Z6ii arrived!

My new z6ii has arrived today together with a new 24-120mm f/4 S and an FTZii. B4 I can use it, made some visual inspections, and a few initial installations. Basically, the body and lens feel solid and strong in construction. The lens, however, is unexpectedly heavy (even heavier than F 70-300mm).


While waiting for the (long-time) battery charging, found some uneasy small negatives even b4 using it: (hope you experienced guys give some words of easing)

1. the two strap eyelets dangling out to two sides of the body look very distractive and unpleasant to my eyes.


2. Somehow I failed, following the manual though, to install the lens hood correctly. At end (lens hood stop turning), the mounting mark is not aligned with the lens hood lock mark. I feel the hood just stops there and is not locked, so not secured.


Other than not being secured, the other problem could even have a bigger impact: it could sit at the wrong position blocking lights from the wrong direction. I have a 3rd party lens hood for my D3500 kit lens (18-55mm) having the same issue. However, its mounting mark runs and stops beyond the lock mark and I can turn it back to align and sit at the right position. But this one stops before the lock mark, so no way to align. Maybe I missed something. Please give me a hint or tip.

3. I don't know if this is a negative, but even b4 I can try the EVF (no battery installed), you know, I take a peek at the VF as I did often with my D3500 OEV when it's off, and I suddenly feel what the xxx! Now I am not sure if I can or must go over with this sometime later?

Appreciate all comments and helps.

on the No.2 question i remember i had to twist it a little harder to align.

i think with my FTZ and 70-300 Nikon its way heavier than the 24-70.

Congratulations!

As a long-time SLR and DSLR user, I grudgingly got on the mirrorless bus so I wouldn't get left behind. It only took me a couple of outings to warm up to it. The IQ of the 24-70/4 S lens really helped... wow!

It was a short learning curve as far as the menus, etc. go. And my biggest fear was that I would hate the EVF. Not so! And with the FTZII adapter, my F-mount lenses can stay useful. The old MF Nikkor glass now gets the advantage of in-body stabilization and focus peaking!

I agree about the strap eyelets. They seem like an afterthought but do remind me of the good ol' film days. And my lens hood takes a good amount of torque to snap completely in place. I sometimes worry I'm going to damage the lens when I try to take it off!

Anyway, ENJOY YOUR NEW NIKON! :encouragement:

Thanks, Roy and Desmobob. You are right that I have to give a little push to lock the hood in place (I was kind of hesitant to push anything hard to break it.) With FTZ, my F70-300mm is still (much) lighter than Z24-120mm. I loaded the battery and started to take shots and it shows its power under low-light conditions for that I am pleased. I tried shooting with 70-300mm and it's fine. Then I even tried my Rokinon 12mm f2.8 wide-angle fisheye it works in a strange way I still don't understand: it asks me to set (on the lens) to the biggest f-number, otherwise no shoot for me. As I did that I was able to make shots, however, on the top display, it shows f/2.8! Go figure.

I still have issues with EVF that I don't know how to adjust it so after every shot I get play-back on LV like DSLR? I doubt but hope that my learning curve would be short like desmobob.

Oh, during my trial shots, I could still hear somewhat loud clicks Z or F lenses. Maybe I miss something?

blackstar said:

I still have issues with EVF that I don't know how to adjust it so after every shot I get play-back on LV like DSLR? I doubt but hope that my learning curve would be short like desmobob.

Oh, during my trial shots, I could still hear somewhat loud clicks Z or F lenses. Maybe I miss something?

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To see the images on the rear screen after each shot, you need to enable "image review" in the playback menu. You can also adjust the amount of time they're shown in the Custom Settings menu.

I'm not sure about the loud clicks you're hearing...

With the amount of technology involved in the modern-day camera, I think it's imperative that you have an instruction manual. Copies are available for free in .pdf form on Nikon's website, but I prefer a printed version. I bought "Mastering the Nikon Z6II/Z7II" by Darrell Young and recommend it highly. It is like having the manual and explanations of the features all in one reference.

If the loud clicks you hear is at shutter release, you could try putting it in silent mode. It really is silent.

You aren't the first person to complain about the dog-ear strap hooks on a Nikon camera. I agree that the posts sticking out look like an after-thought. Why posts, why? My D500 has the same thing. I don't notice them at all, though, and I think, after a while, you won't either.

Enjoy your new camera. I am looking forward to seeing some images soon.. I am really hoping for some night images. hint hint

Congratulations on you new camera, Blackstar. Based on my past experiences, you will have a learning curve ahead of yourself for a while. Just sit back, take a deep breath, and re-lack.

