Secondary body to pair with Z8

[AzYooper]

Years ago I had my D850 as my main body and kept my prior D750 as a backup. Good plan I thought. Then deep in the bowels of Arizona's Kartchner Caverns on a special tour only for photographers, I went for the D750 to use the different focal length I desired. I quickly found that I forgot how to make some of the basic settings like ISO on that now foreign-to-me body. Ever since then I always have matching bodies, especially useful with a complex camera like the Z8 and many of the complicated settings and button mapping I use. Like any good camera if you wait a while, the price comes down or you can get a nice refurb. I now pack two Z8's and never look back. Hard enough to remembr all my Z8 settings without trying to memorize two different cameras. I have all four banks setup justthe way I like them.

 

[Wade Abadie]

Years ago I had my D850 as my main body and kept my prior D750 as a backup. Good plan I thought. Then deep in the bowels of Arizona's Kartchner Caverns on a special tour only for photographers, I went for the D750 to use the different focal length I desired. I quickly found that I forgot how to make some of the basic settings like ISO on that now foreign-to-me body. Ever since then I always have matching bodies, especially useful with a complex camera like the Z8 and many of the complicated settings and button mapping I use. Like any good camera if you wait a while, the price comes down or you can get a nice refurb. I now pack two Z8's and never look back. Hard enough to remembr all my Z8 settings without trying to memorize two different cameras. I have all four banks setup justthe way I like them.

I think that’s a pretty strong argument for a second Z8. That’s ideally what I’d like to do from now on…always have matching bodies. It’s especially convenient because you can copy settings from one to the other with an SD card, which saves time and prevents you from missing something.

 

[AzYooper]

I think that’s a pretty strong argument for a second Z8. That’s ideally what I’d like to do from now on…always have matching bodies. It’s especially convenient because you can copy settings from one to the other with an SD card, which saves time and prevents you from missing something.

That's one more of the many advantages. Seems that there are always tweaks to the settings, especially if you follow Steve Perry and Hudson Henry. They do the heavy lifting for me. At 85, keeping up with the Z8 is plenty for me. Two camera models is way too complex and the second will never match the performance you have come to accept as normal. If you spend the $1,500 you suggested as budget, wait awhile, check refurbs, etc, and find a way to get that second Z8. Life will be much better and you will be much happier in the long term. It's like when we all went through six tripos and then finally bought the RRS or Gitzo. A lot of wasted money. Your $1,500 fill in will just make you grumpy, not happy in the long term. Two Z8's a this time in photorgpahy will last you decades. What more could you ask in a camera? I promised me and my wife that it's my last camera body after a boatload of prior Nikon upgrades since the move from film to digital. This is all I could ever want in a camera. GET THE SECOND Z8, however you do it (legally of course.)

 

[O]

When I made the switch to mirrorless about 18 months ago, I made the call to sell all my DSLR gear in order to help fund the transition. For years, I always had two bodies, and now only have one (the Z8). This has been difficult and I frequently find myself wanting another body with a shorter lens while I’m out shooting wildlife. This body would have four purposes:

1. Animalscapes/environmental wildlife shots

2. Casual landscape shots while I’m shooting wildlife with the Z8

3. Close-ups when wildlife gets too close for my other setup

4. Emergency backup in case of failure of the Z8 while on a trip

Ideally, I would prefer to just get a second Z8 but that’s out of my budget right now (I’d like to stay around $1,500 if possible). I thought about the Z50 II but I don’t really want to go with a crop sensor. So I’m assuming my best option is a used Z6 II or Z7 II.

So BCG experts…what say you?

Z8 second back up camera on $1500, tough gig or big compromise.

Time is lost every with every minute that goes by, you can always make more money anytime.

Endless ideas - frustration in options, the easiest fix to clear the deck is $.

$1500 is not a lot in the game.

As my girlfriend always says "if you’re going to do something, at least do it right or not at all.

Defiantly FF preferably 45mp or at minimum 24mp so a Z8 USED or a Z6 III as bare minimum, if you can’t get them then live a little longer with what you have till you can get what you want or need.

You have come this far with one camera a little longer won’t hurt.

