I currently have a Nikon Zf with three manual focus lenses, CV35/50 APOs and a 75 Nokton. I shoot in full manual mode using the dials (and occasionally aperture priority using exposure compensation). My photography could be classified as documentary-type and travel photography (or at least I pretend it is in my head). I have no plans to stop doing this, but I would like to start doing more photography that requires autofocus, for example more photography of my family on vacation rather than documentary/travel photography when traveling (think dad photography as opposed to failing to become a National Geographic photographer). I do not currently use video, but plan to do so as part of the transition- no hardcore editing, just putting together clips using iMovie.
What would the PRACTICAL benefits of a Z6III over a Zf be (or vice versa). Things that would make a noticeable difference I could see in everyday operation. Examples off the top of my head would include:
1) The different ergonomics (although after a year of shooting with the Zf it now fits like a glove!!!).
2) The availability of user settings (U1-3) on the Z6III which would be immensely useful when switching between manual and autofocus lenses. On the Zf, switching back and forth would require remapping multiple buttons every time, while on the Z6III I would just turn a dial.
3) Placement of the command dials which could make them more difficult to use (as I find on the Zf compared to my prior Z7).
I would greatly appreciate advice on things like:
1) Is the autofocus noticeably faster on the Z6III?
2) Is the autofocus noticeably more accurate/reliable on the Z6III?
3) Are the improved/additional video options of the Z6III something I would even need given my level of competency?
4) Are there any benefits that you have discovered to either camera that are not obvious from the specs, e.g. the pleasure I get from using the Zf.
4) Am I barking up the wrong tree and should I (for my described use) be looking at a cheaper or different type of camera (or another brand, heaven forbid... ).
I know these types of questions can be irritating to some forum members and that some use cases are also personal. I'm just trying to obtain information on actual use cases as opposed to using specs to make a decision. I do appreciate and thank you for your time in answering.
AF-tracking is quite a bit better on Z6 iii.
For example, bird in flight, Zf can pick up on the bird just as well but AF can lose the bird easier than Z6 iii as you follow it, especially with busy background. Focus acquisition on Z6 iii is also faster.
Subject recognition box will appears on the subject just as quick but Z6iii will focus on the subject
in less time. This is more obvious in low light situation.
Z6 iii EVF is smoother with virtually no blackout (it has been awhile since I last played with Z6 iii but I remember it being much closer to Z8 than Zf, both of which I own).
If you are not shooting a lot of action, fast moving wild life and don't need the faster FPS, you don't really need Z6 iii unless you hates Zf ergonomic.
Also I much much prefer CFexpress card over SD card in general and really hate micro SD.
In looking into a second body, Nikon seems to be all over the place firmware wise. For the cameras with the EXPEED7 chip, some have bird recognition (Z9, Z8, Z50II) and some don’t (Z6II, Zf), some can use Imaging Cloud (Z6III, Z50II) and some can’t (Z9, Z8, Z6III, Zf), and some have the green box adjustment (Z9, Z8) and some don’t (Z6III, Zf, Z50II). I get the idea of market segmentation, but the rationale of which model gets which features is odd.
I’m hopeful that within six months most of this feature parity will be gone.
theopwildebeest wrote:
In looking into a second body, Nikon seems to be all over the place firmware wise. For the cameras with the EXPEED7 chip, some have bird recognition (Z9, Z8, Z50II) and some don’t (Z6II, Zf), some can use Imaging Cloud (Z6III, Z50II) and some can’t (Z9, Z8, Z6III, Zf), and some have the green box adjustment (Z9, Z8) and some don’t (Z6III, Zf, Z50II). I get the idea of market segmentation, but the rationale of which model gets which features is odd.
).