Congratulations on the new camera. The lens hood on my 24-70 takes some minor effort to get it fully in position, but not anything excessive. I don't mind the posts for the strap at all and hadn't even thought about them; those have been on every camera I've owned. Currently on the learning curve for switching from the old D7000 to the Z6ii.

Dawg Pics said:

You aren't the first person to complain about the dog-ear strap hooks on a Nikon camera. I agree that the posts sticking out look like an after-thought. Why posts, why? My D500 has the same thing. I don't notice them at all, though, and I think, after a while, you won't either.

Enjoy your new camera. I am looking forward to seeing some images soon.. I am really hoping for some night images. hint hint

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Although I am a scientist, I am kind of stubborn with visual perception for everything. My first take of the strap eyelet thing was: how come my new camera comes with two ugly ear-rings! And it can not be removed. Definitely absolutely no appreciation or credit from me. So far it is the only thing I am totally disgusted with z6ii. My only other Nikon camera, D3500, place a small pin for the purpose inside the body outline on both sides. It's a very simple and elegant design. I am sure Steve Jobs would give a same criticism on this... Can only hope time will void out this ugly thing from my mind.

Scientists and engineers tend to be precise and logical, so it makes sense to me that a weird design would be bothersome.

I just received a CFexpress card for the new z6ii, but realize that don't have a card reader for it! Does anyone use the Wi-Fi connection to download image files from camera to computer? I just wonder how easy and quick to do this after the first run? Do I need to set up and go over the connecting process again every time?

I don't have a CF Express card reader yet, either. I use a USB cord to transfer my photos.

Congratulations blackstar ! -- You will get used to everything, do take your time. With my recent mirror less excursion (Z50) I could not be more pleasantly surprised. Some things I suspect you will find work differently (your learned understanding will change) such as the best application of the focus modes (the ones that are the same as my D7200 work the same but sometimes with different end results), and some other items may require relearning.

Research others ideas and test combinations for your self, I can't wait to see your astrophotography with your new rig

Have fun!!!

desmobob said:

I don't have a CF Express card reader yet, either. I use a USB cord to transfer my photos.

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Thanks. It sounds not a bad idea. My Mac is too old to install the new ViewNX, but look like my old ViewNX still works. I'll give a try and see how it goes.

blackstar said:

Although I am a scientist, I am kind of stubborn with visual perception for everything. My first take of the strap eyelet thing was: how come my new camera comes with two ugly ear-rings! And it can not be removed. Definitely absolutely no appreciation or credit from me. So far it is the only thing I am totally disgusted with z6ii. My only other Nikon camera, D3500, place a small pin for the purpose inside the body outline on both sides. It's a very simple and elegant design. I am sure Steve Jobs would give a same criticism on this... Can only hope time will void out this ugly thing from my mind.

Click to expand...

From the picture you posted, it looks like you have the same strap rings I have on my Z5. In fact they are the same ones I have on my 80s Pentax ME super, except they don't have the little plastic doodads on them. The rings can be removed. Just pop the black plastic covers, or keepers, off the triangular rings, and you will see they are like common key rings, except the are triangular vs round. You can rotate them around until the split part lines up with the holders mounted on the camera. Spread the split part and rotate the opening on through and around until the ring is free.

Hope that makes sense, it's really the same principle as taking the key off a key ring, just a little tougher to do because of the small size and the fact that it's triangular.

Ah-Ha! Since it's so ugly to my eyes and looks fixed to the body, I never thought about key-chain stuff... now knowing they can be removed, I still decide to keep them hanging there for two reasons: removing them probably either hurt my fingers or damage/scratch the body due to the tough job; and if maybe, in case, I need to wear strap at some point, it will be cursing time again. So now I'll do my best to ignore their existence for good. (but thank you for letting me know)

blackstar said:

Thanks. It sounds not a bad idea. My Mac is too old to install the new ViewNX, but look like my old ViewNX still works. I'll give a try and see how it goes.

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It's a double bummer! First I tried my old ViewNX and its Transfer2 does not work for the new camera. Then I tried Wi-Fi connection. For that I need Wireless Transmitter Utility software from Nikon. Again, it doesn't work with my old OSX! Last way to go: card reader.

blackstar said:

It's a double bummer! First I tried my old ViewNX and its Transfer2 does not work for the new camera. Then I tried Wi-Fi connection. For that I need Wireless Transmitter Utility software from Nikon. Again, it doesn't work with my old OSX! Last way to go: card reader.

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And you thought you could just get a new camera. No! In addition to the new computer and larger screen you will also need a larger house. Plus a higher paying job to pay for it all.