Nikon Z6/7 mirrorless system

[chambeshi]

fyi As some of us are well aware, and appreciate for landscapes - the Z7 especially

https://photographylife.com/landscapes/nikon-z-cameras-for-landscape-photography

[Olivier]

So Birna, is the plan to get another red Peugeot?

[Birna Rørslett]

There is no imminent plan of getting a new car -- however the current red Peugeout only has 3 out of 4 wheels intact and the upcoming Easter prevents me getting a replacement

[Birna Rørslett]

I got my third Z camera, this time a Z6 modified by LifePixel to become "full spectrum". Unfortunately, there have been problems with banding noise for UV capture and the issue is not fully understood or solved yet. Have a look over at our sister site Ultravioletphotography to learn the latest news http://www.ultravioletphotography.com/content/index.php/topic/3228-nikon-z6z7-as-a-uvir-conversion-the-bad-news.

During the last 6 months with Z7 and Z6 I have not encountered any banding noise (except for what is caused by a flickering light which one really can't blame the camera for faithfully reproducing).

I'm now embarking on various  multiband- and IR photography with the converted Z6 to understand its behaviour better.



IR with UV-Nikkor and the B+W 093 filter (~87C) on the modified Z6.

[Birna Rørslett]

Meanwhile, a nifty accessory arrived just in time for spring flower exploration: the new Z extension tube made by Fotodiox. This 15mm ring has pass-through contacts so allows any native Z-mount lens to operate will all functionality intact. On the 35/1.8 S-Line Nikkor I got nearly 1:1 magnification, but the working distance at the near end is extremely short. One has to remove the sunshade from the lens. The Fotodiox tube suits the 50/1.8 S-Line better to yield around 1:3 magnification. Image quality with either lens in combination with the Fotodiox extension is surprisingly good.

Autofocus works with the extension, but is significantly slowed down in the near range.

The extension comes in a luxury, very posh wooden box, so one gets added bonus for the pretty stiff price of this item.

[Michael Erlewine]

Meanwhile, a nifty accessory arrived just in time for spring flower exploration: the new Z extension tube made by Fotodiox. This 15mm ring has pass-through contacts so allows any native Z-mount lens to operate will all functionality intact. On the 35/1.8 S-Line Nikkor I got nearly 1:1 magnification, but the working distance at the near end is extremely short. One has to remove the sunshade from the lens. The Fotodiox tube suits the 50/1.8 S-Line better to yield around 1:3 magnification. Image quality with either lens in combination with the Fotodiox extension is surprisingly good.

Autofocus works with the extension, but is significantly slowed down in the near range.

The extension comes in a luxury, very posh wooden box, so one gets added bonus for the pretty stiff price of this item.

Ditto. My copy arrived as well. Nice package, not that I will keep it in that. LOL.

[golunvolo]

Birna, maybe something wrong with the conversion process? Or faulty Z before the conversion that carry it on to the full spectrum? Just two more options.

[Birna Rørslett]

Various RAW converters by and large produce the same output. The banding is everywhere also in the brighter areas of the scene.

We are contacting LifePixel for advice and a possible refund. The Z cameras of the current generation appear not to be well suited for UV/IR work.

[Netr]

Meanwhile, a nifty accessory arrived just in time for spring flower exploration: the new Z extension tube made by Fotodiox. This 15mm ring has pass-through contacts so allows any native Z-mount lens to operate will all functionality intact. On the 35/1.8 S-Line Nikkor I got nearly 1:1 magnification, but the working distance at the near end is extremely short. One has to remove the sunshade from the lens. The Fotodiox tube suits the 50/1.8 S-Line better to yield around 1:3 magnification. Image quality with either lens in combination with the Fotodiox extension is surprisingly good.

Autofocus works with the extension, but is significantly slowed down in the near range.

The extension comes in a luxury, very posh wooden box, so one gets added bonus for the pretty stiff price of this item.

Also Ditto (to New Zealand). Very well machined bamboo box.

[Akira]

FWIW, this is an impressing video of Z6 shooting volcanoes in Guatemala.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=kGh3cCmy5zg

[golunvolo]

Impressive, thanks for the link.

[Birna Rørslett]

My long awaited "full spectrum" Z6 turned out to be a mixed blessing. For UV shooting, pronounced image banding seems unavoidable at lower ISO values. There is an ongoing - and long - thread on our sister site Ultravioletphotography.com dealing with this problem: http://www.ultravioletphotography.com/content/index.php/topic/3228-nikon-z6z7-as-a-uvir-conversion-the-bad-news. No need to repeat here.

Apparently IR does better and there is hardly any banding although internal flare continues to be an issue.

This is from today's shooting, using AFS 28-300 Nikkor and the B+W 092 filter (~Wratten 89B). ISO 800.

[Akira]

Impressive, thanks for the link.

You are welcome, Paco.

[Birna Rørslett]

How long was Eve in Paradise? Shot IR with the 100mm f/1.6 Rodenstock today and lowered ISO to 200 as the lens lets a lot of light through ... B+W 093 filter (~Wratten 87C).

Heavy banding was immediately evident. Even stronger in presence for a follow-up shot at Low1 (~50ISO).

100% crop to show strong banding with the Z6 modified by LifePixel. The banding is seen everywhere not just in shadows.

[CS]

How long was Eve in Paradise? Shot IR with the 100mm f/1.6 Rodenstock today and lowered ISO to 200 as the lens lets a lot of light through ... B+W 093 filter (~Wratten 87C).

Heavy banding was immediately evident. Even stronger in presence for a follow-up shot at Low1 (~50ISO).

100% crop to show strong banding with the Z6 modified by LifePixel. The banding is seen everywhere not just in shadows.

So. in light of this banding with the modified Z6, what are your alternatives and intentions?