NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Camera Talk => Topic started by: Jack Dahlgren on October 13, 2021, 17:36:04
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The next teaser video came out. It focuses on long lenses for video. I'm guessing the meaning is about 8K, stabilization and timelapse capabilities.
Starting this thread to keep all the release info in one place.
https://youtu.be/pgU1RO0fyC8
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Also, the time counter suggests that there is no 29:59 time limit even for the 8k video recording.
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That makes sense. For a flagship camera to have such a small cost saving limitation like <30:00 min record would not be a good idea.
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That makes sense. For a flagship camera to have such a small cost saving limitation like <30:00 min record would not be a good idea.
Right. And that should help appeal one of the essential differences between Z9 and Canon R3 with a 24MP sensor.
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The camera truly looks like a Pro grade Mirror less version of the flagship D1-D6 DSLR cameras - Impressive and very well done!
What is the new lens? In some of the captures we spot an 70-200mm f/2.8 S but in some of the scenes it's another lens,,,
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This Z9 video also shows a new Z Nikkor, likely the 100-400 S
This is the 2nd dissection, which follow minutes after the teaser video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k2y5WWkLGc
The guy in the video is Ricci Chera, based at Nikon in Piccadilly. He's a Snr Trainer with frequent public appearances at shows etc, and has also been part of a few of the videos by the Nikon-Only dealer, GoW (also London) who enjoy a cosy relationship with Nikon. In his own words on inaugural appearance live with GoW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r6XjhDc6v4
And he's the go to expert within Nikon for technical questions about camera operations, setup etc:
https://nikonschool.co.uk/behind-the-lens/meet-the-nikon-school-experts-ricci-chera
https://nikonschool.co.uk/
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Seems likely it's a 100-400mm size is very similar and highly useful and versatile for a safari ;) Thx!
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Teaser 3 - sporty content
Eye AF tracking footballers, hurdlers and a long jumper etc. And for those in need, we have the choice of a Headlight-AF Mode ;D ;D
https://www.nikon-image.com/sp/teaser_2021/
NR are saying the Z9 Launch is next week (28th)
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Teaser 3 - sporty content
Eye AF tracking footballers, hurdlers and a long jumper etc. And for those in need, we have the choice of a Headlight-AF Mode ;D ;D
https://www.nikon-image.com/sp/teaser_2021/
It looks like they used relatively small apertures, the depth of field isn't shallow. I wonder if they had to do that to get the look of consistency or it's just coincidental. Not that I want to paint any doubt about the capabilities of the camera, but it makes me wonder.
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Full frontal - from
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/10/20/nikon-z9-this-is-no-catch-up-game-from-nikon-its-surpassing-the-competition-with-huge-margins-plus-a-freshly-leaked-picture-of-the-z9.aspx/#more-161850
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It looks like there is an indicator light for video recording (I don't think it's on-camera AF assist light as typically Nikon reserves it to cameras with built-in flashes).
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Wonder what this button is for?
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Probably AF Mode selector; in Teaser 1, the photographer is shown adjusting that button
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Looks like the Z9 is going to be quite awesome -- glad I put in an early pre-order, maybe there will be a new camera for me this year?
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Looks like the Z9 is going to be quite awesome -- glad I put in an early pre-order, maybe there will be a new camera for me this year?
I did the same.
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The latest leaks suggest a global shutter, if so Nikon is really flexing its muscle while flipping off the competition when they pass them in sales as this will be a real next level gamechanger for cameras.
So no mechanical shutter limitations, no rolling shutter, no viewfinder blackouts and insane DX framerates as the center part of the sensor can be read independently from the rest of the full frame sensor. Processing and write speeds become the next bottleneck in the chain but with the current NVMe cards this should not be a real issue.
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The global shutter will be impressive if true.
I am also hoping that the earlier rumours of an enhanced FTZ adapter will also prove to be correct.
Time will tell.
The latest leaks suggest a global shutter, if so Nikon is really flexing its muscle while flipping off the competition when they pass them in sales as this will be a real next level gamechanger for cameras.
So no mechanical shutter limitations, no rolling shutter, no viewfinder blackouts and insane DX framerates as the center part of the sensor can be read independently from the rest of the full frame sensor. Processing and write speeds become the next bottleneck in the chain but with the current NVMe cards this should not be a real issue.
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Global Shutter - which is excellent and I find myself wanting this camera.
However Nikon Rumors indicates no mechanical shutter, so I am troubled by the statement
The Nikon Z9 shutter will close when the camera is off to protect the sensor
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/10/22/some-last-moment-nikon-z9-specifications.aspx/
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Global Shutter - which is excellent and I find myself wanting this camera.
However Nikon Rumors indicates no mechanical shutter, so I am troubled by the statement
The Nikon Z9 shutter will close when the camera is off to protect the sensor
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/10/22/some-last-moment-nikon-z9-specifications.aspx/
It could just be a sensor cover to keep dust off. Easy to make something like this which only needs to operate at slow speeds. Advantage of global shutter is for video and under led lighting. I’m a bit skeptical they can pull that off, but we will see.
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Global Shutter - which is excellent and I find myself wanting this camera.
However Nikon Rumors indicates no mechanical shutter, so I am troubled by the statement
The Nikon Z9 shutter will close when the camera is off to protect the sensor
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/10/22/some-last-moment-nikon-z9-specifications.aspx/
I can only speculate, but could it be like in the Hasselblad 500 series bodies, where a shutter (in the body) would prevent the body from getting dust and sunlight but did not participate to the actual exposure, and the real shutter was in the lens itself (mechanical in that case) ???
On the Z9 there could be a mechanical shutter activated only when you power on/off the camera, very useful when changing lenses!
Only time will tell...
Ciao from Massimo
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Obviously the camera has a mechanical shutter (listen to the sound in the teaser videos).
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Obviously the camera has a mechanical shutter (listen to the sound in the teaser videos).
It has been specified that the shutter sound is synthesized and can be adjusted.
Another teaser:
https://youtu.be/nEUB8DRhB9k
teaser has been deleted
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Obviously the camera has a mechanical shutter (listen to the sound in the teaser videos).
If I recall correctly, one of the rumors (pun intended) was that you can regulate the "shutter" noise from completely quiet to machine gun mode...
Sorry, I hadn't reloaded the thread, MFloyd had already given the same answer...
Ciao from Massimo
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It has been specified that the shutter sound is synthesized and can be adjusted.
Have Nikon stated that?
Having synthetic shutter noise is not a useful feature, it would a joke in poor taste. If the camera indeed has no mechanical shutter then silence would be the main feature to demonstrate in a teaser.
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Have Nikon stated that?
Having synthetic shutter noise is not a useful feature, it would a joke in poor taste. If the camera indeed has no mechanical shutter then silence would be the main feature to demonstrate in a teaser.
For you and me maybe, but there are people out there who buy cars with synthesized engine noises piped inside. The world is not entirely rational.
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Have Nikon stated that?
Having synthetic shutter noise is not a useful feature, it would a joke in poor taste. If the camera indeed has no mechanical shutter then silence would be the main feature to demonstrate in a teaser.
It's not an official Nikon statement (most of what's reported here is from the nikonrumors site)
But on nikonrumors (link: https://nikonrumors.com/2021/10/22/some-last-moment-nikon-z9-specifications.aspx/ (https://nikonrumors.com/2021/10/22/some-last-moment-nikon-z9-specifications.aspx/) ) they say:
- The shutter release sound level can be adjusted from silent to loud… so you can still get that D6 machine gun sound…
I would keep my camera's shutter noise as low as possible (completely quiet if available).
Ciao from Massimo
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My hunch says that it would be a bit too early to implement a full-frame global shutter hi-megapixel sensor in Z9 as the potential rival to Canon R3 and Sony A1.
Given that such an advanced sensor is mature enough to implement in a still-video hybrid camera, the first camera to have that would have been Sony A1. If I understand correctly, the most affordable camera with the global shutter for now is Red Komodo, but it has a super 35 sensor.
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Have Nikon stated that?
Having synthetic shutter noise is not a useful feature, it would a joke in poor taste. If the camera indeed has no mechanical shutter then silence would be the main feature to demonstrate in a teaser.
Different users, different situations, different needs. Working generally in a very noisy environment (motorsport), a tactile or sound feedback is of the essence.
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Different users, different situations, different needs. Working generally in a very noisy environment (motorsport), a tactile or sound feedback is of the essence.
I understand that, but having a shutter sound is not a new feature in a camera; the major achievement of recent high-end mirrorless cameras is the ability to shoot silently (now apparently) without compromise. It was cited as the primary reason why e.g. AP went with Sony. If Nikon understood what they (apparently) have, they'd emphasize that. Everyone understands that shutter sound can be synthetized if the user wishes that, this is not something that needs to be marketed in every teaser (without a single example of silent shooting). Most people will relieved if the camera indeed produces no sound. The teasers lead one to believe that this capability is not present or involves compromises.
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It's possible that a synthesized shutter sound might be helpful to both the photographer and subject. I frequently shoot a disposable shot. Many subjects particularly children pose with a, "Say cheese" smile and then relax and give a natural smile after the first shot is taken. The second and third shots are most frequently the keepers. The use of the FV Lock (flash value) works this way also. You press the designated FV Lock button and your Nikon camera fires a test flash. After the test flash many subjects relax. Now you can take several additional photographs with the flash exposure locked. When the subject to flash distance is constant several exposures can be made with exactly the same flash exposure. The FV Lock is a toggle on, toggle off device. You take your shots and then press the FV Lock button to release the flash exposure lock and move to the next subject.
If the subject is directly participating with the photographer a shutter sound is a plus. If the photographer wishes to be the "Fly on the wall" then a shutter sound is a minus. With events such as plays and concerts the shutter is again a minus.
A Vehicle sound can be a definite plus. A few years back a guy in a Toyota Prius backed up without warning and bumped me with his car. There was of course no engine starting sound to alert me that the car was occupied and about to move. The idiot was upset that I touched his car not that he might have injured me. People who are profoundly deaf must have ways to deal with this. Someone with normal hearing not so much.
I'm in favor of a synthetic shutter sound that can be controlled or turned off. Most of the time I'd want it off. At times I'd want it on.
Dave
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Having a shutter sound is very frequently helping the photographer to ensure the timing of capture was OK. Whether the sound is physical or synthetic generated is immaterial. At times there is a need to have a silent camera. The Z series can do both.
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Having a shutter sound is very frequently helping the photographer to ensure the timing of capture was OK. Whether the sound is physical or synthetic generated is immaterial. At times there is a need to have a silent camera. The Z series can do both.
The confirmation could be visual (such as a small indicator light in the viewfinder that blinks at the time of capture) and would thus not necessarily require sound.
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The confirmation could be visual (such as a small indicator light in the viewfinder that blinks at the time of capture) and would thus not necessarily require sound.
Doesn’t work in an environment already saturated with visual information. Think about the universal (western / eastern) use of Bitchin’ Bettys in fighter jets.
https://youtu.be/yx7-yvXf6f8
“Where a visual warning or light bulb wouldn’t work ….”
“Audio neural response time and coordination is by far #1 when the it comes to humans. Visual doesn’t even come close and people will get it all messed up in just about every format” John Gury
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Much better adding a vibrator like you have in your phone ::) ;D Seriously, as long as you can turn it on/off I see no issue.
For those who was longing for a 100-400 zoom it seems confirmed now with image of it
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Doesn’t work in an environment already saturated with visual information. Think about the universal (western / eastern) use of Bitchin’ Bettys in fighter jets.
https://youtu.be/yx7-yvXf6f8
“Where a visual warning or light bulb wouldn’t work ….”
“Audio neural response time and coordination is by far #1 when the it comes to humans. Visual doesn’t even come close and people will get it all messed up in just about every format” John Gury
The issue here is that the auditory information comes with a different delay than the visual whereas if it's a visual confirmation it matches the image on screen so you can see the blink synchronously with the image that was captured so there is no guesswork involved as to the content of the image captured.
In the case of auditory information you have to correct these delays to get a feel for what was captured and it's unlikely to be very accurate. The human brain is used to synchronizing auditory sensation with visual from the naked eyes, but that doesn't factor in the EVF delay which then puts the system off sync and causes nausea and other issues. What's worse is that in many cameras the EVF delay depends on the light level so in dimmer light the EVF is delayed further. I just don't see how you can synchronize auditory and visual perception in this case.
The modern way to deal with timing is to capture every moment at the highest rate available and hope for the best. ;-)
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The problem with action-style photography and a completely silent camera is I can never be certain the shutter release actually was pushed .... For my studio work with focus stacking done under remote control, this is not a problem and in fact, will remove a potential source of vibration. OK, the latter not so much with the Z7, so that's the main reason I dropped the DSLRs and went mirrorless for this line of work. Still my Z cameras are set to silent mode when I do high-magnification stacks.
"Machine-gunning" photography never appealed to me before, and the arrival of Z9 will not change that sentiment for me.
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A Vehicle sound can be a definite plus. A few years back a guy in a Toyota Prius backed up without warning and bumped me with his car. There was of course no engine starting sound to alert me that the car was occupied and about to move. The idiot was upset that I touched his car not that he might have injured me. People who are profoundly deaf must have ways to deal with this. Someone with normal hearing not so much.
Dave
Dave, in the cars I'm talking about, the fake sound of your own engine is pumped through your own stereo INSIDE the car. Some people like the sound of their own exhaust.
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The issue here is that the auditory information comes with a different delay than the visual whereas if it's a visual confirmation it matches the image on screen so you can see the blink synchronously with the image that was captured so there is no guesswork involved as to the content of the image captured.
In the case of auditory information you have to correct these delays to get a feel for what was captured and it's unlikely to be very accurate. The human brain is used to synchronizing auditory sensation with visual from the naked eyes, but that doesn't factor in the EVF delay which then puts the system off sync and causes nausea and other issues. What's worse is that in many cameras the EVF delay depends on the light level so in dimmer light the EVF is delayed further. I just don't see how you can synchronize auditory and visual perception in this case.
The modern way to deal with timing is to capture every moment at the highest rate available and hope for the best. ;-)
Different problem. I just want to hear the click when I push the button; and the delay of the sound crossing 25 centimeters at 330 m/s will not make any difference. End of discussion for me :)
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I have never thought of that. In my Z6 there is either sound confirmation or visual (flickr or stop-motion). I´m curious as how is going to be implemented in the Z9 when shooting in silent mode if the viewfinder does not flickr of blackout...
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Different problem. I just want to hear the click when I push the button; and the delay of the sound crossing 25 centimeters at 330 m/s will not make any difference. End of discussion for me :)
The point I was trying to make was that the auditory and visual tracks have different timing offsets whereas a visual indicator and image will be perfectly synchronized. The sound propagation delay I listed just for completeness, not to imply any particular significance to its contribution. The EVF has a delay which is likely to be similar to the delay on the LCD or around 30-35ms (A9II measured by Jim Kasson) and is dependent on how bright the light level is. Whether this is a significant delay or not depends on how particular you are but a visual indicator on the EVF can have less temporal offset (if 5 ms is the display update from top to bottom then it would be of that order of magnitude) vs the image displayed. 30 ms > 5 ms.
So basically the image displayed in the EVF at the time of the click is not the image which is captured in the file and the error in the timing varies depends on shooting conditions. If it doesn't matter to a particular photographer, then it doesn't matter to them but it is erroneous to think that in this case the sound would convey the timing more accurately than a visual indicator. Of course, if the sound is completely synthetic, the manufacturer could correct the timing error between the sound and EVF image by delaying it according to the calculated EVF delay in the current lighting level but I doubt they have thought about that (they could, but this is sort of v1). And if the photographer then chooses to use the mechanical shutter, the timing discrepancy returns. Then there is the human factor which complicates the audio-visual integration on top of the hardware and physics.
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The confirmation could be visual (such as a small indicator light in the viewfinder that blinks at the time of capture) and would thus not necessarily require sound.
This would not be a practical way to let the subject know when a photograph is take.
Dave
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The problem with action-style photography and a completely silent camera is I can never be certain the shutter release actually was pushed .... For my studio work with focus stacking done under remote control, this is not a problem and in fact, will remove a potential source of vibration. OK, the latter not so much with the Z7, so that's the main reason I dropped the DSLRs and went mirrorless for this line of work. Still my Z cameras are set to silent mode when I do high-magnification stacks.
"Machine-gunning" photography never appealed to me before, and the arrival of Z9 will not change that sentiment for me.
The problem for me for Machine-gunning is all the variants to view and cull. There are times where I want to shoot a sequence but for the most part I set my camera to CL and speed up CL some then squeeze off single frames.
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I just like having the option which allows me to select the preferred mode for a particular environment.
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Latest update
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/10/25/confirmed-nikon-z9-ftz-ii-adapter-and-2-3-new-nikkor-z-lenses-to-be-announced.aspx/
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Teaser #4 just dropped.
Showed no EVF lag, or blackout that I could see. Disappointed that there was nothing about bird photography!
https://youtu.be/xQHfwi-omvw
Randy
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Launching Tomorrow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf_CTf4MFFU&list=PLW1QAZk93Tp9C69IRsTSF0yNxthsNCRfx&index=1
Nikon Imaging Japan Official Channel
39.7K subscribers
Nikon [Z 9 Online Presentation] will be held. The moment when it turns into conviction. Flagship Mirrorless Z 9.
https: //www.nikon-image.com/sp/teaser ...
・ Time schedule 20: 45-Scheduled to open 21: 00-Scheduled to start
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This would not be a practical way to let the subject know when a photograph is take.
I don't want the subject to change behavior based on what the camera is doing. It's very annoying when the subject assumes the photo has been taken (and change their behavior) based on camera sound; it may not have been THE shot I'm looking for. Almost always I want them to be as unaware of the photography as possible, and if in an interaction situation I want them to interact with the person (the photographer) and not the camera.
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I don't want the subject to change behavior based on what the camera is doing. It's very annoying when the subject assumes the photo has been taken (and change their behavior) based on camera sound; it may not have been THE shot I'm looking for. Almost always I want them to be as unaware of the photography as possible, and if in an interaction situation I want them to interact with the person (the photographer) and not the camera.
Some want it one way, others a different way. I’m glad the camera has both silent and audible modes of operation. If that teaser is showing no blackout during capture then silent mode is going to be even better than it is now.
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According to Nikin NL offical launch tomorrow at 14:00 CET.
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According to Nikin NL offical launch tomorrow at 14:00 CET.
Here is the link to put it on your calendar - in case you forget.
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/z9iscoming.page (https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/z9iscoming.page)
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I don't want the subject to change behavior based on what the camera is doing.
I have zero experience with professional models but I observe professional models in videos holding a pose and then changing their pose after a shot or two is taken. It seems to me having the subject know when a photo is taken and again not having the subject know is useful.
When shooting from a tripod having a radio trigger out of view allows tripping the shutter without the subject anticipating that a shot is eminent. When shooting hand held the subject can see the photographers finger on the shutter release but can't see the photographer's face. When the camera is on a tripod the subject can see the photographer's face.
Depending on the subject and circumstances one can improvise. It seems to me that more options are desirable.
Dave
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Unstoppable. That is what Nikon states and I agree
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/mirrorless-cameras/z-9.html
A small step - A giant leap,,, What a machine!
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So, you have signed up for one yourself then?
Price is hefty, but not astronomical. NOK 64.990,- including VAT isn't too bad. I guess. Glad I'm among the first on the ordering list here.
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I have zero experience with professional models but I observe professional models in videos holding a pose and then changing their pose after a shot or two is taken. It seems to me having the subject know when a photo is taken and again not having the subject know is useful.
I understand that and it's true they wait for the flash to go off in studio shots before changing pose. However, my point was just that basically all cameras that have silent capability also feature an optional shutter sound, and it felt odd for the synthetic shutter sound to be featured in the teaser videos.
So, no mechanical shutter in the Z9, that is now official.
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6299€ in Finland, I would expect the real price to be somewhat lower. The D6's comparable price is 7499€ so the new camera is clearly less expensive. It's also less expensive than Canon's R3 (6399€) or Sony's A1 (7595€).
No preorder here. ;-)
But I noticed the updated roadmap has 24 mm DX compact prime and 26 mm FX compact primes, two 400 mm primes, one 600 mm and an 800 mm.
Finally a DX wide-angle prime lens.
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I will pass for now, I have no need for this new machine.
If I was more into video and speedy mirrorless stuff I would maybe consider to try it out,,,
I am super happy with the D850 for it's overall performance in all regards!
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Nothing could be better than being super happy :)
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It says you can choose the way the camera tells you an image have been taken. Not nedd to have a clear continous view all the time. It shows options A, B, C and Off, whatever that means.
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But I noticed the updated roadmap has 24 mm DX compact prime and 26 mm FX compact primes, two 400 mm primes, one 600 mm and an 800 mm.
Finally a DX wide-angle prime lens.
And a 12-28mm DX lens which is interesting news for the Nikon Z DX users.
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For me the most interesting feature is the AI advancement made in real "auto" focus. For sure this technology will trickle down to future less expensive models.
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Shame about the FTZ-II not supporting AF for Nikon D lenses and lacking support for an aperture follower tab. Oh well, maybe I will just have to wait for the FTZ-III. LOL ;D
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Nikon is vague whether the FTZ-II has aperture coupling or not. They do state 'metering mode' with AI lenses, but what this entails is anyone's guess. I need to see the device in hand.
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Good to see Nikon is back on top showing the competition what a proper pro camera looks like, what a beast.
Will skip the Z9 for now but am exited to see it’s features trickling down in the Z6/7 cameras.
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The FTZII has a little something on the right hand side...
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According to the compatible lens overview (e.g. AF-Nikkor-24mm f2.8D) it should have the aperture coupling.
Link:
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/camera-lenses/mirrorless-lenses/index.page#!/tag:lR8:F%20Mount%20Digital%20Cameras%20(via%20Adapter)
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The Z9 has Expeed 7. It has always been the case in the past that Nikon have used the same Expeeds across the lineup, generation after generation. My guess is that the next Z6/7 models will feature this fast new processor and can run better AF algorithms.
I saw an impressive comparison by Matt Granger of the Z9 + FTZ II + 200/2 vs. the same lens on the D6. The subject was walking towards the camera. The D6 got 80-90% in focus and the Z9 100%. Very impressive performance from the Z9! Adapted lens no less. I still want to see how the camera focuses adapted lenses in low light.
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I still want to see how the camera focuses adapted lenses in low light.
Exactly, low light AF with tele lenses always was the achilleshiel of the first iterations of mirrorless cameras, also the reason why tele lenses are usually only introduced after the second or even third version of the AF system.
Under perfect light conditions everything usually works as designed with most cameras but the better ones keep going when the going gets tough. After my misfortunes with tele lenses on the Sony a7R, a7RII and a7S it was a breath of fresh air to use the D500 with near perfect AF in all conditions.
If Nikon cracked the AF in low light it will be the next step for mirrorless vs DSLR, time will tell.
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The 400 S and 800 S look like they are PF primes (cf appended graphic with sihouettes). All considered Nikon already has produced an impressive lens system for the Z Mount, which will be even better after ~4 years.
As for the Z9, the specs and early launch demo videos are very impressive, as is the slightly lowered price!
6299€ in Finland, I would expect the real price to be somewhat lower. The D6's comparable price is 7499€ so the new camera is clearly less expensive. It's also less expensive than Canon's R3 (6399€) or Sony's A1 (7595€).
No preorder here. ;-)
But I noticed the updated roadmap has 24 mm DX compact prime and 26 mm FX compact primes, two 400 mm primes, one 600 mm and an 800 mm.
Finally a DX wide-angle prime lens.
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If I'm lucky and Nikon really delivers according to promises, I just might have the camera next month.
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According to the compatible lens overview (e.g. AF-Nikkor-24mm f2.8D) it should have the aperture coupling.
Link:
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/camera-lenses/mirrorless-lenses/index.page#!/tag:lR8:F%20Mount%20Digital%20Cameras%20(via%20Adapter)
it was also compatible with the old one, but you don't get EXIF data.
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Anyone see any information on how the noise and DR stack up against the Z7 II?
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The announced 400/2.8 has a built-in 1.4x TC. I wonder if it would cannibalize the market for a 600/4.0?
Another interesting lens is the 26mm one. I would suspect that it is intended for the movies rather than the stills. I realize that the wide end of the zooms on many video cameras are equivalent of 28-29mm. On the 16:9 format, a 26mm lens would be closer to that focal range.
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The announced 400/2.8 has a built-in 1.4x TC. I wonder if it would cannibalize the market for a 600/4.0?
Another interesting lens is the 26mm one. I would suspect that it is intended for the movies rather than the stills. I realize that the wide end of the zooms on many video cameras are equivalent of 28-29mm. On the 16:9 format, a 26mm lens would be closer to that focal range.
26mm sounds like a nice focal length for urban photography. Sometimes 24 is a bit too wide, and 28 too long.
I put a pre-order in for Z9 - I expect it will probably be next year as I have no sort of priority at all.
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The announced 400/2.8 has a built-in 1.4x TC. I wonder if it would cannibalize the market for a 600/4.0?
I fully expect the 600/4 to also have a built-in TC, so you would buy a lens depending on whether you need 400-560mm range, or 600-840mm range.
The updated roadmap also shows another 400mm lens and an 800mm lens. The new 400mm is short which suggests it is a PF lens. The top is the same size as the 58mm Noct so probably has 95mm filter size. This would allow a maximum aperture of f/4.5. With a 1.4x TC it would give a 560/6.3. The lens/TC combination brackets the 500/5.6 PF, I'm no sure why they didn't just make a Z version of the 500PF as it is a very popular lens.
The 800mm is only the same length as the Z 400/2.8 so is also a PF lens. If the aperture is f/5.6 the top should be the same size as the 400/2.8, but it appears a bit smaller. Maybe the aperture is f/6.3, assuming the profile is accurate.
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26mm sounds like a nice focal length for urban photography. Sometimes 24 is a bit too wide, and 28 too long.
I put a pre-order in for Z9 - I expect it will probably be next year as I have no sort of priority at all.
Then the lens should be like f2.8 and made as small as possible. Am looking forward to seeing your Z9 in Tokyo next year. :)
I fully expect the 600/4 to also have a built-in TC, so you would buy a lens depending on whether you need 400-560mm range, or 600-840mm range.
The updated roadmap also shows another 400mm lens and an 800mm lens. The new 400mm is short which suggests it is a PF lens. The top is the same size as the 58mm Noct so probably has 95mm filter size. This would allow a maximum aperture of f/4.5. With a 1.4x TC it would give a 560/6.3. The lens/TC combination brackets the 500/5.6 PF, I'm no sure why they didn't just make a Z version of the 500PF as it is a very popular lens.
The 800mm is only the same length as the Z 400/2.8 so is also a PF lens. If the aperture is f/5.6 the top should be the same size as the 400/2.8, but it appears a bit smaller. Maybe the aperture is f/6.3, assuming the profile is accurate.
Not long after Nikon had released the latest versions of F-mount 600/4.0 and 400/2.8 employing FL elements, both Sony and Canon released the rivaling models which were roughly 1kg lighter than the Nikon ones. Canon released RF mount versions apparently using the same optics. Combined with lighter mirrorless bodies like A1, A9 or R3, their advantages in weight was significant.
The 400/2.8 with the integrated 1.4x TC could be a nice counter punch to Sony and Canon, even though Z9 is much heavier than A1 or R3.
I also suspect that the smaller 400mm would be a PF lens. The 600mm and 800mm with integrated TCs would be interesting. The TC for the 800mm could be a 1.25x one?
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Thanks Sten. The mystery tab in your second image is tantalising. As Birna says, we need to get an example in the hand and take a look. I wonder if it can detect the difference between an AiS lens and an AI lens, and apply a different stop down sequence for the latter. Time will tell as they say.
Certainly I can see no linkage as per previous cameras.
EDIT: is the tab in the second photo not just the stop down mechanism needed for all non-E F-mount lenses?
According to the compatible lens overview (e.g. AF-Nikkor-24mm f2.8D) it should have the aperture coupling.
