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Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

Earlstone
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

I have a Z9 with the 35 1.8. I picked it up because it was at my local store when no one could get it and I wanted to give it a try. I really, really have enjoyed it. Fallen in love even with a 4 way tilt, great evf, silent shutter, amazing AF eye tracking. I use it vertically a lot for portraits. I'm really just documenting life in my home with my two daughters 5 and 6. Tons of portraits. I shoot Leica, GFX as well. I'm amazed at how well it locks onto an eye and allows me to freely compose. I'm genuinely surprised at how nice the colors are with very little work in LR. I've delayed buying anymore lenses as I still feel like I'm trying it out. I've looked at Canon and Sony as well, but I come back to it and I just really feel like it's a great camera. Even the small 1.8 lens selection or the 26, 28, 40 pancakes along with what seems like amazing 1.2 primes (35mm 1.2 will be bonkers) and great long zooms. Even the evf shrinks for glasses wear.

So, I'm torn. Do I downsize for a smaller Z8 that will still have a vertical grip that appears to be massive and weigh more than the Z9? Do I add a Z8 and keep the Z9 which honestly seems like too much for general purpose? Or pass and keep the Z9 and maybe get a used Z8 down the road as a walk around camera for travel or day trips? The walk around is key as I have no desire to walk around with a Z9 and 1.8 prime around my neck and usually take an M or X100V instead.What are you Z9 folks thinking?

May 24, 2023 at 11:53 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

I’d never walk around with my Z9, and will likely never walk around with a Z8…it’s an absurd amount of camera for something like that. I do all my personal family documenting between the X100v and film point and shoot these days and couldn’t be happier. The cameras just disappear for all involved.

I’ve never missed something as simple as a portrait with either lesser camera. I’ll bring the Z9 out for sports games, but that is using the appropriate tool for the job.

May 24, 2023 at 11:58 PM

Sbatley
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

I tend to use my Z9 for specific projects and where I need its capabilities such as endurance, auto focus capability, high speed capture, vertical grip etc.. which to be fair is most of the time.
However for walkabout and casual street photography I find my Z7ii with 24 to 70 f/4 or 40 f/2 lens ideal.. and I wouldn’t really want to carry anything larger.. the z8 looks like a compromised z9 in terms of controllability and ergonomics, which for a camera as a tool to me is important, with essentially similar electronics as the z9 .. but in terms of size and weight, for me the z8 is still too big and heavy for casual walkabout…
I think for some of us we have been spoilt with the z9 and Z7ii, but I guess if one didn’t have either of these cameras the z8 would be a great candidate… but I feel you would be missing out on the ergonomics of the z9 and portability and niftiness of the Z7ii.

Now should there ever be the capability of the z8 in a Z7ii body .. that would be tempting.. to add along with my z9

May 25, 2023 at 01:18 AM

Earlstone
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

I’m not really solely focused on a walking camera. As I said I have an M and X100V. What I’m asking is are Z9 owners thinking of adding/replacing/or passing on the Z8?

May 25, 2023 at 09:18 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

You specifically said "get a used Z8 down the road as a walk around camera", so I think that's why you got the answers you did.

A bunch of us Z9 owners have already posted how the Z8 fits into our plans in the Z8 thread here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1807838

I'm also curious about this statement: "Do I downsize for a smaller Z8 that will still have a vertical grip that appears to be massive and weigh more than the Z9?"

If you're planning on gripping the Z8 I'd just stick with the Z9.

May 25, 2023 at 09:33 AM

Earlstone
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

Sure. I can sift through 28 pages of release info. I’m asking a specific question and I’m sorry I horribly confused you. No need to reply. Anyone else with a z9 adding/swapping/ or passing on a z8? As clear and as simple as possible.

May 25, 2023 at 10:04 AM

Earlstone
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

I also own an Sl2S with 35 apo. People walk around with those and it weighs more than a z9 with 35 1.8. So let’s leave the walk around part alone please. It’s about being smaller and lighter than a z9, yet heavier with a vertical grip.

May 25, 2023 at 10:06 AM

CanadaMark
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

Earlstone wrote:
I’m not really solely focused on a walking camera. As I said I have an M and X100V. What I’m asking is are Z9 owners thinking of adding/replacing/or passing on the Z8?

