3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying The Unstoppable Nikon Z9

[@hilarydavis4959]

i use the one card slot for photo and the other for video! not a problem. Never had a card that has failed!

[@TerryKontopoulos]

Yes in all of the three points Vitalij! I'm not video user but I find your points VERY logical for a Flagship camera as our Z9... Good job as always mate!

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Thank you Terry for the kind words.

[@patricksmith2553]

Nikon will never give you the first two updates. Not only does Nikon have and sell “Nikon” labeled CFexpress Type B cards. Nikon also has a relationship or partnership with Atomos. So yeah, I highly doubt they will give you these updates. You can complain all you want, but Nikon did only ask $5499 instead of $6499…so buy a couple 1TB cards. $1000 should get you at least one or two? By the way I’ve shot XQD/CFexpress since day one, with the Nikon D4 and now D6 in which I use Sony Tough 256GB CFexpress type B cards. I’ve always preferred the Sony Tough cards, and in the past 10 years…I’ve never had a card failure. Actually I’ve only ever had one failure and it was in 2002 when an 1GB CF type 2 IBM Microdrive failed. It was $800 by the way lol. So you all have it good these days. The Z9 is only $500 more than the D1 was in 2001? Yeah so if you can afford Z9’s you can afford a nice card or two. If you compare with Sony, to get a vertical grip on an A1 and two cards, you’re talking almost $8,000 USD vs. $6500 for the Z9 and two cards. With taxes of course. All states differ on taxes, but you get the idea. I think Nikon obviously put these limitations in the Z9 in order to sell more Atomos V’s!!!

[@TouchLifeStudio]

@@patricksmith2553 thank you for sharing your experience with memory cards. Another way to get a better price on these CFExpress is to wait until those go on sale (holidays perhaps). But generally once you buy those CFExpress cards, it is likely they will serve a long time. So over the course of 10 year, it is really not a big investment.

[@patricksmith2553]

@@TouchLifeStudio Thank you for the reply, I didn’t mean to sound at all rude. Your concerns are real and I’m sure the recording to two slots issue is annoying. However the Sony Tough Cards really are built extremely well, I’ve actually dropped them, and even put one through the washing machine and dryer in my pants. It survived the laundry machines just fine, and I’m pretty sure they can literally be run over by a car and survive. If you squeeze one hard, there is basically zero play. However some or most other CFexpress cards are not built quite as well. I did have a Sony XQD card partially break, plastic broke off the top near the contacts. However it still worked and I used it for a couple of years without issue. This happened though to other XQD brands as well, and it’s an issue that’s been fixed with Sony’s Tough cards. I am a photojournalist and I know a lot of photographers and Ive asked a few…nobody Ive met has ever lost images due to an XQD or CFexpress Type B card. I’d imagine even if you did have a failure or read error, your images/video can still be recovered. So to me it’s not a concern. I do use dual cards in my D6’s, however I don’t mind using a single card in my Z7. I have zero concerns and total confidence in Sony’s Tough cards. They also score high on speed tests, although they are not the very best for pure burst performance on the Z9. Either way they tend to score very high on most speed tests, so that plus the better build quality is well worth the cost!

[@theroadtoseaview]

Get the FusionTLC Raven, as the transmitter, update the FlexTT5s to the E-release firmware, and you will have one of the best wireless trigger systems available. The Raven gives a whole new lease of life to the PWs and elevates them to a level beyond the MiniTTL/AC3 transmitter capabilities.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Thanks. I need to look into this

[@andreasching9634]

The issue with flash compatibility has more to do with the flash manufacturer updating the firmware than with Nikon. I use Godox and it works perfect after a firmware update.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Good point. I think this also applies to triggers such as Pocket Wizards, but for some reason their update is not fully compatible.

[@psoon04286]

I used to shoot only with Nikon’s speedlights, but when I graduated to multi-flash setups I started to look for less costly alternatives and Godox fits the bill perfectly. Admittedly their build quality is not NIKON level but so is their price tags. No compatibility issues with any of my NIKON Z bodies

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Great. I started using more Godox now and it’s working well.

[@lennyvlaminov9480]

Yongnuo 622 works like a charm, d500, D750, d859, z7 and z9. Also have Godox pro trigger v 2, just works.

