Nikon Z* mirrorless

Bear with me on this as it might be a long post. This year I've only shot motorsport and almost all of this has been done with my Z9 and AF-S 400mm f/2.8 E FL. I also use my Z8 along with the Z70-200 f/2.8S. Up until the latest 5.0 firmware on the Z8 and 2.01 I'd been very happy with the results from both cameras, very sharp images and lots of keepers. However the last few events post firmware update I've been unhappy with the results and thought it was me being "off" and put it down as one of those things. But last week I went to shoot some wildlife, Kingfishers in a hide and I was very unhappy with the results. Looking at the images you could see the eye was not sharp, yet every single shot had the green box on the eye, tracking spot on and all seemed to be working well. So I contacted Nikon UK and spoke to Grays Of Westminster and it seems there's an issue over the new firmware. I've read other owners being unhappy, re-installing the older firmware or trying 5.0 again.
This weekend I spent ages taking images with my 400mm, my 500mm f/2.8E FL and the Z70-200 and I got the following. Every time I used ANY of the focus modes with tracking, the subjects eyes were not sharp. Switch if off and they were tack sharp. This happened on BOTH the Z9 and Z8. I was meticulous in the testing, very very rigid Manfrotto tripod, VR tried off and on (had no effect at all) and I was very surprised at the results. I tried every type of focus mode, every type of subject detection and of course switched off and only the pictures taken with tracking of were sharp. I am at a loss. I am waiting to hear back from Nikon and see what they say but thought I'd post this to see if anyone else had issues with their Z9 and Z8 regarding focusing problems. Looking forward to reading any comments too.
 
Nikon Z6 III officially announced - £2699.00
 
It's official, Nikon hate their UK customers.

ZIII US price $2599 UK price £2699

Dealers will be p***ed off, even more reason to go grey.
 
imattersuk said:
It's official, Nikon hate their UK customers.

ZIII US price $2599 UK price £2699

Dealers will be p***ed off, even more reason to go grey.
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Bear in mind that Nikon need to keep their official pricing lower to compensate for the extra sales tax in many states.
 
imattersuk said:
It's official, Nikon hate their UK customers.

ZIII US price $2599 UK price £2699

Dealers will be p***ed off, even more reason to go grey.
Click to expand...
Also don't forget that UK prices always include VAT, whereas US prices are always exclusive of state sales tax (which varies from state to state), some in some states it may well be cheaper but in others, similar to the UK ?
 
Sootchucker said:
Also don't forget that UK prices always include VAT, whereas US prices are always exclusive of state sales tax (which varies from state to state), some in some states it may well be cheaper but in others, similar to the UK ?
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End of the day people will vote with their wallet.
 
imattersuk said:
It's official, Nikon hate their UK customers.

ZIII US price $2599 UK price £2699

Dealers will be p***ed off, even more reason to go grey.
Click to expand...
…. especially since I see that the Z8 is £2840 at Panamoz - with a three year UK based warranty.

Got most of my new stuff from them

I am not interested in either right now; still sticking with my Z6 and D500 combo but a 45mpx for landscape might be interesting-used Z7
 
I'm really interested in the Z6 III for video work and travel / holidays etc, where my Z8 is just a touch too large and heavy to take on holidays. I think I'll wait until the end of this year before pricking one up though (to give the initial wave or orders time to calm down), and for them to appear at Panamoz or E-Infinity for considerably less than £2700. I can certainly see one in my future though. Just need Nikon do develop some smaller travel lenses to go with it.
 
Not for me.
I was hoping for a bump in MP's but previous leaks/rumours had precluded that being likely.
I'm stills only, so I may upgrade my Z6ii to the Z7ii.
I would hang on for a Z7iii but I've a feeling that won't happen.
 
z7 iii 62 mpx tower jazz chip october thats what a friend of mine in japan has told me £2699 a bit pricey if you ask me then again couldnt care less about video features and flippy screen i cant stand so the z7iii does make sence to finish nikon camera line up
 
Of limited interest, but Capture One has just released an update with Z6III support.
 
Once the price settles down I’ll definitely be picking up a Z6III from Panamoz/e-infin etc. I’m still on the original z6 at the moment, but the upgraded AF and similar size are a winner for me. Have been looking at a z8 for weeks but the size keeps putting me off, but this will be perfect for my needs!
 
Got to say I’m not seeing much in the Z6iii over my Z7ii for what I shoot.

I think next time I upgrade I’ll go Z8.
 
Skypilot said:
Not for me.
I was hoping for a bump in MP's but previous leaks/rumours had precluded that being likely.
I'm stills only, so I may upgrade my Z6ii to the Z7ii.
I would hang on for a Z7iii but I've a feeling that won't happen.
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A semi-stacked 45mp body that's smaller than Z8 sounds interesting tbh. Hoping they do make the Z7III now.
But they seem have gimped the Z6iii a little by not offering bird specific tracking that's available on Z8/9. Was that on purpose?
 
nandbytes said:
A semi-stacked 45mp body that's smaller than Z8 sounds interesting tbh. Hoping they do make the Z7III now.
But they seem have gimped the Z6iii a little by not offering bird specific tracking that's available on Z8/9. Was that on purpose?
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There will be some marketing blokes behind that. Nothing to do with engineering. Just so that if you need bird tracking, you buy a dearer camera.
 
