p.2 #1 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
I know the FTZ/plate part was a little confusing.
Here is the problem and I don't think I am alone. I should state that I use a smaller plate than most people. I use a 32mm wide plate while others use the standard 38mm. My plate actually is a little better for the issue.
If you put the plate on the Z7 body and have the FTZ adapter mounted the FTZ will interfere with locking the plate on ballhead. On mine I can get the plate clicked in but the top of my ballhead presses against the bottom of the FTZ adapter. It makes me nervous I don't want pressure on there all the time, it makes me worried over time it can slightly move the mount.
People who use the 38mm plate I don't think they can even get the plate locked in because the FTZ adapter gets in the way.
You can leave the plate on the FTZ adapter but what happens when you get "S" lenses? Will I have to remove the FTZ adapter then add a plate to the Camera body. As far as I can tell you can't have a plate on the FTZ adapter and Z7 at sametime, and you can't have a plate on the Z7 while using the FTZ adapter.
If you only used the FTZ with bigger lenses with tripod collars it wouldn't be an issue.
I should say I have not looked into this issue a lot yet and a L bracket might get rid of the issue. Others who use the FTZ and own "S" lenses might have already done the research on this. So far I have not been forced to figure it out because I don't have "S" Lenses.
ckcarr wrote:
Thanks very much for that real-world use review!
I've been torn, and am still torn and undecided whether to add a D850 (Actually unopened on my table right now since the inventory freed up I grabbed one) or go the Z7 route instead. I am bothered by the tripod mount problems you're describing, the plate won't fit? I'm not exactly understanding what you are describing and if the lens plate is the mount, like on a heavy telephoto how would that affect it? if it's the camera body mount, is it going to be solved by RRS or the other third-party manufacturers? How were you mounting the camera to the tripod ballhead?
Thanks!
I love that fox image! No wonder Martin and Aykroyd loved foxes!...Show more →
p.2 #2 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
Lance B wrote:
Absolutely stunning images, Dave! Fantastic write up!
Just one question. I am not sure of what you mean when you say you have to press the Function buttons and turn the front dial, do you mean at the same time? I have say F1 button set up for changing the focus point but I press it then take my finger off and then turn the front dial and it alters the focus point. I don't need to have my finger on the F1 button whilst I turn the front dial. If it is not working that way for you, maybe you need to set up "f16" "Release button to use dial" to "on"?
Also, Hot pixels. Isn't that fixed when you do two sensor cleaning cycles back-to-back? That triggers a function that remaps any dead pixels and has been this way on all modern Nikon bodies. ...Show more →
The buttons I am talking about are the 2 function buttons in the front next to the mount. I have one setup as interval timer which I just press and there is no need to turn dials at the same time. I use interval timer as a exposure delay. Old habit
The other function button I have setup for AF control. Changing af modes, point mode. I have to hold it down while turning the dials. If I want to go from single point to wide I have to keep it held in while turning the dial.
I do not have F16 on "Release button to use dial". This doesn't lead to other issues? What if I press the AF function button, let go and change with the front dial and then want to change aperture? How does it know I am done selecting the AF setting I wanted?
Dead pixels and hot pixels are different. Dead/Stuck pixels can be fixed with the process you described. Hot pixels change and will come on even after doing the remap. I am not real technical about this but I think the hotpixels come from the sensor getting hot which is why they normally happen from really long exposures. I have tried in the past with the D810 to do the remap and the next long exposure shot would have hotpixels.
p.2 #3 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
mysh wrote:
The buttons I am talking about are the 2 function buttons in the front next to the mount. I have one setup as interval timer which I just press and there is no need to turn dials at the same time. I use interval timer as a exposure delay. Old habit
The other function button I have setup for AF control. Changing af modes, point mode. I have to hold it down while turning the dials. If I want to go from single point to wide I have to keep it held in while turning the dial.
I do not have F16 on "Release button to use dial". This doesn't lead to other issues? What if I press the AF function button, let go and change with the front dial and then want to change aperture? How does it know I am done selecting the AF setting I wanted?
Dead pixels and hot pixels are different. Dead/Stuck pixels can be fixed with the process you described. Hot pixels change and will come on even after doing the remap. I am not real technical about this but I think the hotpixels come from the sensor getting hot which is why they normally happen from really long exposures. I have tried in the past with the D810 to do the remap and the next long exposure shot would have hotpixels....Show more →
Sorry, that should be "f6" Where it states ""Release button to use dials" and turn it to "on". This allows you to press the Fn button and release it and then you can turn the front dial without keeping your finger on the Fn button. It works on mine perfectly. If you want to then change aperture, just half press the shutter and everything goes back to normal and you can use the dials as normal. Or alternatively, you repress the Fn button again and it returns to normal as well.
p.2 #4 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
Thanks Lance I will try it.
