavy shooting. Three batteries,.... probably only if you have all the doodads engaged all day, or shooting a lot of video.

 

[ajr images]

Here's the page at B&H



Delkin Devices 325GB BLACK CFexpress Type B Memory CardBH #DEDCFXBB32SP • MFR #600023066
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These Type 2 cards are $209. The Type 4 cards are $299, but they can't provide the speed advantage in current Nikon bodies.

--
Alan

 

[jessem101]

Z6iii, and recommend to eventually cull the gear to Z lenses. I own the Z6iii with my Z9. Its a great camera for what it is.

 

[jthomas39]

Good, a Z8. I liked the comment above, that you don't have to switch banks, especially at first.

I liked Hudson Henry's Z6 iii setup video. It was helpful when I was going through my new Z6 iii. I previously had a Z6, with quite a few differences from the Z6 iii, but the concepts were similar. I instantly disagreed with some of Hudson's choices, but I knew why I preferred my own settings there.

I also found it useful to review the video a month or so later. Now I noticed a few more things that I found useful.

~~~

i-menu shortcuts!

He makes extensive use of the i-menu. I do too.

There are i-menu usage shortcuts. I don't see these shortcuts mentioned very often, but they are easy and efficient. No need to press the OK button with these shortcuts, and it's fast to switch a setting, then switch it back when done.

From an older thread: i-menu shortcuts

~~~

Z8 menu setup

From Hudson Henry's youtube channel:

For the Z8:

General Z8 setup and Bank A settings.

I like that the menu is on screen as he makes the changes, and the video sections have names in the video timeline.

~~~

Banks B,C,D for alternate camera usages:

~~~

An update from last year when the firmware went to version 2:

He mentions downloadable settings files, but I think it's better to do it myself, so I actually have to look at the menu choices myself.

 

[AWG_Pics]

Good, a Z8. I liked the comment above, that you don't have to switch banks, especially at first.

I have been using Nikons for a long time and never used banks:

Our Nikon cameras

Seeing Maobys beautiful collection of Nikon cameras(and the other brands too), I thought that it would be fun to have a thread that we showcase our Nikon cameras, the ones we have, and the ones that are gone. I will start showing my Nikon cameras in chronological order of acquisition ;-) Nikon...

www.dpreview.com

+1 on Henry Hudson for setting up a Z camera. His tips on the Zf helped me a lot.

 

[Hal Wilson]

A big thank you to everyone that has contributed to this thread. It has helped me make a choice, and a choice I am going into eyes wide open.

I have just ordered the Z8 and 24-120 F4/S plus a F2ZII adaptor. All in price £3810 with discounts.

I Will be keeping the D7200 also..

Since I have the AF-P 70-300 F mount I am now covered from 24mm - 300mm.

So why did I go with the Z8?

I only make one large camera purchase every 5/7 years or so. It was the D3200 in 2012, the D7200 in 2017, and the Z8 in 2025.

It was the only camera that did not have a compromise in any way. Everything else had to due to price restriction. In my hand it by far feels more comfortable to hold than the z6iii or below, and any weight increase is not of any real bother to me.. If im going to be holding it all day it needs to be comfortable and its a three finger grip for me, the Z6iii is a two finger grip.

The wife held a Z50 in hand today and found it more slippery to hold than the D7200... We will keep that as our second body.. It is still a great camera for many things.

Z8 features like the fully stacked 45 MP sensor, backlit buttons, sensor shield, and video capability makes it the one I always really wanted..

The only reason why not to buy I could find was its above my skill level for now.. But it looks like I will have to learn!

To everyone who tried to steer me away from this choice, I really did give thought to your reasoning and you may be completely right! But I wont have that niggling doubt that I should have gone for the Z8 , Its one of those "pays your monies takes your chances" scenarios I guess. But like i say - eyes wide open, I accept I may be biting of more than I can chew here! But I do think I will get by little bit at a time. I think all of the cameras suggested would be awesome to own.

Honestly at this point I'm relieved to stop researching what camera to buy and excited to start researching how to use the one I have bought

If anyone has any recommendations on a good Z8 book to get??

