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Shocking results with that z50 50mm F/1.8 S lens. For everyone talking about how obsolete the sensor is each time I use that little camera I wonder what sensor they're looking at. I kind of feel like that is the sweet spot for APS-C.

I went from A7RV to Z8 and no regrets.

Thanks for your kind words! Hope it arrives soon, I was actually out with my dad yesterday taking some photos with it, and it was a nice reminder of how nice the D-LUX 8 is to use

Hi Tom, the blue light usually denotes a connection to a smart device like your phone or a tablet. Did you sync the camera with your phone? That might explain it as I believe they auto connect it they are paired

That’s certainly a really nice benefit 🙂

Totally understand the logic, I agree, the Z8‘s capabilities will definitely make for a more interesting long term camera

@HamerReviews indeed it will my good man.

Z6II is fine but the AF is nowhere near as good as the Z6III, if you do any video go for the Z6III, if you do photography and don’t need the Z6II for nature or sports then it should be quite sufficient 🙂

@@HamerReviews I do video, but I can do that with my Z8.

@@babyboy1971 the Z6II is still a very good camera but very left field, would you consider a Z50II? No IBIS but other than that an exceptional camera, a Mini Z6III. If not, the Z6II is still a great choice; it’s AF isn’t always spot on but it’s still very good. I’d prefer it over the Z5

@ thanks for the info, I’m probably going to get the Z6ii. I came from Fuji. Gotta be a full frame. Did the af on the Z6ii get better with firmware since launch?

No the Z6II saw few updates. I think, realistically they’d maxed out the Expeed 6, and focused (rightly) on the Expeed 7… one of those things. I still love the Z6II but I do use my Z8 for portraits

@ would you say the Z6ii is much better or marginally better than Z5?

Afraid I disagree, that’s how I used to do noise comparisons but it’ll always show the lower res camera in worse light. Yes you wouldn’t probably print at max res when taking a high iso image. But equally modifying the image for a side by side comparison doesn’t really show true performance either. Next time I’ll look at adding an additional comparison at the same magnification but dealing with separate res cameras is challenging if you want to show actual noise rather than just what you might see. But you’re absolutely entitled to your opinion - hope you find the info you want.

@ thanks for your response, and again thank you for going through the trouble of providing the video, I did watch end to end, and enjoyed it. The "lower res camera is better for low light" fallacy is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. It just annoys me that it keeps being relayed as "common knowledge" or "physics". But there are things that do deserve extra scrutiny, such as how each sensor renders noise ("blotches" vs "grain" for example) and how, in video, bigger pixels might indeed be better (4K is 4K, so 4K through bigger photosites will likely be cleaner and more flexible than 4K through smaller photosites).

@ ok in that context I now see where you’re coming from - sorry didn’t get that before. In terms of the Z8 it is quite a bit less good than the Z6III at very high ISOs - looking at the blacks on the D300 I hope people can see that. I’m fairly certain this is for the reasons I shared (less light more gain etc). However it’s absolutely not always the case - it’s an interesting point. I’ll keep the language in mind for future videos as you’re absolutely right - it won’t ALWAYS be the case 🙂 (in this case as we are talking same processor, same age of camera (roughly) it felt like a fair comparison.

@@bobvh3505 haven’t had any issues with my SB5000’s or LEDs and banding and I’ve done quite a few portrait sessions…

@@HamerReviews I use the good AD 600. With Z6III no problems in HSS 👍🏻

@@bobvh3505 hmm I’d check your settings to be honest as honestly haven’t had any issues in HSS with the Z8 - works as well as my Z6II

Have you switched on anti flicker? LED lights can wreak havoc if you get the shutter speed harmonized with the LED lights - it’s worth experimenting at each venue to get it right

I mean that does feel a bit harsh, Nikon has always reserved their pro level button layout for their flagship cameras. So it’s no surprise to see a difference but I do agree that the arbitrary limitation on custom functions is a bit silly.

