This makes things difficult for me, in a good way!

[Clovishound]

Well, I just got an unexpected check. I won't say exactly how much it is, but it's enough to indulge in some camera equipment. I've had the Z7ii for about a year now, and I'm very happy with it except for one thing. The autofocus for stuff like birds in flight and moving critters. I feel a little irresponsible already for buying the Z5 3 years ago, then upgrading to the Z7ii last year. I don't really regret either decision in itself, but it seems like I'm not spending wisely. Having said all that, I would love to pick up a Z8. It doesn't help that they are on sale for $600 off right now.

One worry I have, is that Nikon might shortly come out with the "perfect" camera for me later this year, but I suppose that is always an issue with tech these days.

I would also like to replace my 200-500 f mount with the Z 180-600, but I don't think I want to spend that big a chunk right now, and from what I hear the 180-600 isn't enough of an upgrade to switch, if you already have the 200-500.

Anyway, help me spend my money.

And for the Z8 users, is the 8 head and shoulders ahead of the 7ii?

 

[BF Hammer]

Are you currently using any adapted F-mount lenses? Could be the time to get a Z-mount equivalent lens. There is rarely regret over upgrading glass.

 

[Clovishound]

The only F mount I have is the 200-500. Like I said in my original post, I wouldn't mind upgrading that to the Z 180-600, but not sure it's worth the $. Most of the comparison reviews say, if you have the 200-500, just stick with that. I currently have the 24-70 F4 and 105 micro in Z mount. Both are S line lenses.

Right now, my main frustration is with AF on moving subjects. My understanding is that the Z8 has the same AF system as the Z9, and it tracks birds and other animals extremely well. I'm not willing to spend the money on the Z8 and the 180-600. I could get one of the long Z primes, but I'm afraid I would still be spinning my wheels on a lot of shots because of the AF on the Z7ii.

The Z long lens that I could justify the money on right now are:

FYI, price comparisons are at current prices, some of which on currently on sale.

A. 600mm F6.3 - This is about as expensive as I could feel comfortable with. It is probably a little sharper, and more robust than the 180-600, but gives me the same reach and no boost in aperture. Would be a boost in reach and a draw back in aperture from current. S line

B. 400mm F4.5 - A grand less than the 600. 1/2 stop gain in aperture, 100mm less reach than current.

C. 100-400 F4.5-5.6 - $500 less than the 400. No gain in aperture, except at shorter end. More flexible on the short end, less reach on the long end than what I currently have. S line

D. 180-600 F5.6-F6.3 - $400 less than the 100-400. Lose 1/2 stop on long end, gain extra 100mm in reach from current. Internal focus and zoom, which may translate to better long term durability and internal cleanliness. Not an S line. Won't fit in my current bag. Unless I come into more money that I can foresee, I probably won't have the $ for something like the Z8 in the future, but would very likely be able to swing the 180-600.

FYI, I am currently satisfied with my 200-500 performance.

I wouldn't mind having an extreme wide angle lens, and something like a 70-200. I probably wouldn't use either that much, with the wide lens probably used more than the 70-200.

If I get the Z8, I could put my long lens on it and leave it most of the time. I could then use my Z7ii dedicated to macro and leave it. Sensor resolution is basically the same between the two cameras, with the exception of low light noise, and I almost never use high ISOs on my macro shots.

I know it sounds like I'm talking myself into the Z8, and perhaps I am, but this is my honest appraisal of where I am at, and what is in front of me.

 

[BF Hammer]

I could not give you more guidance Clovis. We have different goals in our kits, so what I am trying to do is just not going to apply much to your goals.

I'm building a premium Z lens kit as best I can. I barely started at this goal with F lenses when I bought my Z5. I just switched my focus to the Z's. Once I get that squared away, I finally move upscale in camera body.

