p.27 #2 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
cvrle59 wrote:
I watched the video and I feel like the Z cameras can work well if used properly for wildlife and action subjects. I still wouldn’t recommend “switching” to someone who mostly shoots wildlife or sports, but as a supplementary device they should work great.
p.27 #3 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
I feel as the dust settles the AF discussion will dissipate and rationalize to really what we need as photographers. In just thinking back when many of us who first adopted the A7r the AF was lacking for many models and only when the A7rIII/A9 arrive did the AF really crystallise. But in no way did I or many others consider moving to DSLR then even though the dynamic AF was much better compared to the earlier iterations of the A7's. The camera systems we now choose are so good and really comes down to complete sum of all features and not some singled out features.
p.27 #4 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
OwlsEyes wrote:
If I am correct, you normally follow Hastings ( )... I teach High School Bio in Forest Lake... we should have a good girls squad this year. Maybe we'll run into each other one of these days.
As for Brad, you are correct. He really tortures the gear to determine the best way to maximize output and find its limits. Having on a workshop throughout coastal BC with him, it is fair to claim that he is forever searching for the camera and lens combo that can handle unpredictable movement in low contrast and subdued light.
As for me, I am really curious about the Z6... I'm not into cropping, and think that the Z7's resolution would be lost on me. I want to shoot ISO 3200 w/ as little noise as possible bc I am partial to sunrise wildlife pursuits.
I think the FL girls made the state tournament last year, too. We're in Woodbury and have relatives living just north of Marine. They're in Scandia, but their kids go to Stillwater.
p.27 #5 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
I finally got my hands on a Z7 yesterday. A camera shop up in Provo Utah. I didn't buy it because it's a kit, but I really liked the look, the feel, the build quality. Now I'm leaning more toward getting one. Since I generally manual focus landscape shots with a Nikon tilt-shift, it might be perfect for that.
p.27 #6 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
ckcarr wrote:
I finally got my hands on a Z7 yesterday. A camera shop up in Provo Utah. I didn't buy it because it's a kit, but I really liked the look, the feel, the build quality. Now I'm leaning more toward getting one. Since I generally manual focus landscape shots with a Nikon tilt-shift, it might be perfect for that.
Does the tilt shift work with the FTZ? Not sure which tilt-shift you have but
p.27 #7 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
I believe that they will work. The 85mm listed is the PC micro, not the current version. I bet for all manual that would work anyway. The PC 19mm is showing no AF, which it doesn't have anyway.
I see no listing for the PC-E 24mm, 45mm, 85mm lenses. However those lenses were always listed as incompatible with many of the Nikon bodies over the years due to the potential of hitting the mirror box when shifting. But, they always worked for me. That doesn't look to be the case with the Z7 or Z6 with the adapter though as there's nothing really protruding to hit. I assume everything is fine.
p.27 #8 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
So finally playing with my Z7 as the FTZ came in last night.
Compared to the D850, I think the D850 actually handles much better. I only have medium sized hands... but the grip on the D850 feels designed for an entire human being's hands. The Z7 feels too small, fingers roll off the bottom. It also feels too small for lenses like the 35 and 50 Sigma Art (I'm sure having to use an FTS adapter doesnt help) but it feels great with small lenses like a Voigtlander 40mmf2 (Nikon mount). It will feel even better with my Leica glass as those lenses are small, and the Leica adapter is much smaller than the FTZ.
I miss the extra buttons of the D850 (metering choice, WB etc) but the Z7 with FTZ seems to work perfectly with all my AF lenses (as well as MF). The EVF is freakin fantastic. In manual mode, I can nail focus perfectly w/o needing to magnify the image. And it does not give me a headache unlike those from other brands.
p.27 #9 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
sungphoto wrote:
I suppose it depends on how you define "smoke", but I would disagree that the latest mark 3 Sonys are a massive performance difference from the A7rii and Z7 in terms of AF. Yes, for mirrorless cameras, specifically in AF-C, the latest sony bodies are better - but I personally prefer the D850 over all of them for AF-C performance, and performance in AF-S on the Z7 is about the same as the latest Sonys. I've owned all of them, so can confirm this for the type of photos I take - which is primarily commercial/advertising and portraiture.
I didn't say anything about the Z7 but as far as the A7rII, you might disagree but virtually every review you can find says otherwise. If you want to nitpick the word smoke then just replace it with any other word or words that indicate that the A7rIII,A9 or A7III AF systems are all significantly better than the A7rII.
p.27 #10 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
RobCD wrote:
I didn't say anything about the Z7 but as far as the A7rII, you might disagree but virtually every review you can find says otherwise. If you want to nitpick the word smoke then just replace it with any other word or words that indicate that the A7rIII,A9 or A7III AF systems are all significantly better than the A7rII.
I couldn't care less what reviews say. I've owned the A7r3, A7r2, Z7, etc and can speak from personal experience - can you?
