This is why you are so popular...you genuinely give us pros and cons as you see each product. I can see a Nikon executive being disappointed with your minor niggles, but those points are exactly what each new grip owner will experience...no surprises now.
you won't regret it I love mine took a while to get the af as I wanted but when I did wow I expect some deals on it now z8 is out already seen it discounted at park cameras on their wildlife day last month for £4799
@@dafyddthomas7299 I think planned obsolescence is a big part of it. Making customers re-purchase accessories that could have easily been made backward compatible. Shameful practice.
You make some very valid critical observations about the Z8 grip. It's basically not fully thought through, in design and battery options, making it awkward as a 2nd body for a D5/6, Z9 owner. The humble Lumix G9 has a superb grip design, Nikon take note...
You have touched on the same negatives that the Nikon community is chatting about! I love gripped cameras and kept one all the time on my old Pentax K3. But after using the Z6 for several years without a grip, I enjoy the smaller size. What a quandary. It is pushing me to try and find a good used Z9 now!
@@Butterflyeffect1975-d6b the D700 is still a great body, even though its sensor is obviously much older generation. The body and controls just don’t quit regardless of environmental conditions. I wonder if the mirrorless bodies will hold up the way the old D3/D700 generation did. 🤔
Wow so surprised how big gripped z8 is. Z9 is still the king. With a grip it’s same as z6/z7. I honestly don’t like the small battery that z6-z8 uses, no matter which angle you look at it from, if you can afford z9 it’s the way to go still over z8
That Z8 becomes one heck of a chonker once the grip is attached. I'll happily stick with my two Z9 (been considering adding a third and the Z8 has done nothing to convince me I shouldn't).
Ricci, you hit the nail, BOING, on the head. This grip is mafugly (pardon my french) and looks more like a Canon product than a Nikon one. I am hoping 3rd party manufacturers come to the party and produce something more streamlined and ergonomically pleasant. Very dissappointed with Nikon on this grip, especially since they've knocked it out of the park in the past, such as with the D300/D700 grip (usable on both bodies!) as well as more recently with the D850. It needlessly degrades the experience of the Z8. I'm sure a lot of pro's are looking for a backup camera and wanting to use accessories between cameras (chargers, batteries) and this doesn't allow that. Marketing over engineering. Shame Nikon, you're better than that.
The problem is that the DSLR grips plugged into a port on the body, so they only needed to hold 1 battery. The Z grips have the port in the battery chamber itself. That means there's one fewer port to leak or lose the cover for, but also means the grip has to be bigger to hold two batteries.
Maybe they'll come out with an NM-M13 grip that will take the 18D batteries for those who want to use them, but the voltages are different between the 15 and the 18 though. But this could be adjusted using a voltage regular built into the grip perhaps.
Using the EN-EL18's with my D800 via The MB-D12 (D800) grip and when I had the D850 the same batteries in the MB-D18 / Chinese Knock off grip - would have bene logical for NM-M12 to had this adaptability built in as some one may have had D4-D6 with its battery that they want to use with their new Z8 or a Z9 owner buying the Z8 + Grip to use Z9 batteries in both cameras.
Thanks. Great overview of the grip. Not that I would anticipate getting the grip, but it suggests perhaps there is an opportunity for one of the aftermarket companies to design a grip that accommodates the Z9 battery.
I like the new shape of this case, it is very beautiful. I hope that the future Z5 II Z6 III and Z7 III cases will have the same aesthetics in smaller and lighter.
The irony of the grip being too small for the body aesthetically is that if the grip were thicker, it could probably hold an EL-18 battery. The lack of facility for the larger batteries is my biggest disappointment as even my D500 vertical grips can use EL-18s (and believe me, I routinely use all that EL-18 battery endurance on both my D500s and D5s).
Hello Ricci, I really want you to know how much I appreciate the quality of your videos. They are extremly helpful. Many many thanks and greetings from Vienna Austria, Enver
As an update, now that I got a Z8, I got curious and checked my MB-N11 grip with the Z8 (I didn't try to mount the grip necessarily, but wanted to see how closely things would line up and it seems that they COULD HAVE used the grip although the tripod socket is moved over by about 1/4 of an inch. I'm not sure if this was done intentionally (most likely) or if twas necessary due to something being in the way elsewhere (such as the location of smaller circuits or boards in the bottom of the camera, especailly since the Z8 now has the dedicated AF mode button on the side). But I wonder if it would be possible to create a small spacer bracket that would let you screw these two together as it seems the contacts in the grip do line-up with that of the Z8 and I doubt that any of that stuff changed since the N12 grip has the same buttons (basically the same layout) as the N11 grip. Again, I didn't try to actually secure the grip, I just checked to see the fit and it seems like it could have worked. I guess on the plus side, the N12 grip is $50 cheaper than the N11 grip was.... But at the same time, part of the reason I had the grip for the Z6 and Z7 was so the camera was a bit larger (as I found that my pinky, when shooting without the grip) would fall of the edge of the grip and rest on the bottom of the camera in an awkward position, but since the Z8 is taller, I may not even need a grip since my hand fits completely on the grip and it doesn't feel as small as the Z6/Z7 do without a grip. (Without the grip, I often felt like I would drop heavier/longer lenses since the Z6/z7 bodies were lighter and smaller so the grip helped with that, but again, the Z8 grip is larger and the camera is a bit heavier (about the same weight as a Z7/Z6 with the grip) so it does balance better even without a grip.
So glad I found this video and the "nitpicking" about the flush later on in the video is why I'm ultimately on a "wait and see" for getting the grip for the Z8. It's weird as the D850 and its grip seem to have the "reverse": I feel like the grip here sort of "cradles" the D850 from below on the non-grip side, while this one "stops short" of fitting nicely on the Z8.
