I'll preorder via NPS and probably have one of the first. While I'm not going to do a full review on the camera, I'll put out a few videos that cover the most interesting parts.
Z6II and Z7II Revealed
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Has anything been said about new firmware for current Z6 and Z7 cameras to provide updates to focusing, such as Wide Area with Eye detection?
Not that I've heard. However, traditionally, Nikon doesn't add features to cameras once they have been replaced. They may do updates for bugs / new lens compatibility, but I don't think I've ever seen them add new features via firmware once a new model is out. It would certainly be nice for consistency sake though.
JP Onstwedder
Well-known member
For a mid-life refresh the updates are very good: Nikon has listened to users and fixed most of the realistic criticisms, assuming the AF updates are real and not marketing hype. Early hands-on tests with pre-production cameras is promising but hardly conclusive. Personally I’m not bothered about the two card slots or the video features, but the 6II looks like it might match the D500 and then I can jump fully to mirrorless. The lenses are great, the roadmap looks excellent and with Nikon more responsive to user feedback than ever before I am quite confident I don’t have to switch for fear of missing shots. It doesn’t matter to me that brand X is ahead on one feature or another; what matters is how much I enjoy using the cameras and lenses, how often I feel my equipment causes me to get, or miss, a shot (instead of me, in the latter case), and the quality of the images it allows me to make. On those counts I don’t see anything to worry about—but I’m not a bird-in-flight shooter, nor a sports photographer (except motor racing and that’s not challenging for a modern AF system).
Beyond the headlines, more in-camera blending modes, better time lapse and interval options and still the best real world EVF and ergonomics are attributes I value and there Nikon remains ahead.
Beyond the headlines, more in-camera blending modes, better time lapse and interval options and still the best real world EVF and ergonomics are attributes I value and there Nikon remains ahead.
fcotterill
Well-known member
Much of the official information trickling out is most positive. Yet even pre-announcement, there's the overriding noise on the notorious forums, even FM, and off course the loudest utubers. The NR leaks etc received the traditional flaming. Common personal gripe is that Santa has failed them again. These ranting tantrums dominating social media, across photography, have become the dubious "highlight" of high profile releases - with almost every new Nikon camera, eg single-card only, naming of Nikon D6 etc and especially video specs. (I recall some utuber got in lots of mileage on with the D850 pre-shipping - attacked on some perceived quirks that it wasn't a D5 or something equally silly) In the case of this Z II release, apparently there are mistakes in details of the official press release about focus-modes and frame rats etc!
Following the common pattern, yet again conservative Nikon does not rush out specifications, and they deign to release a camera for real testing (perhaps understandable with Preproduction units). With the Z6 and Z7, selected Nikon AMbassadors reported on a pre-release camera but emphasized this is a First-See report, and subject to final refinements etc etc.
I usually don't bother with review videos, and wait for written reviews (eg Brad Hill, Thom Hogan, Photography Life). However, Riccitalks is probably the only reliable source before these reviews are published, as he maintains a sound record and steers clear of dramatics. He has promised a follow up soon with detailed comparisons of both pairs of cameras - underscoring these are being based on Preproduction cameras.
Following the common pattern, yet again conservative Nikon does not rush out specifications, and they deign to release a camera for real testing (perhaps understandable with Preproduction units). With the Z6 and Z7, selected Nikon AMbassadors reported on a pre-release camera but emphasized this is a First-See report, and subject to final refinements etc etc.
I usually don't bother with review videos, and wait for written reviews (eg Brad Hill, Thom Hogan, Photography Life). However, Riccitalks is probably the only reliable source before these reviews are published, as he maintains a sound record and steers clear of dramatics. He has promised a follow up soon with detailed comparisons of both pairs of cameras - underscoring these are being based on Preproduction cameras.
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MikEm13
New member
I'm not going to pre-order either. They're some accessories that I want but am holding off on them also. Im hoping by mid or end of December they're are some reliable reviews.
arbitrage
Well-known member
I have read that the 10FPS limited to Single Pt in H+ mode is just that and that you can still shoot the other AF modes but will get 9FPS like on the Z7 in H+.
However the bad news is that a direct quote off of the Nikon product page says that the improvements to the EVF is for H mode (ie 5.5FPS).
I was really hoping to pick up a Z7II as pretty much everything they talked about as improvements were the type of improvements I wanted after using the Z7 for a short while. My 500PF is just sitting around idle as I'm using my other systems instead of my D500/Z50 (the only two Nikon bodies I still own). However, even if H+ can do 9FPS with all the AF modes, the EVF seems like it will still be slideshow city. Having to go down to 5.5FPS (12-bit) just to get a nice EVF experience would unfortunately be a deal breaker for me.
