The Z 9 was my first Nikon Mirrorless camera and it has always met my expectations. I don't mind the weight, if it is too heavy for you, you should go to the gym and work out with 5 lb weights. I am no spring chicken. I took it to the UK for a six week trip with the 24-120, 14-30 and the 100-400. It performed flawlessly. With all of the firmware updates, it is like getting a camera upgrade 5 times over.
I use my Z9 for studio, nature, streetart, macro and action shooting. No matter what the task the Z9 just deliver every time 👍 It is fast, stable, rock solid, shoot forever on a battery, perfect handgrip, buetiful colors and 45 mb pix is fine for everything, really a 4x4 offroad camera. Love it ❤️
Nice video and well thought out. The hate that Nikon got was pretty ridiculous. My first digital camera was the Nikon D1X when it was released and comparing the features and AF of the original Z6 to that camera or any of the many DSLRs that I’ve owned was a major step up. The problem (IMO) is that so many people pretending to be photographers on social media, expected the camera to think for them and blamed the camera every time something didn’t come out right as opposed to blaming themselves and perfecting their skill and knowledge of the cameras functions.
Shot Leica SL2, Panasonic S1R, Canon 5DSR&MK4 but this Z9 has been the upmost best experience both with the rendering, menu, glass, customer support etc. Also have the Z8 which is just as sweet. Totally satisfied and here to stay with good ol Nikon. Oh I never did trash my Nikon N90S btw 🎉.
The Z9 didn't quite do it for me when it first came out and I stuck with my D800e. The Z8, which is to a large extent the same camera, is the one that got me excited to make the leap to mirrorless and I've not had a single regret. That's because the Z9 lagged in features for a long bit and when the Z8 hit the market, it was cheaper and had the feature set the Z9 might have enticed me with. I've since added a fair bit of glass... 14-24mmS, 20mmS, 24-120mmS, 50mmS, MC105mmS, 135mm Plena, and the 180-600mm. The Z glass is just outstanding. But I'm not only getting sharper images than I did with my D800e, I'm getting more of them. I don't know what's coming when a Z9 II is released, but I'm excited to find out and could be a buyer if that excitement warrants.
@@ZWadePhoto, my initial reluctance was mainly that the auto-focus wasn't at a level that made me feel the jump was financially justifiable. But that improved with the Z8 and has only gotten better since. Other things like the high burst speed and improved shooting modes were a nice bonus but the auto-focus leap was the thing I was holding out for and I felt like Nikon didn't really get there until the Z8 came out. At the same time, I could have gone for the Z9 but it felt like the smarter move would be the Z8 and put the difference towards some new glass.
It is true: Nikon keeps improving the Z9 at every opportunity. I am enamoured with the Z9, as the only mirrorless camera, I would want to own, because the battery life lasts a whole day. Just like the D850's battery does.
I am getting one used in 2 weeks. I am beside myself! I never dreamed I would have such an opportunity. For me I want the ability to soot 8k raw for extended time without the potential over heating of the z8. Besides I am paying less than I would for the z8.
I think Nikon's challenge is going to be competing against itself in the future. I know I will personally skip a Z9 II unless it has something I will find useful in my day to day that the Z9 just can't do. Marginal upgrade is not going to cut it in this case. My GAS tells me I will buy it if the only improvement is EVF and screen but I hope for much more. I'm curious to see the cross pollination of Red and Nikon and look forward to the future. Nikon is rewarding those of us who stayed the course when it was tempting at times to jump to Sony. Cheers!
I'm in the same boat. I really don't plan on replacing the Z9. I like the output so much and use so little of it's ability, that a Z9ii, 3, 4, whatever, I'm worried any tweeks to the sensor will leave me feeling like i really didn't need to upgrade haha. I'll use my Z9 till it dies i'm sure.
Thanks ZWade it is a great camera and price wend down 500 USD so even more .....Me still shooting D800 and want to get a new camera keeping the D800 btw but I had to wait six kids all grown up but Universities cost a hell where I live .that stopped this month so recover first and than my next camera moment comes around the corner at some point.yeh a Z mount camera Fullframe Z8/Z9 option but for me video is not so important but getting slowly older still capable with big lenses like the 120-300mm f2.8 DG OS HSM Sigma .but making my non VR OS lenses by IBIS even better working temps me to go for the Z8/9 option and not for the D850 DSLR time will tell keep going on with your YT channel have a nice day from a Dutchman in South America !
I get so confused when people complain that the Z9 is too expensive. I get that it’s a lot for a camera, but the fact that the price of the flagship body has come down and/or remained consistent for over a decade is impressive.
People get confused because they only want to pay for what they use, and most people don't even scratch the surface of what even an entry level camera is capable of. Me included, but if a brand DOESN"T make a feature stacked camera with more features than you'll use, the same people that wouldn't use those features then get mad about features they don't have and wouldn't use. lol.
Back in the days I wanted a D4 but 6K was to much. Got it after all for 900 bucks second hand. Guess I have to wait a while before the Z9 hits the 1000 bucks mark.
