Hello! First of all, congratulations on the way you make videos. They are what I need. Real tests and clear explanations. Truly exceptional work. I would also like to thank you for your time, which is always a scarce commodity and never well valued by those of us who receive relevant information for free. My specific case: I have a D500 and a Nikkor 200-500. I am happy with this equipment, but I think I miss a lot of good photos because of the autofocus. I have tried everything and improved my technique, but despite this, there are crucial photos that I cannot take (small birds 5 meters away when they take flight from a branch). On the other hand, the acceptable ISO for me in low light photos is ISO 640. I see photos with a Nikon D500 that are very good at much higher ISOs and perhaps I need to improve my post-processing, but I would like to be able to use up to ISO 3200 without worrying too much about noise. I'm considering the Nikon Z8 and continuing with the 200-500 or Nikon Z6 III + Nikkor 180-600 or waiting for a new Nikon 33 MP camera similar to the Nikon Z6 III. In your opinion, what would be my path? Finally, as an idea, a comparison video of these Nikon Zs with a Nikon D500 might be good, because I think there are quite a few people in a similar situation to mine. Sincere greetings. Robert
I needed to hear this, Scott. I got the Z6III for my event work and for occasional birding. I'm not dedicated to one genre, so I needed a good all-rounder. I think I'm in good shape. The Z8 and Z9 are not good for me because I have very small hands and a previous thumb tendinitis issue. I don't know if you've considered a review of the Z50II but I was considering this as a back up. Thank you so much!
Great review! My Nikon D800 is currently starting to fail and I'm planning on taking the step to a mirrorless camera. I definitely can't afford the Nikon Z8 or Z9, and I'd still use my f-mount Sigma 150-600 with an adapter. According to several sites I've read, the Z6iii would be the next best thing to the Z8/Z9, and affordable (albeit still on the upper end of my budget). The one thing holding me back is the MP. I shoot mostly smaller birds or birds far away so I usually have to crop a lot, and going from 36 MP in the D800 to 24 MP in this one does seem like a hard thing to swallow. However, in all other aspects I guess it would be a step up - probably a HUGE step up from a D800 -, and your shots from ~25 feet away still look like they can be zoomed in quite a bit to produce portrait shots of relatively small birds. So it's quite a case for the Z6iii.
I went for the Z8 as I had the $, but gave this a serious look, but needed the extra pixels. Thanks for this, informative as always! For myself I see I made the right choice
since those have been done a lot, I will try to do a series for each NEW camera body made by nikon. Next Z50ii and maybe Z7ii? then I will look for a z90 in early next year when it is released
Great info and supporting photos on your ratings! I thought about this as an option to add to my Z9 as a backup on wildlife and other photo needs (weddings) at a better price point. I might wait for the price to be lowered on the z9, after the new rumored Z9ii is released. I agree the higher pixel rate in the 30’s would have been nice and I wonder if the Z7ii might be a lower priced backup option. I wish it had 2CFX cards and better build aspects. Great reviews and keep up the Fantastic work!!
Thanks for an interesting video. I see your macro/closeup gear on the shelf, would really like to see some content for this type of photography as well, even if you make another channel for it. Getting more into close up work now myself.
Outstanding video. Thanks for taking the time to do all this. I've been using a D500 for wildlife and considering this camera to finally go mirrorless. Would you at least say this camera is as good as or better than the D500 for all around wildlife photography?
A great review but I do feel a little deflated. Would love to get into photographing birds but my budget can only realistically stretch to Z6iii and I had hoped to pair it with the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S as a viable option. Not sure where to go from here …
I always find it wild when people use auto iso. I dunno if its a fuji thing with having the dials right there but I always shoot completely manual because I can see the exposure preview so I know what its going to be like before I take the photo and just change it if needs be really fast.
I think a lot of people use auto ISO with other settings manual. I'd guess most? professional shooting do this as well for birds because lighting can change so fast. My experience is if you are within 1 stop +/- adjusting it in post becomes irrelevant and with todays ISO invariant sensors ISO settings become less relevant.
@WildlifeInspired ahhh I gotcha I am fairly new to wildlife photography but I do alot of sports with primes so I guess I've got scope to change the lighting with shutter speed mostly over iso (tend to be pushing iso anyway with it being a low light situation).
