p.40 #1 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
arbitrage wrote:
Yes
In regards to the sensors...close enough not to matter to me.
In regards to the lenses...600GM is better (as I'd expect/hope). I shot ~2500 images with each combo yesterday in cloudy and then light filtered sunny. You can tell the difference when looking at a 600GM shot over a 500PF shot although it is hard to really make a direct comparison as yesterday I did a lot of 840/5.6 shooting and 840/5.6 renders the images (mostly similar subjects at similar distances) a lot differently than 500/5.6 no matter the other lens qualities. And then comparing 600/4 to 500/5.6 is also difficult. I guess I really should compare 600/5.6 to 500/5.6. This was the only Z9 outing that I shot the 600 side by side. My other outings I used the 200-600 to get a bit closer comparison. But I didn't do much shooting with the Sony kit those first 6 days as I wanted to concentrate on the usability and AF of the Z9.
I'm happy with the decision I made and glad I got to own the Z9 for awhile. For me it came down to a decision of keeping the Z9/500PF/TC kit or using that money to buy a Sony 400GM. I decided to go for the lens (although that isn't 100% decided yet)....Show more →
Thanks for sharing your impressions.
Yes, 800mm f5.6 is a requirement for the Z9 for me, and the 800PF has to fill that hole. It is a long wait here in Europe though, so I don't expect my Z9 pre order to be filled before the summer. Nikon has not delivered a single Z9 for a month where I live, and the employees in the store have no clue whatsoever about when. Time enough to change my mind and go for the Sony 600GM after all, if the Z800PF is heavier and more expensive than expected. Moreover, I expect a very long wait for that lens as well....
p.40 #2 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
ChrisMak wrote:
Time enough to change my mind and go for the Sony 600GM after all, if the Z800PF is heavier and more expensive than expected.
Noooooo Don't do it, Chris . You just made up your mind finally, and you're already unmaking it
p.40 #4 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
saaketham wrote:
Noooooo Don't do it, Chris . You just made up your mind finally, and you're already unmaking it
The wait here for the Z9 really looks grim, the camera store employees are completely in the dark on the delivery of the Z9.
there are lists of people that fully paid for their Z9 and are all before me, and don't have a clue when theirs will arrive.
Additionally, the Nikon 1.4TC III is sold out europe wide, delivery time unknown...
nikon has a real problem here, so a bit impossible to make up your mind about Nikon Z right now. I have the money ready for a Z9, and would have bought it already, but I am facing many months of waiting here.
What that promises for the 800PF, I have no idea, but it looks as if Nikon is heavily prioritizing the US over Europe.
The longer Nikon takes to fill my pre-order, the more time I have to save up for the Sony 600GM for my A7RIVa, that is a fact. I would be more that happy with both.
p.40 #5 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
ChrisMak wrote:
The wait here for the Z9 really looks grim, the camera store employees are completely in the dark on the delivery of the Z9.
there are lists of people that fully paid for their Z9 and are all before me, and don't have a clue when theirs will arrive.
Additionally, the Nikon 1.4TC III is sold out europe wide, delivery time unknown...
nikon has a real problem here, so a bit impossible to make up your mind about Nikon Z right now. I have the money ready for a Z9, and would have bought it already, but I am facing many months of waiting here.
What that promises for the 800PF, I have no idea, but it looks as if Nikon is heavily prioritizing the US over Europe.
The longer Nikon takes to fill my pre-order, the more time I have to save up for the Sony 600GM for my A7RIVa, that is a fact. I would be more that happy with both. ...Show more →
Life is short... Buy what makes you happy, and spend your energy making images.
I've not exhausted the potential of my gear, so I keep shooting. If the Sony system will make you shoot more now, then I'd stop waiting and buy it.
p.40 #6 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
arbitrage wrote:
Yes
In regards to the sensors...close enough not to matter to me.
In regards to the lenses...600GM is better (as I'd expect/hope). I shot ~2500 images with each combo yesterday in cloudy and then light filtered sunny. You can tell the difference when looking at a 600GM shot over a 500PF shot although it is hard to really make a direct comparison as yesterday I did a lot of 840/5.6 shooting and 840/5.6 renders the images (mostly similar subjects at similar distances) a lot differently than 500/5.6 no matter the other lens qualities. And then comparing 600/4 to 500/5.6 is also difficult. I guess I really should compare 600/5.6 to 500/5.6. This was the only Z9 outing that I shot the 600 side by side. My other outings I used the 200-600 to get a bit closer comparison. But I didn't do much shooting with the Sony kit those first 6 days as I wanted to concentrate on the usability and AF of the Z9.
I'm happy with the decision I made and glad I got to own the Z9 for awhile. For me it came down to a decision of keeping the Z9/500PF/TC kit or using that money to buy a Sony 400GM. I decided to go for the lens (although that isn't 100% decided yet)....Show more →
While I continue to "stay home" with the system I've been shooting, I think you have made the best decision. The Nikon Z9 and future lenses are (and will be) great, but it makes little sense to dump what is already great for something that will require you to wait and see.