I hope to find one in a thrift store for like 100 bucks. No really I found the craziest stuff in such stores for peanuts. Patience and luck are the key ingredients.
If i try to buy that camera here in Brazil , I have to give another one to the "president" . Literally , i tested here "just for fun" give me the price of US $9,262.62 in brazil money go to almost R$58.473,24 . minimum wage here is about R$ 1500,00 ($ 249,77) . 2 years back I could buy my Z6 II without pay all this taxes, but was luck. Now its impossible . Sad
@@ZWadePhoto I just tried on "B&H Photo" in NY, USA, I think, and it’s not offering shipping at that price. I also tried ordering from AliExpress in China, and all the taxes were included right in the shopping cart. Maybe is "cheaper" if I buy a ticket plane to USA, buy and return to Brazil in my bag and hope not get caught LOL. Its sad ....I like to upgrade at least to Nikon Z6 III because of the focus issues on Z6 II.
==> www.youtube.com/@ZWadePhoto I purchased my Z9 ahead of the 2024 eclipse. Whilst the D850 had a 1/3rd of a stop better DR/IQ @ ISO 64 (on paper) with a dual gain @ 400 ISO vs the Z9's ISO 500, the performance of the Z9 (FPS in raw) was what I was after. I photographed the 2024 eclipse, and walked away with loads of keepers. Technically speaking, the Z9 has the technology to capture the most beloved features of the eclipse. I also had the Z8 for a while, and probably should have kept it. I hope they firmware-add pixel-shift to the Z9, that is fun as all hell to work with. Thank you for a great review ZWade...
The Z 9 was my first Nikon Mirrorless camera and it has always met my expectations. I don't mind the weight, if it is too heavy for you, you should go to the gym and work out with 5 lb weights. I am no spring chicken. I took it to the UK for a six week trip with the 24-120, 14-30 and the 100-400. It performed flawlessly. With all of the firmware updates, it is like getting a camera upgrade 5 times over.
Exactly. We are getting a new camera via firmware every so often haha
Nikon Z9, and a ton of glass options, No brainer!!! Well said Z.
Thanks for watching!
I appreciate what the Z9 can do every year I shoot. I mainly shoot low lit Jazz venues and it never disappoints.
Darkness is nothing to the Z9
Agreed. Only issue I run into is banding but I’ve recently solved that by using a monopod and shooting in manual mode with AUTOISO.
I use my Z9 for studio, nature, streetart, macro and action shooting. No matter what the task the Z9 just deliver every time 👍 It is fast, stable, rock solid, shoot forever on a battery, perfect handgrip, buetiful colors and 45 mb pix is fine for everything, really a 4x4 offroad camera. Love it ❤️
Thanks for watching! I love mine too buddy.
Love my Z9!
Same. I spent the first week or 2 owning it just holding it around the house. Walking around watching TV, just feeling it. Love Love Love it.
Nice video and well thought out. The hate that Nikon got was pretty ridiculous. My first digital camera was the Nikon D1X when it was released and comparing the features and AF of the original Z6 to that camera or any of the many DSLRs that I’ve owned was a major step up. The problem (IMO) is that so many people pretending to be photographers on social media, expected the camera to think for them and blamed the camera every time something didn’t come out right as opposed to blaming themselves and perfecting their skill and knowledge of the cameras functions.
When cameras do everything, thats when I start paying for repairs on 10 years old cameras. haha.
Shot Leica SL2, Panasonic S1R, Canon 5DSR&MK4 but this Z9 has been the upmost best experience both with the rendering, menu, glass, customer support etc. Also have the Z8 which is just as sweet. Totally satisfied and here to stay with good ol Nikon. Oh I never did trash my Nikon N90S btw 🎉.
Nice! You still use the N90?
The Z9 didn't quite do it for me when it first came out and I stuck with my D800e. The Z8, which is to a large extent the same camera, is the one that got me excited to make the leap to mirrorless and I've not had a single regret. That's because the Z9 lagged in features for a long bit and when the Z8 hit the market, it was cheaper and had the feature set the Z9 might have enticed me with. I've since added a fair bit of glass... 14-24mmS, 20mmS, 24-120mmS, 50mmS, MC105mmS, 135mm Plena, and the 180-600mm. The Z glass is just outstanding. But I'm not only getting sharper images than I did with my D800e, I'm getting more of them. I don't know what's coming when a Z9 II is released, but I'm excited to find out and could be a buyer if that excitement warrants.
@@JimCaputoMusic what features were you you hoping for that the Z9 lacked initially?
@@ZWadePhoto, my initial reluctance was mainly that the auto-focus wasn't at a level that made me feel the jump was financially justifiable. But that improved with the Z8 and has only gotten better since. Other things like the high burst speed and improved shooting modes were a nice bonus but the auto-focus leap was the thing I was holding out for and I felt like Nikon didn't really get there until the Z8 came out. At the same time, I could have gone for the Z9 but it felt like the smarter move would be the Z8 and put the difference towards some new glass.
It is true: Nikon keeps improving the Z9 at every opportunity.
I am enamoured with the Z9, as the only mirrorless camera, I would want to own, because the battery life lasts a whole day. Just like the D850's battery does.
