grandpaw

I have both cameras and I am still getting use to them both. Which one would be better in your opinion for taking low light concert pictures? I also have the D500.

I have the s24-70mm F4 for the z6ii
I have the Tamron 2.8 for the D810
I also have the Nikon 70-200f2.8 f mount that will work on either camera with my ZTF adapter

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I would think the Z would be better in low light.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

According to the Photons to Photos site, the Z6II is better by about 2/3 stop.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

[quote=grandpaw]I have both cameras and I am still getting use to them both. Which one would be better in your opinion for taking low light concert pictures? I also have the D500.

I have the s24-70mm F4 for the z6ii
I have the Tamron 2.8 for the D810
I also have the Nikon 70-200f2.8 f mount that will work on either camera with my ZTF adapter[/quote

It depends on the venue and your seats. I’m guessing the Z6II with the 70-200. I doubt you’ll need anything less than 70.

fantom Loc: Colorado

I have been using a Nikon D780 and really like it. It has been great but I am trying out a Z6ii and after a week's worth of shooting I would say the D780 is far better in low light. I was disappointed to find this, especially because a couple of reviews said that the Z was a bit better in low light. Of course this could possibly be due to operator error and not yet fully understanding the intricacies of the entire system, but I doubt it.

In low light the camera searches and searches for focus and eventually it may lock on. Sometimes I get frustrated and use the manual focus ring on the lens instead of listening to and waiting for the Z to focus. It also seems that in autoISO the camera wants to jump to a higher value than the D780 would. The Z has taken some great action shots of birds and a barrel racing but not enough for me to form a solid opinion yet. In a couple of instances the camera completely lost focus, but possibly because my finger did not keep the BB fully compressed, so I will be checking that also. I'm not quick to blame the camera and want to be sure the problems are not my fault.

I'll be doing some side by side testing of the two cameras and will post any conclusions I have to this thread. The D780 is and has been a great camera. I highly recommend it but the Z does have a few features that are good for my situation, but if the 780 proves to be better or equivalent I have no qualms about not switching to the Z.

Since you asked for opinions I think it's appropriate for me to post a couple of action shots taken by the Z which demonstrate its very good AF in action situations. Notice it can capture all four hoofs off the ground. It was a cloudy and overcast day so not terribly low light but still not bright. All the shots I've taken with the Z have been with a Tamron 28-300. I cannot carry around multiple lenses where I go so I use this lens almost exclusively.

The download shows the detail and is probably a little brighter. I'll keep you posted on results.

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SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

When talk about the Z6 being better in low light what we mean is you can shoot at a higher ISO with good results.

Leitz Loc: Solms

The Z might focus better with a faster lens than your 28-300.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The Z is more comparable to the 850. So, I believe the Z may have an edge in low light, but they are both good. If concerts are your thing, I would think you would use both on the same concert and compare your results yourself rather than come here to the land of talking heads.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Actually the Z7II is more comparable to the D850 and the Z6II is better than the Z7II in low light.

User ID

No question on that.

My closest analog on hand for “810 vs Z6ii” is 750 vs Z6. For low light I use the IBIS, direct focus, and bright viewing of the Z. To me, these differences are so profound that it puzzles me to find any owner of both options is asking such a question.

If there’s any difference in noise it can’t sway me one way or the other. IBIS for slow shutter speed, plus on-sensor focus for wide open lens, mean more than any difference in noise. Dim light often means situations where a silent camera may be necessary, so again the Z. And again I’m curious how the question even arises ....

grandpaw

I thought these forums were here so members could draw on the experiences of others and that is the reason for me asking what I did. Asking others that have the same interests sometimes give ideas or information that you may not have thought of. I have been into photography for a little over fifty years but I am always interested in getting input from others.

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We do ???

I guess I’m not “we”. I think of function. Sensor IQ issues are a thing of the past.

Differences may exist but there are no longer any big winners cuz there are no longer any real losers. IQ is now at the Olympics level. All players are near the top of the game.

User ID

If real, thaz nice. I would use it even if it were 2/3 stop worse. The functionality of the Z is more significant than minor noise differences in modern cameras.

Such difference does NOT mean shooting at 2/3 stop lower ISO. It just means that shooting at whatever ISO is necessary, the noise difference between the cameras is small enough to ignore ... although big enough to measure under careful testing.

User ID

You are the one with the experience. You use both. Acoarst someone owning only one or the other needs to ask the group.

I also own a verrrry similar pair. So we are both the ones with real experience about their differences.

Finding the low light choice so very clear, it actually puzzles me to find you on the asking end rather than on the answering end. So I said as much. And I said it to emphasize how clear the choice appears to me, as a user ... even as a NEW user of the Z.

So yes I remain curious that you asked the group. I’d expect you to be offering the answer to some gassy Hogster who asked the question ... asked due to not having BOTH cameras of the question right at hand like we do.

Well ... since you DID ask, use the Z !!!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

The Z6ii is better in low light.