Z9 back up camera

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Rookie Roy

Rookie Roy

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I’m in the process of transitioning from a Nikon D850 to a Z9. I’m also collecting Z lenses to replace my DSLR lenses. For now I am keeping the 500pf to ise with the Z9. I’m wondering for you that are in similar circumstances what are you using as a back up camera? I don’t really want to hang onto the DSLR lenses just so I can use the D850 as a back up. The obvious (but expensive) option is another Z9 but I don’t think I want to make that investment based on the rumors of other Nikon cameras soon. Is a Z7ii the answer? I am not a professional and do predominately wildlife photography as a hobby.
 
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I tried using the Z7 II as a back up to my Z9. They are two very different cameras - with different features and ergonomics. I got confused and frustrated and sold the Z7 II. I'm now using 2 Z9's....... My learning curve increased a lot once I focused on one camera model. (BTW - previously I shot the D5 and D850 and had absolutely NO problem picking up either one and working smoothly.)

YMMV............
 
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Butlerkid said:
I tried using the Z7 II as a back up to my Z9. They are two very different cameras - with different features and ergonomics. I got confused and frustrated and sold the Z7 II. I'm now using 2 Z9's....... My learning curve increased a lot once I focused on one camera model. (BTW - previously I shot the D5 and D850 and had absolutely NO problem picking up either one and working smoothly.)

YMMV............
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Thank you Karen! That is very helpful. I’m struggling enough as it is going from the D850 to the Z9. I thought perhaps that the Z7ii would be similar to the Z9.
 
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Rookie Roy said:
Thank you Karen! That is very helpful. I’m struggling enough as it is going from the D850 to the Z9. I thought perhaps that the Z7ii would be similar to the Z9.
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I wish I had kept my D850....but then I'd be lugging around two sets of lenses. Just didn't make sense. I did keep my 500 pf - only because of a trip this June where I won't be able to take my 600mm........
 
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Unless you are going to go with a second Z9 or need to make the change right now, I’d wait until refreshed models arrive or a firmware update makes the current models closer in user operation. I have no issues going between the Z9 and Z7ii for most tasks, but the AF settings are the primary issue for me. Since you cannot set different AF modes to buttons (a big difference) the process of changing AF modes is also different. You can setup the Z9 and Z7ii to use a function button to change modes, but the Z9 already has a dedicated button for that and using a different function button takes up one that could be customized for something different. I normally struggle to quickly change the AF mode on the older Z cameras when needed which can lead to a missed shot. I’d expect more customization to be available with the next generation cameras and bring similar AF modes. Keep in mind subject detection is also more limited (People and pets). If that isn’t a main concern and the camera is to be strictly a backup, not a second camera to use together with a different lens, you would probably be fine with a Z7ii as most buttons are in the same place.
 
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John Navitsky said:
it really depends on what you need from a backup. i currently have a z6ii as a backup because it has the next best af performance of the z cameras and i wanted to go fully z-mount glass. however i plan to replace it, probably with a z6iii, as soon as possible.
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My answer is similar to this, but I have both a 6ii and 7ii. If it's a low-light situation, I bring the 6ii (because it focuses better in low light). Otherwise, it's the 7ii.

Initially, I had problems switching back and forth because they really do have just enough differences in controls to be annoying. But somehow, my brain has gotten rewired to accommodate both seamlessly. I use two cameras a lot to switch between wide angle (or tele) and normal. So, note that this is not usually a backup situation, but a constantly using both cameras situation.

I almost never shoot without a backup camera.

And I, too, am waiting for Nikon to produce a D850-like Z.
 
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Problem with keep the D850 is as backup, is glass. Z glass will not work on a FX body and eventually you will want to get Z glass. Thus your choice is another Z camera. I find switching between models with different controls, a real PIA, and thus settle on a pair of Z 9 for myself.
 
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I've had my Z9 since January, 2022. I generally use my Z7II (or in some cases my Z6II) as a backup. As I switched to more and more Z glass, the D850 stopped being as good a backup, given it was limited to F mount glass. I sold the D850 last month and now have only mirrorless bodies.

