p.1 #2 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Happy to join in with a new, clean thread. I have about 3 hours of with hands on with a Z7. So much to like about the camera, and the things it could offer going forward.
p.1 #5 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
I'd like to start by posting images showing the Z system, lenses and adapter to be of top notch build quality. And also point out that the Z6 is priced very competitively with other MILC systems and has the high end 3.69 million dot EVF. The Z6, adapter and the 24-70 f/4 zoom with great looking MTF's looks like an extremely sensible and attractive entry point into the system for people looking to get into FF MILC. Well done there Nikon!
p.1 #6 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Why the Z7 will be just what I need.
I currently own the Nikon D850 with Zeiss 15mm, Nikon 20mm f/1.8, Nikon 105mm Macro, Sigma 135 ART f/1.8, Nikon 300mm PF and a Sigma 150-600 Sport.
I also have the Sony A7RIII with Batis 18mm, Batis 85mm, Sony 90mm Macro, Zeiss 135mm and just sold the 100-400GM.
When traveling I always take a backup camera but having different manufacturers it means 2 of everything, lenses, battery chargers etc. The D850 and Z7 combination will be ideal from my perspective.
I like the lighter weight and smaller size of the Sony A7RIII but prefer the image quality from the Nikon. I prefer the Nikon AF as it is better, not by much but it is, no doubt Sony enthusiasts would disagree (note I didn't say fanboys to keep this thread civil). Thats fine everybody is entitled to an opinion. When I am out hiking and in more of a Landscape mode the Sony is my choice and as it's generally Manual everything, I don't care if the Z7 AF is not as good as the Sony A7RIII. For wildlife I choose the D850 anyway but I don't tend to walk about with that anyway. The Z lack of Eye AF is not a concern for me as I don't take people pictures.
So thats why I'm selling my Sony gear and why I'm buying a Z7. Makes perfect sense to me to consolidate my gear and have 2 cameras with common lenses.
p.1 #8 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
MikeInPa wrote:
Why the Z7 will be just what I need.
I currently own the Nikon D850 with Zeiss 15mm, Nikon 20mm f/1.8, Nikon 105mm Macro, Sigma 135 ART f/1.8, Nikon 300mm PF and a Sigma 150-600 Sport.
I also have the Sony A7RIII with Batis 18mm, Batis 85mm, Sony 90mm Macro, Zeiss 135mm and just sold the 100-400GM.
When traveling I always take a backup camera but having different manufacturers it means 2 of everything, lenses, battery chargers etc. The D850 and Z7 combination will be ideal from my perspective.
I like the lighter weight and smaller size of the Sony A7RIII but prefer the image quality from the Nikon. I prefer the Nikon AF as it is better, not by much but it is, no doubt Sony enthusiasts would disagree (note I didn't say fanboys to keep this thread civil). Thats fine everybody is entitled to an opinion. When I am out hiking and in more of a Landscape mode the Sony is my choice and as it's generally Manual everything, I don't care if the Z7 AF is not as good as the Sony A7RIII. For wildlife I choose the D850 anyway but I don't tend to walk about with that anyway. The Z lack of Eye AF is not a concern for me as I don't take people pictures.
So thats why I'm selling my Sony gear and why I'm buying a Z7. Makes perfect sense to me to consolidate my gear and have 2 cameras with common lenses....Show more →
Totally agree This is my keen interest in the Z7 to complement my D850 and in particular for video clips.
The Nikon eye AF has been there for quite some time although not well documented, is via an algorithm through face recognition with the D850 and D750. I use it a lot with the 28E, 58G and 105E when I am shooting portraits at f/1.4 in a dynamic AF and fast moving situations. With the 28E in the streets I set it to AUTO and AF-C and it finds people moving quickly and locks in at f/1.4. I had the A7rII and FE 35/1.4 and GM 85/1.4 and found the eye AF slowed me for portrait shoots in lower light. So I reverted to AF-C and selected my point of focus particularly to where I wanted the focus to lock in on the face/eye/lash. I suspect the eye AF is a two step process where the camera first locates the face and then algorithm for placing the square on the eye is a secondary step which can slow down the capture.
