In a quandary -z5, z6 or z50? Help!

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Oosty

Well-known member
My didgital experience has been limited to crop sensor cameras - D70, D200, D7100 and D500. I have had no problems with the format and the reason I'm asking is that Nikon has a trade up deal going in SA at the moment on D5,6 and 7. My 7100 has only 25000 actuations and the D500 about 80k both are great cameras but it may be time to move towards mirrorless. The low shutter count indicates the legacy of my film days whdon't useere taking time to take a picture was more important than it is today. I also have a number of very good MF Nikkors that I don't use much with the current gear. My 7100 pairs beuatifully with a 70-300 DX and an 18-55DX both of which produce lovely images. The D500 is primarily attached to a 105 2.8 Micro Nikkor or 200-500 4.5 and I love everything about this camera and these combinations.

To change will range from <$1000 for the Z50, about $2000 for the Z5 +FTZ+ 24-200 f4, and about $2200 for the Z6. Bearing in mind that I have BIF etc well covered with the D500, I 'd appreciate your views on the pros and cons of moving to FF.

Thank you

Peter
 
I have also kept my D500 and 200-500, great for birding. I went with Z6ll and love the full frame image quality. I am getting fantastic images with the Z6ll. And by the way it also does pretty well with birds in flight. The big plus for me with Z6ll is macro and landscape with the camera’s ability to do in body focus shift. That’s a feature that makes macro so much fun. I have no disappointment with Nikon mirrorless at all.
 
As long as you keep your D500 until you are confident in switching to mirrorless for all your wildlife needs, then the Z6ii is a superb camera. Image quality especially is amongst the very best Nikon has ever produced and if you plan on experimenting with video it is the one to get.
The Z5 is a steal if you are ok with D750-type sensor and image quality (which is quite excellent even by today's standards and shows how ahead they were when the D750 came out - that same sensor never worked quite as well in sony bodies).
 
I guess the big question is what photography problem you're trying to solve. If it's a move to full frame for better low light performance and additional DoF control then the Z5 or Z6 make sense. If it's mostly to explore mirrorless and you like smaller lighter cameras for their portability then the Z50 could make sense.

Personally I'm shooting a Z6 II quite a bit and like the posts above I really like it for: macro, landscapes, astro and low light work but I still have my D5 and D500 that I use for much of my wildlife work especially fast moving wildlife. That said the Z6 II does surprisingly well for birds including flying birds and I've captured may BIF images with it. I still prefer my DSLRs for that kind of work but if I'm out in the field with the Z6 II mounted up and some fast action occurs the camera usually delivers. I would definitely hold onto at least the D500 until you've got some mileage with the MILC to make sure you really like it for your kind of photography.

I second the notion to rent one or at least to visit a brick and mortar camera store to get a bit of hands on time with those cameras to see how they feel, the control layout and to experience the EVF prior to purchasing any of them. For me the transition to the Z6 II EVF took a while as I really didn't like it at first but warmed up to it over time, it's different than looking through an optical viewfinder with some advantages (like seeing your exposure prior to releasing the shutter) and some disadvantages like longer EVF blackout and a kind of a feel like I'm viewing a 1970s video when looking through the EVF which leaves me feeling more removed from the scene compared to looking through a good optical viewfinder.
 
I have also kept my D500 and 200-500, great for birding. I went with Z6ll and love the full frame image quality. I am getting fantastic images with the Z6ll. And by the way it also does pretty well with birds in flight. The big plus for me with Z6ll is macro and landscape with the camera’s ability to do in body focus shift. That’s a feature that makes macro so much fun. I have no disappointment with Nikon mirrorless at all.
As long as you keep your D500 until you are confident in switching to mirrorless for all your wildlife needs, then the Z6ii is a superb camera. Image quality especially is amongst the very best Nikon has ever produced and if you plan on experimenting with video it is the one to get.
The Z5 is a steal if you are ok with D750-type sensor and image quality (which is quite excellent even by today's standards and shows how ahead they were when the D750 came out - that same sensor never worked quite as well in sony bodies).
I guess the big question is what photography problem you're trying to solve. If it's a move to full frame for better low light performance and additional DoF control then the Z5 or Z6 make sense. If it's mostly to explore mirrorless and you like smaller lighter cameras for their portability then the Z50 could make sense.