AF performance in AF-S is about the same between the mark 3 sony bodies and Z7, and that's with adapted lenses. AF-C is not as good, but it's still completely usable and I wouldn't hesitate using the Z7 as a body on a paid shoot, and video AF is as good if not better on the Z7. Every professional photographer I know that owns a Z7 (one of whom is one of my mentors that is an NFL shooter) feels the same. I personally respect the opinions of professional photographers shooting in the real world over professional gear reviewers shooting test charts, which is ultimately why I bought one after demoing one at a release event.
p.27 #11 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
ckcarr wrote:
I believe that they will work. The 85mm listed is the PC micro, not the current version. I bet for all manual that would work anyway. The PC 19mm is showing no AF, which it doesn't have anyway.
I see no listing for the PC-E 24mm, 45mm, 85mm lenses. However those lenses were always listed as incompatible with many of the Nikon bodies over the years due to the potential of hitting the mirror box when shifting. But, they always worked for me. That doesn't look to be the case with the Z7 or Z6 with the adapter though as there's nothing really protruding to hit. I assume everything is fine....Show more →
Craig, I just tried both the Nikon PC 19mm and the Nikon PC-E 45mm on the Nikon Z7 using the FTZ adapter. Both lenses appeared to work fine. Tilting and shifting work, and focus peaking works too. I no longer have the PC-E 24mm and the PC-E 85mm, so I can't test these.
p.27 #12 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
charles.K wrote:
I feel as the dust settles the AF discussion will dissipate and rationalize to really what we need as photographers. In just thinking back when many of us who first adopted the A7r the AF was lacking for many models and only when the A7rIII/A9 arrive did the AF really crystallise. But in no way did I or many others consider moving to DSLR then even though the dynamic AF was much better compared to the earlier iterations of the A7's. The camera systems we now choose are so good and really comes down to complete sum of all features and not some singled out features....Show more →
Depends on what the photographer needs. If he or she is required to shoot fast movement, and AF-C is lousy, the camera is a non-starter. For me, if a ML focus isn't as good as a D4, it isn't worth talking about. AFAIK the only ML that qualifies is the A9.
p.27 #13 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
henry albert wrote:
Depends on what the photographer needs. If he or she is required to shoot fast movement, and AF-C is lousy, the camera is a non-starter. For me, if a ML focus isn't as good as a D4, it isn't worth talking about. AFAIK the only ML that qualifies is the A9.
Have you actually used the Z7 or are you just quoting reviews from random youtubers?
AF performance isn't class leading in AF-C, but I disagree that it is "lousy" based on my usage - best mode for AF-C is dynamic area AF mode (center spot with 8 surrounding dynamic points). Shot a parade with a couple kids dressed in bull costumes in Oaxaca last week during blue hour - keeper rate was totally acceptable.
p.27 #14 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
sungphoto wrote:
Have you actually used the Z7 or are you just quoting reviews from random youtubers?
AF performance isn't class leading in AF-C, but I disagree that it is "lousy" based on my usage - best mode for AF-C is dynamic area AF mode (center spot with 8 surrounding dynamic points). Shot a parade with a couple kids dressed in bull costumes in Oaxaca last week during blue hour - keeper rate was totally acceptable.
Hey, no offense, but I'm not talking about a focus system that can handle a kid's parade. I'm talking about high octane stick and ball sports, and motorsports. That's a different speed universe.
p.27 #15 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
henry albert wrote:
Hey, no offense, but I'm not talking about a focus system that can handle a kid's parade. I'm talking about high octane stick and ball sports, and motorsports. That's a different speed universe.
You didn't answer the question - have you actually used the Z7, or are you just quoting random reviewers?
Autofocus acquisition is highly subjective based on the user's skill and knowledge of the camera.
One of my mentors is using the Z7 on the field shooting NFL, alongside his D5 and D850 (he's also shot the Olympics amongst other things). I care more about his opinion, along with people like Joe McNally, than I care about some random people on the internet.
Comparing a Z7 with a purpose built sports/action camera like the A9 is like comparing an M5 with a Porsche 911 GT3. Different tool for different jobs.
p.27 #16 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
henry albert wrote:
Depends on what the photographer needs. If he or she is required to shoot fast movement, and AF-C is lousy, the camera is a non-starter. For me, if a ML focus isn't as good as a D4, it isn't worth talking about. AFAIK the only ML that qualifies is the A9.
Of course it depends on the photographers needs as I mentioned This is why I keep the D850 but this is no way lessens my decision to pick up a Z7 either. As mentioned do you have the Z7 as it may integrate perfectly with your D4 system. There are no absolutes and just choices that we have as photographers. The Z7 is one of the best built bodies with high MP sensor and so many unique features. It may not be ideally suited for fast dynamic situations but nor is the A7rII/A7rIII although the A9 is well suited but at a high entry cost, only 24MP with a reduced tele lens selection for now. For many the D5 is better suited for fast sports action. The decision often is the total summation of your system, bodies, lenses, TC14E III, TC17II, lighting systems and integration and how well does it work, ergonomics, size/weight and finally do you really love to shoot with the system The decision of the system is often counter intuitive as I picked up the Fuji X100f for Marisa the year before traveling to Spain and barely used it whereas the she loves the D750 and 50/1.8G.
