another Z8 problem

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).

Status
Not open for further replies.
Member's gallery
philippe said:
Please refer to my post above about consumer impatience. It is not so long ago that people here and elsewhere were complaining that it took nikon 16 months to bring the z8 to market. How could it take so long, was the cry. Perhaps it does take so long to ensure proper testing and quality control. Perhaps if we behaved as we did in the 80s and 90s, complaints about how long it takes to fully develop and test a new camera would be the privilege of a few journalists writing for photography magazines. But now every Joe Soap has their opinion on how a highly sophisticated piece of technology should be developed, how much it should cost, what features it must have, and how long it should take. Maybe people should simply keep quiet and let the experts do their jobs in peace, as they did before Internet fora put companies under ridiculous pressure. That is, after all, why we pay them big bucks for their products.
Click to expand...
The internet with social media has a lot of rubbish in it, smart people pass it by.

Sadly that's the world being made.

1/2 % of the internet is usable factual helpful information, 1 and a 1/2 % is Porn, 98% is spam.

I have little tolerance for modern day companies with deep pockets getting sympathy for incompetence making issues for consumers especially when many competitors are not.

Many publicly listed companies put share holders first running the risk of serving up issues and often finish building poruscts in the filed, then call it technology advancemnts.

The Z8 is no brain wave new camera, its simply the Z9 cut down using 99% of the same camera and software as the Z9 other than the body and battery, brilliant move, I call it a resell or refresh, so were is the challenge, the Z8 offers a Z9 already 18 moths old but in a lighter body, brilliant, costs effective, this is also more about getting a second gold rush run on the back of a Z9 sales storm blown over and giving consumers a better option to move into mirror less and therefor buy mirrorless glass where the real margins are. There will be a mother new Z camera soon next under the Z8.

The A1 hasn't been as problematic nor has Canon.

Nikon is a good company I am not raging on them in that way, Nikon has been aggressively cutting costs, weight and sadly some corners, even reskinning Tamron lenses and selling them at twice the price and some. Hey that's clever and the job at hand margins and cost cutting, Consumers will pay for the brand Nikon.

Globally as volume sales drop or shrink in any market or company margins unfortunately need to go up, costs must come down by finding cheaper manufacturers that often have unexpected consequences, or implement better redesign and then market great perceptions.

Nikon has had a fair share of issues look at the D600 then the D610.

Why would you stuff up a launch of the Z8 with quality control issues so easily avoided.....I mean as a former CEO of an international manufacturing group I wouldn't tolerate issues to hand, sorry I would be realising toe cutters.

No excuse for what has or is happening sorry.

From a reliability view point I could have enjoyed photography a lot more with an A1 Over the last 18 moths to 2 years with
the right size weight permanence availability reliability......

Only an opinion.
 
O said:
The internet with social media has a lot of rubbish in it, smart people pass it by
Click to expand...
I guess it says something about those of us who are still contributing to Internet fora.
 
Member's gallery
A lot of time has been spent discussing the Z8, before and after its release. It's just accidental that I use Canon camera bodies. In 1997 I bought Canon in Jakarta because it was what they had. I did get a Nikon bag and that still works despite having no firmware updates.
What surprises me is that the Z8 and Z9 are much the same. I can buy a Z9 for Aus$7552 and a Z8 for Aus$6649. If I win lotto tomorrow night I will convert to Nikon and buy three Z9s. Two is risky, having three I could lose one, drop one and still have one to use.
This is just a personal opinion and I don't want to upset anyone But I think the whole Z8 saga has been a con job.
 
Member's gallery
I’d imagine, as I don’t know, that tne breaking strain on camera lugs is quite high. But a rule of thumb is that if a lens has a foot , carry the camera on the lens by the lens foot. if the lens has no foot, carry the lens on the camera by the camera.
some big lenses weigh in at several kilos, so one can imagine the stresses on the camera lens mounting, let alone the strap lugs!
I use BR straps on the lens foot. BR provide a safety strap, and this I attach to the camera tripod hole and the lens foot. It’s a safety in case I haven’t locked the lens on fully, yes, it’s happened, and saves a crash to the ground, or worse.
 
Member's gallery
Dmacfarl said:
Well. This has gone sideways in a hurry.
Click to expand...
Sorry for that, I guess my meaning is I am exhausted putting up with all the Z9 catch up, availability, fixes on the run, lock up etc, lens mount button issue now manifesting itself in the Z8, so with the patients of a saint or better put a fool, served lots of hope promises that things are better than Ben Hers turbo charged Chariot, along comes the Z8 spectacular but the crap still comes with it and its a month old ?........
Sorry If you have an expensive major trip ruined, you tend become a little sensitive.

So ask what is the lightest most reliable hi performing camera on the market........well that's what I hear some camera club members ask.

Surly Nikon can make a mirror less camera at the higher end that is finalised or proofed before realise.
Surly Nikon can set tougher QC standards from suppliers, I mean the Z9 had some button issues, that should have been an alert or the canary in the mine, no, the deluge has hit the Z8 big time, Nikon should have had the FBI QC standing over things.

