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Nikon Z6 and Z7
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Jul 31, 2020 07:27:22   #
annabellaf Loc: Miami, FL
 
How much are you selling it for

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Jul 31, 2020 07:36:11   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
RahulKhosla wrote:
I have a lot of Nikon gear, so am pretty deeply "invested" in that brand. None of the three bodies I have (D5/850/500) are mirrorless and I have been thinking about adding a mirrorless body to the arsenal to get faster shutter speed and AF esp for BIF and wildlife action as well as for better video capabilities. I have heard a lot about the wonders of Sony and other mirrorless bodies and lenses - however, going outside the Nikon range would mean interoperability problems. What would you wise people advise?
a) stick with Nikon?
b) if yes, which one?
c) if not, what would you recommend and how would compatibility / interoperability be solved?
d) should I just shut up and stick with DSLR's ?!!
I have a lot of Nikon gear, so am pretty deeply &q... (show quote)


I also have what you have in Nikon gear and the 200-500 5.6 and the 500 and 300 FL lenses. I do mostly wildlife and birds in flight.
So what I did was DIP my hands into mirrorless. First I got a mint used Sony a9 with vertical grip and the Sony 200-600 mm lens.
On my Nikons I use GROUP AUTO FOCUS and my keep rate for BIF is about 99%.
With the Sony I use TRACKING EXPAND FLEXIBLE SPOT and my keep rate for BIF is about 99%.
The big advantage with the Sony a9 is that I get 20 fps. Some here say you don't need that many fps. I strongly disagree. If you want that one look, 20 fps is better than my 12 fps with the D5.
So, bottom line, I carry both into the field, usually my Sony a9 with either the 200-600 or 600 f4, along with my D850 with the 500 5.6 FL.
So, for now I am into both systems, both have advantages for what I use them for.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

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Jul 31, 2020 07:50:51   #
tomcat
 
rehess wrote:
The use is what you need to concentrate on. Some time may pass before Nikon gets MILC focusing where DSLR focusing already is. On the other hand, Z6 already seems to be where D750 / D500 high ISO performance is, and the Z7 where D850 ‘detail’ is.


The Z6 has long surpassed the D750/500 in low light performance. I use my Z6 + 85mm f/1.8 lens in high ISO values of 10-12,000 ISO and there is no way anything from Nikon can match this. Only the D3s/D4s can come even close to it

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Jul 31, 2020 07:53:21   #
tomcat
 
RahulKhosla wrote:
I have a lot of Nikon gear, so am pretty deeply "invested" in that brand. None of the three bodies I have (D5/850/500) are mirrorless and I have been thinking about adding a mirrorless body to the arsenal to get faster shutter speed and AF esp for BIF and wildlife action as well as for better video capabilities. I have heard a lot about the wonders of Sony and other mirrorless bodies and lenses - however, going outside the Nikon range would mean interoperability problems. What would you wise people advise?
a) stick with Nikon?
b) if yes, which one?
c) if not, what would you recommend and how would compatibility / interoperability be solved?
d) should I just shut up and stick with DSLR's ?!!
I have a lot of Nikon gear, so am pretty deeply &q... (show quote)


I would indeed get the Z6 for your low light shooting. By low light, I mean really low. The Z6 has long surpassed the D850/500 and D5 in low light performance. I use my Z6 + 85mm f/1.8 lens in high ISO values of 10-12,000 ISO and there is no way anything from Nikon can match this. Only the D3s/D4s can come even close to it

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Jul 31, 2020 08:02:42   #
tomcat
 
CO wrote:
The AF performance of the Z6 and Z7 can't match the AF performance of the D5, D500, and D850. I have a D500 and rented the Z6 for two weeks. I did side by side shooting with both every day. The Z6 would often hunt to achieve focus in even slightly dim light. I activated the low-light focusing feature but that didn't help. The D500 would achieve focus on the same subject immediately. The D500 is superior for continuous tracking also. I'm waiting until Nikon's second or third generation Z series come out to look again.

All of these cameras have a fastest shutter speed of 1/8000 second. You wouldn't gain anything there.
The AF performance of the Z6 and Z7 can't match th... (show quote)


Interesting comment you gave about the Z6 hunting for focus in low light. What were the ISO values when you were experiencing this problem? I shoot high school volleyball and basketball in dim gyms at ISO values of 10-12,000 ISO with no problems whatsoever on achieving focus and continuously tracking the ball and players movements. I use the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 s lens It outperformed the D5

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Jul 31, 2020 08:08:08   #
User ID
 
RahulKhosla wrote:
It’s people like you and the condescending way you speak that makes relative photography novices like me hesitate to join and participate in forums such as these. Who gave you the license to decide what anyone else’s priorities or preferences should be ? It’s not difficult to focus on the question and answer it in a way that simply educates the enquirer.


