Nikon Z8, Did It Kill the Z9?
Is there any reason to get a Nikon Z9 now, or the Nikon Z8 the camera to get for pretty much everyone? Especially in the wedding photography space.
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Blew my knee out 3 weeks ago and dropped my z9 in the lake. It was fully submerged for about a minute. Nikon took it apart and said it’s got some corrosion and they wouldn’t work on it. But they shipped it back and it’s been working totally fine for a month. We’ll see how long it lasts, but I’m impressed!
I was taking a few shots at the beach in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and then I decided to move to a nearby spot for more shots, but the tide came in and eroded the sandbank where my tripod was. My Z7 literally fell INTO the water -- yes, sea water. Granted, it was just a few seconds, maybe 2 or 3 seconds, before I pulled it out of the sea. My 10-stop B+W filter broke as it hit a stone, unfortunately, but the camera was 100% functional. I opened the battery door, and there was literally one (1) drop of water inside. That's all. The cards inside were completely dry. I used my t-shirt and my microfiber cloth to get the exterior of the Z7 dry and clean (there were pieces of algae and sand on the broken B+W filter), and when I turned the camera on, it just worked, right then and there. There was absolutely no water inside the camera, only on the outside. And this was a Z7. Simply phenomenal weather sealing. I have recently bought a Z8 (pre-ordered it on B&H the day it was released), and I'm simply not looking back. These cameras are really the créme de la créme, and I'm actually glad I've stayed with Nikon. I have been with them since my D5300 days, and they are a fantastic company. Sure there are issues too, but overall it has been a great experience. I don't feel inclined to change brands, never have, really. The Z8, in my opinion, is better than the D850, which I've used plenty and love, but there is just no going back for me. These new cameras are top-notch, really incredible.
I think most modern (last 5 years) cameras are all great weather sealing cameras. Like my a73 and a7r3, covered in ice/snow after 6-8 h of winter shooting, accidentally soak them in waves (fresh water lake) a couple times while going really low, hours of street photography in the rain, etc…. Still going strong, showing no signs of weakness
@@IwasKiddinggg Thanks for sharing your experience. 👍🏻
I prefer the Z9 due to the extra battery life, second cf card, card lock, vertical grip, high frame rate dial, and longer grip when holding in the right hand which supports the lower end of your hand.
The z9 is on another level, what a camera
Same here. Battery life is HUGE with a mirrorless camera. Also no real possibility of overheating, unlike the Z8 when it is pushed.
Using a Z9 as my main now but grabbed a Z8 the second I could get one. Both are perfect for our hybrid work.
After a decade of Nikon dlsr's I finally went and got a Z8...the AF is an absolute pleasure and the smaller body is doing wonders on my shoulders/back
Thanks for having me! The Z8 is a great camera. ALSO- 603k??? What!? Congrats man! 🎉
603k images on a wedding day. THANKS FOR HANGING OUT
@@TaylorJacksonPhoto let’s make it happen. I can already see the thumbnail. ONE MILLION PHOTO WEDDING DAY 🤯
btw the thumbnail should just be a few R5’s on fire
@@TaylorJacksonPhoto لس١٤٠١❤ 5:38
I am just in the transition from Sony (A7R3) to a Nikon Z8. I am starting off with the Z 24-120 f/4 S lens, and soon I will be looking at a wide angle. I went into BJ's based on a friend's recommendation to ask about the Voightlander 15mm f/4.5 lens. I was impressed with their store and it is always nice to support a local business.
Hello, I'm just curious; what prompted you to transition from Sony A7R3 to Z8? I for one still take both with me on every shoot. I really have no preference as which is my favorite, photo quality is indistinguishable in my opinion and you're gonna do post anyways. I do like the Sony with 24-70 G master, I don't know why but for some reason, I'm always attracted to photos taken with this setup more than others, but Nikon's ergonomics and menu/setting navigation always make me feel at home. I think older Nikons couldn't compete in the AF department, but with the Z8, they've leveled the field. I still think Sony's AF is slightly better, however the difference is so minute, it doesn't make a difference anymore.