I would probably sell off my remaining Nikon gear if that is the case. I don't think I can keep waiting for a Z9 just to use my 500PF. Currently shooting the R5, A9II and A7RIV so I'm a little spoiled for choice these days anyways.
However the bad news is that a direct quote off of the Nikon product page says that the improvements to the EVF is for H mode (ie 5.5FPS).
I was really hoping to pick up a Z7II as pretty much everything they talked about as improvements were the type of improvements I wanted after using the Z7 for a short while. My 500PF is just sitting around idle as I'm using my other systems instead of my D500/Z50 (the only two Nikon bodies I still own). However, even if H+ can do 9FPS with all the AF modes, the EVF seems like it will still be slideshow city. Having to go down to 5.5FPS (12-bit) just to get a nice EVF experience would unfortunately be a deal breaker for me.
I would probably sell off my remaining Nikon gear if that is the case. I don't think I can keep waiting for a Z9 just to use my 500PF. Currently shooting the R5, A9II and A7RIV so I'm a little spoiled for choice these days anyways.
Demodave
Active member
I did a preorder through NPS. But I was wanting to pick up a Z7, so I'll try the Z72
With two caveats. First is I work 80 % mammals, 20% birds. And when I shoot bifs. I'm using 2 D500s and a D850. And my 2 Z6s have done very well WHEN I do my part on mammals
Second is what happens in Nov. No need to go down that trail here....
With two caveats. First is I work 80 % mammals, 20% birds. And when I shoot bifs. I'm using 2 D500s and a D850. And my 2 Z6s have done very well WHEN I do my part on mammals
Second is what happens in Nov. No need to go down that trail here....
I'm with Demodave... But instead of the Z7II I preordered the Z6II through NPS.
I have been using Z6 bodies for everything but birds in flight, and I really like the image output. The high ISO files have plenty of dynamic range and are surprisingly noise free. The mark II bodies appear to be solid upgrades. Most of my shooting is during the pre-dawn to first two hours of daylight. As a result, I want solid low-light AF and excellent high ISO performance... I'm not sure if the Z6 II will be much of a game changer, but I am pretty certain that Nikon will be working to maximize the dual processors with firmware tweaks. I've benefited from all of the Z firmware changes and believe that the Z6II will age nicely as Nikon modifies the firmware through time.
I have been using Z6 bodies for everything but birds in flight, and I really like the image output. The high ISO files have plenty of dynamic range and are surprisingly noise free. The mark II bodies appear to be solid upgrades. Most of my shooting is during the pre-dawn to first two hours of daylight. As a result, I want solid low-light AF and excellent high ISO performance... I'm not sure if the Z6 II will be much of a game changer, but I am pretty certain that Nikon will be working to maximize the dual processors with firmware tweaks. I've benefited from all of the Z firmware changes and believe that the Z6II will age nicely as Nikon modifies the firmware through time.
cohenfive
Active member
I'm very much in the same camp...looking towards the z2 bodies for af performance up to the standard set by the d850/500/5...I'm hoping that the fps rate is at least what it is with the d850 in the real world (tracking af mode, 14 bit raw). The canon cameras have a richer feature set, and the are priced accordingly. But I'm worried whether these cameras are enough to 'tide us over' until some time next year when nikon hopefully will release a fully competitive camera for action.
As an aside, I recently bought an R6 and some RF glass to see what all the hubub was about. For me it's been a mixed bag. The speed of the canon is great, you get 12fps shooting raw in whatever mode you want to use. There is some evf lag however when searching around for birds in the air. So you can end up shooting blind at times. But the eye af/tracking seems pretty tenacious once it has acquired focus. I still prefer the nikon ui, but that's an individual thing I know. So I really like the R6, but so far I don't feel I'm getting shots I wouldn't get with my d850...at least not yet.
As an aside, I recently bought an R6 and some RF glass to see what all the hubub was about. For me it's been a mixed bag. The speed of the canon is great, you get 12fps shooting raw in whatever mode you want to use. There is some evf lag however when searching around for birds in the air. So you can end up shooting blind at times. But the eye af/tracking seems pretty tenacious once it has acquired focus. I still prefer the nikon ui, but that's an individual thing I know. So I really like the R6, but so far I don't feel I'm getting shots I wouldn't get with my d850...at least not yet.
I get a feeling that Nikon is not really ready with the software to match R5 animal eye AF and less lag during burst
It may be in the works and not fully tested.I visualise that a firmware upgrade will come up before the release date or soon after.
I am saying this based on the fact that no demo video is out to showcase these two important features for action photography
It may be in the works and not fully tested.I visualise that a firmware upgrade will come up before the release date or soon after.