The A1 and 600mm f/4 are a brilliant and powerful pair. Adding in the lighter and equally great 400mm f/2.8 GM makes more sense than waiting for Nikon's inevitable optics.
Were I to have your current gear, I wouldn't even be looking at the Nikon system.
For others in my space, owning a 600mm GM would need to be enough of an allure to persuade me to shift systems.
In contrast to your situation, with the massive sell off of F-mount gear, I'm now thinking about buying a D5 and 180-400 to use for wildlife, and keep my Z-gear for lighter use... The best F-mount gear has finally become a relatively affordable alternative to embracing a mirrorless only system.
p.40 #7 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
For all your A1 shooters. What is so attractive about the Z9 that you have to have it on day one and can’t wait for it?
If weight is not a factor and all you want is IQ and AF, the Z9 and 500pf f5.6 will never be able to take on an A1 and 600mm F4 GM. Comparing these two combo is silly. The 500pf is great. But what not so great about it is it’s f5.6@500mm. Comparing the Z9 with 600f4E with FTZ and A1 with 600mm F4 GM is probably better but the Nikon is still a generation behind.
Even if you get the Z9 now, there’s really no superteles that you can’t compare with what Sony is offering currently. Either way, you’ll have to wait for the Z super teles to come in.
So stop wasting your time and get whatever Sony have available.
I think these are very nice. People who say the bird's entire body should be in focus need to take a look at a DOF chart. It's often not physically possible.
p.40 #10 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
One thing that has annoyed me so far is the placement of the mic jack, makes you uncover the ethernet port.
for anyone looking for a long lens bag I use this for the Sigma 500f/4. Called the hazard 4 photo recon sling. The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that it is a sling.
I am dying to know how the combo of the Sigma 500 F4 and the Z9 works. Seeing as you have both, what is your experience with the pair ? Is it working as intended with the Z9?
p.40 #12 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
Picked up Geoff's Z9 & 500PF today. Here's a couple of shots with that combo (+ more on my flickr with exif). Taking into account that I didn't setup the camera fully yet (5 mins in the parking lot) + never shot with anything longer than 400mm + never really shot birds before.... I'm pleased how it works. Muscle memory is still not there (I never shot a gripped body before either). 500pf is 5.6 so needs quite a lot of light of course.
Also a couple dog shots (70-200 would probably be better suited for this) - I literally have sequences of 10fps where basically every single shot is in focus.
I can see this becoming my main camera now (at least until Nikon releases something similar in a non-gripped form). The body is super comforable to hold and balances very well with 500PF(I can hike with this thing).
I am dying to know how the combo of the Sigma 500 F4 and the Z9 works. Seeing as you have both, what is your experience with the pair ? Is it working as intended with the Z9?
I actually haven't gotten out with it yet. Mounted it earlier just to see how the lens reacted and to feel the ftz with the grip. I was happy with the Z7ii performance so I can't imagine it being worse.
I know exactly how you feel. I got mine today and I started taking pictures with it, and it reminded me of my D810 and how I used that camera for everything. I only want to shoot with this body now.
The controls, the feel of the body, and the extra buttons with their placement just makes it a joy to shoot. The responsiveness and the way the AF works, it just gets out of the way for me and I'm focusing on the scene.
p.40 #16 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
lukemeup wrote:
Picked up Geoff's Z9 & 500PF today. Here's a couple of shots with that combo (+ more on my flickr with exif). Taking into account that I didn't setup the camera fully yet (5 mins in the parking lot) + never shot with anything longer than 400mm + never really shot birds before.... I'm pleased how it works. Muscle memory is still not there (I never shot a gripped body before either). 500pf is 5.6 so needs quite a lot of light of course.
I can see this becoming my main camera now (at least until Nikon releases something similar in a non-gripped form). The body is super comforable to hold and balances very well with 500PF(I can hike with this thing). ...Show more →
Congratulations, Luke!
Great first images with the Z9 + 500 PF set up. I can see another birder in the making.
p.40 #17 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
JoshmkII wrote:
That's interesting...
I was using an older lens that won't AF on the z9, however the focus box will light up as "in focus" when the subject is manually in focus.
I wasn't expecting that.
Z5 and Z7II do the same, it's not only Z9 feature. Even dot like in DSLRs in left bottom corner indicates if something is in focus in MF mode.
My observation is related to AF lenses when AF is turned off, it may be different for MF lenses, but I doubt.
p.40 #18 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
One shot for now. Interesting observation but the Z9 would not eye af on the mergansers eye. Not sure what the deal was but it never would lock on. Didn’t even act like it was trying to find it. Pretty aggravating. Also, I was shooting my sons baseball game today and could not get the camera to focus at all by hitting the back button. I turned the camera off and on and nothing. Pulled the battery and then it was back to normal. Pretty bizarre. It is also a pain in the ass waiting on the camera to wake back up when the action starts. I missed a couple shots waiting on that. Not sure what the solution is there besides waking it up prior to each batter hitting. Any thoughts on any of the mentioned things
. You just made up your mind finally, and you're already unmaking it