Great video. As an owner of both the Z9 and Z8, I agree with your thoughts. I'm glad that someone besides me ends up shooting 8000 frames in a day; it does mean a lot of computer time in post. I set the Burst Mode at 15 fps which captures the dog show movement shots I typically take, but prevents gathering theoretically another 2400 shots or so in one shoot if I was using the 20 fps. I figure that my Z8 shooting the 15 fps is 67% more frames in an equal time sequence to the 9 fps from my old D850 with the Nikon MB-D18 Battery Grip . I'm slowly learning to release the shutter button a bit quicker with both the Z9 and Z8 with the likelihood that I've successfully captured the shot I was after already.
Side question about hybrid shooting - do you use ND for 1/50 shutter, or just not worry about shutter speed in vid (for hybrid events specifically). Really impressed with the Z8, thanks for the vid!
I remember the scream of horror at the “Not-a-conference” when that happened. Super glad it still worked.
Have the Z9 and added a Z8. Both work well together can’t say I prefer one other the other. It’s like having two different size hammers in your tool box. Both do the same job but each is best for different jobs. On an event recently I had the z8 on a strobe frame, more comfortable tan a Z9, and the Z9 with the 100-400. Times it good to just go out with a lighter body that has all the functions of larger. Thanks for the video
@@charlespresleypatrick Thank you 🙂😎
Z8 is the pro Nikon i was waiting for. Absolutely love it!
Hah I think a lot of us are thinking the same
I have a Nikon Z6II and it’s great! I do t have the budget for a Z8 but might get one late next year once I save up. My question is, should I have both an SD card and CFexpress card as a back up in case one card gets corrupted? I only use an SD card when I shoot but have heard it is a good idea to have two cards
I would agree with the camera bag issue. I love my Z9 but finding the right bag was not as easy as I thought it would be. I ended up using the bag that my Nikon D3s was in and I was never a fan of this bag. Sill looking for a better bag idea but I don't have a camera store where I am located so i would have to order bags and keep sending them back until I found the right bag. I really want a bag to hold my Z9 and Z6ii plus 2-3 lens. it might be a little heavy but would really be perfect
Nice. I still use the D780 and like it a lot, I'll be keeping an eye on how the Z6III turns out but good to see this one is good too.
780 is a really nice camera
A few years ago i was shooting my D810 and i was in a river, knee deep and shooting towards the shore. I slipped and the camera went underwater for whole seconds. I did the battery pull, memory cards, lens, etc. right away. Drove home and put everything in my food dehydrator. After a couple days every worked fine. The lens was foggy but that cleared up with a couple more days in the dehydrator.
Nice, helpful discussion. I’m psyched to see what aspects will be incorporated into the next Z6 and Z7 models. (Want the smaller, lighter bodies and don’t need the shooting speeds of the Z8.)
I agree. I’m hopeful for a nice trickle down of features
The Z6III will have the Expeed7 processor, allowing much of the AF performance of the Z9/Z8. The stacked sensor is the big question, and it seems unlikely for $2000-2200 USD. My own prediction is that the Z7III will not happen. It seems difficult to differentiate the Z8 and Z7III features and the $3000-3300 price point seems to be squeezed out by the Z8. Somewhat similar to Canon having a R5 and R6 without the R5.5. Some think a 61mp sensor may be an option, but the difference between 45mp and 61mp is the difference between a 20 x 30" print and a 23 x 34.5" print, basically insignificant.
@@UnconventionalReasoning If Nikon can make a Z6III with stacked sensor at 2.500$ they will sell tonsssss... even at 2.600$
@@ramonarias1234 Yes, that will be impressive. The challenge is that Nikon needs other companies to fabricate their sensors, so they have less control over the price. But they would again save the cost of the mechanical shutter.