Using two different camera models is not ideal, but it can be done. Over the last few years, I used the D500 and D850; the D850 and Z7; and the D850 and the Z7II. For non-wildlife trips, I generally took the Z7II and either the Z7 or Z6II (or sometimes all three).

I often have two bodies set up in the field, to be able to switch to a different lens quickly without changing it on a body. There are times when I wish I had two Z9s -- I bought a Z9 because it does things I wanted it to do that the Z7II and Z6II do not do. But Z9s are larger and heavier. I tend to put the lens on the Z9 that I think will be needed most for action or where subject ID will be the most useful and another lens on my Z7II.

I've kept the 500 mm PF so far, even as I now only have mirrorless bodies. It works very well on the Z9 and Z7II/Z6II bodies, with the FTZ. In some ways it works better than it did on the D850, especially if you add a TC.
 
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BillW said:
Using two different camera models is not ideal, but it can be done. Over the last few years, I used the D500 and D850; the D850 and Z7; and the D850 and the Z7II. For non-wildlife trips, I generally took the Z7II and either the Z7 or Z6II (or sometimes all three).
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The difference between dSLR were very small compared to the difference between the Z9 and Z 6/7.
 
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I am currently using a D850 as the backup to my Z9. I’m sure I’m in the minority here as I currently only have F glass. My 500pf is pretty much married to the Z9. I have thought about the Z400 4.5, but in reality I’m waiting for the Z 200-600 to arrive. I don’t believe I’ll get the bang for the buck going to the 400 now. Shoot wildlife with an emphasis on raptors and BIF.
 
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Rookie Roy said:
I’m in the process of transitioning from a Nikon D850 to a Z9. I’m also collecting Z lenses to replace my DSLR lenses. For now I am keeping the 500pf to ise with the Z9. I’m wondering for you that are in similar circumstances what are you using as a back up camera? I don’t really want to hang onto the DSLR lenses just so I can use the D850 as a back up. The obvious (but expensive) option is another Z9 but I don’t think I want to make that investment based on the rumors of other Nikon cameras soon. Is a Z7ii the answer? I am not a professional and do predominately wildlife photography as a hobby.
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Much depends on you're definition of "backup". If you want a true backup with comparable AF then it's either stick with f-mount lenses and hang on to a high end DSLR or get another Z9. I thought I would transition slowly and keep a foot in both camps. But as soon as you start getting Z mount lenses with no f-mount redundancy the dominoes start to fall. If you don't have to have 100 percent backup then the Z7ii is a fine camera with less capable AF.
 
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Since 75% of my photography is Raptors and Waterfowl the D850 with the 500PF will backup the Z9 / 800PF. The Z7II will sit on the bench for BIF photography sessions. If I’m using a Tripod w/ Gimbal at an Eagle feeding location its’ the Z9 and the D850 on the Sling.
 
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I was in a similar position. Going from a D850 / D500 combo to the Z9. I was initially using my D850 (which I love) as a backup, but then I accumulated enough Z glass that it wasn't going to really work as a backup anymore.

I hemmed and hawed about it (and posted a thread here too, lol), before finally settling on something. It really came down to either a used Z7 or Z6ii.

I ended up grabbing a used Z6ii for now. And, I'll be honest, I don't like it. I really dislike the control layout. I dislike the User Modes instead of being able to swap setting banks. I dislike the serious drop in AF performance from the Z9. I dislike that it takes a different remote connector than every other Nikon camera I own. I DO like the small and lightweight form factor, though. And the image quality is good.

It's going to be my backup for my big trips this year (Hawai'i and Costa Rica), but I don't anticipate using it much. Definitely not for birds in flight, anyway. It's really just going to be a breakglass in case I absolutely demolish the Z9 on those trips (unlikely, but it's a 'just in case').

