Arguably The Best Photography Camera in 2024

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Today we are talking about why the Nikon z8 is the best photography camera on the market today.
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[@RanftEvan]

Stay tuned for a full video about the videography capabilities of the z8. Also if you want to follow along with the daily photo project (and get insights into the photo edits from this video) here is a link to that instagram- instagram.com/evanranftphoto

[@CraigEggleton]

When you do your videography capabilities I’d love it if you speak to using AF-F v AF-C. Thx

[@rbj.photography]

@@CraigEggleton You want to use AF-F for full-time focus. Using AF-C would require you to constantly hold the shutter or AF-On button to maintain focus. AF-F is defintely recommended when using on a gimbal.

[@stefkujawa]

So stoked you shoot Nikon, so tired of creators bashing it all the time. Joke or not, kind of over it.

[@christianvasquez3937]

It hurts you that much huh? Maybe don't make a brand your whole photo identity 🤷‍♂️

[@boostedmaniac]

I’m glad Nikon is making a come back.

[@livejames9374]

⁠@@christianvasquez3937quite a jump to conclusions there. The jokes are old and outdated Time to move on.

[@jeroenvdw]

I'm a Sony shooter myself but I think the other brands have their pros and cons. In terms of AF I'd say they're all very close nowadays, and RAW files are made so you can edit them :P

[@ControlTouchMaster]

Too many creators are biased and don’t give certain brands the credits that they deserve. Additionally, how can you trust some viewers to be honest when certain companies are sponsoring them and giving them free equipment use and/or keep.

[@merakiphotos4603]

Just got a z8 and I'm in love with it. It's everything I ever wanted. I had a z6 for 4 years. And built up my lense kit. After getting the 50 1.2 and 85 1.2, I felt it was time to have these lenses a more suitable home. The z8 is amazing.

[@malrich5276]

In the same boat. I Consistently use my 50mm and 85mm f/1.2s but I feel like it's time to move on from my z6ik 🥲... Just gotta build the courage to spend $4k 😂

[@merakiphotos4603]

@@malrich5276 hahahaa yessss. It is worth it. it having infinite shutter life, makes the purchase more assuring lol

[@OkwyUgonweze]

Here is a tip for your autofocus convenience;set the default af to 3D and then set map your AFON button to wide area small ,these two af options are all you need for 90 percent shooting scenarios . . If you want to take it further map your video record button to “cycle af” limit the af area options to the few you want to be using then you are all set . I added single point to the existing 3D to mine and that’s all . Try that and let the community know your finding .

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

Z8 is so good. I have been all over the place from Nikon D850, to Sony, to Canon, to Sony and then the Z8. I haven’t looked at BH for a year. Never been so happy with a mirrorless camera. R5 was close

[@JeremyJ4K]

Hi! Debating between the Z8 and R5, biggest upside would be the screen and slightly smaller body of the R5 and downside would be obv the newer tech in the Z8, my slight investment in the Nikon system already, and I do like the ruggedness of the camera. Any advice on your thoughts between the 2? Thanks!

[@judeemclaughlin7394]

Been shooting Nikon for 35 years. I love the Z8 but usually carry the Zf because of the size. As great as it is on the Z8, the image stabilization is still better on the Zf than the Z8. My IG has a couple of hand held 1 to 2 second exposures.

[@debruce]

What is your insta handle? I've been considering the Zf and thorn between it and the XT5. Which primes do you use in your Zf?

[@judeemclaughlin7394]

@@debruce it's just my name without all the numbers added

[@zh2687]

Same, the Zf is such a fun camera

[@Alsayid]

What about what DP noted about the auto white balance being too blue? Do you notice a problem?

[@zachbecker4861]

@@Alsayidsometimes the AWB on the Zf is DEAD ON. But many times it does suddenly tend too blue. Easily corrected in post, but still.