I have never used that setting. The issue of holding down FN while turning the dials has maybe been my least favorite thing about the camera.
Lance B wrote:
Sorry, that should be "f6" Where it states ""Release button to use dials" and turn it to "on". This allows you to press the Fn button and release it and then you can turn the front dial without keeping your finger on the Fn button. It works on mine perfectly.
p.2 #5 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
Dave, thanks so much for sharing your detailed thoughts and experience with the Z7. Everyone has a different perspective (for all sorts of valid reasons), and I really enjoyed hearing yours. Your images are outstanding! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and images!
Keith W.
p.2 #6 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
mysh wrote:
Thanks Lance I will try it.
I have never used that setting. The issue of holding down FN while turning the dials has maybe been my least favorite thing about the camera.
The good thing about this function is that all of your button presses now become "one push and take your finger off" which allows you to turn the dial for that operation without the need to keep your finger on that particular button. So, Exposure Compensation button is one push, remove finger, use dial to adjust and then half press shutter to deactivate or repress the Exposure Comp button to deactivate. Actually, you can deactivate it with any other button, but that means you have now activated that function! Same applies to the ISO button or the other Fn button. I have used this set up on all my Nikon DSLRs and it makes life so much easier.
p.2 #7 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
I wanted to thank everyone who has commented and I am happy people enjoyed the writeup and photos.
I'm a one camera body type of person and have never owned 2 bodies. I just prefer to travel with one body and use that space in my bag for a lens. Its hard to do but I am leaning towards selling the D850.
p.2 #8 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
mysh wrote:
I wanted to thank everyone who has commented and I am happy people enjoyed the writeup and photos.
I'm a one camera body type of person and have never owned 2 bodies. I just prefer to travel with one body and use that space in my bag for a lens. Its hard to do but I am leaning towards selling the D850.
Your photos deserve the accolades, Dave.
If I didn't shoot birds and sometimes need tracking modes, I would probably sell off my D850 as well. The Z7 does everything else as well as the D850, but in a much smaller and lighter package and the new mount is showing that it will have many benefits for lens performance.
p.2 #9 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
To 'mysh'
If you were about to graduate at a school offering advanced degrees, your effort and experience put into the above dissertation on use of the new Nikon Z7 camera would put the word 'Doctor' in front of your name going forward!
Your most thoughtful and literate presentation is among the most memorable reviews I've seen on ANY PRODUCT, never mind cameras, in my very long life, sir!!
p.2 #10 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
Lance B wrote:
Sorry, that should be "f6" Where it states ""Release button to use dials" and turn it to "on". This allows you to press the Fn button and release it and then you can turn the front dial without keeping your finger on the Fn button. It works on mine perfectly. If you want to then change aperture, just half press the shutter and everything goes back to normal and you can use the dials as normal. Or alternatively, you repress the Fn button again and it returns to normal as well.
Lance, does it work in the same way on the D8050. I have group focus and the function button has single point focus. I have the f6 ...release button to use dials turned ON. But the moment I remove my finger from the function button to turn the dial the focus jumps back to group focus. Am I missing something. Please let me know and thanks in advance.
p.2 #11 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
thanks for the kind words. I definitely think i am a better photographer than writer. Writing has never been my strongest area.
The overall point was not to give up on it without giving it a proper chance. It might feel uncomfortable at first but I think it will grow on most people.
I saw a lot of people selling/returning the camera with 100-200 shots after it was out for a week. I think that was a mistake.
DonM2 wrote:
To 'mysh'
If you were about to graduate at a school offering advanced degrees, your effort and experience put into the above dissertation on use of the new Nikon Z7 camera would put the word 'Doctor' in front of your name going forward!
Your most thoughtful and literate presentation is among the most memorable reviews I've seen on ANY PRODUCT, never mind cameras, in my very long life, sir!!
p.2 #12 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
Venky wrote:
Lance, does it work in the same way on the D8050. I have group focus and the function button has single point focus. I have the f6 ...release button to use dials turned ON. But the moment I remove my finger from the function button to turn the dial the focus jumps back to group focus. Am I missing something. Please let me know and thanks in advance.
BTW I use AF-ON button to focus.