Personally I'm shooting a Z6 II quite a bit and like the posts above I really like it for: macro, landscapes, astro and low light work but I still have my D5 and D500 that I use for much of my wildlife work especially fast moving wildlife. That said the Z6 II does surprisingly well for birds including flying birds and I've captured may BIF images with it. I still prefer my DSLRs for that kind of work but if I'm out in the field with the Z6 II mounted up and some fast action occurs the camera usually delivers. I would definitely hold onto at least the D500 until you've got some mileage with the MILC to make sure you really like it for your kind of photography.

I second the notion to rent one or at least to visit a brick and mortar camera store to get a bit of hands on time with those cameras to see how they feel, the control layout and to experience the EVF prior to purchasing any of them. For me the transition to the Z6 II EVF took a while as I really didn't like it at first but warmed up to it over time, it's different than looking through an optical viewfinder with some advantages (like seeing your exposure prior to releasing the shutter) and some disadvantages like longer EVF blackout and a kind of a feel like I'm viewing a 1970s video when looking through the EVF which leaves me feeling more removed from the scene compared to looking through a good optical viewfinder.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Renting is not an option where I live and the discounts end tomorrow. You've helped me focus as I'm a bit of an eclectic shooter but do like the option of multiple exposures to assist focus stacking. My last full frame camera was an N80 which I enjoyed. I also think a larger viewfinder will make the use of my MF lenses via the FTZ more rewarding. I think I'll go for the Z5 +24-200 and take it from there. Really appreciate the knowledge and experience on this site .
 
I went with the Z5 and have been pleased with it. For me, using manual focus Nikkors with it has been really nice. The in-camera image stabilization, coupled with the focus-peaking/ manual focus assist makes manual focusing much more accurate (and fun).
 
Congratulations on the new gear! I was going to suggest the Z6 for only $200 more, but looking at your post again it seems that wouldn’t have included the lens like the Z5. It should be a nice setup.
 
My didgital experience has been limited to crop sensor cameras - D70, D200, D7100 and D500. I have had no problems with the format and the reason I'm asking is that Nikon has a trade up deal going in SA at the moment on D5,6 and 7. My 7100 has only 25000 actuations and the D500 about 80k both are great cameras but it may be time to move towards mirrorless. The low shutter count indicates the legacy of my film days whdon't useere taking time to take a picture was more important than it is today. I also have a number of very good MF Nikkors that I don't use much with the current gear. My 7100 pairs beuatifully with a 70-300 DX and an 18-55DX both of which produce lovely images. The D500 is primarily attached to a 105 2.8 Micro Nikkor or 200-500 4.5 and I love everything about this camera and these combinations.

To change will range from <$1000 for the Z50, about $2000 for the Z5 +FTZ+ 24-200 f4, and about $2200 for the Z6. Bearing in mind that I have BIF etc well covered with the D500, I 'd appreciate your views on the pros and cons of moving to FF.

Thank you

Peter
I’m all for full frame as I prefer it over crop sensor however if I was you I would sit tight. Unless you really feel you need to move to mirrorless I’d wait and see what the next generation of Z bodies go. Keep in mind the Z bodies can’t af any of the old screw lenses.
 
Congratulations on the new gear! I was going to suggest the Z6 for only $200 more, but looking at your post again it seems that wouldn’t have included the lens like the Z5. It should be a nice setup.
Congrats! I am sure it will work well for you. Just take your time with focus modes, as it is different from your D500.
I’m all for full frame as I prefer it over crop sensor however if I was you I would sit tight. Unless you really feel you need to move to mirrorless I’d wait and see what the next generation of Z bodies go. Keep in mind the Z bodies can’t af any of the old screw lenses.
Thank you for your comments - It's interesting how much we tend to take for granted as we move through the various generations of cameras. yesterday our club did a small workshop on lighting and just by reading the manual I realised how technology has outstripped my legacy (60 + years) knowledge.
 
I recently bought. A z5. On sale it was 2100 Canadian with thec24-70 f4 s. And ftz adaptor . amazing image quality from full frame and 24-70; ,plus gold ring lenses when attached with ftz . Kept the d500 though .
 
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