The way used prices and the number of Z9 units on the market may even be or become an option.

Summary just get a used Z8 for the little extra.

OK next option if $ are seriously limited at $1500, the Z7 II is cheap and can do wild life and everything else very well, seriously, don't let the subject detection and eye tracking become an obsession or limitation.

Many member's in our club do BIF wild life perfectly well and competitively on a Z7II, they still have skill sets.

Only an opinion

 

[abc123brian]

Z8 second back up camera on $1500, tough gig or big compromise.

Time is lost every with every minute that goes by, you can always make more money anytime.

Endless ideas - frustration in options, the easiest fix to clear the deck is $.

$1500 is not a lot in the game.

As my girlfriend always says "if you’re going to do something, at least do it right or not at all.

Defiantly FF preferably 45mp or at minimum 24mp so a Z8 USED or a Z6 III as bare minimum, if you can’t get them then live a little longer with what you have till you can get what you want or need.

You have come this far with one camera a little longer won’t hurt.

The way used prices and the number of Z9 units on the market may even be or become an option.

Summary just get a used Z8 for the little extra.

OK next option if $ are seriously limited at $1500, the Z7 II is cheap and can do wild life and everything else very well, seriously, don't let the subject detection and eye tracking become an obsession or limitation.

Many member's in our club do BIF wild life perfectly well and competitively on a Z7II, they still have skill sets.

Only an opinion

I just got rid of my Z7ii because the operation is so drastically different. I just kept trying to use the custom buttons I had setup that weren’t possible to do with it and that led me to missing shots. After getting the Z8 I used it primarily as a landscape camera. Once you adjust to being able to customize buttons and different AF modes on buttons it was really difficult for me to adjust back to the old interface for anything requiring some quick adjustments other than exposure. It did fine as my main wildlife camera prior even though it lacks the advanced subject detection and it’s capable enough. I didn’t like the EVF blackout but managed with it.

 

[O]

I just got rid of my Z7ii because the operation is so drastically different. I just kept trying to use the custom buttons I had setup that weren’t possible to do with it and that led me to missing shots. After getting the Z8 I used it primarily as a landscape camera. Once you adjust to being able to customize buttons and different AF modes on buttons it was really difficult for me to adjust back to the old interface for anything requiring some quick adjustments other than exposure. It did fine as my main wildlife camera prior even though it lacks the advanced subject detection and it’s capable enough. I didn’t like the EVF blackout but managed with it.

Hear you loud and clear, and you make very valid good points, and yes Z7II is not a Z8.

Where I was mainly coming from was

2 points with the OP

1) The OP only has $1500 max, that makes the field of choice very small for 45mp FF

2) what he wants to actually use it for.......some wild life yet incorporating some different genre shooting.

The OP says, particularly point 1 and 2, where I feel having any skill sets left over from the DSLR days he should pretty much nail all or most of what he wants.

Shooting mirror less like a DSLR is easy and works well, we did wild life shooting on our DSLRS very well.

Remember the second body is using a much shorter possibly wider lens range, even possibly a zoom lens

The OP

1. Animal scapes/environmental wildlife shots

2. Casual landscape shots while I’m shooting wildlife with the Z8

3. Close-ups when wildlife gets too close for my other setup

4. Emergency backup in case of failure of the Z8 while on a trip

If the OP wants FF, 45mp, the current options are, really a Used Z7II the level of compromise is limited by what he does and skill sets the OP has. The OP just needs to shoot DSLR style.

I think it was Thom Hogan as i recall ? who showed how and why you can use the Z7II as a wild life camera, i mean Lots of people do well with the Z7II as they did with their D850...........and still do, comparing it as to the Z8 yes there is a gap, but how big that gap is directly related to $.

Once you use a Z8 Z9 it’s hard to go back to anything else, but gee the Z7II is still a very capable camera it just mean you have to do a little more of the work.

The challenge is easily fixed if the OP can find the extra $1500 or so to get a used Z8.

Only an opinion

 

[Mal Paso]

Now that I have the Z8 I agree that the Z8 would be better backup to the Z8 EXCEPT that the Z7ii is So Much More Compact that I'm more likely to take it for a walk around Carmel for instance.

