A quick break from the Amazon for something considerably closer to home. I received my new Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera recently and finally got it out for some testing. This is my first foray into the world of mirrorless. I had held out for years because I didn’t want to switch from Nikon and they hadn’t offered anything compelling enough for me to switch to the new system from what I’ve been currently using. So far I love it and can’t wait to bring it to Africa in a few weeks. To use a cliche, it really is a game changer when it comes to functionality. As for the pic, I was hoping to photograph some birds when I spotted a beaver dam out of the corner of my eye. Sure enough there were two beavers swimming around. It was late in the day and I was shooting at auto ISO. This is at ISO 5600 — much higher than I usually shoot — and the noise levels were surprisingly low and the sharpness was great. I’ll have to head back to this location and see if I can finally get some beaver photos out of the water where you can see the tail. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 5600, f/5.6 at 1/800th of a second.
Wow, Sean! That is a great noiseless image at ISO 5600. I have been avoiding the ML cameras, mainly due to the small fortune I invested in pre-ML Nikon DSLR gear.
If I see many more shots like the above from your Z8, I may have to rethink my position & hold a garage sale before clicking on B&HPhoto.com!
I feel you on that one Sue. I will say, everything I’m hearing indicates the actual image quality of the Z8 is very similar to the image quality of the D850. The difference is the functionality — getting focus, ensuring exposure is correct and many other things that just make it easier to take good pictures.
I went mirrorless eight years ago. Haven’t looked in a single one since. No checking my hair, no checking my wardrobe, nothing. I feel fantastic and I assume I look great too.
Great shot and glad you made the swtich. I traded in all my Nikon DSLR equipment and now have two Z7ii bodies and 3 Z lenses. The functionality of the mirrorless camera is mazing. I have the full frame Nikon 200-500 VR which I love and I use it with an extender on one camera body so I don’t have to switch all the time. I read that Nikon is coming out with a Z 200-600 next year for about under $2,500 and I’ll trade in the 200-500 for that one. Waiting to see the specs on weight. What I have now is excellent glass but heavy. If I can go lighter and have a fl of 600 that would be fantastic.
Yes, that’s the thing, right, functionality. As I said above to Sue, it’s not that the image quality is necessarily better. It’s on par, but it’s now a heck of a lot easier to get good pictures, in focus, properly metered, etc.
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A quick break from the Amazon for something considerably closer to home. I received my new Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera recently and finally got it out for some testing. This is my first foray into the world of mirrorless. I had held out for years because I didn’t want to switch from Nikon and they hadn’t offered anything compelling enough for me to switch to the new system from what I’ve been currently using. So far I love it and can’t wait to bring it to Africa in a few weeks. To use a cliche, it really is a game changer when it comes to functionality. As for the pic, I was hoping to photograph some birds when I spotted a beaver dam out of the corner of my eye. Sure enough there were two beavers swimming around. It was late in the day and I was shooting at auto ISO. This is at ISO 5600 — much higher than I usually shoot — and the noise levels were surprisingly low and the sharpness was great. I’ll have to head back to this location and see if I can finally get some beaver photos out of the water where you can see the tail. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 5600, f/5.6 at 1/800th of a second.
I like it. Enjoy using your new technology, I know we will benefit from the shots you capture.
Wow, Sean! That is a great noiseless image at ISO 5600. I have been avoiding the ML cameras, mainly due to the small fortune I invested in pre-ML Nikon DSLR gear.
If I see many more shots like the above from your Z8, I may have to rethink my position & hold a garage sale before clicking on B&HPhoto.com!
I feel you on that one Sue. I will say, everything I’m hearing indicates the actual image quality of the Z8 is very similar to the image quality of the D850. The difference is the functionality — getting focus, ensuring exposure is correct and many other things that just make it easier to take good pictures.
I went mirrorless eight years ago. Haven’t looked in a single one since. No checking my hair, no checking my wardrobe, nothing. I feel fantastic and I assume I look great too.
Great shot and glad you made the swtich. I traded in all my Nikon DSLR equipment and now have two Z7ii bodies and 3 Z lenses. The functionality of the mirrorless camera is mazing. I have the full frame Nikon 200-500 VR which I love and I use it with an extender on one camera body so I don’t have to switch all the time. I read that Nikon is coming out with a Z 200-600 next year for about under $2,500 and I’ll trade in the 200-500 for that one. Waiting to see the specs on weight. What I have now is excellent glass but heavy. If I can go lighter and have a fl of 600 that would be fantastic.
Yes, that’s the thing, right, functionality. As I said above to Sue, it’s not that the image quality is necessarily better. It’s on par, but it’s now a heck of a lot easier to get good pictures, in focus, properly metered, etc.