@@UnconventionalReasoning and that would mean exceptional camera durability, which makes it prized in a second-hand market. winwin for user
Nice review gentlemen 👍. Any hot card warnings while shooting video and if so 4K or 8K? Thanks.
Not until yesterday! But the card also loaded very slowly off onto my computer, so I’m going to call that a card error rather than camera
Funny thing, I just bought a Nikon D700, 20,000 frames shutter count. I guess its got a bit more actuation life left in it! Not a pro, so I don’t need all the extras of the Z8/9. I am, however, liking all the selling of old DSLRs, F lenses!
I have shit the Nikon big bodies since D3s and always loved the build in battery better than the added battery grip. Love my Z9. Z8 is smaller form factor but add the grip and it is bigger.
Will you go back to nikon from sony? if not why or when?
Great video. I love my Z9, what a camera. The video backup to the second card is a real issue. I left a comment under one video from Nikon and have also contacted support. Have you tried contacting them? I am sure they will listen to a person with so many followers.
They know it’s an issue for a lot of us. Hopefully problem gets solved in the future
what do you say about the Auto Capture on z9,, and perhaps not being able to get it on Z8. But another major advantage now on Z9,, that might not ever appear on Z8
And now the Z9 has a new 4.0 update making it even more of a beast. Really making it a Z9iii by now with what they’ve done with it.
It’s honestly very nice
8000 shots at a wedding? Using a non-digital Hasselblad we'd typically shoot 120 shots during a whole Greek wedding, every weekend. 90%+ were keepers making the wedding album provided to bride/groom and families.
Different strategies and cameras. TBH only getting 110 photos for a full wedding is a bit low imo, but film is $ and immortal so they were probably all BANGERS.
Hi, I am wondering if the resolution on the Z9 viewfinder with 9.4m dot be better to see or 3.7 m on the Z8? Which preview is more accurate and matches the final image process by the same sensor of 45.7mp? thank you.
I’ve been using the Z8 a lot lately. Luckily I had a backup en-el15c and bought another one. I do love the Z9 for the battery life. Z8 for the lighter weight and portability. It’s hard to do without both.
Maybe you can help me, I found both basically with the same price (used z9) but my biggest concern is the size difference, what’s the most convenient in the terms of ergonomics for you? I’ll still gonna have the z6 when I gonna needs lighter body though, what’s you opinion?
@@Trevisol16 if you’re fine with one shutter button, the z8 is great and I’ve used it more for events. If you prefer 2 buttons, go ahead and get the Z9 as it also has a better battery life. But you can use en el15/c batteries if you have extras between your z6 in the Z8. I’m looking to get a Zf and will probably use it and the z8 side by side a lot as they use the same batteries
@@davetv8171 Yeah, having the same batteries and cards (CF + SD) is a huge bonus. However, my shoulder has been bothering me lately, and I think that the portrait position for extended periods is the main cause (I need to keep my arm open all the time). Unfortunately, I don't have a way to test it before buying, so I'm going to trust my instincts on this one Thank you for share your thoughs
Thinking of transitioning from D850. I do mostly landscape and sport (figure skating/motosport). Which doesn’t help in the decision. 😅
I wish Nikon or SmallRig would make a new slim battery grip for the Z8.
do the shutters go out like dslr?
I’m still fighting between the Z8 and A7R V. I have some Sony Lenses, but the Sony is at the same price than the Z8, so it seems not like a good value for money. What’s your take on that ? Sigma lenses are also great and inexpensive, unlike a lot of Nikon lenses. Tough choose. Thanks 🙏
If you shoot zooms the new Nikon/Tamron rebrand 2.8 zooms are pretty decent for price but yeah no 1.4 primes for Nikon yet. It probs just depends on what you want to shoot. If you mainly shoot video and a good amount of fast action then probs z8. If you don’t the Sony will be likely be great for you.
I just got the Z8 and I am loving it so far. How would set up your Z8 for a wedding shoot
I’ll make a video about this!