Link:
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/camera-lenses/mirrorless-lenses/index.page#!/tag:lR8:F%20Mount%20Digital%20Cameras%20(via%20Adapter)
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i wasnt expecting the all-electronic shutter :o :o :o
this is a very bold move from Nikon. ::)
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The FTZII has a little something on the right hand side...
Yes, looks like it has the aperture actuator just like the FTZ first iteration
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It certainly looks to me as if that is what it is.
Yes, looks like it has the aperture actuator just like the FTZ first iteration
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Comparing my FTZ with Sten's pictures, I see no difference at all.
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I guess the clue of non-screwdrive support is in this text from Nikon:
"AE shooting is possible with approx. 360 types of lenses including AI NIKKOR and those released afterwards. Among them, a total of 94 types or more of AF-P, AF-S and AF-I lenses incorporating motors support AE/AF shooting. Depending on the position and movement of the subject, which affects lens drive, there are various difficulties when focusing. Aperture control may take time and continuous shooting speed may be slower with some lenses."
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i wasnt expecting the all-electronic shutter :o :o :o
this is a very bold move from Nikon. ::)
Yes, they were brave enough to decide to follow SIGMA. :P
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With an electronic shutter going 1/32000th of a second its a no brainer to remove a mechanical shutter which is usually limited at 1/8000th/s allowing for a much simpeler camera design with a much longer lifespan.
In comparison, the electronic shutter of the Z6 is limited to 1/2000th which is a real limitation when shooting with fast lenses in bright conditions, the Z9 really is a gamechanger here.
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The Z9 caters extremely well for machine-gunning shooters. With a conventional shutter they would burn out the shutter in no time. Now we at least have the hopes for a decent longevity of the camera.
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https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=8075.msg138214#msg138214
I guess that this banding is gone with the very fast read-out
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The Z9 caters extremely well for machine-gunning shooters. With a conventional shutter they would burn out the shutter in no time. Now we at least have the hopes for a decent longevity of the camera.
What about the increased storage needs and burning out the person who has to select and edit the images afterwards? :-)
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A good point however irrelevant to me, as I'm not of the said inclination. In fact, I shoot fewer frames per session today than I did in the film days :)
This reminds us to think and consider the difference between 'quantities' and 'qualities', though.
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With an electronic shutter going 1/32000th of a second its a no brainer to remove a mechanical shutter which is usually limited at 1/8000th/s allowing for a much simpeler camera design with a much longer lifespan.
In comparison, the electronic shutter of the Z6 is limited to 1/2000th which is a real limitation when shooting with fast lenses in bright conditions, the Z9 really is a gamechanger here.
Pretty sure the z6 electronic shutter goes all the way to the maximum 1/8000th. It is the electronic front-curtain shutter that tops at 1/2000th speed.
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https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=8075.msg138214#msg138214
I guess that this banding is gone with the very fast read-out
I saw a response from Nikon Europe and also an interview with one of their early access users which mentioned no LED banding.
Now, I'm sure there is a way to drive LEDs at a frequency which would cause banding, but those sorts of conditions are not what is typically found with general lighting devices.
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Pretty sure the z6 electronic shutter goes all the way to the maximum 1/8000th. It is the electronic front-curtain shutter that tops at 1/2000th speed.
You are correct Paco, thanks for correcting me :)
Apparently also missed that there’s now an auto shutter mode with the firmware 2.0 update, did some testing with the 40/2 mounted and the shutter switches automatically to EFC at 1/250th and below and to a mechanical shutter at 1/320th and above providing a worry free best of both worlds setup.
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Official Nikon Z9 Brochure
https://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/286546384/152549275/92909824/3726938141/3948025830.pdf
Page to Bookmark for monitoring.....
https://www.zsystemuser.com/nikon-z-system-news-and/the-unanswered-z9-questions.html
This commentary and Ricci Talks video probably the most reliable information so far on the Z9. He will do more...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoVu1OMDvOE
also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9LYhNalQx8
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Official Nikon Z9 Brochure
https://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/286546384/152549275/92909824/3726938141/3948025830.pdf
Page to Bookmark for monitoring.....
https://www.zsystemuser.com/nikon-z-system-news-and/the-unanswered-z9-questions.html
This commentary and Ricci Talks video probably the most reliable information so far on the Z9. He will do more...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoVu1OMDvOE
also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9LYhNalQx8
Some of those questions are quite irritating when coming from someone who claims to be an expert. This one for example:
"The sensor is 52mp, but only 45mp are used. What are the other ~6mp being used for? Since the stated dimensions of the sensor are typical FX, does this imply a crop or are those extra pixels out of the image area?"
Uh Thom, In camera stabilization requires that the sensor area is larger than the delivered image. This is nothing new for the Z9.
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Some of those questions are quite irritating when coming from someone who claims to be an expert. This one for example:
"The sensor is 52mp, but only 45mp are used. What are the other ~6mp being used for? Since the stated dimensions of the sensor are typical FX, does this imply a crop or are those extra pixels out of the image area?"
Uh Thom, In camera stabilization requires that the sensor area is larger than the delivered image. This is nothing new for the Z9.
I noticed that also, Jack.
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Shame about the FTZ-II not supporting AF for Nikon D lenses and lacking support for an aperture follower tab. Oh well, maybe I will just have to wait for the FTZ-III. LOL ;D
Of course it is disappointing if there is neither screwdriver-AF support nor aperture follower tab.
(It does not even have a drop- in filter holder -thats for sure)
It appears as if the main change is the removal of a tripod socket
But what do we really know so far?. I havent seen any picture from the front side which gives some uncertainty
the on from the back is indicating this thick part on the right side which I first thought of as holding an AF-motor. The side texts dont mention screwdriver AF though and Nikon would have mentioned that.
The list of compatible lenses (including the 24mm f/2,8 AF posted in this thread does not automatically mean that full (screwdriver- AF) compatibility is reached.
so there is still hope for better AI-(S) support.
Nikon never provided full amount of compatibility that was technically achievable, they could have done more here if They wanted... but hey Nikon just wants us to buy new Z lenses (while discontinuing popular F-mount lenses)
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Will be looking forward to which extent the viewfinder will be improved compared to the Z6/Z7 series as there is still 3.6Mpx and not 5 (as was rumored). Hoping for better menu structure as well and am very optimistics (given the ergonomics shown)
Overwhelmingly promising specifications - good that I also have preordered a Z9 some time ago- hope I will get it in December
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Interesting size comparison (from Japanese Twitter)
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Some of those questions are quite irritating when coming from someone who claims to be an expert. This one for example:
"The sensor is 52mp, but only 45mp are used. What are the other ~6mp being used for? Since the stated dimensions of the sensor are typical FX, does this imply a crop or are those extra pixels out of the image area?"
Uh Thom, In camera stabilization requires that the sensor area is larger than the delivered image. This is nothing new for the Z9.
The Z9 does have an unusually large number of "extra" photosites. In camera VR works simply by having a (slightly) larger image circle in the lens and moving the sensor within that image circle. However, digital stabilization in video can possibly use those extra pixels. It is not yet clear what Nikon use them for.
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The Z9 does have an unusually large number of "extra" photosites. In camera VR works simply by having a (slightly) larger image circle in the lens and moving the sensor within that image circle. However, digital stabilization in video can possibly use those extra pixels. It is not yet clear what Nikon use them for.
Nikon mights also introduce focus breathing compensation for video like Sony does with the a7IV, Sony uses a slightly cropped image to achieve this but with the Z9 there should be enough extra pixels available to do this at full resolution.
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Nikon ambassadors discussing the Z9
Photography
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGIVwmGPP80&t=2029s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGIVwmGPP80&t=2029s)
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF6HxMtinu8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF6HxMtinu8)
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Was out today with my D500. Tried to use the 3D tracking to track some skateboarders, no luck, so I may be tempted if a kind of D700 comes in the Z series, as a little brother to the Z9. from the advertisement it look much better.
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Nikon ambassadors discussing the Z9
Photography
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGIVwmGPP80&t=2029s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGIVwmGPP80&t=2029s)
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF6HxMtinu8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF6HxMtinu8)
In live discussion: There appears to be no major restrictions with highest speed CFExp B cards recording long continuous bursts at higher fps IF these are HE Raw files ~ 1/2 size of uncompressed RAW
Marc Cruz Nikon USA live discussion panel @10:00 > 50 seconds and more at high fps up 1000.....
30fps at 45mp and he discusses @53:00 > New Compression algorithm of 45mp RAW 14bit images is highly efficient. We can get to 1/3 file size, yet kept in full 14bit....
New Nikon compression code is apparently this - https://www.intopix.com/tico-raw
~16:00 >He goes on to discuss how the Autofocus of the Z9 overlays object detection in categorised subject-tracking and 3D.
~43:30 > LCD and no blackout EVF
This video is a tighter technical summary by Marc Cruz, Nikon USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGD71qXMrP0
~10:00 > "with a minimum sustained write speed of 1400mb/s...up to 1000 images in one continuous burst without the buffer filling up"
Joe McNally @50:00 > "Old School meets New Technology...This camera is a beautiful combination of everything we've learned with the highest technology available."
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Fastest card seems to be the Delkin Black, roughly doubling the 1800 shots Mat got with his Pro Grade Cobalt card:
https://youtu.be/YND5oacJBl4
And its not so much the 3000+ shot buffer with HE but how fast the buffer is cleared for the next burst when hitting the 80 shot buffet limit with lossless raw files, seems fast enough with the Delin which also stays the coolest of the bunch which means less power draw and should give more shots from a battery.
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The Z9 does have an unusually large number of "extra" photosites. In camera VR works simply by having a (slightly) larger image circle in the lens and moving the sensor within that image circle. However, digital stabilization in video can possibly use those extra pixels. It is not yet clear what Nikon use them for.
Perhaps Nikon is looking at the (near) future technology to enable them to eliminate the mechanical IBIS, which realizes a totally mechanism-free camera.
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This Japanese YouTuber is a retired engineer who apparently had worked for Panasonic until fairly recently. He whole-heartedly admires the Nikon managers and engineers for having developed technologies incorporated into Z9.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF7-024vtfc
(His narration is Japanese.)
He suspects that the sensor was made by Tower Semiconductor which originally was part of Panasonic.
https://towersemi.com/
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Jan Anne beat me on this one so see his post three posts above.
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Perhaps Nikon is looking at the (near) future technology to enable them to eliminate the mechanical IBIS, which realizes a totally mechanism-free camera.
I don't see why they would leave out so many of the pixels as a forced crop as the user might prefer higher resolution images instead of just throwing them away. You can have digital stabilization as an option, this doesn't justify the waste of sensor area when such a feature is not used.
It could of course be that they decided to use a crop to be able to claim the fastest read time or to achieve 8K 60 or some such specification.
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I´ll vote for a future spec either not yet implemented (stabilization, extra resolution mode, etc..) or something that was cut-out at the last minute. Easier to keep the sensor as it was than redesign it
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I don't see why they would leave out so many of the pixels as a forced crop as the user might prefer higher resolution images instead of just throwing them away. You can have digital stabilization as an option, this doesn't justify the waste of sensor area when such a feature is not used.
It could of course be that they decided to use a crop to be able to claim the fastest read time or to achieve 8K 60 or some such specification.
I´ll vote for a future spec either not yet implemented (stabilization, extra resolution mode, etc..) or something that was cut-out at the last minute. Easier to keep the sensor as it was than redesign it
Even though unusually many pixels are cropped out, the 36x24mm format is retained, which is intriguing.
Another possible feature by reserving many pixels could be a multi-format like the system Panasonic offered with GH1, GH2 and the current GH5S where 3:2, 16:9 or maybe even 21:9 formats utilize full image circle.
If an even wilder guess is allowed, the Z9 sensor may be able to offer even larger ARRI LF format (36.70x25.54mm). Considering that Z lenses are designed to have a larger image circle with the sensor shift IBIS in mind, they could cover the ARRI LF format?
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It could also benefit a possible future astrophotography tracking function similar to that of the Astrotracer in many Pentax models that is time limited by the excessive pixels on the sensor relative to the imaging area. It is worth noting that the Z9 has a max exposure time of 900 sec. well suited for astrophotography.
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Thank you very much for sharing this. It will be most interesting to read an expert translation of his commentary. Key words and entire phrases overwhelmed Google translate :-)
This Japanese YouTuber is an retired engineer who apparently had worked for Panasonic until fairly recently. He whole-heartedly admires the Nikon managers and engineers for having developed technologies incorporated into Z9.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF7-024vtfc
(His narration is Japanese.)
He suspects that the sensor was made by Tower Semiconductor which originally was part of Panasonic.
https://towersemi.com/
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There are a number of links on the internet in recent months suggesting Tower Semiconductor as Nikon's sensor partner for the Z9.
e.g. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4562492 , where it is noted that the Z50 and D7500 sensors also come from Tower.
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Thank you very much for sharing this. It will be most interesting to read an expert translation of his commentary. Key words and entire phrases overwhelmed Google translate :-)
FYI.
Here are the comments in the video I consider essential.
He suspects that the sensor was developed by Tower Semiconductor (formerly called Tower Jazz) based on the technology they had established when they developed their 1” stack BSI sensor.
He calculates that the electronic shutter “curtain” should run only slightly slower than a mechanical 1/8000 shutter unit, which at the same time keeps its rolling shutter effect at almost the same level as that caused by a mechanical 1/8000 shutter.
And the 1/32,000 sec. exposure time is enabled thanks to the fact that an electronic shutter is free from the mechanical instability which makes it difficult to keep the extremely narrow slit for the 1/32,000 sec.
He was impressed by the fact that the brave decision to eliminate the mechanical shutter altogether was made neither by Canon or Sony but by Nikon! He also points out that the development of a mechanical shutter of this level would have cost extremely high, and its manufacturing process would be extremely complicated, which would raise the production cost even more. (I think this is part of the reason for the relatively low price of Z9 for a flagship model packed with the game-changing new technology).
He also suspects that the engineers could concentrate on the development of other technologies like the image stabilization because they didn’t need to worry about the development of a new shutter unit.
He also assesses the Expeed 7 processor to be at least comparable to the image processor of Canon’ R3, enabling 8k video, fast read-out of the sensor data and Ai-enforced AF. The Expeed 7 can take full advantage of the blindingly fast sensor.
The resolution of EVF is 3.69MP which is relatively low, compared to those of the higher-end models of other manufacturers. He thinks that the resolution could be the highest data rate possible to enable the “dual streaming processing”.
In the video, he doesn’t make an elaborate comparison to Canon R3, the potential direct rival of Z9, because Z9 is worldly different from R3!
Based on his own experience of developing sensors and image processing engines (probably at Panasonic), he believes that the vision of the planning and the designing of Z9 is extremely well focused. And he highly admires that the cooperation between the managers and the engineers have worked very well.
It is funny that he goes so far as to say that Panasonic should have been the first camera manufacturer ever to develop the technology of eliminating the mechanical shutter, because it was the first company to offer the interchangeable lens mirrorless camera. He says he would have been happy if only his bosses are like the ones of Nikon.
In the previous videos assessing Z6 and Z7, he pointed out that a flange back of 16mm could be very challenging for the engineers to pack the mechanical shutter unit, UV/IR-cut filter and the IBIS mechanism, compared to Canon and Sony whose flange backs are around 22mm. But now he admires the decision on the short 16mm flange back, if Nikon envisioned the omission of the shutter unit.
He considers that Z9 is a great proof of Nikon’s solid fundamental technology. Apparently, He almost compares Nikon having endured severe situation of being left behind Sony and Canon to La Comte de Monte-Cristo.
He also says that such a ground-breaking camera may suffer from the unbalanced performance caused by the unbalanced developing level of technology for each function of the camera. But he would choose to admire the challenging aspect of Z9 rather than nit-picking the unbalanced performance.
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There are a number of links on the internet in recent months suggesting Tower Semiconductor as Nikon's sensor partner for the Z9.
e.g. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4562492 , where it is noted that the Z50 and D7500 sensors also come from Tower.
Hugh, thank you for the follow-up!
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Thanks for your swift and perceptive summary :) :) :)
He makes bold statements and fairly candid about aspects of leadership. Th first reports of unprecedented preorders and first assessments of the specificaitons and launch videos do indeed suggest the Z9 is a major advance in camera technology.
This is major achievement for Nikon's engineers in just over 3 years since they launched the Z System on 23rd August 2018.
FYI.
Here are the comments in the video I consider essential.
He suspects that the sensor was developed by Tower Semiconductor (formerly called Tower Jazz) based on the technology they had established when they developed their 1” stack BSI sensor.
He calculates that the electronic shutter “curtain” should run only slightly slower than a mechanical 1/8000 shutter unit, which at the same time keeps its rolling shutter effect at almost the same level as that caused by a mechanical 1/8000 shutter.
And the 1/32,000 sec. exposure time is enabled thanks to the fact that an electronic shutter is free from the mechanical instability which makes it difficult to keep the extremely narrow slit for the 1/32,000 sec.
He was impressed by the fact that the brave decision to eliminate the mechanical shutter altogether was made neither by Canon or Sony but by Nikon! He also points out that the development of a mechanical shutter of this level would have cost extremely high, and its manufacturing process would be extremely complicated, which would raise the production cost even more. (I think this is part of the reason for the relatively low price of Z9 for a flagship model packed with the game-changing new technology).
He also suspects that the engineers could concentrate on the development of other technologies like the image stabilization because they didn’t need to worry about the development of a new shutter unit.
He also assesses the Expeed 7 processor to be at least comparable to the image processor of Canon’ R3, enabling 8k video, fast read-out of the sensor data and Ai-enforced AF. The Expeed 7 can take full advantage of the blindingly fast sensor.
The resolution of EVF is 3.69MP which is relatively low, compared to those of the higher-end models of other manufacturers. He thinks that the resolution could be the highest data rate possible to enable the “dual streaming processing”.
In the video, he doesn’t make an elaborate comparison to Canon R3, the potential direct rival of Z9, because Z9 is worldly different from R3!
Based on his own experience of developing sensors and image processing engines (probably at Panasonic), he believes that the vision of the planning and the designing of Z9 is extremely well focused. And he highly admires that the cooperation between the managers and the engineers have worked very well.
It is funny that he goes so far as to say that Panasonic should have been the first camera manufacturer ever to develop the technology of eliminating the mechanical shutter, because it was the first company to offer the interchangeable lens mirrorless camera. He says he would have been happy if only his bosses are like the ones of Nikon.
In the previous videos assessing Z6 and Z7, he pointed out that a flange back of 16mm could be very challenging for the engineers to pack the mechanical shutter unit, UV/IR-cut filter and the IBIS mechanism, compared to Canon and Sony whose flange backs are around 22mm. But now he admires the decision on the short 16mm flange back, if Nikon envisioned the omission of the shutter unit.
He considers that Z9 is a great proof of Nikon’s solid fundamental technology. Apparently, He almost compares Nikon having endured severe situation of being left behind Sony and Canon to La Comte de Monte-Cristo.
He also says that such a ground-breaking camera may suffer from the unbalanced performance caused by the unbalanced developing level of technology for each function of the camera. But he would choose to admire the challenging aspect of Z9 rather than nit-picking the unbalanced performance.
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Akira! What should it mean: Unbalanced performance caused by the unbalanced developing level of technology? For each function? Does it mean - underdeveloping of some parts, boards, or functions? Poor assembling of the final product? The camera is made of raw, poorly engineered parts? Would you be so kind to explain, what on Earth he means by saying that? Or what is underdeveloping - my English only? THX in advance! LZ
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Akira! What should it mean: Unbalanced performance caused by the unbalanced developing level of technology? For each function? Does it mean - underdeveloping of some parts, boards, or functions? Poor assembling of the final product? The camera is made of raw, poorly engineered parts? Would you be so kind to explain, what on Earth he means by saying that? Or what is underdeveloping - my English only? THX in advance! LZ
It may mean different levels of development in sensor read-out, viewfinder, data streaming, autofocus ai, and specially card-writing specs. He can tell much better.
Akira, thanks a lot for taking the time to share it!
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Great summary Akira - your translation skills are much appreciated by all of us.
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Great summary Akira - your translation skills are much appreciated by all of us.
Yes!
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It may mean different levels of development in sensor read-out, viewfinder, data streaming, autofocus ai, and specially card-writing specs. He can tell much better.
But such things, if any, could slow the camera to an unacceptable level. The very first test sports movie clearly shows that the machine is working very fast and reliable. As well as rapid stills - just amazing! Hmmm... Thank you! LZ
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thank you Akira... So no Global shutter. too bad,.
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Nikon applied for an interesting patent mid 2021, commented on in asobinet.com. Thom Hogan has been comment a couple of times over the past year or more on a noticeable increase of Nikon patents in sensor technology
https://asobinet.com/info-patent-nikon-global-shutter-for-af/
This is intriguing, considering the timing of submission (March 2021): https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/s0100
JP,2021-100287,A
https://www.zsystemuser.com/nikon-z-system-news-and/did-nikon-just-provide-a-z9.html
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1707731/0#15639102
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Thank you all for kind comments. Glad if my quick and dirty translation was of any help.
Akira! What should it mean: Unbalanced performance caused by the unbalanced developing level of technology? For each function? Does it mean - underdeveloping of some parts, boards, or functions? Poor assembling of the final product? The camera is made of raw, poorly engineered parts? Would you be so kind to explain, what on Earth he means by saying that? Or what is underdeveloping - my English only? THX in advance! LZ
It may mean different levels of development in sensor read-out, viewfinder, data streaming, autofocus ai, and specially card-writing specs. He can tell much better.
Akira, thanks a lot for taking the time to share it!
Paco, your interpretation of my rough translation. You understand me correctly.
LZ, for example, the frame rate of the EVF, according to the initial review of DP review TV, seems to be kept lower than that of the higher-end models by the competitors. I guess it is also a kind of compromise for the limited processing power of Exspeed 7, and that might be criticized by the sports shooters. The engineers would have wanted it to be much faster like 120fps, if the processing power would have allowed.
Also, some may detect the remaining slight jello effect inevitably caused by the rolling shutter.
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Nikon applied for an interesting patent mid 2021, commented on in asobinet.com. Thom Hogan has been comment a couple of times over the past year or more on a noticeable increase of Nikon patents in sensor technology
https://asobinet.com/info-patent-nikon-global-shutter-for-af/
This is intriguing, considering the timing of submission (March 2021): https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/s0100
JP,2021-100287,A
https://www.zsystemuser.com/nikon-z-system-news-and/did-nikon-just-provide-a-z9.html
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1707731/0#15639102
Woody, thank you for sharing this interesting patent. I haven't been able to find the reason why the global shutter hasn't been employed by the still cameras despite the essential advantage of the absence of the jello effect. These are the first explanation I have ever come up with.
To realize the patented technology, even more advanced image processor aided by Ai and deep learning technology would be required.
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Woody, thank you for sharing this interesting patent. I haven't been able to find the reason why the global shutter hasn't been employed by the still cameras despite the essential advantage of the absence of the jello effect. These are the first explanation I have ever come up with.
To realize the patented technology, even more advanced image processor aided by Ai and deep learning technology would be required.
It seems like very large, high speed global shutters may never actually happen because rolling shutters,as have been the case for about 100 years, will continue to improve until they are “good enough”.
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It seems like very large, high speed global shutters may never actually happen because rolling shutters,as have been the case for about 100 years, will continue to improve until they are “good enough”.
Possibly, just like the Bayer filter sensor. It was initially criticized for the false coloring and moire artifacts, but now it seems to be considered to be good enough.
The patent Woody linked may rather be a strategic one to keep the rivals from employing the technology that potentially beat their own cameras hard.
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Very interesting discussion about the Z9 sensor / shutter, and more. The sensor patent [JP,2021-100287,A] emphasizes an independent AF function. As I understand this example of the flying raptor in the technical explanations of the Z9 sensor scan rates, the Nikon representative says the very fast AF scan rate can still track a challenging subject shooting at 120 fps.
Nikon Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmfnT62zaVM
This is one aspect in this detailed explanation by Chris Ogonek, Nikon Canada tech expert.
Autofocus scanning - 37:00 culminating in a series of 400 plus images of a flying raptor in C120 fps mode. Then the live audience chooses a frame by random number. All these images are in sharp focus!
47:00 > Dual dedicated data channel from CPU with 1. Sensor and 2. EVF. This is a new industry standard. No other MILCs do it this way, apparently.
[Interesting information overall, including Michelle Valberg reports the 500 PF works well for her wildlife subjects with TC2 on the Z6 II and now Z9. In the live comments Brad Hill confirms the same for the Z6 II]
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Very interesting discussion about the Z9 sensor / shutter, and more. The sensor patent [JP,2021-100287,A] emphasizes an independent AF function. As I understand this example of the flying raptor in the technical explanations of the Z9 sensor scan rates, the Nikon representative says the very fast AF scan rate can still track a challenging subject shooting at 120 fps.
Nikon Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmfnT62zaVM
This is one aspect in this detailed explanation by Chris Ogonek, Nikon Canada tech expert.
Autofocus scanning - 37:00 culminating in a series of 400 plus images of a flying raptor in C120 fps mode. Then the live audience chooses a frame by random number. All these images are in sharp focus!
47:00 > Dual dedicated data channel from CPU with 1. Sensor and 2. EVF. This is a new industry standard. No other MILCs do it this way, apparently.
[Interesting information overall, including Michelle Valberg reports the 500 PF works well for her wildlife subjects with TC2 on the Z6 II and now Z9. In the live comments Brad Hill confirms the same for the Z6 II]
49´30" you can have little blackout, lines around the viewfinder shutter sound or sound only on the headphones! Even thou I´ll probably try the lines around, the headphones option sounds like fun :)
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I was up at the tender hour of 0130 this morning - GMT+1 - to listen to a zoom Discussion about the Z9 by Thom Hogan and Mark Comon (Paul's Camera, Torrence CA).
Much information was covered, some useful insights new to me, so well worth the nocturnal event. A particular new feature of the Nikon Z Autofocus system stands out, and we are likely to learn much more about its importance in the wild. TH reiterated why the Z9 is a D1 Moment at several points in the Discussion. He also underscored an aspect of the Z9 autofocus, which no one else had mentioned IME (in screening a lot of material over the past few days).
The AI subject recognition of objects is encoded in the 3D Tracking in the hierarchical structure to culminate in drilling down to the smallest Object - namely the Eye. It appears from the preliminary evidence of images and EVF footage that if 3D tracking cannot find Eyes it reverts to Heads; then Bodies/Torsos.... It is Always tracking shapes when this mode is activated by the photographer. As TH concluded, the deeper details as to how Nikon has actually implemented this hierarchical shape recognition is not at all clear.
It is very clear this AI empowered 3D OR works across a diverse range of active subjects, humans, animals (including fishes), birds and vehicles!
Vehicle Tracking similarly works with recognizing the Hierarchy of Vehicles > Cockpits > Front-of-a-Vehicle, down to smallest high contrast objects, headlights.
One point of interest flagged in this Discussion is among the first feedback of the Z9 from Michelle Valberg; she says the 100-400 f4.5/5.6S gives excellent quality with the ZTC2 at f11, using 3D Tracking + Eye-Detect on the Z9. Some of these examples also include 500 f5.6E PF+T2 III, which is no less encouraging (reiterated in her recent video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StM5lcT52jI). She also raves about the scope, speed and reliability of the 3D Tracking Mode+Eye Detect on a range of mammals and birds, also amphibians.
She will probably have much more to say about this aspects this weekend. Part of the Discussion day is Online (and free to registrants):
https://creativephotoacademy.com/event/revealing-the-soul-within-with-michelle-valberg-1/2021-11-07/
fyi a section of this can watched free, and she may present information additional to her video
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The AI subject recognition of objects is encoded in the 3D Tracking in the hierarchical structure to culminate in drilling down to the smallest Object - namely the Eye. It appears from the preliminary evidence of images and EVF footage that if 3D tracking cannot find Eyes it reverts to Heads; then Bodies/Torsos.... It is Always tracking shapes when this mode is activated by the photographer. As TH concluded, the deeper details as to how Nikon has actually implemented this hierarchical shape recognition is not at all clear.
