Dude next step: Second body or prime telephoto

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Ortziomenaka

Ortziomenaka

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I have a question about what to add to my photography equipment. I have some money to spend on my equipment and I don't know whether to add a second body to my Nikon Z8 or buy a better quality telephoto lens.
I currently have a z8 and the 3 zooms 2.8 S from Nikon, 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200. What he photographed the most is basketball games and birds and surfing.
My question is whether to buy a Nikon z9 and thus have a lens in each camera and not change running during basketball games or if on the other hand, buy a Nikon z800 6.3 and continue with the z8 as the only body. To say that I have the z 180-600 and hence the doubt of whether I invest more than €5000 in earning 200mm more with the z 800 or if I better add a second body to my equipment. I also contemplate the possibility of buying a nikon 400 2.8 vr G in excellent condition for €4000. I look forward to your comments, thank you
 
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Camera wise, the Z8 rips thru battery charges, quickly. I used a Z8 for a few months, then dumped it for another Z9. The Z9 battery life will be surprising to you. The red signal will come on and still load both cards with another 125-150 photos.
My comment for lenses, you have 3 zoom 2.8 S Nikons, 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 - should be perfect for the basketball. Adding more glass, in my opinion, should be investment in Z lenses, (not G or E).
 
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Charles Loy said:
Camera wise, the Z8 rips thru battery charges, quickly. I used a Z8 for a few months, then dumped it for another Z9. The Z9 battery life will be surprising to you. The red signal will come on and still load both cards with another 125-150 photos.
My comment for lenses, you have 3 zoom 2.8 S Nikons, 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 - should be perfect for the basketball. Adding more glass, in my opinion, should be investment in Z lenses, (not G or E).
Click to expand...
Thanks for your opinion
 
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Agree with @ssheipel that it's almost always better to invest in glass over camera bodies. However, you have an interesting use case with shooting basketball, where you seem to have the fast glass covered with your Holy Trinity, but could probably benefit from having a second body with a different lens on it, so that you don't waste extra time switching lenses (or just pass up some ideal shots because you hesitate to switch lenses).

The f/2.8 lenses that you have are way too short for surfing and birding, and the 180-600 is a little slow (both in aperture and focusing speed) for those sports, and also less sharp than other lens options that are available (at 600mm and beyond).

For your situation, I would say the question boils down to which situation is limiting you the most and that you would want to address first? Would you prefer having two bodies and lenses available 100% of the time for basketball, or would you benefit more from having better performance and reach for photographing surfing and birds?

For me, I still would probably vote along the lines of improving my lenses first before investing in additional camera bodies.
 
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Charles Loy said:
Camera wise, the Z8 rips thru battery charges, quickly. I used a Z8 for a few months, then dumped it for another Z9. The Z9 battery life will be surprising to you. The red signal will come on and still load both cards with another 125-150 photos.
My comment for lenses, you have 3 zoom 2.8 S Nikons, 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 - should be perfect for the basketball. Adding more glass, in my opinion, should be investment in Z lenses, (not G or E).
Click to expand...
Great point about battery life; why I ultimately am sticking with the D6 as back up cam (vs getting a Z8).
 
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If you have the Z 180-600 plus the trinity of 2.8 lenses, it seems your lens situation is covered. I would vote for a second Z8 though if you think you would enjoy the larger grip of the Z9, then go for it (but note that comes with extra weight).
 
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In your situation, I think I'd get the Z9. Not that the 800 isn't a great lens, but it's a specialized tool. If you had more money, I'd suggest the 600f4 TC, but if you can't afford that, I think the Z9 would do more for you in the shorter term.
 
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It pays to have a long term plan in place.

The Holy Trinity is a nice foundation and the 180-600 gives you some useful life up to 600mm. The zoom is not however a good solution for longer reach.

If you are going to shoot birds you will need an effective 800mm plus reach. The least expensive way to get 800mm and longer coverage is either with the 600mm f6.3 pf or the 800mm f6.3 pf.

In my opinion since you already have the 180-600 you will benefit the most by adding the 800mm f6.3 pf. That is a very special lens that opens up a whole new world of bird photography for you. While it is a specialized lens it is one that I will almost always go for when it comes to birds. I use it all the time and lead with it whenever I go for birds. Short of spending 15 grand on the big gun, it is by far the best thing out there.