I am saying this based on the fact that no demo video is out to showcase these two important features for action photography
fcotterill
Well-known member
Fyi
When will one of these first-try /first-viewed reporters report on one obvious and informative line of evidence? The Settings menus ie AF, but more especially scrutinize the Custom Settings. For any advanced camera, the design of these options reveals useful insights into how the designers have orientated to optimize performance - for specific demands of a genre. These can reveal how AF and controls can be optimized.
When will one of these first-try /first-viewed reporters report on one obvious and informative line of evidence? The Settings menus ie AF, but more especially scrutinize the Custom Settings. For any advanced camera, the design of these options reveals useful insights into how the designers have orientated to optimize performance - for specific demands of a genre. These can reveal how AF and controls can be optimized.
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Kjellis
Well-known member
As shooting a 300mm 2.8 for my wildlife the new roadmap with the 400mm interest me, really hoping it will be a 2.8 aperature lens. Better start sweet talking my bank
I've preordered a Z6 II, hoping it will adress the the shortcoming I find with my Z6. A fully functional vertical grip is almost worth upgrading alone for my parts.
fcotterill
Well-known member
fyi - some interesting pieces amidst the clutter. Simon Stafford talks to the point
I'm coming at this in a somewhat different way. I have the Z6 and have been transitioning to Z lenses. I am not a pro. I do not make my living from photography. Yes, the specs and processors have improved. But the real questions for me will be based on actual real time use by 'us'... and for me; those of us who more match my requirements. Will the improvements be significant enough to make a realtime/real use difference to me? And, what I have not heard anywhere yet...will Nikon continue to upgrade the firmware for my current Z6? I don't mean to take advantage of lenses; but significant upgrades to the AF system and other functionality of the camera! The voice in my head tells me that Nikon has given up on making any more significant changes to the Z6/Z7 with the release of the new series. Maybe they have maxed out the capabilities of the existing processor. If that is the case, then I will be significantly disappointed. Not because the Z6 does not perform well enough for me; but because I thought that Nikon would be 'supporting'/'upgrading' this camera for more than two years.
No one knows for sure on the firmware updates with Nikon mirrorless, however, if they continue to update the Z6/7 with new features (not just updates for lens compatibility / bugs), that will be a new direction for Nikon. In the past, when Nikon has released a new version of the camera, firmware updates for additional features stop - although until the Z cameras, Nikon seldom added features via firmware anyway. My hunch, based on Nikon past patterns, is that we've seen the last of the "new feature" firmware updates for the original Z cameras.
@Steve thanks for all you do. I am probably going to stand pat with my D850 and D500's for now since birds, birds in flight and wildlife are my subjects 95% of the time. My wife does like her Z50 and Tamron 18-400 combo but I just did not like what I saw through the viewfinder trying it on BIF. Maybe 2021 does bring the Z9 and it rocks my world.
Ad Astra
Well-known member
Thom Hogan and Mike Comon discuss the new Z cameras. Lots of interesting information and insight in this Nikon roundtable discussion:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/2O...wk509apS2KaIz9v84WMbwXkThdiV.HxyzeE6cy3LQIHQd
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/2O...wk509apS2KaIz9v84WMbwXkThdiV.HxyzeE6cy3LQIHQd
Strodav
Well-known member
As I have posted before, I'm happy with my D850 / D500 combination and will make a decision on whether or not to add a Z7 II once I see some independent reviews. If the reviews are bad to mediocre I'll look to Canon. Some reviewers aren't waiting however. Ken Rockwell has just unloaded on Nikon and Tony Northrup, although careful with his words, has all but written off Nikon.
Ken Rockwell's Photography News
Today's latest news from the world's largest independent source of photography information: KenRockwell.com
www.kenrockwell.com
Joe F
New member
Mr. Perry,
When you have a moment.
Have you noticed any loss of image quality using Nikon"s FTZ adapter? Also experience when used with extenders?
D850 or Z7 (Z7ii) with adapter on your 600mm, if you had to choose? (re: image quality, balance etc.)
Not sure if you have a Z6 but since it has an OLPF for video, do you think it should be considered or avoided for wildlife shoots?
Thanks!
When you have a moment.
Have you noticed any loss of image quality using Nikon"s FTZ adapter? Also experience when used with extenders?
D850 or Z7 (Z7ii) with adapter on your 600mm, if you had to choose? (re: image quality, balance etc.)
Not sure if you have a Z6 but since it has an OLPF for video, do you think it should be considered or avoided for wildlife shoots?
Thanks!
thelordofthelight
Well-known member
Quite interesting! Simon talks about an improved EVF refresh rate and it is quite strange that Nikon hasn't mentioned this anywhere. One video by Nikon shows a clean EVF with minimal blackout at 14FPS (Z6II) and the EVF stutter issue seems to have been addressed. Some of the early videos also indicate really good improvements on areas that had the maximum complaints with the first gen Zs (AF-C, Eye-AF etc.), which is all that i wanted on the Zs. The round table with Thom was also very informative. He made a fantastic point on how the D810 didn't look great on paper relative to the D800 but the real world performance was quite different and he feels the ZIIs will be similar relative to first gen Zs.
