Official Nikon Z8 Launch And Discussion Thread

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Ricci Talks and Matt Irwin have completed their own tests on the Z8 and overheating / shooting life in various codex/formats - as Ricci says Nikon Z 8. Does it overheat ? 8K 60FPS RAW. Depends on the Memory Card. YES -- greatly and the ambient temperature.


Matt Irwin's vid is now live as well


As I mentioned to Ricci: "Many thanks to you and Matt for performing these test. AND for setting out the parameters you used so clearly - this means we can all replicate these tests and confirm to our own satisfaction how our gear and cards perform relative to yours. I assume you were using Standard Quality video and oversampling etc were all disabled (not that they work at the highest formats).
Your point about the card really matter is well made -- I would note that you were not using the fastest nor coolest cards in these tests either -- this an observation not a criticism. Since the x2.0 standard for CFE-B cards was adopted many leading manufacturers have released ultra-fast and even cooler running cards than those you used. For example, Delkin Black updated their range to newer faster cooler cards than the 512GB now the 650GB AND there are new brands also now available -- like Sabrent's Rocket XXIT (2TB which I use). Angelbird's AV PRO 2.0 is faster, cooler and at up to 4TB larger than the card you are using in these tests.
Clearly use of the UHS-II SD even with a V90 compliant card will vastly throttle what can be shot and the speed the camera can off load images or footage.
Nikon should update their approved and recommended card list AND their own cards, which are no longer in the top tier. It would be very helpful if you, or Matt or others did perform battery life tests - but I would also like to see guidance on how to save power -- like turning the brightness of the EVF/LCD down and the camera off when not using it. As you noted for the majority of us it is the battery life and Nikon's recording time limit restrictions that would limit any recording -- but more important only a very few folk would plan a shoot with very very long takes. One shoots a scene often multiple takes and always in multiple points of view - wide and close, on each character etc. When I shoot wildlife action a single take is typically measured in a few seconds -- even long takes normally do not exceed 5-10 minutes. So beyond a very few scientists and astronomers I do not understand the desire to shoot for ultra long duration single record times."
Ricci responded saying he tested the new Delkin Black cards and yes while quicker it was not by much.

Here is a summary of their test results:
Screenshot 2023-05-19 at 12.20.08.png

Screenshot 2023-05-19 at 12.29.10.png


My view is that when planning a shoot one must match the gear to the requirements of the shoot - if you plan to shoot very long sequences in 8.3K 60p N-RAW (most of us don't) then bring a number of very fast large cards -- a 2TB fills in 46 mins when shooting in HQ -- and fully charged batteries - oh and also bring lots of storage and a very fast PC/Mac to process the output. AND then layout your shooting plan to ensure that the gear has time to "recover" -- this is just basic planning. Almost no one shoots continuous recordings for very very long durations. AND there are obvious steps one can take to extend battery life -- like turning down the brightness of the EVF/LCD. But now we have a basis for conducting our own tests should we wish and have the time and patience to do so.

AND as many have said - we need more Z8 in peoples hands so each can perform their own testing -- hopefully starting with the same as RICCI and MATT I so we can verify their results and then move on to who and what we shoot. This will happen in time and we are only 1-week after launch.
 
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AF Speed Tests Are Done!

So my Z9 came back this morning and I wanted to see if there was any difference in AF speed between the Z8 and Z9 since the Z9 has a higher voltage battery. I tested the 600 TC, 800PF, and 500 PF (adapted) Here are the results focusing from minimum distance to infinity.

600mm TC @ 600mm = 0.4 seconds (both cameras)
500PF (adapted) = 0.45 (both cameras)

With the 800PF, the Z8 actually did ever so slightly better:

800mm PF with the Z8 = 0.55
800PF with the Z9 = 0.583

All tests were conducted multiple times with multiple targets and once the lens was aimed at a target, the cameras were changed so they were always pointing at the same thing under the same conditions.

In short, there is no difference between the Z8 and Z9 when it comes to AF speed. (Don't read too much it not that 800PF thing since these tests, as controlled as they were, were still conducted outdoors and things like heat distortion, the direction the leaves are in the breeze, etc can make a difference).
 
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AF Speed Tests Are Done!

So my Z9 came back this morning and I wanted to see if there was any difference in AF speed between the Z8 and Z9 since the Z9 has a higher voltage battery. I tested the 600 TC, 800PF, and 500 PF (adapted) Here are the results focusing from minimum distance to infinity.

600mm TC @ 600mm = 0.4 seconds (both cameras)
500PF (adapted) = 0.45 (both cameras)

With the 800PF, the Z8 actually did ever so slightly better:

800mm PF with the Z8 = 0.55
800PF with the Z9 = 0.583

All tests were conducted multiple times with multiple targets and once the lens was aimed at a target, the cameras were changed so they were always pointing at the same thing under the same conditions.

In short, there is no difference between the Z8 and Z9 when it comes to AF speed. (Don't read too much it not that 800PF thing since these tests, as controlled as they were, were still conducted outdoors and things like heat distortion, the direction the leaves are in the breeze, etc can make a difference).
Nice, glad we can put that concern to bed!
 
They replaced a few components it looks like - they really don't give much of an explanation. They really cleaned it up though - looks like new!
I found that when my D500 went in for repair, recently. I had to call them to ask what they did for my $700, and why. Apparently, although the issue was the lens mount, they also replaced all the body panels to "return it to new condition".
 