I just can't give frame rate category an A, because you cannot adjust H and H*. You can only adjust L=1-7fps. Then it jumps to H=16fps and H*=20fps (electronic shutter). I really hope they allow H and H* adjustment in the next firmware. I am also finding a lot of bugginess related to the EVF. One, the EVF semi-sleeps to a too low framerate, and there is an inconsistent lag for it to return to normal framerate when any button is pressed. Its very tiring on the eyes. Two, I am seeing a ton of exposure "confusion" with various lenses. Very often the EVF is showing previews way super blown out overexposed. I take my eye away from the EVF and look at the backscreen and the exposure is totally fine. I put my eye back to the EVF and it is also suddenly fine. Weird. I have not tested every lens I have, but I was consistently seeing this problem last night with the Z 40mm f2 and the 50 f1.8 S lenses. I have also seen it do it on the F 300 PF via the FTZ I/II with and without the 1.4x TCIII. Three, the EVF detection sensor can be overly sensitive at times, but other times it's fine. The more I use the Z6III, the more of these sorts of issues I am finding. To be clear, I am not freaking out about it. Nikon is really good at fixing things via firmware updates, and they don't always list every single thing they fix in the notes. Right now the Z6III is a take the good with the bad kind of camera.
I orders one and now have it full time. I will play around and see if i notice the same. Frame rate is weird. True. Bug jump from lower to higher FPS. I think overall I was looking at max burst rate and not the adjustment in between settings
@@WildlifeInspired Maybe I am just being picky with the H/H*. IMO, 16fps mind as well be 20fps. The sweet sport for H is 10-12 fps, but making it adjustable from 8-15 fps would probably make everyone happy.
Great image examples seems like a pretty good camera, I myself have the Z9 but it makes me mad Nikon isn't giving us pre capture RAW and would of thought they at least would of included it in their new camera.
wondering if firmware can address this OR more likely Z9ii. As we approach diminished returns manufacturers have to offer some new feature to justify a new body. I bet this is one .
@WildlifeInspired Hopefully they can at least add it to the Z9 with firmware but I have a gut feeling it's a no go, For sure I hope it'll be in the new Z9II as they have no choice.
Great content. Nikon is putting amazing products out there, but seems that they need to perfect que AF on latest cameras, still doesn´t compare to big competition, is close, but they need to improve. On the rest is amazing.
I recently noticed that most of the people in my camera club are using Nikon equipment. Sony used to be the most common brand, but that changed over the past year. I know Fujifilm auto-focus has been unreliable, but if they were to implement an auto-focus solution at least on par with Nikon, do you think their X-H2S (stacked sensor 26MP) or X-H2 (non-stacked sensor 40MP) would be a viable options for wildlife?
@@WildlifeInspired I think the Z8 is a great camera, but I just had a double-hernia operation and need to minimize how much weight I carry. Maybe I will wait a few months and consider the Z8 again. 🙂
I have used quite a lot of Fuji cameras. XT-1, XT-2, XT-3, XH-1, XH-2 and XH-2S. The autofocus issues on the latter two consistently got worse with new firmware updates and finally made me change back to Nikon. I have used Nikon D90, D300, D500, D700 and D750. Now with Z9 and recently added Z8. I was hoping for an APS-C camera like the D500 but the D50 II is not it in my view. I also considered the Z6 III but as wildlife is my primary I found the Z8 as a better option due to the bigger pixel number compared to the Z6 III and still the option of DX mode. For wildlife the lens options with Fujifilm is more limited. Most with higher f stops as minimum compared to the selection with Nikon. The only large aperture lens (2.8) for wildlife is the 200 mm and that is for sure not light.
The Bellroy Venture Sling 9l and Bellroy Note Sleeve where two items that I bought ahead of a trip to France in May and used again on a trip in Sicily in October and November and I will not travel again without these items. The wallet has become my daily carry. Definitely a new fan of the Bellroy products.
Hi, I just got Z6III and posted some videos on my channel. Im not professional it was my first 3 day of using it but you can still check it out if you want to see how is it.
Do you really think that 90% of those who watch this really need the z9? I suspect it would be a “want” but far from “need”. 😅 if I came back to Nikon it would be the latest z7. Why because I would not use any of the auto focus eye or whatever special focus. Normal auto focus would be my choice.
Hello!
First of all, congratulations on the way you make videos.
They are what I need. Real tests and clear explanations.
Truly exceptional work.
I would also like to thank you for your time, which is always a scarce commodity and never well valued by those of us who receive relevant information for free.
My specific case: I have a D500 and a Nikkor 200-500. I am happy with this equipment, but I think I miss a lot of good photos because of the autofocus. I have tried everything and improved my technique, but despite this, there are crucial photos that I cannot take (small birds 5 meters away when they take flight from a branch).
On the other hand, the acceptable ISO for me in low light photos is ISO 640. I see photos with a Nikon D500 that are very good at much higher ISOs and perhaps I need to improve my post-processing, but I would like to be able to use up to ISO 3200 without worrying too much about noise. I'm considering the Nikon Z8 and continuing with the 200-500 or Nikon Z6 III + Nikkor 180-600 or waiting for a new Nikon 33 MP camera similar to the Nikon Z6 III.
