Nikon Z* mirrorless

Adamcski said:
That's what I had read, seems a bit daft. But just have to work with histogram and check after taking
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You still get blinkies and the histogram in the viewfinder pre-exposure. But only zebras with video. I tend to rely on the histogram and highlight weighted matrix metering for action, and the histogram and a post-exposure check for slower picture taking (or just bracket)
 
I have to admit, I have been a tad worried about the whole process and should I have ordered it, as I have always purchased from UK shops John Lewis / Wex / Jessops and such. Still a little nervous about something going wrong. But I will want the 70-200 F2.8 next and it is again almost half price lol
 
Adamcski said:
That's what I had read, seems a bit daft. But just have to work with histogram and check after taking
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If you do a Google search for FlatClip5.NP3 you’ll find a guy who created a picture profile (based on neutral I believe, that shows zebras for highlights and shadows.

I’ve used it on my Z6/Z7ii & ZF and it works pretty well to show blinkies in real time.
 
Boo...delivery changed for tomorrow on the site now. Still, if it does arrive Friday it is very quick. I wasn't expecting anything really until Tuesday / Wednesday next week.

Another Q if I may.

With my OM kit I always shoot RAW + JPEG (have done on all systems) but for M43rds I think it is vital as the RAW image files are only 20/25 mb. I understand the Z8 can shoot RAW and this will generate circa 50 mb file sizes or they have a HE* compressed format, and from what I have read online that will bring the file size down to around 30 mb. How many of you shoot the RAW and how many use the HE* format? Is there a big difference in what you can do in post?

Another day and hopefully I will be in the Nikon club.
 
Adamcski said:
Boo...delivery changed for tomorrow on the site now. Still, if it does arrive Friday it is very quick. I wasn't expecting anything really until Tuesday / Wednesday next week.

Another Q if I may.

With my OM kit I always shoot RAW + JPEG (have done on all systems) but for M43rds I think it is vital as the RAW image files are only 20/25 mb. I understand the Z8 can shoot RAW and this will generate circa 50 mb file sizes or they have a HE* compressed format, and from what I have read online that will bring the file size down to around 30 mb. How many of you shoot the RAW and how many use the HE* format? Is there a big difference in what you can do in post?

Another day and hopefully I will be in the Nikon club.
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According to Nikon, there is a small loss in quality between normal Raw and High Efficiency Raw, when measured in the lab, but is unnoticeable in day to day use. But with HE*, although files are smaller again, you may notice a small quality difference.

I have only used HE once, by accident, as this is the Nikon default, and I had reset my camera back to camera defaults. First problem was it had defaulted to JPEG only (and I never shoot Jpeg) and the second problem was that having fixed the JPeg problem, I discovered choosing RAW defaulted to HE Raw, This gave me my third problem that not all my programs could read the Nikon HE format ! Capture One was fine, but other programs that I use (e.g Fast Raw Viewer) couldn't.

This may well have fixed this now, as I haven't used HE since. My philosophy is that after spending the money on a Z8, I want to get the best quality I can, and therefore I am going to use normal raw. File storage is an inevitable cost of digital photography, and my Mac doesn't have any issue with this file size even though it trebles (and more)once they are in Photoshop.
 
QQ. Is the 24-120mm f4 as good as most people say? It will be paired with my ZF.
 
Gandalf said:
QQ. Is the 24-120mm f4 as good as most people say? It will be paired with my ZF.
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Everything I have read / watched suggests it is. I hope so as it will be my only lens for a while.
 
wibbly said:
If you do a Google search for FlatClip5.NP3 you’ll find a guy who created a picture profile (based on neutral I believe, that shows zebras for highlights and shadows.

I’ve used it on my Z6/Z7ii & ZF and it works pretty well to show blinkies in real time.
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Use this also find it works very well and I believe Steve Perry also uses it. Russ.
 
wibbly said:
If you do a Google search for FlatClip5.NP3 you’ll find a guy who created a picture profile (based on neutral I believe, that shows zebras for highlights and shadows.