I loved my D850 gripped, it was always on for me. I'm really bummed that they didn't make the grip take the EN-EL18 batteries. I'll just be using my Z8 ungripped I guess...even with its mediocre battery life with a single EN-EL15c
Interesting. The USB-C addition adds a lot of value. Another test? I'd be interested in seeing what the ~new PZ DX lens would do on a Z 7ii in stills and movie, and in movie would be interested to see how the movie grip works with that pair.
I have the 12-28 DX and the Z8 with the grip and as of now well, there's no options to control the power zoom with the + and - buttons on the back. I do have the Z30 and bought it for that camera and it's awesome, but I had to update the firmware to have that option on the shooting and movie menus to set the buttons and speed. The biggest thing for me and that might appeal to you is that unless you're holding your camera with one hand and can't use the other you don't need the button assignment; the zoom ring is so smooth that I can zoom in and out with my index finger alone, also without jerking the camera which is of course really nice. I hope it helps.
Thanks for great video - just had a Sharon moment that some one told me the Grip was same for Z8, Z6 II and Z7 II and I believed them. Thanks for pointing out that MB-N11 cannot be used with Z8 and my only dish on the Z8 grip is that there's no option to use the Z9 battery (D4-D6) in it (unless I'm mistaken). Would be nice to able to use D4-D6 & Z9 batteries with the Z8 but understandable that Nikon does not offer this option - as not to take more sales away from Z9
IMO it's a huge miss from Nikon not making it simply work with the existing MB-N11 grip. It would have been much more customer and production-line friendly.
Yes but I think they needed to make the body physically thicker for cooling for 8k video. The existing Z FF bodies are actually quite thin and may have had head issues. And making it thicker likely meant the screw hole (the tripod socket hole) was in a different place.
It should be noted that a 65w (watt) converter has to be used if the user wishes to charge batteries in the Z8 grip. One is sold by TETHER TOOLS. It’s called ONsite USB-C 65W PD Wall Charger. This is the one my local photo shop sold me. It’s a shame that this converter is not included with the Z8 grip. This plug includes adapters for the EU, UK and AU.
Thank you for your review, I had a grip for my D700 and it was ok to great because it used the D3 batteries. I wait to see if I need hot swappable batteries.
I have the Z7ii and Z6iiMB-N11 and am not a fan. I have ordered this and, like that, it will be fine but the D850 grip with the contacts and leaving the battery in body with EN-EL18 batteries it was better and smaller. 😢
Agreed. Much better design choice imo. I hate how much space a grip takes up with the probe that goes up in the batt compartment. The grips for the 750 and 850 type cameras were a much better design.
@@danh2716 This new grip (all Z camera grips) remind me of the same style that was used with the D200: The MB-D200 That "style" or "tech" is almost 20 years old ... Heck, the D300 had a better integrated/thought out grip (MB-D10) than this MB-N12 *and* it worked with the D3s' battery as well.
I know I'm late to this thread since its a year old. Just to pick up on a point that Ricci mentioned, I did in fact have the grip work lose from the camera just enough to interrupt power to the camera. I thought I had tightened it more than enough but it still worked loose. Took me several minutes to figure it out because it was only barely loose. Missed some key shots as a result. Won't make that mistake again. I check it now every time I pick up the camera.
a great video ricci, but with the power issue, that could be the why of the door coming off, aka to fit a dummy battery a/c adaptor, to allow mains powering, this can also increase the use time, as you don't need to charge a battery, BUT have the safety of a battery backup in case the mains fails.
Pretty sure Nikon just used the N11 grip and changed the top plate to fit the bottom similar to what they did with the D17 and D18 grips. A little disappointing.
The reason the grip isn't as wide as the camera body is that curve at the bottom of the camera - the grip sits at the end of the curve. To make the grip the same width they'd have to have an inverse curve sticking up from the grip to make it "flow" into the body.
Agree, too bad it didn't take the EN-EL 18. Ergonomically looks like the usual Nikon goodness. Since I have the Z9 probably won't get the grip for the Z8.
Very interesting video, the only last thing i want to know is the weight of the z9 with 2 CF and battery and the weight of the Z8 with the grip + 2 battery, CF and SD
Well I am glad I didnt go buying a grip for a z6/z7 and hoped it would work on the z8. I do wonder how good 3rd party grips will end up working out if any get made for the z8. I picked up a 3rd party grip for my d7100 YEARS ago and it worked seamlessly.... but cost less then half the nikon grip
When I first saw the vertical grip on the Z8 product image. I knew this was a “probable” cunning deliberate business decision by Nikon. Deliberately make the size look weird. 1: As this is a mini Z9 version, they want those potential buyers who cannot decide whether to choose Z8 or Z9. To just pay more $ n choose the Z9 if having a grip is important to them. Better reliability, better looking as a package as a whole. 2: Nikon do not foresee selling a lot of vertical grip with that price range. ( look at pass history) Many choose to buy Chinese made knocked offs grip for their D850 for much less $ anyway. May also be a supplier issue. 3: made sure you cannot insert in the Z9 batteries into the Z8 grip- for the same reason as reason as 1 and 2. 4- “Most” people who likes the Z8 for the smaller size as main reason, will not be bothered to look for options to buy the additional grip.
Wow, this thing is really terrible. A big disappointment, apart from the fact that it looks more than crappy and can't take Z9 batteries at a premium price. Ricci, thank you for your open and honest assessment.
Thanks for creating the best Nikon gear review. I’m using a gripped D500 + 500 PF for my wildlife shots and it fits perfectly in my hand. How does the gripped Z8 compare to it ? I’m torn between gripped Z8 and a Z9.
