Official Nikon Z8 Launch And Discussion Thread
- Thread starter Steve
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that’s softwareJust noticed the Z8 received a firmware update yesterday
Just heard I’ve been allocated a Z8!!! Message from Nikon via UK Nikon Pro dealer. Expect camera from May 25th 
fcotterill
Well-known member
AP Interview with Nikon Executive discussing the Z8 and lenses...
amateurphotographer.com
Nikon Z8 interview: Nikon looking at introducing CINE lenses
At Photo London, AP editor Nigel Atherton met Nikon to find out more about the camera, including discussion of video-specific lenses
amateurphotographer.com
It impacts the histogram on the camera for sure. However, when I tested I was shooting full manual - I'll have to see if it changes the actual exposure at all. I don't think it does (I think my meter stayed"zeroed" out for both versions).
On the other hand, the histograms in Raw Digger do look a little different - buy the Adobe ones don't (I posted that stuff a page or two ago).
In the end, my recommendation for RAW shooters is going to be to stick to SDR. In doing my research and testing, I'm just not seeing any compelling reasons to pick HLG over SDR for RAW images - especially since HLG caps the minimum ISO at 400. In messing with the RAW files side by side, I just don't see any difference when I really stress the files. I think, in the end, HLG works well if you want to view a "ready to go" format on a compatible device. Otherwise, I think - for now - SDR is the way to go.
A better Jpeg ready to go, I gauss
Steve…any issues with Z8 RAW files in LR Classic and any of the Topaz or DxO or whatever other plugins you may be using?
No issues in Lightroom. When I use Topaz, it's in Photoshop and no issues there either.
Yikes for sure! He makes it sound like they don't have much faith in the Z8's durability. (FWIW, it seems rugged enough for me - and I'm tough on gear).That guy must have slept through his PR/media training.
Exactly. He could have said something like, "Z9 is still the preferred option for extreme shooting conditions and has longer battery life and better heat management for longer record times".
I do something similar - a 30 second burst and I count the individual frames in each full second. I'm looking for consistency and frame rate after 5-10 seconds to get a sense of the write speed vs. just total frames in a period.
Well no --- Nigel is a nice bloke but I do not believe he speaks Japanese fluently and we do not know how good Keiji Oishi San's English is.
We do not know what Oishi San actually said -- but even if the quote is accurate -- I find nothing to disagree with - he is not pouring salt on either the Z8 or Z9.
Nikon has its official position. Z9 and Z8 are on a par for the average pro-sumer user and so will meet a wider market.
"Well, the Nikon Z8 has the same performance as our flagship Z9 in a compact and lightweight body, making it a model that meets a wider range of shooting needs."
BUT the Z9 is ahead when you need the very best and toughest tool for the job -- with all the extra features the Z9 provides - not least longer and more stable video record times; no need to add a power cable or grip for longer shooting life or an ethernet dongle or a GPS unit (like Thom Hogan did when he plugged one into the 10-pin) -- it just is a bigger better tool for those who want and need those capabilities. Clearly Nikon is still selling Z9 bodies to those that want these features.
Folk should please hesitate to jump to entirely the wrong conclusions, particularly when english is most assuredly not the interviewee's first language the rest of us.
If you read the remark again I hope you will see what I see.
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I don't think anyone is seeing any conspiracies
I think we all know what he meant, just that the way he said it didn't sound very good!
Here is a good field report on the Z8 from Marsel van Oosten. He is a Nikon Ambassador top nature photographer and was photographing polar bears at -30C.
photographylife.com
Nikon Z8 Field Report by Marsel van Oosten
photographylife.com
thelordofthelight
Well-known member
And i guess it also comes with a much refined firmware now that all of us beta tested the Z9 for 18 months and reported all the issues and lock-ups
Harry.G
Well-known member
Given that this thread is dedicated to the Launch of the Z8 It may be of more benefit to you if you Start a New Thread and ask the question there.
fcotterill
Well-known member
Oishi San has been interviewed at least twice by dpr, although the one was via email so likely it was carefully cross checked , as the most recent interview states upfront "...was conducted through an interpreter and edited for clarity and flow."
so the statement above is probably lost in translation, in its reporting by AP
www.dpreview.com
www.dpreview.com
so the statement above is probably lost in translation, in its reporting by AP
CP+ 2023: Nikon interview - 'Everybody can become a content creator'
After the recent CP+ expo in Japan, we traveled to Nikon headquarters in Tokyo to learn more about the design process for its Z9 flagship camera, how its transition to mirrorless is progressing, and why video is vital to Nikon's future.
www.dpreview.com
Interview: Nikon - "A flagship Nikon Z series mirrorless camera can be expected within the year"
In the latest in our series of socially distanced interviews, we spoke to Keiji Oishi of Nikon. In an exclusive announcement to DPReview, he revealed that Nikon is working on a professional Z-mount camera. Click through to read more.
www.dpreview.com
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abc123brian
Well-known member
I personally find the AF of the Z9 excellent. I much prefer it to the D500. I haven’t shot with an A7Rv, but from what other forum members who have claim it seems better than the A1. The A7Rv will mean using mechanical shutter you don’t have rolling shutter and will also have EVF blackout. If you assume the AF actually is slightly better on an A7Rv, does that outweigh the other advantages a stacked sensor provides? Also, consider your lens options. Would you be happy with a single 200-600mm zoom or spending over $10k for primes? If not, you would be better off with the Z8.
Took the call -- my Z8 order will be delivered on 26th May (london).
Awesome - and congrats
I’ve been allocated a Z8 which will be with the (London) dealer in the next 10 working days. Time to pay the ££££! 
Looks like UK supply under way…shame about the £££
Wow. Sorry if that struck a nerve :(
fcotterill
Well-known member
Ricci Chera has tested for overheating with high spec video of the Z8 writing to different CFExpress cards. He explains his experimental design and collaboration etc..