@@TaylorJacksonPhoto im willing to wait
Just throwing this out there, it was me, i dropped my Z5 into the lake, a little dip, is not what i would call it 😂😅 it dunked hard, full of water, like they said, left it in a bag of silica packs for a week, turned it on and it worked perfectly. Still use it sometimes
The Z9 is too big (for me) the Z8 lacks GPS, I just can’t buy either right now. Come on Nikon (and everybody else) make GPS universal, even my D5300 has it.
Random comparison question - how does the Z8 autofocus feel compared to the original R6? I’m tempted by Nikons 1.8 Z lenses for weddings.
I would say it’s pretty similar performance wise. There are some nicer bonus AF usability things on the z8 though
@@TaylorJacksonPhoto cheers for the reply 🙏👍
Taylor...do you use the "sunny" mode for screen brightness ?
I personally haven’t had to on the Z8 yet
Z9's bigger battery and much bigger buffer is critical for any prolonged action shooting sessions. Especially when photographing airshows or busy wildlife scenes - I've reached the bottom of Z9's buffer on plenty of occasions, having to get bottlenecked by SD memory cards would ruin a lot of shooting sessions for me.
7:57 I'm just the messenger, but I actually had someone tell me they have very good eyesight and therefore they could see the black lines around the pixels in the Z8 EVF because the resolution was so low. I didn't say much about that other than I don't see anything like that in my Z8 (or my two previous Z7 & Z7 II) and I just tried to leave it alone (not be confrontational)...but really, I was rolling my eyes at that comment. Couldn't believe it (it's a pro photog that said that about the EVF). 11:41 I have the PD sling bag and their smaller backpack, but the next backpack I get will be the Lowepro Pro Trekker BP 350 AW II. I'm tired of the odd shapes/dead space in my backpack. The more traditional layout/shape of the cargo area of the Lowepro I mentioned will be able to fit more and it'll be easier to load/onload. I feel like the PD backpack, while cool looking (I'll admit that), is a bit gimmicky.
I bought the Z9 over the Z8, last week, Z8 + grip was too close to the Z9 price.
@Taylor - Can you show the settings you use for the Z8?
Video coming soon!
I prefer z9 build material. I plan on buying z7 mk 2 secondhand next year. And im saving money for z9 mark 2 perhaps 5 years later
Nikon should really release a Z9S with lower megapixels. Not everyone needs 45mp and for photographers like me who never print their photos (and have limited budget for storage), it's really more of a problem than a feature.
Nikon’s high efficiency compressed RAW is pretty compact.
The Z9 feels more consistent going from horizontal to vertical orientation than the Z8 + MB-N12 grip. The Z8+grip is about 2cm taller than the Z9. A consideration for anyone who mostly uses the grip, like me.
Z8 with the grip is also heavier than the Z9. With the grip it not as smooth design.
I was going to replace both my Z6ii for 2 Z8’s but after using the Z8 I like having one smaller body. Also now the shutter that covers the sensor I’m not as worried about dust switch lenses.
I'm curious what size memory cards Iiam has in the Z9. I'm thinking go big or go home twin 1 TB's.
The price of big CFexpress cards has become much more manageable recently, $300-400 per 1TB. I have always used card readers, but hearing what Liam does, with the quantity of images he is transferring,, is eye-opening!
Indeed it is as I am building a NAS Raid 4 for my archive separate for my creator pc. I had planned on getting the Z9 & Z8. Though Z9 being top dog I believe is better prepared with two 1 TB's minimum.
Great question! I shoot my z9 at the medium compressed option, so I use 512GB cards. Which can store 13.3k photos. If I shot full uncompressed, I’d buy 1TB cards for sure. Never taking cards out of cameras on wedding days is the best and one of those things you can do for yourself that makes the day so much more enjoyable.
Another Nikon useful feature is that you could use USB C to power it forever. This is lacking in Canon.
