Z8 Overheating

[Nimi]

Used a Z8 rental today for one of two b-rolls (the other being a Z9) while shooting in the studio. Angelbird 160 SX, just one slot occupied. H.265 4:2:2 10-bit, 4k/59.94, Nlog. Doors left open, as was the screen. 72F. 50/1.2 lens set to tracking AF. Warning came on at 12 minutes and camera shut-down in 17min. The second body, the Z9, identical settings just different angle, kept rolling as was the A-roll Z9.

I was never in the market for this body partially because of this concern, but the rental house was out of 9s and I don't like to mix sensors for shoots like this.

The files are great, identical to to Z9. AF worked perfectly even in low light.

I'll be shooting it for the next few days sticking to slower frame-rate and have a fan aimed at it.

If you're a heavy video user shooting longer takes, this is not a body for you. Same overheating issues faced by the other brands.

 

[Bennvdm]

Try shooting with Z8 powered over pd powerbank. Several posts indicate that this helps a lot for overheating issues.

 

[Nimi]

Try shooting with Z8 powered over pd powerbank. Several posts indicate that this helps a lot for overheating issues.

Good idea, thanks. I think that's what fanboy Matt Irwin did when he erroneously declared early on that it doesn't overheat.

 

[realspeed]

This is one of the reasons I bought a Panasonic HC-X1500 camcorder, it won't overheat as it has a built in fan. My own opinion is if you want to take photos then use a camera, if you want to take videos then use a camcorder.
On huge advantage so often overlooked is with a camcorder there is no need to have loads of lenses so less to carry about. With mine also has built in ND filters and the screen shows which setting is best (brilliant idea). the menu list is far too long to put on here

 

[Wes Peterson]

Used a Z8 rental today for one of two b-rolls (the other being a Z9) while shooting in the studio. Angelbird 160 SX, just one slot occupied. H.265 4:2:2 10-bit, 4k/59.94, Nlog. Doors left open, as was the screen. 72F. 50/1.2 lens set to tracking AF. Warning came on at 12 minutes and camera shut-down in 17min. The second body, the Z9, identical settings just different angle, kept rolling as was the A-roll Z9.

I was never in the market for this body partially because of this concern, but the rental house was out of 9s and I don't like to mix sensors for shoots like this.

The files are great, identical to to Z9. AF worked perfectly even in low light.

I'll be shooting it for the next few days sticking to slower frame-rate and have a fan aimed at it.

If you're a heavy video user shooting longer takes, this is not a body for you. Same overheating issues faced by the other brands.

this thread might be relevant...

thread

 

[Nimi]

this thread might be relevant...

thread

Thank Wes. I'll try the Delkin.

 

[Garfield]

Thanks for posting Nimi. This is quite disappointing, though I'm still planning on picking up a used Z8 as a light-weight carry some day.

 

[Nimi]

Quick follow up. Thanks for the advice.

External power: no issues with all cards.
Delkin Black 128: went 26 minutes.

All cards with the Z9, more taxing setting 4k/120, no issues with all cards.

So same conclusion as before. If you use video extensively and looking for hybrid camera, from overheating perspective the 8 is similar to the other 8Ks on the market. If you own one, plan ahead and get the cooler cards and external power. If you're only interested in FF, in the Canon system, look at the R5C; Sony, good luck. Nikon: Z9.

 

[urbo73]

Quick follow up. Thanks for the advice.

External power: no issues with all cards.
Delkin Black 128: went 26 minutes.

All cards with the Z9, more taxing setting 4k/120, no issues with all cards.

So same conclusion as before. If you use video extensively and looking for hybrid camera, from overheating perspective the 8 is similar to the other 8Ks on the market. If you own one, plan ahead and get the cooler cards and external power. If you're only interested in FF, in the Canon system, look at the R5C; Sony, good luck. Nikon: Z9.

I'm looking to get the Z9 to use for both stills and video, and was wondering about this. For external power Nikon has the EP-6a & EH-6d AC adapter combo that replaces the internal battery and makes it external plug in power. Are you talking abbot this or some external battery feeding it?

For cards, it looks like the Delkin BLACK are the best for video purposes?

Also, when you said it "went 26 minutes" is that because card filled up?

