Wasn’t the “bad preamps” a myth that was debunked by a sound pro for DPR? Surprised to see Gerald reiterate the myth when in fact the Z6 was tested to have better preamps than its competitors.
I film weddings with my Nikon Z6ii and I can say that the AF is actually amazing. For my camera in the back of the ceremony, I set the AF to Wide-Large and it'll never lose the bride or groom. Especially when they are walking up and down the aisle. Also, you can set the Fn1 button for AF Tracking that can override the AF if it happens to be quirky and not be in focus. It's super helpful and makes the Nikon Z6ii a really good AF camera for someone who knows what they're doing. In low-light, it works great for me in wedding receptions, but mainly because I bring three continuous lights which allow me to never really need to go over ISO 1,600, and that's even the same case for "send-offs" at night. Obviously, I'd love the 10-bit recording to be internal, but am getting by just fine with 8-bit thanks to good lighting. Gerald, please do full reviews on all the Nikon Z-mount lenses! They're really great and deserve more love on this channel.
I have also had a lot of success with the Z6 (I haven't upgraded to the Z6 II yet). I have used the Sony A7iii but I still prefer my Z6. For me and what I use it for, the Autofocus works better on the Z6 because it's smoother. No matter what camera I use, in really low light I switch to manual focus because they all struggle to a certain pint. The one thing that drives me nuts about the z system is the way the s mount glass focus ring works. I default to f mount glass though because the focus rings on the s lenses make it unusable for duplicating focus pulling when in manual focus. With the f mount glass I can duplicate my focus pulls on each take.
yeah I honestly think that a lot of the bad press on these is because the AF system is very specific based on use case. With the D850 you might just use dynamic 25 point when tracking action but if you use dynamic in the Z6ii it doesn't act the same ... the wide area L is probably closer to the dynamic in the DSLR. Giving the camera a specific zone to focus in helps it lock in pretty well and you still have some control over what the camera is going to focus on in the frame rather than letting the AI take over completely.
In my opinion one of the biggest advantages of the Z6(II) over its competitors for hybrid shooting is the photo to video switch on the back as it allows you to switch to the fully custom video mode seamlessly without lowering the camera. Especially for eventphotography this is a great improvement of the workflow and can probably only be appreciated when you use it back to back to another system.
I absolutely love that blackmagic listened to your feedback and fixed a problem. I love supporting companies that do that; actually listen to their user base.
Other TH-camrs: NIKON AF IS AWFUUUUL IT’S UNUSABLE!!! NIKON SHOULD DIE!!!111 Gerald: calmly explains where Nikon’s AF system lacks but still rates it positively since it’s a very usable AF system Love your content man!
I have a Z6 with Raw upgrade and Ninja V. The video quality is amazing at this price point. I was thinking of getting Canon's before buying Z6 but their RF glasses are too expensive.
How is RAW vs N-Log? I know the strengths of RAW, but it has a reputation of being less sharp than N-Log because of the line skipping vs oversampling. What are your observations?
@@mikeblack_pw It's very hard to get the right exposure with N-log. 7 out of 10 footages taken in n-log were rubbish. With the proresraw upgrade, I get 8 of 10 usable footages.
@@seanhdr4k629 I want to make a short film with the aim of releasing that film on ott platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, Zee etc. What would be a better option: n-log or b raw ? I heard that there are some issues with b-raw so I am concerned/confused. Please guide me. I'm not aiming Netflix.
I had the same thinking when I rented the R6 while I have the Z6 with Prores Raw! RF L glass cost way to much while the Nikon Z 1.8 lens are just as good as those L glass but way cheaper. After playing the Prores Raw on the Z6 a bit more, now I prefer the image quality coming from that camera. It looks so good and if color grade correctly, you can get that organic film vibes! It just need a bit of sharpening because the image is a bit soft. I do wish it had a bit more dynamic range though.
@@seanhdr4k629 when u say its hard to get the right exposure what do u mean? Does using false color not rectify the problem or perhaps a light meter? I ask because im still learning myself
The faster way to open the custom white balance tool in the camera is to hold down the button you mapped for a few seconds and it will go straight to the tool. Or at least it does on my Z6
There is an easier way to pull up the white balance box. In PRE1 white balance mode just hold the white balance button for 3 seconds and it will pop up automatically. The front top button next to the lens mount should already be mapped for your white balance so you don't need to map it.
I absolutely love this camera! The image quality I get from it recording internally is just fantastic! Not much correction needed in post. And the photos and especially RAW images are wonderful to work with! There's this magic with Nikon colors. But.... I would prefer to have a flippy screen, and I also agree that the 29:59min recording limit is nothing I fancy.
An honest review, very nice! I like what you said about this being the best option at this price, it’s a very well balanced camera for hybrid shooters. Not the best camera but the best as an all around.
So glad to get some shine on my Nikons! Could you publish your Dynamic range findings online somewhere? I have googled dynamic range for the z6 many times and never find anything. Im especiallly interested in how B Raw and N-Log and Atomos recorders compare. I own a z6II and 2 z6s and have a FX6 on order. I only buy cameras Gerald Hates.
Straight Z6ii audio is much cleaner and natural (coming from a sound engineer & Submarine Sonar Tech :] ). Gerald have to be honest, this is one of the few reviews I've watched on your channel that smacks of real bias. Any menu item can quickly be added to the My Menu on the touchscreen and to call Nikon's menus difficult compared to Sony or Fuji is just laughable. Using someone for a 2nd opinion that used Nikon's system many years ago is also useless to viewers wanting a real opinion to compare systems. This is not coming from a Nikonian fanboy, I've used and enjoy them all... but I am seriously looking to add the Z6ii to my arsenal. I've always considered your channel a viable place for veritable review but this one leaves me scratching my head. Love your channel and want to keep coming back for solid critical content.
Speed! It's so quick to grade. I'd never use it for commercials or anything that needs super duper quality, but for TH-cam delivery, it's lovely to work with.
How would you rate the new Nikon system? Their S-line lenses are more "hybrid" given that they don't exhibit focus breathing throughout their zoom range.
I was considering getting an a7s iii with an adapter for my 15k in Nikon glass, but your review conviced me to just get the Z6ii and use everything native, I can even use all my current batteries and have a user interface that I'm used to. Amazing review btw.