I wanna get it but overheating scares me
I require more of Liam. Perhaps a video involving more golf and no camera talk.
Hah!! I’m a terrible golfer tho
Are you still shooting Sony also? Tamron 35-150?
Yep
The z9 has some advantages: 1. Buffer, the buffer is far better. 2. The SD stuff, in other to shoot proper backup you have to write RAW to the SD and your fast camera will turn into a slow camera. 3. The lack of GPS. Probably Nikon was already concerned about the battery life. 4. Plastic. 5. Connectivity that. 6. More Custom buttons. The only thing that is impacting me is the GPS. If I was mainly a wildlife or sports photographer I will go with the Z9. I am neither and the Z8 is also cheaper. The image quality will not be as good as the Z7 II, in particular at high ISO but it's good enough.
Z9 fits perfectly into a ThinkTank streetwalker pro
This is good to know
@@TaylorJacksonPhoto I did a lot of bag research to find the perfect one and it dips in the part where the Z9 goes to lower it. It’s perfect.
Great talk! Did you get a Z8?
0:11
Well, I feel like a fool! I must have forgotten by the end.
I am considering switching back to Nikon and was using a loaned Z8 but a little disappointed with the battery life. I didnt have any 2nd battery to change into, and it's juice ran out quite fast comapring to what i am used to from Sony, i think its becoming a deal breaker for me. Next is the ethernet jack, which i am so used to with my old A9ii. I hope Nikon can come out with a Z8ii with a better battery size, at least, (ethernet jack can be overcome by a usb-c tongle) then it should be quite formidable against any known pro body in the current market. The rest of its specs are top of the world now.
Sounds like the z9 is for you based on this :)
@@TaylorJacksonPhoto I forgot to mention, I have small hands. The Z9 was like a D5 transformed. Too big for me in terms of handling and transporting. It's just me. The Z9 is quite unbeatable otherwise.
Have CF Express cards ever failed?
I haven’t heard of any but I’m sure it’s happened
I cannot comfortably hold and operate the Z8 with my hands. I think it is made for people with small hands. I actually ordered the Z8 first, but when I held them both, and I saw the monstrosity of the Z8 grip, I easily chose the Z9. The features of the much longer battery life, the built in GPS and logging, not having to carry multiple types of cards, having 2 card slots that can both be used at full speed without overheating, the top command dial, secure card slot cover, and most importantly the smaller size when the Z8 is equally gripped. It balances so much better when using my longer lenses. I had been shooting with D850+grip. I never used it without the grip as I needed the battery life and I couldn’t operate it comfortably without the grip. My small carry around bag with the D850+grip with the F mount 24-70/2.8 became a bag half the size with the Z9+Z24-70/2.8. The size and weight savings of the Z9 was a very nice surprise, and it has far more features. The GPS and battery life alone are worth the small price difference. It is comfortable to hold in either orientation and has all the programmable controls I need.
Just got a cheap D810 coming from a D7100, I’ll get a Z8 in 8 years when I’m ready to upgrade again 😂
400.000 photos in one year? I have had my d850 for 3 years, and I just checked, and I had shot about 6500 photos......and I didn’t think it was going to be that "much"
I converted my Nikon Z9 to full spectrum... I don't think anything is killing it any time soon.
No thevz8 needs a better battery and grip , oh hang on , thats the cost of the z9😁😁 , hence the d850 is still selling by the pallet loads
Canada Photo Summit tickets go up in price at the end of the month! www.canadaphotosummit.ca/
Z8 supporters ethernet USB dongles and separate USB power so I don’t see that as an advantage for the Z9.
Bruuh.. those shutter sounds are terribleee.. LMAO!! If i EVER in my lifetime get one of this, i'll look for a sound that matches exactly the same sounds as my current Nikon DSLR... 😍
Nope. But I still want a Z8 to serve as camera 2
In the camcorder world they ratethrir cameras by how long they have been on like Arri Alexa and RED cameras. Because wiring and circuits don't last for ever.
