Nikon Z* mirrorless

Swanseajack said:
Picked up a Z 180-600mm lens to compliment my 400mm f4.5 & 1.4TC. I can have one lens on the Z8 and one on the ZF if I desire, as bird photography is my main interest.

Couple of tests on the garden birds and largish crops and initial results look promising. Also, nice to have some sun here.

Blue Tit.

Blue Tit by Swansea Jack, on Flickr

Wood Pigeon.

Pigeon by Swansea Jack, on Flickr
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I really like my 180-600, but haven’t used it anywhere near as much as I’d have liked to (new baby put paid to that in the short term!).

Have you tried the TC on it?
 
chris321 said:
I really like my 180-600, but haven’t used it anywhere near as much as I’d have liked to (new baby put paid to that in the short term!).

Have you tried the TC on it?
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I wanted the 180-600mm when I first bought my Z8 but the waiting list was very long as it was just released, so I went with the 400mm prime and TC. I missed the flexibility of the zoom lens as I had been used to the Sigma Sport 150-600mm and Nikon 200-500mm when I had my D850 & D500.

I moved over to Panasonic S5 then to S1R when I dropped my Nikon camera and lenses. I'm getting back more into bird photography now as I have had some health issues over last few years.

Not tried the TC on the lens yet but will do over the coming weeks.
 
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When I had the Sigma & Nikon lenses mentioned above I had the Gitzo Gimbal head and I'm going to be in the market for an new Gimbal in the coming weeks.... Wimberley is a bit pricy for me and ideally I would like to keep the purchase price below £400 so any suggestions anybody?
 
Swanseajack said:
When I had the Sigma & Nikon lenses mentioned above I had the Gitzo Gimbal head and I'm going to be in the market for a new Gimbal in the coming weeks.... Wimberley is a bit pricy for me and ideally I would like to keep the purchase price below £400 so any suggestions anybody?
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Check out Jobu.
 
Anyone charging Z8 batteries via the USB C 'PD' socket? Apparently there's a specific Nikon charger for this (which costs £45!) It looks like any decent 3A USB C charger should do the job unless I'm missing something (entirely possible!)?
 
Anyone after a Nikon zf, Amazon uk have 4 left at £1450 body only, that’s a £400 saving on wex
 
So yesterday I spent far too long trying to suss out high speed sync flash on the z8, godox v1 and x3n.

So as a fyi, with the flash on the hotshoe it worked fine, but with the x3n it just wouldn’t work, limiting me to the 1/250th as set on the sync speed in the menu and even with high speed sync on the x3n.

The setting that made it work with the x3n was changing the flash mode from rear curtain to fill flash on the z8 flash mode setting.
Not sure why this would only effect the use when using the x3n and not the flash directly on the hot shoe but it did.
Anyway - couldn’t see this documented anywhere so sharing just in case any one else stumbled over this.
 
orangeframestudio said:
So yesterday I spent far too long trying to suss out high speed sync flash on the z8, godox v1 and x3n.

So as a fyi, with the flash on the hotshoe it worked fine, but with the x3n it just wouldn’t work, limiting me to the 1/250th as set on the sync speed in the menu and even with high speed sync on the x3n.

The setting that made it work with the x3n was changing the flash mode from rear curtain to fill flash on the z8 flash mode setting.
Not sure why this would only effect the use when using the x3n and not the flash directly on the hot shoe but it did.
Anyway - couldn’t see this documented anywhere so sharing just in case any one else stumbled over this.
Click to expand...
Interesting that the V1 should not support HSS when off-camera... I'm not directly concerned as I use studio strobes (AD100 Pro, AD200 Pro II, AD600 Pro II) and they all support HSS fine, but still, it is quite surprising for this category of cobra flash.
 
Peter123 said:
Check out Jobu.
Click to expand...
Went for a Gitzo Gimbal again as I had a good deal on a open box one. Due for delivery today, so hopefully I can then leave the 180-600mm lens on the tripod/gimbal setup.
 
orangeframestudio said:
So yesterday I spent far too long trying to suss out high speed sync flash on the z8, godox v1 and x3n.

So as a fyi, with the flash on the hotshoe it worked fine, but with the x3n it just wouldn’t work, limiting me to the 1/250th as set on the sync speed in the menu and even with high speed sync on the x3n.