Your guest had a good point about the video interface. Sometimes Nikon makes perplexing choices and the video record interface is a perfect example of this. One of the most common newb mistakes is inadvertently leaving the camera rolling. This results in long shots of feet walking, close-ups of the insides of jackets and backpacks, and various other card and battery consuming drek as the camera goes rolling on and on and on, unattended. As a final insult, eventually the camera moves intentionally into a good composition and immediately cuts! I used to see this all the time with students. I still do it myself, sometimes - all because it's easy to leave the camera rolling if you're not diligent about checking each time you cut. A simple sound cue helps eliminate this common, annoying mistake. Even worse than rolling unknowingly is NOT rolling when you think you ARE. Suddenly you notice that all that great footage you thought you were getting wasn't being recorded because you didn't push the button carefully enough. I've done that a few times before, too. All it takes is an errant button push and if you're not carefully watching edge-of-the-interface stuff other than focus, exposure and action, you might miss the shot. All of which is to explain how Nikon really dropped the ball in the Z6 video UX. There's barely indication in the viewfinder that you're rolling, other than a tiny "REC" indicator at the top of frame, right where it's really difficult to see unless you're looking for it. When you roll or cut, there are no sound cues, at all - at least there's nothing I or your "second opinion" guy have been able to find so far. Also, there's no indication of how long you've been rolling. Virtually very motion media camera I've ever used has a count-up timer somewhere (usually bottom center) on the screen that tells you how long the current shot is. Even my phone does this. But not Nikon. Instead they choose to show you how much of your artificially-invoked 30 minute limit you've used. If you choose "show time codes", that doesn't help. The camera displays the total of how long you've been shooting since you invoked "show time codes". WTF? Fortunately, the lack of clear roll/cut indications could be solved with a firmware update. The still image part of the camera beeps frequently, so the hardware exists inside the device to beep when you roll and beep when you cut. Even my phone does that, too. A count-up timer for a "how long is this shot?" indication should also be easy to implement in firmware. C'mon, Nikon! Do any of your engineers actually USE these cameras? It's also possible that we're both mistaken and Nikon DID allow for an unmistakable, obvious roll/cut indication somewhere in the settings. And maybe there's a "current shot duration" counter buried in the menus, too. But I haven't found it yet. Today was my first day with the Z6.
Great review as usual Gerald! I would have a question that would be probably shared by the most of Z6 owners about your personal preferences between ProresRaw and Braw. Any major difference in quality of the files, dynamic range and ease of use? Thanks a lot and really hope to receive this answer from you! 🙏🏻
Good review... it is nikon middle of the road camera and its alwsys pitted against sony panasonic and canons higher end offerings and that in itself says something
Great stuff Gerald. Is there a way to know if I'm recording with an external monitor? Can I turn on the tally light on the Z6ii since HDMI won't show video settings/info over HDMI? I simply want to know if I'm recording or not via a tally light or even over HDMI. Thank you Gerald.
Super informative and helpful. I had a nightmare trying to get the Custom White Balance to work on my Z7 II. The button simply would not work, but when I unplugged the USB, tethered to iPad, it worked!
As a Nikon Z shooter for the last few years, I was so pumped to hear about BRaw. That said, the logistical hoop of having to send it in for the update and pay $200~ is a tough sell though. Anyways - awesome video, Gerald. Would love to see more Nikon Z content/discussion from you!
Make sure you rent a Video Assist before buying one if you go the BRAW route. The monitor is horrible (LUTs don't work - greyed out in 3.4.1, heavy, and I mean really heavy magenta bias, and loose battery cradle that rattles the battery when I touch the screen) and BM doesn't have a standard return policy. I've had a horrible experience. Glad I haven't sold my Ninja V.
@@rgsauve Thanks bud. I'll do some more research before making the leap. Honestly, Gerald makes a convincing sell for just 10-bit N-Log on the Ninja as being more than enough of an upgrade. I currently only shoot internal so I'd love to hear some thoughts on how you've felt about the Ninja and N-Log?
@@DarrinRigo NLog is great but like he mentions, you get a bit more latitude when recovering highlights with BRAW and since a lot of my stuff is docu, it can make a big difference. Another massive difference which I haven't tested with the VA is HDMI latency. NLog to the Ninja V is unusable on a gimbal because of the 9ish (I forget exactly) frame lag. On the other hand l, Prores RAW to the Ninja V is only a 5 frame lag. That itself makes NLog a no go for my shooting (other than talking heads). Like I said, I haven't tested but I assume NLog vs BRAW hdmi lag would be similar. Wish we'd gotten the exact number from Gerald.
You should try a camera test between the Nikon and Panasonic BRAW using Resolve Color Management using a large Timeline space like Davinci Wide Gamut, ACEScct, or RWGRGB. This way Resolve bypasses you setting up a particular gamut and gamma, extracts all available raw information, and remaps to any of these much larger spaces in the timeline before conforming back down to Rec709. This way you can push and pull the footage and get a real sense of the dynamic range limits and color information (at least in real-world scenarios) without being concerned about selecting a particular gamma/gamut setting for the footage. Nevertheless, this video series has been incredibly insightful.
since I own the first version of z6, it was hard to swallow all the shit thrown towards Nikon throughout the video, but thank God I waited till the end to know that I"m not a complete loser for choosing it. Anyway, brand loyalty has always been my weak spot, and so I was so happy to finally move to mirrorless camera from my previous Nikon DSLR. Nice review Gerald, as always, you have really found the niche among hundreds of filmmaking youtube channels with very detailed technical reviews. There are no alternatives actually.
I don't need to googlefu after watching your videos I get what I was looking for and I always don't forget to click on the LIKE button. Click it TWICE every time since I like them so much.
Hi Gerald, great video as usual haha. I'm looking for s focus chart and I just saw one in your background. Could you tell me the brand or send me a link? Thanks!