In your opinion, what would be my path?
Finally, as an idea, a comparison video of these Nikon Zs with a Nikon D500 might be good, because I think there are quite a few people in a similar situation to mine.
Sincere greetings.
Robert
I'll take a look !
@@WildlifeInspiredA lot of us are sticking with the D500 & the 200-500,so a video,settings & hints for birds/wildlife would be good.👍
I needed to hear this, Scott. I got the Z6III for my event work and for occasional birding. I'm not dedicated to one genre, so I needed a good all-rounder. I think I'm in good shape. The Z8 and Z9 are not good for me because I have very small hands and a previous thumb tendinitis issue. I don't know if you've considered a review of the Z50II but I was considering this as a back up. Thank you so much!
I'm not on wifelife or birds photography, but yourvideo has helped me to better understand on how Z6 III auto focus behaves. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great review! My Nikon D800 is currently starting to fail and I'm planning on taking the step to a mirrorless camera. I definitely can't afford the Nikon Z8 or Z9, and I'd still use my f-mount Sigma 150-600 with an adapter. According to several sites I've read, the Z6iii would be the next best thing to the Z8/Z9, and affordable (albeit still on the upper end of my budget).
The one thing holding me back is the MP. I shoot mostly smaller birds or birds far away so I usually have to crop a lot, and going from 36 MP in the D800 to 24 MP in this one does seem like a hard thing to swallow. However, in all other aspects I guess it would be a step up - probably a HUGE step up from a D800 -, and your shots from ~25 feet away still look like they can be zoomed in quite a bit to produce portrait shots of relatively small birds. So it's quite a case for the Z6iii.
Could try to wait for the z80/90 crop
Very good and balanced review. I shoot the Z9 (Z8 was too long of a wait) but could for sure see this as my backup replacement of my old DSLR.
Enjoyed the video. A well reasoned opinion, expressed well.
Thanks!
I went for the Z8 as I had the $, but gave this a serious look, but needed the extra pixels. Thanks for this, informative as always! For myself I see I made the right choice
Would be great to see a video like this about z8 and z9 cameras. Really liking these series!
since those have been done a lot, I will try to do a series for each NEW camera body made by nikon. Next Z50ii and maybe Z7ii? then I will look for a z90 in early next year when it is released
Great info and supporting photos on your ratings! I thought about this as an option to add to my Z9 as a backup on wildlife and other photo needs (weddings) at a better price point. I might wait for the price to be lowered on the z9, after the new rumored Z9ii is released. I agree the higher pixel rate in the 30’s would have been nice and I wonder if the Z7ii might be a lower priced backup option. I wish it had 2CFX cards and better build aspects. Great reviews and keep up the Fantastic work!!
Thanks!
Thanks for an interesting video.
I see your macro/closeup gear on the shelf, would really like to see some content for this type of photography as well, even if you make another channel for it.
Getting more into close up work now myself.
Outstanding video. Thanks for taking the time to do all this. I've been using a D500 for wildlife and considering this camera to finally go mirrorless. Would you at least say this camera is as good as or better than the D500 for all around wildlife photography?
No. Wait for a poetial z90. Crop. Spring 2025 is the rumors
@ Just watched video about that. Nikon is going to make me crazy.
A really good effort. Can you do a comparison of af with Z6ii too? I want to buy Z6ii and i don't have enough money to spend on the Z6iii.
Thanks a lot.
Very welcome!
can you review Nikon Z 50 II for wild life photography.
I will try
A great review but I do feel a little deflated. Would love to get into photographing birds but my budget can only realistically stretch to Z6iii and I had hoped to pair it with the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S as a viable option. Not sure where to go from here …
Wait for a z90 early 2025. D500 mirrorless equivalent. Hopefully priced around 2k
I am still waiting for my D500 replacement in a Z camera...until then I will keep it
Spring 2025
What cameras is coming?
@@WildlifeInspired Really?
I always find it wild when people use auto iso. I dunno if its a fuji thing with having the dials right there but I always shoot completely manual because I can see the exposure preview so I know what its going to be like before I take the photo and just change it if needs be really fast.
I think a lot of people use auto ISO with other settings manual. I'd guess most? professional shooting do this as well for birds because lighting can change so fast. My experience is if you are within 1 stop +/- adjusting it in post becomes irrelevant and with todays ISO invariant sensors ISO settings become less relevant.
@WildlifeInspired ahhh I gotcha I am fairly new to wildlife photography but I do alot of sports with primes so I guess I've got scope to change the lighting with shutter speed mostly over iso (tend to be pushing iso anyway with it being a low light situation).