It is very clear this AI empowered 3D OR works across a diverse range of active subjects, humans, animals (including fishes), birds and vehicles!
Vehicle Tracking similarly works with recognizing the Hierarchy of Vehicles > Cockpits > Front-of-a-Vehicle, down to smallest high contrast objects, headlights.
The object focus is probably run in a two step process. First the entire image is likely scaled down (likely this is done on the image that is presented to the viewfinder as it is downsampled already) then it will run an image segmentation routine to separate/identify the objects in the scene.
Here is an overview of what segmentation is and how it works.
https://catalog.ngc.nvidia.com/orgs/nvidia/collections/imagesegmentation (https://catalog.ngc.nvidia.com/orgs/nvidia/collections/imagesegmentation)
Once the objects are detected, I'd guess a second pass is taken within those areas of interest to see if an eye can be detected within that region of the image. If so, the sub-region pixels are used to adjust focus further.
They may be doing it differently. There are one shot methods available, but from the videos they have shown with bounding boxes it seems like this is probably the way it is being done as they have a continuous stream of information which means they can operate on differences or changes adding stability to the recognition. One shot detection may jump around if the scene changes.
If you have image segmentation you can start to understand object movement - for example you can tell if it is moving laterally frame to frame or getting bigger because it is coming closer.
If you know what you are tracking, it is easier to figure out how to focus on it. I expect that this capability will be used to improve metering in the future, if it is not being used already.
This is the real reason that this is a D1 moment. Once you have a camera which can really recognize what you are shooting, it can begin to act as an assistant. In this case the smart focus is your own personal focus puller. It will be a long time before it replaces craft services though...
Next steps I can image are using things like pose estimation to enable maintaining focus on other parts of the body (sometimes we want to focus on a hand) or other objects.
An example of how object pose estimation works is here:
https://docs.nvidia.com/isaac/isaac/packages/object_pose_estimation/doc/pose_cnn_decoder.html (https://docs.nvidia.com/isaac/isaac/packages/object_pose_estimation/doc/pose_cnn_decoder.html)
Here is how it plays out with humans
https://youtu.be/BZId1M-uehA (https://youtu.be/BZId1M-uehA)
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Excellent explanation, with the authoritative links [added emboldened emphasis below mine]
We continue to live in the most interesting of times....
thank you very much :) :)
The object focus is probably run in a two step process. First the entire image is likely scaled down (likely this is done on the image that is presented to the viewfinder as it is downsampled already) then it will run an image segmentation routine to separate/identify the objects in the scene.
Here is an overview of what segmentation is and how it works.
https://catalog.ngc.nvidia.com/orgs/nvidia/collections/imagesegmentation (https://catalog.ngc.nvidia.com/orgs/nvidia/collections/imagesegmentation)
Once the objects are detected, I'd guess a second pass is taken within those areas of interest to see if an eye can be detected within that region of the image. If so, the sub-region pixels are used to adjust focus further.
They may be doing it differently. There are one shot methods available, but from the videos they have shown with bounding boxes it seems like this is probably the way it is being done as they have a continuous stream of information which means they can operate on differences or changes adding stability to the recognition. One shot detection may jump around if the scene changes.
If you have image segmentation you can start to understand object movement - for example you can tell if it is moving laterally frame to frame or getting bigger because it is coming closer.
If you know what you are tracking, it is easier to figure out how to focus on it. I expect that this capability will be used to improve metering in the future, if it is not being used already.
This is the real reason that this is a D1 moment. Once you have a camera which can really recognize what you are shooting, it can begin to act as an assistant. In this case the smart focus is your own personal focus puller. It will be a long time before it replaces craft services though...
Next steps I can image are using things like pose estimation to enable maintaining focus on other parts of the body (sometimes we want to focus on a hand) or other objects.
An example of how object pose estimation works is here:
https://docs.nvidia.com/isaac/isaac/packages/object_pose_estimation/doc/pose_cnn_decoder.html (https://docs.nvidia.com/isaac/isaac/packages/object_pose_estimation/doc/pose_cnn_decoder.html)
Here is how it plays out with humans
https://youtu.be/BZId1M-uehA (https://youtu.be/BZId1M-uehA)
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Video of yesterday's discussion is now publicly available - thanks to free from Paul's Photo CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5CO7S2XiTU
I was up at the tender hour of 0130 this morning - GMT+1 - to listen to a zoom Discussion about the Z9 by Thom Hogan and Mark Comon (Paul's Camera, Torrence CA).
Much information was covered, some useful insights new to me, so well worth the nocturnal event. A particular new feature of the Nikon Z Autofocus system stands out, and we are likely to learn much more about its importance in the wild. TH reiterated why the Z9 is a D1 Moment at several points in the Discussion. He also underscored an aspect of the Z9 autofocus, which no one else had mentioned IME (in screening a lot of material over the past few days).
The AI subject recognition of objects is encoded in the 3D Tracking in the hierarchical structure to culminate in drilling down to the smallest Object - namely the Eye. It appears from the preliminary evidence of images and EVF footage that if 3D tracking cannot find Eyes it reverts to Heads; then Bodies/Torsos.... It is Always tracking shapes when this mode is activated by the photographer. As TH concluded, the deeper details as to how Nikon has actually implemented this hierarchical shape recognition is not at all clear.
It is very clear this AI empowered 3D OR works across a diverse range of active subjects, humans, animals (including fishes), birds and vehicles!
Vehicle Tracking similarly works with recognizing the Hierarchy of Vehicles > Cockpits > Front-of-a-Vehicle, down to smallest high contrast objects, headlights.
One point of interest flagged in this Discussion is among the first feedback of the Z9 from Michelle Valberg; she says the 100-400 f4.5/5.6S gives excellent quality with the ZTC2 at f11, using 3D Tracking + Eye-Detect on the Z9. Some of these examples also include 500 f5.6E PF+T2 III, which is no less encouraging (reiterated in her recent video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StM5lcT52jI). She also raves about the scope, speed and reliability of the 3D Tracking Mode+Eye Detect on a range of mammals and birds, also amphibians.
She will probably have much more to say about this aspects this weekend. Part of the Discussion day is Online (and free to registrants):
https://creativephotoacademy.com/event/revealing-the-soul-within-with-michelle-valberg-1/2021-11-07/
fyi a section of this can watched free, and she may present information additional to her video
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Excellent explanation, with the authoritative links [added emboldened emphasis below mine]
We continue to live in the most interesting of times....
thank you very much :) :)
Thanks. I’m still a manual focuser for the most part, but am excited to see these advancements as my own capability to perform fine focus heads in the wrong direction. It is truly interesting times.
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Hogan mentioned a number in the hundreds that could indeed refer to these picture elements and that this number was greater than the current cameras. One thing not pointed out is that all these animals are vertebrates and thus have a common body plan. It will be interesting when it comes to invertebrates - how well will the AF work with them? Many have bilateral symmetry with an anterior head and a pair of eyes so these may be OK with animal AF. Another thing will be fake eyes such as a large spot (one on each side) found on some fishes.........
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Hogan mentioned a number in the hundreds that could indeed refer to these picture elements and that this number was greater than the current cameras. One thing not pointed out is that all these animals are vertebrates and thus have a common body plan. It will be interesting when it comes to invertebrates - how well will the AF work with them? Many have bilateral symmetry with an anterior head and a pair of eyes so these may be OK with animal AF. Another thing will be fake eyes such as a large spot (one on each side) found on some fishes.........
Neural networks are weird. I don’t think they have a concept of body plan, but instead develop a set of “features” which are tested to be useful in distinguishing between things it sees. Sometimes these are recognizable by humans, but some are just strange shapes or gradients. The beauty of this approach is that you don’t need to know what those features are, the machine figures it out. Training the model can take a lot of time and data, but once you have the trained model you can apply it to multiple situations, or modify it to handle additional classes etc. One of the links I gave earlier was to our NGC page where pre-trained models are available as a starting point for people to build applications on top of. I’m constantly amazed by how fast things are evolving and people find better and better techniques to make machine learning faster and more accurate.
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I did not see anyone referring to this one, Morten Hilmer BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY | NIKON Z9 on Svalbard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjRBEw-NLlI&ab_channel=MortenHilmer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjRBEw-NLlI&ab_channel=MortenHilmer)
Apparently there will be more coming in the same series.
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Thanks Øivind for the link to this wonderful video about nature photography in its purest form.
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Morten H is excellent. Honest and deeply committed. No childish theatrics etc of almost all the many utubers I ignore
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Video of yesterday's discussion is now publicly available - thanks to free from Paul's Photo CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5CO7S2XiTU
Here are some sections I flagged.
13:00 starts after preamble etc with Specs
16:00 Nikon's claims. all RAW = 14bit, Video banks are New
19:00 Haptics, layout of controls etc [also 1,22:30]
26:00 fps vs RAW, jpg etc. No more 12bit RAW
32:00 Autofocus. TH underscored an aspect of the Z9 autofocus, which no one else had mentioned IME (judged from screening a lot of material over the past few days). The benefits etc of these improved AF Modes of the Nikon Z Autofocus system stand out already across first reports on the camera; and we are likely to learn much more about its importance in the wild.
The AI subject recognition of objects is encoded in the 3D Tracking in the hierarchical structure to culminate in drilling down to the smallest Object - namely the Eye. It appears from the preliminary evidence of images and EVF footage that if 3D tracking cannot find Eyes it reverts to Heads; then Bodies/Torsos.... It is Always tracking shapes when this mode is activated by the photographer. As TH concluded, the deeper details as to how Nikon has actually implemented this hierarchical shape recognition is not at all clear.
It is very clear this AI empowered 3D OR works across a diverse range of active subjects, humans, animals (including fishes), birds and vehicles!
Vehicle Tracking works similarly as human, anmal modes with recognizing the Hierarchy of Vehicles > Cockpits > Front-of-a-Vehicle, down to smallest high contrast objects, headlights.
37:19-40:00 reiterated how the Z9 with reliable New auto/3D AF 'frees up photographer to concentrate on optimal image faming, composition etc... Overall take is not a lot of Limits to the Z9 > many New "camera opportunities"...
40:24 Electronic shutter 'most exciting' feature
42:00 Flicker free EVF key to framing action. Nikon finally has solved this. NO Blackout is BIG changer
42:30 "What you didn't see is what you get" wrt to major long held advantage of Leica rangefinders for journalism
49:00 Video specs
51:00 CF Cards wrt buffer. Note the table is TH compilation from initial tests etc. Subject to detailed testing
57:30 [also 1,36:40] the Z9 is most robust/weatherproof Flagship Nikon has ever made. Unlike Sony, reliable to shoot in rain. All chassis holes are sealed. As are new Z lenses - O-rings + fluoride coatings >> Very reliable rain-weatherproofing
1,03:00 new MH33 charger 1/2" bigger than new d battery, which = much longer life. USB charges b,c,d versions in Z9 (but not ENEL18a)
1,08:00-1,22:00 New Z lenses
1,23:00 New Nikon Software
1,29:40 Timely to correct Disinformation against Nikon and Z9. refuted under 3 misinformed 'slogans' TH discusses -
1. 'comparing product lines in general vs specific cameras', errors of condemning a brand on this basis
2. 'cameras are a response to competition' > Z9 development likely started ~4 years ago.
3. 'Sony is only Sensor maker'
1,31:00...moves on to
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[continues....]
1,34:40 Nikon buffers keeps chugging writing to card if it fills; very quick to empty etc
1,37:00 CIPA Ratings for for extreme use ie maxing out camera
1,40:00 For US, delivery is discussed. "Nikon is very eager to get cameras out..."
>>>
TH reiterated why the Z9 is a D1 Moment at several points in the Discussion, as he's opined here : https://bythom.com/newsviews/yes-the-camera-world-change.html
One point of interest flagged in this Discussion mentioned first feedback of the Z9 from Michelle Valberg; she says the 100-400 f4.5/5.6S gives excellent quality with the ZTC2 at f11, using 3D Tracking + Eye-Detect on the Z9. Some of these examples also include 500 f5.6E PF+T2 III, which is no less encouraging (reiterated in her recent video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StM5lcT52jI). She also raves about the scope, speed and reliability of the 3D Tracking Mode+Eye Detect on a range of mammals and birds, also amphibians.
She will probably have much more to say about this aspects this weekend. Part of the Discussion day is Online (and free to registrants):
https://creativephotoacademy.com/event/revealing-the-soul-within-with-michelle-valberg-1/2021-11-07/
fyi a section of this can watched free, and she may present information additional to her videopart 2...
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As much as i liked the D1 i also recall the monumental task it was to edit the raw files for color cast and ISO noise, not to mention about 100 images per battery and you lost the captures in the buffer if you turned off the D1 :o
The D3 Moment was the ability to make full use of all of the FX lenses, a huge step!
It was truly a revelation especially of course for the use of wide and ultra wide lenses but also many specialist lenses that Nikon is so famous for where the utilization of the focal length again as designed.
Is it correct Z9 can take 700 images per battery charge? If so there is room for improvement 8)
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Is it correct Z9 can take 700 images per battery charge? If so there is room for improvement 8)
I've seen reports of getting 5000 images per charge so it varies on how you shoot. If there is like several minutes of autofocusing and scanning with the viewfinder per a shot, and if you turn the camera off and back on, possibly you get something like the CIPA rating. But in practice a fast camera is usually not used in this way. The EVF consumes a lot of power but taking shots does not, so if you actually use the high fps capabilities then you should get a lot of shots before the battery is empty.
On the Z6 II even though its CIPA rating is 410 shots, I've gotten something like 1500 shots per charge on typical shooting that I do, and this doesn't include high fps photography.
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Is it correct Z9 can take 700 images per battery charge? If so there is room for improvement 8)
That would be single exposures, in burst mode the number is much higher with testers doing single bursts of more than 3000 shots before the tester gave up, not the camera or battery
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Thank you for the clarification ;)
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EVF the best yet; most DSLR-like mirrorless camera to date; waiting for the photographer to catch up.
High compliments given this is Dpr 'the Z9 is Nikon's best camera yet (of any type)...'
https://www.dpreview.com/articles/4210565040/shooting-experience-the-nikon-z9-is-the-most-dslr-like-mirrorless-we-ve-ever-seen
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Yes very impressive all reviews are so positive, and they give reference to the D3 moment and asking if it's the best sports camera as well 8)
Quote:
Of course, we have plenty of testing still to do with a full-production Z9 before we can score it, and as its still early days, time will tell if this is truly another 'D3 Moment (https://www.dpreview.com/opinion/6960525493/nikon-z9-launch-what-nikon-means-by-a-d3-moment-and-why-they-need-one)' for Nikon. But the Nikon Z9 has addressed nearly all of the quibbles we had with the company's already-good Z-series cameras, and it finally feels like there's some (well, a lot) of that D5 and D6 DSLR magic within it.
Is the Z9 the best sports camera on the market today? Again, time and testing will tell. But I think it's safe to say that the Z9 is Nikon's best camera yet (of any type), and we're hopeful that it's also a preview of what's still to come.
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A mere rumour, nevertheless, reports are increasing of unprecedented orders for the Z9 (eg Grays of Westminter >100 and climbing...)
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/11/05/report-nikon-producing-35000-z9-camera-per-month-rumor-400000-existing-z9-pre-orders-plus-more-z9-coverage.aspx/
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Back in 2007, Nikon could manage a monthly production of 20,000 D3. The Z9 probably would be simpler to make due to less moving parts. On the flip side, more electronics can clash with today's global shortage of chips. Covid and JIT philosophy hardly make things better. So we'll have to wait and see.
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The Z9 and its underlying technologies may yet prove to be the camera that saves Nikon as a camera maker.
Let us hope so.
Nikon's financial fortunes have to say the least been worse than middling in recent years - and of course not at all helped helped by COVID and its many impacts on industry and on buyers.
A mere rumour, nevertheless, reports are increasing of unprecedented orders for the Z9 (eg Grays of Westminter >100 and climbing...)
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/11/05/report-nikon-producing-35000-z9-camera-per-month-rumor-400000-existing-z9-pre-orders-plus-more-z9-coverage.aspx/
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The rumours around Nikon's impending demise are just that. No substance whatsoever... zone of gutter press (including fstoppers), talking-head clickbaiters on youtube, trolls etc
They would have this recent announcement of a new HQ carefully, as they have planned the growth of the entire Z system and Z9 etc under the auspices of the Nikon Imaging Division. All the new cameras and Z Nikkors in just over 3 years is a major achievement, especially considering the recent obstacles to production, shipping and sales et al.
Mirrorless production and sales will gather even more momentum now Nikon have strategically wound down Budget DSLR production. So we can expect even greater focus by Nikon on higher profit products for Professionals, "Prosumers" and Hobbyists
https://www.nikon.com/news/2021/1104_01.htm
Nikon's Financial status is stronger than ever https://www.nikon.com/about/ir/ir_library/result/index.htm#y2022
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I for one wish Nikon every possible success with its massive restructuring and cost reduction programs. And its welcome investments into the Z system and its underlying technologies and its general shift towards higher value cameras aimed towards the serious hobbyists and professional users.
Never the less, Nikon has had some very tough years recently as it has has restructured and overcome floods in Thailand, issues with its Sendai plant, and like everyone the effects of COVID. So it will be looking to products such as the Z9 to be really successfull.
Maybe this article is more balanced than some that I have seen: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/au/news/nikon-has-released-its-2021-q1-financial-results-and-theyre-shockingly-good
And this one that references Canon's results as well as Nikons: https://www.cined.com/three-million-cameras-sold-canon-and-nikon-shine-with-financial-results/
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Due to a typo Nikonrumors has corrected this number to 3500 per month, taht means approx 10 years to meet a request of 400000 units
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/11/06/update-the-monthly-nikon-z9-production-is-3500-cameras.aspx/
A mere rumour, nevertheless, reports are increasing of unprecedented orders for the Z9 (eg Grays of Westminter >100 and climbing...)
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/11/05/report-nikon-producing-35000-z9-camera-per-month-rumor-400000-existing-z9-pre-orders-plus-more-z9-coverage.aspx/
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Due to a typo Nikonrumors has corrected this number to 3500 per month, taht means approx 10 years to meet a request of 400000 units
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/11/06/update-the-monthly-nikon-z9-production-is-3500-cameras.aspx/
It seems likely that the 400k figure is just someone's wild fantasy. These expensive high-end bodies don't sell in large numbers. The 3500 per month seems realistic as I recall 8000 for D3 and 80000 for D300 once upon a time.
I simply do not believe that 400 thousand people are willing to pay six thousand euros for a single camera body. What might be possible that 400k people would buy a follow-up model in the 2000-3000€ price class in the form of a Z6 III or Z7 III with Expeed 7 giving some of the AF benefits trickled down from the Z9. I look forward to that happening.
However, in any case, the Z9 will likely improve Nikon's brand and restore faith in the future in the system and also in part restore the second hand market value of many F-mount lenses as it has been shown that the Z9 autofocuses these better than ever, at least in daylight. Hopefully also in low light the performance will be good. I am glad that I've been stubborn in not even considering the sale of my 200/2 and similar lenses and instead have strengthened my set of fast F-mount lenses. Now it seems that these will have lasting value for years and even decades to come, even in the situation that the majority of cameras sold are mirrorless in the future. In shorter focal lengths I can see the optical benefits of Z mount, for example, the 35/1.8 Z S is quite a wonderful lens. But I feel the F-mount fast telephotos are about as perfect as lenses come, and I quite like the image aesthetics from them. Yes, there will be improvements in the future and better focusing and VR systems, but I no longer think that a lot of these excellent lenses will collect dust, instead they will continue to be put into use.
This return of brand value likely helps Nikon sell a lot of less expensive products and hopefully much of the Z9's power can be implemented in lower-cost bodies that the majority of photoraphers can eventually (hopefully soon!) enjoy.
If it did turn out true that they have 400k preorders then they would need to find a way to increase production capacity dramatically (assuming the 3500 per month is true); I find it hard to believe people would wait for a decade or more for delivery.
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I have to assume that the 400K number would include multiple orders for a single individual, so the actual number that will be sold will be significantly less. Buyers will take whichever order comes in first, and the other orders that they placed will be diverted to other customers.
Randy
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Referring to the infamous D3 moment and looking at the known SNs on Roland's site -
The D3/D3s sold around 140k+ units over several years, the D850 stands close to 250k bodies after 4 years on the market.
I believe the Z9 will potentially achieve much higher sales numbers but 400k pre-orders sound rather fishy.
Time will tell.
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It seems likely that the 400k figure is just someone's wild fantasy. These expensive high-end bodies don't sell in large numbers. The 3500 per month seems realistic as I recall 8000 for D3 and 80000 for D300 once upon a time.
I simply do not believe that 400 thousand people are willing to pay six thousand euros for a single camera body.
...
If it did turn out true that they have 400k preorders then they would need to find a way to increase production capacity dramatically (assuming the 3500 per month is true); I find it hard to believe people would wait for a decade or more for delivery.
I just took the number as it was, that does not say that i find it very probable
What might be possible that 400k people would buy a follow-up model in the 2000-3000€ price class in the form of a Z6 III or Z7 III with Expeed 7 giving some of the AF benefits trickled down from the Z9. I look forward to that happening.
Hope these will get better ergonomics than th Z6/7 I and II series
However, in any case, the Z9 will likely improve Nikon's brand and restore faith in the future in the system and also in part restore the second hand market value of many F-mount lenses as it has been shown that the Z9 autofocuses these better than ever, at least in daylight. Hopefully also in low light the performance will be good. I am glad that I've been stubborn in not even considering the sale of my 200/2 and similar lenses and instead have strengthened my set of fast F-mount lenses. Now it seems that these will have lasting value for years and even decades to come, even in the situation that the majority of cameras sold are mirrorless in the future. In shorter focal lengths I can see the optical benefits of Z mount, for example, the 35/1.8 Z S is quite a wonderful lens. But I feel the F-mount fast telephotos are about as perfect as lenses come, and I quite like the image aesthetics from them. Yes, there will be improvements in the future and better focusing and VR systems, but I no longer think that a lot of these excellent lenses will collect dust, instead they will continue to be put into use.
I fully agree to that
Have a lot of F-lenses including fast telephotos including the 200/2 and looking forward to use them both with my SLRs and the Z9
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Regarding pre-orders I’m certain that many people put in prime-orders at multiple shops and will only buy the one that comes available first. I’d guess a smaller number are still on the fence and may drop their order when the money is really on the table. A group of scalpers is also to be expected. I’d put real demand around 1/3 or 1/4 of that number. maybe 2/5?
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I guess everyone saw this update about a bit of a cock-up in the numbers. The assumption is that pre-orders also had a zero added …
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/11/06/update-the-monthly-nikon-z9-production-is-3500-cameras.aspx/
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I wrote about this and posted the same link above
I guess everyone saw this update about a bit of a cock-up in the numbers. The assumption is that pre-orders also had a zero added …
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/11/06/update-the-monthly-nikon-z9-production-is-3500-cameras.aspx/
And yes there is a certain possibility but that would tend towards increasing the numbers on purpose rather than having two typos of the same kind
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I wrote about this and posted the same link above
And yes there is a certain possibility but that would tend towards increasing the numbers on purpose rather than having two typos of the same kind
While normally I'd agree, in this case there's a half-plausible explanation. In Japanese (maybe other Asian languages), thousand-multiples are not normally used, but rather 10 thousand multiples. So when talking about 40,000 things, you'd use 4万 (4×10,000) and not like in western languages, 40×1000. It appears (I read this on NR) that the original numbers reported were 3.5千 (=35K) / 40千 (=40K), but the translator? source? misread those as the much more usual 3.5万 / 40万 which would be 35K and 400K, respectively.
Meh, I don't really care myself, since how many units Nikon produces is not impacting me - what's more important to me is how soon the camera will in the hands of more people (to see more hands-on reviews).
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The next Morten Hilmer movie with the Z9, this time with Svalbard polar bear encounter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLbDUvb69Pc&ab_channel=MortenHilmer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLbDUvb69Pc&ab_channel=MortenHilmer)
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The next Morten Hilmer movie with the Z9, this time with Svalbard polar bear encounter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLbDUvb69Pc&ab_channel=MortenHilmer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLbDUvb69Pc&ab_channel=MortenHilmer)
This is a superb piece of documentary. Certainly reminds us that being a wildlife photographer isn't always glamorous (or safe!)
Part of me wondered if they'd used the Z9 to shoot the video, but in several sections you see other people with other equipment (e.g. 19:30)
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This is a superb piece of documentary. Certainly reminds us that being a wildlife photographer isn't always glamorous (or safe!)
IMO being able to photograph polar bears and icebergs is pretty glamorous compared to an office job. ;-)
Part of me wondered if they'd used the Z9 to shoot the video, but in several sections you see other people with other equipment (e.g. 19:30)
It's a bit confusing in these videos, what was shot with what. There are stills (presumably from the Z9) and video shot with different cameras. It would be nice if they stated the camera used as it's part of Nikon's marketing material for the Z9, basically.
Nice atmosphere though, with rain and sleet and all. :-)
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1st. The first section of ~30 mins has details with examples of the AF, menu settings to indicate frame captures when shooting Silent, and EVF. the more useful information starts after about 2min preamble.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZwCavu_D-o
2nd. There's less hype in this personal account. It is very good to see the Z9 has rubber control dials. Another confirmation on the reliability of the AF; first overview i've seen of Timelapses, HDR, Multiple Exposures etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZV76lzkCTM
3rd. Adding in this post for convenience. Nikon Days: Benefits of the Z 9 | What makes it a Nikon flagship camera?
He covers some of the less obvious customization features. Nikon have packed a lot of features under the hood of this camera, which will take much time to explore and try out etc. I'm looking forward to this!
I stand to be corrected, but in the concluding remarks about Video, after ~36mins, he describes how 33mp RAW stills [7680 x 4320] can be retrieved from footage taken @24,26 and 30 fps. Effectively, this can be leveraged as continuous mRAW shooting yielding stiils & video. What is basically 8.2mp sRAW can be captured as higher speeds (60, 100, 120fps @3840 x 2160).
Again he repeats future firmware will expand features, notably for Z9 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxRBE1hJmDw
This was screened live last week. You may have to register with Nikon Europe to view https://nikondays.nikoneurope.com/2021/en
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fyi https://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/compactsystemcameras/nikon-z9-review
https://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/latest/photo-news/pre-orders-for-nikon-z9-insane-says-nikon-dealer-156500
And a compilation of some items in the flood of Z9 news
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoI-Fh-NsVg
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Hmm, ISO performance is with the current pre production firmware a little behind the Z7II and miles behind the Z6II:
https://youtu.be/_im4K3yBoz4
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Early days...pre-production firmware and subject to rigorous comparisons
"Is a Z9 as good as a D6 at high ISO? ....Given the above answer—that the Z7 II and Z9 are likely to be hard to tell apart in image quality, even while pixel peeping, I think it safe to predict the following: up through about ISO 2400 the Z9 usable dynamic range is going to exceed the D6's, while above that ISO setting the D6's usable dynamic range will be slightly better (a half stop would be a tentative guess). That, however, isn't likely to dictate the use of the camera. Many of those photographing sports and using high ISO values, for instance, aren't seeing their work output at 19" and 300 dpi. More like JPEGs that are 2mp to 4mp in use size on the Internet, actually. Unfortunately, we're going to see a continuation of this question basically forever, as people get deep down in the trenches and try to evaluate per pixel noise in ways that aren't always relevant to the way we output images. "
https://www.zsystemuser.com/z-mount-cameras/z-camera-articles/the-unanswered-z9-questions.html
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Hmm, ISO performance is with the current pre production firmware a little behind the Z7II and miles behind the Z6II:
https://youtu.be/_im4K3yBoz4
Not really, see https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkx_flJxNF9_Z-6lIZQkvX035qwsXLToxE- (https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkx_flJxNF9_Z-6lIZQkvX035qwsXLToxE-)
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As the video was removed, we really wouldn't know :)
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Saw some comments about using Adobe software which doesn’t fully support the Z9 raw files yet, others mentioned that the color profiles were different, etc.