Thanks

 

[Nimi]

I'm looking to get the Z9 to use for both stills and video, and was wondering about this. For external power Nikon has the EP-6a & EH-6d AC adapter combo that replaces the internal battery and makes it external plug in power. Are you talking abbot this or some external battery feeding it?

For cards, it looks like the Delkin BLACK are the best for video purposes?

Also, when you said it "went 26 minutes" is that because card filled up?

Thanks

Never had a need for external power on Z9, even for an 8hr timelapse. If I did, I'd use my Anker.

Never researched cards seriously, all "better" cards seem to work fine in the Z9.

26 minutes to shut down due to heating. Z8.

 

[urbo73]

Never had a need for external power on Z9, even for an 8hr timelapse. If I did, I'd use my Anker.

Never researched cards seriously, all "better" cards seem to work fine in the Z9.

26 minutes to shut down due to heating. Z8.

I see. I was confused because I thought the external power on the Z8 had "no issues with all cards", so I understood that external power on the Z8 overcame the overheating, but I guess not. Interesting, but yeah, I plan to get the Z9.

 

[Nimi]

I see. I was confused because I thought the external power on the Z8 had "no issues with all cards", so I understood that external power on the Z8 overcame the overheating, but I guess not. Interesting, but yeah, I plan to get the Z9.

The Z9 has exceptional heat-absorbtion specs, and I am not aware of any 8k hybrid that comes close. Waiting to test the new Fuji GFX100 mk II.

Most photographers would dismiss this as not important, but I do long takes in the tropics and my cooler with ice is reserved for beer.

 

[urbo73]

The Z9 has exceptional heat-absorbtion specs, and I am not aware of any 8k hybrid that comes close. Waiting to test the new Fuji GFX100 mk II.

Most photographers would dismiss this as not important, but I do long takes in the tropics and my cooler with ice is reserved for beer.

I agree it's very important, but that's because I do film quite a bit (corporate videos, talking heads, b-roll, etc.) as well as photograph events, sports, etc. I've been waiting for a capable pro hybrid, and it looks like the Z9 is it. It almost seems too good to be true. The lack of internal timecode or XLR inputs doesn't matter to me (as some have pointed out in their reviews of it not being a "serious" video camera like the R5 C, for example) as I can get timecode to work via other means, and I record audio separately into a Zoom F3 32bit. On-camera mic for scratch/backup audio is fine.

Regarding the Z8 overheating, I wasn't sure what you meant when you said, "External power: no issues with all cards."

 

[Nimi]

I agree it's very important, but that's because I do film quite a bit (corporate videos, talking heads, b-roll, etc.) as well as photograph events, sports, etc. I've been waiting for a capable pro hybrid, and it looks like the Z9 is it. It almost seems too good to be true. The lack of internal timecode or XLR inputs doesn't matter to me (as some have pointed out in their reviews of it not being a "serious" video camera like the R5 C, for example) as I can get timecode to work via other means, and I record audio separately into a Zoom F3 32bit. On-camera mic for scratch/backup audio is fine.

Regarding the Z8 overheating, I wasn't sure what you meant when you said, "External power: no issues with all cards."

Didn't shut down.

 

[urbo73]

Didn't shut down.

OK, I am massively confused now So on external power, the Z8 didn't shut down, but you said "26 minutes to shut down due to heating. Z8." with the Delkin BLACK.

 

[Nimi]

OK, I am massively confused now So on external power, the Z8 didn't shut down, but you said "26 minutes to shut down due to heating. Z8." with the Delkin BLACK.

Sorry for the confusion. Delkin extended the runtime to 28 minutes over the Anglebird's 17. Aux power negated the issue altogether in that shoot. The 9 had no issues with the Bird.

 

[Nimi]

I agree it's very important, but that's because I do film quite a bit (corporate videos, talking heads, b-roll, etc.) as well as photograph events, sports, etc. I've been waiting for a capable pro hybrid, and it looks like the Z9 is it. It almost seems too good to be true. The lack of internal timecode or XLR inputs doesn't matter to me (as some have pointed out in their reviews of it not being a "serious" video camera like the R5 C, for example) as I can get timecode to work via other means, and I record audio separately into a Zoom F3 32bit. On-camera mic for scratch/backup audio is fine.