Thanks for the review. I own the Z6, and have been pretty happy with it as a casual hybrid shooter. It's true that I sometimes get that grass-is-greener-elsewhere feeling with it - especially when it comes to video... but to be honest, I have yet to encounter anything the Z6 can't do that I actually need it to do - every minor deficiency can be worked around without too much hassle. That being said, I do agree with the gripe about manual focus in video... the non-linear focusing-by-wire is a PITA. (Something that could easily be fixed in firmware, if I'm not mistaken.) I think Nikon needs more credit where credit is due for making such a balanced camera at a reasonable price. I'm guilty of GAS as much as anyone else, and I've often wondered if it's worth the hassle to switch systems. There's some great cameras out there that all have some unique headline features, but usually with some other kind of baggage to go along with it. If I did switch, however, I would really miss my S-line lenses... they're all incredible. The Nikon Z-cameras are kind of like the 6th man on an NBA team. They don't have the flash of any of the players on the starting lineup, but they are the ones that you can rely on to get the job done, for almost any position - even if they aren't the very best in one way.
Looks like software 3.4.1 disabled LUTs with the Z6 (not sure about the Z6ii). Were you using a newer VA software version? Surprised you didn't go over the heavy magenta biased transform BM is using on the monitor (footage looks fine in Resolve though). Even Blackmagic has admitted to me they weren't passing through the image from the Z6 as rec2020 on the VA but converting to rec709 instead. Hopefully they fix that. I bought my 7" VA without knowing BM doesn't have a standard return policy and now it's stuck in the RMA process because of a wild magenta bias and loose battery cradles.
While Nikon isn't blazing a trail of innovation in the mirrorless world, they have a very solid line up of mirrorless cameras and excellent Z lenses. They seem to move slower than either Canon or Sony, but every once in a while they pull something spectacular out of nowhere. The Z cameras feel the best in my hand and are very easy to use, producing great images with excellent colours.
Very fair and balanced review I have to say which is refreshing these days when reviewing Nikon. I shoot only on the Z7 II and have been shooting with Nikon cameras for at least 7 years now. I think the menu system is far more intuitive than even the Canon's I was shooting on before. I've just briefly held and looked at the Sony's and nooooo thank you. I don't speak Klingon - lol. I do think you should have used a better lens than the kit 24-70 f4 though. Just about every other lens they've put out since this lens is superior to that one. I think a more fair review would have at least used the new 24-70 f2.8 lens which is fantastic. Anyone that's held a camera over the past decade knows it's rarely just the camera - a high-quality piece of glass makes all the difference. Still...I do appreciate the review :)
As an early adopter of the Z6 and owner of a Ninja V, I was really hoping you'd cover this - so chuffed you did. I've shot lots with the Z6 in vlog form (using a smartphone to monitor frame & lighting) in a controlled environment and had high hopes for the raw output, but it's just not living up to what it seemed to be, so far at least. Totally agree on the autofocus - nothing special but gets the job done :) Great video as always!
Luckily Nikon has the most adaptable lens mount in the Z System with the shortest flange distance, so you can put those cine linear manual focusing lenses on there. That said the Z lineup does very well for controlling focus breathing.
As a Nikon DSLR user I find it difficult to get excited about the Z cameras. Ive decided to switch - just trying to figure who has the fastest hybrid system to use. The one feature I'll miss for my style of work is the video/photo switch.
It’s a very solid camera, don’t let hype and others bad mouth the camera. As a DSLR and Z shooter myself I can tell you it’s better than You think. And they have the best lenses Nikon has ever made.
@@LeeandroNoray thanks Leeandro - will they be around in the next few years tho. They really seem to be the nearly men. If I go for a Z camera I'd need new lenses as I don't want to use a adapter, and if Im going to buy new lenses I might as well look at other systems.
@@markshirley01 Nikon is going to be fine, it’s clear that these doomsday you tubers got you. That Z system has huge potential with exceptional lenses. The bodies will catch up soon.
Wow. I came here expecting just another average review, either completely bashing Nikon, or praising it as the greatest camera of all time. You were very fair, very unbiased, gave credit where credit was due, and had no qualms about pointing out the flaws. Kudos to you, thanks for the honest review. I've been eyeing the Z6II since I've been getting more into video since starting my YT channel, especially since I've been shooting Nikon for over a decade and have a LOT of nikon glass.
Hey Gerald - can you please do a video on the Z5 for its 1080p? I think it might just be "good enough," but you're the expert. Maybe you can encourage Nikon to at least improve the codec so Z5 owners can record at higher bitrates, even if it's only in HD. I know the Z5 can shoot in 4K, but the heavy crop makes that largely useless.
This camera would be a beast of it could just output even just 4K 48fps over HDMI to get RAW. 30fps is so disappointing and preventing me from upgrading from the z6.
Gerald, this is an impressive nerdy review and your collaboration with BM impresses too. Let me throw in one nerdy point: all images you show from any camera, are the result of some form of raw processing. For the JPEG/MPEG variants, we can blame the camera manufacturer's software developers, when something could be better. All raw processing done in post introduces a veil that masks what the camera really is can can do. And this includes noise. It is hard to see if noise is caused by bad raw processing, a form of chaotic Moiré in raw processing even, or really can be attributed to the camera. A second point is, would you do a part II review that illustrates how these technical specifications relate to the ability to record certain scenes, or not - from a creative point of view? To me discussing the specs compares to the US drag race 3,000 HP cars that are meaningless when you have to navigate NY, NY's traffic to get to where you need to be.
As a current Nikon user and Z6 hopeful, it was clear with the v1 and now v2, that they're just too many years behind their competitors and I'm not sure they'll have anything respectable to offer in the video realm for a while which forces me to prepare for a switch. I will say that for stills, the D850 and Z7 are remarkable. Hi Sony, I'm packing my bags, please keep the light on for me.
I also don't like about the Nikon Z6 that it doesn't show on the top LCD that it's recording. Especially annoyed me when I filmed from the hip when I didn't want people to know that it's recording. However, I also didn't know if it was recording.
Great video as usual. I've had the Z6II since release and for photography ive been really impressed especially after the update for AF. Ive just started to do a bit more video since I got it and so far ive loved it for what I shoot, I only shoot in camera but will get an Atomos later. But I dont think ill bother getting the update on this camera. Also its funny you dislike the Nikon menu system, a lot of people praise the layout of their menu (photo reviewers mainly) especially compared to Sony.