[@barrakelmahmoud]

I've been using the Z6 for 4yrs and I just upgraded to the Z8 a week ago, so stoked! it's an amazing camera indeed.

[@TomRyanElliott]

I have been using the Z6 II for a few years, and the Z8 II does look amazing! Their is no need for me as the Z6 II has been incredible having 2 card slots and shotting 4K videos but it's always so tempting not to upgrade

[@TylerEdwards]

Hopefully getting a Z8 in to test very soon. Been testing the Zf for the past month, and it has been an absolute pleasure shooting with. Z8 looks so appealing as a hybrid camera. Great video. Super fun project.

[@gottago9824]

damn straight it is the best camera of 2024 - I upgraded from a D810 last summer and have been loving it ever since. The adaptor for the older nikon DSLR lenses works like a champ without any issues so all my glass from my d810 works great. Also, believe it or not, the 24-120 f4 S lens is a great all around lens with awesome detail & sharpness - even with all of my other glass, I find that 24-120 is the one I use the most.

[@AcuraTechMan]

The lens hood kills me here

[@lesliewachter1275]

I agree!

[@rolandrick]

Me too, mentioned in the comments: I never will understand why someone is using the lens hood mounted backwards and for that tripple useless, not preventing from lens glare, abstaining best front element protection ever (its a fairytale filters will do that job, if you bump it into something, the filter and the front element will be gone) and covering at least the focus or zoom ring. Evan, please don’t take it personal, it’s something I see on many US and Canadian photography channels. I simply don’t get it.

[@marqman05]

Great video and I love your perspective. Hopefully we see more videos of you using the z8 !

[@JeevesTCW]

This video shows what a great eye for a picture you have Evan

[@prizepictures1]

Nice video. You do great work Mr. Ranft. How is the Z8 with video?

[@corykphotography]

Would absolutely love this camera, currently I have the Z5. Honestly though I want the ZF and just with it for the next indefinite years. Love your photography man, keep up the great content!

[@naten2462]

You’ve got a great eye for composition.

[@ZWadePhoto]

You’ll like the Z 26mm pancake. It’s saturation is fantastic

[@matterickson6345]

Love nikon and your style! I have the z5 and I’m definitely ready to upgrade!

[@rexbarcarse6022]

Have the Z6 and Z9..waiting for Z6III hopefully it's a ZF with better ergonomics.

[@NetGawker]

This is ao crazy! I scored the Nikon Zf a month ago. Not selling my Fujifilm gear though!

[@petercollins7848]

All modern cameras are good cameras, it is the person behind it that makes all the difference. I have many cameras including a 5MP bridge camera that I occasionally use. I print my photos to A3 and people often ask me for prints and even have them professionally framed. Having said that, I don’t consider myself a particularly good photographer, but might have a bit of an ‘eye’ for photos. Thinking about and working on composition makes all the difference, but a lot of people seem happy with ‘snaps’ that have little thought put into them.

[@billburns6545]

Really

[@petercollins7848]

@@billburns6545 Yes, really!

[@petercollins7848]

@@billburns6545 Yes, really!

[@petercollins7848]

@@billburns6545 Yes, really!

[@ronangsr]

Very nice video thank you for posting, I have a question for you, what Color profile did you use here the Color’s look so vibrant, or did you edit with your own preset ? Are they for sale ? Thanks

[@flugga182]

1:26 is such a great photo. I can look at it all day and it makes me feel in peace

[@julienajarry]

Nice dude! What focal length in that 24-70 range did you end up using the most? Thanks!

[@assassin_was_taken]

This is a cool project

[@RanftEvan]

Thank you! 🙏

[@bobbullethalf]

100%, that camera is outstanding.

[@ed61730]

Nikon has always been one of the best photo cameras outside Phase One. So under rated.

