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The term "game changer" is vastly over used.
When applied to the Z9 (I own 2 and have taken over 35,000 images with them so far this year) the term needs to modified to say "the Z9 is a game changer for Nikon shooters" -- and for us it is. Particularly if you come from the Z6/Z7, D5 or D810.
While the ISO performance is not as good in low light as a D850 or D6, both camera I still own, the Z9 has significantly improved AF in good light over the Z6II, Z7II, D6 and D850 -- for Nikon shooters the "game changer" features also include 20 fps 45.7MP Lossless Raw (and unlimited bust buffers with the right cards), 30fps full sized jpg and 120 fps 11mp jpg (see attached image & Vid taken at 120fps) and the vast improvements on the video side of the house.
The Z9 is not a game changer for top pro body Sony or Canon shooters. It is at best a great body to catch up the deficit we faced versus far more capable Sony bodies and some Canon to. The 2022 releases by both Sony and Canon are likely to match and exceed the Z9's current capabilities. However, since the Z9 does not appear to overheat - these small body cameras are still going to have problems in use.
YES -- it will be very good when Nikon is able to launch the successors to the Z6II and Z7II with some Z9 technology and also the rumours high megapixel Z8, but what I would like to see are the future firmware improvements that Nikon is able to drive through the Z9 to, say, up the FPS for RAW files, further and significantly improve AF tracking of fast moving wildlife and known issues like switching to the background and getting locked there unable to refocus back onto the subject. YES we have each found ways to fix this -- my Fn2 button moves the focus to a prefocus point at 5m.
I would also like to see a Z9"s" - tunes to have a base ISO of 200 -- if this would provide a far better camera in low light.

Where the GAME CHANGER term does legitimately apply is for video shooters. I am guessing that most of us who own a Z9 has downloaded DaVinceResolve 18 and played with the vast/huge/enormous 8k 60fps NEV files available since v2.0. Oversampled 4.1k are far more usable. But similar sized at 120fps. I am no video maker, but even I can make the crud I shoot look good.

THe Game Changer term also applies to the Z-mount glass that has been issued in parallel with the Z9 -- the 4002.8TC, 800/6.3PF and even the 100-400 are seriously good partners for the Z9. And for me as a wildlife guy these plus the 70-200/2.8 are a great start.

https://flic.kr/p/2n3FAwx
or
 
Member's gallery
ajm057 said:
The term "game changer" is vastly over used.
When applied to the Z9 (I own 2 and have taken over 35,000 images with them so far this year) the term needs to modified to say "the Z9 is a game changer for Nikon shooters" -- and for us it is. Particularly if you come from the Z6/Z7, D5 or D810.
While the ISO performance is not as good in low light as a D850 or D6, both camera I still own, the Z9 has significantly improved AF in good light over the Z6II, Z7II, D6 and D850 -- for Nikon shooters the "game changer" features also include 20 fps 45.7MP Lossless Raw (and unlimited bust buffers with the right cards), 30fps full sized jpg and 120 fps 11mp jpg (see attached image & Vid taken at 120fps) and the vast improvements on the video side of the house.
The Z9 is not a game changer for top pro body Sony or Canon shooters. It is at best a great body to catch up the deficit we faced versus far more capable Sony bodies and some Canon to. The 2022 releases by both Sony and Canon are likely to match and exceed the Z9's current capabilities. However, since the Z9 does not appear to overheat - these small body cameras are still going to have problems in use.
YES -- it will be very good when Nikon is able to launch the successors to the Z6II and Z7II with some Z9 technology and also the rumours high megapixel Z8, but what I would like to see are the future firmware improvements that Nikon is able to drive through the Z9 to, say, up the FPS for RAW files, further and significantly improve AF tracking of fast moving wildlife and known issues like switching to the background and getting locked there unable to refocus back onto the subject. YES we have each found ways to fix this -- my Fn2 button moves the focus to a prefocus point at 5m.
I would also like to see a Z9"s" - tunes to have a base ISO of 200 -- if this would provide a far better camera in low light.

Where the GAME CHANGER term does legitimately apply is for video shooters. I am guessing that most of us who own a Z9 has downloaded DaVinceResolve 18 and played with the vast/huge/enormous 8k 60fps NEV files available since v2.0. Oversampled 4.1k are far more usable. But similar sized at 120fps. I am no video maker, but even I can make the crud I shoot look good.

THe Game Changer term also applies to the Z-mount glass that has been issued in parallel with the Z9 -- the 4002.8TC, 800/6.3PF and even the 100-400 are seriously good partners for the Z9. And for me as a wildlife guy these plus the 70-200/2.8 are a great start.

https://flic.kr/p/2n3FAwx
or
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Thanks for your insight, and the stellar video and stills.
 
Member's gallery
RichF said:
Think of the cost, not in term of $/camera, but in terms of $/keeper. Then again I am very good a spending OPM (other people’s money)
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Also think that in actuality…most of us could afford it if we wanted to outside the bang for the buck thoughts. Still way cheaper than boats or golf or a country club membership or car or motorcycle or whatever.
 
