Nikon Z6 + Nikkor 800mm f5.6E at the Races

Photowyzard

Senior Member
I see a lot of "beefing" on the Z6 and I thought I would make a post with some images. I borrowed a Z6 and a Nikon, Nikkor 800mm f5.6E lens from Nikon NPS to use while I was covering the Canadian National Superbike Championship race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park earlier in August. What a combo!

I have read and followed all the BS on the Z line online and have to laugh. Unless you actually use it, you really cannot appreciate what a nice camera this truly is. All that BS about missing the extra slot, AF face recognition .... yackity-yak is all noise. I took this camera to a major sporting event, never used it before, learned how to use it in 30 minutes and shot for 3 days with it, no issue.

In fact, I will dare say, it reminded me of the Nikon D5 only at a fraction of the price, lighter and simple to use. Remember, the images you see below are taken in the toughest testing environment: Objects moving AT me, on an oblique angle to me and I used both a 200-400mm lens and an 800mm lens. The longer the focal length, the tougher it is for cameras with in-body stabilization to lock on to moving objects. You think about that when you see the images below with the 800mm lens on the camera.

I wrote a review of my experience on my PlanetNikon Photographer FACEBOOK page. You can download that review free, it is pinned at the top of the FB group page. The link is here (open ANNOUNCEMENTS and look for the Nikon Z6 review:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1327466460679207/announcements/

The image below:
Nikon Z6 with 800mm

Jordan-Szoke-Z6-(1200).jpg

The image below:
Nikon Z6 with Nikon 200-400mm

Jordan-Szoke-Z6-(1200)_1.jpg

I had no issues with focus or exposure! If you want to see a lot more images, download the review, it is 12 pages in PDF format. Also gives you my thoughts on the camera.
 
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Danno

Senior Member
Nice photos. I really am glad to hear your take on the Z6. I love mine. It amazes me how well it works, but there is so much negative press out there because a number of influencers did not bother to really test the camera because of the one card slot. I have to admit I did not like that on the D7500 but after over a year with the D700 it became a non issue and if I get worried at all I can now backup RAW to my tablet or phone so suddenly I now have backup media.

Again, nice captures.
 

Nero

Senior Member
Seeing these photos and reading your review makes me even more excited to get my Z6. (Hopefully soon.)

P.S The fact that you threw shade at a certain photography Youtube "personality" pretty much immediately made me laugh.
 
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Photowyzard

Senior Member
Seeing these photos and reading your review makes me even more excited to get my Z6. (Hopefully soon.)

P.S The fact that you threw shade at a certain photography Youtube "personality" pretty much immediately made me laugh.

Well, the nose-knows not too much, I had to. He went full APE-Doo-Doo on the Z line when it first came out. You'd swear Nikon put his banana in a vise from the way he was crying.

I tried it, used it 3 solid days at the race track and the images speak for themselves. The camera is a joy to use. I used it, site unseen! Never touched it before. A Nikon through and through. The last race I covered, I used a D5. I found the similarities to be uncanny.

There is sooooooo much BS NOISE from camera critics it is pathetic. The Z line is amazingly designed and the roadmap to the future is very well thought out. Kudos to Nikon. In my books, the end result is all that counts!!!

The images speak for what this camera can do. Most people who are Armchair-Camera Generals wouldn't know a good camera or a good picture, for that matter, if it jumped out of their camera bags and slapped them in the head. I was expecting a DOG because of all the bad press. I was blown away.

BTW, I am glad you mention the review, thank you!

I have attached one of my favorite Z6 images. Again, look at this pic! Shot with the 800mm f5.6E. Mirrorless has a hard time with very, very long focal lengths. Not the Z6. I have a ton of images taken that look like this. I am sure if I used this camera more, I would really, really love it!

I am trying to get another one to cover my next race!

Tomas-Casas-_6.jpg

EXIF Data (sorry, I do these in Photoshop and it loses it!)

Nikon Z6
Nikkor 800mm f5.6E VR
Monopod

f5.6
1/2000s
ISO 2000
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Nice photos. I really am glad to hear your take on the Z6. I love mine. It amazes me how well it works, but there is so much negative press out there because a number of influencers did not bother to really test the camera because of the one card slot. I have to admit I did not like that on the D7500 but after over a year with the D700 it became a non issue and if I get worried at all I can now backup RAW to my tablet or phone so suddenly I now have backup media.

Again, nice captures.

These crybabies have no vested interest in the camera. They do have a vested interest in creating a controversy so you read the Social Media or watch their videos. So WHAT it doesn't have two slots! Really!

I never use the second slot for backup. I always use it for more storage so I can take tons of images. I carry two bodies. Most pros do. So??? What is the hoopla?

At the end of the day, it is all about the IMAGE!!! If you can't get the money shot, the camera is not worth what you paid for it. Gold or Free!!

I am glad you are enjoying yours, it is a wonderful camera! Put the 500mm PF on it and it will blow your mind! ;) (your wallet too, but that is another story!) :D

Trevor-Daley-Z6_4811.jpg

EXIF from Capture NX-D just to show you ....... I used the Nikon Nikkor 200-400mm on this image!

