p.7 #1 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
George DeCamp wrote:
Well mine came today naturally it was dark out! Sigh. Will be heading out to the park in the morning where normally birds are plentiful, watch tomorrow will be quiet! :-)
Took a few photos inside with the 24-120. I have a lot to learn, fist time using a mirrorless and even though I read a lot it was so different, Camera is snappy quick and feels awesome. Will have more to say as I use it.
p.7 #2 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
EyeSpyEagle wrote:
You can only use the F mount TC's with adapted F mount lenses.
It's not possible to use a Z mount TC and an FTZ adapter.
Didn’t know that as I don’t have the z version tele. Not that fond of the 1.4 teleconverter vs.II with my Z 6II and the 500 pf. Curious to see on the Z9 when it comes.
p.7 #3 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
SeattleDucks wrote:
Interesting, thanks for the heads up. The Z9 has 1.11 stops less DR at ISO 400 compared to Z7.
Right.... but:
- the gap at ISO64 is only 0.3 stop in favor of the Z7II
- the gap at ISO318 is only 0.6 stop in favor of the Z7II
- the gap at ISO503 and higher is 0 stop
So I find it extremely misleading to just write what you wrote.
ISO400 is clearly an abnormality and one ISO to avoid with the Z9.
p.7 #4 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
bernardl wrote:
[...]ISO400 is clearly an abnormality and one ISO to avoid with the Z9.[...]
Cheers,
Bernard
I use ISO 64 whenever possible, but ISO 400 is my next most used setting when constant breeze causes foliage to move. I’m not going to take a -1.11 stop hit in DR when my Z9 arrives so I guess I will move to ISO 503.
Nikon set the dual gain at ISO 503 on the Z9, compared to ISO 400 on the Z7, that’s why we see the 1.11 stop difference at 400.
p.7 #8 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
This is a bit of a torture test in a way as the Z9 apparently uses color to differentiate subject and eye from the background/foreground. Rainbow Lorikeets are colored to be camouflaged in a way when they are in the leaves of a tree and amongst the flowers. As you can see from these photos, the leaves and the flowers are a match for the bird!
The first time I tried getting the shots of the Lorikeets a few days ago it was sunny and therefore shade and sunny parts on the bird as well as the bird never really coming out into the open to get a clear shot. This Z9 had a devil of a time trying to lock onto the bird let alone the head or eye due to these conditions and the bird being rather secretive in amongst the leaves etc. I was also using the Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS, which was a little short and even though it is fast to focus was still not quite up to the 400 f2.8 + 1.4x TCIII AF speed that the following photos of the Lorikeet were taken with.
Today, it has been overcast with good even light which is my preferred method for these birds in this tree, or late afternoon when the tree is in shade. This Lorikeet was a little more game and came out a little more but was still a little reticent and wary. I used the Z9 + 400 f2.8E FL VR + 1.4x TCIII on a tripod with a ball head.
The other factor to take into consideration is that these birds are constantly moving about never staying still for long and their head and tongues are darting all over the flowers getting the pollen. It is a tough ask for the AF to keep up. I was purposely trying to keep ISO low and thus used a lowish shutter speed when the bird's head and tongue movement is taken into consideration. Many shots were missed due to AF difficulties and also movement issues.
p.7 #13 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
bernardl wrote:
Right.... but:
- the gap at ISO64 is only 0.3 stop in favor of the Z7II
- the gap at ISO318 is only 0.6 stop in favor of the Z7II
- the gap at ISO503 and higher is 0 stop
So I find it extremely misleading to just write what you wrote.
ISO400 is clearly an abnormality and one ISO to avoid with the Z9.
Cheers,
Bernard
@SeattleDucks, I’m curious, do you shoot action at all? If not, what makes you want a Z9 over the Z7II?
p.7 #14 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
Lance B wrote:
This is a bit of a torture test in a way as the Z9 apparently uses color to differentiate subject and eye from the background/foreground. Rainbow Lorikeets are colored to be camouflaged in a way when they are in the leaves of a tree and amongst the flowers. As you can see from these photos, the leaves and the flowers are a match for the bird!
The first time I tried getting the shots of the Lorikeets a few days ago it was sunny and therefore shade and sunny parts on the bird as well as the bird never really coming out into the open to get a clear shot. This Z9 had a devil of a time trying to lock onto the bird let alone the head or eye due to these conditions and the bird being rather secretive in amongst the leaves etc. I was also using the Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS, which was a little short and even though it is fast to focus was still not quite up to the 400 f2.8 + 1.4x TCIII AF speed that the following photos of the Lorikeet were taken with.
