Nikon Z* mirrorless

Morning,

Anyone replaced the eye cup on their z6/z7/z6ii etc bodies with a non genuine Nikon one?

If you have what did you get and from where?

Thank you
 
sep9001 said:
Morning,

Anyone replaced the eye cup on their z6/z7/z6ii etc bodies with a non genuine Nikon one?

If you have what did you get and from where?

Thank you
Click to expand...
I bought a generic one from Amazon, but found it a little longer than the OEM one. Ended up buying from Nikon direct for mine.
 
sep9001 said:
Morning,

Anyone replaced the eye cup on their z6/z7/z6ii etc bodies with a non genuine Nikon one?

If you have what did you get and from where?

Thank you
Click to expand...
Yes, Hoodman Eyecups are very good albiet fairly large, JJC ones are good too and a little larger than the standard but more comfy, all from amazon, you can send back if not happy ;)
 
Thank you all, I am glad they don't fall off like the D750 ones did, but yesterday noticed that on one of the bodies the rubber is damaged which I presume may be down to when I put the in the bag.

So with it happening again, I don't want to spend Nikon prices on it so will have a look at the suggestion provided.

Thank you
 
sep9001 said:
Thank you all, I am glad they don't fall off like the D750 ones did, but yesterday noticed that on one of the bodies the rubber is damaged which I presume may be down to when I put the in the bag.

So with it happening again, I don't want to spend Nikon prices on it so will have a look at the suggestion provided.

Thank you
Click to expand...
The DSLR ones could be a real PITA. Always replaced them with a generic cheapy one from Amazon - would've thought that'd be the best bet it you don't want to shell out for a Nikon replacement
 
Any users of the Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 on here? Seen plenty of YouTube videos and it does seem a very nice lens and especially at that price and I fancy getting a nice lens for portrait work without breaking the bank. In the past I've usually stuck at 85mm for portrait stuff so wondering if the 135 might be too long and go for an 85mm. Then I'm looking at the Nikon 85mm f/1.8S as I'm not willing to pay for the 1.2 lenses.
 
I don't have the Viltrox 135mm, but I did look at it quite a bit. Unfortunately from my viewing of "review" videos, the auto focus looks to be inconsistent. I owned the Sigma Art 135mm paired with my D850 and it was a lovely lens, but got very little use. This is why I looked at the Viltrox, because I didn't want to buy a Plena knowing it wouldn't get a lot of use. For me 135mm is a focal length that looks very nice for portraiture but the distance to subject is just a little bit far. The 85mm f/1.8 is a great lens for portraiture, small and sharp.
 
wilt said:
The 85mm f/1.8 is a great lens for portraiture, small and sharp.
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And it seems nice and cheap on the used front.
 
Can’t speak to the 135mm, but I had the Viltrox 85mm and it was very nice, but I ended up selling it purely as I found myself not using primes all that often. Wouldn’t hesitate to buy another Viltrox though!
 
Hadge said:
Any users of the Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 on here? Seen plenty of YouTube videos and it does seem a very nice lens and especially at that price and I fancy getting a nice lens for portrait work without breaking the bank. In the past I've usually stuck at 85mm for portrait stuff so wondering if the 135 might be too long and go for an 85mm. Then I'm looking at the Nikon 85mm f/1.8S as I'm not willing to pay for the 1.2 lenses.
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When I was looking at 135mm lenses I purchased both the Viltrox and the Samyang. Both are great pieces of glass and both are at a good price point. The test images I took with both were very pleasing. In the end I chose the Samyang, for multiple reasons. Price is cheaper, but the main reason for myself was the weight. The Viltrox is a very heavy lens to hand hold for any length of time and the Samyang just felt better balanced and so much lighter.

As mentioned by others, 135mm is a specialised focal length, my favourite lens for portraiture is the 85mm and rarely leaves one of my Sony bodies, but I wanted a 135mm so that I had the option if I wanted something different.
 
I don’t have a Nikon but if discussing 135mm the Sony is pretty good, lots of used ones around as everyone buys them as they are so good and then rarely uses them.
 
Updated my Zf with no issues.
It does change some of the settings e.g. the LiveView setting whereby it shows the current exposure settings effect in the EVF.
 
Seems that there is little love for us pros with our Z9s.
The cynic in me suspects that there will be no firmware update for the Z9 - we'll be expected to buy the next iteration.....
 