The Z8 with the grip may be larger than the Z9 but it also gives you 1000+ extra mah than the Z9 battery. The Z8 is also hot swappable where the Z9 is not. In addition, 2 en el15c batteries are considerably cheaper than the Z9 battery plus you always have the option to remove the grip and be smaller than the Z9. The 8 is much more versatile than the 9.
Blinkin heck Ricci... I said you were having us on .. maybe come see us wedding photographers in Cardiff so I can shoot a wedding on a Z8 for a real world review 😊😊😊😁😁😁
Maybe they just trying to save costs and not redesigning the entire grip housing but that z8 grip Is obnoxious design wise.. It's crazy having a small camera and then chucking on that massive grip.. It's personal obviously but that kinda wrecks it for me. Will save a bit longer and go for the z9..I'll wait and see what you have to say about the video and overheating before I decide. Thanks for the excellent videos though!
Hi Ricci, can you compare the weight of the Z9 body (1,340g) with the Z8 + battery grip and 2nd battery please. The battery grip makes the Z8 bigger than the Z9 and the extra costs pushes the price closer to the Z9 but I cannot find the weight anywhere. Cheers.
Nikon is usually very good at ergonomic design but I also feel like the MB-N12 design is out of touch because it doesn't not flush with the Z8 body, especially at the back. It would be nice Nikon comes up with MB-N12a which can accommodate EN-EL18d and flush with the Z8 body so it makes Z8 and MB-N12a integrated seamlessly. If Nikon does decide on MB-N12a, I will get Z8. Otherwise, I will get the 2nd Z9 one year from now or so. I wish Nikon could add HEIF, new AI AF algorithm and Zebra pattern to new Z9 firmware version. Z9 3D Tracking still struggles to latch on focus with small birds behind a small branch. Thank you for sharing.
Ricci would you do a video, showing the size of the Z8 with grip compare to the size of the D850 with grip , against the Z9 and againist like the D4 or D5 with grip, I think me and alot of people would love to see the size difference, since Z9 is smaller the D5 or D6, it from what I heard is about same size as the older Nikon F5.
Hello For me the best body size ever for a camera with grip is my Nikon D2x ! How does Z9, Z8 with and without grip compare to a D2 ? Cold somebody make comparative pictures of these solutions ?
You showed me something I wasn't expecting with the Z8. I'm very disappointed and now rethinking the Z8. I have grips on a.l my cameras, D800, D850 and my Z7. I my have to dig a lot deeper and get the Z9. Any ideas on after market grips yet?
Damn! Just got the battery grip and was trying to take it apart to get the El-EN18 inside…damn…they were good never ending batteries. Yes z8 looks awful with the grip. But you can’t take it apart from z9. I do sport and landscapes and I want to be able to remove it.
Something you didn't touch on in your review, 9's bigger battery is only 3300Mah whereas 2 regular nikon batteries in the grip = 2x2280 =4560 mah. Also, theZ9 grip has 1 hot swappable battery. I suspect this is why Nikon stayed the course with the current smaller battery footprint.
Hi Ricci, already have a Z9 and tempted by the Z8 but can get another Z9 for similar cash - obviously greater weight and size with Z9 but gain better battery life and identical body controls! What is your advice? Do a lot of sports but also architecture, events etc.
Why didn't Nikon mirror the function buttons of the Z9 so you can access them in the portrait orientation? That confused me. Canon did it with the R3. Just makes sense to me
Ricci, with the dual battery grip, after you swap out Battery A, does the camera automatically switch back fromBattery B to Battery A? Thanks for any replies. Great review.
Sounds like it should, otherwise after the first swap you'll be stuck with a flat B battery so another hot swap won't work. Seems you can hot swap until the B battery runs down.
Woooooow!!! Excellent points!! For $350 and being a Nikon product I would expect a more seamless and tailored fir to the D8 body. To be honest the edges not really lining up makes it look like a third party grip. Are there any third party grips that are as operational as the MB-N12 yet has a better fit?
I wish the grip had a few more buttons. I can see using the fn button for iso, but I could also see using it for record for vertical video. For the price they could have totally had two buttons there.
Love my new Z8. I know all about pictures but want to shoot video of a speaker this weekend. I cannot find how to set up for video on my Z8. RICCI do you have a link? Blessings, keith
most of the time when I do timelapses im lazy and use the 'simple' functionality thats available in the D850. is similar functionality available in Z8? and can I get up to 8K timelapses there to?
1/ having that protuberance is such a design flaw in my opinion!! 2/ Make a grip that is compact. No reason for a Z8+grip to be bigger than a Z9 3/ Make a grip that looks neat, everything should flush and neat (my old Leica R8 with it's grip makes the Z8 look like a bad Lego)
I've watched this a few times, but I can't find any mention of the dials on the MB-N12 - specifically, are they RUBBER (like the Z8's main dials), or plastic? I feel like they look like different materials. * It's entirely possible I missed this info... if so, apologies in advance 🙂
Very disappointing that the use of the EN-EL18d battery is not possible with such a professional camera, not to mention the failed design - Nikon has done much better with the battery grips of the D8xx series - and that would certainly not be a problem with the Z8 either been possible.
Yeah, the add-on grip for the Z8 looks kinda wonky, especially compared to the D850. Aesthetics aside, I'd put up with it to save $1500 (less $350 for the grip). Add in a few batteries (3 x $70) and I guess that prices differential is down to $950. Still, a fair chunk of change to save, though (almost half a lens! 🤣). What do they look like side-by-side with a lens on (e.g. a Z 24-70mm)? Does it look any better?