[@hilarydavis4959]

that would be great if we could record onto an external drive! agreed!

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Thinking the same. Maybe with a future FF update.

[@lour7753]

I use Godox X-Pro trigger with Godox AD400 lights. I use X1R receivers with my Nikon speed lights.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Thanks Lou. One consistent message that I hear from others, Godox just works.

[@Arnie_Liv]

Shanny wireless trigger stopped working with my Z6 however a shanny flash attached to the hot shoe will work fine & communicate to the other 2 flashes with no issue. SN910EX -RF and SN910 -TX

[@waynerm002]

Thanks for another great video! In all the years of using XQD and CF Express Type B cards, I have not had a failure in any of them. I tend to buy Lexar cards, which have served me well and picked up an Angelbird 1TB card prior to my travels for video use. I ended up using the Ninja V to record for the 10 bit footage, using an Angelbird drive as well. I think the Z9 may run in to overheating problems if both cards are being used at the same time. Using my Z6II to record a long video (no stopping for mistakes, edit later) and the card was hot when I took it out, the camera was also hot as well in the grip area. With no fan, Nikon did pretty good to allow 2 hours of 8K recording, recording to both cards might cut down the recording time. Maybe in the future they will add a fan or a dedicated video camera, with a fan. The photo folks don't want to hear about a fan on their camera but, we live in a new age where video is a must in cameras and Nikon will most likely have to add a fan in the future.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Agree, either a fan or new tech that will minimize heat. Something’s may need to be compromised.

[@astanisystems]

​@@TouchLifeStudio Problem is, if something gets compromised to allow something else to work, people are still gonna complain. I use different types and brands of cards, from ProGrade, Lexar, and SanDisk, all the way to Transcend and Hama. No failures of any kind on ProGrade, Lexar caused some issues in 9FPS(D850 user) and SanDisk was always the most reliable(with ProGrade). I would honestly focus on AF first(no pun intended) if I was running Nikon. After that I'd release more entry and mid range bodies, add a single vlogger body, dedicated cinema and video camera. Furthermore, with firmware updates to current bodies to fix AF, and release of hybrid bodies with AF as reliable as Sony and Canon, I am sure Nikon sales would skyrocket. AF is Nikon's biggest weakpoint. They've got enough lenses at the moment, and using F glass isn't much of a compromise.

[@waynerm002]

@@TouchLifeStudio Forgot to mention, I used a Z9 to film a video and there was a heat warning on the card. I’m not sure if there is a setting to set the warning limit higher, like on Sony for the camera to let it record longer before shutting down. It’s great what the Z9 can do but I suspect the Z8 and future hybrid cameras will need some sort of cooling, if they want to offer that sort of long recording capabilities.

[@waynerm002]

@@astanisystems We are all ready for something great from Nikon and I think we may get more than we expected. I posted a couple of video on some patent findings, which make me hopeful of this.

[@astanisystems]

@@waynerm002 Hopefully. Other photographers see me as a baboon when I pull out the Nikon gear. I'd love nothing more from Nikon than to finally catch up with Canon and Sony in video department. Video is now mandatory, customers always ask me for video, and it's the reason why I have just begun investing in video equipment. The only problem in the story are Nikon cameras. Killing in photo department, getting wrecked in video.

[@CraigLafferty]

Ah! Good to know about those triggers. I'm researching and those are the ones I use.

[@epsaturn]

Sorry to say, but as nice INTERNAL recording might sound to everyone, RAW is recorded best on an external device like the Ninja V. PROFOTO triggers work flawless on ALL my Nikon F, D & Z Models

[@ongtoni]

Absolutely, me too, have had invested much into pocketWizard flex tt5 and sekonic devices with pocketWizard modules. Very frustrating.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

I have since switched to Godox and works like a charm.

[@reneefariasphoto40]

Z9 and Z7ii, I use Elinchrom Skyport in studio (same as when I used DSLR). In the field, Godoz V1n (x3 units) and Godox trigger.

