After a couple of sessions that went well earlier this week, I was out again yesterday with a 500 f/4 lens and the Z9 would not focus on a Kingfisher that was about 25 feet away, with distant background and nothing that would confuse the focus. (When I switched it out with one of my D500 bodies everything worked fine.) The Z9 was at AF-C, single point, set on "release". I tried to focus on a big tree trunk, on my truck, and nothing happened. This morning I turned it on, with a fully charged battery and NONE of the buttons do anything except the shutter. The top LCD lights up and shows the battery level. I'm now trying to make sure that there is no operator error involved before I pack it up and ship it back.
I woke up this morning, cup of tea glorious sunny day, thank you Universe, and I reflected on what where an how from here.
The Z9 Issue
I think we may not really know what the real issue is and does it even really matter, as long as the problem units/issue is fixed quickly and the issue is contained.
The Fix
Nikon has always stepped up and faced issues which is one of their strong points.
The Past
I feel for me the Z9 while and excellent camera its very much like the initial Z6 was, when launched Unfinished and far from perfect, i feel it was unfinished and rushed to market no doubt the whips were cracking and the tech team must of been burning midnight oil 24/7 to get the Z9 out as the window was open, and like other models will get somewhat finished in the field as we have seen before.
The Future
From where I Stand the image files of Nikon cameras and glass is all that holds me, i am not a keen or interested image editor, of course Nikon's service is top shelf.
For me the real investment is in the GLASS, that's the long game, the bodies will come and go.
People don't mind switching bodies but not so much massive switching on a lot of glass...........
Myself, i haven't any Z glass other than a 50mm 1.8s, i haven't reached that decision point yet, 2023/2024 has been marked on my calendar from 2021, i am happy using what i have with adapter and renting critical lenses if and when needed.
The Alternatives
My head has always been in the time zone of 2023/24 as being the real game, Z9II, A1 II, R3 II, R1, ? who knows, note how many pro Canon users have not wavered, i think the R1 will be more finished before release, if feel the coal face performance of the R3 is the very successful test unit to usher in the R1, something i didn't see from Nikon, i feel they went from the spectacular D6 to the Z9, or is it that the Z9 is really Nikon's test unit which means hypothesizing there may be a Z9 II around the corner ? who knows.
The Bottom Line
Investing in the glass is key, the bodies will come and go, price levels will be critical for many.
My girlfriend, My Muse, asked while we were walking on the beach, "how has this new mirror less camera system actually improved or made you feel about your photography " ?
I answered "its complicated, and it shouldn't have to be.."
Only an opinion