Official Nikon Z9 Launch, Info, and Discussion Thread

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

Member's gallery
"Enhanced Eye AF for people, pets and birds.
Eye Detection AF automatically tracks the eyes of people, dogs, cats and birds (and similar creatures) even when they’re small in the frame, covered by hair, glasses or goggles, right-side up or upside down. "

Whatever similar creatures are :) I did see one of the Nikon videos where the photographer was videoing a Pika and it did seem to lock focus on that small Pika eye.
 
Member's gallery
Steve said:
...It does seem like Nikon more or less just caught up to the competition. I don't really see anywhere (for stills anyway) that they markedly outdid what the a1 or R3 can do. I think about the only place is scan speed and those differences are incredibly minor.

Still, one thing about Nikon - their pro bodies are always more than the sum of their spec sheets. Looking forward to getting it.
Click to expand...
For those of us still shooting Nikon "caught up" is quite enough. Particularly since the price is $1000 less than any of the flagship bodies since the D4. And as you said ergonomically there's nothing like having a Nikon pro body in your hands. One of those things that can't be explained (and isn't for everyone). Hopefully some of the tech trickles down to a mid range FX body and high end DX.
 
Member's gallery
Steve said:
OK, after going over everything, there are three things I'm concerned with:

1. EVF - 3.6 million dots and estimated 60 fps refresh. One of the reasons I like the a1 so much is that I forget I'm looking though an EVF and the 120 (or even 240) frame refresh rate is helpful when tracking fast subjects.

2. Buffer - I hope it was just a quirk with the preproduction camera preview was using, but 40 frames at full 14 bit uncompressed RAW is strikingly low. A two second long RAW buffer is less time shooting than a D7500! Maybe the compressed format is indistinguishable from the lossless option though so we don't have to worry about it.
EDIT - Matt Grainger had a better CFexpress card and while it didn't look like he tested lossless compressed, it looks like he got like 1800 or so using enhanced - I think that the buffer's gotta be bigger than 40 based on just that. That makes far more sense. I'll test it for sure when I get the camera.

3. Eye AF - The fact that Nikon says it's for cats, dogs, and birds makes me wonder how it'll do with the rest of the mammals out there.

Overall, it looks like a solid offering and I already have my NPS order placed. So, I look forward tor trying it out.

It does seem like Nikon more or less just caught up to the competition. I don't really see anywhere (for stills anyway) that they markedly outdid what the a1 or R3 can do. I think about the only place is scan speed and those differences are incredibly minor.

Still, one thing about Nikon - their pro bodies are always more than the sum of their spec sheets. Looking forward to getting it.
Click to expand...
Hi Steve,

Me too, im new to NPS so curious how your experience with them is and how much it helps to move you up in line. Fingers crossed I can use this over the winter for owls.

Paul
 
Member's gallery
Steve said:
OK, after going over everything, there are three things I'm concerned with:

1. EVF - 3.6 million dots and estimated 60 fps refresh. One of the reasons I like the a1 so much is that I forget I'm looking though an EVF and the 120 (or even 240) frame refresh rate is helpful when tracking fast subjects.

2. Buffer - I hope it was just a quirk with the preproduction camera preview was using, but 40 frames at full 14 bit uncompressed RAW is strikingly low. A two second long RAW buffer is less time shooting than a D7500! Maybe the compressed format is indistinguishable from the lossless option though so we don't have to worry about it.
EDIT - Matt Grainger had a better CFexpress card and while it didn't look like he tested lossless compressed, it looks like he got like 1800 or so using enhanced - I think that the buffer's gotta be bigger than 40 based on just that. That makes far more sense. I'll test it for sure when I get the camera.

3. Eye AF - The fact that Nikon says it's for cats, dogs, and birds makes me wonder how it'll do with the rest of the mammals out there.

Overall, it looks like a solid offering and I already have my NPS order placed. So, I look forward tor trying it out.

It does seem like Nikon more or less just caught up to the competition. I don't really see anywhere (for stills anyway) that they markedly outdid what the a1 or R3 can do. I think about the only place is scan speed and those differences are incredibly minor.

Still, one thing about Nikon - their pro bodies are always more than the sum of their spec sheets. Looking forward to getting it.
Click to expand...

For me the upcoming Z Glas is also a strong argument to stick with Nikon. Imagine if not only the 400mm 2.8 but the 500mm? 600mm and 800mm have a build in TC too. Thats a big selling point and in my opinion a gamechanger like the introduction of the stacked Sensor.
 
Member's gallery
NorthernFocus said:
For those of us still shooting Nikon "caught up" is quite enough. Particularly since the price is $1000 less than any of the flagship bodies since the D4. And as you said ergonomically there's nothing like having a Nikon pro body in your hands. One of those things that can't be explained (and isn't for everyone). Hopefully some of the tech trickles down to a mid range FX body and high end DX.
Click to expand...
Oh, I agree. Catching up is great and I'm really happy about the price :)
 
Member's gallery
1635432218310.png


Re: the FTZ, someone on another forum pointed out this frame in the Morton Hilmer video which shows he is using the original FTZ and there's room for it to mount on the Z9. So one less initial expense. I imagine I'd buy one eventually but if it's not needed right away that's good to know.
 
Member's gallery
sid_19911991 said:
Jared thinks the pre production Z9 is almost as good as Canon R3's & A1's AF. (probably 90%)

I am sure the consumer model with future firmware updates will only get better.

Considering Nikon's class leading colour science, files etc, I would say that the Z9 is the best camera right now.

And that 5500 USD price tag is a cherry on a cake...

And the 8k 60 10-bit internal video recording is INSANE...

TAKE A BOW NIKON

Click to expand...
Good overview - man, that start up time is impressive. I've lost a few shots because of slow starts and looks like Nikon solved it.
 
Member's gallery
Steve said:
I'm about to update - Matt Grainger had a better CFexpress card and while it didn't look like he tested lossless compressed, it looks like he got like 1800 or so using enhanced - the buffer's gotta be bigger than 40 based on just that.
Click to expand...
I suspect the card used is a lot more important than ever. To get the 8k video performance the pipeline and write speed of the card is key. So for still shooting they may be relying a lot more on how fast the buffer can write to the card than on the size of the buffer memory chip. But still something doesn't add up because the high efficiency format only gains 30 percent reduction in file size.
 
Member's gallery
NorthernFocus said:
I suspect the card used is a lot more important than ever. To get the 8k video performance the pipeline and write speed of the card is key. So for still shooting they may be relying a lot more on how fast the buffer can write to the card than on the size of the buffer memory chip. But still something doesn't add up because the high efficiency format only gains 30 percent reduction in file size.
Click to expand...
Honestly, I think some of this stuff is just better to test in person. The thing is, even ISO can make a difference in buffer capacity / file size, so it has to be tested carefully. Like I say, it's an area I'm slightly concerned about, but I have a feeling it'll be fine. Won't know till I get a Z9 in my hands :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top