In many ways, it offers advantages to the Z9, but they could and SHOULD of made it slimmer and more streamlined. The body itself is quite nice and minimal, they should of went with the a more compact and elegant design philosophy.
Damnit. Initially I wanted to buy the Z9. After the Z8 was officialy out. I wanted the Z8 WITH the grip. I love my current battery grip and I can´t without. But now after reading a lot about the Z8 and watching many reviews I´m not so sure anymore. I´m tending towards the Z9, but it is much more expensive with THE SAME SPECS and I hate it. And now the Z9 is supposed to be even more expensive. WHY NIKON, WHY?! God damnit. I just hate the fact that the lines of the new grip don´t line up. I hate that the battery life of the Z8 is so low compared to the Z9 and I hate that the Z8 overheats much quicker than the Z9. There are alot of negatives for me and I´ve waited a long time to buy one. But now? I´m not so sure anymore
I just got my Z8 today and I think I maybe found a bug in the software, wanted to check with a fellow competent user to see what you think. In the menu setting, d8, which is "view mode" there are 2 options, and one of them allows for exposure changes to be shown in the viewfinder and the other one does not. on my Nikon Z7 this is d8 as well, only its labeled as "apply settings to live view", and on the Z8 its now called "view mode". no matter which setting I do on the Z8, exposure changes do not show up in the viewfinder. is this the case for yours? thanks if you have a minute to check this. I am thinking I may have found a bug on this firmware. anyone got any input? thanks in advance!
I don't understand why they still did this. When using a grip I want enel18 battery . Grip doesn't fit the body well at all. Worst combo grip/body so far,it really feel rush. I am glad I got the z9.
When I started using Nikon equipment I purchased a cheap battery pack for the D850 as they were on backorder. It was midrange price. The cheapo broke right away.
I agree that the MB-11 and MB-12 could have been designed to follow the contours more effectively of their respective cameras... unfortunately they look like a design afterthought slapped together.
THis is another qeustion you probably can not answer, why did Niikon go back to the design of the D200 grip with the Z6II/Z7II/Z8 compare to the using contacts on bottom like D300, D700,D750, D800, D810, D500, D850, D7000, D7200, and think D600 and D610 too, where they all had the contacts on bottom, it just seem to me Nikon is going backwards with using the design from say D200 which was developed in 2005.
Indeed! While it’s neither the size or the absolute best fit in a grip, it still accomplishes a lot of good for the Z 8 user who happens to want a grip. If a photographer already owns one or two Z 9 bodies, the reason for buying a Z 8 is to have 95% of that feature set in a significantly smaller body rather than another gripped body. The grip is well designed concession to Z 8 users and brings a couple of unique features; however, the combo isn’t intended by Nikon to be a replacement for a Z 9 with built-in grip. Nikon knows what they’re doing here.
This grip (ALL Z MOUNT GRIPS) harkens back ~20 years ago to the D200 / MB-D200 grip?! The D300 at least had a better grip in the sense that you didn't need to pull the battery door and it fit better too. I believe the D300 / MB-D10 grip could also accept the D3s battery (EN-EL4a) as well. Even my 5 year old / sub $1000.00 Fuji X-T3 and VG-XT3 hold 3 batteries. 20 years is ancient in the world of digital cameras...
For $400, why hasn't any camera manufacturer made a vertical grip that is in fact a battery in itself or compact with multiple 18650s which can essentially triple or quadruple the original battery's run time?
This is why you are so popular...you genuinely give us pros and cons as you see each product. I can see a Nikon executive being disappointed with your minor niggles, but those points are exactly what each new grip owner will experience...no surprises now.
Thanks for the honest look at the camera with grip. This has convinced me to bite the bullet and pony up for a z9.
you won't regret it I love mine took a while to get the af as I wanted but when I did wow I expect some deals on it now z8 is out already seen it discounted at park cameras on their wildlife day last month for £4799
Agree completely on the cosmetic mismatch with the Z8 body. If we can't use the MB-N11 (which is ultra-annoying) then at least make it fit better!
Yes its oddly unsatisfying . Nikon z8 body only looks very handsome. Z8 with grip ... Naaaah.
Interesting if Nikon does G3 of Z6 and Z7 whether MB-N11 can be used or the Z8 grip instead or maybe Nikon will do a MB-N14 instead
@@dafyddthomas7299 I think planned obsolescence is a big part of it. Making customers re-purchase accessories that could have easily been made backward compatible. Shameful practice.
It’s almost like a Nikon F2 with a motor drive.
@@adhi_atma Indeed!
You make some very valid critical observations about the Z8 grip. It's basically not fully thought through, in design and battery options, making it awkward as a 2nd body for a D5/6, Z9 owner. The humble Lumix G9 has a superb grip design, Nikon take note...
You have touched on the same negatives that the Nikon community is chatting about! I love gripped cameras and kept one all the time on my old Pentax K3. But after using the Z6 for several years without a grip, I enjoy the smaller size. What a quandary. It is pushing me to try and find a good used Z9 now!
With the grip the Z8 looks obnoxiously big. Than I prefer my Z9.
That was already so with the D700/D3. I preferred the D3
@@a.k.8150 D700 was a great for its time 😊
@@Butterflyeffect1975-d6b the D700 is still a great body, even though its sensor is obviously much older generation. The body and controls just don’t quit regardless of environmental conditions. I wonder if the mirrorless bodies will hold up the way the old D3/D700 generation did. 🤔
@@ulysses01 Let's hope the z cameras it will last 10y cause i'm invested with it :)
Wow so surprised how big gripped z8 is. Z9 is still the king. With a grip it’s same as z6/z7. I honestly don’t like the small battery that z6-z8 uses, no matter which angle you look at it from, if you can afford z9 it’s the way to go still over z8
That Z8 becomes one heck of a chonker once the grip is attached. I'll happily stick with my two Z9 (been considering adding a third and the Z8 has done nothing to convince me I shouldn't).