Love it!
I am getting one used in 2 weeks. I am beside myself! I never dreamed I would have such an opportunity. For me I want the ability to soot 8k raw for extended time without the potential over heating of the z8. Besides I am paying less than I would for the z8.
Thats a solid deal Captain!
I think Nikon's challenge is going to be competing against itself in the future. I know I will personally skip a Z9 II unless it has something I will find useful in my day to day that the Z9 just can't do. Marginal upgrade is not going to cut it in this case. My GAS tells me I will buy it if the only improvement is EVF and screen but I hope for much more. I'm curious to see the cross pollination of Red and Nikon and look forward to the future. Nikon is rewarding those of us who stayed the course when it was tempting at times to jump to Sony. Cheers!
I'm in the same boat. I really don't plan on replacing the Z9. I like the output so much and use so little of it's ability, that a Z9ii, 3, 4, whatever, I'm worried any tweeks to the sensor will leave me feeling like i really didn't need to upgrade haha. I'll use my Z9 till it dies i'm sure.
TRUTH All AROUND!!! Z9 is Indeed Spectacular!! You POV is Factual!! Keep Growing!!!
Thanks ZWade it is a great camera and price wend down 500 USD so even more .....Me still shooting D800 and want to get a new camera keeping the D800 btw but I had to wait six kids all grown up but Universities cost a hell where I live .that stopped this month so recover first and than my next camera moment comes around the corner at some point.yeh a Z mount camera Fullframe Z8/Z9 option but for me video is not so important but getting slowly older still capable with big lenses like the 120-300mm f2.8 DG OS HSM Sigma .but making my non VR OS lenses by IBIS even better working temps me to go for the Z8/9 option and not for the D850 DSLR time will tell
keep going on with your YT channel have a nice day from a Dutchman in South America !
Right on Edward! Thanks for watching from a Southern boy in Kansas USA
Still a brilliant camera
agree!
I get so confused when people complain that the Z9 is too expensive. I get that it’s a lot for a camera, but the fact that the price of the flagship body has come down and/or remained consistent for over a decade is impressive.
People get confused because they only want to pay for what they use, and most people don't even scratch the surface of what even an entry level camera is capable of. Me included, but if a brand DOESN"T make a feature stacked camera with more features than you'll use, the same people that wouldn't use those features then get mad about features they don't have and wouldn't use. lol.
Back in the days I wanted a D4 but 6K was to much. Got it after all for 900 bucks second hand. Guess I have to wait a while before the Z9 hits the 1000 bucks mark.
Mine won't even be worth that by the time i'm done with it because i'm gonna use it till it dies. Then use it as decoration haha.
I hope to find one in a thrift store for like 100 bucks. No really I found the craziest stuff in such stores for peanuts. Patience and luck are the key ingredients.
If you find a stupid good deal on one, come back and brag about it. I love stories of regular people like me winning.
✌✌
ayo!
It is in fact a relative bargain at it's price point, and offers remarkable performance at any price point today.
Agree
It is $7,000 just for the body here in Canada. 😢 I'm not a pro photographer but, but would it be nice.
@@cmdrxevaster darn tech tariffs
I’m afraid my Z9 is actually a Z8…
no no, You're Z8 is actually a Z9
With the Z9 I love a camera that comes on immediately and a battery lasting all day - all else is gravy ... 🦘
Glorious!
If i try to buy that camera here in Brazil , I have to give another one to the "president" . Literally , i tested here "just for fun" give me the price of US $9,262.62
in brazil money go to almost R$58.473,24 . minimum wage here is about R$ 1500,00 ($ 249,77) .
2 years back I could buy my Z6 II without pay all this taxes, but was luck. Now its impossible . Sad
oof. Thats harsh....
Is it legal to buy from an american store, in american currency, and have it shipped in? Thats not illegal.
@@ZWadePhoto I just tried on "B&H Photo" in NY, USA, I think, and it’s not offering shipping at that price. I also tried ordering from AliExpress in China, and all the taxes were included right in the shopping cart.
Maybe is "cheaper" if I buy a ticket plane to USA, buy and return to Brazil in my bag and hope not get caught LOL. Its sad ....I like to upgrade at least to Nikon Z6 III because of the focus issues on Z6 II.
The question should not be worth every penny rather ask if there is a better camera on the market?
Oh there's always something "better". I think worth the money you spend is better for me. Thanks for watching.
==> www.youtube.com/@ZWadePhoto
I purchased my Z9 ahead of the 2024 eclipse. Whilst the D850 had a 1/3rd of a stop better DR/IQ @ ISO 64 (on paper) with a dual gain @ 400 ISO vs the Z9's ISO 500, the performance of the Z9 (FPS in raw) was what I was after. I photographed the 2024 eclipse, and walked away with loads of keepers. Technically speaking, the Z9 has the technology to capture the most beloved features of the eclipse.
I also had the Z8 for a while, and probably should have kept it. I hope they firmware-add pixel-shift to the Z9, that is fun as all hell to work with.
Thank you for a great review ZWade...
Thanks for watching SOTA!