[@EugeneMaynard]

My guess is that Nikon chose not to add dual card video recording at this time because they would probably have to restrict the higher end formats from being used due to heat consideration or just pure processing power limitations or battery considerations. Most true high-end cinema cameras only have one built in recording medium and they are even bigger than the Z9 with huge fans and heat syncs. However, I can see them, at some time down the road, releasing a FW update enabling a limited dual card video recording function to appease those that are crying out for it! Having waited for Panasonic GH6 FW update that enabled external SSD recording, I am in no rush for Nikon to add it because, in Panasonic’s case we are restricted again to not being able to utilise all the recording formats plus if the camera only has one USB-C output you will lose being able to externally power the Z9 if needed at the same time, especially in the case of using the Z9 with the DJI Ronin R3 gimbal because even though it has camera control over Bluetooth, it does not support the Z9 (yet) so camera control has to use the USB-C port of the Z9! I love the Z9 but the one thing I really want NOW before any thing else is shutter angle and I dream of a true CCU unit that can help the Z9 being used as a true broadcast camera! I believe we shall have many future FW updates and those high-end video features will be implemented because that processor is nowhere near at its limit! My prediction is that when Canon or Sony release their next flagship camera, Nikon will release a FW update that gives us 30fps instead of 20 and the present pre-shot ability in jpeg is upped to RAW! 😎👍🏾🙏🏾

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Yes, I can see how this might be the reason. It possibly could be taxing on the camera from heat dissipations if both cards would record video at the same time. But I would be ok if Nikon gave us limit recordings with reduced codec, just for those who may need redundancy. Perhaps with future FW updates. Thanks for your explanation, makes sense.

[@sithsince81]

I did have issues with my strobes/flashes and trigger(s) on my Z9. I've used the phottix system for years; no problem when used previously on DSLRs or z6/7 series as having a mechanical shutter. Although after an old FW update to triggers, strobes and flashes seem to work. But I am looking into new lighting, possibly the Wescott FJ series

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Thanks. I never used phottix but it’s good to know that those could be used on Z6/7

[@trelevenphotography5907]

I shoot with the Profoto B1 strobes and the Profoto Air Remote TTL - for Nikon works on my Z9

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Man, profoto is a different level. For the cost of one B1 one could get a new camera. Just speaking for those who may not be at that level yet. But yes, profoto is something special!!!

[@JRodPhotoArt]

You would think external usb-c data out would have already been a feature of the Z9. Lets go Nikon ,firmware update please!

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Yes, I’m all in with that! Firmware 4.0

[@SooksVI]

The USB-C interface on the Z9 itself is not as fast as the CF-Express interface, so it might not be fast enough to record RAW formats to an external SSD but the 10bit formats could be fine. It's a feature that Nikon should really enable.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

I’m glad to see that many others feel the same away. Thank you.

[@andrewmeier5053]

I've had Angelbird cards fail over 10 times on both of my z9s. Multiple cards in both cameras.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

I suggest try using Sandisk CF express cards. So far I haven’t had those fail.

[@manilamartin1001]

I still ended up using Lumix for video because I like their set up for a lot less. My team loves the z9 for pictures, though. I moved to profoto to get the trigger and on camera flash with didn't work on most of my godox flashes. No one ever talked about that. You are right.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Manila, lumix is great for video, absolutely agree. Yeah, profoto gear is in a different league.

[@EricSnydereasphotography]

I had a CF Express fail on me last week, I had it for almost a year, It was Delkin Black 128 gig, I had everything backed up before it failed,

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Wow… you are the first person who told me that their CFExpress card failed. Well…nothing is bulletproof. Thanks for sharing Eric. Just curious, where you doing any video recording at that time, shooting pictures, or something else?

[@EricSnydereasphotography]

@@TouchLifeStudio I was doing a few timelapse videos, each one was 2500 photos, I'm sure all the video Ive been doing over the last 6 to 7 months with my Z9 might have something to do with that as well? Im not sure, But The videos straight out of camera are stunning!

[@TouchLifeStudio]

@@EricSnydereasphotography thanks, it is good to know.

[@j.m.hunter1590]

Great information. I'm waiting for the Z8 and hoping it comes to mkt soon. I currently use a Z7, D850, and D800.