It tells me that QC protocols are off reflecting on upper management, and have been for a long while, or the designe has failed, really, and we are supposed to show compassion.

Only an opinion.
 
Last edited:
Other than the lens mount issue (which appears to have manifested itself in a smallish number of cameras and which nikon has responded to with an abundance of caution), what exactly are the other problems so devastatingly dogging the z8?

Are we referring to overheating - an unavoidable consequence of reaching a compromise between minimising size and weight (as demanded by numerous Internet pundits) and the basic physical principles of material science?

Or are we referring to the 1 to 2 reported cases of the strap lugs dislodging (where it is not clear under what circumstances)?

What exactly is the great excitement all about? Storm in a teacup, methinks.
 
Member's gallery
fcotterill said:
There are no major showstoppers in the Z8, contrary to the hyperbole. As stated countless times, Nikon is screening cameras for the lens mount fault and repairing those in need

The Z8 “Complaints" | Thom Hogan

The Z8 complaints I've heard so far
www.zsystemuser.com
Click to expand...
If I had to buy again at day 0 I would again in an instant - even knowing it might would be recalled. In fact mine was recalled and it was gone a bit over 2 weeks but it's back and I'm not regretting this purchase one bit. I've had some favorite Nikon's during my time (F100, D700, D850) but the Z8 tops that list (and it's not close). This camera rocks, and it fits in my hands perfectly. It's almost as if they asked me where to put FN1 and FN2. I've been converted to a mirrorless fan. I loved my D850 but I enjoy using the Z8 more. It's the little things like a 'what you see is what you get' viewfinder image along with a histogram. The AF system is quite good and the little 'convenience features'* all make this cam quite compelling IMO.
* Two examples
• You want to take high speed jpegs but have your camera set to raw? No problem...just set it to C30/C60/C120 and the cam automatically saves Jpegs. Revert back to less than 20 fps and it switches back to Raw. No need to go into the menus.​
• I prefer setting the VF for Prioritize VF. But there are times i want to see the imgae on the monitor. No problem. Just pull out the monitor a bit and it automatically switches....no dorking around with settings.​
I could go on but I'll stop here and finish up by saying the Z8 is a solid home run hit (IMO, but I think history will bear this out when all is said and done).
 
Member's gallery
Great! As with the D3 and D850, Nikon has hit the sweet spot with the Z8 (mind you the Z9 has been no less of a success). Sales of both cameras are exceeding expectations, notably in Japan
petapixel.com

Nikon Z8 Tops Sales Charts at Japan's 5 Biggest Camera Stores

Nikon's new Z8 camera continues to prove popular with photographers.
petapixel.com petapixel.com

I just shared this recent review


Geoff_G said:
If I had to buy again at day 0 I would again in an instant - even knowing it might would be recalled. In fact mine was recalled and it was gone a bit over 2 weeks but it's back and I'm not regretting this purchase one bit. I've had some favorite Nikon's during my time (F100, D700, D850) but the Z8 tops that list (and it's not close). This camera rocks, and it fits in my hands perfectly. It's almost as if they asked me where to put FN1 and FN2. I've been converted to a mirrorless fan. I loved my D850 but I enjoy using the Z8 more. It's the little things like a 'what you see is what you get' viewfinder image along with a histogram. The AF system is quite good and the little 'convenience features'* all make this cam a quite compelling IMO.
* Two examples
• You want to take high speed jpegs but have your camera set to raw? No problem...just set it to C30/C60/C120 and the cam automatically saves Jpegs. Revert back to less than 20 fps and it switches back to Raw. No need to go into the menus.​
• I prefer setting the VF for Prioritize VF. But there are times i want to see the imgae on the monitor. No problem. Just pull out the monitor a bit and it automatically switches....no dorking around with settings.​
I could go on but I'll stop here and finish up by saying the Z8 is a solid home run hit (IMO, but I think history will bear this out when all is said and done).
Click to expand...
 
Member's gallery
fcotterill said:
There are no major showstoppers in the Z8, contrary to the hyperbole. As stated countless times, Nikon is screening cameras for the lens mount fault and repairing those in need

The Z8 “Complaints" | Thom Hogan

The Z8 complaints I've heard so far
www.zsystemuser.com
Click to expand...
And Nikon is Fantastic for fixing things in the aftermath of a issue being discovered in the filed.
The Z8 is an excellent camera as is the Z9, I have a Z9, I am Nikon.

My point is and has been on many occasions, faulty parts or workmanship be it suppliers or actually Nikon should not slip through QC systems so easily especially on flag ship products, especially given the exhausting history off issues gone by to date with the Z9.
One would make certain the QC standards are raised all around and not relied upon on field feed back like cheap consumer products.

Again my issue is not with or about the Z8 being a good or bad camera but more so the issues or possible issues shouldn't easily get out in the filed like they have potentially or other wise, it means that faulty components or workmanship have penetrated production, the early warning signs on the lens mount release was when it started with the Z9, they should have been all over it like a Bengal tiger over a goat in production or before not after.