I’ve used it on my Z6/Z7ii & ZF and it works pretty well to show blinkies in real time.
Click to expand...
thanks for this, just loaded it will give it a try.
Am I right in thinking picture controls. only apply to jpeg and have no effect. on the raw image I understand what you are seeing in the elf is a jpeg image of the raw
 
Updated my Z8 with the 3.01 firmware today. No issues with my Tamron lens (28-75 G2).

Also gave the focus limiter feature a try - it works very well so far. There's a Steve Perry video on YT around setup, etc. which I found useful. I've got one of the lens 'fn' buttons set to toggle it on/off and configure it. Have to say, it'll save me an awful lot of frustration shooting close up stuff like insects with the Z 100-400 (which has a habit of focussing on distant distractions)
 
wibbly said:
If you do a Google search for FlatClip5.NP3 you’ll find a guy who created a picture profile (based on neutral I believe, that shows zebras for highlights and shadows.

I’ve used it on my Z6/Z7ii & ZF and it works pretty well to show blinkies in real time.
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Thanks @wibbly
Downloaded and on my Z8, I will load on Zf, Z7 and Z9 later.
Initial tests looks like it is very useful.
 
jknights said:
Thanks @wibbly
Downloaded and on my Z8, I will load on Zf, Z7 and Z9 later.
Initial tests looks like it is very useful.
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All loaded and working.
I initially had an issue on my Zf as the EVF was in (a10) Show Settings for Ease of Viewing, rather than in the Show Settings in EVF.
 
Z8 has just landed, and everything appears above board. All here and in sealed plastic bags, UK charger and so on.

Will be playing around setting it all up this evening.
 
Doh, I don't have a CF Express card reader to upload the firmware with (tried copying it to the card in camera and it doesn't work).

However, took 1 picture and uploaded to Camera Shutter Count and it read 1. So definitely brand new.

Is there another way I can upload the firmware to the CF Express card without a reader?
 
Adamcski said:
Doh, I don't have a CF Express card reader to upload the firmware with (tried copying it to the card in camera and it doesn't work).

However, took 1 picture and uploaded to Camera Shutter Count and it read 1. So definitely brand new.

Is there another way I can upload the firmware to the CF Express card without a reader?
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Firmware update also works using an SD card if you have a card/reader?
 
trevorbray said:
Pretty sure you can update firmware through the App. SnapBridge.
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I just googled Z8 firmware update and it took me to a download page.

What is snapbridge?

Ah, got it and doing the download now. Same way as OM do things :)

Thank you
 
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Ladies and Gentlemen...I'm having (another) mid-life crisis and I've just ordered a Nikon ZF along with a Z 40mm f/2 (SE)...it comes as a kit.
Can someone with experience of such a thing recomend me a wideish angle prime lens...24mm - 28mm, that sort of area.
I'm not botherd about auto-focus but it must be able to keep up with the camera IQ wise.
I've been sniffing around Viltrox and Voigtlander's offerings but I could do with some real world recomendations.
Help me spend what's left of my pension pot! :banana:
 
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Graham W said:
Ladies and Gentlemen...I'm having (another) mid-life crisis and I've just ordered a Nikon ZF along with a Z 40mm f/2 (SE)...it comes as a kit.
Can someone with experience of such a thing recomend me a wideish angle prime lens...24mm - 28mm, that sort of area.
I'm not botherd about auto-focus but it must be able to keep up with the camera IQ wise.
I've been sniffing around Viltrox and Zoigtlander's offerings but I could do with some real world recomendations.
Help me spend what's left of my pension pot! :banana:
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The obvious choice is probably the 28mm f2.8 SE, cheap, small, lightweight and very good but maybe not great, optical quality. However, with the bonus that it matches the retro look of the ZF

I went for the much more expensive 26mm f2.8 (to go with my ZF and 40mm f2 SE). More compact than the 28mm f2.8 SE, and with excellent performance in the centre, but not that impressive as you move out to the edges. Part of this is distortion, and can be improved by focussing in front of infinity, assuming distant landscape photography

Depending on what you photograph, the edge performance may not matter, and many people seem to rave about how good the 26mm is ("almost an S-Line lens"), The formal reviews seem to match my experience.

