Re: The new Nikon Z8 vs the Sony A7RV and potential A9III
arbitrage wrote: groob wrote:
arbitrage wrote: psp2000 wrote:
Is Z8 autofocus up to par with A9II?
I'd say in some ways Z8 is better and some ways A9II still is better.
Z8 has more subject detect options including birds. A9II just cats/dogs and humans.
A9II I think still has an ease of use advantage with the Wide and Zone AF modes (non-tracking) being able to acquire subjects easier at distance, over complicated backgrounds and moving onto complicated backgrounds.
I think when the Z8 has acquired and is tracking your intended subject properly its hit rate is as good and probably better than A9II. It is getting to the point of acquiring and tracking that is more difficult compared to A9II.
Z8 still requires clunky handoff AF methods and it is no good at all at distant subjects or subjects over more complicated backgrounds.
That said, if Nikon lenses are what you want, I wouldn't not go Nikon because of Z8 AF. Z8 AF is still very good and can get you any shot you are after, just not as easily as A9II for fast action.
**all my "Z8" opinions are based on my ownership of Z9**
**it has been 2 years since I shot the A9II so my memory may not be the best and I've never had A9II directly beside Z9**
Now, wait a second, is it “no good at all,” or is it slightly worse than an A1? And is it “no good at all” with all subjects or only swallows? Or is it slightly worse (in your opinion) with swallows or all subjects? These kinds of all-encompassing comments make the Z9/8 sound worse than a D850, and give the impression that moving to mirrorless on the Nikon side is a waste of time. Based your recent comments in the Z9 thread, however, I have to assume this is a pretty big overstatement? Indeed, I have to say, the only photos I’ve seen in the entire A1 thread that would be difficult to obtain with a D850 and my 20 year old 500mm f/4 (WITH STEPPER MOTORS, my god, the horror!) are swallows. There’s not much else that causes an issue: flying ducks, puffins, terns, owls, stilts, etc.
I think you’re pickier, more demanding, and spend more time in the field than 99% of photographers and therefore grade on a higher curve. Regardless, it seems like your comments are over the top when it comes to the actual difference among systems. I’ve somehow turned into an evangelist of reasonableness and moderation in regard to real world, practical differences in photographic gear because I find the conversation gratingly hyperbolic untethered to reality.
Where is the "no good at all" quote coming from?
You quoted a post talking about the A9II vs the Z8 (Z9)...nothing about the A1 in that post.
Yes I'm pickier than 99% of other people on here but I make myself clear in most of my posts (maybe not all of them) about what subjects or situations I'm talking about.
In the post you quoted, I said the Z8 could capture anything you want it to. Exactly what you are saying...even about the D850. And I'd agree. I could get all the swallows I wanted and every other BIF I tried (including small passerines like finches) with my D850.....when I put in the effort.
I guess I just like to take the easy route these days. And in my hands the easy route to getting the shots I want, getting more keepers to choose from in a given session and most importantly, giving me the highest chance of getting that 1 in a million split second moment I'll never see again is the Sony A1.
I've never once said a Z8 or a Z9 or an R5 or a D850 or a D500 or an A7RV can't get me a type of shot I'm after. I've got challenging swallows etc with all those cameras.
I made a recent post on BCG showing a shot from each of those cameras to prove it isn't the gear...check it out:
You’re said: “Z8 still requires clunky handoff AF methods and it is no good at all at distant subjects or subjects over more complicated backgrounds.”
Perhaps that was over reading it and leaving out some context on my part. I sought some clarification based on our previous discussion about the Z9 relative to the A1.
May 12, 2023 at 05:47 AM
Previous versions of groob's message #16241459 « The new Nikon Z8 vs the Sony A7RV and potential A9III »