I am keen to see how the Z7 performs as regards to the AF-C and carefully selecting the point of focus similar to Jerry Ghionis in his broadcast for portrait shoots. I tend to use fast lenses so taking control of the point of focus is important.
p.1 #9 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
charles.K wrote:
I am keen to see how the Z7 performs as regards to the AF-C and carefully selecting the point of focus similar to Jerry Ghionis in his broadcast for portrait shoots. I tend to use fast lenses so taking control of the point of focus is important.
During my hands on testing the focus with pinpoint and AFC was fantastic. I have never seen sharper eyes. Also controlling the pinpoint with the joystick was fast, easy, and accurate. This was true with three of the four third party lenses we tried as well. I think you will be happy with the Z7 when shooting it in this mode.
p.1 #10 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
I haven't seen links to these videos posted yet. Nikon has begun posting training videos for the Z7 &Z6 cameras on their Digitutor channel on YouTube. Take a look. While not tests, the videos show features of the cameras and may answer some questions for people. Eight videos posted to start.
p.1 #14 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
I'm hoping to add a Z6 down the road more for general use as a walk around backup to my D850. It would be nice to not have 2 systems to pack on trips. Also I could use the Z6 for my photography business where 45MP are not needed.
p.1 #16 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
1bwana1 wrote:
What do you make of these AF test videos?
These videos were obviously done by someone not experienced in making video clips. We are dealing the worst case scenario, very low varying lighting to almost none, mixed lighting. In this respect I would not pay any attention to these clips.
I have done similar video clips before and even with Sony A7rII I would always revert to manual exposure for stage work with manual focus with peaking. You have IBIS with the A7rII and now the Z7/Z6 and for very low varying/backlit/complex lighting manual focus with peaking and definitely manual exposure otherwise you will always end up with blown highlights which look horrible with stage performances. Also manual focus with peaking is easy as the distances do not vary too much.
I really don't understand the relevance of including these video clips!!!
p.1 #17 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
They showed up in my Z Camera search on YouTube. I am trying to find out as much as I can about Z7 cameras because I am considering purchasing one. I am, after all, a Nikon shooter.
They were posted because they relate to the Nikon Z7, the subject of this thread. That is direct relevance in my opinion.
They were posted without comment because I don't shoot concert videos in low light, so I wanted others to comment on what if anything of value these videos showed. I also cannot judge the abilities of Mobile1 the people who made these videos, I would note that a couple of their other videos were posted and translated by another member who reads Chinese on another thread.
p.1 #18 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
In fairness will we all have to wait till after the 27th of September when the non-prototype cameras are out there. Everything else is speculation or from ambassadors or people that held the camera for a few hours in hand.
p.1 #19 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Could not agree more Vinnie_VdB wrote:
In fairness will we all have to wait till after the 27th of September when the non-prototype cameras are out there. Everything else is speculation or from ambassadors or people that held the camera for a few hours in hand.
p.1 #20 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
I appreciate your thoughts but I would not rely on AF in almost dark fluctuating lighting conditions. I have had both the A7s and A7rII and I would always revert to MF in these stage video clips. It is hard enough to capture stills let alone video
1bwana1 wrote:
They showed up in my Z Camera search on YouTube. I am trying to find out as much as I can about Z7 cameras because I am considering purchasing one. I am, after all, a Nikon shooter.
They were posted because they relate to the Nikon Z7, the subject of this thread. That is direct relevance in my opinion.
They were posted without comment because I don't shoot concert videos in low light, so I wanted others to comment on what if anything of value these videos showed. I also cannot judge the abilities of Mobile1 the people who made these videos, I would note that a couple of their other videos were posted and translated by another member who reads Chinese on another thread....Show more →
This is my keen interest in the Z7 to complement my D850 and in particular for video clips.