p.23 #1 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Gonga wrote:
I shoot landscapes, some wildlife and people.
The Z7 with 24-70S is a landscape shooter's dream come true. Coming from a D-750, I have improved IQ in a smaller and lighter camera and lens. I'm hoping the new 14-30 F4 will be a 77mm filter thread (pretty sure!).
Really enjoying my 70-200 f4 AF-S lens with the adapter also.
Oh, and all my 20+ Ai-S lenses work better with this camera than they ever did on my D-750, in spite of not having the full aperture readout. The IBIS and peak focusing more than make up for this. I'm still using all my old batteries and I'm getting the same battery life as before as far as I can tell (more info this winter).
The only problems I am having:
1. I kept hitting the OFF switch during my first two weeks of shooting. Doing that less and less, but it's a lot closer to the front dial than on the D-750.
2. Would like to be able to turn off the touch screen shutter release while leaving the touch screen on for focusing. Can't figure this one out...prolly impossible to do it!...Show more →
How do you like sun-stars with 24-70S, if you tried to shoot into the sun?
p.23 #2 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
1bwana1 wrote:
The reviews about the Z7's problems with continuous AF are pretty widespread. AF in some other modes, is superb as so well pointed out by ilkka_nissila above. Hopefully Nikon will find a fix for this camera, before the release of the Z6, or in a future professional targeted camera. One of the worst things that could happen to photography would be Nikon damaged in any way, financially, or in reputation.
I don't believe the issue is in continuous focusing or autofocus during continuous shooting per se but in identifying and tracking the subject's movements in the frame during continuous shooting. Dpreview say "Single point AF-C performance is good at the camera's top burst ..." but then criticize the buffer. I am not sure if they are referring to 5.5 or 9 fps here. 9 fps is problematic because there is no live view, so really it is 5.5 fps which should be regarded as the camera's burst rate (the Z7 specifications state the high speed continuous fps rate is 5.5 (5 in 14 bit) and "high speed continuous (extended)" is 9 (8) which should give clue to the reader that there is a problem when words such as "extended" are used). Are the stated problems with buffer and AF present at 5.5 fps or 9fps or both? Their description is not clear on this point.
I don't believe that most expert photographers have really moved into using the subject recognition modes for action; one of the best known sports photographers in my country stated candidly that he mostly shoots single point (with sometimes "helper points" around the selected point which could mean a small dynamic area or group area AF). I just don't believe the shooting habits of experienced photographers change so quickly. Dpreview is mostly taking the perspective that camera technology should make shooting easy, and the user cannot be assumed to take responsibility for improving their skills. When have they ever suggested photographers should practice hard rather buy a new product? While I have modern equipment, and am guilty in that sense, I have no doubt the most important factor is still user skill and knowledge.
I don't believe the Z7 will harm Nikon's reputation, on the contrary I think it is a very likeable product so far, with a few first iteration drawbacks. I am not buying it because I don't need another high resolution camera but I may buy the Z6 or its 2nd iteration eventually. I think for example that the placement of the tripod mounting screw is a design mistake and they need to move it further back to ensure that most quick release plates fit when any lens is mounted. It is too expensive to require everyone to buy a custom plate for the camera.
p.23 #3 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Gonga wrote:
I shoot landscapes, some wildlife and people.
The Z7 with 24-70S is a landscape shooter's dream come true. Coming from a D-750, I have improved IQ in a smaller and lighter camera and lens. I'm hoping the new 14-30 F4 will be a 77mm filter thread (pretty sure!).
Really enjoying my 70-200 f4 AF-S lens with the adapter also.
Oh, and all my 20+ Ai-S lenses work better with this camera than they ever did on my D-750, in spite of not having the full aperture readout. The IBIS and peak focusing more than make up for this. I'm still using all my old batteries and I'm getting the same battery life as before as far as I can tell (more info this winter).
The only problems I am having:
1. I kept hitting the OFF switch during my first two weeks of shooting. Doing that less and less, but it's a lot closer to the front dial than on the D-750.
2. Would like to be able to turn off the touch screen shutter release while leaving the touch screen on for focusing. Can't figure this one out...prolly impossible to do it!
