Nikon Z6ii for low light action photography? I have a Nikon D800, D810 and Z6. I’ve used the Z6 (with the FTZ adapter and my f mount lenses) for sports photography, but my unscientific...

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

I have a Nikon D800, D810 and Z6. I’ve used the Z6 (with the FTZ adapter and my f mount lenses) for sports photography, but my unscientific opinion is that the autofocus is not as fast or as accurate as my DSLR’s. That also seems to be the consensus of many internet reviews. The Z6ii reportedly has improved autofocus.

I know mirrorless cameras are used in sports/wildlife/action photography, but my question is how well does the Z6ii autofocus perform for low light action/sports? Or should I stick with the DSLRs or wait for a Z9? Or upgrade to the Z 70-200 f2.8 S?

Thanks

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Where is your original unedited JPEG example that slander's the sports capabilities of any mirrorless camera?

User ID

Chicago312 wrote:

I have a Nikon D800, D810 and Z6. I’ve used the Z6... (show quote)

The nature of your query has “Z9” written waaaaaaay huge all over it. Hang in there ... and don’t quit your day job ;-)

fstoprookie Loc: Central Valley of California

Have not had a problem - I have shot my Z6II in several gyms in the area with a reasonable amount of light. I have been able to shoot up to 5000 ISO with little noise. I shot with a FTZ adapter, and my 24-70mm f2.8, f-stop at 2.8, shutter speed at both 1/800 & 1/1000, auto white balance and frame rate at 14fps. See some examples in the sports photography section of this site. I also have shot with my D5; it's just a lot heavier. I do have a Z9 on order

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Has anyone ever seen a mirrorless camera on the road to failure? Or, any example image of said failure ...?

rchadlock Loc: Plano, Texas

I totally agree with fstoprookie. The Z611 is incredible for low light/night shots for sports. I shoot quarter horse racing, and am very happy with the fast focus the Z611 provides. Generally the settings are 4.5 f-stop, 800-1000 shutter speed, and 2000 ISO, with 14fps. I shoot with the Z 2.8, 24-70mm lens. Settings may vary a bit depending on the situation. I also have the Z9 on order.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Chicago312 wrote:

I have a Nikon D800, D810 and Z6. I’ve used the Z6... (show quote)

There was a lot of chatter about the Z line auto-focus system not being up to snuff with the DSLRs at the time the Z's came out. Nikon made some firmware updates and also improved the system on the Zxii series. From what I have seen the Z9 takes the focus system to yet another level. Maybe the Z9 system will be up to par with the DSLRs now?

This is the price Nikon paid for being so late to the mirrorless market.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

If you're used to shooting sports/action in various conditions, then using the Z6II will be just a little learning curve (with the subject tracking function and mapping that to one of your extra buttons) and *then* you're rolling and it's fine. I own a D5 also, so most of the time I'll use *it* because it's designed for sports/action and is the best I own. But once you get the subject tracking thing down, the Z6II will shred. That said, I have a Z9 on order and will soon have no use for the D5.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

CHG_CANON wrote:

Has anyone ever seen a mirrorless camera on the road to failure? Or, any example image of said failure ...?

My OM-D suddenly wouldn’t power on. Out of warranty. :(( Olympus fixed that problem. They gave me a brand new camera for the cost of the repair ($270). I wasn’t expecting that. Happy customer.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

CHG_CANON wrote:

Where is your original unedited JPEG example that slander's the sports capabilities of any mirrorless camera?

No slandering. I actually like the Z6 - mostly use it for video and static photos, but thought I would try it out for sports. Not to say that the DSLR is perfect - it's not. But it does seem better for low light action/sports. Just wondering if the newer Z6ii would be worth it or wait for the Z9.

focus is off on #55
focus is off on #55...

(Download)

lost focus on player with ball

(Download)

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

User ID wrote:

The nature of your query has “Z9” written waaaaaaay huge all over it. Hang in there ... and don’t quit your day job ;-)

Thanks and yes, I'll have to keep working

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

fstoprookie wrote:

Have not had a problem - I have shot my Z6II in several gyms in the area with a reasonable amount of light. I have been able to shoot up to 5000 ISO with little noise. I shot with a FTZ adapter, and my 24-70mm f2.8, f-stop at 2.8, shutter speed at both 1/800 & 1/1000, auto white balance and frame rate at 14fps. See some examples in the sports photography section of this site. I also have shot with my D5; it's just a lot heavier. I do have a Z9 on order

Thanks,
I would order a Z9, but given the cost difference, I thought it reasonable to see if others have had good success with the z6ii.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

rchadlock wrote:

I totally agree with fstoprookie. The Z611 is incredible for low light/night shots for sports. I shoot quarter horse racing, and am very happy with the fast focus the Z611 provides. Generally the settings are 4.5 f-stop, 800-1000 shutter speed, and 2000 ISO, with 14fps. I shoot with the Z 2.8, 24-70mm lens. Settings may vary a bit depending on the situation. I also have the Z9 on order.

Thanks, that's reassuring; given the price difference between the z9 and the z6ii, I thought it would be reasonable to ask how well the z6ii has worked for others in real life.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

JD750 wrote:

There was a lot of chatter about the Z line auto-focus system not being up to snuff with the DSLRs at the time the Z's came out. Nikon made some firmware updates and also improved the system on the Zxii series. From what I have seen the Z9 takes the focus system to yet another level. Maybe the Z9 system will be up to par with the DSLRs now?

This is the price Nikon paid for being so late to the mirrorless market.

That was my understanding (and limited experience) with regards to action/sports photography; The Z9 sounds great, but the price is a little hard for me to justify at this time.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

chasgroh wrote:

If you're used to shooting sports/action in variou... (show quote)

Good to know. It's looking like the Z6ii would be a good purchase (not that I wouldn't mind getting a z9).