I could possibly do without the D810 but I don't think the Z7ii is going away anytime soon and I will keep an eye out for another Z8. JAMOM Just A Matter Of Money LOL

 

[Wade Abadie]

Hear you loud and clear, and you make very valid good points, and yes Z7II is not a Z8.

Where I was mainly coming from was

2 points with the OP

1) The OP only has $1500 max, that makes the field of choice very small for 45mp FF

2) what he wants to actually use it for.......some wild life yet incorporating some different genre shooting.

The OP says, particularly point 1 and 2, where I feel having any skill sets left over from the DSLR days he should pretty much nail all or most of what he wants.

Shooting mirror less like a DSLR is easy and works well, we did wild life shooting on our DSLRS very well.

Remember the second body is using a much shorter possibly wider lens range, even possibly a zoom lens

The OP

1. Animal scapes/environmental wildlife shots

2. Casual landscape shots while I’m shooting wildlife with the Z8

3. Close-ups when wildlife gets too close for my other setup

4. Emergency backup in case of failure of the Z8 while on a trip

If the OP wants FF, 45mp, the current options are, really a Used Z7II the level of compromise is limited by what he does and skill sets the OP has. The OP just needs to shoot DSLR style.

I think it was Thom Hogan as i recall ? who showed how and why you can use the Z7II as a wild life camera, i mean Lots of people do well with the Z7II as they did with their D850...........and still do, comparing it as to the Z8 yes there is a gap, but how big that gap is directly related to $.

Once you use a Z8 Z9 it’s hard to go back to anything else, but gee the Z7II is still a very capable camera it just mean you have to do a little more of the work.

The challenge is easily fixed if the OP can find the extra $500 or so to get a used Z8.

Only an opinion

Just curious….did you mean to say “find an extra $500 to get a used Z8”…or did you mean to type $1,500? I have not seen a used Z8 for sale for less than $3,000.

The good thing is I’m not in a hurry as I don’t have an immediate need for the second body….and will likely just wait until I’m ready to pull the trigger on another Z8.

The unfortunate reality is that we all live within a budget, be it large or small. I have a young family with two small children, and have had some major financial setbacks this year, so I’m not really in the market at the moment. I find that oftentimes, the best time to research a sizable purchase is when you can’t afford it yet, because you’re less likely to make an impulse purchase and buy the wrong thing. My $0.02

 

[O]

I would like to see Nikon focus on lighter smaller bodies to compliment the lighter lenses.
Also they should somehow improve the battery life in their camera bodies be it via the battery or camera power consumption.
I am hoping the Z7III will be even smaller and lighter.
I do more long multi day hikes, the Z8 is smaller and lighter but sadly with the all extra batteries needed negated shedding the weight of the Z9, however the Z9 made me receive to much unwanted attention in crowds.

 

[fulltimewanderer]

Just curious….did you mean to say “find an extra $500 to get a used Z8”…or did you mean to type $1,500? I have not seen a used Z8 for sale for less than $3,000.

The good thing is I’m not in a hurry as I don’t have an immediate need for the second body….and will likely just wait until I’m ready to pull the trigger on another Z8.

The unfortunate reality is that we all live within a budget, be it large or small. I have a young family with two small children, and have had some major financial setbacks this year, so I’m not really in the market at the moment. I find that oftentimes, the best time to research a sizable purchase is when you can’t afford it yet, because you’re less likely to make an impulse purchase and buy the wrong thing. My $0.02

Wade, My congratulations for your wisdom in having a budget and living within your budget. Family first and hobbies second. The right time and the right opportunity will come. Best wishes and enjoy your family. Maybe the little ones will become the photographers of the future. When the time comes check out Bozeman Camera and Repair (800) 944-2139 no sales tax in Montana and always been happy with them.

 

[randomwalk]

If you are not in a hurry, one option is to consider waiting until the Z8II comes out, then purchase either a new Z8II and make your existing one the backup, or buy a heavily discounted Z8 as your second camera.