Ricci, you hit the nail, BOING, on the head. This grip is mafugly (pardon my french) and looks more like a Canon product than a Nikon one. I am hoping 3rd party manufacturers come to the party and produce something more streamlined and ergonomically pleasant. Very dissappointed with Nikon on this grip, especially since they've knocked it out of the park in the past, such as with the D300/D700 grip (usable on both bodies!) as well as more recently with the D850. It needlessly degrades the experience of the Z8. I'm sure a lot of pro's are looking for a backup camera and wanting to use accessories between cameras (chargers, batteries) and this doesn't allow that. Marketing over engineering. Shame Nikon, you're better than that.
The problem is that the DSLR grips plugged into a port on the body, so they only needed to hold 1 battery. The Z grips have the port in the battery chamber itself. That means there's one fewer port to leak or lose the cover for, but also means the grip has to be bigger to hold two batteries.
Maybe they'll come out with an NM-M13 grip that will take the 18D batteries for those who want to use them, but the voltages are different between the 15 and the 18 though. But this could be adjusted using a voltage regular built into the grip perhaps.
Using the EN-EL18's with my D800 via The MB-D12 (D800) grip and when I had the D850 the same batteries in the MB-D18 / Chinese Knock off grip - would have bene logical for NM-M12 to had this adaptability built in as some one may have had D4-D6 with its battery that they want to use with their new Z8 or a Z9 owner buying the Z8 + Grip to use Z9 batteries in both cameras.
Wait for the Chinese to do a copy
Thanks. Great overview of the grip. Not that I would anticipate getting the grip, but it suggests perhaps there is an opportunity for one of the aftermarket companies to design a grip that accommodates the Z9 battery.
I had the MD-12 and have been very happy with it. 👍🙂
I like the new shape of this case, it is very beautiful. I hope that the future Z5 II Z6 III and Z7 III cases will have the same aesthetics in smaller and lighter.
The irony of the grip being too small for the body aesthetically is that if the grip were thicker, it could probably hold an EL-18 battery. The lack of facility for the larger batteries is my biggest disappointment as even my D500 vertical grips can use EL-18s (and believe me, I routinely use all that EL-18 battery endurance on both my D500s and D5s).
Wish they offered a slim grip, something that was reasonably priced and practical.
Hello Ricci, I really want you to know how much I appreciate the quality of your videos. They are extremly helpful. Many many thanks and greetings from Vienna Austria, Enver
Always great honest reviews! Thanks!
As an update, now that I got a Z8, I got curious and checked my MB-N11 grip with the Z8 (I didn't try to mount the grip necessarily, but wanted to see how closely things would line up and it seems that they COULD HAVE used the grip although the tripod socket is moved over by about 1/4 of an inch. I'm not sure if this was done intentionally (most likely) or if twas necessary due to something being in the way elsewhere (such as the location of smaller circuits or boards in the bottom of the camera, especailly since the Z8 now has the dedicated AF mode button on the side). But I wonder if it would be possible to create a small spacer bracket that would let you screw these two together as it seems the contacts in the grip do line-up with that of the Z8 and I doubt that any of that stuff changed since the N12 grip has the same buttons (basically the same layout) as the N11 grip. Again, I didn't try to actually secure the grip, I just checked to see the fit and it seems like it could have worked. I guess on the plus side, the N12 grip is $50 cheaper than the N11 grip was....
But at the same time, part of the reason I had the grip for the Z6 and Z7 was so the camera was a bit larger (as I found that my pinky, when shooting without the grip) would fall of the edge of the grip and rest on the bottom of the camera in an awkward position, but since the Z8 is taller, I may not even need a grip since my hand fits completely on the grip and it doesn't feel as small as the Z6/Z7 do without a grip. (Without the grip, I often felt like I would drop heavier/longer lenses since the Z6/z7 bodies were lighter and smaller so the grip helped with that, but again, the Z8 grip is larger and the camera is a bit heavier (about the same weight as a Z7/Z6 with the grip) so it does balance better even without a grip.
So glad I found this video and the "nitpicking" about the flush later on in the video is why I'm ultimately on a "wait and see" for getting the grip for the Z8. It's weird as the D850 and its grip seem to have the "reverse": I feel like the grip here sort of "cradles" the D850 from below on the non-grip side, while this one "stops short" of fitting nicely on the Z8.
I loved my D850 gripped, it was always on for me. I'm really bummed that they didn't make the grip take the EN-EL18 batteries. I'll just be using my Z8 ungripped I guess...even with its mediocre battery life with a single EN-EL15c
Interesting. The USB-C addition adds a lot of value. Another test? I'd be interested in seeing what the ~new PZ DX lens would do on a Z 7ii in stills and movie, and in movie would be interested to see how the movie grip works with that pair.
and on the Z8-Z9 as well
I have the 12-28 DX and the Z8 with the grip and as of now well, there's no options to control the power zoom with the + and - buttons on the back. I do have the Z30 and bought it for that camera and it's awesome, but I had to update the firmware to have that option on the shooting and movie menus to set the buttons and speed.
The biggest thing for me and that might appeal to you is that unless you're holding your camera with one hand and can't use the other you don't need the button assignment; the zoom ring is so smooth that I can zoom in and out with my index finger alone, also without jerking the camera which is of course really nice.
I hope it helps.
How does weight compare, Z9 with battery to a Z8 + grip and 2 batteries?
Z9 is made of different material so I would guess z8 still be lighter.
