Raise your hand, Z owners!

blackstar

Senior Member
Hi, Don't know where to put this thread. Since I now own and play with a z6ii, here is a new thread at Z6/Z6ii. It's interesting (and valuable) to know (and to learn from) the members here who own and use Z cameras. So I sincerely ask you, all z owners, to raise your hand for a head count and state a brief (or detailed) using experience, etc. I received my z6ii just a little more than one month ago. Before that, I used D3500 for about 2.5 years. So far I am happy with my z6ii and lenses: Z24-120mmS, sigma 150-600mmC, and other F lenses. I plan to add Z 20mm f1.8 S to close all applications (maybe + a macro?)

My count: +1

Please continue to add.
 

desmobob

Senior Member
+3

Z7 II. Purchased hesitantly (is that the right word?) but now very much enjoyed! Z 40/2, Z 24-70/4 S, Z 50/1.8 S and FTZII. Still have and use a D750 and D500.
 

Clovishound

Senior Member
I've had my Z5 since Feb this year. I haven't had a chance to use it as much as I might like, I've only got a couple K on it. Most of that has been around the yard. I was using the hand me down D3400 for about 6 months prior to that. The more I use the Z5, the more I hate to go back to the D3400, which I now only do when I feel I need the extra reach with a telephoto.

I got it with the Z 24-70 F4, and am using the 200-500 F5.6 F mount with an FTZ adapter.

Been very happy with the Z system.
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TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
+5 Z6
Bought it primarily to shoot photos but its used heavily for videos as well now too. Never once have I regretted the lack of a second memory card or a grip like the internet told me I would. I did add a Smallrig L bracket that helps fill my biggish hands. I found that without it, my pinky would fall off the bottom of the camera and on extended shoots was extremely uncomfortable, plus it helps balance larger lenses and has better strap attachment locations for a more comfortable rest position, not to mention the ease of attaching a tripod now. Love love love focus peaking and IBIS, powerful features that IMO make my DSLR's obsolete.
 

Camera Fun

Senior Member
+6 with a Z6ii
Had it about 6 weeks. I do mainly general photography (whatever I like), family, and usually church functions. I've been just really learning the camera so far (setting it up, test pictures, etc.). I've been very impressed with its performance in low light and higher ISO. So much, much better than the old D7000. The feel/shape also reminds me of my long-gone 35mm film camera. My only regret is not being able to get a 24-120 lens. The 24-70 kit lens is very good but I feel that I would like the extra reach of the 120.
 

blackstar

Senior Member
+3

Z7 II. Purchased hesitantly (is that the right word?) but now very much enjoyed! Z 40/2, Z 24-70/4 S, Z 50/1.8 S and FTZII. Still have and use a D750 and D500.

Glad you enjoy your z7ii. Since you also use D500 (must have lot experience), did you ever compare the two for wildlife AF-C tracking performance? Please share if you did and comment on this area.
 

blackstar

Senior Member
+5 Z6
Bought it primarily to shoot photos but its used heavily for videos as well now too. Never once have I regretted the lack of a second memory card or a grip like the internet told me I would. I did add a Smallrig L bracket that helps fill my biggish hands. I found that without it, my pinky would fall off the bottom of the camera and on extended shoots was extremely uncomfortable, plus it helps balance larger lenses and has better strap attachment locations for a more comfortable rest position, not to mention the ease of attaching a tripod now. Love love love focus peaking and IBIS, powerful features that IMO make my DSLR's obsolete.

Look like you make all set on your z6 system with comfort. I got Wimberley P30 lens plate to work with my Sigma 150-600mm C, but am still waiting for SunwayFOTO's z6ii l-bracket. Isn't focus peaking only works with Z lenses? AW, it's nice feature.
 

blackstar

Senior Member
+6 with a Z6ii
Had it about 6 weeks. I do mainly general photography (whatever I like), family, and usually church functions. I've been just really learning the camera so far (setting it up, test pictures, etc.). I've been very impressed with its performance in low light and higher ISO. So much, much better than the old D7000. The feel/shape also reminds me of my long-gone 35mm film camera. My only regret is not being able to get a 24-120 lens. The 24-70 kit lens is very good but I feel that I would like the extra reach of the 120.

I have 24-120 lens and like it because it's S version. The 24-70 kit lens is well known for its all around performance. But if you like far reach, you probably want to shoot for 24-200 (if 400mm is out of budget. it is for me). I take 24-120 solely for the S version. Oh, it's heavy too! (for my old hands only :()
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
Look like you make all set on your z6 system with comfort. I got Wimberley P30 lens plate to work with my Sigma 150-600mm C, but am still waiting for SunwayFOTO's z6ii l-bracket. Isn't focus peaking only works with Z lenses? AW, it's nice feature.