Chris_911 said:
Seems that there is little love for us pros with our Z9s.
The cynic in me suspects that there will be no firmware update for the Z9 - we'll be expected to buy the next iteration.....
Click to expand...
I wonder if the new z9 will be the same size as the old one , or would they adopt the z8 size .
The z8 is so popular for wildlife shooters i see lots of people with them everywhere i go
Or would a higher spec z9 lure people back to a z9
 
mav said:
I wonder if the new z9 will be the same size as the old one , or would they adopt the z8 size .
The z8 is so popular for wildlife shooters i see lots of people with them everywhere i go
Or would a higher spec z9 lure people back to a z9
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The top spec Pro body will always have a built in grip like the Z9 so it won't be smaller. I know Sony have the A1 and A1ii but Nikon like Canon stick with the built in grip and bigger battery. I like the smaller Z8 and it's a nice option I have when I want a lighter body. Good job as the Z9's goin to Nikon to get it's focus issue sorted out. If it doesn'r get fixed I could be jumping ship and brands.......
 
Chris_911 said:
Seems that there is little love for us pros with our Z9s.
The cynic in me suspects that there will be no firmware update for the Z9 - we'll be expected to buy the next iteration.....
Click to expand...
The Z9 is up to a 5.x firmware update; every other current model is at a 3.x, or 2.x or even 1.x firmware update.

I suspect that the older the model, the more likely there is a hardware limitation, or something else, that limits what can be done with firmware updates.

I also suspect that Nikon will want the Z9II to be something really special, and the next firmware update for the Z9, and what it includes, might depend on how quickly they can get a Z9II to market. If it's delayed, they will need to push a bit more out of the older model, if the hardware allows.

But, Nikon don't seem in too much of a hurry to match features across models. e.g some features introduced with the ZF have only now appeared in the Z8 with the most recent firmware update (but, as I remember it, not all of them).

Maybe, updates (other than bug fixes) are driven by a timetable, rather than matching features across the models. It would be interesting to look at the chronology of firmware updates across the different models.

I would certainly like to see the combined custom settings/memory bank option they introduced with the ZR added as a firmware option to all their models asap. Given a choice, I prefer the memory banks of the pro bodies, but custom settings, or even being able to easily recall default memory bank settings, would be really useful.

Is there an obvious feature/issue with the Z9 that you want fixed with a firmware update?
 
mav said:
I wonder if the new z9 will be the same size as the old one , or would they adopt the z8 size .
The z8 is so popular for wildlife shooters i see lots of people with them everywhere i go
Or would a higher spec z9 lure people back to a z9
Click to expand...
The built in grip is a major attraction of the Z9,

If you switch a lot between horizontal and vertical pictures, the grip vastly improves handling, and the ability to hold the camera steady while manipulating controls in the vertical position.

The grip also allows the use of a much bigger, and longer lasting battery.

The extra space provided by the grip allows additional function buttons to be available.

The extra weight of the gripped body can also improve the balance and handling of long lenses.

You can add a grip to the Z8, but it doesn't use the same battery as the Z9 grip (which the D850 grip did) and the Z8 + grip is heavier than the Z9. And good as an external grip, might be, It's unlikely to be as well sealed or reliable as one that is built in.

I am aware of some wildlife photographers opting for a Z8, but If I were a primarily wildlife photographer, I would always choose a Z9 over a Z8. I have a Z8 because my primary interest is landscape, and I couldn't afford a Z9.

Every time I use the Z8 for wildlife, I miss the grip, and I'm torn between buying a grip for the Z8 (which is what I will probably do), or trying to come up with the money for a Z9 as a dedicated wildlife camera.

Most of the professional wildlife/sports photographers I am aware of use Z9s, rather than, or as well as, Z8s and I think it unlikely that the Nikon Z9II will change from the gripped design that has been a key feature of professional grade Nikon and Canon camera bodies for decades.
 
myotis said:
The Z9 is up to a 5.x firmware update; every other current model is at a 3.x, or 2.x or even 1.x firmware update.

I suspect that the older the model, the more likely there is a hardware limitation, or something else, that limits what can be done with firmware updates.

I also suspect that Nikon will want the Z9II to be something really special, and the next firmware update for the Z9, and what it includes, might depend on how quickly they can get a Z9II to market. If it's delayed, they will need to push a bit more out of the older model, if the hardware allows.