[@stevecarrillo]

Jesus, those colors are incredible. I miss Nikon

[@fotofx9589]

I can tell you a few weaknesses. One the camera doesn’t feel great in the hands. Canon R5 and R6ii feel much better. Secondly, the camera weight, it’s chunky and when I paired it with the Z 70-200 f2.8 it was extremely heavy. Third, and I know people rave about the viewfinder being great but there’s no reason this camera shouldn’t have a high resolution viewfinder. The R5 viewfinder is like night and day compared to the z8’s. Of course the z8 has many other great features that the Canons don’t. Myself being a Nikon shooter since 1999, will most likely move to the Canon r5 Mark ii when it is released or wait for the Z9/8ii.

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

Evan who would have the better 24-70mm f2.8 the Nikon or Panasonic? Be interested in seeing a VS video or just your take on these two lens.

[@The_Idea_of_Dream_Vision]

All cameras these days are good... It jus up to preference. Good images by the way.

[@photographydiscourse1185]

Hi Evan - thank you for this honest review of the Nikon something that is uncommon among your KZbin peers (many of whom are fully beholden to Sony). To reiterate and build upon what you are saying for the sake of your audience: The Z8 is definitively the best hybrid full frame camera on the market - simply put nothing out (as of the time of this comment) comes close to competing with it across all aspects of hybrid shooting (stills and video). Additionally, it has the best build quality, excellent ergonomics, class leading RAW files, class leading lens options (Nikon is a premier optics manufacturer - the only one to still grind their own glass), and of course the Z mount which is far and away the best mount on the market with its 55mm throat diameter and 16mm flange distance it allows for the most advanced lens designs (look up angle of incidence with respect to optical design if you don't know why). Additionally, due to the parameters of this mount it is possible to adapt ANY other lens from any system to this mount, but the reverse is physically impossible. Current adapters that exist which give native or near native performance are Sony E to Z, Canon EF to Z, Leica M to Z, and Fuji X to Z - it will likely not be long until there is a Canon RF to Z especially now that Nikon owns RED that have a license for the RF mount. Simply put, Nikon is at the forefront of the hybrid camera industry as of 2024 both with the Z8/9, Zf and upcoming (any month now) Z6III, and all of the exceptional optics that are out for the Z mount that are unrivaled by other manufacturers (and there are many). NIkon video has also leaped the competition with the capabilities of the Z9/8 and now with the purchase of RED, Sony and Canon video have little hope of recapturing their dominant video position over Nikon in the years to come. Great time to be a Nikon shooter, but then again for those of us that know it always was. Thanks again for the interesting video - I look forward to your comments on the video of the Z8, but we already know that it is literally class leading in the hybrid market :) -PD

[@nhfeuhr3kl439]

can't wait for z6iii

[@photographydiscourse1185]

@@nhfeuhr3kl439 Yes, the Z6III should be a class leading camera at the $2500 of below market. Hopefully, it is head and tails above the competition (just as Z8/9 were for their markets). If so, and I am expecting this to be the case, the Nikon ecosystem will be the premier system again. -PD

[@pedrobartolomei7707]

Hello Evan, why didn,t you used your lens hood on any of those pictures?, love your work and color choice. the 24-70 rocks!

[@RanftEvan]

No. I planned to but because I was in such a sunny location I used a polarizer the entire time. The hood was getting in the way while adjusting the polarizer so that’s why the hood was reversed for the video

[@lesliegodden2880]

Love it! I want to get a similar camera! Haven’t upgraded mine in a few years! Side note - why do u sound like Patrick mahomes ! 🏈

[@Tkeets]

Evan. Great video and I love your work (especially since I’m a fellow ATL resident). Question for you, I’m a Nikon D810 shooter with 5 lenses for it (3 Sigma Art and 2 Nikon FX). I’d like to eventually get a Z8 but don’t want to have to trade in my FX lenses for Z lenses. Have you used the Z8 with the FTZ adapter and if yes, how did it do? Any loss in image quality or focusing ability?