You refer to my partial disagreement with Paul. If you found that content to be of no value to novices ... as you declare yourself to be ... that’s not unusual. Not every post can be tailored to address the very lowest common denominator.

It’s quite normal that you would not identify with the group of users that I spoke for. Why would any rank novice have a large lens collection from a prior technology ? I spoke for that very real group. If the group didn’t exist or if it didn’t matter, the FTZ would not exist.

On that basis, yes, I actually DO “have license” to speak for others, others like myself, others who would value the FTZ. And yes, that group excludes you, so you find no value there. I was never speaking to you in the first place. This is a vertically diverse forum so that will often happen.

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Jul 31, 2020 08:41:20   #
tomcat
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Most people only dream of success, the successful few wake up and buy a mirrorless camera along with the superior lenses.




Count me in on that. I have the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 and the 24-70mm f/4. Waiting to buy the 20mm f/1.8 asap. All are the fabulous S series and the sharpness is incredible. I love the Z6 and 85mm for its low light performance where the ISO values climb to 10-12,000. AF is very fast and noise is all but gone. The only limits are what is inside my head---I spend too much time watching the viewfinder and forget to track the action

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Jul 31, 2020 08:43:38   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Beauty is everywhere when you have a mirrorless lens on your mirrorless camera.

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Jul 31, 2020 08:48:18   #
tomcat
 
larryepage wrote:
I don't have a D5, but I do have a D850 and D500. I was in my local camera store a while ago and they had an unsold Z7 that they let me take a deep look at and take for a short spin around the block. Now please keep in mind that I was not in the market for a new camera (I'm still not), but even giving the Z7 the benefit of the doubt, it failed to make enough of an impression to make me consider buying or trading (my D810) for one.

The EVF is very popular here, but it failed to demonstrate itself to me as "better" than the optical viewfinder in my cameras. I don't shoot based on a "corrected preview," but one is already available to me on my rear display if I should need it. Construction did not provide the same confident "feel" as any of my other cameras, even going back to the D300. The user interface (menus & buttons) is very similar to that of the D850. Sometimes, just for fun, I like to shoot in square format (24x24) using the two DX lenses that I have. As far as I can tell there is no option to do that on the Z7...it changes to DX format automatically and forcibly, and I could not find a way to override that action. I did not have the camera long enough to evaluate battery life, but extrapolating from what I could observe indicated that it was going to be disappointing.

Overall, my assessment was that the Z7 would give me maybe 80% of what I already had with my D850. Since I tend to use a broad range of my cameras' functions, this was just a deal-killer for me. IBIS would be nice, but it does not serve a need that I have...the few lenses I have that need stabilization have VR, and I've never seen any evidence that I'm missing it on the other lenses, most of which are shorter lenses anyway. It also seems that Nikon is pursuing a new pricing strategy on the lenses, with equivalent S lenses being quite a bit more expensive than their F mount equivalents. The shorter flange distance means that the lenses have to be slightly longer, and the claimed extra performance from the new designs does not address a problem that I have found to be significantly real.

Don't get me wrong, though. I think the Z7 and Z6 are both very nice cameras. But their relative value depends completely on where a photographer is coming from. Either would be a great upgrade from a D7500 or even a D600. A Z7 might even be a nice change from a D750, but the cost penalty would be hard to justify. I personally would question the benefits of either camera over the D780, but can't say, because I've not used one. But I do not see a Z7 as an upgrade from a D850, and the Z6 would definitely be a step back, except maybe for video capability.

People who use their cameras differently from me could clearly come to a significantly different conclusion. I'm convinced that many here just use their cameras as boxes with sensors, shutters, and a place to stick a lens on one side. Nothing wrong with that either, but those folks will definitely come to a different conclusion from someone who routinely uses most or many of their camera's functions routinely.
I don't have a D5, but I do have a D850 and D500. ... (show quote)


You just simply didn't try the Z7 long enough. I have a Z6 and shooting with it is a different paradigm than DSLRs. You have to WANT to learn it and WANT to use it before you can become a success with Nikon mirrorless. When I go out to shoot indoor volleyball and basketball, I grab my Z6 and the Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens, a spare battery, and nothing else. All my other gear stays home. There is nothing else that Nikon makes that shoots in ultra-high ISO like the Z6 does--nothing.

Regarding your comment about the previews in the EVF, I am not sure what you meant....my EVF always gives me the live shot that I am getting ready to snap, not a preview

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Jul 31, 2020 08:54:06   #
tomcat
 
2Much wrote:
By all accounts compatible F-mount lenses work perfectly well with the Z cameras and FTZ, and as you say could give you the benefit of improved camera features while maintaining the performance you've come to expect from your lenses. And that's a good thing!

