thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

I have ordered a Nikon Z9. I have seen all the YouTube reviews. Any UHH photographers have a Z9? Is so what is your opinion after having one?
Thanks

ricardo00

Ok, I have had one for about 4 months now. I was previously using a D500. I was curious to try one and rentals weren't available. There was a fairly steep learning curve for me, this is my first full frame camera, my first mirrorless and my first Nikon flagship camera. First the bad. It is heavy and sometimes I find the focussing "challenging", focussing on something else, etc. On the positive side, I found that sometimes it did stick with my subject (most often birds) longer than my D500 (ie. when a bird would take off). I also love shooting 20 fps plus the focus with my 500mm PF and a TC (either the 1.4 or 1.7) works much better than on a D500. Also the quality of the video that I occasionally shoot is much, much better than on a D500.
I guess the question is what are you hoping to achieve? It is fun to try new things and I have enjoyed playing with it. However, if it is possible you might want to try to borrow a friends Z9 and try it out before purchasing?
Some of my pics are found on flickr if you are interested:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/60519499@N00/albums/72177720296225298/with/51843923999/

rcorne001 Loc: Cary, NC

I have had mine since late December and love it. I ended up selling my D5 and all F mount lenses. I primarily shoot sports and have put through over 40,000 since I got it. Some of the stuff I tried worked perfect for me. Some not so much. Keep your eyes open for Nikon's Out of the Box webinars. They are very good. Unfortunately they do not record them so you have to view live. Join some Facebook groups and keep your eyes open for new videos as they come out. A word of caution about those - remember to consider any agenda the creators might have, keep the stuff that fits your shooting and throw away the rest. You have an exciting and challenging road ahead. Hopefully you have experience with a serious DSLR and not coming from a entry level one.

First the "good stuff":

-The autofocus is an entirely different level - very good
-I get a lot more "keepers" than I did with my D5
-With an FTZ adapter my F mount lenses worked without issue, arguably sharper
-The ergonomics are very good and I find it very comfortable to hold and use
-The built in vertical grip is very handy
-In addition to the provided battery, I am able to use one of the earlier versions as a rarely used backup. (all Nikon brands)
-The low light performance is very good. I have shot up to 10,000 ISO and am very comfortable consistently in the 3,200 - 6,400 range.
-You will find yourself saying "wow" a lot!

Things to be aware of/prepared for

-I had to spend a lot more time learning the camera's AF system. When to use which area mode and subject detection.
-You will find there won't be a single AF/subject detection mode that will work in all situations. Experiment, make notes and try. A bit like the scientific method - create a scenario, Do background research, create setting(s), test them by doing a shoot, analyze your results and repeat as/if needed.
-This is a pro camera, so don't expect it to be a point and shoot! You will need to work with it.
-Consider which settings best fit YOUR shooting style. Ex: I found both the size of the images and the quantity af lossless compression, 20 fps to be a lot more than I wanted/needed. HE* at 15 fps works well.
-Be prepared to be disappointed in your early images. You WILL get some great ones out of the gate. Maybe even more than you have in the past. However, to really benefit from the Z9's potential will take some time and a lot of practice.
-You may find your early shots might appear "noisier" than what you might expect. Post processing in LR, PS or other programs will bring it down. However, depending upon which program you use, it may work just fine.

All that being said, enjoy the journey! It is an amazing camera. The number of potential keepers I get has forced me to be much critical of my shots. While the number I keep remains about the same, I have found them to be better images all around.

User ID

Cancel while you still can.
Im going back to Sony.

martin muller

The best Z9 comments I have read!

RLSprouse Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)

I received my Z9 a few months ago. I can't really add much to what other posters have already stated, other than the fact that I am thrilled by all aspects of this camera. We've come a long ways since my first Nikon - an old, beat up F body purchased in the late '60s.

Oh, one important addition - glass! The Nikkor Z-mount S series lenses produce stunning images, and are certainly the best lenses I have ever shot with. So far, I have 9 of the Nikkor Z-mount lenses, plus two Venus Laowa macro lenses.

~ Russ

trackmag

We bought 5 of the cameras for our staff. Everyone loves them. And we have an additional three free lancers that are using them. Have been using them since January. Takes some getting used to. The best ever. By far. But I have only been shooting for a living for some 60 years.

photoman43

I got mine about a month ago. Today I used it with the Nikon 100-400mm Z mount S lens photographing raptors using animal eye detection in 3D Tracking. It was my first time to test this AF setting. I took about 1500 images and will start viewing them right now. While taking them I was blown away by how the software found the eye of the bird. See attached image--unprocessed and uncropped. F5.6; 1/1000; exp comp -.3

The camera with this technology (and its competitors from Canon and Sony) is a game changer for most bird photographers and nature photographers who need these new AF focus features. Whether you need it is for you to decide.

jonyrot

I have had mine for about a week now, I will be posting it for sale in the very near future. The camera is everything the reviews and users say about it, but it is larger and heavier than I am comfortable with.

ricardo00

Beautiful photo! I assume you were pretty close since uncropped? And lucky to have an owl out with lots of light.

fstoprookie Loc: Central Valley of California

I have had mine since January. Sold my D5, D810, and most all my F/G lenses.

I love the way it handles, took me some time to start using it like I'm suppose to. There is a lot to absorb about the "Auto Focus System". I suggest buying "Thom Hogan's Z9 guide". Must warn you - It's 1200 pages long. If you have had any earlier Z cameras (That is a BIG plus) or D5, D6, possibly a D850 the transition will be a little smoother.

The auto focus system works well when you use it like you are suppose to. There are a lot of adjustments that will make your photo shooting experience much easier. REMEMBER - Using the camera the way it was intended can be challenging at first. However, if you are like me; I Don't Give up on a challenge.

Below are a couple pictures I took with it in the last few weeks

photoman43

My owl image was of a captive bird as it has a damaged wing.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...sounds like you have a lot of experience with the camera. Right? Well, just for the other end of the continuum; I'm on month two and have shot with it pretty much every day, birds to surfing to walkaround. Couldn't be happier. Actually took my Sony A7 out for a spin today (it's converted to IR) and *still* hate the menu system, lol. <shrug>

gwilliams6

Longtime Nikon shooter and top wildlife Pro Mark Smith has tested the Z9 and offers up some nice videos of the experience. Mark still has some great Nikon glass, even though he shoots mainly Sony now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eLiTkbe-v4&t=311s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB1SHhIbXf8&t=7s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bi-JTW2dvk&t=781s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS9BOCkf86g&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DBOsCyUQiA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr6GinQFZsI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOE6jPUwtcI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_RQ0vAFTC0&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFuDZ5xmY7g&t=5s

When I asked Mark directly if he was now switching from his Sony gear back to Nikon and the Z9, he said no.

Just one pro's opinion.

If the Z9 is really what you wanted, you will likely love it.

Cheers, enjoy and all the best to you.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

For me, the Z9 is the best digital camera I've ever used and it's wonderful for sports action.