Member's gallery
ajm057 said:
The term "game changer" is vastly over used.
When applied to the Z9 (I own 2 and have taken over 35,000 images with them so far this year) the term needs to modified to say "the Z9 is a game changer for Nikon shooters" -- and for us it is. Particularly if you come from the Z6/Z7, D5 or D810.
While the ISO performance is not as good in low light as a D850 or D6, both camera I still own, the Z9 has significantly improved AF in good light over the Z6II, Z7II, D6 and D850 -- for Nikon shooters the "game changer" features also include 20 fps 45.7MP Lossless Raw (and unlimited bust buffers with the right cards), 30fps full sized jpg and 120 fps 11mp jpg (see attached image & Vid taken at 120fps) and the vast improvements on the video side of the house.
The Z9 is not a game changer for top pro body Sony or Canon shooters. It is at best a great body to catch up the deficit we faced versus far more capable Sony bodies and some Canon to. The 2022 releases by both Sony and Canon are likely to match and exceed the Z9's current capabilities. However, since the Z9 does not appear to overheat - these small body cameras are still going to have problems in use.
YES -- it will be very good when Nikon is able to launch the successors to the Z6II and Z7II with some Z9 technology and also the rumours high megapixel Z8, but what I would like to see are the future firmware improvements that Nikon is able to drive through the Z9 to, say, up the FPS for RAW files, further and significantly improve AF tracking of fast moving wildlife and known issues like switching to the background and getting locked there unable to refocus back onto the subject. YES we have each found ways to fix this -- my Fn2 button moves the focus to a prefocus point at 5m.
I would also like to see a Z9"s" - tunes to have a base ISO of 200 -- if this would provide a far better camera in low light.

Where the GAME CHANGER term does legitimately apply is for video shooters. I am guessing that most of us who own a Z9 has downloaded DaVinceResolve 18 and played with the vast/huge/enormous 8k 60fps NEV files available since v2.0. Oversampled 4.1k are far more usable. But similar sized at 120fps. I am no video maker, but even I can make the crud I shoot look good.

THe Game Changer term also applies to the Z-mount glass that has been issued in parallel with the Z9 -- the 4002.8TC, 800/6.3PF and even the 100-400 are seriously good partners for the Z9. And for me as a wildlife guy these plus the 70-200/2.8 are a great start.

https://flic.kr/p/2n3FAwx
or
Click to expand...
That video is very impressive!👍👍👍
 
Member's gallery
JAS said:
I like the shot as is. Maybe I would like the full stump too, but it is not necessary for me. Well captured beautiful shot.
Just got my Z9 on Friday having ordered from my local shop on about 8 March. Much to learn but I can already tell it will be a fun jouney.
Keep 'em coming!
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Agreed, wonderful composition!
 
Member's gallery
jeffnles1 said:
I think it looks fine. If you captured enough of the post to have it in the photo, what does the shot look like cropped in a portrait mode perhaps 16X9 aspect ratio? The only way to really make a decision would be to see both and look at which crop and aspect ratio worked best for a shot. I will frequently try different aspect ratios and portrait vs. landscape crops to see what I like best. Sometimes nothing works and I hit the delete key other times I will find I like one view better than others.
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Very nice as is - I wouldn't change. Santa Clara Ranch with Hector maybe?
 
Member's gallery
Looks great as-is, and I agree with the RAW at as a minimum 20fps for pre-release. I've just been testing with pre-capture and at 30fps at 1 sec PRE you get a lot of pics to review, and at 120fps at 1 sec PRE you get way too many. While testing I had over 3,000 pics to review on a sing 3 hour outing! You do get some nice captures and you struggle with which to keep and what to toss out!
Western Bluebird-1.jpg
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Member's gallery
mikegifford said:
Looks great as-is, and I agree with the RAW at as a minimum 20fps for pre-release. I've just been testing with pre-capture and at 30fps at 1 sec PRE you get a lot of pics to review, and at 120fps at 1 sec PRE you get way too many. While testing I had over 3,000 pics to review on a sing 3 hour outing! You do get some nice captures and you struggle with which to keep and what to toss out!
View attachment 39906
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Impressive sequence!
 
Member's gallery
Mine dilemma. I love shooting and processing, however I hate sorting and tend to avoid it. that is why I have over half million images, mostly unsorted. I just keep buying larger disks.
 
Member's gallery
Doug Herr said:
It’s certainly a game-changer for people who are using Nikon lenses. It means Nikon users are back in the game.
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IHMO (which if of course is never humble) 20-30 FPS (or even 120 FPS at 9 MP) is a real benefit. But the game changer for me, is pre-capture. Yes Oly has it.

Perhaps not for all photographers but definitely for those who have access to pre-capture (or what it is called on other system).
 
Member's gallery
RichF said:
IHMO (which if of course is never humble) 20-30 FPS (or even 120 FPS at 9 MP) is a real benefit. But the game changer for me, is pre-capture. Yes Oly has it.

Perhaps not for all photographers but definitely for those who have access to pre-capture (or what it is called on other system).
Click to expand...
For myself the game-changer was bird eye AF along with high resolution, 20 to 30 frames/sec and no rolling shutter effect. We have an incredible wealth of tools to choose from.
 
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Member's gallery
RichF said:
Mine dilemma. I love shooting and processing, however I hate sorting and tend to avoid it. that is why I have over half million images, mostly unsorted. I just keep buying larger disks.
Click to expand...
I’m like that too. They get imported into folders by year and then outing and keyworded…then the ones to PP get 1 star and then the rest get filtered out and mostly never get looked at again…but I never throw any out except out of focus or clipped or obv garbage…because drives are cheap.
 
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