I liked the review Gerald but I can’t help but feel some of your complaints (menu navigation, white balance menu access), are typical of someone that doesn’t normally use Nikon. Regarding a rotating wheel on the back of a Canon camera I could just as easily say I didn’t like it coming from Nikon, but this wouldn’t make it an overly impartial comment. Countering this you did bring in an external opinion from an (ex) Nikon user and this I applaud 👏. To me I still wonder if all this messing with an external recorder is tech for the sake of tech when compared to shooting without an external recorder in 8bit, WITH “Active D” lighting set the maximum. This would give far higher dynamic range, great colour, control over noise reduction, and critically lens corrections baked in... Not to mention cost waaayy less than Panasonic S1H or Sony whatever, and have far better auto focus than a Panasonic S5... WITH a larger hdmi port. Which reminds me, why do you penalize the Nikon for having a larger HDMI port than the Panasonic S5 or (or Sony A7iii for example)? Surely this is a point for applause not disappointment.
Oh I'm sure there is a quick way to set custom white balance tool - at least the same way as in Z6 mk1 I believe - you just have to hold the Function button you set for the WB - not very easy to find, though, but works good. I personally found this occasionally ^_^
Mr. Undone, in a word, would someone who is still using a nikon d7000 for stills, portraits and the like, gain remarkable benefits from switching this system?
Experimenting with BRAW and the Nikon Z7ii. When I go to apply the CST this camera is not on the Davinci Resolve camera list. Which should I use? Thanks again for your informative video.
I've been a Nikon shooter for 11+ years now and just got the Z6II less than a month ago since I do a ton of video work nowadays and a lot of hybrid shooting. The separate settings for video and photo modes are one of my favourite features, but I do agree that there's nothing that really stands out for Nikons atm, sadly... btw what external recorder would you recommend for stepping up to RAW recording? Atomos Ninja V or something else? Maybe that's an idea for a future video - comparing recorders at different budgets/feature sets
Always love your videos! The thing that is missed in most reviews is the Z-Mount. The optical wizardry that can be done with such a minimal flange distance is limitless. I’ve shot Nikon for 12 years and the amount of adapters and lenses I now have access to because of the new mount opens up a whole new range of possibilities. Also the fact that I have 4 fast and incredibly sharp primes that can be used professionally for under $1,000 each! I know Nikon is behind in the mirrorless game but I gave up my D850 for the Z7ii and couldn’t be happier. Ps. The focus ring is amazing for photography but an absolute joke for video. Especially in a camera control rig, super frustrating and I hope it gets fixed in firmware.
Hi Alex I am planning to switch from Nikon DSLR to Mirrorless (Z6 II) and start with 24-70 F4. The only thing I am thinking is about the IBIS in Z6 II. If I want to shoot Handheld video while I am walking, is it okay for a stable footage considering the lens does not have a VR?
@@korebio The z6II IBIS with Z mount lenses is much better than any of the VR lenses on F Mount. Remember that the technology only removes small jitters and not large movements. So it will be great for shooting handheld video and photos with lower shutter speeds, it won’t help with large movements like your arm going up and down while walking. Hope this helps! Still loving my Z7ii and actually just got a Z5 as a second body with the new 40mm f2. That 300$ lens is really amazing.
There's a slight bevel in the Nikon grip that makes it feel a lot better in the hand than a Sony. It's so small but it's very noticeable to me. And the new Nikon glass is excellent. Just wish the camera features could keep up with Sony and Canon.
I really enjoy your videos even tho I'm not looking for a new camera. There's just something relaxing that I love about your videos
Yes!! I couldn't have said it better.
Yes! Camera ASMR!
@@nakedcellist yeah
It's his voice, he should do audio books!
@@mike_s_media With a little EQ and a better microphone....he could. Or keep it as it is .... the nerdy nasal voice could be a trade mark too.
Finally Nikon is asking to review TH-camr I’m very happy. I’m using Nikon Z6 so really good feeling you introducing it.
Y is the preamp really bad very hiss nikon is doing this intentionally giving us bad audio
Wasn’t the “bad preamps” a myth that was debunked by a sound pro for DPR? Surprised to see Gerald reiterate the myth when in fact the Z6 was tested to have better preamps than its competitors.
@CJ Jacobs Gerald did not find the Z6II “problematic”.
I film weddings with my Nikon Z6ii and I can say that the AF is actually amazing. For my camera in the back of the ceremony, I set the AF to Wide-Large and it'll never lose the bride or groom. Especially when they are walking up and down the aisle.
Also, you can set the Fn1 button for AF Tracking that can override the AF if it happens to be quirky and not be in focus. It's super helpful and makes the Nikon Z6ii a really good AF camera for someone who knows what they're doing.
In low-light, it works great for me in wedding receptions, but mainly because I bring three continuous lights which allow me to never really need to go over ISO 1,600, and that's even the same case for "send-offs" at night.
Obviously, I'd love the 10-bit recording to be internal, but am getting by just fine with 8-bit thanks to good lighting.
Gerald, please do full reviews on all the Nikon Z-mount lenses! They're really great and deserve more love on this channel.
I have also had a lot of success with the Z6 (I haven't upgraded to the Z6 II yet). I have used the Sony A7iii but I still prefer my Z6. For me and what I use it for, the Autofocus works better on the Z6 because it's smoother. No matter what camera I use, in really low light I switch to manual focus because they all struggle to a certain pint. The one thing that drives me nuts about the z system is the way the s mount glass focus ring works. I default to f mount glass though because the focus rings on the s lenses make it unusable for duplicating focus pulling when in manual focus. With the f mount glass I can duplicate my focus pulls on each take.
yeah I honestly think that a lot of the bad press on these is because the AF system is very specific based on use case. With the D850 you might just use dynamic 25 point when tracking action but if you use dynamic in the Z6ii it doesn't act the same ... the wide area L is probably closer to the dynamic in the DSLR. Giving the camera a specific zone to focus in helps it lock in pretty well and you still have some control over what the camera is going to focus on in the frame rather than letting the AI take over completely.
In my opinion one of the biggest advantages of the Z6(II) over its competitors for hybrid shooting is the photo to video switch on the back as it allows you to switch to the fully custom video mode seamlessly without lowering the camera. Especially for eventphotography this is a great improvement of the workflow and can probably only be appreciated when you use it back to back to another system.
@@romanpul Exactly!
I’ve been waiting for so long for a video on B-Raw for Nikon cameras, and no one better than you, thanks!