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According to Adobe, Camera Raw ver. 14.0 supports Z9 but "preliminarily".
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all shops here are on back-order!!! :o :o :o
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Interview in chinese. The 2nd section discusses the 100-400 f4.5/5.6S
I did not try and count how many answers repeat "There is no answer to future products, but we will listen to customer feedback and plan." :-)
https://info.xitek.com/allpage/attitudes/202111/12-357400.html?_x_tr_sl=auto
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Has anyone seen a review or evaluation of the Z9 (e-shutter and EVF) in different indoor lighting environments?
I noticed something a bit disturbing yesterday as I walked around in Helsinki and took pictures with the decorative Christmas lighting contributing to the images, sometimes they were in the picture and sometimes they just provided some of the light. The EVF was flickering wildly, to the point where I stopped using it. This doesn't usually happen with the Nikon EVF and I'm wondering if there is some specific frequency in the lighting which the camera is unaware of and is unable to compensate for. I tried with flicker reduction on and off. The pictures came out fine. I'm wondering if the LED manufacturers use different frequencies and thus it might be difficult for the camera manufacturer to offer a generic fix to the issue. I've also noticed at home that when I first lift the camera to my eye the viewfinder can flicker a bit until it settles in. This could be the camera "learning" the flickering behavior and optimizing a correction for it. I should check which lights cause it and maybe replace them with something else.
I am wondering if the Z9's faster sensor read time and EVF can offer a fix for this. Mostly the Z9 material I have seen has been in natural daylight or in environments with high-quality artificial lighting. But this is more a question of the variety of decorative lighting that is used by stores and on streets (shop windows can sometimes have this issue, though most don't). If automated flicker reduction can't work with the variety of lighting then perhaps a system where the user can adjust the EVF update frequency and dial in manually frequencies which correspond to the lighting for the camera to be able to correct for flicker at those frequencies. Correction could also be important for the pictures as there is no mechanical shutter.
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Interview in chinese. The 2nd section discusses the 100-400 f4.5/5.6S
This also mentions the flickering lights issue, though not for the EVF but for the electronic shutter.
"Question: In the case of electronic shutter, it is easy to cause stroboscopic problems due to indoor lighting when shooting indoors. How did Nikon solve this problem? Answer: Set the flicker reduction in the photo shooting menu to "ON" to reduce the stroboscopic problem caused by the flickering of the lighting under fluorescent lamps or mercury lamps and other light sources. When the light frequency is 50 Hz, the flicker period of 100 Hz is detected, and when the light frequency is 60 Hz, the flicker period of 120 Hz is detected. However, if the flicker period of the light source is variable during continuous shooting, the effect of flicker cannot be reduced. "
It seems the flicker reduction is designed to handle the normal electrical grid frequencies but LED lights can flicker at other frequencies. "Striped flickers may still occur under some LED lighting. For this we plan to launch a solution in 2022." Hmm. interesting, so they are working on the problem. I hope they address EVF flicker also and not only banding in the images taken with electronic shutter, and also I would like to see firmware updates to include less expensive models as well, not just the Z9.
With regards to the 100-400, it's interesting that they discuss all the troubles of the previous lenses though not specifically referring to them as flaws of the 80-400. ;-) They talk about quality control and design to minimize problems due to manufacturing tolerances at the extended zoom setting as well as lens balance and the resistance of the zoom when shooting from angles. It really sounds like they are getting the right feedback and are trying to correct problems of earlier lenses.
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This also mentions the flickering lights issue, though not for the EVF but for the electronic shutter.
"Question: In the case of electronic shutter, it is easy to cause stroboscopic problems due to indoor lighting when shooting indoors. How did Nikon solve this problem? Answer: Set the flicker reduction in the photo shooting menu to "ON" to reduce the stroboscopic problem caused by the flickering of the lighting under fluorescent lamps or mercury lamps and other light sources. When the light frequency is 50 Hz, the flicker period of 100 Hz is detected, and when the light frequency is 60 Hz, the flicker period of 120 Hz is detected. However, if the flicker period of the light source is variable during continuous shooting, the effect of flicker cannot be reduced. "
It seems the flicker reduction is designed to handle the normal electrical grid frequencies but LED lights can flicker at other frequencies. "Striped flickers may still occur under some LED lighting. For this we plan to launch a solution in 2022." Hmm. interesting, so they are working on the problem. I hope they address EVF flicker also and not only banding in the images taken with electronic shutter, and also I would like to see firmware updates to include less expensive models as well, not just the Z9.
Thanks for the interesting extract (I have not watched the video). However, I have one question: since the e-shutter for the Z9 has readout speed on-par with a mechanical shutter, wouldn't such special LED lighting also cause problems for any other camera? Am I missing something?
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Thanks for the interesting extract (I have not watched the video). However, I have one question: since the e-shutter for the Z9 has readout speed on-par with a mechanical shutter, wouldn't such special LED lighting also cause problems for any other camera? Am I missing something?
The e-shutter at least in the A9 works by reading the data in blocks of lines whereas the mechanical shutter curtains move smoothly across the sensor surface (and the curtains are out of focus). This creates a different effect in flickering lights: sharp bands in the e-shutter vs. softer bands with the mechanical. The softer bands are less conspicuous. I don't know how the Z9 sensor is read; it might be that it is read one line at a time instead of blocks in which case it would be closer to how mechanical works.
The image taking can be slightly delayed to take place during the peak of the oscillatory cycle, this has been implemented in newer Nikons (since 2016). However, this technique isn't applied for the EVF.
The EVF data feed and updates are not necessarily happening at the same frequency as the main image data is read, the Z9 has a parallel pathway for the viewfinder data. I think we'll just have to see how the Z9 EVF works in practice in these kinds of (non-photographic) LED-lighting situations.
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The e-shutter at least in the A9 works by reading the data in blocks of lines whereas the mechanical shutter curtains move smoothly across the sensor surface (and the curtains are out of focus). This creates a different effect in flickering lights: sharp bands in the e-shutter vs. softer bands with the mechanical. The softer bands are less conspicuous. I don't know how the Z9 sensor is read; it might be that it is read one line at a time instead of blocks in which case it would be closer to how mechanical works.
The image taking can be slightly delayed to take place during the peak of the oscillatory cycle, this has been implemented in newer Nikons (since 2016). However, this technique isn't applied for the EVF.
The EVF data feed and updates are not necessarily happening at the same frequency as the main image data is read, the Z9 has a parallel pathway for the viewfinder data. I think we'll just have to see how the Z9 EVF works in practice in these kinds of (non-photographic) LED-lighting situations.
Fluorescent and other lights flicker at the frequency of the mains power supply (typically 50/60 hz). This is usually longer or shorter than typical shutter transit times. LEDs flicker at what ever frequency their own power supply runs at. There are ways to make an LED power supply with no flicker, or in the case of cheap decorative lights, the power supply is based on the cheapest possible circuit which often induces high frequency flicker. I think that making the shutter transit time such that it does not often correspond to the common frequencies is the best that can be done by camera makers. This is a problem that can be mitigated, but not completely solved as the camera is capturing the reality of the situation, even if our desire is to want the lights to appear to be always on. Perhaps an eventual solution is multiple exposures for very high frequency flicker.
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Fluorescent and other lights flicker at the frequency of the mains power supply (typically 50/60 hz). This is usually longer or shorter than typical shutter transit times. LEDs flicker at what ever frequency their own power supply runs at. There are ways to make an LED power supply with no flicker, or in the case of cheap decorative lights, the power supply is based on the cheapest possible circuit which often induces high frequency flicker. I think that making the shutter transit time such that it does not often correspond to the common frequencies is the best that can be done by camera makers. This is a problem that can be mitigated, but not completely solved as the camera is capturing the reality of the situation, even if our desire is to want the lights to appear to be always on. Perhaps an eventual solution is multiple exposures for very high frequency flicker.
Well the intensity of the light flickers at twice the frequency of the mains voltage (in conventional lights such as fluorescent, halogen, tungsten). LEDs run on DC current and I suppose the quality of the DC generated from AC may cause some of these issues, and the other thing is the dimming technology, where the LED is switched on and off at high frequency. Another technique for dimming would be to just reduce the current and maintain a DC current at a different level. I suppose I could take a photodiode and oscilloscope to study what the frequencies are in these decorative lights and then figure out how the EVF flicker might be mitigated.
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You can use your camera. Set a 1 second exposure and pan the camera so that you keep the light in frame. Then count the number of times the light appears.
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I hope they address EVF flicker also and not only banding in the images taken with electronic shutter, and also I would like to see firmware updates to include less expensive models as well, not just the Z9.
Whether Nikon, or any camera maker, will implement a useable and useful anti-flicker feature, I cannot say.
Video cameras of mid-level and higher quality have had an adjustable flicker/shutter feature for many years. It first became necessary in the mid-1980's. when personal computer CRT screens became common, and simultaneously, the sensors in the video cameras changed from plumbicon tubes, which were largely 'blind' to the flicker, to the new, modern, flicker-sensitive CCDs.
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I think the biggest problem for the anti-flicker system is that there seems to have been so many different cycles of the lighting, since the LEDs had taken the world where there used to be only 50 or 60Hz.
It would be challenging to set the shutter speed and/or frames per second in harmony with all the existing cycles of the flickers in the same room. :o
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The e-shutter at least in the A9 works by reading the data in blocks of lines whereas the mechanical shutter curtains move smoothly across the sensor surface (and the curtains are out of focus). This creates a different effect in flickering lights: sharp bands in the e-shutter vs. softer bands with the mechanical. The softer bands are less conspicuous. I don't know how the Z9 sensor is read; it might be that it is read one line at a time instead of blocks in which case it would be closer to how mechanical works.
Ah, yes, this makes a lot of sense, both the block reading and the distance to the sensor. Thank you very much for the explanation, learned something new!
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I think the biggest problem for the anti-flicker system is that there seems to have been so many different cycles of the lighting, since the LEDs had taken the world where there used to be only 50 or 60Hz.
It would be challenging to set the shutter speed and/or frames per second in harmony with all the existing cycles of the flickers in the same room. :o
Maybe this is no solution but in days of old when photographing a TV screen a slow shutter speed was used. In the case of decorative LED holiday lights perhaps a slow shutter speed with image stabilization ( or a tripod ??? ) ?
Dave ( who may be too tired to understand )
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Is it Real or is it Photoshop? 8) [/i]
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Maybe this is no solution but in days of old when photographing a TV screen a slow shutter speed was used. In the case of decorative LED holiday lights perhaps a slow shutter speed with image stabilization ( or a tripod ??? ) ?
Dave ( who may be too tired to understand )
Yes, the slow shutter is the only likely solution for now to me.
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My photo above was a test with my new D850. There was only one exposure but I developed the NEF in CaptureNXD twice. Once for the screen and once for the rest. Then I composed them in Photoshop. I'm screeching my head: the exposure was 1/400th at f/5.6 with an ISO of 16,000. That's what the EXIF says. :o
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DPR just posted their final review of the Canon R3, the only other full sized pro body at the moment but according to rumors a 1 series high res model is underway to compete with the Z9:
https://youtu.be/dURKsOcAhxc
Around 12:10 they show how the auto flickr reduction mode works, the camera makes a suggestion of the best setting which you can accept or ignore.
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However the Z9 performs in the real wild, it has certainly stirring up the industry and raising Nikon's profile
https://techtipsaz.com/the-nikon-z9s-new-sensor-could-be-the-start-of-a-big-shift-in-photography/
https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/mirrorless-now-half-of-revenue-company-on-track-to-grow-40-nikon-india-md-7632449/
and one of the many responses among the community of passionate photographers, especially of natural history:
https://youtu.be/o6QVXt3ECVE
This video mentions the impact of the antiflicker function under artificial light
https://youtu.be/sX8liUIlqCQ
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Something I don't think has been mentioned regarding flicker problems isc the persistence of a light source. If a light source has a long persistence I don't believe flicker will be a problem. Cheap lights will frequently have a short persistence. Shop light fluorescent tubes have a cheap coating inside with short persistence and annoying flicker. That flicker can give people head aches. I would think cheap LED lights might have short persistence also.
Dave
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Something I don't think has been mentioned regarding flicker problems isc the persistence of a light source. If a light source has a long persistence I don't believe flicker will be a problem. Cheap lights will frequently have a short persistence. Shop light fluorescent tubes have a cheap coating inside with short persistence and annoying flicker. That flicker can give people head aches. I would think cheap LED lights might have short persistence also.
Days
LEDs themselves have almost zero persistence. They are either on or off and can switch at megahertz frequencies. However for things like white LEDs a phosphor is excited by the blue LED light and emits a white light. The light trail of most of the ones I’ve seen seem to indicate that the decay is rather quick.
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LEDs themselves have almost zero persistence.
That seems obvious. Thanks!
Dave
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This video mentions the impact of the antiflicker function under artificial light
https://youtu.be/sX8liUIlqCQ
Can you point to which part of the video talks about the flucker? I find it difficult to watch the whole because of the overflowing enthusiasm of the people on the video.
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@5 min 40 seconds into the video it starts to talk about banding and flickering
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@5 min 40 seconds into the video it starts to talk about banding and flickering
Thanks! They talk about flicker under fluorescent lighting and how the flicker reduction feature is able to expose the shots when the lighting is at its brightest, reducing variation between shots. However, the discussion mainly revolves around the effects of the lighting flicker on the images, not the viewfinder (which normally cannot adjust the frequency of refresh to time for peak lighting intensity unless they came out with something new).
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Latest video by Morten Hilmer on assignment for Nikon - Svalbard using Z9 with 800 f5.6E FL and its bespoke TC1.25
lovely images and footage of a confiding Arctic fox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJhQk7M78PE
The next Morten Hilmer movie with the Z9, this time with Svalbard polar bear encounter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLbDUvb69Pc&ab_channel=MortenHilmer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLbDUvb69Pc&ab_channel=MortenHilmer)
This is a superb piece of documentary. Certainly reminds us that being a wildlife photographer isn't always glamorous (or safe!)
Part of me wondered if they'd used the Z9 to shoot the video, but in several sections you see other people with other equipment (e.g. 19:30)
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Latest video by Morten Hilmer on assignment for Nikon - Svalbard using Z9 with 800 f5.6E FL and its bespoke TC1.25
lovely images and footage of a confiding Arctic fox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJhQk7M78PE
Well 800/f,6 (and TC 1.25) is one of the preferrable lenses to use a Z9 with. In this video he is also using a 180-400/4 which gives a perfect companion for the 800.
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maybe its time for me to molest the Z9 and make a small article about it :o :o :o
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maybe its time for me to molest the Z9 and make a small article about it :o :o :o
Yes, please
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maybe its time for me to molest the Z9 and make a small article about it :o :o :o
From what Snoogly wrote, anyone who can get into Nikon Towers in the Nikon Motherland can get hands-on time to play with a Z9.
Sounds like Akira or maybe Richard are also in with a chance.
Let the betting begin on who gets there first ;)
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well, it's just 35min walk from my house :o :o :o
im lazy these days, didnt even update my blog for weeks ::)
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Here’s a webinar with Ricci talking about the Z9, 100-400, 24-120, Angelbird cards, etc:
https://youtu.be/Do7JDQhEw9o
The Austrian company Angelbird is testing their cards with a Z9 for maximum compatibility and speeds. They also recently introduced a new made in Austria USB-C 20Gb/s CFexpress reader which should be compatible with all USB and Thunderbolt devices; https://www.angelbird.com/prod/cfexpress-card-reader-mk2-type-b-2877/?category=241
Ricci claims btw that the 100-400 is sharper than the 500PF when cropped to the same FOV :o
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Thanks for sharing this discussion.
Well, many who following this thread and the new flood about Z9 will find Ricci has covered much of the material here (as have other writers etc). Nevertheless, IMHO he confirmed - underscored in fact - many key points. These features included for my planning etc EVF (no blackout / adjustable brightness to get close to OVF), 2-eyed shooting, Bird AF, IQ of RAW files compared to Z7 and several other top-tier specs - the new 14bit RAW image formats especially.
And again we hear the AF performance with FTZ I is excellent for widely used F mount telephotos Ricci has tested... IMHO this confirms absolutely ZERO worries about adapting AFS glass using a FTZ (again nothing new for those who have relied on their FTZ with the existing Z cameras).
Above all, it is clear Nikon have designed a cutting edge Pro camera in the Z9. With all the new Z mount and 94+ F AFS Nikkors all the options are almost endless. So many choices get confusing (fiscal reality permitting obviously).
Above all, it is clear Nikon have designed a cutting edge Pro camera in the Z9. With all the new Z mount and 94+ F AFS Nikkors all the options are almost endless. So many choices get confusing (fiscal reality permitting obviously).
And we wait.... the countdown continues to using this new AF system in the wild.....
(fiscal reality permitting obviously).
slide at about 4:20:
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Brad Hill has published his first take on the Z9 ~ 6 days testing after receiving a prototype. he's positive with a few minor criticisms, not surprisingly. A few new features not yet mentioned (at least in my reading). Two include that is now possible to"...copy an entire shooting (or custom) bank to another bank.";
the expanded scope of Recall shooting Functions is another.
It's also not surprising the EVF strikes him as excellent.... contrary to negative condemnations by spec-obsessives, despite never even touching a Z9
http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html#anchor_Z9_Earliest
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Thom Hogan has started his Z9 testing Blog
https://www.zsystemuser.com/z-mount-cameras/the-z9-blog/
And Brad H has 2 more updates since last week 2nd, 3rd Dec http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html#anchor_Z9_OneButton
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As mentioned previously, it is now official that Nikon is using TicoRAW technology in the Nikon Z9 high-efficiency RAW recording
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/12/07/ticoraw-technology-from-intopix-is-behind-the-nikon-z9-high-efficiency-raw-recording.aspx/
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Very small channel but a very informative Z9 review, puts a lot of the bigger review channels to shame on production value as well:
https://youtu.be/MUoL9hORWH8
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Agree. He mentioned that he will be making follow up clips once Z9 Raw converters become more common place with editing software.
Very small channel but a very informative Z9 review, puts a lot of the bigger review channels to shame on production value as well:
https://youtu.be/MUoL9hORWH8
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As mentioned previously, it is now official that Nikon is using TicoRAW technology in the Nikon Z9 high-efficiency RAW recording
https://nikonrumors.com/2021/12/07/ticoraw-technology-from-intopix-is-behind-the-nikon-z9-high-efficiency-raw-recording.aspx/
An advertorial for TicoRAW. What are the drawbacks?
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Very small channel but a very informative Z9 review, puts a lot of the bigger review channels to shame on production value as well:
https://youtu.be/MUoL9hORWH8
Lots of info indeed. But is the focus here mainly on a video/film-camera.?
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An advertorial for TicoRAW. What are the drawbacks?
I guess no one apart from the developers knows at the moment. But traditionally Nikon's compressed raw formats have been compressed in such a way that it has no visual impact on the results (basically reducing least significant bits in the highlight pixels, where they are buried deep under photon noise). I would expect this to also be close to visually lossless, since they chose to use it. But time will tell, I am sure people will attempt to find the difference between lossless and high-efficiency compressed raw as the cameras are reviewed.
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Lots of info indeed. But is the focus is on a video/film-camera.
That's what we are supposed to be interested in now. According to market analysts, video is driving the camera market. I find it very difficult to believe, but what do I know. ;-)
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Some of the shown “videos” are actually bursts of photos at 20 to 120fps to show how well the AF tracking is working :)
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That's what we are supposed to be interested in now. According to market analysts, video is driving the camera market. I find it very difficult to believe, but what do I know. ;-)
It’s the truth. Especially in a social media environment. One of the reasons of my Z9 order. Still image will remain but will continuously decrease in importance. This is my view, at least.
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Correct - with very high "in focus" rates - 100% in some sequences for large numbers of images. Quite impressive.
Some of the shown “videos” are actually bursts of photos at 20 to 120fps to show how well the AF tracking is working :)
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One conclusion of this video review is the interesting point of how the Z9 demonstrates Nikon is not holding back with FX MILC specs, because they have no cinema cameras to protect from becoming obsolescent. bottom line it does indeed sound like the Z9 is the best video ILC released to date.
https://youtu.be/NGo7nfc31r4
The final 3 minutes are a pithy synopsis of Nikon's status and trajectory to their new status with best ever Nikkor lenses, best video in ILCs, and the best flagship ILC ever made. Finally, kudos to the reviewer who makes strenuous efforts to take such a camera out into the wild. He not only had the Z9 up on the Northern Japanese Alps, but exposed and working in extreme climes.... These landscapes are definitely a beautiful place to visit.
This young lad must be a prominent personality in Japan, considering Nikon gave him a prototype for 1 month (+ a beta release of NX Studio). He is clearly experienced, with previous Nikon MILCs (since starting off a few years ago with a D90!). Interesting he found a few unfamiliar features using a Nikon pro flagship ILC for the first time: including ENEL18's and the size/weight; but he found his fear about the Z9 being too heavy had been a storm in a yunomi. As this was released on 28 Oct, we have since left key uncertainties behind us: including optimal cards, EVF performance, "which ENEL18* versions?", concerns about battery life etc etc.
Yet again (as with D5 and D6) it is clear Nikon has designed the Z9 to NASA's standards. This applies particularly to no issues with overheating in hot climates nor freezing up in hypothermic conditions, from +35 C down to -20C in 20m/sec winds, when an actioncam froze (despite trying to keep it warm)...and at the time he was using a well worn obsolete ENEL18a from Nikon Japan
(This video might have been shared last month, or even on 28 October. This is in Japanese but it has coherent subtitles.)
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It’s the truth. Especially in a social media environment. One of the reasons of my Z9 order. Still image will remain but will continuously decrease in importance. This is my view, at least.
I share your vision, especially when it will be possible to extract any image from video, with a full resolution of 46 MP sensor! I somehow believe this will be soon. This way or that. LZ
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Can’t remember the last time I’ve read a book, magazine or newspaper, mostly check gear reviews on Youtube nowadays and sometimes check sharpness and boke tests on the familiar review sites around the time I am to purchase new glass as there can be a lot of noise amongst paid youtube reviewers.
For my other hobbies I mainly use Insta to stay in touch with vendors, friends and share content for both, Insta used to be photos only but is nowadays fifty fifty photo and short videos with the latter increasing in popularity after the major success of TikTok amongst the younger generations.
Planned to go into video 4 years ago when I bought a full spec MBP15 but that never materialized, might use the same excuse to buy a nice MBP14 :o :P
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(This video might have been shared last month, or even on 28 October. This is in Japanese but it has coherent subtitles.)
Just for completeness - video shot in Japan, but he is / speaks Chinese
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Can’t remember the last time I’ve read a book, magazine or newspaper, mostly check gear reviews on Youtube nowadays and sometimes check sharpness and boke tests on the familiar review sites around the time I am to purchase new glass as there can be a lot of noise amongst paid youtube reviewers.
For my other hobbies I mainly use Insta to stay in touch with vendors, friends and share content for both, Insta used to be photos only but is nowadays fifty fifty photo and short videos with the latter increasing in popularity after the major success of TikTok amongst the younger generations.
Planned to go into video 4 years ago when I bought a full spec MBP15 but that never materialized, might use the same excuse to buy a nice MBP14 :o :P
The MBP14 is awesome ;)
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I share your vision, especially when it will be possible to extract any image from video, with a full resolution of 46 MP sensor! I somehow believe this will be soon. This way or that. LZ
To a limited extent, however: for fluidity reasons, video requires a 180° shutter rule eg 1/50s for 25 im/s. This shutter speed may be unsuitable for still image purposes. ;)
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Can’t remember the last time I’ve read a book, magazine or newspaper, mostly check gear reviews on Youtube nowadays and sometimes check sharpness and boke tests on the familiar review sites around the time I am to purchase new glass as there can be a lot of noise amongst paid youtube reviewers.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/
Reading in general and especially on paper might have advantages compared to consuming online content. At least I find that reading a book immerses me in its world (this is true of books with photographs on paper as well) whereas online content is often briefly skimmed upon, before moving to the next thing. I believe this shift makes it harder to sit down and solve certain more difficult problems which require abstract thinking while the acquisition of individual pieces of information is easier now than ever.
In my opinion the slower pace of viewing photography in print has its place; just like when reading books, one is encouraged to delve deeper into its world.
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http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html#anchor_Z9_Prelim_ISO
to quote his interim summary of comparisons of lossless Z9 RAW using Capture ONE:
"..... The Z 9 vs. the Z 6II
Now this is interesting. If you downsample Z 9 images to the exact size of Z 6II images then the Z 9 slightly outperforms the Z 6II in ISO performance (at least in visible noise). This tells ME that there really is no net advantage in ISO performance of the Z 6II over the Z 9 in a field setting (and there's actually a slight benefit to shooting the Z 9). And, it also tells me I may have to re-consider the initial thought I had of keeping my Z 6II simply for use in high ISO situations where it would "beat" my Z 9.
The Z 9 vs. the D6
OK...at least to me this is VERY interesting. To be clear, this means that while a D6 still wins in delivering less visible noise at high ISO's compared to downsampled Z 9 images, it doesn't "win" by much at all (only 1/3 stop at ISO 12800). This makes ME wonder if there is really any value (beyond nostalgia!) in keeping even my D6 for those "very high ISO moments". I honestly did not expect the downsampled Z 9 files to be this competitive with D6 files...."
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In my opinion the slower pace of viewing photography in print has its place; just like when reading books, one is encouraged to delve deeper into its world.
I miss printing B&W negatives in my wet darkroom. I miss holding a physical silver print in my hands.
Dave
Thank you for the link.
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Great link Ilkka - thank you.
I have always felt that I get more out of printed media - both for written and image content. And I do know how Dave feels about wet prints straight out of the darkroom - always an excitement moment. The nature of screen based writing seems to be different between technologies where screen size seems to more strongly dictate or influence writing styles. This is less obvious to me in book sized print, although I concede maybe more obvious in tabloid versus broadsheet newspapers - although the targetted audiences are usually different in this latter example.
Still remember writing papers and theses at university with a very large table with several open books and reprints of published papers placed around the work surface. ;D
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/
Reading in general and especially on paper might have advantages compared to consuming online content. At least I find that reading a book immerses me in its world (this is true of books with photographs on paper as well) whereas online content is often briefly skimmed upon, before moving to the next thing. I believe this shift makes it harder to sit down and solve certain more difficult problems which require abstract thinking while the acquisition of individual pieces of information is easier now than ever.
In my opinion the slower pace of viewing photography in print has its place; just like when reading books, one is encouraged to delve deeper into its world.
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...If you downsample Z 9 images to the exact size of Z 6II images then the Z 9 slightly outperforms the Z 6II in ISO performance (at least in visible noise)...
I remember discussion regarding the Nikon D750 v. D800 and the same was noted regarding noise where the D800 image was downsample to the D750 image size. Also a video comparing the final results with fine quality prints when the files from a 24MP and 60MP Sony cameras were compared for both noise and fine image detail. The Sony comparison was a particularly good one as the cameras were of the same vintage.
The take away is noise at the 100% pixel level is not an indication of the noise one will see in practical application.
Dave
If I remember photographer names and sites I'll post links.
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With regards to noise, there is also the factor of the color of the light source. D8x0 family high ISO noise tends to be strong in the blue channel when shooting in low K artificial light and correcting for skin color and when reducing vignetting (the D800 displayed quite awful lines in the corrected areas, D810 less so and the D850 is still better but shadows at very high ISO don't contain much subject information even if they are not as badly managed as in the D800). Whereas the D6 is still quite usable under these circumstances. I will try to test shortly how the Z6 II does in indoor concert lighting though my brain objects to the EVF in these lighting conditions.
I think we can expect the Z9 to be an improvement over D8x0 and Z7 II but still it's an ISO 64 native camera and it seems unlikely they'd be able to make it top of the line at ISO 12800 or higher.