I don't think I'd be any happier with the Z7 or Z7ii, either. My complaints are pretty much the same across both ranges. But I went with the Z6ii for it's lower cost and good low light performance. I figured that would best complement the Z9 for now.

And I know it's only going to be a temporary fix. I'm really just waiting for the mythical Z8 to finally launch, then (if it ends up being what I hope it is) I'll probably get on the wait list for one of those.

Someone on this very forum told me that, really, the only true backup to a Z9 is another Z9. And I gotta say, I think they're right. If the rumored Z8 doesn't meet my requirements, I'll probably look at getting a second Z9 in a couple years. Maybe a used one, when they start hitting the secondary market eventually.
 
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While I appreciate the simplicity of having a 'backup' camera be the same as the 'primary' camera for the ease of use and no issues with 'muscle memory' between different cameras (I have owned multiple identical Z bodies in the past and appreciate the ease of use of same bodies), I can no longer justify the expense of a second expensive camera like a Z9 (and the nearly extra $1K for required Z9 supporting accessories) at nearly 76 years of age. I love my Z9 but one is enough at this point in my "photo life". My second camera is a really terrific Z7-II. I've set up the menu choices and programmable buttons to have some similarity or purpose between the Z9 and Z7-II, albeit the common choices are not many. And I'm trying to practice using and switching between the them 'on the fly' to at least remember how to do some basic things when switching. But I understand the limitations. and why a second Z9 is a popular choice.

Moreover, as I've learned from some of you who have experienced some Z9s becoming inoperable bricks mysteriously during photo trips, I do appreciate that my Z7-II is reliable in case I experience a Z9 lock up while on a trip, for example to Canada for bear photography in June. At least I'll have one dependable body to lean on. I do have confidence in my Z9, but the Z7-II is my ace in the hole if by chance something happens to my Z9.
 
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Currently have a D850 and and a D500 for my backups; as soon as Nikon releases a body that would be the mirrorless equivalent of the D500, I'll probably go completely mirrorless (depending on how that body specs out RE no-blackout, no mechanical shutter, etc.). Not in a hurry, but I am curious as to what may be on the horizon for them.
 
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Z7II for me but that's more a matter of when I bought it. The U modes instead of banks make it operate quite differently than my Z9 but I still consider it my backup body for trips so that if the Z9 dies or gets dropped in the lake or whatever I can still photo on. If whatever comes next in a non gripped Z body is more of a Z9 lite than a Z7II upgrade…I might swap it so that the backup body will have the same AF stuff, potentially the better sensor and no shutter, and lighter weight as well as having one that 'works like the Z9'. Still won't carry 2 bodies in the field though…too much weight with a lens attached unless I just put the body with a cap on it in the backpack just in case…easy to leave it in the car or where we're staying. If whatever comes next is more of a better Z7II…then it depends on the definition of better whether I upgrade or not. While the Z7II is pretty darned good it's not in the same class as the Z9 for features and capabilities…and it's not supposed to be but to be a true 'spare' body I would like one that was closer to the Z9 in features. Like James…I set the Z7II buttons as close to what the Z9 has that I can, and just accept that it's a lesser AF/FPS capability but it's better than nothing. If I was doing some sort of bucket list trip like an African safari…would consider renting another Z9 for that so that both bodies would work the same…and in the vehicle having 2 bodies with lenses on them (since changing lenses in the dusty savannah is problematic at best…and at that point weight isn't a factor since you're not getting out of the vehicle anyway.
 
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Rookie Roy said:
Thanks! As long as I have the 500 pf that option may be the best.
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If you get either the 400/4.5 or the 100-400 and 1.4 TC…then you're for all practical purposes at the same IQ as the 500PF unless you're making really big prints, for anything displayed on a screen there's really no effective difference…yeah, in pixel peeping mode there are minor differences but to me they are more 'just a bit different' rather than 'better and worse'. Can't remember where I saw it first…but if you can't see the difference then there is no difference…and on screen again there might be slight differences but when looking at them without knowing which I which…it becomes a matter of 'just a little different but not really better for one of them'.
 
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