Have to say, the Z8 wouldn't have been my choice were I in your position (and I own the Z8!). I do think the plan to buy the Z6iii and the Z50ii would have served you better tbh.

As for 'having to learn' the camera; I think this if often a poor policy, because you could then end up trying to 'justify' buying it. What if you don't feel you can? I bought the Z8 mainly because it was on sale with a very significant discount, and also because future work is going to require very large prints/reproductions. It's definitely going to be used more for static/studio type work, but the fast operation and processor will allow for very fast shooting in situations where my Z6 was definitely lacking. Basically, I'd 'outgrown' the Z6 and it was time to step up. That, to me, is when you buy a new camera like this. I'm not having to 'learn' anything with the Z8.

Anyway, have fun with your new camera!

 

[Bob A L]

Thank you all for taking he time to give such detailed responses and helpful advice.

Time to research options along those lines now.

Would I be right in thinking all non dx Z lenses can be used on a full frame but DX lenses can only be used on dx bodys?

Any Z mount Nikon lens will work perfectly fine on any Nikon mirrorless body. If you use a DX Z lens on a FF body the camera will go into crop mode and act just like a DX camera. But you will be cropping the sensor, so a 24 mp FF body only gives you around 10mp with DX lenses. If you go up to the Z7 series with 45mp FF sensor, you will end up with approximately 19mp in crop mode. On any Nikon DX Z series body, any Z mount Nikon DX or FF lens operates with a 1.5 field of view factor as to focal length and retains full sensor resolution of 20.7 mp.

 

[Madstacks]

Thanks everyone, Received a great parcel yesterday

So far have not read the manual but have used youtube tutorials - I have set the date and time, set the sensor protector to close on switch off, set the EVF to 120hz, and set the focus to be on the AF-ON button instead of the shutter button I am used to. I can see how that can be pretty beneficial when it feels more natural!

Whilst there is so much to learn about this camera I also don't feel completely overwhelmed with it neither, Really looking forward to getting out and being able to have a go with it next week when work permits..

I think the memory banks are going to be really handy,

I will probably have one for fast jets, one for prop planes, one for birds, and one for landscapes.

The EVF is really good, and not to far behind the OVF on first inspection, come along a long way since some earlier ones I looked through.

With the F2ZII adaptor my f mount 70-300mm just fits in my current bag. the 180-600 will need a rucksack I think.

I do feel I made the right choice thankfully

I also ordered the understanding exposure book as recommended.

 

[Madstacks]

Have to say, the Z8 wouldn't have been my choice were I in your position (and I own the Z8!). I do think the plan to buy the Z6iii and the Z50ii would have served you better tbh.

As for 'having to learn' the camera; I think this if often a poor policy, because you could then end up trying to 'justify' buying it. What if you don't feel you can? I bought the Z8 mainly because it was on sale with a very significant discount, and also because future work is going to require very large prints/reproductions. It's definitely going to be used more for static/studio type work, but the fast operation and processor will allow for very fast shooting in situations where my Z6 was definitely lacking. Basically, I'd 'outgrown' the Z6 and it was time to step up. That, to me, is when you buy a new camera like this. I'm not having to 'learn' anything with the Z8.

Anyway, have fun with your new camera!

Pros and cons to each method I guess, I do think a good deal helps make a choice sometimes though! the z8 with 28-120 kit lens seems to retail for £4699 and I was able to pick it up for £3600 with 20 months interest free credit on card.

Without knowing how often these things go on sale I don't know how good that deal was really, but it seemed pretty solid.

It will be my only camera purchase for the next 5/7 years hopefully

 

[TheSoaringSprite]

Thanks everyone, Received a great parcel yesterday

So far have not read the manual but have used youtube tutorials - I have set the date and time, set the sensor protector to close on switch off, set the EVF to 120hz, and set the focus to be on the AF-ON button instead of the shutter button I am used to. I can see how that can be pretty beneficial when it feels more natural!

Whilst there is so much to learn about this camera I also don't feel completely overwhelmed with it neither, Really looking forward to getting out and being able to have a go with it next week when work permits..