EXIF-4811x.jpg
 

Nero

Senior Member
The images are awesome. And I don't even bother listening to most youtubers/influencers these days. 99% of the time, they exaggerate to drum up controversy/drama/etc in order to gain more attention. In the end, they care more about using whatever tactics they can to maximize their reach (and therefore the money they make) than they do about truth and quality content.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
I made a long post ... it timed out.... I lost the post..... not doing it again.

I really don't like this site for this single reason!

Nero, we agree. Sorry, spent some time on a long post in reply, all lost to history ....

:mad:
 

WarbirdAirbrush2

Senior Member
This post is JUST what I have been looking for on the Z6 in addition to seeing Danno pulled the trigger. I am seriously thinking of buying a Z6 next week on my birthday (presents to me are ALWAYS the best).
Thank you so much in advance for this post that will weigh heavily into my decision as I will use it primarily for racing photographs just as you did.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
This post is JUST what I have been looking for on the Z6 in addition to seeing Danno pulled the trigger. I am seriously thinking of buying a Z6 next week on my birthday (presents to me are ALWAYS the best).
Thank you so much in advance for this post that will weigh heavily into my decision as I will use it primarily for racing photographs just as you did.

You are most welcome, glad to be of some help.

You will not be disappointed.
 

WarbirdAirbrush2

Senior Member
Last year I converted (partially) to Nikon from the C brand when I bought a friend's D750. I've been delighted with it and a few lenses I have picked up in addition to a Refurbed D610 intended as a back-up full-frame Nikon (proved handy when the D750 had to go in for card slot repairs). The friend from whom I bought the D750 had a D850 and then last May got a Z6. He's been more delighted with it than he originally expected to be.
Do I need a Z6? Very probably no. Am I put off by the need for the FTZ Adapter? Yes . . . but I understand the reasons why they exist. Between using the few lenses I picked up for the D750 & 610 and future Z glass I will never need another camera. The mirrorless aspect satisfies the techno-geek in me so all is good.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Last year I converted (partially) to Nikon from the C brand when I bought a friend's D750. I've been delighted with it and a few lenses I have picked up in addition to a Refurbed D610 intended as a back-up full-frame Nikon (proved handy when the D750 had to go in for card slot repairs). The friend from whom I bought the D750 had a D850 and then last May got a Z6. He's been more delighted with it than he originally expected to be.
Do I need a Z6? Very probably no. Am I put off by the need for the FTZ Adapter? Yes . . . but I understand the reasons why they exist. Between using the few lenses I picked up for the D750 & 610 and future Z glass I will never need another camera. The mirrorless aspect satisfies the techno-geek in me so all is good.


Adding the adapter is not a big deal. I used it when I had my weekend at the track with the Z6. Once it is on, it is no more different than if you were using a TC. Impact to you is basically zero. You really don't even notice it is there.

The benefits are huge.... you get backward compatibility on all your Nikon glass. (Well, somewhat, it is not really 100% backward compatible, some of the older lenses have some limitations but regardless, it is an excellent fix). I know you are aware of this, just stating the obvious.

Having used the D5 quite a bit, I found the Z6 to be very similar in performance at a fraction of the weight and size. Those are huge bonuses when you consider the price of both cameras. I am surprised more people haven't said this. I would gladly bring the Z6 to the race track again over a D5 any day, especially with my 500PF attached to it.

Something is up with C.... they seem to have lost their mojo with their loyal fan base. I have been hearing nothing but negative things from users. Not that this is a big deal, companies typically do this and then rally with some new marvel product.
 
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Patrick M

Senior Member
Great post! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been mulling over going full frame and have been considering the newly announced D780.
My order is in for the Z6 !

Great photos too by the way.

Cheers, Patrick


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Great post! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been mulling over going full frame and have been considering the newly announced D780.
My order is in for the Z6 !

Great photos too by the way.

Cheers, Patrick


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

CONGRATULATIONS, Patrick!!

I hope you enjoy your Z6. At this stage of the game, I think there is little point in purchasing D series cameras any more. I have probably stated it earlier, most of their R&D effort will be in Z branded gear. There is no going backward with technology.

Thank you for the compliment.

If you are on Facebook, join my Nikon centric Group Page here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1327466460679207/

and here, I have a magazine you can download from the pinned header that has quite a few Z6 images in it. Although not labeled. It's free... worth a look! Especially if you love racing (auto and bike):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206692387182937/

Good luck with your Z6, I am going to borrow it (from Nikon Professional Services) a few times this year to give the Video a try, I hear it is amazing.
 

Patrick M

Senior Member
CONGRATULATIONS, Patrick!!

I hope you enjoy your Z6. At this stage of the game, I think there is little point in purchasing D series cameras any more. I have probably stated it earlier, most of their R&D effort will be in Z branded gear. There is no going backward with technology.

Thank you for the compliment.

If you are on Facebook, join my Nikon centric Group Page here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1327466460679207/

and here, I have a magazine you can download from the pinned header that has quite a few Z6 images in it. Although not labeled. It's free... worth a look! Especially if you love racing (auto and bike):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206692387182937/

Good luck with your Z6, I am going to borrow it (from Nikon Professional Services) a few times this year to give the Video a try, I hear it is amazing.

Wow. Thank you!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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