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Nice Z9 review with stunning images with the 500PF and 400/2.8:
https://photographylife.com/nikon-z9-wildlife-impressions
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I think we can expect the Z9 to be an improvement over D8x0 and Z7 II but still it's an ISO 64 native camera and it seems unlikely they'd be able to make it top of the line at ISO 12800 or higher.
Also interested to see if the Expeed 7 processor can provide a bump for the 2nd native ISO which is at 400 at the moment for the 45MP sensors and at 800 for the Z6.
As a reference, Sony just launched the a7IV with the A1 XR processor which bumped the 2nd native ISO from ISO640 for the a7III to ISO1600 in the a7IV even though the pixels went up from 24MP to 33MP. We might see the same non stacked sensor end up in the Z6III btw so the Expeed 7 should provide similar figures with probably the better Nikon RAW files.
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The Z9 used for environmental landscape photography
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlnP2W_9Trc
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Also interested to see if the Expeed 7 processor can provide a bump for the 2nd native ISO which is at 400 at the moment for the 45MP sensors and at 800 for the Z6.
As a reference, Sony just launched the a7IV with the A1 XR processor which bumped the 2nd native ISO from ISO640 for the a7III to ISO1600 in the a7IV even though the pixels went up from 24MP to 33MP. We might see the same non stacked sensor end up in the Z6III btw so the Expeed 7 should provide similar figures with probably the better Nikon RAW files.
Raw files should be raw, so the processor should not have any effect on them. If the manufacturer applies algorithmic noise reduction to raw files, it reduces the information content in the file and thus is restricting the options for post-processing by the user.
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Most Sony sensor based cameras use dual gain noise processing, for the Z7II / D850 the low gain circuitry starts at a native ISO64 and boosts the signal for higher ISO values until it switches to the high gain circuitry at ISO400 which is the 2nd native base ISO.
I you want the cleanest noise performance above ISO100 its best to switch to ISO400 and ignore the values in between unless one needs the extra DR at ISO200. ISO318 should be ignored completely as the boosted noise is much higher than ISO400 with a small bump in DR as well for the latter value.
https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/RN_ADU.htm
https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm
More details about how dual gain noise processing works for low light photography:
https://youtu.be/d8QV00mkJW4
The Z9 is rumored to use a non Sony sensor so might have a more linear ISO and DR graphs.
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Only the dynamic range shows those jumps; in-between values go more linearly when considering other image quality parameters that do not focus on the shadow noise exclusively.
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Here is an interesting test of Z9, although it deals with the video performance:
https://www.cined.com/nikon-z-9-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-latitude-test/
Scroll the page way down to read Johnny Behiri's reply to Stefan's comment (the fourth one) in the "Comments" section. Johnny says that the Z9 doesn't use the dual ISO function.
I'm not sure if the dual ISO function is omitted from Z9 "hardware" or the function is just not activated yet.
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Thanks you :-) An interesting report
Here is an interesting test of Z9, although it deals with the video performance:
https://www.cined.com/nikon-z-9-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-latitude-test/
Scroll the page way down to read Johnny Behiri's reply to Stefan's comment (the fourth one) in the "Comments" section. Johnny says that the Z9 doesn't use the dual ISO function.
I'm not sure if the dual ISO function is omitted from Z9 "hardware" or the function is just not activated yet.
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Z9 Manuals are online
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/589/Z_9.html
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Nice Z9 review with stunning images with the 500PF and 400/2.8:
https://photographylife.com/nikon-z9-wildlife-impressions (https://photographylife.com/nikon-z9-wildlife-impressions)
Those images are really clear and crisp - Wow
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Wow! Those pictures really make me admit, that my ol and trusty D200 is well old...
Just need a EuroJackpot... ;)
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Thom Hogan is now updating his Z9 Blog with daily experiences in Okavango Delta, Botswana
https://www.zsystemuser.com/z-mount-cameras/the-z9-blog/
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Thom Hogan is now updating his Z9 Blog with daily experiences in Okavango Delta, Botswana
https://www.zsystemuser.com/z-mount-cameras/the-z9-blog/
I like the technical articles of Thom Hogan, but his last pictures (with the Z9) are really sub par. And the excuse about a non calibrated screen is a little bit light.
Extract Day Six: Also, all these photos were processing from NEF files on my 13" M1 laptop, and there may be some inconsistency of brightness as I wasn't using a calibrated monitor and processing in different light all the time.
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Processing images on an uncalibrated screen in varying levels of luminosity and color temperature will result in inconsistencies. This is a given. If the processing is done outdoors on a glossy screen problems get worse. When ever possible one should process images in low light with the ambient light color controlled and with no bright colored objects in ones peripheral vision. No sunlight should be admitted into the work area as it varies all day long. Even an off white wall behind the monitor should be avoided. When in the field you do the best you can and hope the results are acceptable. I'm sure one can find better advice than mine for setting up a proper work area for image processing on the net. I hope this is a good start.
I ware a baseball cap so the light above my monitor is not in my peripheral vision. A hood over ones monitor can be helpful to keep light from spilling onto the monitor. Again check the net to find good and complete instructions on setting up a work area environment for image processing.
For insight into color perception I suggest reading a small book, Itten The Elements of Color with a forward by Faber Birren.
Dave
I agree that a number of the images in the blog less than optimal. I'm typing outdoors on a small glossy screen so I'm sure my writing is inconsistent. :)
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Bill Claff's anaylysis of the Z9 sensor is out, comparision in link: https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm#Nikon%20D6,Nikon%20Z%206II,Nikon%20Z%207II,Nikon%20Z%209
(https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm#Nikon%20D6,Nikon%20Z%206II,Nikon%20Z%207II,Nikon%20Z%209)
It looks similar to Z7 II from ISO 503 and above, better than D6 below that, but considerably worse than Z7 II at ISO 400 and below, in fact partly overlapping with the D500 sensor even though that is a DX sensor. So the fast readout comes with some small compromises. It is interesting that the dual gain kicks in at ISO 503 and not at ISO 400 like the Z7II and D500. DX mode comparison: https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm#Nikon%20D500,Nikon%20Z%209(DX)
(https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm#Nikon%20D500,Nikon%20Z%209(DX))
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Similar with the noise, on the first gain there’s more noise than the Z7II but the Z9 does better than the D6 and on the second gain it is on par with the Z7II.
Above ISO2000 the D6 does better than both as would be expected.
https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/RN_ADU.htm
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Z9 Manuals are online
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/589/Z_9.html
Unfortunately, the full reference manual is only visible as an online series of Web pages. This trend (NO PDF) has been silently creeping in for the recent models, and I really don't like it !
Can anyone explain the reason for withholding this useful material? Mystery!
So far, by snooping around I've been able to find the PDF version of the RM for most cameras, including the Zfc, Z5, Z50, Z6/Z7, Z6II, Z7II, D780
All the above mentioned manuals are absent from the official Nikon download site, and the D6 RM and the Z9 RM can only be consulted online...
I'll be doing more snooping, and if anyone finds a downloadable PDF copy, I'll be grateful!
EDIT: snooping successful, found the D6 RM, a hefty 1198 pages! anyone interested, look here: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1828363/Nikon-D6.html (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1828363/Nikon-D6.html)
Ciao from Massimo
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Unfortunately, the full reference manual is only visible as an online series of Web pages. This trend (NO PDF) has been silently creeping in for the recent models, and I really don't like it !
How so? The Reference guide is available as a PDF.
https://download.nikonimglib.com/archive4/QgJlG00htyyr05Dwv0y23ILbEU27/Z9RG_(En)01.pdf
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How so? The Reference guide is available as a PDF.
https://download.nikonimglib.com/archive4/QgJlG00htyyr05Dwv0y23ILbEU27/Z9RG_(En)01.pdf
Thanks, Ikka!
I didn't click on Chambeshi's link (it points to the english version of Nikon Download site), apparently the Italian version of Nikon download site lags behind on a few manuals, in particular the D6 and Z9 RMs (not yet translated in Italian? Not an issue for me, I can read an english manual...) Still it's confusing, I thought the localised sites were synchronized (it is so with firmware updates, they are published worldwide at the same hh:mm:ss). So, after finding the D6 RM both on manualslib and the english version of Nikon, I will remember to consult the english version ONLY, avoiding the italian site altogether.
Thanks again and CIAO from Massimo
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Similar with the noise, on the first gain there’s more noise than the Z7II but the Z9 does better than the D6 and on the second gain it is on par with the Z7II.
Above ISO2000 the D6 does better than both as would be expected.
https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/RN_ADU.htm
WOW! That is a disappointment, if I read this right. I count on the low ISO (64) of the Z7II and the D850, etc. to not be very noisy. Is there a work around? How important is this? It makes me not want a Z9, although I would like the autofocus of the Z9. Yet, I seldom use autofocus.
Is there any more to say about this fact?
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Well the performance kind of explains why there’s no landscape and macro shots in the Z9 marketing material, its all about sports, wildlife, birding and weddings.
The question will be if the Z7 remains the landscape / macro camera of choice like the D8xx was or that Nikon will come with a Z9X like they did in the old days.
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Well the performance kind of explains why there’s no landscape and macro shots in the Z9 marketing material, its all about sports, wildlife, birding and weddings.
The question will be if the Z7 remains the landscape / macro camera of choice like the D8xx was or that Nikon will come with a Z9X like they did in the old days.
Thanks. That's what I need. Until then, I will just save my money.
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Thanks. That's what I need. Until then, I will just save my money.
According to rumors Nikon will release a firmware update for the ZII models a week after they release the 1.10 firmware update for the Z9 on the 5th.
Its highly likely the update will bring improvements for the AF but time will tell how much of the Z9 goodness they can transfer to the ZII cameras, probably focus lock and tracking improvements but maybe also things like bird eye and vehicle AF.
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According to rumors Nikon will release a firmware update for the ZII models a week after they release the 1.10 firmware update for the Z9 on the 5th.
Its highly likely the update will bring improvements for the AF but time will tell how much of the Z9 goodness they can transfer to the ZII cameras, probably focus lock and tracking improvements but maybe also things like bird eye and vehicle AF.
Thanks. Yeah, I get that. Without a solid ISO 64, I have little use for the Z9, aside from I would like one. LOL.
I may just buy another lens. I very much like the Z7II. I have the Z 100-400 lens on order and already have the TC-1.4 and the 70-200s.
Of the Z Zooms, which is the sharpest or very best, in your study?
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Already second hand ones on sale in Japan!
https://jp.mercari.com/search?keyword=nikon%20z9&status=on_sale
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Thanks. Yeah, I get that. Without a solid ISO 64, I have little use for the Z9, aside from I would like one. LOL.
Dynamic range only reflects, basically, the deep shadows and how noisy those are; it may not be relevant if you don't need to adjust the image's tone curve (make the image brighter) a lot in post-processing. The PDR figures do not tell anything about the signal-to-noise ratio in the rest of the image above the shadows. The Z9 PDR at ISO 64 is still very good and the difference between it and Z7 (II) or D850 is pretty small at 64.
However, if you don't photograph moving subjects then the cost of the Z9 may be difficult to justify as the benefits of the camera are mainly in how it can focus and track moving subjects and shoot fast. My main interest in the Z9 stems from the fact that it has a fast electronic shutter which allows silent photography in most circumstances without problems with rolling shutter or flickering lights. Also I would expect the shutter + EVF lag to be shorter in the Z9 though I haven't seen measured data of this yet.
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Dynamic range only reflects, basically, the deep shadows and how noisy those are; it may not be relevant if you don't need to adjust the image's tone curve (make the image brighter) a lot in post-processing. The PDR figures do not tell anything about the signal-to-noise ratio in the rest of the image above the shadows. The Z9 PDR at ISO 64 is still very good and the difference between it and Z7 (II) or D850 is pretty small at 64.
However, if you don't photograph moving subjects then the cost of the Z9 may be difficult to justify as the benefits of the camera are mainly in how it can focus and track moving subjects and shoot fast. My main interest in the Z9 stems from the fact that it has a fast electronic shutter which allows silent photography in most circumstances without problems with rolling shutter or flickering lights. Also I would expect the shutter + EVF lag to be shorter in the Z9 though I haven't seen measured data of this yet.
Yes, that's my understanding too. I shoot mainly still life nature. You mention that the 'difference is very small' between the Z9 PDR at ISO 64 and the Z7 (II) and the D850. I am wondering what 'pretty small' means and how will that affect shadows and blacks? I know the Z9 is not a landscape camera, but will the difference be very visible. I don't have a problem between the ISO of the D850 and the Z7 (II). Will that be similar (relativity) to the Z9 and those other two cameras? There is mention of a Z9 for landscape folks that may be in the works. What would that mean?
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Yes, that's my understanding too. I shoot mainly still life nature. You mention that the 'difference is very small' between the Z9 PDR at ISO 64 and the Z7 III) and the D850. I am wondering what 'pretty small' means and how will that affect shadows and blacks? I know the Z9 is not a landscape camera, but will the difference very very visible. I don't have a problem between the ISO of the D850 and the Z7 (II). Will that be similar to the Z9 and those other two cameras? There is mention of a Z9 for landscape folks. What would that mean?
I would wait for the final reviews by the usual suspects (dxo, dpreview, etc.), then we can see if there is any banding or nasty stuff like that in the deep shadows and how those compare visually with the other ISO 64 cameras. Looking at the PDR and shadow noise graphs, the Z9 shadows at ISO 64 appear to be similar in noise to Z7 II images at ISO 100-125. However, the midtones and highlights are not evaluated here.
For now, I prioritise the lenses given the short supply of the Z9 camera.
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I would wait for the final reviews by the usual suspects (dxo, dpreview, etc.), then we can see if there is any banding or nasty stuff like that in the deep shadows and how those compare visually with the other ISO 64 cameras. Looking at the PDR and shadow noise graphs, the Z9 shadows at ISO 64 appear to be similar in noise to Z7 II images at ISO 100-125. However, the midtones and highlights are not evaluated here.
Yes, I hear that, but that is not good news IMO. Another question I have, if you know. which of the Z lenses (probably the 'S' series) are considered the finest so far, in your opinion. Especially, which of the zooms?
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Another question I have, if you know. which of the Z lenses (probably the 'S' series) are considered the finest so far, in your opinion. Especially, which of the zooms?
Unfortunately I only have fixed focal length Z lenses so far, the 24, 35, 50, and 85 f/1.8 and the 105 MC.
From what I've understood the 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 are all optically the finest of their class.
My plan is to get the 24-70/2.8 next and then either the 100-400 or 70-200/2.8. I don't currently have compact long teles and am thinking the 100-400 with its self-compensating mechanism which keeps the center of gravity almost constant as one zooms makes its very appealing, along with the good visual qualities of the results from the lens. The 70-200/2.8 gives very beautiful images but I already have the F-mount FL version and think that's more than good enough for my purposes so I'd be getting more "added capability" from purchasing the 100-400. However, I've got a bad track record with f/5.6 long focal length lenses and have ended up selling all of them. I just find myself too often in situations where a larger aperture is desirable. However, now that I only have fast teles I am finding them heavy and desire a lighter lens again. :-)
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Unfortunately I only have fixed focal length Z lenses so far, the 24, 35, 50, and 85 f/1.8 and the 105 MC.
From what I've understood the 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 are all optically the finest of their class.
My plan is to get the 24-70/2.8 next and then either the 100-400 or 70-200/2.8. I don't currently have compact long teles and am thinking the 100-400 with its self-compensating mechanism which keeps the center of gravity almost constant as one zooms makes its very appealing, along with the good visual qualities of the results from the lens. The 70-200/2.8 gives very beautiful images but I already have the F-mount FL version and think that's more than good enough for my purposes so I'd be getting more "added capability" from purchasing the 100-400. However, I've got a bad track record with f/5.6 long focal length lenses and have ended up selling all of them. I just find myself too often in situations where a larger aperture is desirable. However, now that I only have fast teles I am finding them heavy and desire a lighter lens again. :-)
I have the 70-200mm Z lens and find it very wonderful. I also had the FL version of the 70-200mm, but sold it. I find the Z version of the 70-200mm worth the trouble to change. I too would like the Z 24-70mm f/2.8, but instead have on order the Z 100-400mm zoom. I do have the Z 24-70 f/4 and was surprised how good it was for a kit lens. I have the 50mm and 85 f/1.8 primes and they are fine.
I am VERY impressed with the Z 105mm Macro lens, but not so much the Z 50 mm Macro.
I also sold a lot of old lenses and bought the Z NOCT f/0.95 lens and am totally satisfied with it.
I never anticipated I would buy into the Z lenses, but planned to use all my F-mount lenses with the adapter, but the new z lenses are just that good, IMO.
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I am a ‘still’ nature photographer that leans toward the darks. Almost always use ISO 64 with either the D850 or the Z7 II.
When I look at a graph like this (Included) I see that Z7 II ISO as clearly different at the low ISO end from the new Z9. I am not a sports photographer and am used to the ISO 64 in the mentioned cameras. There must be an ‘effect” from the difference in ISO as shown in the graph between the Z9 and the other cameras. What are we to think of this change in ISO 64?
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When I look at a graph like this (Included) I see that Z7 II ISO as clearly different at the low ISO end from the new Z9. I am not a sports photographer and am used to the ISO 64 in the mentioned cameras. There must be an ‘effect” from the difference in ISO as shown in the graph between the Z9 and the other cameras. What are we to think of this change in ISO 64?
Given the low number of production Z9s out there being measured it seems to me that a % difference in the low single digit range may even be sample variation. and even if it is not, the real question is “what is the effect of the signal noise on the image?”. The cameras capture a dynamic range which is beyond our capability to print and display, so while having a very low noise signal is helpful when imaging high dynamic range subjects, it is not quite as important for images such as yours with controlled indoor lighting. What is going to be important is how the sensor renders the scene. That is not something which can be teased from that chart. What do the colors look like? Is there a smooth separation of mid-tones, a toe to the curve? I’m not suggesting that the Z9 is better in these regards, but it certainly may be different. The Z7II may still be the best option for you, but these charts only tell a very small part of the story, and the differences between the two cameras are quite small. I’d not base a buying decision on them alone.
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Given the low number of production Z9s out there being measured it seems to me that a % difference in the low single digit range may even be sample variation. and even if it is not, the real question is “what is the effect of the signal noise on the image?”. The cameras capture a dynamic range which is beyond our capability to print and display, so while having a very low noise signal is helpful when imaging high dynamic range subjects, it is not quite as important for images such as yours with controlled indoor lighting. What is going to be important is how the sensor renders the scene. That is not something which can be teased from that chart. What do the colors look like? Is there a smooth separation of mid-tones, a toe to the curve? I’m not suggesting that the Z9 is better in these regards, but it certainly may be different. The Z7II may still be the best option for you, but these charts only tell a very small part of the story, and the differences between the two cameras are quite small. I’d not base a buying decision on them alone.
I hear you. I guess it's a bit of 'wait and see' to find out what comes out in the wash, so to speak. I couldn't find a copy of the Z9 anyway.
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Nikon continues to stick to regional SNs
Highest SN seen here in the US is 30032++, as of Jan-1
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If one shoots at ISO 64 does a difference in dynamic range of 11.6 stops v. 11.3 stops really matter? I would look to other features of the image and or camera to make a choice.
When shooting with a Z9 I might avoid the ISO(s) of 250, 320 and 400 and with the Z7 II use whatever ISO works best.
Dave
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If one shoots at ISO 64 does a difference in dynamic range of 11.6 stops v. 11.3 stops really matter?
I don't think it does.
However, if the photographer never needs the fast autofocus of the Z9 then one can take the advantage of the Z7 II sensor and make use of it, no matter how small the difference might be.
I would look to other features of the image and or camera to make a choice.
Right, for me the silent shutter capabilities and handling (more physical controls, larger body), larger battery, viewfinder and autofocus capabilities are important. I do not want to purchase a Z7 II as I don't like the body type and controls that much (the remote control and flash trigger goes to the left side where I have my L-bracket fighting for the same space) and so I'm not willing to pay that much money for it. I understand the attraction of the small body for many things but I prefer the 10-pin interface in the front of the camera.
When shooting with a Z9 I might avoid the ISO(s) of 250, 320 and 400 and with the Z7 II use whatever ISO works best.
This isn't really necessary IMO as dynamic range is just one parameter. The SNR of the midtones and highlights will still improve as you go down from 800 to 400 to 200 and 64.
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thank you for your comments.
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Excellent review of the Z9 video capabilities for those interested in doing video:
https://youtu.be/NIk2DfZZEbM
Gerald is not the typical youtube noob reviewer, lot of technical details are being discussed and he is often referenced by other content creators.
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Mine arrived yesterday and I haven't had a good chance to get out of the house with it, but I'd be happy to answer any questions or perform quick tests if anyone is interested.
Initial impressions are that it seems really responsive.
I've not really used autofocus much, but this camera has definitely changed my mind about it. I think it will take some time to figure out which combinations of settings work best for what I do, but that is usually true of any new camera.
In comparison to the Z6 it seems quite big but I think it will balance larger lenses well.
The original FTZ works - once you apply a firmware update - and non-cpu lenses work the same as on the other Z cameras.
Default raw images out of the camera are neutral and a bit flat, leaving room for post-processing or applying in camera picture controls. This is kind of how I like it, but makes things a bit dull in the viewfinder compared to what you see on the back of an Iphone. With video this is even more the case, but there is a preview mode which can be applied if you are shooting in 10bit n-log to get a better idea of what the footage will look like.
Controls are pretty well laid out, and are incredibly customizable. It will take me a while to finalize on how I want things set up. The one troublesome thing is that one of the buttons for the vertical grip is easily pressed when the camera is sitting on your lap reviewing images. I'll have to see if there is a way to disable this, or just hold the camera differently.
Anyway, feel free to ask questions if you have any. I learn by answering them so I'm happy to investigate.
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Congrats Jack!
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I spoke to one of my eminent colleagues in motorsport photography, who received his Z9 and used it.
Here is his quote: “it’s ok. It has some good points. But all the clever stuff like recognizing cars is useless for motorsport. You have to turn all that off. If you set it to focus on cars and you are panning it tries to focus on verging except the car” …. “The Z9 isn’t helping my hit rate. I switched back to single point”.
If you want to see an excerpt of his work, go on Instagram under gary_parravani or on Xynamic, his professional Instagram.
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Apparently the Z9 can now assign a memory recall function to the AF-ON button overwriting things like focus area, shutter speed, ISO, tracking, etc. So you could have one set of settings under the shutter release like center focus point and a second set under the AF-ON button with wide area focus, eye or car AF, slower shutter, etc.
So where the AF-ON button was mainly used to switch between AF-C, AF-S and MF on the DSLR’s it can now be used to switch between multiple setups which makes handling the camera in hectic situations a lot more efficient. So where the Z6/7 are very DSLR like in their button setup the Z9 takes more advantage of what mirrorless can bring to the table, it does however involve a remap of the muscle memory to utilize the full potential.
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Apparently the Z9 can now assign a memory recall function to the AF-ON button overwriting things like focus area, shutter speed, ISO, tracking, etc. So you could have one set of settings under the shutter release like center focus point and a second set under the AF-ON button with wide area focus, eye or car AF, slower shutter, etc.
So where the AF-ON button was mainly used to switch between AF-C, AF-S and MF on the DSLR’s it can now be used to switch between multiple setups which makes handling the camera in hectic situations a lot more efficient. So where the Z6/7 are very DSLR like in their button setup the Z9 takes more advantage of what mirrorless can bring to the table, it does however involve a remap of the muscle memory to utilize the full potential.
This feature (recall shooting functions) is available on the D6 as well, and with fewer degrees of freedom on the D5 (it got it as a firmware update and you can't choose from a list which params are recalled and which are not, whereas on the D6 you can). Z6/7/D780 don't have it though as these were not designed primarily with photographing action in mind. In fact it's a bit more sophisticated on the D6 where you can select recall shooting functions (hold) so it works as a toggle (if you wish). Reportedly the hold option is not available on the Z9.
But on the Nikons you can't recall multiple sets of shooting functions. You can assign buttons to alter a single parameter but if you want to switch between sets each assigned to a different button, this is not (yet) available on Nikons.
I use recall shooting functions (hold) to switch between fast and slow shutter speed (useful when photographing deer on the open fields and then inside the forest where dim light causes enough image quality loss that fast shutter speed is best avoided). Works well especially when using 500 PF as the f/5.6 aperture comes with its own compromises.
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Thanks for the correction Ilkka, am knee deep in testing different AF-ON and memory recall setups with the a7IV and kind of projected those experiences onto the Z9 when I read a similar recall option was available (again).
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I can confirm that the Z9 does not offer recall shooting functions (hold)- havent checked whether one can switch the buttons to toggle mode in general
it is indeed possible to assign recall shooting funcions to AF-ON
This does not make sense to me as Iam triggering AF with this button only leaving the shutter-release completely out. So curretly RCO is on Fn2 (and Fn1 assigned for switching to single field AF.)
I would also like to have at least 2 recall shooting setups per individual configuration, more so as the Z9 (as well as the D6) is missing the options to assign (spot) metering mode to a button (all my older Cameras including the (imho mis- intefaced Z6) could do that), so I need RCO as the only workaround.
The Z9 has (again compared to the D6) additional options though, so you can integrate switching to serial shots with a RCO set.
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The Z9 has (again compared to the D6) additional options though, so you can integrate switching to serial shots with a RCO set.
This would be useful to get on other cameras as well. On the D6 you can move the release mode from the dial to a button on the lower back panel (multiple frame icon) but pressing this button and using a dial to select the mode is still very slow. If one could move it completely to the right hand side, or assign it to recall shooting functions would be very useful. It's just software as demonstrated by the fact that there are already two options on how to access this setting (but neither is convenient if the left hand is supporting the lens). I sent a request for this to Nikon but they seemed to think it's a good way to get me to buy the Z9 rather than give it as a firmware update on my current cameras. ;-)
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Steve Perry tested and compared the focus speed of (adapter) F mount lenses on the D850, Z6II and Z9:
https://youtu.be/Y0GACItDhkg
FTZ I & II performed the same, Z9 is as fast or even faster than the D850, especially when a TC is used :)
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Steve Perry tested and compared the focus speed of (adapter) F mount lenses on the D850, Z6II and Z9:
https://youtu.be/Y0GACItDhkg
FTZ I & II performed the same, Z9 is as fast or even faster than the D850, especially when a TC is used :)
Somehow sadly the only difference between FTZ and FTZII is the geometry (the removed tripod socket) that otherwise get's in the way with Z9's portrait format grip- it is usable though but with limited space for the fingers. As the FTZII I have ordered is not available yet I have no alternative zu FTZ anyway. Caution: Together with the Z9 the first version of the adapter works only when upgraded to the newest firmware.
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Somehow sadly the only difference between FTZ and FTZII is the geometry (the removed tripod socket) that otherwise get's in the way with Z9's portrait format grip- it is usable though but with limited space for the fingers. As the FTZII I have ordered is not available yet I have no alternative zu FTZ anyway. Caution: Together with the Z9 the first version of the adapter works only when upgraded to the newest firmware.
That's what Nikon said, they are functionally identical apart from the tripod mount. Why is this sad? I think it's good that people can choose based on whether they need the space or the tripod mount, with no difference in performance (which is up to the camera).
A screwdriver AF motor would be nice (as well as aperture detection system for older lenses) but I can see that such an adapter would be larger, more expensive and tricky to make.
I will likely get an FTZ II as I don't want to constantly move the L-bracket from camera to adapter and vice versa, and it would be nice to recover the space taken by the tripod mount on the adapter. However, I'll keep the original FTZ for backup use.
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I depart from the usual response in my stating I actually like the FTZ. For close-up and macro work, having the support mounting on the FTZ helps gain more stability of the rig.
I have "solved" the problem of brackets by having dedicated L-brackets (Markins) on the FTZ itself. These FTZ units are permanently attached to my most used 'macro' lenses, like the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 (2.5-5X).