But, Nikon don't seem in too much of a hurry to match features across models. e.g some features introduced with the ZF have only now appeared in the Z8 with the most recent firmware update (but, as I remember it, not all of them).

Maybe, updates (other than bug fixes) are driven by a timetable, rather than matching features across the models. It would be interesting to look at the chronology of firmware updates across the different models.

I would certainly like to see the combined custom settings/memory bank option they introduced with the ZR added as a firmware option to all their models asap. Given a choice, I prefer the memory banks of the pro bodies, but custom settings, or even being able to easily recall default memory bank settings, would be really useful.

Is there an obvious feature/issue with the Z9 that you want fixed with a firmware update?
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I'm with Thom on this: https://www.zsystemuser.com/nikon-z-system-news-and/the-z9-dissonance.html
 
QQ. My Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 has arrived.

My question is, does the lens actually shoot at 24mm. It’s sits between both the 24mm and 28mm range, but I cannot get it to sit at 24mm ?

Thanks.
 
Mines at home, but I recall that the marking between 28mm and 24mm are very close together. Perhaps set the lens to the widest and take a shot and check the EXIF data - that should tell you if you are shooting at 24mm or 28mm ?
 
Chris_911 said:
I'm with Thom on this: https://www.zsystemuser.com/nikon-z-system-news-and/the-z9-dissonance.html
Click to expand...
I follow Thom's posts, so was aware of most of these things, but that wasn't my question

Unless you actively need to use all the features listed, I was more interested in the features "you" were missing.

The one I mentioned as being missing, Thom doesn't think is important enough to get a mention.

Edit: I understand the feeling of being let down by Nikon, who you would have expected to keep the Z9 as current as possible.
 
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Which ever you look at it i.e. that the Z9 has had a stack of firmware upgrades already, or that it's still lagging behind other Z bodies, the one thing you can't argue with is how comfortable and lovely it is to shoot with.

I remember some years back when I was only shooting micro four thirds, I purchased an EM1-X, much to everyones ridicule in as much as a M4/3 body should be tiny and light, but when you picked it up it just wrapped around your hand like a glove. I said at the time it was one of the most comfortable bodies I'd ever used (and I'd had most of the Nikon DSLR gripped bodies as well (D1X, D2x, D3, D3s etc), and I stood by that statement. Well, I don't tend to shoot the EM1-X much any more (but still have it), but the Z9 is my new EM1-X, is just as comfortable (even for extended use), and a joy to use. It's like an EM1-X on steroids !!

So if the Z9 get's no more updates so be it, it's still a completely different camera to when I purchased it on firmware 1.0 and all for free. At the end of the day, all good things come to an end.
 
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Gandalf said:
QQ. My Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 has arrived.

My question is, does the lens actually shoot at 24mm. It’s sits between both the 24mm and 28mm range, but I cannot get it to sit at 24mm ?

Thanks.
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Therre's a little white angled mark. When its on that it's at 24. Nikon have done this on zooms in the past (can't remember which)
 
The Z9 is a very different being to it's release. I wouldn't expect continual firmware updates until the release of a newer model. I'm sure many would have been exstatic at release to know what was in the Z9's future firmware.
Nikon will have to have enough improvements and features in the Z9II to tempt Z9, other Z users and possibly other brand users to change. I'm not sure what they'll put in the Z9II other than pre-capture RAW that would make me think of changing from my Z8.

As for it's form factor, I bought a Z8 because I thought the Z9 would be too big, too heavy and ended up buying a grip for my Z8.
With large hands the grip helps hold it better, especially with long lenses and the extra battery life is great to have. But having the option to reduce the size and weight for smaller lenses is a great option to have. If I'm thinking of ever getting a Z9II, the size wouldn't put me off as much as it did with the original.

I'd expect the Z9II to be released within the next year marking another wave of top down improvements, through the other Z models.
 
myotis said:
The built in grip is a major attraction of the Z9,

If you switch a lot between horizontal and vertical pictures, the grip vastly improves handling, and the ability to hold the camera steady while manipulating controls in the vertical position.

The grip also allows the use of a much bigger, and longer lasting battery.

The extra space provided by the grip allows additional function buttons to be available.

The extra weight of the gripped body can also improve the balance and handling of long lenses.