 

[Clovishound]

I appreciate the advice, and I understand concentrating on building good solid lenses first. I have given that same advice to others. Unfortunately, in the wildlife game, especially moving birds, the camera can make a very big difference. Add to this, I have been very happy with the resolution of my current F mount long lens. I was very frustrated this morning shooting the osprey pics. I had a whole run of them I had to can because the camera locked onto the nest, versus the bird. I have heard from users that the Z8s and Z9s reliably lock onto the eye and track it perfectly. I'm sure I can improve my percentage of sharp images of critters in motion with a lot of practice and experimentation, but the 7ii has been a disappointment in this area since day one. If I were only shooting macro and landscapes, we would not be having this conversation.

I have yet to hear an 8 or 9 owner complain about their AF performance. Even those using them with F mount lenses and an adapter.

I hate to think what wildlife photographer had to go through decades ago before AF, and especially using film, with the constraints of having to ration shots. Probably one reason I really didn't do wildlife photography during the film days.

 

[Blue439]

From what I read by knowledgeable authors (the likes of Thom Hogan), and from what I’ve seen from the technical specs, the Z8 will not bring you any improvement in image quality. It will even be a bit below the Z7 II as far as dynamic range is concerned, but obviously the AF will be much better. The Z7 II is not touted as an action camera. It makes no sense for my kind of photography to buy a Z8, but it most likely does for you, so go for it!

 

[Clovishound]

Yes, I am aware that the 8 won't give me much, if any image quality advantage over the 7ii. It may perform better in low light, being a stacked sensor, vs the BSI of the 7ii. While appreciated, additional low light performance is not a big deal for me, other than increased AF performance, which is what I am most concerned with. I have lusted after an 8 or a 9 for a while, but just couldn't justify spending the money. This windfall changes the game for that. If I hadn't purchased the 7ii last year, I probably would have ordered it last night, after seeing the deposit in my account.

By all accounts, the 8 performs nearly as well as the 9 in most areas, including AF.

I am a little concerned that if I get a Z8, the Pup may want one as well. Ironically, I would have an easier time deciding to spend the money on one for her, than for myself.

 

[BF Hammer]

Congrats on the Z8! I want one, but my priorities are to get the Z glass for it first.

 

[Clovishound]

I understand. That is actually a sound priority.

 

[blackstar]

I am a z6ii and z8 user. From my experience, you won't regret of owning z8 considering for wildlife photography. You have already experienced its superior AF capability. Congratulations!!! What I want to suggest is also based on my experience. Right after I acquired z6ii, I got the FTZ adapter to use my Sigma 200-600 and got mostly unsatisfied results. Soon I started get rid of my old DSLR body and F lenses and got two S line z lenses. Then I was lured to Steve's forum for wildlife photography. Finally got the z186 (12 months after placing order) to try with z6ii. It was ok and definitely better than the Sigma. However, I couldn't hand-handle it because of its weight and my old body. Got a gimble head and a stronger tripod to go with it. Same as you, found z6ii's AF capability is less than making work easy and satisfying. When time's up, z8 came to rescue. I was surprised it makes your photo shooting so much more effective and easier. I was happy with the combo except z186's weight. I researched a bit about z600pf with a conclusion that it will give better IQ and most importantly it is lighter than z186 (a hint that I probably can handhold it). I ignored its shortcoming of less versatility. So I sold my z186 to a local photographer (member of Steve's forum). When the guy tried to handle it, he was shocked and said this thing is feather light to him!!! It's a happy business done. Then I bought the z600pf and a tcx1.4. Now I use the combo (z8+z600+TC1.4) with a shoulder strap to go hiking around and shooting. Very happy. However, as of recently, I found z600 is still bit heavy for me when the photo session (especially for BIF) is long. My panning skill is not even close to perfect. So it kind of hit me on letting z186 go. I see many high quality images (definitely comparable to z600) online shot by z186. This is my recommendation if you go z lens: get z186 first. (BTW, it costs you much much less $. Very valuable!!!) GL