Man I love Nikon menu system
Wooow It's nice to see well done reviews about Nikon, it's almost as people are ignoring them...
Totally agree
I absolutely love that blackmagic listened to your feedback and fixed a problem. I love supporting companies that do that; actually listen to their user base.
Other TH-camrs: NIKON AF IS AWFUUUUL IT’S UNUSABLE!!! NIKON SHOULD DIE!!!111
Gerald: calmly explains where Nikon’s AF system lacks but still rates it positively since it’s a very usable AF system
Love your content man!
Smart move linking the sponsor message with the audio test. I usually skip through those repetitive bits but you got me.
I have a Z6 with Raw upgrade and Ninja V. The video quality is amazing at this price point. I was thinking of getting Canon's before buying Z6 but their RF glasses are too expensive.
How is RAW vs N-Log? I know the strengths of RAW, but it has a reputation of being less sharp than N-Log because of the line skipping vs oversampling. What are your observations?
@@mikeblack_pw It's very hard to get the right exposure with N-log. 7 out of 10 footages taken in n-log were rubbish. With the proresraw upgrade, I get 8 of 10 usable footages.
@@seanhdr4k629 I want to make a short film with the aim of releasing that film on ott platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, Zee etc. What would be a better option: n-log or b raw ? I heard that there are some issues with b-raw so I am concerned/confused. Please guide me. I'm not aiming Netflix.
I had the same thinking when I rented the R6 while I have the Z6 with Prores Raw! RF L glass cost way to much while the Nikon Z 1.8 lens are just as good as those L glass but way cheaper. After playing the Prores Raw on the Z6 a bit more, now I prefer the image quality coming from that camera. It looks so good and if color grade correctly, you can get that organic film vibes! It just need a bit of sharpening because the image is a bit soft. I do wish it had a bit more dynamic range though.
@@seanhdr4k629 when u say its hard to get the right exposure what do u mean? Does using false color not rectify the problem or perhaps a light meter? I ask because im still learning myself
The faster way to open the custom white balance tool in the camera is to hold down the button you mapped for a few seconds and it will go straight to the tool. Or at least it does on my Z6
You can also access the custom White Balance menu from the quick menu, you don't have to give up a function button for that!
I'm Gerald Undone, and Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.
The amount of times I sing your intro is concerning.
If I'm watching and my kids walk in the room, they start singing it...and don't stop until I tell them to be quiet!
@@RoryKnighton I’m like your kids then. I have like 25 renditions. If I’m feeling spicy, I’ll throw an f-word in there 🎵 I’m f-in crazy 🎵
Love my Z6! Still think it's the best mirrorless only falling short to the Z6 II without getting a low-end cinema camera.
I’m a Nikon shooter and thus was very helpful. I’m still shooting DSLR but want to switch to mirrorless when Nikon catches up. Will you test the z7ii?
There is an easier way to pull up the white balance box. In PRE1 white balance mode just hold the white balance button for 3 seconds and it will pop up automatically. The front top button next to the lens mount should already be mapped for your white balance so you don't need to map it.
Musical intro and Avatar reference made it an instant like from me
I absolutely love this camera! The image quality I get from it recording internally is just fantastic! Not much correction needed in post. And the photos and especially RAW images are wonderful to work with! There's this magic with Nikon colors.
But.... I would prefer to have a flippy screen, and I also agree that the 29:59min recording limit is nothing I fancy.
Flippy screen sucks for photography, for video works use smartphone app
@@pshelnh Depends on the use-case, I use mine almost as much for Video as for Photo... so I kind of have both needs.
An honest review, very nice! I like what you said about this being the best option at this price, it’s a very well balanced camera for hybrid shooters. Not the best camera but the best as an all around.
So glad to get some shine on my Nikons!
Could you publish your Dynamic range findings online somewhere? I have googled dynamic range for the z6 many times and never find anything.
Im especiallly interested in how B Raw and N-Log and Atomos recorders compare.
I own a z6II and 2 z6s and have a FX6 on order. I only buy cameras Gerald Hates.
Glad you mentoned it is cheaper than other options. I think it also is a great camera for with the Atems.
Straight Z6ii audio is much cleaner and natural (coming from a sound engineer & Submarine Sonar Tech :] ). Gerald have to be honest, this is one of the few reviews I've watched on your channel that smacks of real bias. Any menu item can quickly be added to the My Menu on the touchscreen and to call Nikon's menus difficult compared to Sony or Fuji is just laughable. Using someone for a 2nd opinion that used Nikon's system many years ago is also useless to viewers wanting a real opinion to compare systems. This is not coming from a Nikonian fanboy, I've used and enjoy them all... but I am seriously looking to add the Z6ii to my arsenal. I've always considered your channel a viable place for veritable review but this one leaves me scratching my head. Love your channel and want to keep coming back for solid critical content.
4:26 it's problem of f4 zoom lenses. Other lenses have dedicated focus ring. With better performance.
Speed! It's so quick to grade. I'd never use it for commercials or anything that needs super duper quality, but for TH-cam delivery, it's lovely to work with.
How would you rate the new Nikon system? Their S-line lenses are more "hybrid" given that they don't exhibit focus breathing throughout their zoom range.
Bro you're literally the GOAT! Inspiring!
Hi, I'm Gerald Undone and if you can't handle me at my crazy, you don't deserve my best.
Gerald, you can set the focus wheel to be your dedicated ISO. just set it up in the CONTROL (i) and set the ring to be the ISO control
Your intro before was already brilliant. This one is even better!
The advantage you bring to the table is your experience with so many systems. This is truly remarkable review. Much appreciated 🙏
I was considering getting an a7s iii with an adapter for my 15k in Nikon glass, but your review conviced me to just get the Z6ii and use everything native, I can even use all my current batteries and have a user interface that I'm used to.
Amazing review btw.
I’m in the same boat right now and have decided to get the z6 ii. I had no idea about this camera and am so glad to have found it.
Your guest had a good point about the video interface. Sometimes Nikon makes perplexing choices and the video record interface is a perfect example of this.