With Capture One, I can largely correct the edge sharpness fall off (most software only corrects for distortion and vignetting, but not sharpness), so I can live with it for my use, and I like the convenience of its pancake shape and its focal length. DXO also corrects for sharpness fall-off (automatically), but C1 makes a better job of it.

Adding to why I chose the 26mm, is that I also use it on my Z8, where I can crop to APS-C (by pressing the video record button) and get the equivalent of a 26mm (45Mp) and 40mm (20Mp) without changing lenses. Also, I can use it on a Z50II giving me a very compact camera setup with the equivalent of around a 40mm angle of view on 20Mp. I like the 40mm focal length as my "standard" lens, and I have found the 26mm to be a nice compromise between a 24 and 28. I've had both in the past.

The edge performance on the 28mm f2.8 SE is meant to be better than the 26mm, and if I were primarily concerned with using the lens for wide vista landscapes, I would find it difficult to choose between the 28 and 26.
 
Graham W said:
Ladies and Gentlemen...I'm having (another) mid-life crisis and I've just ordered a Nikon ZF along with a Z 40mm f/2 (SE)...it comes as a kit.
Can someone with experience of such a thing recomend me a wideish angle prime lens...24mm - 28mm, that sort of area.
I'm not botherd about auto-focus but it must be able to keep up with the camera IQ wise.
I've been sniffing around Viltrox and Zoigtlander's offerings but I could do with some real world recomendations.
Help me spend what's left of my pension pot! :banana:
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I have the Typoch Simera 28mm f1.4. I really rate it. Mine is adapted VM mount. But it now comes in Zmount.
These shot wide open.

Bench Test by -justTrev-

I've paid my Dues by -justTrev-
 
I got my ZF and the 40mm f2 SE as a kit also, I’ve been looking at the Voigtlander manual lenses as well as the mentioned 28mm 2.8 retro.
 
Adamcski said:
Need a new L bracket lol the ones for my OM cameras are too small. Any recommendations? I've seen the small rig one on Amazon that looks ok
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I use one of the 3LT ones which has a Peak Design Capture Clip mount built into the base, which comes in handy from time to time
 
Son_of_Thor said:
I use one of the 3LT ones which has a Peak Design Capture Clip mount built into the base, which comes in handy from time to time
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Yes I have two of those for my OM1s in asbo orange
 
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myotis said:
The obvious choice is probably the 28mm f2.8 SE, cheap, small, lightweight and very good but maybe not great, optical quality. However, with the bonus that it matches the retro look of the ZF

I went for the much more expensive 26mm f2.8 (to go with my ZF and 40mm f2 SE). More compact than the 28mm f2.8 SE, and with excellent performance in the centre, but not that impressive as you move out to the edges. Part of this is distortion, and can be improved by focussing in front of infinity, assuming distant landscape photography

Depending on what you photograph, the edge performance may not matter, and many people seem to rave about how good the 26mm is ("almost an S-Line lens"), The formal reviews seem to match my experience.

With Capture One, I can largely correct the edge sharpness fall off (most software only corrects for distortion and vignetting, but not sharpness), so I can live with it for my use, and I like the convenience of its pancake shape and its focal length. DXO also corrects for sharpness fall-off (automatically), but C1 makes a better job of it.