However, I think CHG CANON has a valid point. I've not seen a Z anything in the flesh (helps prevent GAS) and am unlikely to exceed the capabilities of my DSLRs for some time to come. But I have seen photos taken with the Z cameras using native Z lenses, and find their level of sharpness and natural looking detail to be uniformly stunning. I can't assert that it's true, but to my eyes they appear to be a genuine step up in image quality.
By all accounts compatible F-mount lenses work per... (show quote)


Trust me, they are a genuine step up in image quality. I shoot a Z6 + Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens for volleyball and basketball and the low light images are incredibly better than any other Nikon (D3s and D5). The flowers that I shoot with this rig are astounding sharp. So what Paul says and what you observe are correct. I don't do a lot of landscape photography yet, but that's my next venture.

The Nikon mirrorless with the accompanying Z lenses are indeed a "giant leap for mankind".

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Jul 31, 2020 08:55:16   #
tomcat
 
RahulKhosla wrote:
Thanks this is very useful. I love my DSLRs and have no intention of disposing them. I should have said I’m looking for higher FPS instead of saying I’m looking for higher shutter speed. If this is only achievable via a mirror less, then either I stick to Nikon and buy a Z series mirror less (so that I don’t have to buy more lenses) or I invest in the best mirrorless regardless of brand. So my original question stands - which mirror less camera today would you say is the top performer in terms of AF and FPS.
Thanks this is very useful. I love my DSLRs and ha... (show quote)


For sports, it's the Z6

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Jul 31, 2020 08:56:48   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
tomcat wrote:
Trust me, they are a genuine step up in image quality. I shoot a Z6 + Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens for volleyball and basketball and the low light images are incredibly better than any other Nikon (D3s and D5). The flowers that I shoot with this rig are astounding sharp. So what Paul says and what you observe are correct. I don't do a lot of landscape photography yet, but that's my next venture.

The Nikon mirrorless with the accompanying Z lenses are indeed a "giant leap for mankind".
Trust me, they are a genuine step up in image qual... (show quote)


For those looking for examples, visit Ken Rockwell's site for demonstration images from the Z bodies and lenses. The visual evidence is clear.

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Jul 31, 2020 09:01:08   #
APSHEPPARD
 
I added the Z7 and like it for lots of things, but do not want to get rid of my D500 either. The Z7 has an incredible pixel count which will serve well in many situations especially where you may have a large crop. The FTZ lens adapter works well although it does not autofocus on some older Nikkor lenses even though the other auto features work well. On the newer lenses it all works. You are, of course, then adding back a bit of the weight and bulk you have gained with the Z7. They have just released for late August teleconverters which will work with their 70-200 zoom all the way to f/11. I have two friends who switched to Sony. One used it a bit and bought Nikon back after selling his previous Nikon gear. The other sold his Canon top of the line gear and bought Sony, and he is very happy with it. I guess this is one of those issues where beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

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Jul 31, 2020 09:10:19   #
Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida
 
RahulKhosla wrote:
I have a lot of Nikon gear, so am pretty deeply "invested" in that brand. None of the three bodies I have (D5/850/500) are mirrorless and I have been thinking about adding a mirrorless body to the arsenal to get faster shutter speed and AF esp for BIF and wildlife action as well as for better video capabilities. I have heard a lot about the wonders of Sony and other mirrorless bodies and lenses - however, going outside the Nikon range would mean interoperability problems. What would you wise people advise?
a) stick with Nikon?
b) if yes, which one?
c) if not, what would you recommend and how would compatibility / interoperability be solved?
d) should I just shut up and stick with DSLR's ?!!
I have a lot of Nikon gear, so am pretty deeply &q... (show quote)


I would rent or borrow the newer models first (regardless of brand) and see if I liked them first. You already have 3 of the best cameras that Nikon ever made so I would proceed carefully before I made the enormous financial commitment you are contemplating. I read in an earlier comment,that you are located in India and I don't have any knowledge of how difficult acquiring camera gear might be, but I'll guess it involve time & money and a process more complex than what I would encounter here in the USA. Good luck to you all the same.

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Jul 31, 2020 09:12:59   #
tomcat
 
Blair Shaw Jr wrote:
I would rent or borrow the newer models first (regardless of brand) and see if I liked them first. You already have 3 of the best cameras that Nikon ever made so I would proceed carefully before I made the enormous financial commitment you are contemplating. I read in an earlier comment,that you are located in India and I don't have any knowledge of how difficult acquiring camera gear might be, but I'll guess it involve time & money and a process more complex than what I would encounter here in the USA. Good luck to you all the same.
I would rent or borrow the newer models first (reg... (show quote)



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