You can add a grip to the Z8, but it doesn't use the same battery as the Z9 grip (which the D850 grip did) and the Z8 + grip is heavier than the Z9. And good as an external grip, might be, It's unlikely to be as well sealed or reliable as one that is built in.

I am aware of some wildlife photographers opting for a Z8, but If I were a primarily wildlife photographer, I would always choose a Z9 over a Z8. I have a Z8 because my primary interest is landscape, and I couldn't afford a Z9.

Every time I use the Z8 for wildlife, I miss the grip, and I'm torn between buying a grip for the Z8 (which is what I will probably do), or trying to come up with the money for a Z9 as a dedicated wildlife camera.

Most of the professional wildlife/sports photographers I am aware of use Z9s, rather than, or as well as, Z8s and I think it unlikely that the Nikon Z9II will change from the gripped design that has been a key feature of professional grade Nikon and Canon camera bodies for decades.
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I love the Z9 with the huge battery as it really performs so well as a general all rounder.

One of the things that I do not like with the current Z range of bodies is the way that the grip replaces the battery in the camera. So I tend to favour my Z9 over the Z8 for the reason that whilst I use the Z8 for most stuff, if I need the extra battery life then it is the Z9 I reach for.
Rather than a grip I go for the option of a battery insert with a cable to a powerbank. I know that means some disadvantages such as a trailing power lead to the bank and also no extra buttons but it is a much cheaper option (<£100).
Like most things in life it is about choices and personal preferences, so no right way!!
 
I use the 180-600 and wish I could see what mm I am at via the viewfinder. Sitting in a small hide looking at the top of the lens not easy.
 
Good morning guys,

After a long time out, I’ve just come back to find DSLR is ancient tech and Mirrorless is the way to go.

No, I really have been this naive to change.

Rather than clutter up the forum with another thread, I just wanted to ask if the FTZ Converter is any good, or is there any major distortion and drawbacks? As I’d like to use my current lenses if they still have something to offer.

Currently looking at a Z6 pair for me and the missus.
 
FarrahBull said:
Good morning guys,

After a long time out, I’ve just come back to find DSLR is ancient tech and Mirrorless is the way to go.

No, I really have been this naive to change.

Rather than clutter up the forum with another thread, I just wanted to ask if the FTZ Converter is any good, or is there any major distortion and drawbacks? As I’d like to use my current lenses if they still have something to offer.

Currently looking at a Z6 pair for me and the missus.
Click to expand...

Yes. It works perfectly. But be aware that for autofocus you’ll need to be using AF-S lenses. The screw drive AF-D lenses are not supported. They’ll obviously fit because they are F mount but will be manual focus only. Naturally your older F mount manual focus lenses can still be used.
 
FarrahBull said:
Good morning guys,

After a long time out, I’ve just come back to find DSLR is ancient tech and Mirrorless is the way to go.

No, I really have been this naive to change.

Rather than clutter up the forum with another thread, I just wanted to ask if the FTZ Converter is any good, or is there any major distortion and drawbacks? As I’d like to use my current lenses if they still have something to offer.

Currently looking at a Z6 pair for me and the missus.
Click to expand...
Works just fine for me (I have "Modern" F mount lenses) and they work just fine. Some say they are improved with faster focusing.
The only down side I can see is that there's a 2 cm spacer added to your lenses so they're not as pretty!
 
Has anyone tried the Z5ii yet? It looks a compelling purchase. Current camera is a D750.
 
VanZapp said:
Has anyone tried the Z5ii yet? It looks a compelling purchase. Current camera is a D750.
Click to expand...

If I were in the market for a new Z mount camera this would be perfect for me. It’s absolutely fully featured. But I wouldn’t get it for action.
 
Graham W said:
Works just fine for me (I have "Modern" F mount lenses) and they work just fine. Some say they are improved with faster focusing.
The only down side I can see is that there's a 2 cm spacer added to your lenses so they're not as pretty!
Click to expand...

Thanks Graham, not fussed about pretty. If it works that good enough for me.
 
VanZapp said:
Has anyone tried the Z5ii yet? It looks a compelling purchase. Current camera is a D750.
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Yes I have it. Great allrounder, modern day equivalent of D750 IMO.
The petapixel review gives a good and accurate summary of its features and benefits.
 
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