@HamerReviews the button layouts are almost the same especially the F1 and F2 buttons. On the Z8 I have the F1 button configured with Recall Shooting Functions set to 3d Tracking with Subject Detection turned off. This is a great setting and used a lot. The F2 button I have configured to Cycle AF-area set to Auto Area AF and 3d Tracking both with Subject Detection turned on. These let me have the controls I want and need for events, concerts, and some sports. I can change them on the fly without taking the camera from my eye. I press a button and the setting I apply is in effect until I press the button again. On the Z6iii if I set a function button to a specific focus setting I have to hold the button to keep it active. I have been a back button focuser for decades so my muscles do this without thinking so to use a function button, focus, and shoot I have to use 3 fingers which doesn't always work properly. The Z6 and Z6ii were my work cameras for years and you could set a function button for Subject Tracking and you pressed the button and the setting was in effect until you pressed the button again. This was how you could take control if the less than stellar Nikon focus couldn't find what you wanted. I am not harsh. I want the Z6iii to work the same as the other Z series cameras work for photography. It is all well and good to have great video capabilities, and I realise that drives development, but it has to do photography as well. The features I need are in other Expeed 7 cameras so the programming is already written. Sorry for the rant but.....harsh?

@@timgimbert3073 I mean don’t take it personably - was just my take. I guess from Nikon‘s point of view they want more differentiation. But I agree that arbitrary limitations are silly.

You do indeed, mind you, after shooting well over 80 hours of video on the Z8 overheating hasn’t stopped a recording yet 🙂

I do agree. You can download the PDF Free but the lack of accessories in the box does feel egregious

That is of course also an excellent option

@@markturriff994 see I knew someone would have experienced it 😁 but as you say an extreme use case

@ Very! When I left a week ago it was 43 degrees!

@@unknown_user_235 die z8 ist fantastisch in video. Der einzige Nachteil gegenüber der noch teureren t9 ist das sie leichter überhitzt. Die z6 steckt die z8 jedoch in allen Bereichen in die tasche

The Z8 does oversampled 4K so it’s absolutely fantastic

@@HamerReviews so I got it as I cannot go worse in video side with z8. Thanks a lot for comment. I hope to see z8 below 3500 but even the 2nd hand market is not so active.

@@emptyskullify thanks for the comment 🙂 - honestly I wouldn’t have worked it out if I hadn’t bought the Z8, the Z6III is great, and if I just had that I’d think it was a nice jump over the Z6II… not the leap the Z8 is. I will say one thing, the Z50II is quickly becoming one of my favourite cameras. It’s so much of a Z6III without IBIS or full on video codecs it’s a great camera for LOTS of people

@@koenpijpersphotography that’ll be a great upgrade. The Z6 is still a lovely camera if you can wait there will probably be great deals on the Z6III in the future

@@nevvanclarke9225 Really? For me as a hobbyist the price difference is huge and it is not the only thing to consider when choosing a camera. For travel even Z6III is questionable size-wise and Z8 is not suitable at all. People like me need one camera that fits all photography needs: wildlife, travel, sport, family. And IMHO Z6iii fits better than Z8.

@@Mixer000999 if you're a hobbyist, then I would probably not even look at the tree. I'd probably get a good secondhand used two and save the money and get a good lens.Or Z72

Not sure I quite agree, the Z7II / Z6II aren’t as strong for wildlife photography and the like. Id actually strongly suggest the Z50II - amazing value and I’ve got a video on it soon. I think the Z6III has its place and now is decent value. But I wouldn’t want to trade it for my Z8 now

@@HamerReviews I don't we believe we need 25 frames a second dish shoot wildlife used to shoot wildlife. 110 frames a second and to be honest it will make you a better photographer. Also the extra megapixels on the Z72 series will come in handy for cropping, it's learning how the birds move. That's more important than the camera.