[@JerryPH]

The 2 main things that you point out (cannot use PW triggers and no external ssd recording) are the same reasons I am NOT purchasing the Z9. I am a huge Nikon fanboy all the way back to the film days and , sorry Nikon, because of this, you lost my business. Panasonic Lumix for the win, and for photography, I’ll stick to my trusted Nikon D4.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

There are very few cameras that can do internal SSD, might be one of the Hassleblad cameras. So, that function is not main stream yet. D4 cannot do that yet. As far as PW capability, Godox works great at a fraction of a cost of PW. Today there are many great solutions for that.

[@50450720]

Id love duel internal 4k prores HQ to both cfexpress cards, and 8k external to ssd.

[@adriftinnature]

yess i did lost my footage with a prograde 128gb cfexpress type B

[@pkennethv]

Do the new Godox triggers you’re using allow you to manually change the power of your flashes with the Z9? I went from a D800E to Z9 using Pocket Wizard TT5 + AC3 as a trigger and Pocket Wizard MC2 as receiver. The “control” channels (and therefore AC3) don’t work with the Z9, but programming the PWs to “Basic Mode” (cannot control power settings) at least allows me to fire the flash at up to the fastest sync speed of 1/200. Kind of a pain I need to reach all the way up the light to adjust power now though☹️ Ps. I have learned a lot from your Z9 coverage over the past year - thank you! It helped me decide to take the plunge with getting the Z9 only a month ago.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Glad to hear your are using the Z9. As far as PW, there is a weird way to get them work, but it has some limitations with power output and like you said need to adjust light output on strobes manually. So, yes, Godox work well and you can adjust power output manually via a trigger on top of your camera without reaching the Godox strobes or flashes. Hope this helps.

[@bh105401]

in short, 1 not support recoding video in TWO cards in same time, 2 CFE card is expensive 3 old flash trigger does not support. thx me for savming you 7 minis

[@pianoman6639]

My Goddox trigger works thankfully . I do have PW which most likely heading for eBay .. was shocked to discover these issues on such a high end camera

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Same here

[@AnhNguyen-we1yq]

Excuse me but what camera hand strap are you using on your z9 in this video?

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Spider Camera Holster SpiderPro Hand Strap V2

[@intrinsicimagery]

I’ve had one Wise 128GB card corrupt. Use only Delkin Black now.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Good to know. Thanks for sharing.

[@edinburghaction5515]

Try removing the internal cards and then recording externally. I think you'll be happy.

[@phphoto]

I had problems with my triggers when I switched, also my speed lights needed an upgrade. I think it have to do with the timing. DSLR gave signal to the flash when the mirror was up. With an electronic shutter the timing is a little different - so since I updated the firmware on my flashes, I have had no trouble at all. Could be the same with your gear ?

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Phillip, my SB700 works well, but since I do a lot of of camera flash work, my older Pocket Wizards, no longer worked well. Something has to do with small watch size battery in TT1 that wasn’t giving enough power but also changed signal protocol with Nikon Mirrorless.

[@iggytse]

I’ve heard of cases where Nikon sb700 and sb900 flashes don’t work with a D850 and you need to fork out for a sb5000. This is why Godox are taking over the market.

[@billboswell7275]

Never had an issue with SB800 or 900 with D500, D800, D850, or Z9.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

I had no issues with using sb700 with Z6II and Z9

[@astanisystems]

I'm currently using D850 with SB-900, no issues. As for off camera flash option, if you want wireless to work, you can do that with SB-5000 and D850 by using a wireless transmitter (forgot the model name), WR-10 maybe?

[@dance2jam]

Not sure where you got the information from, but I agree with the other comments. I've used the SB-700 a lot with both the D850 and Z9. Not a single issue.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

@@dance2jam I currently have SB700 on Z9 and Z6II and both work fine.

[@csc-photo]

Thanks for the helpful Nikon content, new sub 🙂👍🏻

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Thanks Craig!