Since I'm still -- less patiently, now -- waiting for my long pre-ordered Z9, cannot say whether I would want to add an FTZ II later. Probably?
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I depart from the usual response in my stating I actually like the FTZ. For close-up and macro work, having the support mounting on the FTZ helps gain more stability of the rig.
I have "solved" the problem of brackets by having dedicated L-brackets (Markins) on the FTZ itself. These FTZ units are permanently attached to my most used 'macro' lenses, like the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 (2.5-5X).
Since I'm still -- less patiently, now -- waiting for my long pre-ordered Z9, cannot say whether I would want to add an FTZ II later. Probably?
I got my preordered Z9 a few days ago. I also pre-ordered the FTZII which i did not receive so far . Probably you will add as it is more convenient to use the grip when F-mount lenses are used. The FTZI can be mounted on the Z9 but it won't work with an arca Type plate attached
AND you can't mount the FTZ to a monopod/tripod directly when it is mounted on a Z9
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Here are some shots showing how the FTZ looks on the Z9. The tripod socket is completely blocked by the vertical grip and finger space is constrained by the FTZ foot. It is workable enough, but I find my smallest finger doesn’t fit in the gap. If my hand were slightly larger it could fit below the mount or if smaller it could fit above the mount. Fortunately most of my F mount lenses are all manual non-cpu so a dumb generic adapter works just fine. I likely won’t get the FTZ2.
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Thanks Jack for the illustration - was feeeling too busy to do that
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That's what Nikon said, they are functionally identical apart from the tripod mount. Why is this sad? I think it's good that people can choose based on whether they need the space or the tripod mount, with no difference in performance (which is up to the camera).
A screwdriver AF motor would be nice (as well as aperture detection system for older lenses) but I can see that such an adapter would be larger, more expensive and tricky to make.
There is nothing wrong with having a choice between tripod mount or not with no decrease of quality. There can be a variety if adapters. Canon started with three (one includign a filter holder). I'd have preferred an adapter with AI support and screwdriver AF support. yes screwdriver af probably would mean a socket for a motor that just has been removed in the evolution from FTZ to FTZII
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B&H has the FTZ II in stock - right now
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Sony have an adapter which supports also screwdriver AF and it doesn't have any bulges. However, reading user reviews there seem to be a lot of compatibility issues with it, if the reviews are accurate. I think the complexity must be very high.
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A slight tangent, but did anyone notice there was just a small firmware update for the Zii? Nothing like the expected v2 improvements, and nothing for the Z6ii.
Kind folks are surmising that Nikon is concentrating on Z9 firmware updates, but I think this delay may bite Nikon in the bum.
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Rolling shutter test with a small fan, Z9 vs Z7II:
https://youtu.be/grqjuVp6YYs
Interesting subject to photograph with slow readouts, could deliver some very creative images :)
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I finally ordered the Z9, but probably won't see one for who knows how long. If any come up as available, please let me know.
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This would be useful to get on other cameras as well. On the D6 you can move the release mode from the dial to a button on the lower back panel (multiple frame icon) but pressing this button and using a dial to select the mode is still very slow. If one could move it completely to the right hand side, or assign it to recall shooting functions would be very useful. It's just software as demonstrated by the fact that there are already two options on how to access this setting (but neither is convenient if the left hand is supporting the lens). I sent a request for this to Nikon but they seemed to think it's a good way to get me to buy the Z9 rather than give it as a firmware update on my current cameras. ;-)
I fully agree that recall shooting options should be extended on the D6 and dispersed to other Cameras. I have bought the Z9 already so NIkon does not need to get me there - nevertheless I want to continue the use of other cameras. D6s multiple frame icon on the pack appears to be a legacy of the first Z series. Z9 has this solved better - there is everyhting on the dialling wheel. Z6 only offers release mode on this misplaced button on the right bottom of its backside. If it was the idea to make it fast accessible with one hand then this failed. Worse if you press the button you do have to dial the back wheel to change settings, not the front wheel and you cant change that. No place in the menu (thus not in individual menu as well), no option to access it with a function button, no way to set it by using the misconcepted U1-U3 dials. (just info -menu) That could be saved by firmware update. I am happy with the Z9 but i want a second set of recall shooting options back and a direct way to assign spot-metering to a butten and not
Info-Menu is not too attractive for me - may it be release mode or metering mode, it is slow, and Individual menu would do that If i could assign anything there.
There is a significant number of things getting worse, features that have proven valuable and but disappeared and could/should be easily restored in the newer cameras.
And it would be advantageous to get updates for older cameras as well. Z6, D850, D500 were made capable of using CF-Express cards, D4s would deserve that as well, then one could skip XQD cards completely and standardize the card types use.
P..S. Yes I also think that designing an Adapter that supports screwdriver -AF is a complex undertaking. I trust that Nikon could solve that without issues if they wanred to.
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I am happy with the Z9 but i want a second set of recall shooting options back and a direct way to assign spot-metering to a butten and not
Info-Menu is not too attractive for me - may it be release mode or metering mode, it is slow, and Individual menu would do that If i could assign anything there.
There is a significant number of things getting worse, features that have proven valuable and but disappeared and could/should be easily restored in the newer cameras.
P..S. Yes I also think that designing an Adapter that supports screwdriver -AF is a complex undertaking. I trust that Nikon could solve that without issues if they wanred to.
Closest I've gotten to get spot-metering to a button is to assign "metering" to one of the many buttons. This requires a press and turn of a dial but is pretty fast. I actually like the "i" menu on theZ9 more than I did on the Z6. With shooting banks I find it an easy way to see a number of setting in context.
I can't think of any reasons why Nikon would prioritize adding screwdriver AF to the FTZ. And the longer they don't do it, the less important it becomes.
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Closest I've gotten to get spot-metering to a button is to assign "metering" to one of the many buttons. This requires a press and turn of a dial but is pretty fast. I actually like the "i" menu on theZ9 more than I did on the Z6. With shooting banks I find it an easy way to see a number of setting in context.
I have seen this option (good to have it, as metering disappeared from the top left button collection - compared to the D6 though the number of button number grew to four) but it does not give what I require. I am using recall shooting functions for that (increasing the wish to have at least a second set of those
Havent ever tried out, whether info menu content corresponds with choice of shooting banks
I can't think of any reasons why Nikon would prioritize adding screwdriver AF to the FTZ. And the longer they don't do it, the less important it becomes.
Well they made a new FTZ and that was a (missed) opportunity. And as long as (amongst others) lenses Micro 200mm f/4, Micro 70-180 mm, 105DC, 135DC only are available as screwdriver AF versions it'd add value
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I have seen this option (good to have it, as metering disappeared from the top left button collection - compared to the D6 though the number of button number grew to four) but it does not give what I require. I am using recall shooting functions for that (increasing the wish to have at least a second set of those
Havent ever tried out, whether info menu content corresponds with choice of shooting banks
Well they made a new FTZ and that was a (missed) opportunity. And as long as (amongst others) lenses Micro 200mm f/4, Micro 70-180 mm, 105DC, 135DC only are available as screwdriver AF versions it'd add value
Not all features are available on all buttons. Haven't figured out which are available on which, but I do know that it varies. I tested this by assigning metering to the voice memo button.
"i" menu is configured in Custom Settings Bank - so there are 4 options. Would be nice if were possible to tie a specific Custom Settings Bank to a Shooting Bank, but I don't think that is possible on Z9. I think on Z6 it did change with U1, U2, U3...but maybe I'm misremembering.
My only screwdriver lens is the 135DC, so I'd not be interested in buying another expensive adapter just for it. If I recall correctly, the DC lenses had issues with focus tuning when DC was moved from the 0 mark. I've only ever focused it manually so clearly I'm outside the target market.
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None of the primary Z9 manuals have a tabulated map summarizing which features can be set to each button. Nikon provided similar for the D850 and some of their other more advanced cameras.
Here's the only partial Table I have found - in the Z9 Sports AF Guide
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iPhonedo, one my of favorite tech reviewers, tested the Z9 for a few weeks:
https://youtu.be/_enQaE1wQJ8
Main focus is pro video work like product videos on a robotic arm, talking head, run and gun on a DJI gimbal, etc.
His production value is of a very high level and really dig the way he masters the light.
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Also makes annoying comments about the camera didn't fit his bag (it would if he had turned it 180 degrees).
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Picking up my Z9 right now.
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Picking up my Z9 right now.
Fine! enjoy! I am very impressed of my Z9 so far
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My dealer let me pick the "best" serial number which as a nod to my friend Paco ended in 13 (!)
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No numerolocigal specialities in my case :-)
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No numerolocigal specialities in my case :-)
The only distinguishing pattern on mine is that the last 5 digits are all even and unique.
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My dealer let me pick the "best" serial number which as a nod to my friend Paco ended in 13 (!)
Congratulations! Enjoy a dreamy camera... with a dreamy number ;)
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A new Firmware version 1.11 is available now:
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/436.html
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Explanation of Z9 Shooting Banks - the latest incarnation of these features as implemented on the pro ILCs...somewhat long winded, detailed explanations of how to setup and use the Nikon Shooting Banks: how they work etc. He skimped over Extended Banks. I don't struggle with having to reset a bank, and I often need to switch between banks as fast as possible..... so the idea of designating Bank A as one's 'Working Bank' is impracticable.
https://youtu.be/ioFl9nPJhUc
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Explanation of Z9 Shooting Banks - the latest incarnation of these features as implemented on the pro ILCs...somewhat long winded, detailed explanations of how to setup and use the Nikon Shooting Banks: how they work etc. He skimped over Extended Banks, and I don't struggle with having to reset a bank, and I often need to switch between banks as fast as possible. So the idea of designating Bank A as one's 'Working Bank' is impracticable.
https://youtu.be/ioFl9nPJhUc
Well with Z9s shooting bank Nikon brings back what the SLR seris offers and the Z-series was missing so far (the U1-U3 arrangement was no proper replacement). So far i was using two of those and switching, i am considering extended use
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My dealer let me pick the "best" serial number which as a nod to my friend Paco ended in 13 (!)
Congratulations! Looking forward to your findings ;)
I'm down with Covid - Very light symptoms so I hope it stays like that!
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Yes, long overdue in the Z system. As are the broader range of custom settings
The Z9 also allows setting up 4 different i-Menus under respective custom banks. I have no experience with the D6, but it should allow similar
Well with Z9s shooting bank Nikon brings back what the SLR seris offers and the Z-series was missing so far (the U1-U3 arrangement was no proper replacement). So far i was using two of those and switching, i am considering extended use
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Fair amount about the 400 f2.8S TC, including very fast and highly precise AF.... and interview with Brad Hill on Z9 the etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbihhKomBlk
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Congratulations! Looking forward to your findings ;)
I'm down with Covid - Very light symptoms so I hope it stays like that!
Ouch -- cross fingers and stay safe, my friend.
The Z9 takes every Nikkor in its stride, so far.
(https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10269.0;attach=52476;image)
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I'm down with Covid - Very light symptoms so I hope it stays like that!
Hope you get well soon, Erik!
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I'm down with Covid - Very light symptoms so I hope it stays like that!
Get well soon, hope it will stay light.
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Hudson Henry testing the Z9 tracking on seabirds and kite surfers....
Useful advice on Custom configuration of AF settings in the Shooting banks
https://youtu.be/HEMQ9KkeUVs
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AF with my native Z lenses certainly appears to be reliable and as fast as the lens itself allows. It works for static subjects, vehicles, and people in motion. No pets to test the "Animal eyes" feature with, though.
Most of my existing "F" Nikkors are manual-focus so the AF performance on Z9 is moot. However, brief tests with the AFS 200/2 & 300/2.8 indicated full functionality and no surprises.
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Yes, long overdue in the Z system. As are the broader range of custom settings
The Z9 also allows setting up 4 different i-Menus under respective custom banks. I have no experience with the D6, but it should allow similar
The D6 indeed does allow 4 different i-Menus, one for each shooting bank, just like the Z9.
So far I did not use the i-Menu at all (in any camera) as it did not appear to make too much sense to me _ i was more relying on MY MENU
What you can alternatively put in the i-menu is limited again.
Use of i-menu might change as the Z9 puts the standard metering-mode-setting only there (you can program one of the four FN buttons as well, and you have recall shooting options)
There is no more metering button- instead of D6s three buttons on the top left the Z9 has got four-but metering mode was skipped and Bracketing and Flash Button came in instead (doubtful decision). With the D6 you could configure BKT and Metering button to fulfill other functions, with the Z9 one can't.
So the general situation is that some but not all functions are in the Menu, some can only adressed in the i-Menu but not in the Menu, i-Menu cant replace My Menu, some functions are available on dedicated buttons only and it needs a high level of sophistication which functions can assigned to a Fn Button (the Z9 has great improvement here) - this could be improved.
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One thing that might help with a special setting that can’t be assigned to a button or I-menu is to put it at the top of the my menu, and then assign a button to access the first item in the my menu. This allows almost anything to be assigned to a button even if it is not in the list of functions which can be assigned to buttons.
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One thing that might help with a special setting that can’t be assigned to a button or I-menu is to put it at the top of the my menu, and then assign a button to access the first item in the my menu. This allows almost anything to be assigned to a button even if it is not in the list of functions which can be assigned to buttons.
That's a very good approach. But it requires the function to be accessible via menu otherwise it does not work. Swithing from single to serial shot on a Z6 is an example where this fails
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That's a very good approach. But it requires the function to be accessible via menu otherwise it does not work. Swithing from single to serial shot on a Z6 is an example where this fails
Yes I do similar on D5 and D850 to change shooting banks
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Thanks for these comparisons. I find the i-menu becomes practical only with a EVF - even muscle memory is trained up to press the right controls. Nikon's latest set of iterations with the Z9 (compared to pro DSLRs) does seem to have fixed some gaps; but weirdly they have dropped features that work really well. The big one for me is an exposure mode cannot be assigned to a Fn control (eg spot-metering) which has been standard on many ILCs.
Utterly bizarre how Nikon unfixes what works and so many photographers rely on, and this is across many genres.
The D6 indeed does allow 4 different i-Menus, one for each shooting bank, just like the Z9.
So far I did not use the i-Menu at all (in any camera) as it did not appear to make too much sense to me _ i was more relying on MY MENU
What you can alternatively put in the i-menu is limited again.
Use of i-menu might change as the Z9 puts the standard metering-mode-setting only there (you can program one of the four FN buttons as well, and you have recall shooting options)
There is no more metering button- instead of D6s three buttons on the top left the Z9 has got four-but metering mode was skipped and Bracketing and Flash Button came in instead (doubtful decision). With the D6 you could configure BKT and Metering button to fulfill other functions, with the Z9 one can't.
So the general situation is that some but not all functions are in the Menu, some can only adressed in the i-Menu but not in the Menu, i-Menu cant replace My Menu, some functions are available on dedicated buttons only and it needs a high level of sophistication which functions can assigned to a Fn Button (the Z9 has great improvement here) - this could be improved.
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Thanks for these comparisons. I find the i-menu becomes practical only with a EVF - even muscle memory is trained up to press the right controls. Nikon's latest set of iterations with the Z9 (compared to pro DSLRs) does seem to have fixed some gaps; but weirdly they have dropped features that work really well. The big one for me is an exposure mode cannot be assigned to a Fn control (eg spot-metering) which has been standard on many ILCs.
Utterly bizarre how Nikon unfixes what works and so many photographers rely on, and this is across many genres.
I agree
That exposure mode cant be assigned to a Fn control was already present in the D6 and one of the main downsides of this camera. The D6 had a button for metering mode (that could be used otherwise) the Z9 has not and it can't be tuned back on the top left buttons.
dont misunderstand me- I see the Z9 a great camera and Nikon improved a lot- but there are downsides
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An excellent and detailed review from a South African birder, tested with the 100-400mm, 500PF and 600/4:
https://youtu.be/MWYw4zBG5Ew
He also discusses different AF button layouts and the differences vs his personal Canon R5.
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Another AF video - he gets decent hit rates if the 'Sticky' Delay setting is optimized - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z01cx7XF8i0
An excellent and detailed review from a South African birder, tested with the 100-400mm, 500PF and 600/4:
https://youtu.be/MWYw4zBG5Ew
He also discusses different AF button layouts and the differences vs his personal Canon R5.
Thanks. He's honest about his learning curve with setting up the AF etc. This review should help the audience of new Z9 owners, notably if inexperienced with the Nikon AF system and shooting banks of the Pro DSLR's - e.g. Canon user
PS He's german, based in Australia, although his accent is a mixture, some S African slant on consonants [and vewels] to my ear, particularly his a's and R's ;)
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PS He's german, based in Australia, although his accent is a mixture, some S African slant on consonants to my ear, particularly his a's and R's ;)
Ha thanks, got fooled by the accent and surroundings in his videos.
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Some interesting LED screen issues
https://www.dpreview.com/interviews/8897575261/interview-sports-photographer-mark-pain-on-the-new-nikon-z9
He seems very satisfied with the camera.
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I hated my Z6 for the first few weeks. I've only hated my Z9 for a day here or there. Overcoming the changes to settings, controls and learning how the camera functions best takes effort and sometimes feels like moving backwards. The latest was when I did a session using one of the shooting banks I had not put much attention to and found after shooting that I had not yet changed it from the dumb jpg only default setting.
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I hated my Z6 for the first few weeks. I've only hated my Z9 for a day here or there. Overcoming the changes to settings, controls and learning how the camera functions best takes effort and sometimes feels like moving backwards. The latest was when I did a session using one of the shooting banks I had not put much attention to and found after shooting that I had not yet changed it from the dumb jpg only default setting.
I hate it when I do that.
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The latest was when I did a session using one of the shooting banks I had not put much attention to and found after shooting that I had not yet changed it from the dumb jpg only default setting.
Ouch, I can share your disappointment and self-abhorrence...
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I accidentally moved my Z9 into 'P' mode and found it had fallen back to jpg-only mode. There are zillions of settings on that camera and easy to miss some crucial ones in the jungle. Eventually it all works well. Just takes a few days of burn-in shooting.
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I accidentally moved my Z9 into 'P' mode and found it had fallen back to jpg-only mode. There are zillions of settings on that camera and easy to miss some crucial ones in the jungle. Eventually it all works well. Just takes a few days of burn-in shooting.
I used to assign one of the fn- buttons (in front) to spot metering.
Is this possible with the Z9?
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I accidentally moved my Z9 into 'P' mode and found it had fallen back to jpg-only mode. There are zillions of settings on that camera and easy to miss some crucial ones in the jungle. Eventually it all works well. Just takes a few days of burn-in shooting.
Yes, there are a few tigers in the jungle.
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I used to assign one of the fn- buttons (in front) to spot metering.
Is this possible with the Z9?
Unfortunately it is not (one just can assign choice of metering mode by pressing button and dialling wheel), the same step backwards as with the D6. That would be easy for a firmware update to do- it did not take place so far) one of the few downsides of the Z9 imho
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I used to assign one of the fn- buttons (in front) to spot metering.
Is this possible with the Z9?
Yes.
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Basic requirement button wise would be to have a single point or small area AF with tracking under the shutter release and an Auto-area or 3D tracking under the AF-ON button like my D500 could do but my Z6 can’t, this option seems to have returned on the Z9 however.
The AF functionality is not very Nikon like imho on the Z6, to me the single point AF with subject tracking is the most useful AF area for the slow objects but to be able to use it the camera must be in the Auto-area AF which is the most unreliable AF mode on the Z6 and I have to press a Fn button to access the subject tracking mode each time after the camera is switched On.
I hope I am doing something wrong as I can’t figure out why this was designed as such as subject tracking is the most useful AF feature of the mirrorless cameras over a DSLR.
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There is no direct option as it used to be in older Nikons. But you can use recall shooting options (configuring only metering mode) to do it, but there is only one for each custom settings bank and its "wasted" then
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I don't have a crystal ball into the mind of the designers but I believe the designers simply did not intend the Z6 for photographing fast action as it lacks the AF performance so they didn't put in user interface features for this type of photography, either. If Nikon had put in the UI features but not the performance, it would still have led to disappointment (while better results could be obtained in the meanwhile using DSLRs.) Nikon's original intention was to target Z and F product lines to take advantage of the respective advantages of each technology so this is how they did it. Features guide the selection to appropriate applications of each product.
The Z9 does have the required performance and has most of the UI features needed as well. I am sure they'll further improve the UI feature and customisation options over time, as they have for the D5 and D6.
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Awesome pics and slowmo birding footage from Mark Smith with the Z9 and 500PF:
https://youtu.be/Fr6GinQFZsI
The images look very sharp and detailed, very impressive how much detail that combination can capture during fast BIF action.
Mark is a former Nikon shooter and has been using several Sony models in the last few years with a 200-600mm and 600/4GM but kept his 500/4VR and 200-500VR which he will also test in later videos.
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Pictures from the Nikon Service Center at the Beijing Olympic Games
https://twitter.com/tsuyo428/status/1488739198119006208?s=20&t=243gzpfw4awUgQtYPfbk2w
Nice lineup of Z9 :D
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Pictures from the Nikon Service Center at the Beijing Olympic Games
https://twitter.com/tsuyo428/status/1488739198119006208?s=20&t=243gzpfw4awUgQtYPfbk2w
Nice lineup of Z9 :D
This looks also interesting. :D
https://twitter.com/nikonrumors/status/1488965482879328259
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First charge of Z9 battery occurred after just 250 frames. The battery went quickly down from ~25% to near zero. I'm not very impressed, however such a figure was not entirely unexpected.
Having touch control is a blade that cuts two ways. I accidentally deleted files by a less well placed finger tip :( Now have the feature turned off -- for good.
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First charge of Z9 battery occurred after just 250 frames. The battery went quickly down from ~25% to near zero. I'm not very impressed, however such a figure was not entirely unexpected.
Having touch control is a blade that cuts two ways. I accidentally deleted files by a less well placed finger tip :( Now have the feature turned off -- for good.
I shot about 250 frames yesterday afternoon over about two hours. Battery indicator still shows nearly full. But I did not do much image review. Just shot and checked focus/framing occasionally.
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I always get much lower number of frames than other people report, with any digital camera apparently. The remedy is always the same, bring extra batteries.
In terms of sheer numbers per charge, my Df bodies win hands down.
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I cant provide detailed calculations but I got significantly more shots thatn 250 so far. I was mainly relying on the viewfinder rarely using the display and doing a lot of burst series and some videos. Over long years i used to have at least one extra battery in the bag, with the D500, D850, Z6 this habit to two - same with Z9 but I havent changed a lot, wasnt too excessive using time either.
Had 380 shots in my last session and the battery is still at 80%
I am not using touch control. For those who do - the Z9 offers a special glove mode
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BTW I got my FTZII adapter last week. It gives more space when using the grip in portrait mode, but I had no problem to adapt when using the FTZI. The first version has got a gread advantage, as these adapters sit very tight the tripod socket of the FTZI makes this first version easier to grip and handle for me.
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I finally ordered the Z9, but probably won't see one for who knows how long. If any come up as available, please let me know.
Mine is on order too. Another shipment of Z9's will be in Europe in two weeks as I am told by a Nikon Sales rep. Probably there will be an US shipment as well. Not sure the shipment is large enough for the outstanding orders.
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Congrats, you need one when you are a professional photojournalist ;)
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Mine is on order too. Another shipment of Z9's will be in Europe in two weeks as I am told by a Nikon Sales rep. Probably there will be an US shipment as well. Not sure the shipment is large enough for the outstanding orders.
FYI - the FTZ II is already in stock at the big box retailers here in the US
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Thanks for the update Wally. The FTZ II is on stock here too.
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Got the FTZ-II without delay here in Norway as well.
For some F-mount lenses, the Z9 handles better with the Mk.2 FTZ, an example being the 300PF. Otherwise it is largely a cosmetic change although truth to be told, the F Nikkors frequently look sleeker and more in line with the Z cameras when they are hooked up via the new adapter. My Noct-Nikkors definitively gave that impression on the z9.
For my studio macro and close-up work, the old FTZ is better suited though, as its tripod mount confers better weight distribution for lenses such as Laowa 25mm f/2.8, Olympus OM 38mm f/2.8, or the various 55-60mm Micro-Nikkors. I have no plans for "updating" my existing 4*FTZ.
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I got two FTZ so far and one FTZ-II. For now that is sufficient and I do not plan to replace the two first version. Recently aquired the Markins L-Plate for FTZ and- as expected the adapter not mount on the Z9 when equipped with this bracket.
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Several of my FTZ adapters are dedicated to close-up and macro work and thus are (semi-)permanently joined to their respective specialist lens. These adapters are equipped with the Markins L-bracket for FTZ which serves its purpose very well, but upsets normal handling such as hand-holding the gear. Neither can the L-brackets accept the Z9, or vice versa. That is the issue the FTZ-II neatly solves, and as I don't intend to let it usurp the role played by my Z7 units for close-up work all is working to satisfaction :).
Depending on how the Z9 integrates in my future work schedules, I might get a few more of the FTZ-II.
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Tower Semiconductors, apparent manufacturer of the sensor for Z9, is acquired by Intel.
https://www.dpreview.com/news/2507277684/intel-acquires-tower-semiconductor-for-5-4b-further-expanding-intel-s-ambitious-foundry-business
Will Z9 carry those "Intel Inside" sticker?! ;)
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The current situation with the Raw Files in Adobe Photoshop
Nikon High Efficiency raw compression modes are currently not supported on:
Windows ARM64
ARMv7 and x86 for Android
https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-supported-cameras.html#nikon_note (https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-supported-cameras.html#nikon_note)
An advantage at the moment is that the lens profiles are not automatic selected and 'built-in'. (Via the FTZ adapter) It's free to choose the lens profile, or not.
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So, you have got your Z9 then?
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Did you? 8)
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Yesss. The Z9 arrived yesterday :D
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Congratulations on the new machine are in order. Just share your insights to the benefit of the NG members.
It's an impressive and concentrated piece of technology and digital advances, for certain. It "just works", which is what professional gear is all about. Will I eventually love it ? early days yet and the jury is out. The Z9 has combined everything I could wish for, and more, in a camera. Likely it will grow on you and deepen your relationship with it over time.
In some ways the Z9 reminds me of my first time with the Nikon F, back in the dark ages of ancient film. An unforgiving equipment that brutally exposes your inabilities to harness and exploit all its tremendous potential. Over time I dearly loved my F and later F2 cameras, in particular the near indestructible F2 Titan . Never came to grips with the F3, though. F4 was OK and versatile, the F5 served its purpose awaiting the dawn of the digital era.
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Congratulations!
Following with interest all your findings
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Thanks Paco and Birna.
I agree, it works, and the Z9 feels special to work with, with all those nearly unlimited possibilities.
The original batteries with the Nikon D4S work also in the Nikon Z9, but you can't use the supplied charger which will only work with the Z9 Battery EN-EL18d and the c version.
A third party battery which works just fine on the D4s will not work on the Z9 giving the following message: "The battery is unable to provide data to the camera and cannot be used. For safety choose a battery designated to use in the camera."
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I picked up my Z9 late Tuesday - finally! ;D In key respects, there are major differences compared to the D5, in others it perpetuates much in the jizz, ergonomics of a Nikon pro ILC, the menus particularly. I have toned down the fps to 15fps for CH, 10 for CL (likely to tamp down to 7fps), reserving 20fps for Recall Shooting Functions setup. RSF is assigned to Fn3, which is easy to access shooting the camera in horizontal or portrait formats. Single-Point+AFOn to Fn2; WArea-Small+AFOn to Fn1, WArea-Large+AFOn to Sub-selector button, and AFOn so far is on 3D Mode for BBAF.
Despite the chagrin about 'failures' of subject-detect/tracking of the Z9 reported in many forum posts, no flagship MILC is a point&shoot (!), and nothing much changes. It pays to be primed to toggle/swop - and fast - between AF modes on a challenging target....e.g. bird or mammal moving within clutter. MF with Peaking works superbly when needed, even on a fast telephoto.
