Jumping Forward... Bye to my Nikon D850 and hello to a Z9

[DavidT]

Decided to finally part with what I still consider a very solid DSLR, the Nikon D850. Had an opportunity to trade on a nearly new Z9 (ever-so-slightly used). Have a fair amount of good F-mount glass to start with so will be getting the FTZ-II adapter to take full advantage of that. This new body will complement a Nikon D6 which will stay in operation (may never give that one up).

So was curious if I could get any helpful, good to know tips from others that have moved from the D850 to the Z9. Realize that I'll be tasked with familiarizing myself with a new system and slightly different array of controls (always part of the adventure) but would welcome any insights. Hoping my familiarity with the D6 may help make me feel at home with the Z9 but that may be wishful thinking.

I suggest you break yourself of DSLR habits. You need to embrace what you can do with a mirrorless camera and set up and use it as such. Trying to apply your D850 or D6 ways is going to handicap you.
I also predict if you take the above advise your D6 days are numbered.

 

[trolley]

I have a Delkin Black 325GB card which is great. Nikon UK has an offer for a 600 GB Nikon card for £300 instead of £600. I couldnt resist Your Honour

 

[Phil Seu]

1. One of the biggest (yet under emphasized ) benefits of mirror less is ease of exposure. Commit to using manual exposure and get used to turning the ISO dial quickly based on what you see thru the viewfinder.

2. Once you have all your settings, save them on a card.

 

[Calson]

With the D5/D6 and D850 cameras I needed to decide between fast autofocus and high resolution. With the Z9 I no longer needed to make that choice as it provides both.

I sold my f-mount 500mm PF and that was a big mistake. If you own one I suggest you hold onto it as the only comparable S lens is the 600mm PF.

 

[Edward Cusick]

With the D5/D6 and D850 cameras I needed to decide between fast autofocus and high resolution. With the Z9 I no longer needed to make that choice as it provides both.

I sold my f-mount 500mm PF and that was a big mistake. If you own one I suggest you hold onto it as the only comparable S lens is the 600mm PF.

Thanks. That is true about the best of both worlds. Fortunately I still have my 500 f/4 FL f-mount that isn't going to be going anywhere (as will be the case with a few other f-mount glass that will transition very nicely).

 

[Anjin San]

1. One of the biggest (yet under emphasized ) benefits of mirror less is ease of exposure. Commit to using manual exposure and get used to turning the ISO dial quickly based on what you see thru the viewfinder.

2. Once you have all your settings, save them on a card.

Yep…M + auto ISO and exposure comp on the lens ring as needed.

 

[O]

Decided to finally part with what I still consider a very solid DSLR, the Nikon D850. Had an opportunity to trade on a nearly new Z9 (ever-so-slightly used). Have a fair amount of good F-mount glass to start with so will be getting the FTZ-II adapter to take full advantage of that. This new body will complement a Nikon D6 which will stay in operation (may never give that one up).

So was curious if I could get any helpful, good to know tips from others that have moved from the D850 to the Z9. Realize that I'll be tasked with familiarizing myself with a new system and slightly different array of controls (always part of the adventure) but would welcome any insights. Hoping my familiarity with the D6 may help make me feel at home with the Z9 but that may be wishful thinking.

Most importantly enjoy the journey.

Shoot the Z9 like you do your D6 D850, then assignee one button on the front to give you the desired wide tracking option etc etc and just take your time evolving with the camera, less is more, time is your best friend. If your a geek its a different story. If you could drive the D6 to its potential then you have a good head start.

For my self i don't see much difference with using the Z9 Z8 D6 D850 other than FPS and tracking system, the D6 is as good or just that bit slightly better with stickiness on troubling backgrounds something the Z9 Z8 updated models no doubt will address. Its a subjective area for some but it depends on the conditions of the shoot.
Canon have really raised the bar here.

Above all check out Steve's presets and tutorials.