I just saw this link on a field test of a Z8 in the artic. It was published in Photography Life. It is worth reading.

https://photographylife.com/nikon-z8-field-report-marsel-van-oosten

Joe

Thanks Joe yes a positive review.

My only issue is the repeated comments wrt the MB-N12 grip.
So let’s address this.
No Z mount grip has allowed an EN-EL18 sized battery to be used.
All use the same 2 EN-EL15 style batteries and a post that goes into the battery compartment with connectors at the top and allow hot swapping of the A BATTERY.
This results in a stronger, better weatherproof and more stable connection than we had with grips for Nikon DSLRs where grips worked loose and connections became less stable over time and did not like water at all.

An EN-EL18 simply will not fit in any of these grips. They are not wide enough or deep enough front to back -- the are plenty long enough - Ricci showed this.
I suspect that the difference in voltage between the 10.7V EN-EL18 and 7v EN-EL15 is also an issue.

The door and tray on the MB-N12 looks just like the MB-N11. I cannot speak to the MB-N10 - I did not own this one.

All 3 variants have a USB-Cport and therefore can be used as a charger or for power delivery to the Z6ii and Z8.

There are cheap 3rd party grips copies available for the MB-N10 and MB-N11 -- none I have seen have been designed to accommodate an EN-EL18.

Given the Z8 is larger than the Z6/Z7 the MB-N12 looks like an ugly duckling or platypus— but it does appear to work and is relatively cheap.

An EN-EL15C holds roughly 44% of the Wh of an EN-EL18D — so just buy 2 spares and you are more than equal from a life in use perspective.
[Wh 16/36=44.44% and 2280/3300 = 69% mAh 7v/10.7v]
 
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An EN-EL15C holds roughly 44% of the Wh of an EN-EL18D — so just buy 2 spares and you are more than equal from a life in use perspective.
[Wh 16/36=44.44% and 2280/3300 = 69% mAh 7v/10.7v]
yah, i don't plan to buy a grip for my z8.

admittedly, i have a z9, but i'd just swap batteries. when i'm shooting an event, i monitor my usage, and when the battery gets low i simply swap during a lull before it gets fully depleted.

i ran a d500 for many years and i never felt like i needed the grip just to go horizontal. i do use that feature now with the z9, but i totally wouldn't buy a grip for that purpose. and i wouldn't buy one for the battery life.

now, if i had a d850, the answer might be a bit different
 
yah, i don't plan to buy a grip for my z8.
admittedly, i have a z9, but i'd just swap batteries. when i'm shooting an event, i monitor my usage, and when the battery gets low i simply swap during a lull before it gets fully depleted.
i ran a d500 for many years and i never felt like i needed the grip just to go horizontal. i do use that feature now with the z9, but i totally wouldn't buy a grip for that purpose. and i wouldn't buy one for the battery life.
now, if i had a d850, the answer might be a bit different

Big lenses and safari in Africa and before 2015-2018 -- I gripped - D800, D810, D500 and D850 -- my grip for the D810 had to be held on tight with a cable tie to hold the contacts in place -- helpful advice from Nikon -- buy a new grip !!!!!!

Neither do I plan to grip either of the Z8 bodies I will have in my hands soon (the first next week) -- one or more of these bodies will be traveling with me and my pair of Z9's when I go on my next big African trip - in the meantime I will probably use the Z8 (hence why 2) more often in the UK than the Z9 (now well over 1 million shots) until I need to the power/balance of the bigger body.
Lots of testing to do with the Z8 to work out what to take to Cowes week in August - where I will be on various sized boats -- ribs to large cats. Much will depend on the weather. Like the choice of lenses - so get good insurance and carry EVERYTHING in a secure peli case locked into the rear of my vehicle (and overnight in a hotel) as usual.

I just added a summary of the Ricci and Matt Irwin results to my post above.
 
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Regarding the batteries for the MB-N11 grip, It takes two En-EL 15 style batteries. However you need to be careful regarding which version of the EN EL 15 you use: a ,b or c. From what I have read, the safest approach is to always use EN-EL 15 c batteries in the camera and in the grip.

The charging feature of the grip may not work if third paty batteries are used and/or if Nikon EN EL 15 a batteries are used. (I wish I could remember who reported this fact--maybe Thom Hogan last Friday. ) Or possibly an earlier page to this post.

FWIW, I have always added a grip to all of my Nikon bodies as I prefer a bigger camera to grip and hold and to balance on long tele lenses. That has been my practice with a D 200, 300, 500 and 850. On the d850, I just used the regular battery, not the battery that added to fps. I have a friend who like the bigger camera to grip. He uses the battery drawer to hold his pills!
 
the kinda funny part of that is with Matt's tests... is running out of space with a 2TB card
Yep - 46mins at 8.3k 60p HQ N-RAW N-LOG — HQ sends 160% larger files than normal quality.
Matt was 100% right - most should only shoot most footage at 30p or slower and limited footage at 60p or 120p AND even more should really just shoot 4.1k unless they anticipate long edits using dynamic zoom to punch in beacuse there is almost no outlets for 8k — 4k is far more common.
1080p/2k is still adequate for most in 10-bit and Matt filled an old V30 SD card in an already warm/hot body with no issues.
But of course the internet does not like sensible answers like that.
 
Getting ready to pre-order the Z8 through NikonUSA. Have others used the Bread pay options? Opinions? Anyone know when payments start - when ordered (checkout) or when product shipped?

went ahead and ordered, they don't charge until shipped.
 
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