Z9 or not Z9? (Page 3): And I thought it was only me! :sm02: I have 110 ukuleles, and I still look to see if there's another one that I "need."...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

sippyjug104 wrote:

I could be the poster child for GAS for I have a neverending itch to "buy something".

And I thought it was only me!

I have 110 ukuleles, and I still look to see if there's another one that I "need."

photoman43

BurghByrd wrote:

I have a Z9 and it's a great camera but the way you've phrased the question I would have the choice of sitting at home looking at a great camera or being in a great location taking great pictures (which can be done with the old gear). Go take pictures.

I have both the Z9 and the D 500 and the 500mm pf and have been to Costa Rica to photograph birds (before ownig a Z9.) And I shoot for pleasure and not money.

Given your premise of one or the other, I would go to Costa Rica and take pictures. In addition to the 500mm pf and the D500, I would take a shorter lens like the 300mm f4 pf as many hummingbird shots will not need the 500. And a macro lens too. The best way to shoot Costa Rica is with two cameras with different lenses. Rent the additional equipment needed. CR is an amazing country for photography. Go on a photo tour if you can with experienced guides.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

While I can't speak to the trip, which you should go on if you are really into birds, I can speak about the Z9, the D500 and the 500PF, all of which I own or have owned (sold my D500 and am now completely mirrorless). A good friend, who I consider a fabulous bird guy, used exactly your setup, BEFORE the Z9. He is also awaiting his 800 PF! I can say, without any hesitation, the Z9 is the absolute best new camera I have ever owned, and it is lightyears ahead of anything Nikon. The Z7 or Z7 II is nowhere close (just read the specs). The Pre-release burst, available with firmware 2.0, is game changing! YMMV. Best of luck

William Royer Loc: Kansas

You might take a looks at the new OM Systems OM-1. I’ve read excellent reviews from bird photog’s for its bird ID and tracking system. Because of its smaller sensor it’s field of view effectively doubles your reach. So, the lenses are significantly smaller than FF lenses. Therefore, the whole system is much smaller and more portable. Because it’s much less expensive than equivalent FF system — including lenses — maybe both the system and the trip are do-able?
(Full disclosure, I moved from FF Nikon D810 to Oly several years ago, and have been very pleased with its advantages. Would not change back.)

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

imagemeister wrote:

Have you thought about getting a Sony RX10m4 AND going to Costa Rica and enjoying the trip ?? Use 1.3X CIZ to get to 780mm equi. FOV if needed to equal the 750mm of the 500/500 PF.

And you can push CIZ to 2x for the equivalent of 1200mm?

bwa

MDI Mainer

There is an ad running on TV that poses the question: Years from now will you remember the flat screen TV you bought or the trip you took? Thought provoking and applicable to camera gear too.

Photoshark Loc: Oregon

ksmmike wrote:

I don't own a Z9, so not sure I can give the best ... (show quote)

You may want new glass but a lot of my older lenses including a twenty year old 300 mmf4 and my aincient Street Sweeper 24-120 work just fine

daledo Loc: Billings, MT

I have the d500, d850 and z9 and really like them all. There is not an easy answer to the z9 or CR question for me. I love that the z9 accepts and makes better my old f mount lenses. I really enjoy the z9 in all kinds of photography and do not regret spending the money even though it was a stretch. As I do not engage in bird photography often I don't know the joy you get from doing so. Personally, I would go against the flow and get the z9.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

bwana wrote:

And you can push CIZ to 2x for the equivalent of 1200mm?

bwa

Yes, 24-1200mm f2.4-4 .....

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

leftj wrote:

A decision you have to make for yourself however if you are leaning toward the Z9 then I would advise you to go to YouTube "Bayou Josh". He is a dedicated bird photographer who made the switch from Z9 to Sony A7RIV.

I owned the A7RIV and I can tell you it was noisy compared to my a9, I still own the a9, I sold the A7RIV.

rangel28

ClarkJohnson wrote:

I have a not-so-hypothetical question for this knowledgeable and opinionated group. I primarily shoot birds and sometimes other wildlife, using a D500 and 500 PF. I get good and sometimes great results, and the usual share of unfocused images. With about $6,000 in hand, would you A) purchase a Nikon z9 OR B) take a trip to a spectacular birding location (e.g., Costa Rica). While the ideal answer is « both, » that is not an option for this discussion.

I would take the D500 and the 500 PF. The D500 is still a phenomenal camera and when paired with the 500 PF will provide many opportunities for great photos. The Z9 will be more cumbersome to carry.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

ClarkJohnson wrote:

I have a not-so-hypothetical question for this knowledgeable and opinionated group. I primarily shoot birds and sometimes other wildlife, using a D500 and 500 PF. I get good and sometimes great results, and the usual share of unfocused images. With about $6,000 in hand, would you A) purchase a Nikon z9 OR B) take a trip to a spectacular birding location (e.g., Costa Rica). While the ideal answer is « both, » that is not an option for this discussion.

Go take the trip and take a ton of pictures. You’ll come home with great memories and a bunch of keepers to enjoy!

1grumpybear

Tough call. Owning both D6 and D850 I now own two Z9s. I got the first Z9 Jan. 11 and just recieved the second one last week. I used the D6 for sports and action and the D850 for everything else. The Z9 does everything the D850 and D6 only better. The reason for the second Z9 I no longer have to change lenses. With one having 24-70 and the other 70-200 or 100-400 depending on what I am shooting.

M1911 Loc: DFW Metromess

Take the trip and wait for the Z10.

horizonphototours Loc: From Montana but living in Southern Utah

BurghByrd wrote:

I have a Z9 and it's a great camera but the way you've phrased the question I would have the choice of sitting at home looking at a great camera or being in a great location taking great pictures (which can be done with the old gear). Go take pictures.

I think this summarizes my thoughts exactly. Go experience and photograph and bring the camera you have. You'll always make better images this way too:)