Not yet. Two weeks.
Nikon Z50 II Launched
- Thread starter fcotterill
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fcotterill
Well-known member
Well these are Z50 II Custom options, page clipped from the new manual....
My point is these settings have been/ are unavailable in the Z50 and Gen 1 and II Z cameras. Now available in an affordable camera.
I think the definition of Entry has changed, and the four camera companies are showing very powerful technology in the sub $1000 range, so the average person here (hobbiests, prosumers, pros) buy them. Exciting times.
One huge miss I think is not including auto capture in this one. Imagine if it did have it and you could put a sharp prime on one and set it up. Far less stress than leaving a Z8/9 out in the woods.
I’d put a 50 1.8s on one and you’d probably get some amazing shots.
I could see professional wildlife photographers buy sets of them just for that function.
I’d put a 50 1.8s on one and you’d probably get some amazing shots.
I could see professional wildlife photographers buy sets of them just for that function.
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Yes, all true. These capabilities are enabled by the use of the Expeed 7 processor. As Nikon senior executives have been saying for nearly two years, technology made available in the Z9 would be included, over time, in cameras throughout the Z product line. It’s how Nikon will recoup Expeed 7 development expense. I expect it will do likewise for technology first made available in the successor to the Z9.
Well said.
MRK
Member
Just got my ship notice from BH Shipped
Mark
Mark
Kenny88
Active member
ElenaH
Well-known member
I have a kit already 
It is charging. I have it until Tuesday and then decide if I will keep it So, let's see ...
Now it is available here in kits, my has 18-140mm. I don' have that lens so, I can test it witn Z50 II. I can return it back and order Z50 II body only. But who knows, maybe the lens is good and worth to keep it ;-)
It is charging. I have it until Tuesday and then decide if I will keep it So, let's see ...Now it is available here in kits, my has 18-140mm. I don' have that lens so, I can test it witn Z50 II. I can return it back and order Z50 II body only. But who knows, maybe the lens is good and worth to keep it ;-)
Please post your impressions, specifically video. And try to make it overheatI have a kit already
Now it is available here in kits, my has 18-140mm. I don' have that lens so, I can test it witn Z50 II. I can return it back and order Z50 II body only. But who knows, maybe the lens is good and worth to keep it ;-)
. For science.
Kenny88
Active member
I just picked mine up and the battery is charging - it's raining out, so not sure when I can go out and test. I really like the deeper grip!!!!!
ElenaH
Well-known member
Yes, it is a very nice little thing! It is very easy to fall in love with it!
Which setting shall I take? What would you reccommend? For the video-test?Please post your impressions, specifically video. And try to make it overheat
Angelov
New member
Even thought there is no specialized review for birding nor someone reviewed the performance of the combo N Z50 II & N 180-600 Z, I already ordered it. Will be replacing my N D500 and Sigma 150-600 C combo. Will be great if someone here has this combo and can comment on the performance of it. Thanx!
ElenaH
Well-known member
I have this combo, will be testing tomorrow. Hopefully, I will find a bird ...
The weather is not good here, in Europe and migration birds are gone. But I will do my best ;-)
I'd go with the basic Nlog 10bit 4k/30 and go up to 120 which is HD. A high-contrast scene with some highlights to see how it behaves. Then a dark scene to look at noise in the shadows. Finally I'd simply put it on a tripod and let it run to see if it shuts off due to overheating.Yes, it is a very nice little thing! It is very easy to fall in love with it!
Which setting shall I take? What would you reccommend? For the video-test?
I looked at a z50ii in person at a local camera store where a Nikon rep came for an expo day. It's very compact and lightweight. It actually felt almost too light with my 500PF on it with the ftz. But it is a great value for price/features. It's a very nice little camera. For someone who is getting into wildlife photography for the 1st time, I'd definitely choose it over a used d500. It matches the used d500 in price and opens up the z world.
I confess that I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it. I was there to decide whether to go for a z6ii, a z8 or z9 and look at z teles. I loved the feel of the 400/4.5 on the z8. I could really use the low light capabilities of that combo. Can't afford the 2.8.
