Upgrade from Z5 to Z6ii

[billpics]

I used a D500 for a few years, then a D810 briefly, finally the Z5 these past months because a used body was affordable from a local Southern California camera shop.

The Z5 serves me well except for the 4.5fps and the viewfinder blackout during exposure.

I'm interested in hearing from any who upgraded from the Z5 to the Z6 ii (not iii). I know the specs, seen the videos, I'm just interested in actual user thoughts.

At this moment, Nikon has refurb Z6ii bodies for $1,199, which is $300 less than the current sales promotion. Would it be a worthwhile upgrade. Thanks.

 

[BF Hammer]

If you want the higher frame rate, I would say yes. But I just have a Z5 also. What I really wanted to point out is that the viewfinder blackout is optional in the Z5. The factory default setting is a freeze-frame view. I found it disorientating to track things with the freeze so chose a blackout which mimics how a DSLR would look in viewfinder. Be aware also you will need a different memory card with upgrade.

 

[billpics]

You are right about the freeze frame function. That is a bit distracting. The Z6ii takes 1 SD and 1 XQD/CF Express... correct?

No improvement otherwise?

 

[BF Hammer]

Yes, you can recycle an SD for slot 2, but you won't want to use that for your only card. Slowest transfer rate option.

XQD card is the fastest option and what you want to maximize the burst speed.

https://www.nikonproductsupport.com/s/article/Approved-Memory-Cards-Z-7II-and-Z-6II?language=en_US

 

[Clovishound]

What kind of shooting do you do? If you do a lot of wildlife or sports shooting, you may want to step up to an Expeed 7 processor. I went from a Z5 to a Z7ii. I was unhappy with the AF of the Z5 for wildlife. When they deeply discounted the Z7ii, I got one last year. It has the same dual Expeed 6 processor that the Z6ii has. I was still unhappy with the AF for wildlife on the move. Last week, I had an unexpected windfall, and got a Z8, with the Expeed 7. I am very happy with the AF tracking. The Z6iii has the Expeed 7, and I can't compare it's AF tracking to the Z8, but articles I have read seem to think the two compare very favorably, and the Z6iii has slightly better low light AF performance, due to the lower resolution sensor.

I understand that the price difference may be an issue, but it might be prudent to look at the AF performance for moving subjects to avoid needing to upgrade in the near future. That was my mistake.

 

[billpics]

I don't do anything professionally anymore, just visually interesting odds-and-ends as you see in my posts. Sometimes I track a person across the composition but I loose them in the viewfinder and the final image is not so level. I've learned to frame the composition wider and then straighten the image in PS.

When the season begins, I will photograph a kid's neighborhood baseball league at the park. Give the kids a big leaguer look in pics. The Z5 at 4.5 fps is a tad too slow for this. As much as I appreciate the difficulty for those of you getting wildlife shots, it's not something I'm good at. I'm more an urban shooter, like images posted under the Color sub-forum.

 

[Woodyg3]

Have you looked at the z50 II ? Could be a good candidate for sports at under $1000 for the body.

 

[blackstar]

I use z8 for wildlife photos and z6ii for everything else, including sports during the day. Depending on the site and other conditions, I use either z8 or z6ii for nightscape photos. GL for upgrading.

 

[billpics]

The Z50ii is a worthy consideration. But after years of shooting DX, I'm now enjoying the full-frame experience. It's reminiscent of decades using 35mm cameras. When I now go out to explore things to photograph, there's an eagerness to discover how the world looks with superb Z optics from a full-frame sensor. It's a delight.

Anyway, I placed a listing for my Z5 on local Craigslist. If someone bites, then I'll go for the Z6ii refurb at Nikon's refurb site... assuming stock is still available. Thanks everyone for the input.