I am in a similar boat and I am considering getting a second camera to have a second lens on (mostly animalscapes) and to avoid lens changes here in the rainy PNW. I am similar to you though, I am in no hurry because I am doing just fine with a single body, and I am still not sure I want to carry around a second camera (I usually do 5 - 10 miles per hike with lots of elevation gain).

 

[O]

Just curious….did you mean to say “find an extra $500 to get a used Z8”…or did you mean to type $1,500? I have not seen a used Z8 for sale for less than $3,000.

The good thing is I’m not in a hurry as I don’t have an immediate need for the second body….and will likely just wait until I’m ready to pull the trigger on another Z8.

The unfortunate reality is that we all live within a budget, be it large or small. I have a young family with two small children, and have had some major financial setbacks this year, so I’m not really in the market at the moment. I find that oftentimes, the best time to research a sizable purchase is when you can’t afford it yet, because you’re less likely to make an impulse purchase and buy the wrong thing. My $0.02

Typo corrected, thanks for picking that up, appreciate it.
Totally respect where your coming from,
hats of to you about not making an impulse buy.

Used prices will only continue to fall. New prices are almost matching used prices, that means used prices will need to go down.

New Z8 at B and H $3496 USD and used is $3286 USD cant understand that.

Here in OZ New Z8 units are selling for around $4900 AUD = to around $3000 USD NEW

The $5899 of Georges price is a local store, the others are well known grey, Didgi direct is very reputable and supplies lots of top brand name cameras to AUST and has done for a long while.

Selling a used Z8 in Oz is hard as currently at $2800 to $2850 USD and not selling easily as we are competing with Grey and discounts.

Only an opinion

Currency below is in AU $ conversion rate is 0.63 to 1 USD

 

[JMac]

Me, Z5 full spectrum IR conversion as a second body. Plus a 4 filter kit from 590nm-820nm
I chose this for its simplicity and not needing many top end features and I like that batteries are the same as the Z8.

Wife, a fully retro’d out ZF, or a full spectrum IR Zfc.

Espically fun stuff on road trips. During mid day when the light is not optimal the IR’s afford the ability to shoot in full daylight.

 

[O]

Me, Z5 full spectrum IR conversion as a second body. Plus a 4 filter kit from 590nm-820nm
I chose this for its simplicity and not needing many top end features and I like that batteries are the same as the Z8.

Wife, a fully retro’d out ZF, or a full spectrum IR Zfc.

Espically fun stuff on road trips. During mid day when the light is not optimal the IR’s afford the ability to shoot in full daylight.

Strategic, intelligent optimization of tools to fit the purpose, like it.

What is the main body

Was the IR conversion expensive

 

[rjb138]

The Z6 III is probably a very good option as well…but for the price, it starts getting close to a used Z8.

How about a used Z6iii? FM has/had some 9+ ones for around $1800

 

[MartyD]

I have a Z9, Z6iii, and just recently sold my Z6ii and purchased a Z50ii. You get used to the focusing modes of the Z9 and Z6iii and I just didn't shoot the Z6ii because of that. There isn't much difference in focusing ability of all three cameras and in my hand they all perform pretty much the same way. There is some button customization differences but in most situations I can work with that. You do notice the difference when working with the DX images in post compared to the FX images.

The real reason I purchased the Z50ii was to be a backup for non photography specific travel. If I am traveling specifically for photography than I will take my Z9 and Z6iii, if not I will pack the Z6iii and the Z50ii. I have a cruise coming up and I just hate to travel with one body, so the Z50ii will be a great backup.

I can also now shoot N-Log video on all three bodies.

I take a lot of sports photos and my granddaughters are part of the school yearbook staff so it is easy to give them the Z50ii for school work.

I am also looking forward to using it as my "spotting scope" next summer while wolf watching in Yellowstone. I take a small external monitor and connect it to the camera. It makes it easy to point out the wolves on the monitor.

So for me, I have the Z6iii as companion and backup to my Z9 when shooting events and doing photography travel, and the Z50ii as a backup to my Z6iii when doing non photography travel.

 

[mathjak107]

i use a z8 for my 70-200 f2.8 and 600mm pf f6.3

anything smaller goes on a zf

my wife uses a z6iii for the larger lenses and a zf for the smaller ones