Oh, and I enjoy the Northrups very much. I totally agree with much of what the Northrups say, including the Nikon press stuff. It is not a "mirrorless D-850." It's a completely different system, heading in a completely different direction - gimbal-light, high IQ, movies, great ergonomics. But they cover a lot and can't get it perfectly right, which they surely don't with the Z7, a camera they have hardly used. For example, the battery life is arguably the best of any FF mirrorless. Neither are the S lenses "cheap kit lenses," they just represent Nikon's new direction with the Z series to go smaller and lighter with f4 lenses (the 1.8 primes aren't small because they use the new 55mm mount), but they are a lot smaller and lighter than Canon's FF mirrorless lenses so far). The S lenses have the best optical quality Nikon has ever offered, and the build quality, though lightweight (as they should be), is quite good, with plenty of metal (except the rubber ring and barrel extension areas - like all their pro glass) and very high quality fully-spec'd glass. The reason the focus feels funny is that it's the new electronic wire focus tech which is revolutionizing movie making, and opens up whole new worlds of ergonomic controls, not because it's "cheap."
The way to view all the new cameras is with a forward view. (oh, did I forget to mention that the U1, U2, U3 settings are superior to the old "pro" button configuration?) ...Show more →
Gonga,
You seem to have great insight into the Z7. I agree with your view that the mirrorless is the best technology for landscape photography and that includes the Z7. None of the Z7 issues including AF will be a problem shooting landscapes. If I was looking for just a landscape mirrorless camera I would have kept the Z7.
p.23 #4 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Used the z7 for 9 hours yesterday, shooting about 5000 images in that span, and I am extremely happy with it - in particular the EVF is the best one I’ve used on any camera aside from perhaps the Leica Q. I honestly forgot that it wasn’t an OVF at times, which is something I couldn’t say about the latest gen of Sonys. Almost no learning curve with it switching between it and the D850, which is I think proof of how well thought this camera is.
Tethering via USB-C to capture one is quick, but a little annoying when you need to swap between it and the USB3 tether port on the d850. Need to get new tether cables..
Battery life is very impressive - used 3 batteries through the course of the day, and I wasn’t waiting till they were empty before swapping. Turning off the rear LCD helps a lot with battery life. It’s also awesome not having to think about remembering to bringing a separate charger and enough batteries, as my bag is heavy already.
And to speak re autofocus, it is very quick and no false confirmations resulting in out of focus images - again with over 5000 shots, and this was with adapted glass. People in this thread need to stop looking at clickbait
p.23 #6 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Gonga wrote:
I shoot landscapes, some wildlife and people.
The Z7 with 24-70S is a landscape shooter's dream come true. Coming from a D-750, I have improved IQ in a smaller and lighter camera and lens. I'm hoping the new 14-30 F4 will be a 77mm filter thread (pretty sure!).
I also believe the Z7 camera for me is a better landscape camera than any of the other full frame choices and I'm also optimistic about the 14-30 f4. A lens covering this range with 77mm filter threads and better image quality than the other Nikon zooms like the 14-28 and 16-35 would seal the deal for me.
The only problems I am having:
2. Would like to be able to turn off the touch screen shutter release while leaving the touch screen on for focusing. Can't figure this one out...prolly impossible to do it!
It seems counter intuitive to me but you can toggle the touch control on the left side of the LCD to show the finger + AF. This allows you to move the focus point and focus but lifting your finger doesn't release the shutter.
p.23 #7 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
The first firmware update looks like a very minor one and with no fix that is relevant to me, so I think I will pass and hope that the next one will have more content.
p.23 #8 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
I’m guessing the firmware update fixed a lot more than what’s listed in the bug list.
joakim wrote:
The first firmware update looks like a very minor one and with no fix that is relevant to me, so I think I will pass and hope that the next one will have more content.
p.23 #10 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Anyone have thoughts on what lenses to get?
I currently run with a 24/50 1.4, and 35/85 1.8 between a d600 and d750 setup and I'm considering two options:
Get an adapter, 24-70f4 and gradually replace the primes with 1.8 S equivalents.
Or get a 24-70 2.8 (assuming this will be $2000usd) and wait for the 50 1.2.
I mostly shoot environmental portraiture an headshots, and like thin DoF. On the other hand I have been annoyed recently at having to change lenses so much, and with the Z6 I will need to go down to one body.
p.23 #11 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Considering you seem to have no interest in purchasing one, I’m guessing you’re just asking just to do your usual pointless brand war bickering? Go back to the Sony sub
1bwana1 wrote:
Based on what?