After reading all the debates about the RAW formats I've gone ahead and set image quality to High Efficiency*. I've no plans to use 15 nor 20 fps in machinegun mode, but have ordered a pair of Delkin cards from BandH, but this will take a few weeks across the pond. I did check the 64gb Lexar CFEXpr Pro after a few shorts bursts, and it was distinctly warm. Anything more sustained may cause overheating....
I've tested my Z9 so far only with the 500 PF, including with TC2 III, with which the focus is still very fast, and 3D easily locked on to a flying Yellow-billed kite, and at some distance. Don't plan to use this combo much, but compared to D850 and D5, the AF is impressive at f11 in responsiveness, and across much of the frame.
Contrary to what I've read in blogs and forum posts, it has turned out to be quite quick to change Shooting Banks, Metering, and Silent-shooting via the EVF with the Z9. The loss of the Metering button from camera top-left is not as serious as I'd feared. In fact it's looking better already to have fps there in its place. Changing AF settings is also much faster - Assign Red-Record to scroll the Front-Rear dials. Overall, Nikon engineers are to be commended for facilitating a Custom setup to control almost all the key controls with the right hand and not leaving the EVF. This now includes Playback, which is one big challenge to muscle memory after so many years on DSLRs - i.e. when chimping to keep trying to press top left of the camera!
All this is an experimental setup...so early days, but the setup file is archived as backup to this computer incase of a vital roll back to 'Last Known Good'. Finally, the other snippet of advice I applied is to do a full Reset all Settings' of the camera before setting it up. Some fairly experienced Nikonians believe this clears the memory. Nothing to lose with a new camera, or setup file has been backed up as restore is very quick off a card.
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CFexpress cards do tend to run hot when they're used. They have internal thermal management so they are not expected to malfunction due to overheating (the card slows down when it exceeds a certain temperature, to manage the situation).
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My friend Alex has one from his job at Ford Motor Company. It feels great but I sure do not need it currently, because my job is now politics and Text work primarily. Wonderful camera, feels like the first real mirrorless pro body
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Congrats on your new camera :)
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I don't have my Z9 yet, but it should not be too long now.
What brands of cards do you recommend as SAFE and durable? What size as your folks getting? Are any less expensive? Two slots, so any help on what you are doing appreciated. Any special prices anywhere in U.S.?
I plan to do video as well, so I am looking for a larger card, one supported by the Nikon Z9, and as inexpensive as possible, but solid.
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I was buying some Sony TOUGH 512 MB cards (expensive) and then switched to Angelbirds AV PRO SX 128 MB with 1600MB/s writing speed (warning the 512 MB version is slower).
I sought for maximum speed for serial shootings but am not experienced with lengthy video sessions and their requirements.
Guess you will find cheaper cards but is depending on your needs whether they are sufficient.
Cant say anything yet about safe an durable (had just one card failure in total throughout all the years of digital photography and that was a San Disk Compact flash card in the D800E)
Thats why I am using two cards and mirroring
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I don't have my Z9 yet, but it should not be too long now.
What brands of cards do you recommend as SAFE and durable? What size as your folks getting? Are any less expensive? Two slots, so any help on what you are doing appreciated. Any special prices anywhere in U.S.?
I plan to do video as well, so I am looking for a larger card, one supported by the Nikon Z9, and as inexpensive as possible, but solid.
When I got mine the list of “compatible” cards was short, so I chose a fast medium size card, Prograde Cobalt 325gb. I’m happy with it for everything I’ve tried. For just stills I think previous generation cards are fine. I used my old XQD card for the first week with no problems. If you want to minimize expenditure you can likely get by with what you have for your Z7 unless you are doing 8k video.
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I was buying some Sony TOUGH 512 MB cards (expensive) and then switched to Angelbirds AV PRO SX 128 MB with 1600MB/s writing speed (warning the 512 MB version is slower).
When you say that the "warning the 512 MB version is slower," were you talking about the TOUGH 512 or the Andgelbird 512. I take it the Angelbird.
Does anyone know if we want 512 cards (or higher) which is the best brand? I want to buy two of them, one for each slot, but I don't want to regret that purchase later for one reason or another.
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When you say that the "warning the 512 MB version is slower," were you talking about the TOUGH 512 or the Andgelbird 512. I take it the Angelbird.
Does anyone know if we want 512 cards (or higher) which is the best brand? I want to buy two of them, one for each slot, but I don't want to regret that purchase later for one reason or another.
I am using a Lexar CFExpr, which from testing to date is fine for everything I photograph. I recall Ricci Chera (Nikon UK, RicciTalks youtube) says XQD work fine for landscapes and macro etc but in other cases are slow and overheat
But I am planning henceforth to buy these or similar
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1672462-REG/delkin_devices_dcfx1_2x128_128gb_cfexpress_type_b.html
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For my way of shooting, XQD cards are just fine on the Z9. They are more than snappy enough. I see absolutely no reason to invest in a new card type and readers for these, but of course this is my view on the matter only.
Now, I can use the same cards for D500, Z6, Z7, and Z9.
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For my way of shooting, XQD cards are just fine on the Z9. They are more than snappy enough. I see absolutely no reason to invest in a new card type and readers for these, but of course this is my view on the matter only.
Now, I can use the same cards for D500, Z6, Z7, and Z9.
Appreciate the info, yet if we want to try 8K video, I am told the XQD cards are not fast enough. What brands of cards have you found the most trustworthy?
Also, any thoughts about 1 TB cards for video? Are they slower than, say, 512 cards?
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Appreciate the info, yet if we want to try 8K video, I am told the XQD cards are not fast enough. What brands of cards have you found the most trustworthy?
Also, any thoughts about 1 TB cards for video? Are they slower than, say, 512 cards?
I've only tried the slower Lexar, but these links may answer your questions. They are fairly clear about what qualifies and doesn't. As I understand recent changes and future trends, 8K is the main rationale behind Nikon embracing the CFExpress standard!
https://www.thessdreview.com/our-reviews/cfexpress/
https://www.thessdreview.com/our-reviews/cfexpress/delkin-devices-64gb-128gb-ands-256gb-power-and-prime-cfexpress-type-b-cards-reviewed-great-sustained-speeds-at-low-temps/6/
Angelbird is the other brand - according to Ricci's testing - that qualifies for high speed data transfer demands in the Z9 and they make a 4Tb card
https://www.angelbird.com/prod/av-pro-cfexpress-type-b-2546/
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1678304-REG/angelbird_avp160cfxbsx_av_pro_cfexpress_sx.html
https://www.newsshooter.com/2021/04/28/super-fast-angelbird-cfexpress-2-0-type-b-media-card-review/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YND5oacJBl4&t=8s
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YND5oacJBl4&t=8s
Thanks, that's more info than I expected, but enough as well, especially Ricci's video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YND5oacJBl4&t=8s
Much appreciated. I believe I will go with the Delkin 1 TB, one for each slot.
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What about L-Plates for the Z9? Are there some out there that are any good? I see that RRS has one in the works, but not available, and they are always very expensive.
What are you using?
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Some of the L-plates for the 'pro' DSLRs fit quite well. My D3 'L' from RRS only required a minimal adjustment to be useful. Not a perfect fit, but good enough.
Alternative, you can be patient and wait for the usual suppliers to come up with a dedicated (and expensive) product for the Z9.
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Some of the L-plates for the 'pro' DSLRs fit quite well. My D3 'L' from RRS only required a minimal adjustment to be useful. Not a perfect fit, but good enough.
Alternative, you can be patient and wait for the usual suppliers to come up with a dedicated (and expensive) product for the Z9.
I have a whole box of L-Plates around here. I did just order the SmallRig L-Plate for the Z9, because it was like $69, and I have tons of flat plates. B&H tells me that my Z9 is in the next batch they receive, so I am getting ready. I have an extra battery, 2 1TB fast cards, and the L-Plate. What else do I need other than patience?
I also am told that my Z 100-400 S Nikon lens is also soon to be delivered.
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When you say that the "warning the 512 MB version is slower," were you talking about the TOUGH 512 or the Andgelbird 512. I take it the Angelbird.
Does anyone know if we want 512 cards (or higher) which is the best brand? I want to buy two of them, one for each slot, but I don't want to regret that purchase later for one reason or another.
I was talking about the 512 GB Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress SE Type B (for less less demanding production jobs, relatively cheap
https://www.angelbird.com/prod/av-pro-cfexpress-se-type-b-2919/?category=238
same read speed as the SX /1780 MB/s) but Angelbird announcees a writing speed of 850 MB/s and steady writing speed of 800 MB/s
for the 160 GB AV PRO CFexpress SX Type B, (For High-Speed Continuous Shot Photography) see here
https://www.angelbird.com/prod/av-pro-cfexpress-sx-type-b-2925/?category=238
writing speed of 1600 sustained: 1480
for an overview watch here
https://www.angelbird.com/category/cfexpresstm-20-type-b-238/
Just for the sake of completeness
For larger cards the AV PRO CFexpress MK2 gives (expensive) options between 1 and 4 TB up to a writing speed of 1550 (sustained 1300)
and with the AV PRO CFexpress XT MK2 (from 330 to 1320 GB): 1600/ sustained: 1480
The Sony Tough 512 is announced 1480 (no information whether steady or not)
in the meantime a lot more information has been posted here- It appears as Angelbird is rather new and not on everyones radar (just detected it recently)
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I was talking about the 512 GB Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress SE Type B (for less less demanding production jobs, relatively cheap
https://www.angelbird.com/prod/av-pro-cfexpress-se-type-b-2919/?category=238
same read speed as the SX /1780 MB/s) but Angelbird announcees a writing speed of 850 MB/s and steady writing speed of 800 MB/s
for the 160 GB AV PRO CFexpress SX Type B, (For High-Speed Continuous Shot Photography) see here
https://www.angelbird.com/prod/av-pro-cfexpress-sx-type-b-2925/?category=238
writing speed of 1600 sustained: 1480
for an overview watch here
https://www.angelbird.com/category/cfexpresstm-20-type-b-238/
Just for the sake of completeness
For larger cards the AV PRO CFexpress MK2 gives (expensive) options between 1 and 4 TB up to a writing speed of 1550 (sustained 1300)
and with the AV PRO CFexpress XT MK2 (from 330 to 1320 GB): 1600/ sustained: 1480
The Sony Tough 512 is announced 1480 (no information whether steady or not)
in the meantime a lot more information has been posted here- It appears as Angelbird is rather new and not on everyones radar (just detected it recently)
I know Angelbird's SSD from my Atomos recorders, and it was OK. But from what I can read, perhaps their CFExpress cards are not pleasing everyone just now. I might wait for the 2nd generation of Angelbird cards. I went with Delkin 1TB because they seem to be a good middle-of-the-road brand that can handle 8K video, but are (like most) expensive enough.
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I know Angelbird's SSD from my Atomos recorders, and it was OK. But from what I can read, perhaps their CFExpress cards are not pleasing everyone just now. I might wait for the 2nd generation of Angelbird cards. I went with Delkin 1TB because they seem to be a good middle-of-the-road brand that can handle 8K video, but are (like most) expensive enough.
Probably a right choice. In my decisionmaking I was focussed on fast burst shooting, so far I have got no clue what 8k Videomaking really needs
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Probably a right choice. In my decisionmaking I was focussed on fast burst shooting, so far I have got no clue what 8k Videomaking really needs
The Z9 can capture ProRes 422 HQ internally, and with a future firmware update, this will be extended to 12-bit raw 8k/60p… in camera.
The value of shooting in 8K is that we can crop that in post and then export in 4K. Still photographers, which mostly is what I do, can pull frames from 8K and do a lot more with them than we can with smaller images. I would love to take an 8K burst of a moving subject and then pick the still images I would like to use, for example.
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What about L-Plates for the Z9? Are there some out there that are any good? I see that RRS has one in the works, but not available, and they are always very expensive.
What are you using?
Here there is a ProMediaGear PLNZ9-QD L-Winkel for the Nikon Z9 including a QD-connector - not in stock but one can order it (no experience aboud ProMediaGear and its reliability
https://www.augenblicke-eingefangen.de/kamerazubehoer/kamera-l-winkel/nikon/?p=1&o=1&n=12&f=2513
recently RRS was added with unknown date of availability (and more expensive)
Not sure what I am going to do
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If you have an L bracket for the older DSLRs such as D3, adapting it to Z9 is a matter of minutes using a Dremel. The battery compartment lid won't fit unless some metal is cut away. Recirculating stuff is the sustainable approach. Or we could try building a tower of old, no longer used brackets?
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The Z9 can capture ProRes 422 HQ internally, and with a future firmware update, this will be extended to 12-bit raw 8k/60p… in camera.
The value of shooting in 8K is that we can crop that in post and then export in 4K. Still photographers, which mostly is what I do, can pull frames from 8K and do a lot more with them than we can with smaller images. I would love to take an 8K burst of a moving subject and then pick the still images I would like to use, for example.
I am not quite convinced that there is a benefit. The video is constrained to a widefield aspect ratio (16:9 or so, 33 MP?) and there is some compression, whereas with stills you can shoot lossless RAW and can capture the whole image (2:3 aspect ratio, 45 MP) at 20 fps and jpg at 30 fps. Probably the stills bursts are a bit higher quality and they're easier to work with as you don't have to open the whole sequence at once before starting to select images. Video editing software is designed with a different evolutionary track and at least I find there are many things that I am not able to do in Premiere but can do in Photoshop or even Lightroom. A moving subject is typically shot at slow shutter speed on video while a fast shutter speed is used for stills. Thus the 8K video (shot at 180 degree equivalent shutter speed) would results in blurred still images of a moving subject. I just don't see where the benefit would be coming from. I can manage to shoot action with 45 MP stills but even 4K let alone 8K video just kills my computer's working space very quickly. And my computer chokes on 4K 60 fps video in some software (while with others it works OK).
You can even shoot 120 fps with 11 MP stills on the Z9. There was an interesting video on owls showing how well it works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDX3rC7-nnw
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I am not quite convinced that there is a benefit. The video is constrained to a widefield aspect ratio (16:9 or so, 33 MP?) and there is some compression, whereas with stills you can shoot lossless RAW and can capture the whole image (2:3 aspect ratio, 45 MP) at 20 fps and jpg at 30 fps. Probably the stills bursts are a bit higher quality and they're easier to work with as you don't have to open the whole sequence at once before starting to select images. Video editing software is designed with a different evolutionary track and at least I find there are many things that I am not able to do in Premiere but can do in Photoshop or even Lightroom. A moving subject is typically shot at slow shutter speed on video while a fast shutter speed is used for stills. Thus the 8K video (shot at 180 degree equivalent shutter speed) would results in blurred still images of a moving subject. I just don't see where the benefit would be coming from. I can manage to shoot action with 45 MP stills but even 4K let alone 8K video just kills my computer's working space very quickly. And my computer chokes on 4K 60 fps video in some software (while with others it works OK).
You can even shoot 120 fps with 11 MP stills on the Z9. There was an interesting video on owls showing how well it works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDX3rC7-nnw
No argument. I have found that I tend to become familiar with my equipment and use it to accomplish whatever I can. I don't have the Z9 yet, so I have to wait to see what I can pull out of that camera. However, I like the video offerings in the Z9, especially the ProRes, and look forward to that whole implementation. Someone pointed out to me, why I would need a Z9, because it is a 'sports' camera (from a very well-know blogger) and I am a 'stills' photographer. My response was that the Z9, as far as I can tell, is not just for sports, but is an 'all round' camera, IMO, including for my work. The only worry I have is if the lo ISO (64) is up to par.
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For my way of shooting, XQD cards are just fine on the Z9. They are more than snappy enough. I see absolutely no reason to invest in a new card type and readers for these, but of course this is my view on the matter only.
My view as well. I have a few pretty fast XQD cards which do fine right now. First have to see what the future firmware updates will bring, and how the CFExpress market will evolve. The Angelbird cards look tempting.
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My view as well. I have a few pretty fast XQD cards which do fine right now. First have to see what the future firmware updates will bring, and how the CFExpress market will evolve. The Angelbird cards look tempting.
I agree, as long as we are not interested in the quite-advanced video capabilities of the Z9. I sold off most of my video cameras (Sony FS-5, etc.) and almost don't miss it. Yet, the Z9 will give me what the Sony offered and a lot more. I don't need a dedicated video camcorder. And with the Z9, I want to pick stills from bursts of stills or from the 8K video of say a small insect or something.
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Interesting and very affordable is SmallRig. But no personal experience with this brand.
https://smallrig.com/
For Z9
https://smallrig.com/smallrig-l-bracket-for-nikon-z-9-3714.html
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Interesting and very affordable is SmallRig. But no personal experience with this brand.
https://smallrig.com/
For Z9
https://smallrig.com/smallrig-l-bracket-for-nikon-z-9-3714.html
Yes, I have one of these SmallRig L-Brackets on order because it was not expensive ($69.00). If it is good, fine, but it will have to last me for a while, until the market sorts out which is the best. I like RRS L-Brackets, but they are not out and are expensive. I will pick up a better one, if I need to. I am still collecting the collaterals I will need when my Z9 arrives, whenever that is. As of now, I have a 2nd battery, two Delkin 1 TB cards, XQD/CFExpress Type B Memory Card Reader, the L-Bracket, and some clear filters for my longer telephoto lenses which I will take outside, the Nikon Z 70-200mm S and the Z 100-400mm S, both of which can accept the 1.4 Z teleconverter. I don't really have the very long telephoto lenses. Wish I could afford one. I also have an alternate tripod-foot for the Nikon S 100-400 lens.
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The only worry I have is if the lo ISO (64) is up to par.
About 2/3rds of a stop worse than the Z7, according to Jim Kasson: https://blog.kasson.com/z9/nikon-z9-edr/
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About 2/3rds of a stop worse than the Z7, according to Jim Kasson: https://blog.kasson.com/z9/nikon-z9-edr/
Well, that is disappointing, for sure. Any more links on that?
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Besides Bill Claff's database photonstophotos, there is this test from a video perspective
https://www.cined.com/nikon-z-9-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-latitude-test/
Brad Hill's test is the only other I can recall, but more about noise and image quality at higher ISOs
http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html#anchor_Z9_Prelim_ISO
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Besides Bill Claff's database photonstophotos, there is this test from a video perspective
https://www.cined.com/nikon-z-9-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-latitude-test/
Brad Hill's test is the only other I can recall, but more about noise and image quality at higher ISOs
http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html#anchor_Z9_Prelim_ISO
What a load of rubbish!
CMOS sensor have limitations and will manifest Rolling Shutter no matter what or which camera brand. It is the nature of the sensor.
Let's have these wannabe reviewers compare CMOS with CCD.
Did they ever shoot with CCD cameras? Sony or Ikegami....... Arri....
They cannot afford one not even rent it.
CMOS might get there in the future and in the mean time people waste their time reading rubbish.
Yeah right. using Davinci or other programs to process without a Sony ref monitor and a Waveforms and vectorscopes. And if they do, do they know how tor read the information?
Everybody is now a pro video expert. I am not as only produced some 300 TVC's and 900 TV series hours...... and transited from Maviola to Flame and Fire.
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What a load of rubbish!
CMOS sensor have limitations and will manifest Rolling Shutter no matter what or which camera brand. It is the nature of the sensor.
Let's have these wannabe reviewers compare CMOS with CCD.
Did they ever shoot with CCD cameras? Sony or Ikegami....... Arri....
They cannot afford one not even rent it.
CMOS might get there in the future and in the mean time people waste their time reading rubbish.
Yeah right. using Davinci or other programs to process without a Sony ref monitor and a Waveforms and vectorscopes. And if they do, do they know how tor read the information?
Everybody is now a pro video expert. I am not as only produced some 300 TVC's and 900 TV series hours...... and trabsited from Maviola to Flame and Fire.
I regret that I read that review, especially the comments. So happy to have this forum as a refuge from internet craziness.
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A lot of rubbish floating around on the web and youtube. Hardly any useful info can be found.
As already experienced with the Z6 and Z7, the AF-S lenses perform very good, and on the Z9 even better. Also thanks to the improved Auto-Focus. Even the 300/2.8 AF-I works fast on the Z9 ;)
Auto focus accuracy is better than with the F-mount camera's. The Z-mount sensor, in combination with the FTZ adapter, works smoothly. Working just as fast as 'native' lenses.
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A lot of rubbish floating around on the web and youtube. Hardly any useful info can be found.
As already experienced with the Z6 and Z7, the AF-S lenses perform very good, and on the Z9 even better. Also thanks to the improved Auto-Focus. Even the 300/2.8 AF-I works fast on the Z9 ;)
Auto focus accuracy is better than with the F-mount camera's. The Z-mount sensor, in combination with the FTZ adapter, works smoothly. Working just as fast as 'native' lenses.
I have NAS and you are not helping... ;D ;D ;D
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I have NAS and you are not helping... ;D ;D ;D
Nikon is trying to help by keeping output below demand.
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.
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That's a pretty detailed review from Mr Hogan, I believe. Didn't a see an author name on the first link.
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As usual, some pertinent comments and a lot of nitpicking.
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As usual, some pertinent comments and a lot of nitpicking.
Couldn’t provide a better synopsis than yours Birna.
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Making capitalisation "errors" a big grievance in the report of a camera is rather hilarious. That is, if the intention is to make photographs. Besides, inconsistent capitalisation is so frequently seen even in writings from native English users, that the point must be as moot as it gets. Any reviewer hung up on this topic never will have spare time to do any reviewing :)
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I am happy that Nikon did not force the 'Built-in' Lens Profiles for the Z9, as they did with the Z6-Z7. Now you can decide whether to use a lens profile or not, in Adobe Camera Raw / Photoshop 2022.
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n/a
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I've been shooting my Z9 every day for over 3 weeks - wildlife mostly but 'general' photos too. Just a superb instrument with the 24-120 f4S, and adapted F-Nikkors, including 70-200 f2.8E, 180-400 f4E TC, 500 PF, 400 f2.8E). Its AF brings new life to Teleconverters, especially the 500 PF+TC14 III.
Nonetheless, I have also listed closing on 30 fixes to firmware, which can only improve what is already an excellent camera. Most of these overlap with Thom's Firmware list in his Z9 Africa Blog, and Brad Hill's List, which is collaborative: pooling contributions from several wildlife photographers.
Expansion of fps and the AF (10+ AF options) - let alone 8K video - are overwhelming for the external controls the Z9 has inherited from Pro DSLRs. Exposure is seriously wanting in Custom options: to enable speedy changes especially.. Thus IME, besides awaited firmware fixes, the Z9 is missing physical Controls - AE-L would help immensely by assign 1 more AF Area mode+AF-On Custom setting for a toggling Hybrid-Button-Shooting (Next to AF-On used for BBAF). Besides Nikon removing any option to toggle Exposure modes (Spot-mode especially) a dedicated Exposure button will be a great help.
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Overloading the provided information with irrelevant details (for examole, capitalisation "errors") is not what consititutes a good reviewer in my book. Of course, that is just my opinion and everyone is entitled to think differently.
I believe most photographers intent on making photos will be able to do so quite easily with the Z9.
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The Z9 is a Pro camera. It must hold true to Nikon's standards in striving for excellence. Typos in menus ?! It is pedantic to list them all but Nikon can do better surely.
I have observed not only typos but also technical errors in Nikon documentation at least since the Nikon F3. There were serious errors in documentation for metering with the Nikon F4.
Nikon doesn't understand the "Proofreader principle."
Dave
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Overloading the provided information with irrelevant details (for examole, capitalisation "errors") is not what consititutes a good reviewer in my book. Of course, that is just my opinion and everyone is entitled to think differently.
I believe most photographers intent on making photos will be able to do so quite easily with the Z9.
It is filled with the usual sort of thing about how incompetent Nikon Marketing is and how no one proofreads the menus:
the more things I find that I have to explain that Nikon marketing glossed over or skipped.
I yelled so loud when Nikon moved the Exposure compensation button on the N80 that they put it back on the next camera and have never moved it since.
great, but wouldn't it be better if...
Technically, if you're going to put a . at the end of Rec. to indicate abbreviation, you have the problem of what to do with Cntrl. It, too, is an abbreviation and should get a period. Note that neither are "normal" abbreviations in English. Function could just be called HDMI Recording Control ;~). Cntrl is used as an abbreviation elsewhere, too.
The fact that I can describe this but Nikon marketing cannot (or will not) should be embarrassing to them. Moreover, it has the consequence, once discovered by the potential customer, to make that customer doubt all the other claims Nikon makes. Thing is, Nikon has done better than Canon and Sony with the Z9 real-time EVF for most situations, in my judgement, but then is taking their claims too far. That will come back to haunt them.
But if you think the Z9 is now effectively just a "point and shoot" camera, you'd be wrong, and you're likely to be eventually disappointed.
To be honest I'm shocked and disappointed that my Z9 is not a "point and shoot" after all I paid for it! I shudder to think what other horrors lurk in his 1500 page user manual. :-)
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More important than a few "errors" in capitalisation of items in the menus is the sometimes wildly inaccurate GPS record. The position can be off by several km and the altitude by literally thousands of m.
Strangely, this is an issue the detailed reviews don't mention at all?
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More important than a few "errors" in capitalisation of items in the menus is the sometimes wildly inaccurate GPS record. The position can be off by several km and the altitude by literally thousands of m.
Strangely, this is an issue the detailed reviews don't mention at all?
I guess accuracy may be dependent on the location and thus some reviewers wouldn't notice it?
D6 GPS accuracy has been good in my use but I have mostly used it in a fairly small region.
I do agree Hogan spends too much time on complaining about minor details which seem of no practical significance.
I think his autofocus commentary seems plausible and some of the things he mentions are familiar to users of the previous generation (e.g. including my Z6 II). When the Z6 II sees multiple people, it can seemingly choose the subject to focus on arbitrarily, even though the manual says the closest subjects are prioritized. The custom group-level AF of the D6 handles this much better in many situations. I shot the D6 and Z6 II at a wedding 1.5 weeks ago and I can say that while the latter gave very high quality images (both the sensor and the Z 24-70/2.8 performed admirably), the focus didn't inspire confidence - quite often I had to work hard to get the camera to focus on the intended subject. The D6 seemed dead accurate and reliable in the same environment (though with a different lens). I realize theory (that mirrorless cameras are more accurate in focusing) should suggest the opposite but it seems closest subject priority is hard to do in a mirrorless camera.
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3rd party manual writers and youtubers depend on confused and fearful customers to purchase their products and view their work. This may play into the way they make things seem complicated, broken, and difficult.
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The two things I took from Thoms review
- The meaning of TL;DR
- "the Z9 is the best Z System camera, by far, and arguably one of the two or three best cameras you can buy"
I've read lots of Thoms articles over the years and have a fair idea of the bugbears he always goes back to
e.g. "..its good, but if only they'd done 'X'"
The rest was useful and unless I inherit one somehow, I doubt i'll ever get to actually use a Z9
But I can see that would be another reason to go on a Nikongear trip like the Scotland one ;)
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Join us in Scotland in May -- there will be at least 1 Z9 for you to try out there :)
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If you have an L bracket for the older DSLRs such as D3, adapting it to Z9 is a matter of minutes using a Dremel. The battery compartment lid won't fit unless some metal is cut away. Recirculating stuff is the sustainable approach. Or we could try building a tower of old, no longer used brackets?
Repurposing older, obsolete, and otherwise underutilized or unused gear, is the mother of invention. And I'm just masochistic enough to say, I find the whole enterprise fun. That said, it occurred to me years ago that here was a bonanza of discarded RSS plates, and the like, available for a song on the used market, fairly begging for a Dremel-job. (Hmm? Sounds dirty.) Indeed, a flat-file and some sandpaper will often suffice when more comprehensive milling, boring, and hole drilling isn't called for. As for the rest: In lieu of a "tower", I suppose an installation at the Tate Modern or MoMA isn't entirely out of the question. ::)
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More important than a few "errors" in capitalisation of items in the menus is the sometimes wildly inaccurate GPS record. The position can be off by several km and the altitude by literally thousands of m.