I personally prefer the combination of the 400mm f4.5 and the 800mm f6.3. The two lenses balance each other well and are a magical combination. Stick with 45mp sensors and with those lenses you can crop significantly to gain reach. I never bother with using tc's when using those two lenses.

Having two bodies is very helpful. It allows you to go on shoots with two lenses ready to go, which helps tremendously with any situation where there can be surprises and quick reaction is needed to get them. I have two Z9's and I really enjoy the flexibility it gives me.

Bottom line, my advice is, if you do not intend to give much of a priority to photographing birds, and the reach you currently have is adequate for what you shoot, I would consider going for the second camera body. Save money buy buying one used and it should either be a Z9 or a second Z8. I am personally partial to Z9 and I chose a second Z9 for my system.

I would stay away from used F mount gear. Z is the future and I would only invest in Z optics going forward.

I would assume eventually you will do both, get a second body and upgrade a lens.

I strongly endorse going for high quality prime lenses in the long telephoto range. Nikon makes some great long telephoto primes in the Z system. The 400mm f4.5 and 600mm f6.3 are very light and nimble lenses and easy to use handheld. As I stated already, I think the 800mm pf is a very special lens. It is an incredibly fun lens to use and I am always impressed at how well it performs.
 
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I have a Z9 and recently purchased a Z6 iii. The Z6iii is great for the noise reduction in low light and 98% of the time I don't miss the high megapixels of the Z9. It was a lot cheaper than the Z8 or Z9 and is a lot lighter. The autofocus is good and the money you save could be put toward another lens. Battery life is pretty decent and I don't mind changing once in a while. I do a lot of bird photography and use either my 500Pf or 200-500 and very seldom do I add a tele. Don't get me wrong I would love to have a 800mm but the 500mm would still be on my camera most of the time.
 
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Compared to cameras and lenses, batteries are inexpensive. Buy an extra battery or two for your Z8 if battery life is an issue. To me extra batteries are just as essential as extra memory cards.

Ask yourself what is keeping you from the kind of photography that you want to engage in? If it's your camera body, then get an extra camera body. If it's a particular lens, then get that lens. If it's something else,... well, you certainly get the idea.

If it's a camera that you decide upon, then strongly consider another Z8 not as a backup, but as a second camera. You'd have no issues with differences in camera operation and performance if both are the same. And any accessories you might purchase down the road for one of them, will certainly be good for the other.
 
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I live in an area (Pacific Northwest) where birds I want to shoot tend to be far away. In this area I have found being able to be effective at 800mm is essential.

Initially I had the 400mm f4.5 and my photo buddy had the F mount 500 pf. Both of us, shooting in this area, found neither lens gave us enough reach to be effective at 800mm.

My buddy went for the 600mm pf and I eventually settled on the 800mm pf. Both of us have gotten quality results at 800mm with these lenses.

Having used both of those lenses I strongly prefer the 800mm pf. My buddy is happy with the 600.

The 600 is a really light and nimble lens, the 800 is bigger and heavier but still can be used handheld for short periods.
 
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The only time I would ever prioritize buying a camera body over glass is if you are working where you absolutely have to have a backup camera body. Otherwise I'd always put money towards lenses. Good lenses last a long time, camera bodies come and go and depreciate as bad as boats, maybe worse!
 
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For the use case you mentioned (basketball), you already have the standard arsenal of glass. It is possible a fast 400mm would give you some good close ups.

However, for serious shooting of these action sports, you will be limited by your ability to quickly switch focal lengths between less than 70mm to greater than. If you are prioritizing this use case, then in my experience a second pro body is essential.

I am going to recommend going with the Z9...I find that the Z8 can overheat during heavy focusing and shooting. Plus, the Z9 battery lasts a lot longer. Use a dual strap (like the Black Rapid or Money Maker) to hang the two cameras from.

If you are shooting large venues or field sports, a 400mm TC or longer would be good when the action heads to the far side of the field. But, you would still need a second body.

For fast, dynamic action sports a second body is essential.

Added: I realize that I assumed you were shooting from the floor. If you are shooting from the stands then my answer would be different.
 