[@EdAb]

While Evan finds his way to your question, I'll offer my opinion. I have been a full-time, professional photographer for 35 years and own a Z9, Z8 and D850. When using the FTZ ll, the FX lenses work wonderfully well on the Z bodies. I don't notice any loss in performance. The only deficiencies are slightly awkward balance, with some of the lenses on the Z8 and reduced "bag-ability". The FTX ll is a little less robust than than a straight less too. I had the Z9 with a AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR fall from a dinner table chair, and although the body and lens never skipped a beat, the FTZ ll broke into about a dozen pieces. "One is none, two is one"... If you work professionally, or never want to be caught in a lurch, always have two FTZs with you.. Cheers

[@Tkeets]

​@@EdAb Thank you for the info, I really appreciate it. I’ve seen some say that there’s no loss in IQ or focus using the adaptors, but really wanted to make sure, because as an amateur photographer, I don’t want to have to replace all my lenses in order to upgrade to a newer camera. Especially since some don’t have Z mount replacements yet (I have the Sigma Art 35 f/1.4, Sigma Art 50 f/1.4 and Sigma Art 24-70 f/2.8)

[@EdAb]

@@Tkeets I don't own any Sigma lenses, but I have used old Nikon non-AI, Nikon AI, Nikon AI-S, three different tilt-shift, Nikon D, and Nikon G series lenses. All have worked as expected on the Z bodies. I would simply try your Sigma lenses (in the store, on the new Z body) with an FTZ before walking out with your new purchase. Cheers

[@-grey]

Nikon has been making moves recently. 🙏

[@rayortega4831]

great review and showcase for the Z8... But what did you do to your D810? LOL That looks like it went through a war zone. I used full frame rigs when I worked in Radio and TV, because iheart radio and NBC paid for them, outside of that I shot on film cameras and crop sensor DLSRs. My wife surprised me with the Nikon D7200 when it came out and It included a couple of kit lenses, but she also got me a Nikkor 50mm 1.8D and the Sigma 18-35 1.8 Art. I fell in love with it and didn't feel the need to upgrade to a Full frame camera or Mirrorless. I've enjoyed this camera for 9 years now and It just does everything I need it to. But I'm going to be filming more and although I will not be giving up my D7200, there is just somethings it just doesn't do well enough for what I need. So I'm looking to add the Z8 to my kit. I'll have send you a pick of my rig, my wife teases me that I take better care of my Camera gear than I do my wedding ring. It's not my fault I have a habit of taking it off when I'm working around the house or she needs a foot rub and I forget where I put my ring. Normal right? Anyway love your content and I've been following you for years. Keep up the great work!

[@RanftEvan]

Hey thank you so much! Sounds like you have the same soft spot for Nikon as me. My first camera was a 3100 so long ago. As for the 810 I used that camera SO MUCH probably at least 10 hours or more a week for 3 years between my job and KZbin. So it just took a beating. Still worked great tho. Thank you so much for supporting all this time 🙏

[@slique.studiosPs]

Nikon Z8 🎉on my wishlist

[@RyanTroy]

Nikon sent me this for 3 months and so far im loving it. I wish they would just let me keep it lol

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

This answered my above question.

[@ChrisBoultonPhotography]

Nice review. Really interested in the Z8. Like the natural colour science. How does it compare to the Leica in that regards?

[@thomastuorto9929]

You notice the colors in the vid? Very nice but I suspect he did some work on them. Maybe a ColorChecker Passport or something. He mentioned something like not quite like he is use to but very nice. Unless these photos were placed next to his Leica, or Hassyblad or Phase One photos, & without being one who use these brands regularly, couldn’t tell but what seeing here. Just my opinion.

[@RanftEvan]

The color science compared to Leica is kinda like comparing apples to oranges. Leica raw files are extremely dull but also very mailable. The Nikon raw are a little more punchy and polished right out of camera. There’s another comment here saying something about color checker. I for real have no idea what that is lol I used my preset system to edit these photos just like my Leica ones. The workflow was a little different in terms of how I used them and took me a second to adjust

[@thomastuorto9929]

@@RanftEvan never heard of the xrite ColorChecker passport? Surprising but not unbelievable.