The setting that made it work with the x3n was changing the flash mode from rear curtain to fill flash on the z8 flash mode setting.
Not sure why this would only effect the use when using the x3n and not the flash directly on the hot shoe but it did.
Anyway - couldn’t see this documented anywhere so sharing just in case any one else stumbled over this.
Click to expand...
How do you get on with the V1 flash? Opinions seem split over the circular design with some liking it and some not, I decided I'd just go for a V1 Pro (mainly for the onboard charging) although now can't find one in stock at £260 from a place with a decent reputation.
 
It seems great to me, I did get the v1 pro too (it was 239 at cameraworld when I got it a couple of months ago) - I can't say I have a massive use for the round head, but was shopping around and it seemed like a good buy. I use it mainly for macro, and a bit of off camera fill for outdoor portraits. Ive been using it in a couple of lastolite soft boxes, and apart from a little bit more of a squeeze to get the boxes on it, I have little notice of the round head. (if anything the tighter fit is a good thing). It's nice having a flash without even having to think about recycle times. My only gripe is with Nikon for not letting us use a flash in focus shift mode without a 1second delay - as there is no reason not too.!
 
orangeframestudio said:
It seems great to me, I did get the v1 pro too (it was 239 at cameraworld when I got it a couple of months ago) - I can't say I have a massive use for the round head, but was shopping around and it seemed like a good buy. I use it mainly for macro, and a bit of off camera fill for outdoor portraits. Ive been using it in a couple of lastolite soft boxes, and apart from a little bit more of a squeeze to get the boxes on it, I have little notice of the round head. (if anything the tighter fit is a good thing). It's nice having a flash without even having to think about recycle times. My only gripe is with Nikon for not letting us use a flash in focus shift mode without a 1second delay - as there is no reason not too.!
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That's really helpful thanks. I don't know if there's something up with my SB-900 because even with freshly charged Eneloops it used to work well with it's now increasingly erratic and taking too long to charge for each shot. I mostly use the flash to for taking pictures of the dog indoors so being able to quickly rattle off shots is appealing as well as being able to easily charge in camera.

You managed to get an amazing deal and annoyingly they're selling the Nikon version of the flash for £300.
 
orangeframestudio said:
It seems great to me, I did get the v1 pro too (it was 239 at cameraworld when I got it a couple of months ago) - I can't say I have a massive use for the round head, but was shopping around and it seemed like a good buy. I use it mainly for macro, and a bit of off camera fill for outdoor portraits. Ive been using it in a couple of lastolite soft boxes, and apart from a little bit more of a squeeze to get the boxes on it, I have little notice of the round head. (if anything the tighter fit is a good thing). It's nice having a flash without even having to think about recycle times.
Click to expand...
Do you use one or two flashes for macro?

orangeframestudio said:
My only gripe is with Nikon for not letting us use a flash in focus shift mode without a 1second delay - as there is no reason not too.!
Click to expand...
I think that Nikon did this so that the meltdown that happened with some of the SB900 (I think it was this model) if they were fired too often in a short time.
That said it would be really nice for product photography in studio to use a studio flashand shoot rapidly in a focus shift mode.
 
JohnMcL7 said:
That's really helpful thanks. I don't know if there's something up with my SB-900 because even with freshly charged Eneloops it used to work well with it's now increasingly erratic and taking too long to charge for each shot. I mostly use the flash to for taking pictures of the dog indoors so being able to quickly rattle off shots is appealing as well as being able to easily charge in camera.

You managed to get an amazing deal and annoyingly they're selling the Nikon version of the flash for £300.
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Check this link.
neilvn.com

Nikon SB-900 thermal cut-out - Tangents

Nikon B-900 Overheat Protection / thermal cut-out One of the features of the new Nikon SB-900 speedlight is the thermal cut-out. This feature allows the speedlight to stop firing (ie, stop working), when there is danger of it over-heating from shooting too fast. The temperature gauge can...
neilvn.com neilvn.com
I hope your unit is not suffering from this.
 
jknights said:
Do you use one or two flashes for macro?


I think that Nikon did this so that the meltdown that happened with some of the SB900 (I think it was this model) if they were fired too often in a short time.
That said it would be really nice for product photography in studio to use a studio flashand shoot rapidly in a focus shift mode.
Click to expand...
Only the 1 currently in a lastolite ezybox which I’m handholding.