Today, it has been overcast with good even light which is my preferred method for these birds in this tree, or late afternoon when the tree is in shade. This Lorikeet was a little more game and came out a little more but was still a little reticent and wary. I used the Z9 + 400 f2.8E FL VR + 1.4x TCIII on a tripod with a ball head.
The other factor to take into consideration is that these birds are constantly moving about never staying still for long and their head and tongues are darting all over the flowers getting the pollen. It is a tough ask for the AF to keep up. I was purposely trying to keep ISO low and thus used a lowish shutter speed when the bird's head and tongue movement is taken into consideration. Many shots were missed due to AF difficulties and also movement issues.
p.7 #15 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
groob wrote:
@SeattleDucks@, I’m curious, do you shoot action at all? If not, what makes you want a Z9 over the Z7II?
I love shooting BIF as an adjunct to my landscape work. I use a gripped D850 for my main camera currently along with a D500. This year I shot birds at Bosque in NM, lakes in southeast AZ, Ottowa NWR in OH, along with Ding Darling and other refuges in FL.
The Z9 has the following advantages for me personally including for my landscape work:
- Flagship form factor w/integral grip
- Lower light AF sensitivity
- Faster frame rate for focus stacks compared to previous Nikons (Ricci tested this)
- 1 stop better IBIS with certain lenses
- No shutter to wear out, and no shutter shock
- Superior horizontal and vertical tilting screen
- Improved live feed EVF
- Backlit buttons
- Better WB button placement
- Voice memo
- Built in GPS
- More custom function buttons
- Longer battery life
- Improved sensor dust resistance
- Starlight mode for astro, including red color on LCD/EVF
- Superior AF tracking and FPS for birds & wildlife
p.7 #17 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
EyeSpyEagle wrote:
Another set of beauties Lance.
Camo is not something that would (ever) have come to mind with regard to the Lorikeet. :-)
Regards,
Phil
Thank you very much, Phil!
Yes, Camo is not the first thing that came to my mind until I started using the Z9 in less than ideal conditions. Then I realised just how well they blend in with this tree and it's flowers.
p.7 #18 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
SeattleDucks wrote:
I love shooting BIF as an adjunct to my landscape work. I use a gripped D850 for my main camera currently along with a D500. This year I shot birds at Bosque in NM, lakes in southeast AZ, Ottowa NWR in OH, along with Ding Darling and other refuges in FL.
The Z9 has the following advantages for me personally including for my landscape work:
- Flagship form factor w/integral grip
- Lower light AF sensitivity
- Faster frame rate for focus stacks compared to previous Nikons (Ricci tested this)
- 1 stop better IBIS with certain lenses
- No shutter to wear out, and no shutter shock
- Superior horizontal and vertical tilting screen
- Improved live feed EVF
- Backlit buttons
- Better WB button placement
- Voice memo
- Built in GPS
- More custom function buttons
- Longer battery life
- Improved sensor dust resistance
- Starlight mode for astro, including red color on LCD/EVF
- Superior AF tracking and FPS for birds & wildlife ...Show more →
All compelling features features for sure (well except for the size for me.)
p.7 #19 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
Lance B wrote:
This is a bit of a torture test in a way as the Z9 apparently uses color to differentiate subject and eye from the background/foreground. Rainbow Lorikeets are colored to be camouflaged in a way when they are in the leaves of a tree and amongst the flowers. As you can see from these photos, the leaves and the flowers are a match for the bird!
The first time I tried getting the shots of the Lorikeets a few days ago it was sunny and therefore shade and sunny parts on the bird as well as the bird never really coming out into the open to get a clear shot. This Z9 had a devil of a time trying to lock onto the bird let alone the head or eye due to these conditions and the bird being rather secretive in amongst the leaves etc. I was also using the Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS, which was a little short and even though it is fast to focus was still not quite up to the 400 f2.8 + 1.4x TCIII AF speed that the following photos of the Lorikeet were taken with.
Today, it has been overcast with good even light which is my preferred method for these birds in this tree, or late afternoon when the tree is in shade. This Lorikeet was a little more game and came out a little more but was still a little reticent and wary. I used the Z9 + 400 f2.8E FL VR + 1.4x TCIII on a tripod with a ball head.
The other factor to take into consideration is that these birds are constantly moving about never staying still for long and their head and tongues are darting all over the flowers getting the pollen. It is a tough ask for the AF to keep up. I was purposely trying to keep ISO low and thus used a lowish shutter speed when the bird's head and tongue movement is taken into consideration. Many shots were missed due to AF difficulties and also movement issues.
. Thank you very much, Saaketham! 