@ not quite sure I agree - I guess I get the best of both worlds on the Z8 but for tracking moving objects the Z8 is phenomenal. I love my Z6II and enjoy using it, but its tracking isn’t anywhere near as good. It’s why I think the Z50II will appeal to many. But I see your point re megapixels - ironically the DX crop gives you the same res as the Z50/Z50II

I totally get that, as I said in the video, today I’d have gone Z6III but the price difference pushed me to the Z8 and I’m glad it did. I’m currently loving the Z50II though so I think a Z6III may not happen after all

@HamerReviews I want to buy a z50ii, but when I purchased the z50 the Zfc released and I was grinding my teeth. I want to see if they do a Zfc II first I will give Nikon a year to see what they do.

@@MB-dq2gz I get what you’re saying; but honestly the Z50II is a Z6III without IBIS and a smaller sensor. Absolutely bonkers I love it. If you do video, having H.265 Nlog is great and the AF (including bird mode!?! Is great)

@@HamerReviews Oh I have been eyeing it deeply and it is exceptional buy for what it is my Z50 is the camera I have with me all the time keep it in my car with the kit lenses and compact Nikon primes. I am very tempted, but I will wait on principle this time. The last thing I need to see is a Zfc II with ibis or a new sensor to grind my teeth to. Just a Zfc II with the same feature set I would be salty over I very much prefer the vintage design I like the hipster vibe. I don't mind that it does not have ibis a gimbal or tripod corrects that for video which most that are doing serious video work would use anyway.

This is exactly what happened to me. Had the z6ii and was waiting for the iii but the z8 came out first so I bought 2 lol. Now I can’t go back but bought the z6iii as a 3rd back up cam since I do weddings. The z8 and z6iii are a great combo!

Thanks! Glad you liked the video 🙂

I don’t think you should regret moving from it, to get the most from Z, Z glass makes a huge difference! By the way, great to see your channel doing so well buddy <3

@@ShinyTechThings we did sports photography with film cameras back in the day

It blew my mind a bit

Being USB-C, I wouldn't need a charger in the box, I have my preferred charger and can use it for all my devices. Hopefully I can buy the next generation, maybe a D-Lux 9? Not sold on the very slow zooming, among other small issues mentioned here, at least for the price.

Great question, couple of reasons, first I find my eyes vary a fair bit during the day. So I can get a better match at different times during the day. This is fairly normal. Equally you might find your prescription changes over time. I also much prefer using binoculars without glasses - why would I want to put a piece of inferior glass infront of my binoculars 🙂. So I just find I’m constantly adjusting them when in use

So glad to hear it, I think our room sizes are similar - I love what this adds for movies and the like

@HamerReviews - also agree with you on the footprint of the beam. It is smaller but it packs a punch.

@@LOLA6ifyable that’s a great deal! I 100% agree on the Z9 release timings. Have to be honest I shoot pro res rather than NRAW so didn’t have the flickering. In all honesty I didn’t even thing to check for it

It’s fantastic that these units are still about, honestly the SB800 is still a fantastic option in 2024/2025

@@HamerReviews sure got that right I know better than paying 500 to a 1000 dollars for flash gun.

Glad to hear it Clare, it’s amazing how we often have tech lying around that could really improve our videos and we don’t make the most of it 🙂

It’s why I ended up adding the screenshots of the values - I made a couple of mistakes with those numbers but yes what you say is correct

@@cldp I was surprised how rough the sound was direct from the Z50II. But it really was as well optimised as I could get it. I’ve always said external recorders are well worth it but nice to have a reminder of that

@@BillGillespie1952 hi Bill, glad it was useful and glad you enjoyed the video. It’s interesting how a few tweaks can make a difference. Afraid I’m not sure about an audio recorder taking a usb input - not something I’ve seen personally

@@HamerReviews I agree about the Audio Recorder, what I am looking for doesn't exist. I simply have to bite the bullet and buy a new XLR Microphone.

Might be the right way to go I’m afraid 🙂

I don’t have any NRAW footage saved as it was too big but I have some Pro Res in NLOG - email me (check the channel about page for my email) and I can send it to you

Glad you enjoyed it 🙂