Strangely, this is an issue the detailed reviews don't mention at all?
Agreed! Also, keep it in mind, many reviewers and similar authorities are paid-by-the-word.
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Morning Sun
Z9 58G
Love it. The use of bokeh, the bright background, expression always spot on...
Do you see difference in the way the z9 handles the af: speed, precision, etc...on everyday use?
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The Z9's AF is a lot faster and more important, more reliable. It finds my black cat's eye in backlight in a split second, with AF-C, 3D tracking area mode and the Auto AF subject detection.
This also applies to all the subjects moving into the image area. It tracks down what you want to have.
Here an image of the black cat, In reality (visual light) her eyes were hardly visible.
Z9 Nikkor AF-S 28/1.4 E
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Thanks John, I was afraid so... ;D
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Thanks John, I was afraid so... ;D
:)
Another feature that is important, no problems any more with a fast lens, wide open in the sun.
Sell some other Nikon camera's for this one, it is worth it ;)
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It's just a matter of time, Paco. Inevitable.
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Here an image of the black cat....
Of course, the ultimate test of the Z9's AF would be an image of the legendary "black cat in a coal cellar" John.
(OK, so no one has a coal cellar any more .... :'( )
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.. which begs the obvious follow-up question: what does the cat do in the coal cellar :)
Jokes aside, the Z9 has really amazing AF capabilities. For once I trust the camera to provide me the focus I require.
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Z9 Firmware 2.0 announced and ready for download on April 20.
It includes the promised new video formats including NRaw which is supposed to give 50% file size reduction, changes to available displays, improved AF, exposure control, and other misc things. On the stills side new user defined Wide AF areas are available such as thin horizontal or vertical zones. Viewfinder refresh is updated to 120hz. Options for pre-shutter release capture are available too. The rest are fixes to controls and behaviors.
Video and description is here: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/mirrorless-cameras/firmware-updates/z-9-firmware-2-point-0.page?utm_source=WWA&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wwa-z9-firmware-en_US-4-13-2022&utm_content=btn&utm_term=FindOutMore&ET_CID=4193299&ET_RID=352324695&SC_ID=0032400000mI4YVAA0 (https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/mirrorless-cameras/firmware-updates/z-9-firmware-2-point-0.page?utm_source=WWA&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wwa-z9-firmware-en_US-4-13-2022&utm_content=btn&utm_term=FindOutMore&ET_CID=4193299&ET_RID=352324695&SC_ID=0032400000mI4YVAA0)
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I would be pleased, if Nikon announces Firmware-Upgrades that are already downloadable.
This looks like a significant update but there appears to be still some work for Nikon left
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I would be pleased, if Nikon announces Firmware-Upgrades that are already downloadable.
This looks like a significant update but there appears to be still some work for Nikon left
They have to generate buzz about it, otherwise it becomes old hat and no one gives credit for it. ;-)
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They have to generate buzz about it, otherwise it becomes old hat and no one gives credit for it. ;-)
We are talking about a few days. I can wait for that, but am not so happy about waiting who knows how long for my copy of the Z9. LOL.
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They have to generate buzz about it, otherwise it becomes old hat and no one gives credit for it. ;-)
I understand the mechanism, but i dont like it
Its not that I cant wait for this update. Fortunately I got my copy of the Z9 already.
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It's a pretty large firmware update to version 2.0
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/444.html (https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/444.html)
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It loads pretty quickly. I updated through SnapBridge. Now trying to figure out if I want to make any changes to settings and controls.
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Approx. 70MB is not that unusual size of downloads for soft- and firmware these days. Their server might be stressed as I had to repeat 3 times before the download was OK (I'm on a 200 Mb line). Updating the camera via a card went fast, though,
Busy with the annual tax returns at present so not much time to explore the added features or improvements.
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Apparently, the info on Tower Semiconductor being the manufacturer of the Z9 sensor turned out to be wrong:
https://www.dpreview.com/news/8444379621/techinsights-effectively-confirms-the-nikon-z9-is-using-a-sony-semiconductor-sensor
The sensor seems to be, as most always, made by Sony.
What is interesting is that Sony is making sensors whose performance is superior to that of their own flagship alpha 1 that is roughly 1500 USD more expensive than Z9.
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Sony is the fabricator, but the real issue is whether they designed the sensor? It may be that it was still designed by Tower Semiconductor to Nikon's requirements.
Apparently, the info on Tower Semiconductor being the manufacturer of the Z9 sensor turned out to be wrong:
https://www.dpreview.com/news/8444379621/techinsights-effectively-confirms-the-nikon-z9-is-using-a-sony-semiconductor-sensor
The sensor seems to be, as most always, made by Sony.
What is interesting is that Sony is making sensors whose performance is superior to that of their own flagship alpha 1 that is roughly 1500 USD more expensive than Z9.
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Sony is the fabricator, but the real issue is whether they designed the sensor? It may be that it was still designed by Tower Semiconductor to Nikon's requirements.
Hugh, I don't know if Sony would operate like TSMC who takes care of the production of the chips designed by other fabless companies.
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In the meantime the Firmware 2.10 and 2.11 have been released for the Z9
https://nikonrumors.com/2022/07/06/the-previously-rumored-nikon-z9-firmware-update-2-1-is-now-officially-released.aspx/ (https://nikonrumors.com/2022/07/06/the-previously-rumored-nikon-z9-firmware-update-2-1-is-now-officially-released.aspx/)
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Firmware 3.0
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/467.html (https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/467.html)
■ Still Photography
• The [Image size] item in the photo shooting menu is now [Image size settings] and offers new options that apply only to pictures taken using the DX image area.
• Added [C60] to the frame rates available for high-speed frame capture. Custom Setting d4 in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] is now [Pre-Release Capture options].
• Added [High-frequency flicker reduction] to the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
• Added [Focus position auto reset] under [Focus shift shooting] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
■ Video Recording
• Added [High-frequency flicker reduction] to the [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
• Added [Hi-Res Zoom] to the [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
• Added [Reset using remote] under [Timecode] in the [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
■ Displays
• The [Prioritize viewfinder] monitor mode has been replaced by [Prioritize viewfinder (1)] and [Prioritize viewfinder (2)].
• Expanded the range of monitor brightness options to include both brighter and darker settings.
• Made the following additions to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU]:
- Added a [3D-tracking focus point color] option for Custom Setting a11 [Focus point display].
- Added [Always] and [Only when flash is not used] options for Custom Setting d9 [View mode (photo Lv)] > [Show effects of settings].
■ Playback
• The [Rotate tall] item in the playback menu is now [Auto-rotate pictures]. If [ON] is selected, the playback displays in the monitor and viewfinder will rotate automatically to match camera orientation.
• The playback display now shows the color temperature for pictures taken with [Preset manual] selected for [White balance].
• Options are now available for handling as a group each series of photographs taken in continuous-release modes.
• Added [File info] to the options available under [Playback display options] in the [PLAYBACK MENU].
■ Controls
• Added a full-format option under [Format memory card] in the [SETUP MENU] for use with compatible CFexpress memory cards.
• Made the following additions to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU]:
- Added a [Type A auto restore delay] option for Custom Setting d14 [Release timing indicator].
- Added [Center-weighted area] to the items available for customizing shooting displays using Custom Settings d18 [Custom monitor shooting display] and d19 [Custom viewfinder shooting display].
- Custom Settings f2 [Custom controls (shooting)], f3 [Custom controls (playback)], and g2 [Custom controls] now offer access to an expanded selection of custom roles and controls.
■ Network
• Connection status is now shown in the shooting display when the camera is connected to an FTP server.
• The camera now supports FTPS.
• Added an [ATOMOS AirGlu BT options] item to the [NETWORK MENU].
■ Other Changes
• Improved autofocus accuracy.
• Improved low-light autofocus performance, lowering the minimum level of illumination required by 0.5 EV.
• Reduced the sensitivity of [3D-tracking] to objects passing between the subject and the camera.
• Improved focus performance when [Animal] is selected for [AF subject detection options] during [3D-tracking].
• Reduced the tendency of the camera to focus on the background during subject detection when [Wide-area AF (S/L/C1/C2)], [3D-tracking], or [Auto-area AF] was selected.
• Focus peaking, electronic rangefinding, and the focus distance indicator are now available when focus is adjusted using the lens focus ring, not only in manual focus mode but in other focus modes as well. In addition, adjustments have been made to the length of time the focus distance indicator is displayed.
• Shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity will now be displayed if exposure is adjusted while the live view display is zoomed in.
• Improved manual focus response in video mode and when silent mode is selected during still photography.
• The shooting display now shows synchronized release connection status. Improvements have also been made to the display in the remote camera list accessed via [Connect to other cameras] > [Remote camera list] in the [NETWORK MENU].
• [Português (PT)] has been added to the languages available via the [Language] item in the [SETUP MENU] for Z 9 cameras sold in Canada and the United States.
• Fixed the following issues:
- If (a) AF-S was selected for focus mode, (b) an AF-area mode that supported subject detection was selected via a control to which [AF-area mode + AF-ON] had been assigned using Custom Setting f2 [Custom controls (shooting)], and (c) an option other than [Subject detection off] was selected for [AF subject detection options] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU], then pressing the custom control would sometimes fail to activate subject detection.
- If (a) 3D-tracking was selected for AF-area mode, (b) an option other than [Subject detection off] was selected for [AF subject detection options] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU], and (c) the shooting settings recalled via a control to which [Recall shooting functions] or [Recall shooting functions (hold)] was assigned using Custom Setting f2 [Custom controls (shooting)] had [3D-tracking] selected for [AF-area mode] and [Subject detection off] chosen for [AF subject detection options], then subject detection would continue during AF-ON after the custom control was pressed.
- If (a) AF-C was selected for focus mode, (b) an option other than [3D-tracking] was selected for AF-area mode, (c) an option other than [Subject detection off] was selected for [AF subject detection options] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU], and (d) the shooting settings recalled via a control to which [Recall shooting functions] or [Recall shooting functions (hold)] was assigned using Custom Setting f2 [Custom controls (shooting)] had [3D-tracking] selected for [AF-area mode], then subject detection would not be performed where expected when AF-ON was initiated via the custom control.
- Shutter speeds of 1/320 s to 1/640 s would produce uneven exposure across the frame in pictures taken with SB‑800 flash units using auto FP high-speed sync.
- Choosing a different Custom Settings bank in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] after selecting a non-default setting for [Auto bracketing] > [Increment] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] would cause the value for [Auto bracketing] > [Increment] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] to revert to 1.
- Shooting information would in rare circumstances disappear from the viewfinder.
- Attempting to record 8K video with a NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4S lens attached and an option other than [Off] selected for [Vibration reduction] in the [VIDEO RECORDING MENU] would sometimes cause the camera to stop responding.
- Tracking small or low-contrast subjects against a solid-color background such as a blue sky would sometimes cause the focus area to move to the top of the display.
- Selecting [C30] or [C120] for release mode when an option other than [Off] was chosen for [Active D-Lighting] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] would cause monitor or viewfinder brightness to change.
- The camera would in rare circumstances fail to record 8K video correctly.
- In video mode, the camera would fail to increase the aperture (lower the f/-number) after reaching the upper limit for ISO sensitivity in modes P and S if the value selected for [ISO sensitivity settings] > [Maximum sensitivity] in the [VIDEO RECORDING MENU] was below [12800].
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This is a very extensive upgrade. The " Added an [ATOMOS AirGlu BT options] item to the [NETWORK MENU]." is a first, if I'm not mistaken, that puts the camera o a whole new level for more professional productions.
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A new firmware update (version 3.01) has been published, mainly bug fixes, look here:
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/473.html (https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/473.html)
Ciao from Massimo
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Thanks for the info, Massimo.
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NPS Switzerland loaner just arrived.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52635815972_b022f8728a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ocfjhu)
Z9 en prêt (https://flic.kr/p/2ocfjhu)
First observation: EVF is excellent.
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You'll love it :)
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Oh, lovely loaner for shure...enjoy!
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Aparently, Nikon has come up with the new way for Z9 to recover from the possible damage:
https://nikonrumors.com/2023/01/14/the-nikon-z9-is-tough.aspx/
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More or less the same principle Nikon applies to all their 'pro' cameras. And ditto lenses. Better to make something small and replaceable to yield than destroy the entire camera (or lens).
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Firmware version 3.10 has been released:
Info and download: https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/486.html
(https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/486.html)
Added support for NIKKOR Z 85 mm f/1.2 S lenses.
• Improved focus accuracy for low-contrast subjects during burst photography with [Wide-area AF (S)], [Wide-area AF (L)], [Wide-area AF (C1)], [Wide-area AF (C2)], [3D-tracking], or [Auto-area AF] selected for [AF-area mode].
• Improved the frame advance rate during burst photography with optional flash units.
• Fixed the following issues:
- The [Retouch] > [Trim] item in the playback “i” menu would in rare cases create distorted copies or not permit selection of the desired crop.
- Copies created by blending a large number of pictures together using the [Retouch] > [Lighten] item in the playback “i” menu would sometimes exhibit a green color cast.
- Rating pictures during playback zoom would in some instances temporarily corrupt the display.
- In extremely rare cases, the camera would stop responding.
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I have to say a few words about my experience with the Z9. As a close-up and macro photographer, for a number of months the Z9 just sat on the shelf and looked nice, and it felt big and bulky. When it came time to take photographs, I found myself reaching for the Nikon Z7 II every time. Of course, I tested out the z9, ran around the house taking photos, but back on the shelf it went. Glad to have it, but as to using it, not so much.
Then I heard that my daughter May Erlewine, who is getting quite well known and much-loved as a singer/songwriter was doing an album-release show in Grand Rapids, Michigan only about 50 miles from where we live in little Big Rapids, Michigan. I have not seen May live for three years, ever since Covid weighed-in, because I could not be in a crowd without masks and so on, due to health concerns and my age. This was a special tour, and May had flown in the original session musicians, one of them from England.
Anyway, I had to see May at the Wealthy Theater in Grand Rapids, Michigan for he album release of “The Real Thing,” her latest collection of tunes. And for this my Nikon Z7II was not going to cut it. I had to use the Z9, and on a gimbal at that, along with my Nikkor Z 70-200 S and the 1.4 teleconverter.
Most was done AF-C, 3D, and wide-area AF box.
We ended up fighting a snowstorm, but only on the way back from the gig. And why I write is become I can’t get over how well the Z9 worked in the concert environment. All May’s tour dates are sold out, so I am talking about a large crowd. And I was wearing a mask with a small fan-driven HEPA filter attached to it the whole time.
I took some 800 photos, used only half a battery (although I took three), and aside from some testing out photos, there was not a bad photo in the lot. Sure, there are ones that are my fault for not being quicker, but the Z9 nailed all of them. Never seen that before.
I was thinking of perhaps selling the Z9 for lack of use, but after this performance, no way that will happen. This is one incredible camera and while not for close-up and landscape photographers perhaps, there is no reason why not, other than the bulk and weight.
Here are a few shots. Not claiming them as great, just saying they are good enough to look at.
As for the music, here is an album link so you can hear some of the tunes.
https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0BTMYKBS9
I am struck by the song “The Truth on My Side” and its line:
“I see the beauty in your lies, but I want to live with the truth on my side.”
Anyway, I am now a fan of the Z9 and have to get deeper into what it can do.
And as mentioned, here are a few shots with the Z Nikkor 70-200 S lens and some with the 1.4x teleconverter, which turns out to be a gem.
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I'm not sure if this has been discussed but I wonder which flashes people have been using with the Z9, and what has been your experience.
I have SB-5000's and an Elinchrom system for my larger flash needs. I read some comments that people have had problems triggering Elinchroms with the Z9, and Elinchrom now notes on their website (regarding the Skyport Transmitter Pro):
"Like other flash brands, several users have reported sync issues using the Z9. We are currently investigating these problems." The page has been last updated on 23.02.2023.
Profoto say that their flashes are fully compatible with the Z9, I guess this is because Nikon gave them inside information about the protocol. While I like Profoto, it's inconceivable that I would trade my Elinchroms to Profoto because of cost and also because I like the bare-bulb illumination profile. I wonder what sort of issue there is with triggering the Elincrhoms and if it is something Nikon or Elinchrom will be able to fix with a firmware update. I have enough cameras that have mechanical shutters that work perfectly with the Elinchroms and in a studio environment there would not be a problem in continuing to use the older cameras but I would expect that if I buy the Z9 I would want to use it with my Elinchroms in some situations (such as at weddings).
If you've use the Z9 with non-Nikon flashes (especially units with 125-500 Ws), could you comment on the functioning and reliability of triggering? My Elinchroms are ELC500 and Quadra Hybrids with action and speed heads. I normally use the Skyport Transmitter Pro Nikon version.
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A few of you may be interested in this
Free Firmware V 4.00 Upgrade Offers New Smart Auto Capture Function, Video Enhancements, Shutter Sound Customization and More
Auto Capture
- Users can set the camera to automatically record still images or video by pre-configuring Auto Capture criteria. The three criteria that can be configured include a [Motion] option that detects subjects that make certain movements, a [Distance] option which begins shooting when a subject is within a certain range of distances,2 and a [Subject detection] option which detects a person, animal or vehicle within the frame. These options can be used either separately or together to automatically trigger shooting when the selected criteria are met.
- This feature allows the user to shoot remotely and without having to manually determine the timing of shooting/recording, enabling more freedom to perform other tasks, or to leave their camera outside in places they cannot remain for extended periods of time, such as when recording wild animals.
- When using more than one Z 9, one camera can be used for hand-held shooting as the user moves from place to place, with the other cameras can be set up for automatic shooting from tripods at fixed locations. Auto Capture also enables shooting from multiple angles without using the extension cords previously required to control multiple cameras, eliminating worries about connections during remote shooting. This feature can also be used with the Pre-Release Capture function for more reliable capture of decisive moments
Nikon's spiel
https://youtu.be/q6hUQZZHPWw
(https://youtu.be/q6hUQZZHPWw)
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Thanks for the message Colin,
Great update again,
A quick check:
- Auto capture (possible now to use the z9 as a surveillance camera) ;)
- The addition to enter the lens name with the Non-CPU lensdata is very usefull. (in the setup menu)
- Extra sounds for the shutter - for instance Type D is a Rangefinder sound, Type B a DSRL and Type C a film camera
- Numeric display for focus distance on the camera or compatible lenses. Should be interesting too.
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My almost new Z9, after using with flash-SB-700, in "M" mode doesn't open the aperture, in other set-up-A, S, P is everything OK. It happens with all my lenses...
Any idea what the problem??
Thanx,
And
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My almost new Z9, after using with flash-SB-700, in "M" mode doesn't open the aperture, in other set-up-A, S, P is everything OK. It happens with all my lenses...
Any idea what the problem??
Thanx,
And
Hmm. Can you do a reset to factory settings?
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The additional features of the non-CPU lens menu were *long* overdue. Finally Nikon realised people use non-Nikkor optics too :)
Competing brands, names not mentioned, have had similar options for ages.
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I did a safe setting to the card and reset... Nothing...
Nikon Warsaw promised to phone back... Girl-answering phone in the serwis couldn't help....
Will see, anyway I have to be in Warsaw at Monday.
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Great update again,
A quick check:
- Auto capture (possible now to use the z9 as a surveillance camera) ;)
- The addition to enter the lens name with the Non-CPU lensdata is very usefull. (in the setup menu)
- Extra sounds for the shutter - for instance Type D is a Rangefinder sound, Type B a DSRL and Type C a film camera
- Numeric display for focus distance on the camera or compatible lenses. Should be interesting too.
Did install the update but did not get all the details
the extended Non-CPU menu is great. I can name the lens and I can enter the correct focal length (10 mm OP Fisheye, 125 mm Apo Lanthar - so far i had do chose 8 /135mm
Numerical display of focus distance - have to check that tomorrow badly missing as many Z lenses have got a display but long lenses like the 800/6,3 don't !!!
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Nikon Z9 firmware version 4.10
New dedicated [Birds] and [Airplanes] subject detection options have been added. The [Birds] option increases overall detection performance for birds. In addition to increased detection and AF performance with complicated and high-contrast backgrounds such as forests and rocky mountains, this option adds the ability to quickly detect birds in various states, including flying, perched, and even those with unique-looking appearances. According to Nikon, tracking performance when following rapidly moving birds has been increased for a smoother shooting experience. The [Airplanes] option is the same option that is found in the Z8 and it enables reliable detection of airplanes regardless of their size. This option offers increased detection capabilities with dark scenes and those that include busy backgrounds.
Link Firmware update: https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/505.html (https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/505.html)
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Installed 4.10. (still consider subject detection as not sufficiently reliable for use in all kind of situation - no chance of properly testing the new Bird option so far. I am very satisfied with some of the changes in 4.01
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My dealer let me pick the "best" serial number which as a nod to my friend Paco ended in 13 (!)
:D
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Recently I made an interesting discovery with myZ9 which is now at Firmware 4.10. I did not track which Firmware Update brought this but compared to version 1 when I bought it, the Configurability of the buttons has greatly increased
Now (like with the D6) the top left buttons can be configured (and so I can replace the BKT function with the selection of the exposure measurement method)
And I had some trouble with the Fn4 button being placed where usually the review image button is. I could assign it here but I had no opportunity to swap functions and program the review button to do what I wanted to have for FN4. Now it is possible to have one funcion for shooting and have the protection against deleting images in review mode there as well.
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Firmware 5.0 Released
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/516.html (https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/516.html)
■ Still Photography
• Added and changed the following functions to [Auto capture] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
- Date and time to start auto capture can now be configured in advance
- Added [DX (24×16)] to image area options
- Added [Airplanes] to subject detection type options
- Auto capture is now available with camera’s manual focus settings
- The appearance and some item names in the settings display have been changed
- The detection range available for [Advanced: Distance] has been extended
• Added a [C15] high-speed frame capture + release mode option.
• Added frequency setting mode to [High-frequency flicker reduction] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] that allows frequency presets to be configured.
• Added [Rich Tone Portrait] to [Set Picture Control].
• Added [Portrait impression balance] to [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
• Added [Skin softening] to [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
• Added [High ISO NR mode] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] that allows to select a noise reduction processing mode.
• New image quality options available for high-speed frame capture + shooting with [Image quality settings] > [Image quality (HSFC)] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
• Live view display zoom is now up to 400%.
• The Profoto A10’s continuous LED light can now be used as an AF-assist illuminator.
Note: The firmware update is needed for Profoto A10. See Profoto’s corporate website for details.
■ Video Recording
• Added and changed the following functions to [Auto capture] in [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
- Date and time to start auto capture can now be configured in advance
- Added [DX] to image area options
- Added [Airplanes] to subject detection type options
- Auto capture is now available with camera’s manual focus settings
- The appearance and some item names in the settings display have been changed
- The detection range available for [Advanced: Distance] has been extended
• Added [Rich Tone Portrait] to Picture Controls.
• Added [Portrait impression balance] to [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
• Added [Skin softening] to [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
• Added and changed the following functions to [Hi-Res Zoom] in [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
- The color of the in-focus AF-area brackets shown on the shooting display when Hi-Res Zoom is enabled has been changed.
- Hi-Res Zoom operations can now be performed using the sub-selector.
• Live view display zoom is now up to 400%.
■ Playback
• Added [Playback speed] in the video playback “i” menu.
• Added [Customize retouch options] to [Retouch] in the playback “i” menu.
• Added [Auto image rotation] in the playback menu.
• Added [Auto series playback options] to [Series playback] in the playback menu.
• Scrolling through pictures now keeps current orientation even if the camera is rotated.
• The current playback speed is now displayed in the playback display while viewing a video full frame.
• Added [4608×3072; 14.2 M] to [Retouch] > [Resize] in the playback “i” menu when RAW images are displayed.
■ Controls
• Added to the custom controls and roles assignable via the following items in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
- f1 and g1[Customize <i> menu]
- f2[Custom controls (shooting)] and g2[Custom controls]
- f3[Custom controls (playback)]
Choose [Prefer focus point (face priority)] for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance zoom position].
The settings for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance] can now be applied while scrolling through pictures during playback zoom.
Monitor mode selection can now be assigned to Protect/Fn4, and Audio buttons.
• Shooting modes now can be selected in photo and video mode individually.
Note: The shooting modes in all shooting banks “A” through “D” are set to P right after the firmware is updated.
• Added [Focus point border width] to a11 [Focus point display] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• Added a [Max. aperture Lv during MF] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of a14.
• Added [Half-press to cancel zoom (MF)] items to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in positions d19 and g17.
• White balance and exposure compensation can now be adjusted while shooting function settings are recalled with button press (hold).
• Changes have been made to how a full format is performed with [Format memory card] in the [SETUP MENU].
■ Displays
• Changed the position where the memory card high-temperature warning is displayed in video mode.
■ Network
• A warning now appears when the connection to an ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessory is unstable or disrupted.
• Added [Wi-Fi connection (STA mode)] which allows you to connect the camera to the smart device via a wireless LAN access point.
• Port numbers can now be specified using [Connect to FTP server] in [NETWORK MENU].
• Added [Upload in HEIF format] to [Connect to FTP server] > [Options] in [NETWORK MENU].
Note: Converted HEIF images are not stored on the memory card.
• ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessories and MC-N10 remote grips can now be used together.
• Automatically obtained IP address will be maintained after automatic IP addressing disabled.
• Automatically obtained gateway/DNS server addresses are now displayed in the TCP/IP edit display.
• File names of the image and audio now match if the file name of the image is renamed during transfer.
■ Other Changes
• When [AF-area mode] is set to [3D-tracking] and the human subject is large relative to the frame and multiple eyes are detected near the tracking focus point, the camera will assign priority for focusing to the eye closer to the point.
• The time the shooting display goes dark after shutter is released when [ON] is selected for [Photo flicker reduction] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] has become shorter.
• The RGB histogram is now easier to view when [Mode 1] or [Mode 2] is selected for d12 [Warm display colors] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• [SETUP MENU] > [Firmware version] now shows GNSS module firmware “G”.
• GNSS module firmware update is now available.
Note: The second update is not necessary if the GNSS module's firmware “G” is already 0.17, as with which version, the improvement has already been made.
Note: Refer to “GNSS Module Firmware Update” for updating procedures.
• The firmware for the GNSS module has been updated.
- Improved acquisition performance when used in certain areas where the quasi-zenith satellite “QZSS” can be acquired.
• Fixed the following issues:
- Fine-tuning values set in [AF fine-tuning options] in the setup menu did not apply while the subject is detected with [Wide-area AF (S)], [Wide-area AF (L)], [Wide-area AF (C1)], or [Wide-area AF (C2)] selected for [AF-area mode].
- Switching to the playback display and attempting to operate the sub-selector did not result as intended while the memory card access lamp was lit after burst shooting when [Series playback] > [Sub-selector displays first shot] in [PLAYBACK MENU] was enabled.
- Optimal exposure could sometimes not be achieved in burst or focus shift shooting.
- Shutter release was sometimes disabled when “Bulb” was selected for shutter speed.
- Subjects could sometimes not be detected in the correct position when repeatedly shooting airplanes.
Note: Users of the following software will need to update to the latest versions.
• Camera Control Pro 2 version 2.37.0 or later, NX Studio version 1.6.1 or later, and SnapBridge version 2.11.0 or later.
Note: The changes listed below under “Still Photography”, “Video Recording”, “Playback”, “Controls”, “Displays”, and “Network” are detailed in the Supplementary Firmware Update Manual.
Note: Due to the addition of new menu items, some Custom Settings menu items have been renumbered.
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That is the most extensive update to a camera firmware I have ever seen from Nikon, wow very impressive!
I have not gone through all lines but I have heard form Z8 Zf users etc. that a lot of functionality would be appreciated for Z9,,,
I'm currently looking into either a Z8 or Z9 just because,,, ;)
BTW
I hadn't fully noticed that Ricci is now more or less fully in the Nikon stables,,,
https://www.nikon.com.mt/en_MT/help-and-support/about/press/nikon-announces-the-launch-of-youtube-series--nikon-sessions