Picked up my Z8 today and I "dilligently" went through the menu and set it up mostly how I had my Z9 set up (Z9 wasn't with me at the time), AF settings, Lossless Compressed RAW, Copyright, Display etc, etc. Except, just like I did with my Z9, idiot me forgot to set the "Image quality" section to RAW. I don't know if any remember, this is exactly what I forgot to do with my Z9 with my first images that I posted here on FM. As I never alter my camera off RAW I therefore never use the "Image Quality" selection, once I had selected Compressed RAW, I mistakenly just thought it was in RAW.
However, I have to say that the jpegs are simply gorgeous any way. However, I still put them through Capture One Pro and did a few tweaks and some have Topaz noise reduction. Not as good as a RAW image, but not too bad considering.
Anyway, I went to the zoo to get shots as that way I am ensured of subject matter to give the Z8 a decent trial. All I can say is, it is simply a Z9 in a smaller, lighter body as everything seems to work just like a Z9 sans grip section. I shot about 250 images and treating it just I do my Z9, the battery went down 1 bar. So, it should get decent battery life. Lugging around 500gms less is certainly nicer. However, even though the Z8 is good with long lenses, the Z9 is a tad better.
I took a little over 300 shots just trying different things and battery went down one bar.
So far normal everyday usage, I don't think I need to worry much. If I go out for a full day,
I probably won't need more than an extra battery.
Everything felt just like Z9. Surprisingly, with 85/1.2S, I actually prefer using it with Z9 a touch more for better balance.
But I guess if I am going to be walking around all day, the weight and size reduction of Z8 is more than make up for it.
Lance B wrote:
Picked up my Z8 today and I "dilligently" went through the menu and set it up mostly how I had my Z9 set up (Z9 wasn't with me at the time), AF settings, Lossless Compressed RAW, Copyright, Display etc, etc. Except, just like I did with my Z9, idiot me forgot to set the "Image quality" section to RAW. I don't know if any remember, this is exactly what I forgot to do with my Z9 with my first images that I posted here on FM. As I never alter my camera off RAW I therefore never use the "Image Quality" selection, once I had selected Compressed RAW, I mistakenly just thought it was in RAW.
However, I have to say that the jpegs are simply gorgeous any way. However, I still put them through Capture One Pro and did a few tweaks and some have Topaz noise reduction. Not as good as a RAW image, but not too bad considering.
Anyway, I went to the zoo to get shots as that way I am ensured of subject matter to give the Z8 a decent trial. All I can say is, it is simply a Z9 in a smaller, lighter body as everything seems to work just like a Z9 sans grip section. I shot about 250 images and treating it just I do my Z9, the battery went down 1 bar. So, it should get decent battery life. Lugging around 500gms less is certainly nicer. However, even though the Z8 is good with long lenses, the Z9 is a tad better.
Lance B wrote:
Picked up my Z8 today and I "dilligently" went through the menu and set it up mostly how I had my Z9 set up (Z9 wasn't with me at the time), AF settings, Lossless Compressed RAW, Copyright, Display etc, etc. Except, just like I did with my Z9, idiot me forgot to set the "Image quality" section to RAW. I don't know if any remember, this is exactly what I forgot to do with my Z9 with my first images that I posted here on FM. As I never alter my camera off RAW I therefore never use the "Image Quality" selection, once I had selected Compressed RAW, I mistakenly just thought it was in RAW.
However, I have to say that the jpegs are simply gorgeous any way. However, I still put them through Capture One Pro and did a few tweaks and some have Topaz noise reduction. Not as good as a RAW image, but not too bad considering.
Anyway, I went to the zoo to get shots as that way I am ensured of subject matter to give the Z8 a decent trial. All I can say is, it is simply a Z9 in a smaller, lighter body as everything seems to work just like a Z9 sans grip section. I shot about 250 images and treating it just I do my Z9, the battery went down 1 bar. So, it should get decent battery life. Lugging around 500gms less is certainly nicer. However, even though the Z8 is good with long lenses, the Z9 is a tad better.
suteetat wrote:
I took a little over 300 shots just trying different things and battery went down one bar.
So far normal everyday usage, I don't think I need to worry much. If I go out for a full day,
I probably won't need more than an extra battery.
Everything felt just like Z9. Surprisingly, with 85/1.2S, I actually prefer using it with Z9 a touch more for better balance.
But I guess if I am going to be walking around all day, the weight and size reduction of Z8 is more than make up for it.
Really nice images sir and congratulations on the new camera!!
George DeCamp wrote:
They look stunningly good Lance!! Congrats on getting it, mine was shipped today and with the holiday weekend here it will show up Wednesday May 31.
Thank you very much, George. I hope you get yours soon.
Lance B wrote:
Thank you very much, George. I hope you get yours soon.
I probably missed something, but if I remember correctly, you said, you won't go for it immediately...😂
I don't know if any remember, this is exactly what I forgot to do with my Z9 with my first images that I posted here on FM. As I never alter my camera off RAW I therefore never use the "Image Quality" selection, once I had selected Compressed RAW, I mistakenly just thought it was in RAW. 
However, I still put them through Capture One Pro and did a few tweaks and some have Topaz noise reduction. Not as good as a RAW image, but not too bad considering. 
;-)
