p.4 #8 · Z-Cameras Wildlife Images and Tips Thread
Rimpson wrote:
Thanks for sharing your images Michael! Really glad to see you are getting good results with the 800 on mirrorless bodies too
Ricky
Thanks a lot Ricky!
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bs kite wrote:
This is one of the most exciting wildlfie images I’ve seen.
Does it show me the potential of the Z7II ?
Or, is it a very rare occurrence.....a one-shot fluke?
I am going to look up the Z7II frame-rates and buffer
It would be interesting to see how many in the sequence are in focus
The other possibility is that it was hopping. Stii unusual and beautiful but not as difficult for the camera.
I don’t know
Aye thanks!! And you are right! It was hopping. Shot this with AF auto. The Z has been doing me fine for wildlife action actually. I've just gotten used to it's shortcomings and choosing my AF modes for what kind of action I'm expecting. Also I'll swap between CH and CH+. If I'm going for a launch shot or stationary action, I'll stick with CH+, if I'm shooting something in motion and I want to be able to track it better, I'll stick to CH. I've also burned in the ole manual focus to get close before AF lock technique if the background is busy. It's all second nature now.
p.4 #10 · Z-Cameras Wildlife Images and Tips Thread
A few from this morning.
I was using my "U3" setting which has auto ISO set to a max of 6400. I continue to be impressed with the way the Z6II files and AF handle poorly lit conditions...
p.4 #12 · Z-Cameras Wildlife Images and Tips Thread
sandy27000 wrote:
How does the keeper rate compare to a D5, D500 and D850 for folks who are using the Z6II or Z7II for wildlife? Just curious. Thanks!
Hello Sandy,
This is a loaded question that requires a bit of nuance. When using the Z6II I find that the keeper rate is significantly higher than the D500 (even at 12/14 fps) if... the AF system successfully tracks the subject, and I put my AF point on the correct spot. I tend to shoot single point AF and dynamic AF with both D500 and Z6II. Once the Z6II locks on, the AF is sticky and the final images are always super sharp. This AF system is great for mammals and big birds in the forest, in the water, in the snow, and on prairies.
Now for the caveat... If I am shooting small birds (warblers, sparrows, etc..) in and around branches, the Z AF is a big fail. it will often grab the branches instead of the birds. It is for this reason that I shoot the Z6II w/ my 300mm f/2.8 and wide angle lenses, while using my 500mm lens on a D500.
I am going to now play the optimist the Robert ( @BSKITE on this board)... I am hoping that Nikon will drop a big bomb when they release the Z9. My fingers are crossed that they will do what they did with the D5 introduction. Nobody was expecting the D500, but there it was... right next to the D5. If Nikon unveils a DX Z900 when they release their Z9 with similar AF improvements, my DSLR days will be over...
p.4 #13 · Z-Cameras Wildlife Images and Tips Thread
OwlsEyes wrote:
Hello Sandy,
This is a loaded question that requires a bit of nuance. When using the Z6II I find that the keeper rate is significantly higher than the D500 (even at 12/14 fps) if... the AF system successfully tracks the subject, and I put my AF point on the correct spot. I tend to shoot single point AF and dynamic AF with both D500 and Z6II. Once the Z6II locks on, the AF is sticky and the final images are always super sharp. This AF system is great for mammals and big birds in the forest, in the water, in the snow, and on prairies.
Now for the caveat... If I am shooting small birds (warblers, sparrows, etc..) in and around branches, the Z AF is a big fail. it will often grab the branches instead of the birds. It is for this reason that I shoot the Z6II w/ my 300mm f/2.8 and wide angle lenses, while using my 500mm lens on a D500.
I am going to now play the optimist the Robert ( @BSKITE@ on this board)... I am hoping that Nikon will drop a big bomb when they release the Z9. My fingers are crossed that they will do what they did with the D5 introduction. Nobody was expecting the D500, but there it was... right next to the D5. If Nikon unveils a DX Z900 when they release their Z9 with similar AF improvements, my DSLR days will be over... ...Show more →
Thanks Bruce. Yes, the D500 introduction was unexpected by most and a sudden surprise to all (including me).
I *did* expect Nikon would eventually replace the D300S and I repeatedly expressed that belief to the folks over at NSN during those years. Few agreed. Well, today the D500 stands as the best APS (APC?) ever made.
I am just beginning to use my D500 again with the 500PF (for loons at a longer distance), with the 200-500 attached to my D850 for loons that are close. That way there is no time lost to change lenses.
Sadly, there are no loon chicks at the two basins I have been to so far. My covid symptoms hung on but now I am getting better, thankfully. Things are looking up and will continue that way.
I believe Nikon will develop a DX Z900.
I just doubt it will come out at the same time as the Z9. But maybe! Either way, I think they will announce ahead of time that they will bring out the DX Z900.
It makes perfect sense, just as the D500 made perfect sense.
With the commitment that Nikon has made to mirrorless, why would they not develop a super DX mirrorless body? Consider the people on this forum alone, who love the D500 and consider the fact that Nikon wants folks to transition to mirrorless (at the their own pace of course!). And they know there are many who will stick with the DSLR's and that's ok. Nikon has some of the best DSLR glass in existence and their top f-mount lenses are built like rocks.
p.4 #17 · Z-Cameras Wildlife Images and Tips Thread
Thanks! Yes I figured the answer won’t be a simple one. I’m heading out to the hills for the weekend and taking the 500mm PF with Z6II, will use it and see how it goes. For now I’ve stuck with my D6 and D5, had the D5 up for sale with my local camera store but told them not to sell it.
OwlsEyes wrote:
Hello Sandy,
This is a loaded question that requires a bit of nuance. When using the Z6II I find that the keeper rate is significantly higher than the D500 (even at 12/14 fps) if... the AF system successfully tracks the subject, and I put my AF point on the correct spot. I tend to shoot single point AF and dynamic AF with both D500 and Z6II. Once the Z6II locks on, the AF is sticky and the final images are always super sharp. This AF system is great for mammals and big birds in the forest, in the water, in the snow, and on prairies.
Now for the caveat... If I am shooting small birds (warblers, sparrows, etc..) in and around branches, the Z AF is a big fail. it will often grab the branches instead of the birds. It is for this reason that I shoot the Z6II w/ my 300mm f/2.8 and wide angle lenses, while using my 500mm lens on a D500.
I am going to now play the optimist the Robert ( @BSKITE@ on this board)... I am hoping that Nikon will drop a big bomb when they release the Z9. My fingers are crossed that they will do what they did with the D5 introduction. Nobody was expecting the D500, but there it was... right next to the D5. If Nikon unveils a DX Z900 when they release their Z9 with similar AF improvements, my DSLR days will be over... ...Show more →
p.4 #18 · Z-Cameras Wildlife Images and Tips Thread
sandy27000 wrote:
Thanks! Yes I figured the answer won’t be a simple one. I’m heading out to the hills for the weekend and taking the 500mm PF with Z6II, will use it and see how it goes. For now I’ve stuck with my D6 and D5, had the D5 up for sale with my local camera store but told them not to sell it.
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts after your outing...
regards,
bruce