I decided that the z8 is the best choice for me despite needing gps. The z9 is just too big for my everyday use. The z8 went well with my 500PF in balance. I'll be using my f glass for a while. I didn't yet pull the trigger, working on the 2nd half getting used to the idea. (SWMBO, as @wotan1 says). I also played around with the Plena but didn't dare mention that to SWMBO.
I'm looking forward to reading about the experiences of those who ordered the z50ii.
I confess that I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it. I was there to decide whether to go for a z6ii, a z8 or z9 and look at z teles. I loved the feel of the 400/4.5 on the z8. I could really use the low light capabilities of that combo. Can't afford the 2.8.
I decided that the z8 is the best choice for me despite needing gps. The z9 is just too big for my everyday use. The z8 went well with my 500PF in balance. I'll be using my f glass for a while. I didn't yet pull the trigger, working on the 2nd half getting used to the idea. (SWMBO, as @wotan1 says). I also played around with the Plena but didn't dare mention that to SWMBO.
I'm looking forward to reading about the experiences of those who ordered the z50ii.
I'm very curious about how the 150-600C image quality compares with the 180-600. I expect the corners won't be as sharp but I'm very curious if it's a substantial difference in the center or barely.
I still have and use the 150-600C and am struggling to justify an upgrade to that lens. It would need to be a noticeable difference in end output. Weather sealing is nice but lens hood rain covers work for a lot less money and I'd be using one is a soaking rain regardless.
Telephoto's are tough for me as looking at all the comparison images I just don't see a massively different image in many instances and I don't print wall size images so I know they'll 98% of the time be on a 4k or less screen or in a print at 20x30 max. So it feels like the small difference would just be lost in output and a waste of money. Yes at 200% pixel peeping you might see a slight difference, but that won't translate to print or sharing.
Unless it's not a small difference. I've only seen one comparison side by side and honestly the Sigma was very very close in the center to the 180-600C.
I feel like it's a matter of time before Viltrox enters long telephoto with LAB lenses and really upsets Canon/Nikon/Sony's lens pricing structures.
As a fellow SWMBO servant I fully understand your plight and I share your pain.
We should probably form a SWMBO therapy group. I am sure there are many of us in here.
For those who don't know what we are talking about SWMBO is short for She Who Must Be Obeyed. The term originated with the old Rumple of the Bailey British TV series. In the series Rumple who is the original Public Defender, is married to a very authoritarian wife. He refers to her as She Who Must Be Obeyed.
As a fellow SWMBO servant I fully understand your plight and I share your pain.
We should probably form a SWMBO therapy group. I am sure there are many of us in here.
For those who don't know what we are talking about SWMBO is short for She Who Must Be Obeyed. The term originated with the old Rumple of the Bailey British TV series. In the series Rumple who is the original Public Defender, is married to a very authoritarian wife. He refers to her as She Who Must Be Obeyed.
I'm sure this forum has its share of HWMBO as well! It's an expensive but very rewarding hobby and those whose spouse shares the interest are lucky. I'm on the uphill path however.
I still remember when I got my d500, and she said "wow, even the crummy ones look pretty good!". The horizon looks good.
Angelov
New member
I can’t fully justify the investment in terms of picture quality or any other strictly rational reason.
However, I want to upgrade to experience the Z system, including eye tracking and other features. In the end, the difference in results might not be dramatic. Still, being part of the Z ecosystem will make future upgrades easier in a year or two. Besides, the investment isn’t too significant, as selling both the D500 and the 150-600C will cover a large portion of the cost. Cheers!
The Sigma 150-600 does work great on Z as well. I still use it with the FTZ on the Z8.I can’t fully justify the investment in terms of picture quality or any other strictly rational reason.
However, I want to upgrade to experience the Z system, including eye tracking and other features. In the end, the difference in results might not be dramatic. Still, being part of the Z ecosystem will make future upgrades easier in a year or two. Besides, the investment isn’t too significant, as selling both the D500 and the 150-600C will cover a large portion of the cost. Cheers!
