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Archive 2021 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

RoamingScott
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

Hey all, I'm trying Nikon for the first time in my 20+ years of shooting, have a Z7ii on the way.

I primarily hike and shoot zooms, and the upcoming 24-120 is highly appealing for a do it all hiking lens, so figured I'd give the Z7ii a shot until that lens releases. My main kit is a 20/1.8, 24-105/4, and 100-400.

I'd be curious to know any general tips/tricks to the Z7ii that might not be obvious, especially in the context of landscape/astro. I don't do a bunch of AF-C type shooting. Any tips relating to the best AF modes or settings are much appreciated, though.

I'd also be interested in feedback on the 20 1/8 and 14-30/4, both seem like great lenses that have a lot of appeal to me for the stuff I shoot.

Edited on Dec 20, 2021 at 02:47 PM · View previous versions

Dec 09, 2021 at 10:49 AM

cohenfive
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

I can't compare the bodies, but from my experience all the Z lenses are terrific...there isn't a dud among them.

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:05 AM

sjms
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

14-30/4 at 14mm

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:15 AM

saaketham
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

Hey Scott .. nice to see you over here

I use my z7ii primarily for landscapes, macros and portraits.
The 2 lenses I used the most for landscapes so far are the z 14-24mm f/2.8 S and z 70-200mm f/2.8 S, with generous use of 6-stop and 10-stop ND filters.
I usually focus using Pin Point, Single Point or Manual focus (with focus peaking) for landscapes and macros.

I started a thread for landscapes with Z bodies, but it died off. With the 24-120, I hope it will come back.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1717000

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:15 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

saaketham wrote:
Hey Scott .. nice to see you over here

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1717000

Hey Anil, thanks for the feedback. Am I correct in thinking the 14-24 is the only fast UWA zoom so far on Z? No 16-35/2.8 type yet, right?

Is the 12-24 a bulbous front element lens? If so that kills it for me

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:20 AM

saaketham
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

I believe these 2 - z 14-24mm f/2.8 S and z 14-30mm f/4. But yeah, fast UWA zoom, only the 14-24 so far.
And the 14-24 f/2.8 front element was not too bulbous, but putting on a filter was a pain - with the special hood (included).

I sold it a few weeks ago (sample gallery and lens pictures if interested)because I just can't "see wide angle", and bought a z 24-70 f/2.8 instead.
But the 14-24 is a really good lens f/2.8 or f/4, with the f/4 being preferred for hiking and travel.

Edited on Dec 09, 2021 at 11:40 AM · View previous versions

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:26 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

Same...I can't do anything wider than about 17mm in my mind's eye, I have no ability to frame a subject or scene in an interesting way past that point. 24mm gets the job done for me 99% of the time, and when it doesn't, a 2-3 shot stitch at 35mm does!

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:29 AM

saaketham
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

Then the upcoming 24-120 seems ideal.
I briefly used it at a demo event a few weeks ago in Indianapolis and it was light and quite compact.

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:31 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

saaketham wrote:
Then the upcoming 24-120 seems ideal.
I briefly used it at a demo event a few weeks ago in Indianapolis and it was light and quite compact.

Agree. I had the 16-35GM and ended up only used it for astro, so I replaced with a cheaper 20/1.8 that gets the job done even better at half the price

The 24-120 is only marginally longer and heavier than the Sony 24-105, so seems great on paper!

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:32 AM

JadedWriter
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

The current Z 20 1.8 is also on sale for under a grand.
RoamingScott wrote:
Agree. I had the 16-35GM and ended up only used it for astro, so I replaced with a cheaper 20/1.8 that gets the job done even better at half the price

The 24-120 is only marginally longer and heavier than the Sony 24-105, so seems great on paper!

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:41 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

JadedWriter wrote:
The current Z 20 1.8 is also on sale for under a grand.

Why are you trying to make my wife divorce me?

Dec 09, 2021 at 11:50 AM

cvrle59
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

JadedWriter wrote:
The current Z 20 1.8 is also on sale for under a grand.

The lens is so long and ugly to my eyes,
but I looked images on Flickr, the results are nothing than amazing.
There is a reason behind such design, Nikon nailed it.

Dec 09, 2021 at 12:00 PM

JadedWriter
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

The look of the lens is the last thing I care about. Some people think the Z primes are cheap and fugly and I mostly just don't care and shoot with them.
cvrle59 wrote:
The lens is so long and ugly to my eyes,
but I looked images on Flickr, the results are nothing than amazing.
There is a reason behind such design, Nikon nailed it.

Dec 09, 2021 at 12:02 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

cvrle59 wrote:
The lens is so long and ugly to my eyes,
but I looked images on Flickr, the results are nothing than amazing.
There is a reason behind such design, Nikon nailed it.

