Z9 Second Thoughts

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Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

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I'm on my preferred camera store's list to purchase a Z9, and was told that they initially ordered enough to fulfill to where I am on the list.

But now I'm having second thoughts about purchasing it; reasoning that I'd be better off to wait and see if there are any issues with the Z9 found after its release. (I'm also thinking that I'd be better off spending the money I have for the Z9 on the 200mm f2 that I've yearned for the past few years.)

Is there anyone else here thinking the same as I am about the Z9?
 
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Absolutely not. Seems like there’s been universal acclaim from everyone that’s had one, ambassador and non ambassador alike. If you are invested in the Nikon system as I am, it seems like a logical and big step forward. Whether it’s the world’s best or second best camera matters little to me as that’s just a momentary title. In next year or so someone will have pushed the envelope a little further. That’s the world we live in. This year’s iPhone 13 and Apple Watch 7 are better than the models I bought last year and next year they’ll be even better, and on and on we go!
 
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Whiskeyman said:
I'm on my preferred camera store's list to purchase a Z9, and was told that they initially ordered enough to fulfill to where I am on the list.

But now I'm having second thoughts about purchasing it; reasoning that I'd be better off to wait and see if there are any issues with the Z9 found after its release. (I'm also thinking that I'd be better off spending the money I have for the Z9 on the 200mm f2 that I've yearned for the past few years.)

Is there anyone else here thinking the same as I am about the Z9?
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Nope. It is interesting to see the rumor mill churning out "problems with the Z9." I guess I'm a big risk taker :).
 
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GrandNagus50 said:
Nope. It is interesting to see the rumor mill churning out "problems with the Z9." I guess I'm a big risk taker :).
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I'm not one to follow the bait to "problem with the..." posts. Especially on youtoob dot com. I'm where I am based upon personal experience. Doom and gloom sells every where, from the news to the internet, and people make money based upon viewership, not accuracy of content. Therefore, I take every thing on the internet as such with a very unhealthy dose of salt.
 
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I think in the end it's for you to answer following the process below

1. Do you need the 200mm f:2 for something you can't do well otherwise? If yes, decision made
2. Do you need the Z9 to help you do something much better than you currently do? If yes, decision made
3. Since neither are "needs" - which one do you lust over more? decision made.
3b - alternate version of 3 - which one is your wife less likely to notice and ask questions about? decision made

You're welcome, that $500 for the consultation :ROFLMAO:
 
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Nope, not at all. It sounds like you’re one of those at the front of the line on the waitlist. How much would you regret giving up your current opportunity to have it in your hands to see for yourself how it performs especially if it works as good as most of the reports have been? Really I haven’t read about many problems or issues with the Z9 from the preproduction models at least nothing that‘s critical to performance or functionality.
As far as your dilemma on buying a Z9 vs your 200mm f/2 dream lens, sorry, that’s for you to decide and I sincerely hope you‘re happy whichever way you go.
 
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PKW said:
Nope, not at all. It sounds like you’re one of those at the front of the line on the waitlist. How much would you regret giving up your current opportunity to have it in your hands to see for yourself how it performs especially if it works as good as most of the reports have been? Really I haven’t read about many problems or issues with the Z9 from the preproduction models at least nothing that‘s critical to performance or functionality.
As far as your dilemma on buying a Z9 vs your 200mm f/2 dream lens, sorry, that’s for you to decide and I sincerely hope you‘re happy whichever way you go.
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My place in the store's order list is very good, from what I was told. The only question that they can't answer is how many copies of the camera thay will receive initially. They've been a high-volume Nikon store for a long time, and I'm a camera customer of theirs since 1979, so I can expect them to be trustworthy when dealing with them. Even so, there is no certainty about when my camera will arrive. I could purchase both Z9 and the 200 F2, but that would put a dent into any future Z-Mount lenses I could buy.
 
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Whiskeyman said:
My place in the store's order list is very good, from what I was told. The only question that they can't answer is how many copies of the camera thay will receive initially. They've been a high-volume Nikon store for a long time, and I'm a camera customer of theirs since 1979, so I can expect them to be trustworthy when dealing with them. Even so, there is no certainty about when my camera will arrive. I could purchase both Z9 and the 200 F2, but that would put a dent into any future Z-Mount lenses I could buy.
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I ordered a Z9 from a local store that I‘ve done most of my camera gear purchases with the morning of the launch using their online ordering system. A few days later I called to ask my position on the waitlist but the salesperson said he didn’t have that information available to him and said they didn’t know how many they would receive from Nikon, anyway, so knowing my position would in no way predict when I’d get mine. Having gone through this with my past purchases of the two Nikon PF lenses, I let it drop.
One thing though, I also ordered the 100-400 S from the same store the morning of the launch, but had to call them to get on the list and give them my deposit since it wasn’t listed on their online system. The salesperson did say I was the second person to order, so I do know where I am on the list for that.
Good luck in your decision!
 
