Mark Smith posted a video about if you should buy a Z9.
If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).
2 days, 2 batteries and 5000 frames (on a 20fps camera) is something I'd hardly call "putting a camera through it's paces".
Other than that, it's the safe, non-conflict opinion: if you have some Nikon glass you still want to use, yes, it's worth buying. Otherwise stick with what you have... Hardly a hot take...
Maybe because that’s actually the reality. None of those cameras has enough of an edge anymore to justify changing system (unlike when the A1 first came out). Playing field is level enough that glass and handling preferences take precedence again. Not a bad thing.
2 days, 2 batteries and 5000 frames (on a 20fps camera) is something I'd hardly call "putting a camera through it's paces".
Other than that, it's the safe, non-conflict opinion: if you have some Nikon glass you still want to use, yes, it's worth buying. Otherwise stick with what you have... Hardly a hot take...
but not seeing anything in the Z line that fits that and question if getting a D500 now would be worth it.
it depends on what you’re trying to improve and if you’re comfortable buying used. I just recently traded my D500 with about 12K shutter actuations and got a little over $700 for it. I listed it for a week at $1K on FB marketplace but nothing other than a few scammers showed any interest. My guess is good used ones like that could easily be picked up for less than $1K and that would make it worth buying still if you didn’t plan on buying one of the top mirrorless soon. Buying used also means lower depreciation which is something I always consider when buying something as an interim purpose. For me, the Z9 was more than I wanted to spend as well but when I realized it as it does everything I want it to do and I’d be buying another two bodies in the near future that may still not have everything I wanted like blackout free shooting, I was able to justify it (at least to myself ). Honestly, had they priced it at the expected $6500, I’d very likely not have bought it. Selling the D7500 and Z6ii and using the funds toward the Z9 would make the purchase around $3500. That’s when you need to consider how much more you will end up spending buying cameras that aren’t exactly what you want."But, I am really hoping for a Z500 ! ( so to speak)" Andrew Lamberson. Couldn't say it better.
The Z9, even with all the FOMO built up around it, is more than I can rationally explain to the wife or even to myself.
The conflict now, in the time of the transition to mirrorless from DSLR, is what to use or get. The Z glass is generally superior to the F glass but long Z glass is still not available or $$$$. I have a Z6ii and a D7500 that generally meet my needs, and would like an improvement over the D7500, but not seeing anything in the Z line that fits that and question if getting a D500 now would be worth it.
But a very honest take from an amazing photographer!2 days, 2 batteries and 5000 frames (on a 20fps camera) is something I'd hardly call "putting a camera through it's paces".
Other than that, it's the safe, non-conflict opinion: if you have some Nikon glass you still want to use, yes, it's worth buying. Otherwise stick with what you have... Hardly a hot take...
You have great cameras but unless you’re willing to spend the money I wouldn’t try a pro level mirrorless camera. It will quickly change your mind.Tempting for sure, but I'm still enjoying my two D850s very much. Would I like more fps and better AF? Of course, but then, I'm not a pro, so my livelihood doesn't depend on it. Most of my images end up on social media, or as occasional prints, so I'm not sure the $5500 would be the smartest investment for me. Quite honestly, I'd rather spend the money on better glass (comon' Steve!), which might produce better, fewer, sharper images, and would please me more than hundreds more captures of the same subject (more fps). I suppose, at some point, I'll make the transition to mirrorless (eventually, do we really have a choice?), but not now. For the photographic hobbyist (however passionate), is it really essential to have the latest and greatest to create great art? I think not, but what do I know, I'm just a geezer from Buffalo!
I Have...Mark Smith posted a video about if you should buy a Z9.
My d500 for wildlife and z6 for everything else does what I need it to do and my Jeep gets me where I need do go! Most rational comment yet.I’d love a z9, but my z6 suits me 100%
I’d love an Aston Martin, but my Jeep suits me well.
paying up for a beautiful machine sounds wonderful but more often than not, totally impractical.
Sigh. I can dream
The perfect person to give an honest opinion about DSLR versus mirror less. Not trying to put you on the spot. I feel like there is a place in my life for a Z9 and room for the D810 and D850. I really want to explore what people really think of DSLR's and mirror less being able to co-exist in the same universe.My d500 for wildlife and z6 for everything else does what I need it to do and my Jeep gets me where I need do go! Most rational comment yet.
I rarely have to shoot video so my D850 bodies are still useful. If the Z8 had come out before the Z9 then I would have preferred that.I will if it ever gets here ... non NPS and ordered late in the day on 10-28. Last I heard next shipments seem to be coming in from Nikon after the Olympics about 2-21or 22 and I have no idea if I will make the cut. In the meantime I found the ergonomics of the Z6II to be frustrating until my battery grip arrived ... installed it and "oh what a releif it is" ... pinky not having a home etc. now it feels like my D850 with it's grip and what I hope the Z9 feels like Z6II learning curve was not bad ... I read @Steve Secrets to the Nikon Autofocus System Mirrorless edition and bought Matt Granger z camera set up guide videos I discovered on the forum to use as a watch with camera in my lap tool ... so with those and the ? in the menu. I was up and running quickly.