There’s no rush to use Z glass honestly. You get all the autofocus benefits with those lenses same as the Z versions. The Z versions tend to have better mid and corner sharpness across the spectrum and some of them are significantly sharper than the F mount, things like the 50 1.8s/85 1.8s and 135 1.8S are extremely sharp lenses.
The 50 is a bargain for how good it is compared to anything from any brand for the price.
ElenaH
Well-known member
I tested Z500 II during the weekend as far as I could.
So, firstly, it is not a camera for a low light. It is bad in low light. I think, you cannot go more than 3200 ISO. The same is with my Z30. The video is more forgiving but also not good. So, this is what you need to keep in mind. Don't expect the same quality as Z8 or Z9. I can post some images if you are interested in.
The other problem is that I cannot process RAW files. Photomechanic, Irfanview can read files but LR is here to process files and it cannot read them now for this purpose. of course. Waiting for update.
I took RAW + JPEG. So, I can evaluate the quality only on not pocesssed RAW or JPEG files.
I tested it with kit lens 18-140 and 180-600. The AF makes a very good impression during shooting process. It grabs immediatelly and sticks to the eye or a bird. So, you can see in a view finder how it sticks to the subject. I was very impressed, it looked like on Z8 or Z9, definitely not worse, just excllent. And having set for a bird it also focussed on a deer's eye.
The problem comes when you look at the pictures. With the kit lens it is all in focus, just amazing. By the way it works also in a very dark environment, in a really peach darkness. All pictures are perfect.
But with 180-600 it is a different story. I even thought - maybe it is not yet supported? It shows the focus acquisition during the shooting but the pictures are not in focus. Not all, of course! But 50:50 (got : fail). With Z9 or Z8 I get normally 85:15 in BIF. And it was interesting that it got a bird in front of the folliage and kept it a long time in focus (what is amazing) and the pictures were sharp (85%) but the other serie - all pictures were unsharp. I need to check and test again becasue maybe I was closer than 6m to the bird and I had set "from 6m" on the lens (not "Full" )
It was not only by birds but also by deers. Not all of the pictures were sharp. In this case I was further than 6m away.
For me it looked like the AF system found the eye or a subject but the lens motor didn't get the lens to the focus! It is possible? How much energy need a small camera with small battery to move the big heavy lens? The Nikon 180-600 is not a very fast lens. I mean, the focus is slow in comparison to Z 100-400, for example.
I will test it again with 180-600, 100-400, 400/4.5 and with DX 50-250. I could test it also with 500PF but I assume there is no support for that lens.
Who can tell me - if the new camera ie released, does it have support for all Nikon lenses? At least, for all Z-mount? Or is the support added later on?
With kit lens there was no failure. No one.
@Nimi , I didn't test video, not yet. Just a little bit in the dark. The noise is obvious and a lot. So, it is not a camera for darkness. I have the other question - do I need an external recorder for N-Log? It looks like that... or I just dont# know how to set for N-Log?
So, I wanted that camera as a replace for Z30 what is justified and it makes an upgrade step, too. The first what you realise using Z50_2 is an excellent camera grip and a very bright EVF. Focus works perfectly with a kit lens. To be honest I've never used Z30 with FX lens or perhaps only once with 70-200 ... So, I am also not going to use it for wildlife (at least, it was not a purpose for upgrade). So, as a sweet little thing for everything it is ok! For wildlife - it is possible but not so easy! So, I was not really very happy with results of shooting wildlife with Z50_2+180-600 but I am also not a ruler (we say in German - "ich bin kein Maßstab für das") So, you should not measure and take decisions relying on what I say. This is only a first and subjective experience. I used Z30 with DX 50-250 for wildlife (no birds) and the images were sharp and good. But I didn't use it too much becasue of lack of EVF. Now I can use DX 50-250 more with Z50_2, that is what I wanted and I will test it in next days.
So, firstly, it is not a camera for a low light. It is bad in low light. I think, you cannot go more than 3200 ISO. The same is with my Z30. The video is more forgiving but also not good. So, this is what you need to keep in mind. Don't expect the same quality as Z8 or Z9. I can post some images if you are interested in.