Focus peaking works with all lenses Z mount and F mount including manual focus and af-d, (screw drive) lenses. Although the screwdrive is useless through the FTZ rendering AF lenses manual focus only, focus peaking makes it a breeze to acquire focus, certainly much better than ignoring composition to watch the focus indicator in the corner of DSLR's while trying to manually focus.
No idea what brand I picked up, but I also added an aftermarket plate to extend the 150-600 foot, (foot is a generous term, its more like a toe). Off memory, I believe it was a 150mm plate that attaches via the mounting screw that I found for maybe 10 bucks off fleabay. There's a bit of rubber inside the foot so there's no twisting once its tightened down and it worked well on my star tracker, though I dont get to play with that much anymore. More often, I am using that lens to photograph wildlife where I prefer the toe with the Peak Design lug fitted to the bottom that allows the PD strap to grab the toe and also a camera body side lug. This flips the camera/lens setup over upside down and is more comfortable/secure to carry sling style, (camera upside down and against my sternum while the front lens element is at my right hip) sharing the load between the toe and the body.
 

desmobob

Senior Member
Glad you enjoy your z7ii. Since you also use D500 (must have lot experience), did you ever compare the two for wildlife AF-C tracking performance? Please share if you did and comment on this area.

I have not compared them head-to-head but I will be doing it soon with the AF-S 200-500mm lens. I think the Z 7II AF is excellent so far, but I haven't tried birds in flight or sports. I think it would be hard to beat the D500 in that regard, but the more modern tech might be able to...

One thing about the Z 7II that I love: how fun and easy it is to use my old manual-focus Nikkors. I still have all my favorite lenses from the film days and I rarely used them on my D70, D750 or D500. But with the FTZII adapter and the lenses mounted on the Z, the focus peaking makes them even easier to use than when they were on an F2S or F3HP... much faster focusing and more relaxing and fun shooting moving subjects.

The Smallrig L-bracket is a boon for comfort for those with large hands or for carrying the camera in-hand for long periods. I added one within a week of getting my Z 7II.

(I also added an extra-long Arca-Swiss plate to my 200-500mm lens so it would balance in my tripod gimbal head.)
 
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TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
@blackstar
I dont have a D500, but I've compared AF-C from my D7500 and my Z6. First of all, I use back button focus and group AF for most of my wildlife shots. Each of these cameras do that quite well, keep the AF group on the subject and fire away. I'll give a slight edge to the Z6 due to the thumb stick rather than the d pad found on the D7500 but each are easy enough to follow a bird. I have 3d tracking in the D7500, but it was too erratic for consistent use and frustrations mounted quickly; there's not an easy way to reset it once it goes all wonky and jumps everywhere but where you want it to focus on. The 3d tracking in the Z6 is much more refined, holds a subject much better and is easy to reset if it looses its target. I do not like using the 3d tracking unless the subject is large enough in the viewfinder, giving your camera less to think about. The less it has to think about, the less erratic the focus point is. Another neat feature on the Z6 is area small and area large. I use this mode heavily while videoing volleyball, (opting for af-f in lieu of af-c so whatever that box touches is automatically in focus rendering my back button useless in this mode). Everything inside the small or large (slightly less small) box is where the camera is limited to focus on which means less for the camera to think about. I didnt even try comparing my D7500 for video, there's no comparison to mirrorless for video work, (ok, maybe if you put the DSLR in live view and use AF-P lenses). Where the D7500 beats the Z6 is the FPS, (and battery life- but just carry a second battery if thats a concern). On paper, the Z6 wins, it has a higher FPS. In reality, its easier to track a bird (or other small subject) without the blackout that occurs on the Z6 beyond 5 FPS, especially with the tiny birds that easily elude the group AF- by the time you see the previous frame in the viewfinder, (how it works beyond 5 FPS)the bird has moved outside the group af and the lens begins to hunt and theres no more keepers until you reacquire focus. I've only noticed its been bad on the spray and pray shots, controlled bursts tend to work much better. That being said, its not too bad and its easy enough to get used to if you're aware how the AF works.
These features may be different for D500 users, but that's my findings compared to a D7500.
 

blackstar

Senior Member
I have not compared them head-to-head but I will be doing it soon with the AF-S 200-500mm lens. I think the Z 7II AF is excellent so far, but I haven't tried birds in flight or sports. I think it would be hard to beat the D500 in that regard, but the more modern tech might be able to...