As for the meltdown - I kind of understand it but the fact it lets you shoot 20fps with flash continuously is surely no different and would still cause the same issue.
 
jknights said:
Check this link.
neilvn.com

Nikon SB-900 thermal cut-out - Tangents

Nikon B-900 Overheat Protection / thermal cut-out One of the features of the new Nikon SB-900 speedlight is the thermal cut-out. This feature allows the speedlight to stop firing (ie, stop working), when there is danger of it over-heating from shooting too fast. The temperature gauge can...
neilvn.com neilvn.com
I hope your unit is not suffering from this.
Click to expand...
I don't think so, the flash behaves like it has nearly flat batteries so it's slow to charge for each shot and you can hear the charging whine noise faltering but it will fire again.

From what I can see the newer V1 Pro flash should have a number of advantages over the older SB-900 so I think it will be worth it. I bought the SB-900 back in 2009 with my D700 I think so I can't complain about how long it's lasted.
 
orangeframestudio said:
So yesterday I spent far too long trying to suss out high speed sync flash on the z8, godox v1 and x3n.

So as a fyi, with the flash on the hotshoe it worked fine, but with the x3n it just wouldn’t work, limiting me to the 1/250th as set on the sync speed in the menu and even with high speed sync on the x3n.

The setting that made it work with the x3n was changing the flash mode from rear curtain to fill flash on the z8 flash mode setting.
Not sure why this would only effect the use when using the x3n and not the flash directly on the hot shoe but it did.
Anyway - couldn’t see this documented anywhere so sharing just in case any one else stumbled over this.
Click to expand...
I am wondering if this might provide the dual hoteshoe connection that you might need. Adds a bit of bulk but might be useful as the Xn3 and flash can both sit using the hotshoe on camera.
 
Evening All, Anyone considering the z5ii when it comes out?

I want a second body to replace the d750 and was thinking of getting another z6ii, but z5ii looks like a better option.

I know z6iii will be a better option but as want to keep the spend as less as possible hence thinking about the z5ii

Any thoughts?

Thank you
 
Peter123 said:
Looks to be an excellent camera for the money.
IMO if you aren’t too bothered about video it’s the one to buy.
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Dont do video Will have to wait and see how much Panamoz sell it for.
 
Couples of images from banger racing at the weekend. Photos are nothing special, but I wanted to report on the performance from the camera. ZF paired Sony 135mm gm via magadap pro adapter.

Really impressed with the focus tracking. Car subject detect worked a treat. Much better than I was expecting. Uploaded images from camera to iPad easily with the SnapBridge app.

DSC_0148.jpeg

DSC_1674.jpeg
 
I’ve just ordered a 28-400, which will be taking the place of my 24-200. Little nervous as the 24-200 is probably my most used lens, but the appeal of an even bigger range for the one-lens solution has won out!

Have a 14-30, 28-75, 70-180, and 180-600 to cover the range when a more specific tool for the job is needed, but with the recent arrival of our first baby, ‘carrying space’ is very much at a premium at the moment!
 
chris321 said:
I’ve just ordered a 28-400, which will be taking the place of my 24-200. Little nervous as the 24-200 is probably my most used lens, but the appeal of an even bigger range for the one-lens solution has won out!

Have a 14-30, 28-75, 70-180, and 180-600 to cover the range when a more specific tool for the job is needed, but with the recent arrival of our first baby, ‘carrying space’ is very much at a premium at the moment!
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I think the only way you're going to find out if it's suitable for you by trying it out. I'm a big fan of the lens for offering a convenient all in one solution which is good enough for my use when I've nothing specific in mind so just take the camera and lens knowing it will cover most uses.
 
JohnMcL7 said:
I think the only way you're going to find out if it's suitable for you by trying it out. I'm a big fan of the lens for offering a convenient all in one solution which is good enough for my use when I've nothing specific in mind so just take the camera and lens knowing it will cover most uses.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear you like it, sounds similar to my thinking.

As they say - the best camera is the one you have with you. And when you have a baby strapped to your front, and a rucksack on your back, the only way the camera is coming is with a single lens!
 
JonnyWhitters said:
My Z8 and 24-120 arrived in around a week when I ordered from them in early March. Very impressed with the speed of it all.
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Any idea what their warranty is like/with?
 
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jknights said:
For those of us with Zf cameras the new firmware v2.00 is well worthwhile.
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A lot of excitement in this discussion, seems Nikon is the new Fuji when it comes to FW updates.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Nikon/comments/1ju34za/nikon_zf_firmware_20_released
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/Nikon/comments/1ju34za/nikon_zf_firmware_20_released/


I just tried uploading images to imaging cloud automatically and it works great, it also gives the option to send the images to third party storage like dropbox, google drive etc. plus LR.
 
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