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I've got no hesitation with the Z9 and one reason is the improvements in the Z glass over the F glass. I've not used the 200mm f2 but I understand that it's very sharp and has beautiful bokeh. I wonder how it compares to the Z 70-200mm which is a step up from its F mount counterpart.
 
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John Navitsky said:
Second thoughts in terms of what measure? That it won't be a good camera? That seems unlikely. But it's totally fine either way. If you prefer to wait, then that's the right choice for you, and that's all that matters in this context.
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Not that it won't be a good camera, but the conumdrum that the next model will improve upon it enough so the next model will be a better fit for me, or that there may be an issue with the camera down the road. I know that is less likely since there is no mechanical shutter in the Z9 to cause oil fouling of the sensor.

But if nobody else is worried about it, that puts me more at ease about buying it. So now, all we have to do is wait.
 
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The next model will always be better. But that's at best two years away. I think we can have about as much concern about hidden issues as we were with the release of the D6, or the D5. What I think time will tell us is very nuanced strengths and weaknesses compared to the other very good competition and probably some minor quirks.
 
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I don't think there's really any risk with the Z9. I believe it's been well tested and nearly all the information I've seen has been positive. The other thing is that, while it's an amazing camera, most of the tech is well proven (even if it's a first for Nikon). It won't be perfect and I'm sure there will be a bug or two, but I'll be very surprised if it's anything that can't be worked around easily enough.
 
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I don’t have a dog in the fight as I have 2 modern cameras now. It’s always wiser to invest in glass if one has to choose between a body or lens. I guess I’d ask myself what images will the Z9 allow you to capture that your current camera can’t. I’d also ask myself what subjects am I not capturing or not capturing with the artistic flare that the 200mm will give you. Weigh what is most important to you today and spend your money on that.

I have no doubt the Z9 will be a good camera. I also suspect it will be many years till Nikon creates a native Z Mount 200f2. So either way you go really depends on your photography.
Good luck and keep us posted on what you do.
 
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I shoot professionally with a D850 and my backup is a D810. I'm on a list for the Z9 but just today was "playing" with my D3 while shooting wildlife. I haven't tested the Z9 and I'm sure it'll do a lot of great things. Having said that, I could probably use my D3 for wildlife and the overwhelming majority of my commercial work. There's no "problem" that needs to be fixed in my process therefore I may pass on the Z9. If I get the Z9 it'll be because my accountant tells me I need to spend some money. Great problem to have!
 
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Hut2 said:
Why does it have to solve a problem? Maybe it will just be nice to have all the whistles and bells. You only get so many summers....
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Hi Hut2. Why does it have to solve a problem? Because after 30 years in business my studio has grown full of many "tools" that were bought for "bells and whistles" only to now take up space. For my paid jobs I only shoot manual and for wildlife I use Auto ISO. I learned a number of years ago to put most of my business money into lighting. Cameras are just black boxes that click. Having said that, the reason I kept updating bodies has been for autofocus improvements. The D800's autofocus in low light was disappointing, the 810 was better and the D850 has solved most of the focus problems. Now having said that, I'm shooting more and more of my commercial work in a more energetic, editorial approach...the Z9's eye autofocus may be a welcome "whistle/bell"?
 
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Hut2 said:
I didn't mean it any disrespect. Since I am not a pro photographer my actual needs are basically nil. It's all for personal enjoyment so this year is a big jump forward in that aspect.
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Hi Hut2. I know you certainly didn't mean any disrespect. I thought I'd just share a little more about what goes into my decisions. As I get older it interesting how my decision making process has changed so I thought I'd share. I guess I've learned lots of lessons. There are days where I wish photography was simply a hobby where I could go out and play. I think, out of necessity, I've grown to take it too seriously. I sincerely hope you can go play.
 
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Oh well, Thom Hogan has just told off Nikon about the poor labelling of Mode/Type choices in the Z camera menus. And then there some features still MIA from the Z9: horror of horrors, the Z9 does not have a Pre-Record function.
...and Z9 shoots at 30fps but only JPG, not RAW format....
there is no perfect camera on the market, nor pending.
 
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Everyone shoots differently. I used to shoot 4x5 transparency...load film, cock the shutter, pull the slide then click. Now with my DSLRs I take them out of the box, put on manual mode, set shutter, set aperture, and ISO then shoot. For wildlife I go to Auto ISO. No custom anything...maybe I'm missing out. I do adjust focus tune. My point is we all shoot differently and some want more "stuff" than others...and that's okay. It really is AMAZING what cameras can do today...I'm certainly thankful. They let me shoot so much more efficiently and I know my clients appreciate that.
 
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