For many the Z7 perfectly integrates with their Nikon system and new 24-70S, 35S are truly superb lenses. I am waiting for the 50/1.8S as I am a 50mm FOV shooter
p.27 #17 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
sungphoto wrote:
Comparing a Z7 with a purpose built sports/action camera like the A9 is like comparing an M5 with a Porsche 911 GT3. Different tool for different jobs.
I still can't figure out what the street versions of the GT3 are good at. Too aggressive and uncomfortable on the street, and not aggressive enough of a set up for competitive track work.
Sounds like a camera discussion. Things that make you say HMMMMMMM.....
p.27 #18 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
sungphoto wrote:
I couldn't care less what reviews say. I've owned the A7r3, A7r2, Z7, etc and can speak from personal experience - can you?
AF performance in AF-S is about the same between the mark 3 sony bodies and Z7, and that's with adapted lenses. AF-C is not as good, but it's still completely usable and I wouldn't hesitate using the Z7 as a body on a paid shoot, and video AF is as good if not better on the Z7. Every professional photographer I know that owns a Z7 (one of whom is one of my mentors that is an NFL shooter) feels the same. I personally respect the opinions of professional photographers shooting in the real world over professional gear reviewers shooting test charts, which is ultimately why I bought one after demoing one at a release event....Show more →
Yes I can but even if I didn't agree I wouldn't have the audacity to believe that my personal experience should be trusted more than a long list of reviews that are so consistent that you might as well call it unanimous but to each their own. And once again please note that I didn't reference the Z7 so whatever you're saying about that camera must be directed elsewhere.
p.27 #19 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
RobCD wrote:
Yes I can but even if I didn't agree I wouldn't have the audacity to believe that my personal experience should be trusted more than a long list of reviews that are so consistent that you might as well call it unanimous but to each their own. And once again please note that I didn't reference the Z7 so whatever you're saying about that camera must be directed elsewhere.
Considering the Z6 isn't shipping yet, what real world experience are you talking about? Are you claiming that you have a pre-release version? I'm assuming not, so what real world experience are you claiming you have with any of these? Have you shot with one more than a couple minutes in a store - referring to the Z7, considering I'm assuming you have not touched a Z6. I've shot the Z7 for the last 3 weeks now - in the studio, traveling, in bad light, good light, etc. I owned the A7r3 for about a month, and before that the A7R2/A72 for a few years, as well as the A6000, A6300, A6500, nex-3, nex-5, fuji xt2, fuji xe3, etc etc etc.
As for reviews - I absolutely trust my opinion more than the likes of the northrups, jared polin, angry photographer, etc. It takes absolutely no qualifications to post up a review on the internet. It's much wiser to trust one's own opinion than a bunch of strangers whose use cases likely differ completely from your own, especially when one makes their living on said gear.
p.27 #20 · Official Z Series Camera and Lens Discussion
It is really only the *tracking* modes of AF on the Z7 that is not so crash hot. All the other AF abilities are very good to excellent. I shoot birds and for all of my bird shooting I am happy to use the Z7 unless I have to track fast moving BIF shots. As can be seen by the video from Mark Smith AKA Stitchlips in the video above, the Z7 can acquit itself very well doing most birding. I think the issue with many of these reviewers is in order to be first off the blocks you need to be controversial and thus get click bait and that many started shooting off at the mouth before they started shooting off with the camera. Or should I venture, before they started to *understand* the Z7 and how best to use it for sports and wildlife. It's not a matter of taking the AF tracking modes from say the D500, or the D850 or the D5 and then apply that to the Z7 and think it should work the same, it doesn't. The AF is almost completely different and should be treated as such. It is also easy for people who have no use or had little use of the Z7 to quote these reviewers as gospel when in reality, they are making the mistakes I have outlined above. The more people use this camera, the more they find out that in reality this camera is *very* capable AFing camera once they know how to use it correctly.
)... I teach High School Bio in Forest Lake... we should have a good girls squad this year. Maybe we'll run into each other one of these days.
This is why I keep the D850 but this is no way lessens my decision to pick up a Z7 either. As mentioned do you have the Z7 as it may integrate perfectly with your D4 system. There are no absolutes and just choices that we have as photographers. The Z7 is one of the best built bodies with high MP sensor and so many unique features. It may not be ideally suited for fast dynamic situations but nor is the A7rII/A7rIII although the A9 is well suited but at a high entry cost, only 24MP with a reduced tele lens selection for now. For many the D5 is better suited for fast sports action. The decision often is the total summation of your system, bodies, lenses, TC14E III, TC17II, lighting systems and integration and how well does it work, ergonomics, size/weight and finally do you really love to shoot with the system