Anyone regretted selling a Z9 for a Z8?

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jhallettbc

jhallettbc

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I am weighing the pros and cons. If I get a Z 8 I lose the much larger battery capacity. The Z 8 is much lighter and smaller, the main appeal.

So I'd really like to know if anyone had regrets making the change.
 
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jhallettbc said:
I am weighing the pros and cons. If I get a Z 8 I lose the much larger battery capacity. The Z 8 is much lighter and smaller, the main appeal.

So I'd really like to know if anyone had regrets making the change.
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Ha, I have both, so luckily no reason to pick one over the other. Both have pros and cons, as you have indicated.
 
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DsD said:
You have smaller and lighter already and doing some fine work with it ... Zf to the rescue! ;):p
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I knowledgeable camera store person pointed out that the Zf might not be great in a dusty environment like Africa. He said it was more of an urban camera which it feels like.
 
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I actually thought you were serious. I had been thinking of it until the camera guy suggested it might not be a good idea. I played with the Z6iii but I really don't like the ergonomics. Then I played with the Z 8 and that fit my hand like a glove.
 
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jhallettbc said:
I am weighing the pros and cons. If I get a Z 8 I lose the much larger battery capacity. The Z 8 is much lighter and smaller, the main appeal.

So I'd really like to know if anyone had regrets making the change.
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Have you held or used either the Z8 or the Z9 ? For me my D300, D500, D810, D850 I had purchased the vertical grips, D4. The feel of those bodies and the benefits when shooting vertical and the larger battery you could shoot all day. I realize that not everyone likes the extra weight and larger size. I did consider the Z8 but by the time you add the cost of the grip and the battery and charger plus at the time the Z9 was on sale, it just didn’t make sense. For me the Z9 just felt right and works, so happy and pleased I just recently purchased a second Z9.
 
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Btw, I apologize for my inappropriate and misplaced humor.

Hearing that the Z8 fits you like a glove will probably pay grande dividends for long hours behind the controls; sounds like a great marriage in the making.
 
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jhallettbc said:
I knowledgeable camera store person pointed out that the Zf might not be great in a dusty environment like Africa. He said it was more of an urban camera which it feels like.
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What would make the Zf any worse than the Z6iii? Both look weather sealed to the same extent on the diagrams.

I've used mine all over out west in dusty conditions and in Peru and it was fine. No problems in rain either.
 
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jhallettbc said:
I am weighing the pros and cons. If I get a Z 8 I lose the much larger battery capacity. The Z 8 is much lighter and smaller, the main appeal.

So I'd really like to know if anyone had regrets making the change.
Click to expand...
I have one of each and definitely choose the Z8 in most of my day to day shooting over the Z9. Solely because of the weight. On trips I take both and use them depending on the lens on each. And put the lenses on depending on what I am shooting. Bottom line I don't think you would regret it. But at this point I will stick with one of each.
 
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DsD said:
Btw, I apologize for my inappropriate and misplaced humor.

Hearing that the Z8 fits you like a glove will probably pay grande dividends for long hours behind the controls; sounds like a great marriage in the making.
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No need to apologize, and your comment is not far-off either. I own 2x ZF's, and both have been surviving really well in Asian heat and humidity. If it can live through high heat and humidity in Ho-chi Min /Vietnam, it can survive Africa. It's a great body, far more robust and substantial than product-photos on the Interwebz would indicate. If used with a weather- sealed lens, it makes for a very decent setup. Just IMHO.
 
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I have one of each and I much prefer the size and weight of the Z8 over the Z9. I had thought about selling the Z9 to replace with a second Z8 but it would have meant trading and paying additional and I didn’t think that was worthwhile decision for me. Having both and shooting both regularly I wouldn’t have a problem with only having Z8s instead.
 
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I started with a Z8, traded up to a Z9 and I’m now (after a year) changing back to a Z8. I hike a lot with an 800pf or 600pf and also kayak a lot. The bigger battery is nice in the Z9 but the Z8 battery is perfectly fine (see Steve’s battery video) and I can survive a battery change if and when needed. I can also get by with one less function button. The Z8 feels great in my hand. The size and weight savings are real pluses, without any sacrifices (for me).
 
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I appreciate all the ideas and suggestions, especially that the Zf would be fine in dusty conditions. If I took the Zf to Africa, I'd need to get the Small Rig grip for it to make it easier with my Z70-200. I guess the ideal would be to figure out financially how to keep my Z9 and get a Z8.
 
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jhallettbc said:
I appreciate all the ideas and suggestions, especially that the Zf would be fine in dusty conditions. If I took the Zf to Africa, I'd need to get the Small Rig grip for it to make it easier with my Z70-200. I guess the ideal would be to figure out financially how to keep my Z9 and get a Z8.
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Yep, the grip would be required for the 70-200 f/2.8. Possible to shoot without, but significantly more comfortable with it, using larger lenses.

Definitely though, the Z8/Z9 combo would be ideal for wildlife stuff as main/backup.
 
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