What would need fixing that Nikon would not want to be forthcoming about?
There is nothing that wrong with the camera. Let alone a lot more.
I believe Nikon is likely being open with the update
p.23 #12 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
The new 24-70 f4 size and optical performance is great, so I’d recommend getting one if you’re in the market for a quality general purpose zoom. Given the type of shots you like to take though, I’d say just adapting the 85 f1.8g for now is fine as a stop gap until something native comes out. The new 35 f1.8s is great too and makes a nice compact package.
cbreiland wrote:
Anyone have thoughts on what lenses to get?
I currently run with a 24/50 1.4, and 35/85 1.8 between a d600 and d750 setup and I'm considering two options:
Get an adapter, 24-70f4 and gradually replace the primes with 1.8 S equivalents.
Or get a 24-70 2.8 (assuming this will be $2000usd) and wait for the 50 1.2.
I mostly shoot environmental portraiture an headshots, and like thin DoF. On the other hand I have been annoyed recently at having to change lenses so much, and with the Z6 I will need to go down to one body.
p.23 #13 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
sungphoto wrote:
Considering you seem to have no interest in purchasing one, I’m guessing you’re just asking just to do your usual pointless brand war bickering? Go back to the Sony sub
Actually, my post was supportive of Nikon the Company, and it's motivations. Why try to pick a fight where none exists?
Jeezz.......
p.23 #14 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
sungphoto wrote:
I’m guessing the firmware update fixed a lot more than what’s listed in the bug list.
Agreed. Even though the FW appear minor there are often lesser but important details that get fixed that may not have been seen yet. You see this often with other updates.
p.23 #16 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
sungphoto wrote:
Used the z7 for 9 hours yesterday, shooting about 5000 images in that span, and I am extremely happy with it - in particular the EVF is the best one I’ve used on any camera aside from perhaps the Leica Q. I honestly forgot that it wasn’t an OVF at times, which is something I couldn’t say about the latest gen of Sonys. Almost no learning curve with it switching between it and the D850, which is I think proof of how well thought this camera is.
Tethering via USB-C to capture one is quick, but a little annoying when you need to swap between it and the USB3 tether port on the d850. Need to get new tether cables..
Battery life is very impressive - used 3 batteries through the course of the day, and I wasn’t waiting till they were empty before swapping. Turning off the rear LCD helps a lot with battery life. It’s also awesome not having to think about remembering to bringing a separate charger and enough batteries, as my bag is heavy already.
And to speak re autofocus, it is very quick and no false confirmations resulting in out of focus images - again with over 5000 shots, and this was with adapted glass. People in this thread need to stop looking at clickbait ...Show more →
Thank you Sung for actual in hand testing and reviewing !! I will be also following a similar path as the Z7 will be ideal alongside the D850/D750. As mentioned in Michael's thread in the Alternative thread, the Z7 video capabilities are superb along with the LV AF functionality and one of main features I am looking for.
p.23 #18 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Gonga wrote:
2. Would like to be able to turn off the touch screen shutter release while leaving the touch screen on for focusing. Can't figure this one out...prolly impossible to do it
There's a little icon on the left side of the screen that let's you set it just for focus. Just tap that.
p.23 #19 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Right now my only real criticism is the yet to be seen design of the battery grip, and the apparent lack of terminals for one.. This is somewhat balanced by the cool matte grey hotshoe haha.
I’m bringing it with me to Oaxaca Mexico for dia de los muertos, and will be sure to post up a few of my faves from it
charles.K wrote:
Thank you Sung for actual in hand testing and reviewing !! I will be also following a similar path as the Z7 will be ideal alongside the D850/D750. As mentioned in Michael's thread in the Alternative thread, the Z7 video capabilities are superb along with the LV AF functionality and one of main features I am looking for.
p.23 #20 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
Sorry cvrle59, haven't tried sun stars yet, though I haven't yet had a single flare or ghost problem when shooting toward the Sun (not in frame). I hear sunstars are OK. Wish I could remember where I saw that...maybe Ken Rockwell?
Thanks to all for the touch-focus tips. I am on a trip and thought I brought my manual but can't find it. I changed the setting and am very happy to see that it persists after turning off the camera! Happy camper.
