Summitridge

Wondering if any of you folks have good field experience with Nikon's Z-7 camera? If so, would you share? Thanks in advance.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

I tried a thread like this on the Z6 a while back and got little useful experience.

So I’ll offer a little feedback on the Z6 which applies to Z7. My previous camera was D800 and I also have D5600.

1. Sensor gets dusty fast because of exposure during lens changes and Nikon tells you to not manually clean it. And I’m not convinced the shake cleaning works on camera off.

2. Can’t use with Lightroom 6 and even with Adobe dng converter RAW images have substantial color shift ( Adobe screw up). Fixed w subscription Lightroom.

3. Nice to use w 24-70 lens but using adapter a PITA.

4. Controls, including touch screen, easy to use (compared to D800 like unlit button interface). But my D5600 has same and weighs less.

5. Miss pop up flash.

6. Battery life fine but doesn’t let my off brand batteries work.

7. Can’t use alternative image areas with DX lenses.

8. It makes me favor my D5600 more each day.

9. Wish I’d got the D850 or kept my D800.

Summitridge

Thanks. I have not heard these things as of yet. I have a D800 and D810. Will keep the 810. Trying for a lighter load as I have had two shoulder surgeries. I am waffling between the D 850 and the Z 7. I like the 9 fpm for the Z 7. I also have a D 500 for fast shooting, but low light is a big problem. Do a lot of animals in motion.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Easy - D850 :)

If you're doing action, the D850 absolutely kills the Z7. I own both and have shot them side by side in action scenarios and the Z7 just can't keep up. Don't get me wrong, you can get action shots with the Z7, you'll just get a heck of a lot more of them with the D850.

Also, the "real" frame rate of the Z7 is 5.5 FPS - anything above that and you lose the live feed in the EVF and get a slide show of your images instead. This makes tracking a subject and keeping an AF point where you want it incredibly difficult.

CO

I rented the Z6 for two weeks recently. I did a lot of testing side by side with my D500. I liked the Z6 a lot but there a few things that just bothered me too much for me to purchase one. In the viewfinder objects close to the camera look very crisp and sharp but distant objects just look a little grainy. Also, when panning it's evident that the refresh rate is just not quite fast enough - things are a little jittery. I think its autofocus system can't match the AF in my D500. In dimmer light the Z6 would often hunt for focus. I turned on the low light focus mode but it didn't seem to help. My D500 would lock on the same subject right away. Maybe when Nikon's second generation mirrorless cameras come out, I will look again.

Bill_de Loc: US

My Z6 is fine for animals in motion ... SLOW motion.

If you can handle it the D850 is the way to go. If you really need the 9 FPS the D850 can do it with the battery grip and an EL EN 18c battery. Of course that means more weight. Everything is a trade off.

A perfect target for the Z series:

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(Download)

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I purchased the Z6 for one reason only and that is the high ISO capability without noise. I have the D850, D500 and a few other models, but none of my other cameras can match the Z6 for it's high ISO low noise capability, however the D850 and D500 offers better dynamic range than the Z6.

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

I tried a friend's Z7 with my 70-200E lens and the adapter. The camera worked well in an outdoor park setting. The AF was OK and I had no problems with the battery life as the owner of the camera had an extra battery. The controls were fine. The actual body was a bit small for my big hands. The VR worked fine. The unit was pretty long with the adapter and my 70-200E lens but still manageable. A native lens is probably a better fit. I never filled the buffer as I was only shooting stills to test the camera. My friend likes his Z7. When I was done I went back to my D850 with the extra battery/vertical grip and do like it much more. In general, the D850 feels better to me, the AF appears to be somewhat faster but that is a non-scientific feeling, and I like the ability to use the vertical grip. From a consumer standpoint the Z7 is a new concept for full frame mirrorless. Nikon Z models will eventually evolve into a Z iteration that will satisfy a broader range of photographers. I would have to say that I am spoiled by the D850. I really cannot think of anything more I would want in a full frame DSLR. My friend likes the smaller package of the Z7 when used with a native lens. When I need a smaller travel camera I use my SonyR4. So be it as some salesman once said, "there is a seat for every a..." Good Shooting

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Makes me glad that I didn't buy into the Z family. "If it ain't broke..." I'll stick with the DSLR for a while.

dhroberts Loc: Boston, MA, USA

I switched from a (wonderful) D800E to the Z7 with the native 24-70 and 14-30 lenses, and am very satisfied with it. I wanted the compact, light weight package that it provides, and am sure that as I get even older I'll be thankful for my decision.

If I specialized in shooting BIF or sports I'd have gotten a D850 (or a D5), but I don't. The Z system is compact, and produces spectacular images for landscape, macro, and portrait photography. However, if you look online you'll find several wildlife shooters who are highly satisfied with the Z system.

I got far more dust spots in my D800E images than I've seen so far with the Z7, but I agree that Nikon's choice to leave the shutter open when changing lenses is plain stupid.

It is also inconvenient to say the least that the FTZ converter does not support autofocus for D series lenses such as the spectacular 200/4 micro (although one uses manual focus with that lens...)

Finally, I am very encouraged by Nikon's willingness to update the Z cameras with new firmware; the first update was very useful, including as it did a very capable eye detection.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

My Z 7 is my landscape camera and added a Rokinon 14 mm for night sky photography

dhroberts Loc: Boston, MA, USA

Here is an example of what the Z 7 with the 24-70/4 S lens can do. Taken at ISO 64, 1/160s, f/8, 54mm. The locale is Huntington Gardens in San Marino, CA. Opened with Adobe Vivid by ACR in Photoshop, but otherwise not manipulated. The cactus really is that blue color!

BDHender

I have a Z7 and believe you are wrong on the majority of your assertions. I have over 5k images and zero dust. Cleaning is the same as DSLR. The adapter is very easy to use. You can indeed use DX lenses and the DX area. It's the 4th item down on the shooting menu.

This stuff amazes me. It all started when initial reviewers made all kinds of erroneous claims when the camera first came out and they didn't know how to use it.

Bryan

Summitridge

Very helpful real user reviews!

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

There is a Z-6 & Z-7 Group on Facebook. So if you partake of any of the photo groups on FB give them a look. Lots of comments on both sides of the fence.

Dust is a problem no matter what mirrorless lens you have.