I have a Nikon d500. I shoot flowers, birds and Motorsport. What camera would you recommend on a budget? Z50ii ?
Or wait for a potential z80/90 crop
I just can't give frame rate category an A, because you cannot adjust H and H*. You can only adjust L=1-7fps. Then it jumps to H=16fps and H*=20fps (electronic shutter). I really hope they allow H and H* adjustment in the next firmware. I am also finding a lot of bugginess related to the EVF. One, the EVF semi-sleeps to a too low framerate, and there is an inconsistent lag for it to return to normal framerate when any button is pressed. Its very tiring on the eyes. Two, I am seeing a ton of exposure "confusion" with various lenses. Very often the EVF is showing previews way super blown out overexposed. I take my eye away from the EVF and look at the backscreen and the exposure is totally fine. I put my eye back to the EVF and it is also suddenly fine. Weird. I have not tested every lens I have, but I was consistently seeing this problem last night with the Z 40mm f2 and the 50 f1.8 S lenses. I have also seen it do it on the F 300 PF via the FTZ I/II with and without the 1.4x TCIII. Three, the EVF detection sensor can be overly sensitive at times, but other times it's fine. The more I use the Z6III, the more of these sorts of issues I am finding. To be clear, I am not freaking out about it. Nikon is really good at fixing things via firmware updates, and they don't always list every single thing they fix in the notes. Right now the Z6III is a take the good with the bad kind of camera.
I orders one and now have it full time. I will play around and see if i notice the same. Frame rate is weird. True. Bug jump from lower to higher FPS. I think overall I was looking at max burst rate and not the adjustment in between settings
@@WildlifeInspired Maybe I am just being picky with the H/H*. IMO, 16fps mind as well be 20fps. The sweet sport for H is 10-12 fps, but making it adjustable from 8-15 fps would probably make everyone happy.
Great image examples seems like a pretty good camera, I myself have the Z9 but it makes me mad Nikon isn't giving us pre capture RAW and would of thought they at least would of included it in their new camera.
wondering if firmware can address this OR more likely Z9ii. As we approach diminished returns manufacturers have to offer some new feature to justify a new body. I bet this is one .
@WildlifeInspired Hopefully they can at least add it to the Z9 with firmware but I have a gut feeling it's a no go, For sure I hope it'll be in the new Z9II as they have no choice.
How many videos for this topic you published?
3. Broke it down. Each video is actually different.
Great content. Nikon is putting amazing products out there, but seems that they need to perfect que AF on latest cameras, still doesn´t compare to big competition, is close, but they need to improve. On the rest is amazing.
Doesn’t seem too bad when cropping.
I recently noticed that most of the people in my camera club are using Nikon equipment. Sony used to be the most common brand, but that changed over the past year. I know Fujifilm auto-focus has been unreliable, but if they were to implement an auto-focus solution at least on par with Nikon, do you think their X-H2S (stacked sensor 26MP) or X-H2 (non-stacked sensor 40MP) would be a viable options for wildlife?
I cant say, as I usually test Nikon gear.
@@WildlifeInspired I think the Z8 is a great camera, but I just had a double-hernia operation and need to minimize how much weight I carry. Maybe I will wait a few months and consider the Z8 again. 🙂
I have used quite a lot of Fuji cameras. XT-1, XT-2, XT-3, XH-1, XH-2 and XH-2S. The autofocus issues on the latter two consistently got worse with new firmware updates and finally made me change back to Nikon. I have used Nikon D90, D300, D500, D700 and D750. Now with Z9 and recently added Z8. I was hoping for an APS-C camera like the D500 but the D50 II is not it in my view. I also considered the Z6 III but as wildlife is my primary I found the Z8 as a better option due to the bigger pixel number compared to the Z6 III and still the option of DX mode. For wildlife the lens options with Fujifilm is more limited. Most with higher f stops as minimum compared to the selection with Nikon. The only large aperture lens (2.8) for wildlife is the 200 mm and that is for sure not light.
The Bellroy Venture Sling 9l and Bellroy Note Sleeve where two items that I bought ahead of a trip to France in May and used again on a trip in Sicily in October and November and I will not travel again without these items. The wallet has become my daily carry. Definitely a new fan of the Bellroy products.
Hi, I just got Z6III and posted some videos on my channel. Im not professional it was my first 3 day of using it but you can still check it out if you want to see how is it.
Do you really think that 90% of those who watch this really need the z9? I suspect it would be a “want” but far from “need”. 😅 if I came back to Nikon it would be the latest z7. Why because I would not use any of the auto focus eye or whatever special focus. Normal auto focus would be my choice.
I suspect 90 percent of all cameras do more than what the user really needs. None of that means there isn't an audience for the content.