Z9 Release Thread

[Øivind Tøien]

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

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)

[Jan Anne]

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

[mxbianco]

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

Ciao from Massimo

[Ilkka Nissilä]

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

[mxbianco]

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

[Michael Erlewine]

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?

[Jan Anne]

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.

[Michael Erlewine]

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.

[Jan Anne]

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.

[Michael Erlewine]

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?

[Snoogly]

Already second hand ones on sale in Japan!

https://jp.mercari.com/search?keyword=nikon%20z9&status=on_sale

[Ilkka Nissilä]

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. 

[Michael Erlewine]

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?

[Ilkka Nissilä]

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.

[Michael Erlewine]

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?