Thanks for great video - just had a Sharon moment that some one told me the Grip was same for Z8, Z6 II and Z7 II and I believed them. Thanks for pointing out that MB-N11 cannot be used with Z8 and my only dish on the Z8 grip is that there's no option to use the Z9 battery (D4-D6) in it (unless I'm mistaken). Would be nice to able to use D4-D6 & Z9 batteries with the Z8 but understandable that Nikon does not offer this option - as not to take more sales away from Z9
IMO it's a huge miss from Nikon not making it simply work with the existing MB-N11 grip. It would have been much more customer and production-line friendly.
Yes but I think they needed to make the body physically thicker for cooling for 8k video. The existing Z FF bodies are actually quite thin and may have had head issues. And making it thicker likely meant the screw hole (the tripod socket hole) was in a different place.
The Z8 is thicker than a Z6II/Z7II. The MB-N11 would never fit.
@@64BBernard Obviously so.
@@HR-wd6cw I understand why - It's a pipe dream
That doesn’t help sales.
precise and clear - Thanks a lot!
It should be noted that a 65w (watt) converter has to be used if the user wishes to charge batteries in the Z8 grip. One is sold by TETHER TOOLS. It’s called ONsite USB-C 65W PD Wall Charger. This is the one my local photo shop sold me. It’s a shame that this converter is not included with the Z8 grip. This plug includes adapters for the EU, UK and AU.
Thank you for your review, I had a grip for my D700 and it was ok to great because it used the D3 batteries. I wait to see if I need hot swappable batteries.
I have the Z7ii and Z6iiMB-N11 and am not a fan. I have ordered this and, like that, it will be fine but the D850 grip with the contacts and leaving the battery in body with EN-EL18 batteries it was better and smaller. 😢
Agreed. Much better design choice imo. I hate how much space a grip takes up with the probe that goes up in the batt compartment.
The grips for the 750 and 850 type cameras were a much better design.
@@danh2716 This new grip (all Z camera grips) remind me of the same style that was used with the D200: The MB-D200 That "style" or "tech" is almost 20 years old ... Heck, the D300 had a better integrated/thought out grip (MB-D10) than this MB-N12 *and* it worked with the D3s' battery as well.
Thank you very much, Ricci. Very interesting review.
I know I'm late to this thread since its a year old. Just to pick up on a point that Ricci mentioned, I did in fact have the grip work lose from the camera just enough to interrupt power to the camera. I thought I had tightened it more than enough but it still worked loose. Took me several minutes to figure it out because it was only barely loose. Missed some key shots as a result. Won't make that mistake again. I check it now every time I pick up the camera.
a great video ricci, but with the power issue, that could be the why of the door coming off, aka to fit a dummy battery a/c adaptor, to allow mains powering, this can also increase the use time, as you don't need to charge a battery, BUT have the safety of a battery backup in case the mains fails.
Whoever designed the physical dimensions of the grip, Nikon's manager should question their design ability.
Pretty sure Nikon just used the N11 grip and changed the top plate to fit the bottom similar to what they did with the D17 and D18 grips. A little disappointing.
@@deanminett5793 i am sure the neewer grip will look better and be £50
The reason the grip isn't as wide as the camera body is that curve at the bottom of the camera - the grip sits at the end of the curve. To make the grip the same width they'd have to have an inverse curve sticking up from the grip to make it "flow" into the body.
Nikon grips never been nice, always looked horrendous and felt cheap.
Third party grip it is then. Will make one myself if necessary.
Way helpful. Thanks!
Hey Hudson glad you found this video useful !
Grip designer probably measured in different units than the body designer. Hope they fix it before actual release
Thank you Ricci. Any news on Nikon z lens 200-600mm?
Thanks Sir. It looks like there's enough space for the original FTZ adapter. Is that true?
Agree, too bad it didn't take the EN-EL 18. Ergonomically looks like the usual Nikon goodness. Since I have the Z9 probably won't get the grip for the Z8.
Very interesting video, the only last thing i want to know is the weight of the z9 with 2 CF and battery and the weight of the Z8 with the grip + 2 battery, CF and SD
Well I am glad I didnt go buying a grip for a z6/z7 and hoped it would work on the z8.
I do wonder how good 3rd party grips will end up working out if any get made for the z8. I picked up a 3rd party grip for my d7100 YEARS ago and it worked seamlessly.... but cost less then half the nikon grip
What is the cost of the Z8 grip with the two batteries? How does this compare with the $5500 Z 9 cost?
When I first saw the vertical grip on the Z8 product image. I knew this was a “probable” cunning deliberate business decision by Nikon. Deliberately make the size look weird.
1: As this is a mini Z9 version, they want those potential buyers who cannot decide whether to choose Z8 or Z9. To just pay more $ n choose the Z9 if having a grip is important to them. Better reliability, better looking as a package as a whole.
2: Nikon do not foresee selling a lot of vertical grip with that price range. ( look at pass history) Many choose to buy Chinese made knocked offs grip for their D850 for much less $ anyway. May also be a supplier issue.
3: made sure you cannot insert in the Z9 batteries into the Z8 grip- for the same reason as reason as 1 and 2.
4- “Most” people who likes the Z8 for the smaller size as main reason, will not be bothered to look for options to buy the additional grip.
Excellent review. Thanks.
Wow, this thing is really terrible. A big disappointment, apart from the fact that it looks more than crappy and can't take Z9 batteries at a premium price.
Ricci, thank you for your open and honest assessment.
Thanks for creating the best Nikon gear review. I’m using a gripped D500 + 500 PF for my wildlife shots and it fits perfectly in my hand. How does the gripped Z8 compare to it ? I’m torn between gripped Z8 and a Z9.
