I thought the Z8 had an Articulating screen? Mine must be defective, it has very limited options and a ridiculously complex mechanism. Am I missing something here? I was expecting much...

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Mine must be defective, it has very limited options and a ridiculously complex mechanism. Am I missing something here? I was expecting much more. I wish I had the option to buy the Z8 without it. I would rather not have a back screen, save the space and the potential unreliability, than have to put up with the abortion that is there now.

Full disclosure: I have many Nikon cameras and lenses I am a fan of the Nikon cameras and lenses. But Nikon's articulating screen design is just plain stupid.

Olympus has had a TRUE articulating screen for many years. Please see attached images for a proper articulating screen design.

The screen opens to the left
The screen opens to the left...

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Flipped up for low shots including on the ground. Can be flipped the other way pointing down for overhead shots.

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Can be flipped forward for composing group shots with camera on a tripod (or for selfies).

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Flipped closed the screen is inside and protected, for carrying and storage. No need for an plastic screen protector.

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larryepage Loc: North Texas area

JD750 wrote:

Mine must be defective, it has very limited option... (show quote)

I may have missed something somewhere along the way, but I'm unaware of any high-tier Nikon camera, mirror box or mirrorless, that has ever had a fully articulating screen. Tilt screen only. That goes back at least to the D500 and D850. (The D810 had a fixed rear screen.)

With a little experimentation, I suspect that you can find an operating sequence that will provide easier movement of the screen. Try pulling it out a little at the bottom, then pull from the top.

Articulating screens are something of a mixed blessing. Many like them, but my friend who had the camera repair shop and worked on Canon, Sony, and Nikon cameras said that almost 80% of his repairs involved the rear screen. Replacement usually involved complete camera disassembly to access the main circuit board.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

larryepage wrote:

I may have missed something somewhere along the wa... (show quote)

I have had 3 Olympus cameras over almost a 10 year period. Zero problems with the articulating screen. Just saying.

This Nikon tilt screen mechanism is much more complex and appears to me to be much more likely to cause a problem.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

JD750 wrote:

Mine must be defective, it has very limited option... (show quote)

No concerns with it from me. I can place the camera on the ground or above my head and look at the screen to very easily focus/compose the shot when required. As for the selfie positioning, something I do not need.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Grahame wrote:

No concerns with it from me. I can place the camera on the ground or above my head and look at the screen to very easily focus/compose the shot when required. As for the selfie positioning, something I do not need.

ok I’m missing something then. Can you post a pic of how you use the screen with the camera over your head, on the ground? Thanks.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

JD750 wrote:

ok I’m missing something then. Can you post a pic of how you use the screen with the camera over your head, on the ground? Thanks.

On the screen you will see 2 lugs at the bottom, one left one right. Use either one to lift the screen bottom upwards, you can then move it away from the camera slightly if required, and rotate for upward viewing.

Additionally, you can just use the lug on the screen top left to fold it downwards.

Camera on ground/below
Camera on ground/below...

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Camera above
Camera above...

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JD750 Loc: SoCal

Grahame wrote:

On the screen you will see 2 lugs at the bottom, one left one right. Use either one to lift the screen bottom upwards, you can then move it away from the camera slightly if required, and rotate for upward viewing.

Additionally, you can just use the lug on the screen top left to fold it downwards.

Ok can I see how that would work for shooting low. And I just tried it. Thank you for posting that.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

JD750 wrote:

Mine must be defective, it has very limited option... (show quote)

I am surprised that you didn't know about the screen.
It is well discussed in internet and in all reviews. Nikon literature shows and discusses the screen.
It gets mixed reviews just like a fully articulating screen gets mixed reviews.
Comes down to user preference and what they are used to. Nothing wrong with the screen, many seem to say that it is more robust than the fully articulating screen.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Architect1776 wrote:

I am surprised that you didn't know about the screen.
It is well discussed in internet and in all reviews. Nikon literature shows and discusses the screen.
It gets mixed reviews just like a fully articulating screen gets mixed reviews.
Comes down to user preference and what they are used to. Nothing wrong with the screen, many seem to say that it is more robust than the fully articulating screen.

Time will tell the robustness of the Nikon erector set tilting screen. I thought I heard that it was a big improvement to the Z7. A minor improvement at best. However I have bought Nikons for years in spite of that screen not because of it. ;)

Having used the full articulating screen show in pics above, I definitely prefer it. It is a superior design. One of the best features is it is self protecting when flipped shut.

I use these two camera formats for different things and that won't change because of the screen.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

JD750 wrote:

Time will tell the robustness of the Nikon erector... (show quote)

Your one opinion does not determine anything except your opinion.
I am sure you will find a few million to disagree with you.
I was not defending either style at all. Nikon did research, had development users and decided that their choice is valid.
Olympus did the same and came to a different conclusion. Except for vlogging of oneself both provide the needed movements.
Perhaps time will determine the winner if there really is a winner.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Architect1776 wrote:

Your one opinion does not determine anything except your opinion.

I'm good with that.

Architect1776 wrote:

I am sure you will find a few million to disagree with you.

I'm' good with that too. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Architect1776 wrote:

I was not defending either style at all. Nikon did research, had development users and decided that their choice is valid.

And after all that, they came up with an inferior design, in a camera that costs a considerable amount more.

Architect1776 wrote:

Olympus did the same and came to a different conclusion. Except for vlogging of oneself both provide the needed movements.

Sorry but that is not accurate. The Olympus version provides several advantages over the Nikon version, which I have previously cited above.

Architect1776 wrote:

Perhaps time will determine the winner if there really is a winner.

IMHO Olympus has easily won this one many years ago.

But if you prefer Nikon's version that is ok with me.

I like my Nikon kit, and I like everything about the Z8, but I don't buy the Nikon cameras for their tilt screen.

ChristianHJensen

JD750 wrote:

IMHO Olympus has easily won this one many years ago.

But if you prefer Nikon's version that is ok with me.

I like my Nikon kit, and I like everything about the Z8, but I don't buy the Nikon cameras for their tilt screen.

Why the hell did you buy a Nikon vs an Olympus?

Grahame Loc: Fiji

JD750 wrote:

Ok can I see how that would work for shooting low. And I just tried it. Thank you for posting that.

I forgot to mention that if shooting in portrait orientation you can do exactly the same movements by using the lug on the left side of the screen towards the top.

User ID

JD750 wrote:

IMHO Olympus has easily won this one many years ago.

But if you prefer Nikon's version that is ok with me.

I like my Nikon kit, and I like everything about the Z8, but I don't buy the Nikon cameras for their tilt screen.

Everyone should just convert to Lumix. They have managed the impossible, by respecting both religions within one ecumenical design.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

JD750 wrote:

Mine must be defective, it has very limited option... (show quote)

I believe the Nikon articulating LCD screen design is very similar to the Canon design. I have had this screen design on my Nikon Z fc for last two years and find it useful when needed.