One of the most common newb mistakes is inadvertently leaving the camera rolling. This results in long shots of feet walking, close-ups of the insides of jackets and backpacks, and various other card and battery consuming drek as the camera goes rolling on and on and on, unattended. As a final insult, eventually the camera moves intentionally into a good composition and immediately cuts! I used to see this all the time with students. I still do it myself, sometimes - all because it's easy to leave the camera rolling if you're not diligent about checking each time you cut. A simple sound cue helps eliminate this common, annoying mistake.
Even worse than rolling unknowingly is NOT rolling when you think you ARE. Suddenly you notice that all that great footage you thought you were getting wasn't being recorded because you didn't push the button carefully enough. I've done that a few times before, too. All it takes is an errant button push and if you're not carefully watching edge-of-the-interface stuff other than focus, exposure and action, you might miss the shot.
All of which is to explain how Nikon really dropped the ball in the Z6 video UX. There's barely indication in the viewfinder that you're rolling, other than a tiny "REC" indicator at the top of frame, right where it's really difficult to see unless you're looking for it. When you roll or cut, there are no sound cues, at all - at least there's nothing I or your "second opinion" guy have been able to find so far.
Also, there's no indication of how long you've been rolling. Virtually very motion media camera I've ever used has a count-up timer somewhere (usually bottom center) on the screen that tells you how long the current shot is. Even my phone does this. But not Nikon. Instead they choose to show you how much of your artificially-invoked 30 minute limit you've used. If you choose "show time codes", that doesn't help. The camera displays the total of how long you've been shooting since you invoked "show time codes". WTF?
Fortunately, the lack of clear roll/cut indications could be solved with a firmware update. The still image part of the camera beeps frequently, so the hardware exists inside the device to beep when you roll and beep when you cut. Even my phone does that, too.
A count-up timer for a "how long is this shot?" indication should also be easy to implement in firmware. C'mon, Nikon! Do any of your engineers actually USE these cameras?
It's also possible that we're both mistaken and Nikon DID allow for an unmistakable, obvious roll/cut indication somewhere in the settings. And maybe there's a "current shot duration" counter buried in the menus, too. But I haven't found it yet. Today was my first day with the Z6.
Great review as usual Gerald!
I would have a question that would be probably shared by the most of Z6 owners about your personal preferences between ProresRaw and Braw.
Any major difference in quality of the files, dynamic range and ease of use?
Thanks a lot and really hope to receive this answer from you! 🙏🏻
I liked the Z6 enough to buy a second. The internal 8-bit with Flat profile is excellent. N-Log looks great too.
Nikon user still love this camera
Good review... it is nikon middle of the road camera and its alwsys pitted against sony panasonic and canons higher end offerings and that in itself says something
Great stuff Gerald. Is there a way to know if I'm recording with an external monitor? Can I turn on the tally light on the Z6ii since HDMI won't show video settings/info over HDMI? I simply want to know if I'm recording or not via a tally light or even over HDMI. Thank you Gerald.
Super informative and helpful. I had a nightmare trying to get the Custom White Balance to work on my Z7 II. The button simply would not work, but when I unplugged the USB, tethered to iPad, it worked!
Structured and thorough as always. That's how it's "done" . Thanks again.
As a Nikon Z shooter for the last few years, I was so pumped to hear about BRaw. That said, the logistical hoop of having to send it in for the update and pay $200~ is a tough sell though.
Anyways - awesome video, Gerald. Would love to see more Nikon Z content/discussion from you!
Make sure you rent a Video Assist before buying one if you go the BRAW route. The monitor is horrible (LUTs don't work - greyed out in 3.4.1, heavy, and I mean really heavy magenta bias, and loose battery cradle that rattles the battery when I touch the screen) and BM doesn't have a standard return policy. I've had a horrible experience.
Glad I haven't sold my Ninja V.
@@rgsauve Thanks bud. I'll do some more research before making the leap. Honestly, Gerald makes a convincing sell for just 10-bit N-Log on the Ninja as being more than enough of an upgrade.
I currently only shoot internal so I'd love to hear some thoughts on how you've felt about the Ninja and N-Log?
@@DarrinRigo NLog is great but like he mentions, you get a bit more latitude when recovering highlights with BRAW and since a lot of my stuff is docu, it can make a big difference.
Another massive difference which I haven't tested with the VA is HDMI latency. NLog to the Ninja V is unusable on a gimbal because of the 9ish (I forget exactly) frame lag. On the other hand l, Prores RAW to the Ninja V is only a 5 frame lag.
That itself makes NLog a no go for my shooting (other than talking heads). Like I said, I haven't tested but I assume NLog vs BRAW hdmi lag would be similar. Wish we'd gotten the exact number from Gerald.
I was lucky. because I bought the filmmakers kit the upgrade was free.
You should try a camera test between the Nikon and Panasonic BRAW using Resolve Color Management using a large Timeline space like Davinci Wide Gamut, ACEScct, or RWGRGB. This way Resolve bypasses you setting up a particular gamut and gamma, extracts all available raw information, and remaps to any of these much larger spaces in the timeline before conforming back down to Rec709. This way you can push and pull the footage and get a real sense of the dynamic range limits and color information (at least in real-world scenarios) without being concerned about selecting a particular gamma/gamut setting for the footage.
Nevertheless, this video series has been incredibly insightful.
since I own the first version of z6, it was hard to swallow all the shit thrown towards Nikon throughout the video, but thank God I waited till the end to know that I"m not a complete loser for choosing it. Anyway, brand loyalty has always been my weak spot, and so I was so happy to finally move to mirrorless camera from my previous Nikon DSLR. Nice review Gerald, as always, you have really found the niche among hundreds of filmmaking youtube channels with very detailed technical reviews. There are no alternatives actually.
One of the best and fair reviews of the nikon Z series. Thank you and keep up the great work!
I don't need to googlefu after watching your videos I get what I was looking for
and I always don't forget to click on the LIKE button.
Click it TWICE every time since I like them so much.
You can record the overlay over HDMI. There is an option somewhere buried in der custom menu for it
Hi Gerald, great video as usual haha. I'm looking for s focus chart and I just saw one in your background. Could you tell me the brand or send me a link? Thanks!
Thanks for the review. I own the Z6, and have been pretty happy with it as a casual hybrid shooter. It's true that I sometimes get that grass-is-greener-elsewhere feeling with it - especially when it comes to video... but to be honest, I have yet to encounter anything the Z6 can't do that I actually need it to do - every minor deficiency can be worked around without too much hassle. That being said, I do agree with the gripe about manual focus in video... the non-linear focusing-by-wire is a PITA. (Something that could easily be fixed in firmware, if I'm not mistaken.)