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Ortziomenaka said:
I have a question about what to add to my photography equipment. I have some money to spend on my equipment and I don't know whether to add a second body to my Nikon Z8 or buy a better quality telephoto lens.
I currently have a z8 and the 3 zooms 2.8 S from Nikon, 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200. What he photographed the most is basketball games and birds and surfing.
My question is whether to buy a Nikon z9 and thus have a lens in each camera and not change running during basketball games or if on the other hand, buy a Nikon z800 6.3 and continue with the z8 as the only body. To say that I have the z 180-600 and hence the doubt of whether I invest more than €5000 in earning 200mm more with the z 800 or if I better add a second body to my equipment. I also contemplate the possibility of buying a nikon 400 2.8 vr G in excellent condition for €4000. I look forward to your comments, thank you
Click to expand...
Get the second body. You will lose shots changing lenses during a game. Also consider the excellent Nikon TC-1.4x for your 70-200. You'll get a ton of shots at the far end of the court and great portraits of point guards as they bring the ball up the court. I would also consider buying the Nikon 24-120 f4 zoom. With modern sensors, you'll lose very little image quality by shooting at a higher ISO.
 
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Lots of good advice but only you know how you shoot. If you have another body, will that body sit unused most of the time and if you have an 800 6.3, will that sit unused most of the time? Which would get the most use.

When I attend sporting events I take two bodies, usually one with the 70-200 and one with a 24/70, 85, or maybe 400. I usually don't take the time to change lenses during a sporting event and I shoot more sporting events than anything else. In fact, I can hardly wait until the Christmas break is over and teams get back in action.

I also like to have two bodies with me when I travel, especially if I have invested a considerable amount in the trip.
 
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I have those three f2.8 lenses as well for my Z7II. I also have the Z MC105 f2.8 and the Z 26 f2.8 pancake, and the Z 24-120 f4 and the Z 180-600 long zoom. I have been contemplating another body, but I might swap my Z180-600 long zoom for the lighter Z 400 f4.5. I will invest in lenses until that stable is complete and then look at adding a second body when new bodies come out with improved performance.
 
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I'm going to suggest something different. I just rented the Tamron 35-150 f/2.0-2.8. I suspect I will be buying it. I shot a high school basketball game where I have access to shooting from the floor. The 35-150 was just about perfect for covering the game. I haven't processed the images yet, but reviews I've seen are that it's quite good. The nice part is not having to switch lenses or even bodies. One body, one lens. Price at about $1800 isn't too bad for what the lens can do. I would use this with wrestling, volleyball and other inside sports. The exception would be swimming where the 70-200 is a better fit.

Only negative is that a couple of times the focus was a bit slow, but most of the time it seemed on par with my 70-200 Z S lens.

I do have a pair of Z 8s, when I'm shooting wildlife, I use the 70-200 and 180-600. For landscape it's 14-30 and 24-120. I could use the 35-150 to replace the 24-120, but the weight and size are quite a bit bigger than the 24-120. The 24-120 is also a very nice walk around lens. I could use a single body for landscape and other shooting, but I have two so why not use them.
 
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I have never owned the Z8. I preferred the ergonomics and built in GPS on the Z9 I already had and so bought a second Z9 and then a Z6III.

I had a surprise influx of cash just as Nikon dropped the price on my dream birding lens the Z600 f/4 TC so bought it and sold my Z800 f/6.3 and Z180-600 and kept my Tamron z mount 150-500 for closer minimum focal distance, compactness and near macro. Also kept the Nikon Z600 f/6.3 for back up and to use on my Z6III but if it does not get used for a year I may sell it.

Yes the Z600 f/4 TC is all I hoped it would be and more for my hand held citizen science bird ID photography on foot in all types of terrain, habitat and light.

I see you already have the Z180-600 and if that works for you for the bird and wild life photography you do then go for a Z9 or the amazing viewfinder (better than my Z9) and low light focusing of a Z6III ... fewer mega pixels but if you do not need to crop a lot no problem compared to the Z9/Z8.

I do some people indoors but not sports but for my church congregation and use my Z6III with a Tamron Z 35-150 f/2-2.8 and amazing workhorse in low light on the Z6III or the Z9.
 
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