I've had a Z9 for over a year and I'm keeping it. I have large hands so I tend to avoid the smaller bodies (the Z8 would probably be OK but I don't like when my fingers hang off the bottom as with most other cameras) and I love the ergonomics. I use the vertical grip a lot, and smaller, gripped bodies just don't have the same feel and they end up significantly larger than a Z9. I also shoot primarily with telephotos, so the balance is really nice with larger lenses. There's no getting around it's 3lb weight (the price you pay for the battery life and build quality), and coming from "normal" sized bodies, I've had to buy some different bags and other accessories. The weight doesn't bother me 99% of the time but that may change as I get older. Overall though I feel I have been spoiled to a certain degree and wouldn't trade it for a smaller body. One thing I will probably do though is add a cheap Z7 or something specifically for hiking/travel landscapes, which paired with a 14-30 is an extremely light/compact solution. If I had a Z8 I wouldn't be looking to add a second body for hiking/travel.

Just reading your first post again, it seems you really love the way the Z9 is working for you and often take advantage of the vertical shooting. It also doesn't sound like you're bothered by it's size/weight as you have some lighter options when needed. Why mess with a good thing and take a loss on a used sale?

May 25, 2023 at 10:11 AM

BSPhotog
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

Earlstone wrote:
I also own an Sl2S with 35 apo. People walk around with those and it weighs more than a z9 with 35 1.8. So let’s leave the walk around part alone please. It’s about being smaller and lighter than a z9, yet heavier with a vertical grip.

I guess the big question will be this, "How important is the grip to you?" If you are shooting vertical often from the 90 degree grip hand position then maybe this will be a big deal. Otherwise, if it is really more sparse and home use with small lenses I think a Z8 with less bulk would be a win for you what you're describing.

May 25, 2023 at 10:39 AM

Earlstone
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

Great points

May 25, 2023 at 10:40 AM

Eric214
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

Nope, i have had my Z9 since Jan 13th 2022 and came from a D850 and 2 then 3 D500's.

I have no interest at all for a neutered Z9 (no 2x CFE and awful battery life just name a could issues).

My interest would be a stills centric body with the Z9's AF system with either an APS-C 24mp sensor $2000 range or FF 45mp sensor at $3k maybe. They could some some basic video like 1080p, 4k 30/60p but wouldn't care if it only did 1080p

May 25, 2023 at 11:25 AM

pingflood
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

Eric214 wrote:
Nope, i have had my Z9 since Jan 13th 2022 and came from a D850 and 2 then 3 D500's.

I have no interest at all for a neutered Z9 (no 2x CFE and awful battery life just name a could issues).

My interest would be a stills centric body with the Z9's AF system with either an APS-C 24mp sensor $2000 range or FF 45mp sensor at $3k maybe. They could some some basic video like 1080p, 4k 30/60p but wouldn't care if it only did 1080p

"Awful battery life" -- it's 45% or so of the capacity of the Z9. My Z9 gets a silly number of shots on a charge, so if I get just under half that I'm fine with it.

May 25, 2023 at 11:49 AM

CanadaMark
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

Battery life is incredibly dependent on specific usage. I can get about 2 weeks out of a single Z9 battery charge on vacation with a few thousand photos and mixed usage. I'm not a big "chimper" and I don't use the rear LCD hardly at all. Around home if I am out birding, it's more like 2-3 days/outings per charge as I have the meter/AF/VR/EVF active a whole lot more. If you're a video shooter it's a different story yet again. The Z9 basically has DSLR-level battery life which was also a major selling point for me when I bought it, but you pay for that in weight. The Z8 will have around half that battery life, so still pretty good, just not amazing. Again it is going to depend heavily on exactly how you use the camera.

A couple of things the Z8 has going for it that will help longevity is the ability to charge the battery in camera or during use with an external battery pack, and it shares the Z9's instant start-up time, so you don't need to worry about missing shots if you have the camera turned off to save battery while changing locations or whatever. You can also make some more minor optimizations like dropping the EVF down to 60hz from 120hz if you aren't shooting action.

May 25, 2023 at 12:13 PM

Eric214
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

pingflood wrote:
"Awful battery life" -- it's 45% or so of the capacity of the Z9. My Z9 gets a silly number of shots on a charge, so if I get just under half that I'm fine with it.

Yep my Z9 gets 6k-8k shots on a charge with some video Anna 15-20% left on the battery. Ricci is a wildlife shooter, he's getting 1900 shots at 3% with the Z8. Matt Granger showed 6700 but that's not hammering away in a few hours in a studio. Not at realistic fire a wildlife shooter. At 20fps and on just a slower day, not a very active day 2500 shots is pretty normal. A great day and the Z8 will crush 2-3 batteries, i still have plenty left on my first battery, never killed one in a day unless i shoot 45 min or more of video at 4k120p

My Canon and Sony friends are replacing batteries some days at 10am and go through 2-4 batteries on an all day shoot and hear then complain they missed great shot when the battery dies during a burst or while changing then.