Well finally I found someone with same concern that I'm also torn between 😊....
I see that this is a one year old video, but would love to see a comparison video of Vello version of the Z8 grip to the Nikon version
Excellent review! Thanks !
The Z8 with the grip may be larger than the Z9 but it also gives you 1000+ extra mah than the Z9 battery. The Z8 is also hot swappable where the Z9 is not. In addition, 2 en el15c batteries are considerably cheaper than the Z9 battery plus you always have the option to remove the grip and be smaller than the Z9. The 8 is much more versatile than the 9.
Does adding the grip slow down the wake up time on the Z8 the way it does on the Z7II?
Blinkin heck Ricci... I said you were having us on .. maybe come see us wedding photographers in Cardiff so I can shoot a wedding on a Z8 for a real world review 😊😊😊😁😁😁
Great vid
Maybe they just trying to save costs and not redesigning the entire grip housing but that z8 grip Is obnoxious design wise.. It's crazy having a small camera and then chucking on that massive grip.. It's personal obviously but that kinda wrecks it for me. Will save a bit longer and go for the z9..I'll wait and see what you have to say about the video and overheating before I decide. Thanks for the excellent videos though!
Hi Ricci, can you compare the weight of the Z9 body (1,340g) with the Z8 + battery grip and 2nd battery please. The battery grip makes the Z8 bigger than the Z9 and the extra costs pushes the price closer to the Z9 but I cannot find the weight anywhere. Cheers.
Nikon is usually very good at ergonomic design but I also feel like the MB-N12 design is out of touch because it doesn't not flush with the Z8 body, especially at the back. It would be nice Nikon comes up with MB-N12a which can accommodate EN-EL18d and flush with the Z8 body so it makes Z8 and MB-N12a integrated seamlessly. If Nikon does decide on MB-N12a, I will get Z8. Otherwise, I will get the 2nd Z9 one year from now or so.
I wish Nikon could add HEIF, new AI AF algorithm and Zebra pattern to new Z9 firmware version. Z9 3D Tracking still struggles to latch on focus with small birds behind a small branch. Thank you for sharing.
Ricci would you do a video, showing the size of the Z8 with grip compare to the size of the D850 with grip , against the Z9 and againist like the D4 or D5 with grip, I think me and alot of people would love to see the size difference, since Z9 is smaller the D5 or D6, it from what I heard is about same size as the older Nikon F5.
Hello
For me the best body size ever for a camera with grip is my Nikon D2x !
How does Z9, Z8 with and without grip compare to a D2 ?
Cold somebody make comparative pictures of these solutions ?
You showed me something I wasn't expecting with the Z8. I'm very disappointed and now rethinking the Z8. I have grips on a.l my cameras, D800, D850 and my Z7. I my have to dig a lot deeper and get the Z9. Any ideas on after market grips yet?
Damn! Just got the battery grip and was trying to take it apart to get the El-EN18 inside…damn…they were good never ending batteries. Yes z8 looks awful with the grip. But you can’t take it apart from z9. I do sport and landscapes and I want to be able to remove it.
Something you didn't touch on in your review, 9's bigger battery is only 3300Mah whereas 2 regular nikon batteries in the grip = 2x2280 =4560 mah. Also, theZ9 grip has 1 hot swappable battery. I suspect this is why Nikon stayed the course with the current smaller battery footprint.
Hi Ricci, already have a Z9 and tempted by the Z8 but can get another Z9 for similar cash - obviously greater weight and size with Z9 but gain better battery life and identical body controls! What is your advice? Do a lot of sports but also architecture, events etc.
How does the z8's overheating perform when the MB-N12 is attached?
How is battery life with the grip? Are the two Z8 batteries comparable in battery life to the on Z9 battery?
Why didn't Nikon mirror the function buttons of the Z9 so you can access them in the portrait orientation? That confused me.
Canon did it with the R3. Just makes sense to me
Ricci, with the dual battery grip, after you swap out Battery A, does the camera automatically switch back fromBattery B to Battery A? Thanks for any replies. Great review.
Sounds like it should, otherwise after the first swap you'll be stuck with a flat B battery so another hot swap won't work. Seems you can hot swap until the B battery runs down.
@@stevemawer848 That would be good.
I just got the grip and it feel like camera does get warmer quicker ?! Does it feel like that to you when you are using it ?
Great video Ricci! Do you know if you can use a MacBook 67w charger for charging the grip?
Yes you can
Woooooow!!! Excellent points!! For $350 and being a Nikon product I would expect a more seamless and tailored fir to the D8 body. To be honest the edges not really lining up makes it look like a third party grip. Are there any third party grips that are as operational as the MB-N12 yet has a better fit?
I wish the grip had a few more buttons. I can see using the fn button for iso, but I could also see using it for record for vertical video. For the price they could have totally had two buttons there.
Does Z8 come with some kind of the clip that holds USB-C cable secure?
Whoever makes a solid new grip that can take a Z9 battery and a more ergonomic grip...let me know.
I can't help but wonder if this grip was designed with a future Z body in mind (e.g. Z6 III or Z90).
Love my new Z8. I know all about pictures but want to shoot video of a speaker this weekend. I cannot find how to set up for video on my Z8. RICCI do you have a link? Blessings, keith
most of the time when I do timelapses im lazy and use the 'simple' functionality thats available in the D850. is similar functionality available in Z8? and can I get up to 8K timelapses there to?
Hey Ricci, will the original FTZ adapter fit the Z8?
Yes
Is it possible to record video while in photo mode or vice versa so that you can have double custom settings for both.
Generally with nikons you can hit the shutter to frame grab during video, but it will be 16:9.
I always shoot vertical especially in studio. I'll be purchasing the Z9 instead.
