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Z9 changes my behavior
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Jan 12, 2022 14:28:01   #
Gourmand Loc: Dallas
 
After using the Z9 for a few weeks now, there are a couple of things that I already like a lot. First, since mirrorless cameras have no mirror slap noise, I can shoot with far less attention and apparent irritation from others (a big plus for street shooting and animals). Also, I am a fool for bracketing and then painting in highlights and shades later in Ps. Easy enough for tripod shots, but at 20 frames per second (almost seven fully bracketed shots per second), as long as the shutter speed is relatively fast I can now shoot a three frame bracket faster than I can take my finger off the shutter button. In the past I would turn bracketing on if the situation called for it. Now I only turn bracketing off if the situation calls for it. BTW, the camera feels great in my hands (Nikon shooter since 1969) and my legacy lenses have performed flawlessly. There’s a lot of interest in this new system on UHH and there is still a lot for me to learn about it, but if you have any questions I’ll be happy to try and answer them for you. BTW, Matt Granger’s Complete Setup Guide cost me $82.45, and was worth every penny.

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Jan 13, 2022 12:01:30   #
bobforman Loc: Anacortes, Washington State
 
Am I correct in believing Z9's are shipping now? I haven't seen them yet in local photo store ads, but that must be coming soon.

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Jan 13, 2022 13:47:10   #
Gourmand Loc: Dallas
 
They've been shipping since mid-December. Got one the day they came out, but I believe in shopping local whenever possible and I've dealt with Competitive Camera in Dallas since the 1980's. I suspect that that may be the reason I was at or near the top of their list. Yes, I love the camera. As with all digital camera bodies though, it is nothing more than a sophisticated computer with attachments (lenses). Along with the camera I got the 24-200 for a general purpose walk-around lens (it has been superb so far). Since I thought I was taking it to the Galapagos next week, I also purchased the 14-24, the 105 and the FTZ II for my old 200-400. Don't ask why, but the 200-400 seems to work better than it ever did (maybe its the added stabilization and now that I think about it maybe the body is more than just a computer). The images from the 105 make me want to cry they're so good. The Galapagos got cancelled (think Covid).

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Jan 13, 2022 13:54:54   #
DICK32
 
Thanks for letting us know that you like the Z9 and what works well with it. I hope you get to use it in the Galapagos soon.

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Jan 13, 2022 14:29:10   #
Gourmand Loc: Dallas
 
Thanks Dick. It is getting a workout, and so far it's been wonderful. Let me know if you've got any specific questions about the camera and I'll try to answer them.

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Jan 13, 2022 16:22:49   #
eternal camper Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 
So, tell me Gourmand,

how did you use Matt's set up of your Z9, and have you tried to change any of his recommendations?
I am a D850 + D500 shooter, but have been really thinking hard if I should get the Z9, and sell both my 850 & 500, or keep my 500?

Stephen

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Jan 13, 2022 17:16:47   #
Gourmand Loc: Dallas
 
Hi Stephen,
The D6 and an 850 have been my go to bodies, so I am therefore fairly familiar with setting up a current Nikon, but some things move around on the menus and others are new or enhanced with more options. Most of Matt's set up works for me too, but once in a while we diverge in our shooting needs/priorities. So, I started at the beginning of his course with my Z9 in one hand and a blank Word document on the computer. He runs through the entire set of menus from top to bottom/beginning to end. His explanation of each item is thorough and easily understood (by me). As he goes through the menus I go all the way into each item with my camera and have created an outline of the entire menu and my settings: 1. Photo Shooting Menu, a. Shooting Menu Bank, i. comments/notes, b. Extended Menu Banks, i. Turn On. Then I highlight only one or two words in red for each setting that tell me what my choice for that item is ("Turn On", "Leave Off", "Applies only to JPEGs", etc.). If I need to go back for any reason, this is where I'll go. Somewhat tedious, but I've learned a lot about things that I wasn't completely clear on in the past.

As far as buying and selling camera bodies is concerned, for the moment I'm keeping most of what I've got (my D800 has been an emergency backup that I grab when kayaking or otherwise mis-behaving). It will be given to a deserving photography student at Tufts in Boston. It's always good to have a backup though and your 850 is a superb piece of equipment (I'm not that familiar with the 500). As I said earlier though, camera bodies are little more than special purpose computers, and you know that they can go down in value rapidly as newer bodies are introduced. If the money is at all important or if you don't shoot a lot (I average over 15,000 images a year - but I bracket a lot), slim down to just what you're going to use asap (you won't be using it much though because the Z9 will quickly become your go-to platform). I'll leave it to other Hoggers to debate the pros and cons of keeping the 850 or the 500.

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Jan 13, 2022 18:45:12   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
Gourmand wrote:
They've been shipping since mid-December. Got one the day they came out, but I believe in shopping local whenever possible and I've dealt with Competitive Camera in Dallas since the 1980's. I suspect that that may be the reason I was at or near the top of their list. Yes, I love the camera. As with all digital camera bodies though, it is nothing more than a sophisticated computer with attachments (lenses). Along with the camera I got the 24-200 for a general purpose walk-around lens (it has been superb so far). Since I thought I was taking it to the Galapagos next week, I also purchased the 14-24, the 105 and the FTZ II for my old 200-400. Don't ask why, but the 200-400 seems to work better than it ever did (maybe its the added stabilization and now that I think about it maybe the body is more than just a computer). The images from the 105 make me want to cry they're so good. The Galapagos got cancelled (think Covid).
They've been shipping since mid-December. Got one... (show quote)


You better pack one of them crying towels in your camera bag. Glad you are so happy with your new equipment. Makes me smile.

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Jan 13, 2022 21:10:13   #
Gourmand Loc: Dallas
 
Thanks - my intent is to share the smiles that I'm so fortunate to have without coming across as braggadocios. YouTubes of people opening boxes never made sense to me, but now I see the genesis may have been simply to share the joy.

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Jan 13, 2022 23:02:17   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
bobforman wrote:
Am I correct in believing Z9's are shipping now? I haven't seen them yet in local photo store ads, but that must be coming soon.


They’re gonna be filling orders for months before you can walk into a store and by one.

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Jan 13, 2022 23:37:10   #
flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT
 
SuperflyTNT wrote:
They’re gonna be filling orders for months before you can walk into a store and by one.

Nikon has announced the next shipment will be arriving in a couple of days...mid-January.

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Jan 14, 2022 03:04:28   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
flip1948 wrote:
Nikon has announced the next shipment will be arriving in a couple of days...mid-January.


Yes, but that shipment will barely put a dent in all the preorders.

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Jan 14, 2022 11:52:10   #
Gourmand Loc: Dallas
 
If you've got one on order, here's hoping that yours is in the next delivery. KEEP YOUR OLD LENSES! Matt Granger put out a video today that speaks about a couple of his old lenses that work better with the Z9 than they ever did. That has been my experience too, and I still suspect that it is because of the added internal stabilization.

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Jan 14, 2022 14:35:32   #
bobforman Loc: Anacortes, Washington State
 
Where is the Z9 made?

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Jan 14, 2022 16:51:08   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
bobforman wrote:
Am I correct in believing Z9's are shipping now? I haven't seen them yet in local photo store ads, but that must be coming soon.

Those who currently have them ordered them a while back. It may be quite a while for local stores to have enough stock to make it worthwhile paying for an ad. With continuing chip shortages and supply chain issues their availability will likely be limited.

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