I think Nikon needs more credit where credit is due for making such a balanced camera at a reasonable price. I'm guilty of GAS as much as anyone else, and I've often wondered if it's worth the hassle to switch systems. There's some great cameras out there that all have some unique headline features, but usually with some other kind of baggage to go along with it. If I did switch, however, I would really miss my S-line lenses... they're all incredible.
The Nikon Z-cameras are kind of like the 6th man on an NBA team. They don't have the flash of any of the players on the starting lineup, but they are the ones that you can rely on to get the job done, for almost any position - even if they aren't the very best in one way.
I have 0 interest in this camera but if you release a new video, I have to watch it.
Exactly. Learning how Gerald thinks about gear is very instructive.
Looks like software 3.4.1 disabled LUTs with the Z6 (not sure about the Z6ii). Were you using a newer VA software version?
Surprised you didn't go over the heavy magenta biased transform BM is using on the monitor (footage looks fine in Resolve though). Even Blackmagic has admitted to me they weren't passing through the image from the Z6 as rec2020 on the VA but converting to rec709 instead.
Hopefully they fix that. I bought my 7" VA without knowing BM doesn't have a standard return policy and now it's stuck in the RMA process because of a wild magenta bias and loose battery cradles.
I can't speak much on that topic as of now, but I've been told they're looking into it. They don't give dates though.
Honestly,Nikon Z6ii is my dream camera. I currently use old entry camera Nikon d5200. Can't wait to get my hands on z6ii someday.
Hey Gerald, which NR program did you use for these tests? Davinci, neat video nr or something else?
While Nikon isn't blazing a trail of innovation in the mirrorless world, they have a very solid line up of mirrorless cameras and excellent Z lenses. They seem to move slower than either Canon or Sony, but every once in a while they pull something spectacular out of nowhere. The Z cameras feel the best in my hand and are very easy to use, producing great images with excellent colours.
Very fair and balanced review I have to say which is refreshing these days when reviewing Nikon. I shoot only on the Z7 II and have been shooting with Nikon cameras for at least 7 years now. I think the menu system is far more intuitive than even the Canon's I was shooting on before. I've just briefly held and looked at the Sony's and nooooo thank you. I don't speak Klingon - lol.
I do think you should have used a better lens than the kit 24-70 f4 though. Just about every other lens they've put out since this lens is superior to that one. I think a more fair review would have at least used the new 24-70 f2.8 lens which is fantastic. Anyone that's held a camera over the past decade knows it's rarely just the camera - a high-quality piece of glass makes all the difference. Still...I do appreciate the review :)
As an early adopter of the Z6 and owner of a Ninja V, I was really hoping you'd cover this - so chuffed you did.
I've shot lots with the Z6 in vlog form (using a smartphone to monitor frame & lighting) in a controlled environment and had high hopes for the raw output, but it's just not living up to what it seemed to be, so far at least. Totally agree on the autofocus - nothing special but gets the job done :) Great video as always!
Cool. I love Iphonedo, you guys would make a good duo
I'd be interested if you got your hands on a Z9. Like to see your input vs the Sony A1 and Canon R3.
Luckily Nikon has the most adaptable lens mount in the Z System with the shortest flange distance, so you can put those cine linear manual focusing lenses on there. That said the Z lineup does very well for controlling focus breathing.
Best technical reviewer mega geek by a light year! Gerald says the camera is good! Then it’s good.
Will I buy this camera? No.
Will I support Gerald because he supports me? Yes.
Do I want an iPhonedo album? Also yes.
I have the Z6ii. I don’t do a lot of video. If you ever feel like doing a session where you talk about setup and basic use, I’d watch it for sure.
As a Nikon DSLR user I find it difficult to get excited about the Z cameras. Ive decided to switch - just trying to figure who has the fastest hybrid system to use. The one feature I'll miss for my style of work is the video/photo switch.
It’s a very solid camera, don’t let hype and others bad mouth the camera. As a DSLR and Z shooter myself I can tell you it’s better than You think. And they have the best lenses Nikon has ever made.
@@LeeandroNoray thanks Leeandro - will they be around in the next few years tho. They really seem to be the nearly men. If I go for a Z camera I'd need new lenses as I don't want to use a adapter, and if Im going to buy new lenses I might as well look at other systems.
@@markshirley01 Nikon is going to be fine, it’s clear that these doomsday you tubers got you. That Z system has huge potential with exceptional lenses. The bodies will catch up soon.
Wow. I came here expecting just another average review, either completely bashing Nikon, or praising it as the greatest camera of all time. You were very fair, very unbiased, gave credit where credit was due, and had no qualms about pointing out the flaws.
Kudos to you, thanks for the honest review. I've been eyeing the Z6II since I've been getting more into video since starting my YT channel, especially since I've been shooting Nikon for over a decade and have a LOT of nikon glass.
Hi! Which is better image quality for my Nikon Z6II: BRAW (Video Assist 12G) or PRORES RAW (Ninja V)? pros and cons I mean...thanks a lot!
Thanks for making the video and doing a balanced review. As a Nikon shooter, I agree about their menus although building a custom menu can help.
Excited to watch it tomorrow!
BRAW is the future. Thanks for reviewing these BRAW enabled cameras. I hope non-BM manufactures will implement BRAW internally for future releases.
Hey Gerald - can you please do a video on the Z5 for its 1080p? I think it might just be "good enough," but you're the expert. Maybe you can encourage Nikon to at least improve the codec so Z5 owners can record at higher bitrates, even if it's only in HD.
I know the Z5 can shoot in 4K, but the heavy crop makes that largely useless.
This camera would be a beast of it could just output even just 4K 48fps over HDMI to get RAW. 30fps is so disappointing and preventing me from upgrading from the z6.
show of hands, who else shoots canon but instinctively watches everything gerald undone uploads? or is that just me?
Thank you, I've been asking for this video for a while.