Regarding the Z8 overheating, I wasn't sure what you meant when you said, "External power: no issues with all cards."

As you describe it, in the Nikon world the Z9 is handsdown the better choice due to overheating, battery life, cards, weight and ergos.

 

[urbo73]

As you describe it, in the Nikon world the Z9 is handsdown the better choice due to overheating, battery life, cards, weight and ergos.

I'm a Canon user, but I cannot wait for the R1 anymore. So it's not just in the Nikon world I've been using 1DXMKIIs and 5DMK4s for 7 years now, and I've had to rent cinema cameras at times on certain projects, but now moving to mirrorless and the Z9, I won't need to do that anymore. It's also superb for stills.

 

[Nimi]

I'm a Canon user, but I cannot wait for the R1 anymore. So it's not just in the Nikon world I've been using 1DXMKIIs and 5DMK4s for 7 years now, and I've had to rent cinema cameras at times on certain projects, but now moving to mirrorless and the Z9, I won't need to do that anymore. It's also superb for stills.

Take a look at the Fujifilm GFX100 mk II. It looks like an even more capable hybrid. The few clips I've seen will go against an Arri no problem and will blow away anything under $20,000. The native lenses are also superb, and the sensor size is not outrageous so most FF lenses would adapt. 14+ stops of dynamic range.

 

[urbo73]

Take a look at the Fujifilm GFX100 mk II. It looks like an even more capable hybrid. The few clips I've seen will go against an Arri no problem and will blow away anything under $20,000. The native lenses are also superb, and the sensor size is not outrageous so most FF lenses would adapt. 14+ stops of dynamic range.

I did in fact, but I shoot a lot of events and sports where I need the speed and AF of the Z9, as well as the 400mm 2.8

 

[Nimi]

I did in fact, but I shoot a lot of events and sports where I need the speed and AF of the Z9, as well as the 400mm 2.8

Can't go wrong with the Z9. Hoping they'd give us open gate via firmware one day, otherwise it's perfect. Would love to see a Z9C, it's so close...

 

[urbo73]

Can't go wrong with the Z9. Hoping they'd give us open gate via firmware one day, otherwise it's perfect. Would love to see a Z9C, it's so close...

What would you like to see in it? TC, XLR, etc.?

 

[Nimi]

What would you like to see in it? TC, XLR, etc.?

Mostly ND. But yes, TC, XLR, open gate, in-camera anamorphic stretching and viewing, shutter angle settings, 1/48 shutter speed, more mounting holes (like the FX3). Some can be accomplished with FW.

The extension to lower ISO in the latest fw is revolutionary, 3 stops without DR loss. Negates ND use in overcast days.

 

[Anjin San]

Used a Z8 rental today for one of two b-rolls (the other being a Z9) while shooting in the studio. Angelbird 160 SX, just one slot occupied. H.265 4:2:2 10-bit, 4k/59.94, Nlog. Doors left open, as was the screen. 72F. 50/1.2 lens set to tracking AF. Warning came on at 12 minutes and camera shut-down in 17min. The second body, the Z9, identical settings just different angle, kept rolling as was the A-roll Z9.

I was never in the market for this body partially because of this concern, but the rental house was out of 9s and I don't like to mix sensors for shoots like this.

The files are great, identical to to Z9. AF worked perfectly even in low light.

I'll be shooting it for the next few days sticking to slower frame-rate and have a fan aimed at it.

If you're a heavy video user shooting longer takes, this is not a body for you. Same overheating issues faced by the other brands.

For video…you’re better off with a Z9 for longer shooting…although the power bank suggestion might help some. Ut you’re in a studio shooting video so that makes sense. For mostly still b7t some short video clips…the Z8 is lighter and easier to carry around in the field. Just have to use the right tool for the right job…nothing wrong with either body depending on your needs.

 

[Nimi]

For video…you’re better off with a Z9 for longer shooting…although the power bank suggestion might help some. Ut you’re in a studio shooting video so that makes sense. For mostly still b7t some short video clips…the Z8 is lighter and easier to carry around in the field. Just have to use the right tool for the right job…nothing wrong with either body depending on your needs.

If you're predominantly a video shooter in the Nikon world, Z9 is clearly better. For stills, either is great with a tradeoff of weight/features.