I have no interest in having to worry about battery so the time to constantly watch it. So yeah, the Z8 battery life is awful. It may be ok for you, but as a wildlife photographer, it's really not good enough

May 25, 2023 at 12:53 PM

Eric214
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

CanadaMark wrote:
Battery life is incredibly dependent on specific usage. I can get about 2 weeks out of a single Z9 battery charge on vacation with a few thousand photos and mixed usage. I'm not a big "chimper" and I don't use the rear LCD hardly at all. Around home if I am out birding, it's more like 2-3 days/outings per charge as I have the meter/AF/VR/EVF active a whole lot more. If you're a video shooter it's a different story yet again. The Z9 basically has DSLR-level battery life which was also a major selling point for me when I bought...Show more →

Exactly. On average I'm charging my battery 2 maybe 3 times a week. I also turn off my rear LCD about 90% is the time. Though i find more discernible difference I'm battery life using the 120mhz to the 60mhz in the evf

May 25, 2023 at 12:57 PM

kilowhiskey
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

I just bought a Z9 & pre-ordered the Z8. I wanted one body with a grip for longer lenses used in wildlife (currently 70-200 & 100-400mm). The Z8 will likely have either the 85/1.2 or 135/1.8 when it becomes available. I also have a Z5 which I will use with the 14-30 or 24-120. I also use the Z5 with the 24-200 & 40 & 85/1.8 for travel. The Z8 & Z9 I primarily use for wildlife & I wanted bodies that had the same autofocus system so that’s why I went with those. If I didn’t want at least one grip I would have went with two Z8s.

May 25, 2023 at 01:23 PM

Spectro
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

I’m intrigued but no immediate plans. I use a Z9 and D5 shooting sports and am confident in either as a prime/backup. I chose to move the D850 when I got the Z9 as it had a lower shutter count and I didn’t feel the need for two high mpx cameras at the time. My D5 has about 285k on the shutter, is still in great condition and shows no signs of slowing down. I don’t regret the decision but sometimes miss the D850 as an all rounder with less bulk. It’s still a beefy camera though. I still have some stellar f mount glass and have kept the Z glass to the 24-120 and 50 1.8 so far. I’ll likely expand the z glass before getting a Z8.

In order to get a Z8 in the near future I’d have to move on from the D5 and likely some f glass that I still like and use so no real need. I definitely see one down the road though. I shoot far less for revenue now and my photo revenue pays all those bills so likely a bit further down the road.

May 25, 2023 at 01:33 PM

MatthewK
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

Rewriting my post, as my reply didn’t really pertain to the OP.

I’d never in a million years use a Z9 as a casual family documentary camera, thing is insanely large and heavy, I would hate to lug it around to capture what amounts to family snapshots. You have the X100V, which is perfect in that role; I wanted more versatility, so I also added an X-T5 and a couple of lenses, and am happy to break that kit out from time to time.

For professional or more demanding subjects, the Z9 is fantastic, if you’re happy with it in that aspect I wouldn’t swap it for a Z8. Use the Fuji gear for casual, and leave Big Bertha for when you are OK with the weight because it has an intended purpose.

Edited on May 25, 2023 at 03:41 PM · View previous versions

May 25, 2023 at 02:36 PM

LostLensCap
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

It is your camera, use it for whatever you want too. The 3 options you mention, any are OK but you have nothing to gain image wise by going with a Z8. I'd just keep the Z9 and maybe pickup a used Z8 later like to wrote as one of your options.

May 25, 2023 at 03:15 PM

sum1sgrampa
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Add/Replace/Pass on Z8 for Z9

I personally see no need to replace for my use. I never understood the logic in "too much camera" for this or I wouldn't "walk around" with it. I use mine for wildlife, grandson's soccer games, kids photos, macros. Why not ? I tend to buy something and use the crap out of it. Shot my D500 for 7 years. I plan on shooting my Z9 for at least that if I'm still alive. I also like the integrated grip. Never liked the add ons.
I know people are excited about the Z8 and I can see that if you're finally making the switch from a D850 or D500. But honestly, in my mind, there's no new tech, you're just getting a smaller body. I realize that's important to some but I find the Z9 perfect, so no switching for me.
Gary

May 25, 2023 at 03:44 PM

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