I definitely agree that Nikon Z mount lenses look atrocious to my outside eyes (and honestly why I took so long to look at Nikon as a possibility). They are so much longer than their competitors, but the IQ speaks for itself. Sony has been doing a great job of making their new glass optically terrific and very small.

Dec 09, 2021 at 12:05 PM

cvrle59
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

RoamingScott wrote:
I definitely agree that Nikon Z mount lenses look atrocious to my outside eyes (and honestly why I took so long to look at Nikon as a possibility). They are so much longer than their competitors, but the IQ speaks for itself. Sony has been doing a great job of making their new glass optically terrific and very small.
I'm not that familiar with Sony's, but I see how compact their lenses are, the question is, what kind of compromise is accepted in favor of compactness.
The new technology makes certain things possible, but still, physics is there as a limiter to the certain extent.

Dec 09, 2021 at 12:20 PM

Shotokan
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

This video by Nigel Danson, a UK landscape photographer, argues for the 24-200mm z lens, especially for hiking. He also owns and regularly uses the 24-70 f4 and 24-70 f2.8 lenses. Until recently, he relied on the 24-70 f4 almost exclusively for his woodland photography and he was pleased with the results.

Edited on Dec 09, 2021 at 12:25 PM · View previous versions

Dec 09, 2021 at 12:22 PM

ahamp
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

I wasn't using ultrawides much. When I sold the DSLR system to acquire the Z, I was fine with the kit 24-70 f/4. I found an outrageous deal on a LN 20mm f/1.8S at a local shop and picked it up. The quality is amazing and the close focusing ability was better than the 14-30. I don't use it often. But, it's there when I need it.

Dec 09, 2021 at 12:24 PM

PB_James
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

Just curious, why does an extra 15mm focal range on an unreleased midrange zoom compel you to switch systems?

I say this as a Nikon shooter of 15 years who's enjoying the Z system for just the sort of shooting you do as well. I currently have the 14-30 and 24-200, enjoy both a lot especially their low size and weight for long-distance hiking. I owned the 24-120 on F-mount for many years and produced a lot of nice images with it, even despite its' flaws, but the 24-200 Z-mount is better overall. I fully expect the 24-120 Z to be better still.

I found the Z7 14-30 combo works well for casual astro shots, and focusing on a bright star was extremely quick and easy in pinpoint AF mode. Best overall astro shooting experience I've had, compared to Nikon DSLR or Fuji APS-C mirrorless.

Dec 09, 2021 at 12:24 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

PB_James wrote:
Just curious, why does an extra 15mm focal range on an unreleased midrange zoom compel you to switch systems?

I say this as a Nikon shooter of 15 years who's enjoying the Z system for just the sort of shooting you do as well. I currently have the 14-30 and 24-200, enjoy both a lot especially their low size and weight for long-distance hiking. I owned the 24-120 on F-mount for many years and produced a lot of nice images with it, even despite its' flaws, but the 24-200 Z-mount is better overall. I fully expect the 24-120 Z to be...Show more →

Several advantages to the Z7ii over the R4 for my particular shooting:

-Better DR/lower noise (not a huge advantage, but it's there)
-Sony RAW files take SO much editing, NEFs not as much
-Astro shooting with AF is better on Nikon
-Nikon has focus stacking built into the body
-Nikon has better long exposure controls

I use the 24-105G as my default travel lens, to the point of sometimes taking JUST that lens on trips into the mountains. If I can get a system that can gain me some neat features, and give me a travel lens that has MORE reach/bokeh at the long end, it's worth a look.

I squeeze every last drop out of the Sony 24-105G...but it's not a lens to write home about on its own. It has some microcontrast issues that are overcome by fairly extensive post processing. I anticipate the Nikon system would give me files closer to what I want out of the box, so to speak.

I've used every single camera brand EXCEPT Nikon at this point, no harm in playing around, life is short!

Dec 09, 2021 at 12:29 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Comparing Z7ii to my Sony A7R4

Shotokan wrote:
This video by Nigel Danson, a UK landscape photographer, argues for the 24-200mm z lens, especially for hiking. He also owns and regularly uses the 24-70 f4 and 24-70 f2.8 lenses. Until recently, he relied on the 24-70 f4 almost exclusively for his woodland photography and he was pleased with the results.

I can see the 24-200 being more appealing on the Z6, but I'd rather have F4 at 120mm and crop as needed on the Z7ii. You start to lose light on this lens at 35mm, and you're already down to f/6 by 70mm.

Definitely could get great shots midday, though, in one convenient lens.

Dec 09, 2021 at 12:45 PM

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