I think the memory banks are going to be really handy,

I will probably have one for fast jets, one for prop planes, one for birds, and one for landscapes.

The EVF is really good, and not to far behind the OVF on first inspection, come along a long way since some earlier ones I looked through.

With the F2ZII adaptor my f mount 70-300mm just fits in my current bag. the 180-600 will need a rucksack I think.

I do feel I made the right choice thankfully

I also ordered the understanding exposure book as recommended.

Very exciting! Looking forward to you sharing some new images and opinions of your new setup! Have fun!

 

[monte12345]

Truth is you'll need prints coming off of a 36 inch or larger printer to see any difference in detail between 24 and 46mp. At best what you'll gain with the higher resolution Z8 will be increased space for cropping an image. Frankly if you are cropping down to 1/4 frame you really need to adjust how you see your images or address the lack of "reach" in your lens selections. Note it is quite easy to get an excellent looking 24x36 inch print from just 12 measly megapixels.

Pluses for the Z6 III are numerous, probably too many for me to list. Basically it is a superb Jack of All Trades camera and at the current pricing it is very close to being an actual Steal. Get one with the bundled 24-120 Zoom and you'll have a one lens solution that will fill your needs for 95% or more of your shooting. Note if you have at itch to go long then put the 180-600mm zoom on your wish list. For the money it's simply marvelous. BTW the hot tip for avoiding Rolling Shutter on the Z6 III is to only use the mechanical shutter. Note the Z6 III will do 14 fps on High* using the mechanical shutter. If you try to do 20 fps or higher that will trigger the Electronic Shutter and you will see the effects of Rolling Shutter if your subject is moving fast enough.

 

[Madstacks]

Day of today so was able to get out and about to one of my local wildlife spotting places, weather was patchy clouds and swapping from slightly overcast to blue skies.

For now I only have my old F mount AF-P 70 - 300mm so that was used with the F2Z adaptor. I do have the Z mount 24-120mm but needed more reach today.

Auto focus is an amazing step up from the D7200 as was expected! but also losing track often too, I know These settings can be fine tuned and plenty of youtube tutorials so will check those out.

Very pleased, and now trying to decide what Z mount lens to go for next






Goldcrest




Male Chaffinch




Female Chaffinch






House Sparrow




Common Lizard

 

[TheSoaringSprite]

Day of today so was able to get out and about to one of my local wildlife spotting places, weather was patchy clouds and swapping from slightly overcast to blue skies.

For now I only have my old F mount AF-P 70 - 300mm so that was used with the F2Z adaptor. I do have the Z mount 24-120mm but needed more reach today.

Auto focus is an amazing step up from the D7200 as was expected! but also losing track often too, I know These settings can be fine tuned and plenty of youtube tutorials so will check those out.

Very pleased, and now trying to decide what Z mount lens to go for next

Those are all very nice shots! The AF tracking is going to improve with a native Z-mount lens, but the little bird you're shooting is in the middle of lots of busy branches, blends in, and doesn't fill the frame. Sometimes you just have to get closer, or pick a less busy background. Pretty much any camera would be struggling with that scene.

Check out Steve's Z8/Z9 wildlife settings guide. He gets great results and knows what he's doing.



I also just found this video he shared, and it's a setting I didn't even know was available to me!

 

[Madstacks]

Thank you or a first outing I'm certainly pleased and glad I went with the Z8

I did wonder if the F mount lenses are at a disadvantage for autofocus, since they are not native it does make sense, I wonder how much performance loss there is..

Thanks for those links will have a watch!

 

[MJ_Photo38]

Thank you or a first outing I'm certainly pleased and glad I went with the Z8

I did wonder if the F mount lenses are at a disadvantage for autofocus, since they are not native it does make sense, I wonder how much performance loss there is..

The answer is not much. The autofocus protocols are Nikon to Nikon, so you don't lose any performance by any kind of incompatibility.

F mount lenses are slower focusing than their Z mount equivalents, generally, but there are very fast focusing F mount lenses (AF-P lenses especially).

More often that not, you can see F mount lenses having better speed and better accuracy compared to when they're used on DSLR cameras.

Thanks for those links will have a watch!