Apparently bird tracking is now just built into the ‘animal’ setting, so it doesn’t appear as a separate option, but still has no issues recognising birds…
 
chris321 said:
Apparently bird tracking is now just built into the ‘animal’ setting, so it doesn’t appear as a separate option, but still has no issues recognising birds…
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Should have that on the Z8 and 9:mad: (thought I would get that in first ;):) )
 
I've got my z9 for sale but i think i will keep it now and wait until the z7 iii gets released hopefully not with the crappy articulating screen which yes is good for video people but landscapes no no
 
Just add a little over £100 on top of UK retail z6iii and you have a panamoz z8 with full 3 year warranty.

Absolutely no brainer.

The only thing going for z6iii is internal raw video (z8 can also do that), and improved evf.

Sorry thats just way too expensive for a budget ff body
 
In my opinion the camera isn't to satisfy the big camera users or the MP chasers, but instead to provide a decent improvement on the previous model in a similar sized body. I'll reserve judgement on the flippy screen until I've handled it, but I can't see it being as bad as the z8's contraption
 
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LongLensPhotography said:
Just add a little over £100 on top of UK retail z6iii and you have a panamoz z8 with full 3 year warranty.

Absolutely no brainer.

The only thing going for z6iii is internal raw video (z8 can also do that), and improved evf.

Sorry thats just way too expensive for a budget ff body
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Agreed, the maths doesn’t work at release, but it’s hardly comparing like for like as I think the Z8 uk release price was about £4K (?), and is now available for £2800 grey.

The same maths could put the Z6III under £2k (grey) once the early adopters have all bought theirs…
 
I think also what's not been mentioned but is potentially interesting is the new Nikon Cloud Imaging. When connected to Wi-Fi it will download (if you want), all the photos on the cards in the camera to the Nikon cloud (nothing new there, others have been doing that for a while), but you can select your choice of cloud host (i..e Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox etc), and as well automatically download new firmware files onto the camera automatically when they are available, ready for you to decide if you want to install or not.

There's also the ability to create and download image "recipes" (looks) to the camera. As of now the small print says it's currently only supporting the Z6 III, but I wonder if the Z9, Z8 et al, will also be adapted by firmware to be supported ? It would certainly make the process of firmware updates much easier ?
 
Hi, mainly I try to photograph birds but fancy a shot at Land/Seascapes, as a starter lens looking at a Z 24-50mm F4-6.3 on my Z8.
Any thoughts please?
Thank you, Russ.

​

 
russellsnr said:
Hi, mainly I try to photograph birds but fancy a shot at Land/Seascapes, as a starter lens looking at a Z 24-50mm F4-6.3 on my Z8.
Any thoughts please?
Thank you, Russ.

​

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It's small and light with okay image quality. I'd personally go with a second-hand 24-70 f4, it's still compact but with superior image quality, better zoom range and can be had at a very reasonable price, more so if one is sold on these forums as they go for between £250-£300.
 
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Meanwhile those of us who own a Z7 wonder what’s happening.
Tracy said October so I’ll believe Tracy.
 
tray271 said:
I've got my z9 for sale but i think i will keep it now and wait until the z7 iii gets released hopefully not with the crappy articulating screen which yes is good for video people but landscapes no no
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Useful for vertical landscapes.
 
chris321 said:
Agreed, the maths doesn’t work at release, but it’s hardly comparing like for like as I think the Z8 uk release price was about £4K (?), and is now available for £2800 grey.

The same maths could put the Z6III under £2k (grey) once the early adopters have all bought theirs…
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Well let's hope that it does and quickly
 
Stephen L said:
Useful for vertical landscapes.
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I was hoping for the same 4-way tilting screen as they have on the Z8/Z9, but I understand why they might want to use articulating screens for models where they are keen to promote the video capability.

I shoot a lot of vertical landscapes so the existing tilting screens on the Z6x/Z7x. are of limited value and I am hoping this may become a market differentiating feature.

Pro models aimed at both video and stills coming with the 4 way tilt screen (most pro-users are likely to work with an external monitor, so articulating screen less important)

Pro/Am stills orientated but video competent models ,with the 4-way tilting screens found on the z8/z9

Pro/Am/ Consumer ("content creator", "selfie", general photography etc) video orientated but stills competent models, with a fully articulating screen.

I hope the "horizontal only" tilting screen is a thing of the past. But it's one of these things that Nikon will never be able to please everyone.
 
SlimShaney said:
Hiya All,

A set of images taken at Salford Quays, Manchester - last Saturday.

Nikon Zf, Nikkor 26mm, Nikkor 40mm SE, and Voigtlander Z 15mm.

Salford Quays

Cheers,
Shane.
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An interesting set indeed! When I was there, I didn't take many photos at all and they are of little interest. For me the highlight of that area was the Imperial War Museum.
 
Sootchucker said:
Also don't forget that UK prices always include VAT, whereas US prices are always exclusive of state sales tax (which varies from state to state), some in some states it may well be cheaper but in others, similar to the UK ?
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That's absolutely true but In Europe, the cost is €2999 which is actually significantly less than the UK. Of course that's the punishment for having a basket-case currency which keeps on changing in value and being outside the trading block. Sterling is actually relatively strong just now as the markets are in a good mood at the prospect of a change of government (did I really say that?). Anyway, if I'm going to upgrade in the foreseeable future, it's more likely to be the Zf, I suspect.
 
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I'm curious what the 'partially' stacked sensor means in terms of viewfinder blackout and silent shooting, I've seen references to the new technology minimising blackout but I'm assuming that means it doesn't have fully blackout free shooting like the Z8/Z9.
 
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