[@luancarlos3792]

Is this camera good for night shots? Luan Carlos, Manaus - Amazonas 🇧🇷

[@dance2jam]

Luan, unfortunately, the question you ask, and the way you ask it needs more specifics about what you intend to shoot. If your question was: Is the camera good in low light? I'd ask: Compared to what? How are you shooting (RAW/JPG?). Overall, the performance of the Z9 (owned it for over 1 year) has been excellent - and a bit short on the AF side of the Sony flagship and Canon mirrorless AF on their higher end (i.e. R3/R5). That said, there are other Nikon advantages. Each brand has it's thing - and I shoot mainly action, sports, and wildlife. I believe the pixel pitch of the Z9 is just over 4 microns. The Sony a7S iii has a similar pixel pitch and pixel count of the famed Nikon D700 (Pixel pitch of approximately 8.4 microns, and pixel count of 12 MP). The fewer pixels provide for bigger pixels to collect more light without blowing out highlights (buckets becoming full of photons) - technology being equal. Therefore, if night photography is your thing, you might go with cameras with lower pixel counts, bigger pixel pitch, and are current technology and rated for that.

[@jserenity]

I was so surprised too when I cant use nikon own flash remote trigger. Why do I need to buy a separate nikon trigger when its even limited in speed? I going godox instead

[@TouchLifeStudio]

That’s what I did as well. Godox is my direction for strobes and triggers now.

[@allantimms7462]

My Hahnel MODUS 600RT Mkii and Viper TTL work just fine 6:57

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Never used Modus 600 RT, is it the same/similar to Godox/Flashpoint brand?

[@allantimms7462]

@@TouchLifeStudio I don’t think it’s the same because it works with the Z9 but it’s probably similar. Sorry

[@MichaelJones-ie4eq]

I wouldn`t call anything from Nikon "Unstoppable" In fact Nikon really do need some get up and go! and start producing Good up to date tech cameras for all of us not just the pro rich, Like a mirrorless replacement for the D500, ( Users have been crying out for a mirrorless replacement) but then again Nikon would probably just make a mirrorless cmos sensor 20Mp 10FPS small buffer piece of Cr&p and think "Job Done" After 40yrs with Nikon cameras the last 10yrs have been atrocious, everyone else is out with the newest tech fastest frames per second, better sensors etc. etc. While Nikon stick with the same old tech (except for the Z9 which is unaffordable to most but the better off) I have decided to go elsewhere to get the upgrade to my D500 which is better than anything Nikon has in mind for a prosumer mirrorless camera. an APS-c Mirrorless camera with a BSI stacked 26.1Mp sensor 10-15fps Mechanical & 15, 20, 30 & 40 fps Electronic, excellent hybrid Stills and film camera and all at a lower cost than the D500 when it was new, The Fujifilm X-H2s is £2,300 and if you buy the Fringer NF-FX lens adapter all your Nikon glass can be used with full functionality, so instead of the stale manufacturing of Nikon and the wait for years I`m going to buy the Fuji which was introduced over a year ago. They didn`t hang around Nikon! Your late to the game again. D500 users check it out & over the last year Fuji have got to firmware 3.0 to iron out those little autofocus problems, (you know, just like those the Z9 suffered with .) & check out Fuji glass even that is cheaper and of excellent quality.

[@justayoutuber3085]

Summary: You bought a still camera when you needed a video camera, and you didn't read the spec to know your triggers won't work.... ok.....

[@GPhotoFashion]

nobody use that record the to both Cf cards, so this option is lame, external HD used that a good one,, the triggers thing who use those old triggers, use Profoto don't be cheap

[@VIDEOVISTAVIEW2020]

Sounds like if you have known this before, you would not have bought the Z9. Well, just sale it and buy the other brand.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

The Z9 is a great camera. Just because it’s missing some features, it does not mean I would not buy in the first place. Thanks for watching.

[@brradv3552]

Probably a dumb question but.... does this $5k camera come with a lens??? I'm already going to have to finance it, I'd rather not have to buy an expensive lense right away...

[@TouchLifeStudio]

No lens, body only.

[@brradv3552]

@TouchLifeStudio that's rough.... oh well, I've got my heart set on this camera so looks like I'll be shelling out an additional $800 for a nice lens 🙃

[@astanisystems]

​@@brradv3552 I think a 24-70 F4 S isn't expensive. The F2.8 S might be. Great to start out with. Or you could use FTZ adapter and use your existing(if you have) F mount lenses with it that way.

[@WMatsubuchi]

Avoid SABRENT. Bought a 512GB CF for my Z9 and it failed the first time used. Lost about 300 images. Customer Service was slow to get back to me, then nonchalant about the failure. Back to Silicon Power. Or any other brand.