What do you mean, my camera doesn't die at 100K Shutters?
Not at all, I can shoot the same photos with the 800E, D810, D850, D9 any Pro photographer can do the same, we just the Z9 to show of thats it Agree?
I don’t understand
WHAT in the world? 8 THOUSAND photos for 1 day? not even a full 24hrs day.. Dang!! That's gonna take like a month of culling photos.. LMAO!!
AI
and that's average.. I've had days where I come home with 13,000 photos. Completely solo. Even yet, my post-production has never been faster in my life thanks to Aftershoot and Imagen AI : )
@@liamgoodvisuals A "How to cull through 13k images from a wedding day" video would be very helpful, please.
Nikon screwed all of us with the Z9. If they had told us that the Z8 would be the same camera (but cheaper lighter, more portable, i.e. overall better), there is no way I would have overspent on the Z9 a year ago. Who cares about the grip, the 2 cards and the battery. Big deal having to carry one extra battery. I feel like a total idiot having bought the Z9.
A lot of people want the grip and bonus battery life. Liam does. I do not and like the z8 haha
You mentioned everything I wish the z6ii had
No, it hasn’t killed it at all, I own both.
I’m currently deciding whether to go a second Z9 or a Z8 as a second body to my Z9. I was all for the Z8, but I’m a bit bummed they didn’t go dual CFexpress. I always shoot to a second card for redundancy and knowing I’ll lose some high burst shooting performance is making me hesitate going for the Z8. It’s a fantastic camera in its own right and blows away the competition in its price range, but I’ve just been spoilt by the Z9!
@@ghas4151 yeah if I could have I would have just gotten another Z9 but selling my D850 and Canon 5d Mark iv to fund the purchase left me too short for the Z9. The Z8 is great though. For the first time I am completely happy with my system.
Do you really need 20fps? Save $3500usd and buy a canon R8 😅.
Doesn’t the r8 do 40 fps?
The dude has a Leica M11. The Z8 *is* the "Save $3500 USD" option!💵💵💵🤣
An R5 can´t handle my use case, imagine R8 haha. Is not just about FPS which I don´t even use in sports. Battery life, no shutter life limitation, weather sealing, DR, stable system without overheating issues. I get the job done under extreme conditions in winter and summer for extended 10hs of non stop shootings. IBIS is great to have as mostly I´m at very poor conditions. This are Pro bodies
Oh, no bugs as my R5 and Buffer gets clear instantly. Yesterday Seth from Adorama published a short with Z9 and new CFexpress card "full res 20fps raw Z9 …went for 2 mins over 2k frames never bottlenecked"
You gents need to pronounce Z properly, it’s ZED. 😁
I had to reprogram my brain to say zee. If we say zed, we get 100 comments per video that we’re doing it wrong. If we go with zee just one or two
I recently read some reviews on the Nikon Z8 where the reviewers stated that while the Z8's front panel is made of Carbon Fibre, the Z8's rear panel is made from a plastic, I am so extremely disappointed by this revelation. Apparently at Nikon HQ the idea was to design and build the Z8 so as to lure fans of the D850 into buying the new Z8, well considering that the D850 body is entirely made of Magnesium-Alloy, why would D850 users buy a plastic Z8?; the management at Nikon HQ made a ATROCIOUS decision to make the Z8 out of moulded plastic; it would have been infinitely better and wiser to cut back on features instead of compromising the Z8's build quality, yet the staff at Nikon HQ are presumably made up of university graduates. Considering the above points I have absolutely no desire to buy the Z8; in fact I would rather use a Nikon FM2n.
This will have no real world effect on the cameras functionality in a 5-10 year span, and it reduces the weight of an already substantial camera
@@philipkingswood5800 The Z8 may not be a high-end professional camera but it is a professional camera, it needs to have a durable body, which is considerably more important than a camera having every feature under the sun.
Can Liam share how gets 50 weddings per year in another episode!