The other problem is that I cannot process RAW files. Photomechanic, Irfanview can read files but LR is here to process files and it cannot read them now for this purpose. of course. Waiting for update.
I took RAW + JPEG. So, I can evaluate the quality only on not pocesssed RAW or JPEG files.
I tested it with kit lens 18-140 and 180-600. The AF makes a very good impression during shooting process. It grabs immediatelly and sticks to the eye or a bird. So, you can see in a view finder how it sticks to the subject. I was very impressed, it looked like on Z8 or Z9, definitely not worse, just excllent. And having set for a bird it also focussed on a deer's eye.
The problem comes when you look at the pictures. With the kit lens it is all in focus, just amazing. By the way it works also in a very dark environment, in a really peach darkness. All pictures are perfect.
But with 180-600 it is a different story. I even thought - maybe it is not yet supported? It shows the focus acquisition during the shooting but the pictures are not in focus. Not all, of course! But 50:50 (got : fail). With Z9 or Z8 I get normally 85:15 in BIF. And it was interesting that it got a bird in front of the folliage and kept it a long time in focus (what is amazing) and the pictures were sharp (85%) but the other serie - all pictures were unsharp. I need to check and test again becasue maybe I was closer than 6m to the bird and I had set "from 6m" on the lens (not "Full" )
It was not only by birds but also by deers. Not all of the pictures were sharp. In this case I was further than 6m away.
For me it looked like the AF system found the eye or a subject but the lens motor didn't get the lens to the focus! It is possible? How much energy need a small camera with small battery to move the big heavy lens? The Nikon 180-600 is not a very fast lens. I mean, the focus is slow in comparison to Z 100-400, for example.
I will test it again with 180-600, 100-400, 400/4.5 and with DX 50-250. I could test it also with 500PF but I assume there is no support for that lens.
Who can tell me - if the new camera ie released, does it have support for all Nikon lenses? At least, for all Z-mount? Or is the support added later on?
With kit lens there was no failure. No one.
@Nimi , I didn't test video, not yet. Just a little bit in the dark. The noise is obvious and a lot. So, it is not a camera for darkness. I have the other question - do I need an external recorder for N-Log? It looks like that... or I just dont# know how to set for N-Log?
So, I wanted that camera as a replace for Z30 what is justified and it makes an upgrade step, too. The first what you realise using Z50_2 is an excellent camera grip and a very bright EVF. Focus works perfectly with a kit lens. To be honest I've never used Z30 with FX lens or perhaps only once with 70-200 ... So, I am also not going to use it for wildlife (at least, it was not a purpose for upgrade). So, as a sweet little thing for everything it is ok! For wildlife - it is possible but not so easy! So, I was not really very happy with results of shooting wildlife with Z50_2+180-600 but I am also not a ruler (we say in German - "ich bin kein Maßstab für das") So, you should not measure and take decisions relying on what I say. This is only a first and subjective experience. I used Z30 with DX 50-250 for wildlife (no birds) and the images were sharp and good. But I didn't use it too much becasue of lack of EVF. Now I can use DX 50-250 more with Z50_2, that is what I wanted and I will test it in next days.
fcotterill
Well-known member
Thanks for your detailed report, Elena.
The camera AF should work with all AFS lenses, together with all Z Nikkors. So definitely try the 500 PF and other AFS F-mount you may have available.
The behaviour of your 180-600 is strange. As this thread reports quick focus of the 180-600, even with ZTC14
The camera AF should work with all AFS lenses, together with all Z Nikkors. So definitely try the 500 PF and other AFS F-mount you may have available.
The behaviour of your 180-600 is strange. As this thread reports quick focus of the 180-600, even with ZTC14
Why would anyone expect Nikon or any other manufacturer to put BIF subject detection in a $900 equal to their flagship models. That would be really dumb on their part from a business perspective. If I were just starting out in photography, I would seriously consider this camera from what I have been reading.