Nikon Z* mirrorless

I read they are building a new lens factory in Japan which will be completed early next year. So more lenses next year - probably.

I'm hoping for an imminent firmware update for the Z8 to bring the AF to be the same as the Z9.

I'm also crossing my fingers and hoping for a Z7 iii.

But yes, it has been quiet.
 
I've just looked on line into Nikon and found this:

"Nikon has been exceptionally quiet through the first half of 2026 because the company is navigating severe financial headwinds, integrating a massive cinema acquisition, and shifting its engineering roadmap away from rapid, iterative camera releases. While competitors like Sony and Canon have fired off major releases, Nikon has yet to announce a single major camera body this year.

Nikon suffered a devastating 86 billion yen loss for the fiscal year ending March 2026, marking one of the worst financial periods in the company's history. Under new CEO Yasuhiro Ohmura, Nikon is forced to be highly strategic and conservative with its research and development spend. The company is currently reallocating massive amounts of capital to stabilize its core imaging division and focus heavily on profitable deep-ultraviolet (ArF) semiconductor lithography. The sudden 86 billion yen loss reported for the fiscal year ending March 2026 was not caused by a collapse in camera sales, but by massive one-time corporate write-downs and industrial investments outside of photography.
The Backstory: In 2023, Nikon bought a German metal 3D-printing company called SLM Solutions to diversify its business. The 3D-printing market didn't grow as fast as expected. Nikon had to take a massive 90.6 billion yen (approx. $580 million USD) impairment charge on the value of that acquisition. This was an "on-paper" accounting write-down. No fresh cash actually left Nikon's bank accounts, but it completely dragged down their total corporate net profits into the red
A huge portion of Nikon’s internal focus has been absorbed by the heavy workload of integrating RED Digital Cinema, which it acquired to break into the Hollywood video market. Instead of traditional consumer stills cameras, Nikon's recent major engineering triumph was the cinema-focused Nikon ZR, which functions as a hybrid digital cinema camera blending RED's proprietary colour science and compression with Nikon's Z-mount

Despite the corporate loss, Nikon's Imaging Division is still fundamentally stable. Camera revenue for the year held nearly steady at 290 billion yen (down a mere 1.8% year-over-year). People are still buying Nikon gear in massive volumes. However, even though people are buying the cameras, the camera division's individual operating profit still dropped by 59.5%. This happened due to a combination of smaller, compounding factors:

A few years ago, Nikon made all its money selling high-margin, $4,000+ enthusiast bodies. Recently, sales shifted toward excellent, lower-priced entry-level bodies like the Z50 II. They sold more cameras overall, but made less profit per box.

Severe component volatility forced suppliers to re-quote chip prices quarterly, driving up assembly costs.

Nikon spent $85 million in cash to acquire RED Digital Cinema, a necessary but expensive move for their long-term Hollywood roadmap.

Despite the above, industry indicators and component supply chains hint that Nikon's silence is the calm before the storm. Analysts expect Nikon to break its silence in the latter half of 2026 with high-end refreshes, with a heavily rumored Nikon Z9 II or a high-resolution Z7 III to directly counter rival brands."
 
I read they are building a new lens factory in Japan which will be completed early next year. So more lenses next year - probably.

I'm hoping for an imminent firmware update for the Z8 to bring the AF to be the same as the Z9.

I'm also crossing my fingers and hoping for a Z7 iii.

But yes, it has been quiet.
Fairly sure the Z8 and Z9 use the exact same AF system so there shouldn’t be any difference between the two.
 
Fairly sure the Z8 and Z9 use the exact same AF system so there shouldn’t be any difference between the two.
Yeah me to even the Z50ii has the same AF
 
I would like a Z7iii, the Z8 is considerably bigger than the Z7 and having a replacement for my Z7 would allow me to move my current (slow AF) to being a Full Spectrum IR camera. The Z7ii is the same as the Z7 for all intents and purposes.
If they released a Zfs with 45MP (instead of the 26MP of the Zf) then this would be even better but I wont be holding my breath.
 
Looking at second body options as I miss using the Nikon system.

Z5ii or Z6iii?

Both can be picked up relatively cheaply and roughly £400 difference between the two.

I don’t do video at all, just purely photography,

I could even go Z7ii for the 45mp sensor.

Will be using a mix of Sony and Nikon Z glass.

I’ve owned the Z8 before and as great as it was, I’d like a smaller lighter body to carry on hikes.
 
I've got a Z6iii as back up to my Z9 and have to say that there are times I take it instead of my Z9. It's a great little camera.
 
I've got a Z6iii as back up to my Z9 and have to say that there are times I take it instead of my Z9. It's a great little camera.
Not sure if it’s early models or a general issue but there’s a massive thread on Reddit complaining about the Z6iii’s sharpness.

Even with premium S glass there’s a lot of examples of soft images so that’s something I need to be aware of.
 
Not sure if it’s early models or a general issue but there’s a massive thread on Reddit complaining about the Z6iii’s sharpness.

Even with premium S glass there’s a lot of examples of soft images so that’s something I need to be aware of.
Same sensor as the ZR and that was sharp as hell so i'm calling BS on this, Reddit is a cesspit of morons with an agenda.
 
While I agree about Reddit in general, there are a lot of genuine users who speak honestly about the issues they’re having.
So many variables, what glass, what level of user competence, we can all take soft shots with the wrong settings.
 
Not sure if it’s early models or a general issue but there’s a massive thread on Reddit complaining about the Z6iii’s sharpness.

Even with premium S glass there’s a lot of examples of soft images so that’s something I need to be aware of.
FWIW, I used/borrowed one for about a month and did not have any issues with the sharpness.
 
Absolutely, going to do more research when I’m back from Poland, not in need of it right away so no need to rush.
What about the Z50ii
 
Not sure if it’s early models or a general issue but there’s a massive thread on Reddit complaining about the Z6iii’s sharpness.

Even with premium S glass there’s a lot of examples of soft images so that’s something I need to be aware of.
I find to so sharp so no complaints here.
 
Oh, and the image of the juvenile Starling above was shot on the 180-600 with a 1.4X TC attached as well (hand held) at F10
 
Just acquired a viltrox 85mm f1.8 stm Ed if lens ,it’s a used one in mint condition looks and feels brand new ,very impressed with the build and I.q ,all I’ve got to do now is find some targets for it ..but slowly building up my native Z mount collection/ selection
Bloody good price on it as well
Hi @the black fox

Have you had a chance to use the Viltrox 85mm?

What is it like or have you already sold it one.

Thank you
 
Hi @the black fox

Have you had a chance to use the Viltrox 85mm?

What is it like or have you already sold it one.

Thank you
Not done much with it yet ,but initial testing showed it to be very good . Will have another play later today and get back to you
 
Not done much with it yet ,but initial testing showed it to be very good . Will have another play later today and get back to you
Thank you, thinking of getting one but not sure if I go for this one or the new evo f2.0.

Please may I ask how much you paid for it and where you bought it from if that is okay.
 
Thank you, thinking of getting one but not sure if I go for this one or the new evo f2.0.

Please may I ask how much you paid for it and where you bought it from if that is okay.
just run around 100 shots through it , fast focus and smooth , lovely bokeh wide open still very sharp in centre ,bokeh widens out at around f4 but still very nice .. I rarely use short lenses so not given it any proper use as yet ,but will do .
got mine on evil bay .private seller . came boxed and in as new condition paid circa £150 delivered
 
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