Adding to why I chose the 26mm, is that I also use it on my Z8, where I can crop to APS-C (by pressing the video record button) and get the equivalent of a 26mm (45Mp) and 40mm (20Mp) without changing lenses. Also, I can use it on a Z50II giving me a very compact camera setup with the equivalent of around a 40mm angle of view on 20Mp. I like the 40mm focal length as my "standard" lens, and I have found the 26mm to be a nice compromise between a 24 and 28. I've had both in the past.

The edge performance on the 28mm f2.8 SE is meant to be better than the 26mm, and if I were primarily concerned with using the lens for wide vista landscapes, I would find it difficult to choose between the 28 and 26.
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Thanks for the full and detailed reply...Yes, I looked at the two Nikon offerings and being the shallow person I am was a bit put off by the amount of plastic (particulaly the mount). They looked very much "Budget" versions of what they could be and not really in keeping with the build quality of the camera...I've not written them off but I'll keep looking.
 
trevorbray said:
I have the Typoch Simera 28mm f1.4. I really rate it. Mine is adapted VM mount. But it now comes in Zmount.
These shot wide open.

Bench Test by -justTrev-

I've paid my Dues by -justTrev-
Click to expand...
Yes, I came across the Typoch Simera brand as I was looking around...never heard of them but they look very interesting and get good reviews.
I like the look of the Voigtlander lenses, I know I shouldn't be swayed by such things, but really that's the whole point of getting the camera!
I'm going to have to do a bit more "research"...just off to have a look at what Viltrox have to offer.
Camera should be here on Monday with the "Plastic Fantastic" 40mm so I'll have a better idea then.
 
Graham W said:
Ladies and Gentlemen...I'm having (another) mid-life crisis and I've just ordered a Nikon ZF along with a Z 40mm f/2 (SE)...it comes as a kit.
Can someone with experience of such a thing recomend me a wideish angle prime lens...24mm - 28mm, that sort of area.
I'm not botherd about auto-focus but it must be able to keep up with the camera IQ wise.
I've been sniffing around Viltrox and Zoigtlander's offerings but I could do with some real world recomendations.
Help me spend what's left of my pension pot! :banana:
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The ZF deserves nothing less than Voigtlander, perfect match.
 
Adam, what focal length?
 
Graham W said:
Thanks for the full and detailed reply...Yes, I looked at the two Nikon offerings and being the shallow person I am was a bit put off by the amount of plastic (particulaly the mount). They looked very much "Budget" versions of what they could be and not really in keeping with the build quality of the camera...I've not written them off but I'll keep looking.
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I can understand that, and you already have the 40mm SE, so you can get a good idea of the build quality of the 28mm SE.

The 26mm has a metal mount.

But a few things to consider, both the 40mm and 28mm SEs look the part. And although cheap to buy, they don't especially look cheap, nor feel all that cheap. And they are small, lightweight, have AF and are weather resistant.

The plastic mounts "bind" to the metal camera mount better than the metal mounts do, so you get the same level of weather sealing with these two plastic lenses as you get with the metal mount plus gasket sealed lenses. This is both from Nikon, and from another forum where a person who works for a company that certifies weather sealing standards tested the two plastic mount Nikons and confirmed the levels of sealing.

I like manual focus lenses (my two main lenses are F-mount Zeiss Milvus 35mm and 50mm) and I will replace these with Voigtländer Z mount lenses eventually. I might get the 40mm f1.2. But the Voigtländers aren't weather sealed, they don't have AF and they are big and heavy compared to the 40, 28, and 26 lenses.

I feel that the cost, versatility and good optical quality of a 40mm SE and 28mm SE, allow you to get a good working outfit (weather sealed and AF) for little cost. Leaving you free to buy something a bit more specialised and exotic, knowing your everyday needs are provided for.

I'm fairly regularly out in poor weather, and I feel happier with the weather sealing, so this approach suits me, but I agree there are several options available that seem a better fit to the ZF "vibe". None of which, as far as I am aware, offer weather sealing. Except the new Otus lenses, which have prices, sizes and weights that don't seem all that well matched to the ZF, or my budget.
 
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