I have Fn button 1 set to "MF", "Single" or "Continuous". I press the button and take my finger off and then scroll the dial to select the focus point selection and then either press the shutter to get back to normal or re-press the Fn 1 button. However, there is no way to set up a Fn button, or any other button for that matter, to select Focus point selection - "Pinpoint", "Single", "Small" "Wide" or "Group" which is a major oversight, IMO. I hope they fix this with a firmware update!You have to either go to the rear screen and use "i" or look through the VF and do it there using the "i" button.
p.2 #13 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
I have Fn button 1 set to "MF", "Single" or "Continuous". I press the button and take my finger off and then scroll the dial to select the focus point selection and then either press the shutter to get back to normal or re-press the Fn 1 button. However, there is no way to set up a Fn button, or any other button for that matter, to select Focus point selection - "Pinpoint", "Single", "Small" "Wide" or "Group" which is a major oversight, IMO. I hope they fix this with a firmware update!You have to either go to the rear screen and use "i" or look through the VF and do it there using the "i" button. ...Show more →
So you can't just press function 1 then use the front or back dial to control all aspects on AF?
p.2 #14 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
mysh wrote:
So you can't just press function 1 then use the front or back dial to control all aspects on AF?
Unfortunately not. When I had replied in the earlier post, I had not checked all the functions available to the Fn buttons, there is quite a list, but I didn't realise that AF Area Mode is not one of them and neither is Release Mode. The only AF mode available is Focus Modes which is "MF", "Single" and "Continuous" focus, which is a shame. However, it is a simple task to push the "i" (Info) button on the back and then navigate the various modes that way using the Selector Wheel and push the OK button when you're done. I tried it today whilst shooting and it was a reasonably easy workaround. You can even do it whilst you are looking through the VF. The "i" button just works like another FN button but on the back instead of the front.
p.2 #15 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
Maybe I'm getting confused here about what everyone is trying to achieve with the function buttons and focus modes but here goes... I have function button 1 set to AF/[+], I also have f6 set to on (release button to use dial). I press and release the function button which displays the Focus Mode and AF Area Mode at the top of the EVF. If I rotate the rear dial it scrolls through the Focus Mode options (AF-S, AF-C, MF), if I rotate the front dial it scrolls through the AF Area Mode options (Single Point, Dynamic Area, Wide S, Wide L, Auto Area and Pinpoint if available). I simply press function button 1 or half press the shutter to get back to shooting.
p.2 #16 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
supatyke wrote:
Maybe I'm getting confused here about what everyone is trying to achieve with the function buttons and focus modes but here goes... I have function button 1 set to AF/[+], I also have f6 set to on (release button to use dial). I press and release the function button which displays the Focus Mode and AF Area Mode at the top of the EVF. If I rotate the rear dial it scrolls through the Focus Mode options (AF-S, AF-C, MF), if I rotate the front dial it scrolls through the AF Area Mode options (Single Point, Dynamic Area, Wide S, Wide L, Auto Area and Pinpoint if available). I simply press function button 1 or half press the shutter to get back to shooting....Show more →
By golly, you're right. You know, I thought I had seen that but when it didn't happen when using the front dial I thought there wasn't the option of "Focus Area Mode". I thought the rear dial and front dial worked the same, but obviously not. Anyway, mine works as yours does. Good find!
p.2 #17 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
Lance B wrote:
By golly, you're right. You know, I thought I had seen that but when it didn't happen when using the front dial I thought there wasn't the option of "Focus Area Mode". I thought the rear dial and front dial worked the same, but obviously not. Anyway, mine works as yours does. Good find!
Payback for the 35mm advice!
I'm liking the Z7 more every time I use it, maybe it's still the honeymoon period but the shooting experience is a lot of fun. This way of adjusting AF seems easier to me than any DSLR I've had and despite the lack of buttons I don't feel I'm missing anything with regards to settings.
p.2 #18 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
supatyke wrote:
Payback for the 35mm advice!
Touche.
I'm liking the Z7 more every time I use it, maybe it's still the honeymoon period but the shooting experience is a lot of fun. This way of adjusting AF seems easier to me than any DSLR I've had and despite the lack of buttons I don't feel I'm missing anything with regards to settings.
p.2 #20 · Z7 Review: From A First Time Mirrorless User (Image Heavy)
I am a sony shooter, but if i wasn't, your images would have me buying the Z7. Mate, you'd kill with any camera. Love the portrait of the fox, and the horse, love them all!