The capacity of the Z9 is still 11% bigger then the Z8 with 2 Batt.
How is it price and weight wise?
1/ having that protuberance is such a design flaw in my opinion!!
2/ Make a grip that is compact. No reason for a Z8+grip to be bigger than a Z9
3/ Make a grip that looks neat, everything should flush and neat (my old Leica R8 with it's grip makes the Z8 look like a bad Lego)
I've watched this a few times, but I can't find any mention of the dials on the MB-N12 - specifically, are they RUBBER (like the Z8's main dials), or plastic? I feel like they look like different materials.
* It's entirely possible I missed this info... if so, apologies in advance 🙂
Will there be a Firmeware with HEIV for Z9?
Very disappointing that the use of the EN-EL18d battery is not possible with such a professional camera, not to mention the failed design - Nikon has done much better with the battery grips of the D8xx series - and that would certainly not be a problem with the Z8 either been possible.
The Grip loocks horrible on the Z8 🙄.
Yeah, the add-on grip for the Z8 looks kinda wonky, especially compared to the D850. Aesthetics aside, I'd put up with it to save $1500 (less $350 for the grip). Add in a few batteries (3 x $70) and I guess that prices differential is down to $950. Still, a fair chunk of change to save, though (almost half a lens! 🤣).
What do they look like side-by-side with a lens on (e.g. a Z 24-70mm)? Does it look any better?
Does anyone here knows how to remove the battery door on z8 camera to fit the battery grip? I am struggling and there are no closeup videos on how to.
It comes off at about a 45 degree angle, you have to rock it in/out sort of like a magazine in an AK type rifle.
In many ways, it offers advantages to the Z9, but they could and SHOULD of made it slimmer and more streamlined. The body itself is quite nice and minimal, they should of went with the a more compact and elegant design philosophy.
do any of those fit the z5?
Damnit. Initially I wanted to buy the Z9. After the Z8 was officialy out. I wanted the Z8 WITH the grip. I love my current battery grip and I can´t without. But now after reading a lot about the Z8 and watching many reviews I´m not so sure anymore.
I´m tending towards the Z9, but it is much more expensive with THE SAME SPECS and I hate it.
And now the Z9 is supposed to be even more expensive. WHY NIKON, WHY?!
God damnit. I just hate the fact that the lines of the new grip don´t line up. I hate that the battery life of the Z8 is so low compared to the Z9 and I hate that the Z8 overheats much quicker than the Z9.
There are alot of negatives for me and I´ve waited a long time to buy one. But now? I´m not so sure anymore
already z7ii grip used so Z8 Body Working sir
I was hoping that the EN-EL18 battery cpuld be used in the grib, evwn if you have to buy an accessory battery door. Alas, that isn't so.
I just got my Z8 today and I think I maybe found a bug in the software, wanted to check with a fellow competent user to see what you think. In the menu setting, d8, which is "view mode" there are 2 options, and one of them allows for exposure changes to be shown in the viewfinder and the other one does not. on my Nikon Z7 this is d8 as well, only its labeled as "apply settings to live view", and on the Z8 its now called "view mode". no matter which setting I do on the Z8, exposure changes do not show up in the viewfinder. is this the case for yours? thanks if you have a minute to check this. I am thinking I may have found a bug on this firmware. anyone got any input? thanks in advance!
I don't understand why they still did this. When using a grip I want enel18 battery . Grip doesn't fit the body well at all. Worst combo grip/body so far,it really feel rush. I am glad I got the z9.
When I started using Nikon equipment I purchased a cheap battery pack for the D850 as they were on backorder. It was midrange price. The cheapo broke right away.
I agree that the MB-11 and MB-12 could have been designed to follow the contours more effectively of their respective cameras... unfortunately they look like a design afterthought slapped together.
THis is another qeustion you probably can not answer, why did Niikon go back to the design of the D200 grip with the Z6II/Z7II/Z8 compare to the using contacts on bottom like D300, D700,D750, D800, D810, D500, D850, D7000, D7200, and think D600 and D610 too, where they all had the contacts on bottom, it just seem to me Nikon is going backwards with using the design from say D200 which was developed in 2005.
The grip looks fine. I guess my expectations are realistic
Indeed! While it’s neither the size or the absolute best fit in a grip, it still accomplishes a lot of good for the Z 8 user who happens to want a grip. If a photographer already owns one or two Z 9 bodies, the reason for buying a Z 8 is to have 95% of that feature set in a significantly smaller body rather than another gripped body. The grip is well designed concession to Z 8 users and brings a couple of unique features; however, the combo isn’t intended by Nikon to be a replacement for a Z 9 with built-in grip. Nikon knows what they’re doing here.
This grip (ALL Z MOUNT GRIPS) harkens back ~20 years ago to the D200 / MB-D200 grip?!
The D300 at least had a better grip in the sense that you didn't need to pull the battery door and it fit better too. I believe the D300 / MB-D10 grip could also accept the D3s battery (EN-EL4a) as well.
Even my 5 year old / sub $1000.00 Fuji X-T3 and VG-XT3 hold 3 batteries. 20 years is ancient in the world of digital cameras...
Nice review but it seems you forgot to mention about the weight..
Nikon should have made a grip similar to d850… this is just a mistake… the design team should be notified about the same
If you want a grip buy a Z9. This grip for Z8 is a horror!
For $400, why hasn't any camera manufacturer made a vertical grip that is in fact a battery in itself or compact with multiple 18650s which can essentially triple or quadruple the original battery's run time?
A lot of great comments in here! Thumbs up to all! 👍
whoops there it is, need to invent a New Grip for the Z8 to fit the z9 battery in that z8