The general comment from club members who have transitioned for DSLRs to Mirror less regardless of brands is they all say tracking and speed seems to be the main stand out, as well as some good options in new glass.

Only an opinion

 

[Patty15]

Decided to finally part with what I still consider a very solid DSLR, the Nikon D850. Had an opportunity to trade on a nearly new Z9 (ever-so-slightly used). Have a fair amount of good F-mount glass to start with so will be getting the FTZ-II adapter to take full advantage of that. This new body will complement a Nikon D6 which will stay in operation (may never give that one up).

So was curious if I could get any helpful, good to know tips from others that have moved from the D850 to the Z9. Realize that I'll be tasked with familiarizing myself with a new system and slightly different array of controls (always part of the adventure) but would welcome any insights. Hoping my familiarity with the D6 may help make me feel at home with the Z9 but that may be wishful thinking.

I jumped from the D850, that I loved, to the Z9 that I love even more. I still have my D850, but right now it sits neglected in the camera cabinet.

I found Steve's books and videos to be most helpful. I started out using a 500PF with the FTZ-II until I got a Z600 6.3, along with a Z100-400. I've not looked back and gave the 500PF to my husband. Once I jumped on the Z ship, I picked up a Z8 with a Z24-120. I think I'm now covered for everything, except I occasionally still have a need for my D7500 with an 18-300 lens (there are times I need the built-in flash shooting newly hatched Bluebirds in their nest. It works for what I need.)

It's always an adventure learning a new setup, but I've been more than happy with my Z9.

 

[Ken Miracle]

As other have said use @Steve Z9 setup guide book and his mirrorless editions of secrets to the autofocus system and exposure and metering for Nikon. Also download the Z9 reference guide and the Z9 reference guide supplements for the latest firmware .... they are hand online references.

Use the info in the menu that is there whenever the ? is present you can touch it if your touch screen is turned on or push the ? button on the back of the camera to learn what those menu items impact/do. With your primary lens on mounted going through the menu and reading what it tells you when you hit that ? can be a very fast learning experience and prep for and even more useful time with @Steve books. I skip the video section since I do not do video.

I came to 2 Z9's from D850 and D6. As others have stated once you get used to how to "play a Z9" the D6 will become surplus unless you need two bodies at once. I am a birder and the Z800mm f/6.3 paired with Z9 had me sell off the last of my DSLR gear D850 and 600 mm f/4 E were the last to go. When I got a second Z9 my wife traded my Z6II in for a Z7II. I have since added a Z6III for the low light viewfinder. I did replace the Z800 with a Z600 f/4 TC, other currnet lenses are a z600 f/6.3, z24-120 f/4, tamron z mount 150-500 and tamron z mount 35-150 f/2-28 (my indoor workhorse)

I shoot manual with auto ISO and use EV frequently, change metering as the situation requires. Things your D850 and D6 cannot do = I also keep an eye on the live histogram in the viewfinder, viewfinders may fib a bit to you but the histogram will not. I set the viewfinder in custom settings page 608 of the Z9 reference guide to show effects of settings no adjust for ease of viewing. That is the "what you see is what you get" setting and usually agrees with my histogram.

I forgot I started with Delkin Black (I had used blacks for years) but had issues with their card readers not want to eject cards from my desktop etc... Delkin sent me a new one that had to be set up just so etc.. I finally got tired of fiddling with the readers. I finally moved to ProGrade Digital Cobalt and their single slot USB 4.0 card reader. Excellent performance in my Z9's and Z6III and they run as cool or cooler than the Delkin Black and handle 20fps and raw files very well.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Charles Loy]

Congrats on your Z9 score!! Steve's books and you tube (Steve and others) are the way to go on learning the amazing Z9. Save the settings each time you make changes that improve and please you. It's deep and much to take on.
I am another that suggests if you get a good offer on your D6, take it. It will soon become obsolete, as mine did.