Nope, no loss of image quality with the FTZ - just a bit of speed. (with and without extenders).
Ask far as the Z cameras with the 600mm, they balance and handle better with the 850 for sure. IQ is the same between the Z7 and D850. The Z7ii might be a better match though with the grip. However, there are just too many unknowns to say if the z7ii will be my preferred camera with the 600mm or not.
I don't do a lot of video but my wife does and she uses the Z6. It's simply outstanding, no worries about the low pass filter - the results are so sharp you could cut yourself on 'em
fcotterill
Well-known member
@Strodav , I couldn't agree more strongly on awaiting reliable reviews.
At this stage of launches of a high profile camera/lens, every vlogger competes for clicks pre-shipping. If Nikon arranged more detailed reviews preshipping it might help short circuit the noisy misinformation. But as we know Nikon remains too conservative in too many ways.
As with other loudspeakers of their affinity, the 2 you cite are not reviewers. Notorious attention seekers, even though snippets of the chumming might sound authentic. KR older web pages might be useful to check a product 's specs eg release date etc but it stops at that. Firmly - IME. The tubers are best ignored.
It will be a few weeks before we can read any reliable review of the Z 6II, same delay after Z 7II ships in December ie Thom Hogan, Brad Hill, and our resident forum-in-chief
At this stage of launches of a high profile camera/lens, every vlogger competes for clicks pre-shipping. If Nikon arranged more detailed reviews preshipping it might help short circuit the noisy misinformation. But as we know Nikon remains too conservative in too many ways.
As with other loudspeakers of their affinity, the 2 you cite are not reviewers. Notorious attention seekers, even though snippets of the chumming might sound authentic. KR older web pages might be useful to check a product 's specs eg release date etc but it stops at that. Firmly - IME. The tubers are best ignored.
It will be a few weeks before we can read any reliable review of the Z 6II, same delay after Z 7II ships in December ie Thom Hogan, Brad Hill, and our resident forum-in-chief
fcotterill
Well-known member
A cross-mount comparison confirms - at least on paper - the Z 6II to be all and more of what a FX MILC should be. "... Nikon took a very good camera and addressed users' most frequent complaints, making it an even good-er camera...." This debunks the false narrative that the Z is still too far behind. In any case, very few comparing these platforms can afford to switch systems, nor build up more than one. Especially if it is to include high quality lenses and not least a telephoto and more!
As already posted, I am waiting for release of the Z II E-Manuals to reveal if what are tantamount to bugs (not)controlling the AF system have been fixed. These have been compounded by Nikon's persisting failure to fix the gaps in Custom settings (ie assign AF-On+AF Mode to a Function Control). These gaps in the menus have been unfixed despite each Firmware Z6/Z7 update. Their continued neglect is one very good reason why I traded in my Z7 earlier this year (awaiting upgrades). I remain hopeful they have fixed the obvious in these Menu settings.
A Fix of the Custom Menus should be no less difficult to prioritize as the (overdue) Bug Fix for the D780 firmware
If we find these problems are still unfixed in the Z II AF system, the new cameras can languish in warehouses until Nikon rediscovers their own solution. They wrote the requisite code over 5 years ago. Since Nikon released the D500/D850/D5, it has been a keystone option in AF Custom settings in pro DSLRs .
Funny How Opinions Don't Always Match Specs | Thom Hogan
Opinions about the Nikon Z cameras don't seem to make specifications
www.zsystemuser.com
As already posted, I am waiting for release of the Z II E-Manuals to reveal if what are tantamount to bugs (not)controlling the AF system have been fixed. These have been compounded by Nikon's persisting failure to fix the gaps in Custom settings (ie assign AF-On+AF Mode to a Function Control). These gaps in the menus have been unfixed despite each Firmware Z6/Z7 update. Their continued neglect is one very good reason why I traded in my Z7 earlier this year (awaiting upgrades). I remain hopeful they have fixed the obvious in these Menu settings.
A Fix of the Custom Menus should be no less difficult to prioritize as the (overdue) Bug Fix for the D780 firmware
If we find these problems are still unfixed in the Z II AF system, the new cameras can languish in warehouses until Nikon rediscovers their own solution. They wrote the requisite code over 5 years ago. Since Nikon released the D500/D850/D5, it has been a keystone option in AF Custom settings in pro DSLRs .
Ado Wolf
Well-known member
a comprehensive and simple, yet detailed, video from B&H