Close to buying a new camera -- which one? (Page 4): Why are you putting the decision to buy in someone else’s hands? You should be asking for opinions rather than soliciting a...

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

Why are you putting the decision to buy in someone else’s hands? You should be asking for opinions rather than soliciting a decision.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Nosaj wrote:

Why are you putting the decision to buy in someone else’s hands? You should be asking for opinions rather than soliciting a decision.

I thought that is what I was doing. I'll run my future posts by you first to see if I have worded them correctly.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

Bridges wrote:

I will have enough money within the next month to get a higher end mirrorless. My dilemma is that my retirement budget isn't going to allow me to get everything I would like. It looks like I could opt for a Z9 and use my Nikon legacy glass or go for the Z7ii and have enough for a couple of Z lenses. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

Make a change and purchase the new OMD - Solutions/Olympus OM1 - if you are a wildlife photographer, that is. The new OMD-S OM1 is an absolutely brilliant camera (I am fortunate to own 2). OMD-S/Olympus has a large range of fantastic lenses and even the speedlights and macro twin flash are weatherproof beyond anything else available from other manufacturers. Go on, you know you want to.

leftj Loc: Texas

stevetassi wrote:

You don’t provide us enough information for anyone to make an informed recommendation. What do you shoot? What’s your total budget? Do you shoot high speed action?

He definitely provided enough information. He indicated he really would like to have the Z9 and that he has the funds to buy it. That's all you need to know.

camshot Loc: Peterborough ontario Canada

I went with the Z7, sold my d800. All my prime glass stayed with me. I bought the Z 50mm, Z 24to70, and use the Z lenses most as they are very sharp and somewhat lighter than the primes, although the primes are there if I want them. I now have all I want or need in photographic equipment, ( did I not say that Before) Hah

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Bridges wrote:

I will have enough money within the next month to get a higher end mirrorless. My dilemma is that my retirement budget isn't going to allow me to get everything I would like. It looks like I could opt for a Z9 and use my Nikon legacy glass or go for the Z7ii and have enough for a couple of Z lenses. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

I have two Z7s. Unless you are shooting rapid action events or birds/wildlife the Z7 will serve you well. Evaluate your shooting style and you have answered your own question. The S-mount glass (mount for the Z cameras) is SHARP!

photoman43

billnikon wrote:

If your going to do sports or Birds in Flight and wildlife photography, go Z9. Other wise the Z7II would do you well and get the Z14-30 mm, and the adapter II for all your legacy Nikon glass.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1452459-REG/nikon_20070_nikkor_z_14_30mm_f_4.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

This is sound advice. If you need the Z9, be prepared to wait for it, maybe 6-12 months. I ordered mine in Oct 2021 and am still waiting for it. I plan on using my existing Nikon lenses with the Adapter on my Z9 except for maybe one or two new Z mount S lenses.

leftj Loc: Texas

BobHartung wrote:

I have two Z7s. Unless you are shooting rapid action events or birds/wildlife the Z7 will serve you well. Evaluate your shooting style and you have answered your own question. The S-mount glass (mount for the Z cameras) is SHARP!

Curious. Have all the autofocus issues including eye autofocus been resolved through firmware updates?

Photo Madman

I think it depends on what body you shoot with now. As a D850 shooter I tried the Z7 II and found it a little small for me. I now shoot with the Z9 and love it’s feel and balance. The Z9 in my opinion is a great camera and was the best choice for me as I moved into mirrorless. I still shoot with my D850, but my go to is the Z9. Good luck and good shooting.

MDI Mainer

Bridges wrote:

I thought that is what I was doing. I'll run my future posts by you first to see if I have worded them correctly.

1grumpybear

Bridges wrote:

I will have enough money within the next month to get a higher end mirrorless. My dilemma is that my retirement budget isn't going to allow me to get everything I would like. It looks like I could opt for a Z9 and use my Nikon legacy glass or go for the Z7ii and have enough for a couple of Z lenses. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

Buy the camera body the does what you want. As I have said before I own the D6 for sports and the D850 for everything else. Then the Z9 came along and it was the combination of the D6 and D850. The Z9 does everything I want plus some. The D6 and D850 are now my backup cameras. My biggest surprise was how quite it was when shooting weddings. I have a second Z9 on order.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I agree with billnikon. It depends on what you shoot. The Z9 is an outstanding camera but the real difference is when shooting fast action. The Z7II is an excellent all around camera that is pretty decent for wildlife. If that’s only 5% of what you shoot then it might be a better option. I’d look at the specs of the Z9 and think about how each feature or item would benefit my shooting. Then decide if it would be worth it.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

MDI Mainer wrote:

I would almost always go for better lenses over a better body. Also, in my experience (albeit wit Sony not Nikon) nothing performs like native glass no matter how well the adapter is said to work.

Here's what Ken Rockwell has to say:

Easy and timeless answer: always put your money into your lenses.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/lens-or-camera.htm

See also:

https://fstoppers.com/education/it-better-upgrade-your-camera-or-your-lens-325986

Maybe easy and timeless at one time. But advances in camera technology were always pretty incremental. That has not been the case for the last couple of years with mirrorless cameras. Yes good glass is always important but recent advances mean the camera itself can be the game changer.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

Bridges wrote:

I want to thank everyone for their responses. The... (show quote)

I've had my Z9 for a week, still wringing out the washcloth a bit, but it's gonna be the last flagship camera I'll ever buy or need (haha, I've left room there for a Z50 upgrade). I have a Z6II and *had* a Z7...to me it's all the same, but the Z9 has more of it!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

The Z9, IMHO, is simply Nikon's best camera period! That said, unless you do sports and/or BIF it may not be warranted. At the moment I have both the Z6 and the Z9 (have never used/owned any other Z) and really do appreciate both the way the Z9 operates and its totally revised focus system. It is just a joy to use! So far, I am really impressed with the Z glass. Best of luck with your difficult choice.