Hope to see your comparison soon. And your AF wildlife settings on z7ii too.
 

blackstar

Senior Member
@blackstar
I dont have a D500, but I've compared AF-C from my D7500 and my Z6. First of all, I use back button focus and group AF for most of my wildlife shots. Each of these cameras do that quite well, keep the AF group on the subject and fire away. I'll give a slight edge to the Z6 due to the thumb stick rather than the d pad found on the D7500 but each are easy enough to follow a bird. I have 3d tracking in the D7500, but it was too erratic for consistent use and frustrations mounted quickly; there's not an easy way to reset it once it goes all wonky and jumps everywhere but where you want it to focus on. The 3d tracking in the Z6 is much more refined, holds a subject much better and is easy to reset if it looses its target. I do not like using the 3d tracking unless the subject is large enough in the viewfinder, giving your camera less to think about. The less it has to think about, the less erratic the focus point is. Another neat feature on the Z6 is area small and area large. I use this mode heavily while videoing volleyball, (opting for af-f in lieu of af-c so whatever that box touches is automatically in focus rendering my back button useless in this mode). Everything inside the small or large (slightly less small) box is where the camera is limited to focus on which means less for the camera to think about. I didnt even try comparing my D7500 for video, there's no comparison to mirrorless for video work, (ok, maybe if you put the DSLR in live view and use AF-P lenses). Where the D7500 beats the Z6 is the FPS, (and battery life- but just carry a second battery if thats a concern). On paper, the Z6 wins, it has a higher FPS. In reality, its easier to track a bird (or other small subject) without the blackout that occurs on the Z6 beyond 5 FPS, especially with the tiny birds that easily elude the group AF- by the time you see the previous frame in the viewfinder, (how it works beyond 5 FPS)the bird has moved outside the group af and the lens begins to hunt and theres no more keepers until you reacquire focus. I've only noticed its been bad on the spray and pray shots, controlled bursts tend to work much better. That being said, its not too bad and its easy enough to get used to if you're aware how the AF works.
These features may be different for D500 users, but that's my findings compared to a D7500.

From your description of z6 - D7500 comparison, it seems to exist bit difference in AF settings between z6 and z6ii (e.g., there are no longer AF group and 3D tracking in z6ii...). But much appreciate your experience sharing.
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
+7 now with a Z5. I only have a single Z lens at this time, 24-70mm f/4. My personal plan is to wait out for good used or deals on some more professional Z lenses and not repeat my wandering road with F lenses. Next Z lens will be a 14-24mm f/2.8, then a 105mm f/2.8 micro. 70-200mm f/2.8 and then upgrade the 24-70mm to f/2.8 eventually. Someday.

Just speaking from this past weekend when I was at a wedding in the family, I impressed myself with the Z5 on auto mode shooting the subdued lighting of the dance. The camera made better decisions than I would have. I've only begun processing the pics. Unfortunately my 21 year old Buick was a victim of the weekend (brake lines blew out) and let's just say my lens budget is now a car-shopping budget.
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
From your description of z6 - D7500 comparison, it seems to exist bit difference in AF settings between z6 and z6ii (e.g., there are no longer AF group and 3D tracking in z6ii...). But much appreciate your experience sharing.

I missed having the AF button on the side of my DSLR's so I programmed my FN2 button on my Z6 to be my AF button. If you press that button, you can use your thumb to cycle AF-S, AF-C, MF and if you use your index finger (in AF-C) you cycle through single point, group, wide small, wide large and auto area, (3D tracking is called Auto Area now but its the exact same thing as 3d tracking). You're saying that you have AF-C single point, then it skips to wide small, then wide large and nothing after that?
 

blackstar

Senior Member
I missed having the AF button on the side of my DSLR's so I programmed my FN2 button on my Z6 to be my AF button. If you press that button, you can use your thumb to cycle AF-S, AF-C, MF and if you use your index finger (in AF-C) you cycle through single point, group, wide small, wide large and auto area, (3D tracking is called Auto Area now but its the exact same thing as 3d tracking). You're saying that you have AF-C single point, then it skips to wide small, then wide large and nothing after that?

I use i button to change focus area modes (z6ii): pinpoint, single point, wide small, wide large, wide large (people), wide large (animal), auto area (you indicate as 3D), auto area (people), auto area (animal). The last three auto area modes can be set to use "auto tracking". The wide large (p & a) are with eye-detecting. This is what I think I know. Please correct if wrong.
 

blackstar

Senior Member
+7 ...
Just speaking from this past weekend when I was at a wedding in the family, I impressed myself with the Z5 on auto mode shooting the subdued lighting of the dance. The camera made better decisions than I would have. I've only begun processing the pics. Unfortunately my 21 year old Buick was a victim of the weekend (brake lines blew out) and let's just say my lens budget is now a car-shopping budget.

You make me realize I have spent lot $$$ for Z gears with that I can instead buy a good used car!!!
 
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