Gerald, this is an impressive nerdy review and your collaboration with BM impresses too. Let me throw in one nerdy point: all images you show from any camera, are the result of some form of raw processing. For the JPEG/MPEG variants, we can blame the camera manufacturer's software developers, when something could be better. All raw processing done in post introduces a veil that masks what the camera really is can can do. And this includes noise. It is hard to see if noise is caused by bad raw processing, a form of chaotic Moiré in raw processing even, or really can be attributed to the camera.
A second point is, would you do a part II review that illustrates how these technical specifications relate to the ability to record certain scenes, or not - from a creative point of view? To me discussing the specs compares to the US drag race 3,000 HP cars that are meaningless when you have to navigate NY, NY's traffic to get to where you need to be.
Excellent review Sir.
That opening though really got me off guard what I like it it's a really nice but you're opening is like so iconic and changed it's like what
As a current Nikon user and Z6 hopeful, it was clear with the v1 and now v2, that they're just too many years behind their competitors and I'm not sure they'll have anything respectable to offer in the video realm for a while which forces me to prepare for a switch. I will say that for stills, the D850 and Z7 are remarkable. Hi Sony, I'm packing my bags, please keep the light on for me.
I also don't like about the Nikon Z6 that it doesn't show on the top LCD that it's recording. Especially annoyed me when I filmed from the hip when I didn't want people to know that it's recording. However, I also didn't know if it was recording.
Great video as usual. I've had the Z6II since release and for photography ive been really impressed especially after the update for AF. Ive just started to do a bit more video since I got it and so far ive loved it for what I shoot, I only shoot in camera but will get an Atomos later. But I dont think ill bother getting the update on this camera.
Also its funny you dislike the Nikon menu system, a lot of people praise the layout of their menu (photo reviewers mainly) especially compared to Sony.
I liked the review Gerald but I can’t help but feel some of your complaints (menu navigation, white balance menu access), are typical of someone that doesn’t normally use Nikon.
Regarding a rotating wheel on the back of a Canon camera I could just as easily say I didn’t like it coming from Nikon, but this wouldn’t make it an overly impartial comment.
Countering this you did bring in an external opinion from an (ex) Nikon user and this I applaud 👏.
To me I still wonder if all this messing with an external recorder is tech for the sake of tech when compared to shooting without an external recorder in 8bit, WITH “Active D” lighting set the maximum.
This would give far higher dynamic range, great colour, control over noise reduction, and critically lens corrections baked in... Not to mention cost waaayy less than Panasonic S1H or Sony whatever, and have far better auto focus than a Panasonic S5... WITH a larger hdmi port.
Which reminds me, why do you penalize the Nikon for having a larger HDMI port than the Panasonic S5 or (or Sony A7iii for example)? Surely this is a point for applause not disappointment.
Hi Gerald!! Can you please also review the Panasonic BGH1? :)
No need for upgrading from original Z6 then, right ?
sir i am your big fan
Didn’t expect iPhonedo here!
Oh I'm sure there is a quick way to set custom white balance tool - at least the same way as in Z6 mk1 I believe - you just have to hold the Function button you set for the WB - not very easy to find, though, but works good. I personally found this occasionally ^_^
The question is: How crazy are you, Gerald? 🤓🤪
Really interesting video, was wondering what noise reduction software you used at 9mins? Looked great
Resolve.
@@bulentbab oh wow really? I've never used resolves de noise but ill give it a try
Mr. Undone, in a word, would someone who is still using a nikon d7000 for stills, portraits and the like, gain remarkable benefits from switching this system?
Experimenting with BRAW and the Nikon Z7ii. When I go to apply the CST this camera is not on the Davinci Resolve camera list. Which should I use? Thanks again for your informative video.
I'm assuming you can also shoot n-log with the BM video assist?
Thanks! Very helpful.
Multiple likes: once for the review, one for Caleb, and one for the Gameboy
The acoustic intro killed me 😂 (as if the regular intro wasn't funny enough) 👍🏻
I've been a Nikon shooter for 11+ years now and just got the Z6II less than a month ago since I do a ton of video work nowadays and a lot of hybrid shooting. The separate settings for video and photo modes are one of my favourite features, but I do agree that there's nothing that really stands out for Nikons atm, sadly... btw what external recorder would you recommend for stepping up to RAW recording? Atomos Ninja V or something else? Maybe that's an idea for a future video - comparing recorders at different budgets/feature sets
that is a feature that drew me to the Z6ii also ... it's so easy to switch from shooting stills to shooting video and not really miss the moment.
Always love your videos! The thing that is missed in most reviews is the Z-Mount. The optical wizardry that can be done with such a minimal flange distance is limitless. I’ve shot Nikon for 12 years and the amount of adapters and lenses I now have access to because of the new mount opens up a whole new range of possibilities. Also the fact that I have 4 fast and incredibly sharp primes that can be used professionally for under $1,000 each! I know Nikon is behind in the mirrorless game but I gave up my D850 for the Z7ii and couldn’t be happier.
Ps. The focus ring is amazing for photography but an absolute joke for video. Especially in a camera control rig, super frustrating and I hope it gets fixed in firmware.
Hi Alex
I am planning to switch from Nikon DSLR to Mirrorless (Z6 II) and start with 24-70 F4. The only thing I am thinking is about the IBIS in Z6 II. If I want to shoot Handheld video while I am walking, is it okay for a stable footage considering the lens does not have a VR?
@@korebio The z6II IBIS with Z mount lenses is much better than any of the VR lenses on F Mount. Remember that the technology only removes small jitters and not large movements. So it will be great for shooting handheld video and photos with lower shutter speeds, it won’t help with large movements like your arm going up and down while walking. Hope this helps! Still loving my Z7ii and actually just got a Z5 as a second body with the new 40mm f2. That 300$ lens is really amazing.
Will you be reviewing the Blackmagic 6k Pro?
I hit that like button twice! Once for you, and once for Faruk!
Oh my god , iphonedo is joined intro i see first. Intro is so nice
Is this good for Real State? How is it in “dark places/rooms”?
I like the new "extra" at the end, keep it up.
What SD card do you recommend for the Video Assist 12G? Is a V60-card fast enough for it?
What's a good alternative for the z6 II with a similar price? I need a good ibis for video
There's a slight bevel in the Nikon grip that makes it feel a lot better in the hand than a Sony. It's so small but it's very noticeable to me. And the new Nikon glass is excellent. Just wish the camera features could keep up with Sony and Canon.