My issue is with the poor QC system, sorry but that shouldn't really or filter through on flag ships, yes it can happen but it shouldn't. if the systems especially with suppliers is vigilant.

Cheaper low grade products are usually released and monitored ivy the field complaints then are traced backwards, in flag ships it should be before their made assembled or delivered in the field, what's broken I feel is the qc system of Nikon.

Its almost like here we go again...

Only an opinion
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
O said:
And Nikon is Fantastic for fixing things in the aftermath of a issue being discovered in the filed.
The Z8 is an excellent camera as is the Z9, I have a Z9, I am Nikon.

My point is and has been on many occasions, faulty parts or workmanship be it suppliers or actually Nikon should not slip through QC systems so easily especially on flag ship products, especially given the exhausting history off issues gone by to date with the Z9.
One would make certain the QC standards are raised all around and not relied upon filed feed back like cheap consumer products.

Again my issue is not with or about the Z8 being a good or bad camera but more so the issues or possible issues shouldn't easily get out in the filed like they may have potentially or other wise, it means that faulty components or workmanship have penetrated production, the early warning signs on the lens mount release was when it started with the Z9, they should have been all over it like a Bengal tiger over a goat in production or before not after.

My issue is with the poor QC system, sorry but that shouldn't really filter through on flag ships, yes it can happen but it shouldn't. if the systems especially with suppliers is vigilant.

Cheaper low grade products are usually realised and monitored in the field complaints then are traced backwards, in flag ships it should be before their made assembled or delivered in the filed, what's broken I feel is the qc system of Nikon.

Its almost like here we go again...

Only an opinion
Click to expand...
I may be blissfully ignorant but never ever once did the thought of "here we go again" cross my mind.

Stuff happens. Cars get recalled. There is no such thing as perfection. Lots of things can happen during the first production run but once those issues got sorted out where is the bad/inadequate QC? I'm not seeing a systemic QC problem.
 
Member's gallery
Geoff_G said:
I may be blissfully ignorant but never ever once did the thought of "here we go again" cross my mind.

Stuff happens. Cars get recalled. There is no such thing as perfection. Lots of things can happen during the first production run but once those issues got sorted out where is the bad/inadequate QC? I'm not seeing a systemic QC problem.
Click to expand...
I agree. Even "high end " autos are recalled ! Toyota has a very good QC reputation and yet....I think "Yet another Z8 problem" is really misleading. The anchors "breaking off" seems more like a misuse problem. I would never hang a heavy lens from the camera body without an attachment to the tripod foot.. Hard on the mount, let alone the anchor. And zero problem with attaching any Z ( or F ) mount lens. These are really very powerful computers and software always gets updated ! Love this camera.
 
Member's gallery
So far I've seen one report (and read of one other) on anchor points. It bears watching but this is not ever going to be an issue in my case as I don't use them: I use a wrist strap that secures to the Arca Swiss plate. That said unless and until there is an actuall recall or confirmation of the problem with more reports blaming Nikon for this is way too premature.

Agreed on using the foot to carry. I posted earlier that if the lens has a foot that is what I use to carry the setup. If not I hold the camera and let the lens hang down.
Common sense really (tho common sense seems to be scare these days).
 
O said:
And Nikon is Fantastic for fixing things in the aftermath of a issue being discovered in the filed.
The Z8 is an excellent camera as is the Z9, I have a Z9, I am Nikon.

My point is and has been on many occasions, faulty parts or workmanship be it suppliers or actually Nikon should not slip through QC systems so easily especially on flag ship products, especially given the exhausting history off issues gone by to date with the Z9.
One would make certain the QC standards are raised all around and not relied upon filed feed back like cheap consumer products.

Again my issue is not with or about the Z8 being a good or bad camera but more so the issues or possible issues shouldn't easily get out in the filed like they may have potentially or other wise, it means that faulty components or workmanship have penetrated production, the early warning signs on the lens mount release was when it started with the Z9, they should have been all over it like a Bengal tiger over a goat in production or before not after.

My issue is with the poor QC system, sorry but that shouldn't really filter through on flag ships, yes it can happen but it shouldn't. if the systems especially with suppliers is vigilant.

Cheaper low grade products are usually realised and monitored in the field complaints then are traced backwards, in flag ships it should be before their made assembled or delivered in the filed, what's broken I feel is the qc system of Nikon.

Its almost like here we go again...

Only an opinion
Click to expand...
You keep mentioning "issues". Which issues? There is only one.
 
Member's gallery
I am trying very hard to understand what is going on with the Z8. It would appear that the Z9 is a proven instrument. It did have some initial teething problems but these have been corrected.
I have been convinced that irrespective of quality control when a camera body hits the shelves and is used by enthusiastic photographers some minor problems show themselves. Responsible manufacturers take back the camera body, fix it, and return it to the purchaser.
The question that I have is why would a serious photographer interested in capturing the instant pre-order, and pay money for a camera body they 'know' will be subject to these minor fixes. I can only conclude that there are many 'photographers' that believe they are pseudo employees of the camera body development team, and are willing to pay the manufacturer of choice for the privilege.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top