[@ChrisBoultonPhotography]

@@RanftEvan Thanks Evan, I tested some against the Canon R5 and I’m really impressed with the Nikon, slightly cooler but as you say - with punch. Z8/ZF might be a good combo. The colour checker is similar to a grey card with lots of coloured squares, you take a test shot of it before you start shooting and then use the test shot to build an accurate colour profile in Lightroom. It’s used on colour critical shoots. Loving the images in the vid by the way 👌

[@martinpickard5818]

I loved my Nikon D4s’s and switched to mirrorless for size reasons (love the smaller bodies) tried the Z8 a couple weeks back and we’re in the d850 size/feel…..great workhorse but no fun….

[@AbhinavYadav-zm7ut]

Try the Zf. I just love how fun and casual that camera is

[@davep2945]

It all comes down to what you really need a camera to do, your overall knowledge and skill level and the lens system you have available. A truly great photographer can take the same picture with any of a dozen or more cameras and no one would know whether it was Nikon, Sony or Canon full frame or even in many cases the better APS-C or micro four third offerings on the market. The cases for Cameras like the Z8 or a Sony A1 are so specific and limited where you actually need the greater capability that even for most pros they are overkill. In all honesty what a lot of these flagship cameras are best at is letting lazy and inexperienced photographers get nearly the same pictures as dedicated pros can.

[@deangelobillion8561]

I watched your video about why you shoot nikon as a video cam. lol CAs you are a photographer first turned KZbinr

[@tong.clement]

+Z8 is the best Video Camera in the mirrorless full frame category too (in my opinion)

[@Youtuber-ku4nk]

The Z7 and Z7 II have better image quality. I have the Z8 and I’m going to sell it when Z7 III is released.

[@Galeidan]

Why reversed lenshood while taking photos? Just curious.

[@rolandrick]

I never will understand why someone is using the lens hood mounted backwards and for that tripple useless, not preventing from lens glare, abstaining best front element protection ever (its a fairytale filters will do that job, if you bump it into something, the filter and the front element will be gone) and covering at least the focus or zoom ring. Evan, please don’t take it personal, it’s something I see on many US and Canadian photography channels. I simply don’t get it.

[@clk6484]

Hi currently I have a Z5. Right now I am thinking of buying a Z7ii or a Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2. I only have the budget for one of them. I can't decide on one of them because I really like both the Z7ii and 85mm lens. Can someone kindly advice me on which i should choose. Thanks😊

[@Leo_dont_shoot_video]

What do you shoot ? If it's mostly studio/landscape/realtor stuff, then the Z7ii. Weddings/blogging/video, then Z6ii. Sports/birds/etc, then save up a little longer for the Z9 (or trade in your Z5). If you already have an 85mm F1.8, that lens is really well matched to the Z5.

[@jimmazurek5589]

Im sure the Z8 is a fabulous camera, but to be honest, I think my D700 could match the image quality you share here.

[@El-Rico]

If you want to be taken seriously by your peers, you've got to understand what a hood is for. Either take it off or be a pro and put it on like you're supposed to [NOFI}. Otherwise a good vid, great eye for pictures.

[@lesberkley3821]

Why do you and others keep the lens hood stowed?

[@nassimabed]

Man your old D810 is battered!

[@BGTuyau]

What does it say that all these videos presumably about still photography are ... videos?

[@rogeriopeccioli1616]

I love Nikon.

[@KPAki1Ler]

Nikon Z8 is everything. Can't fault it.

[@RickMentore]

Maybe it because I like Porsche but I'll give that Porchea photo 5 out of 5!

[@qamstel]

Nikon is making some real waves and making the bigger players outdoing themselves. We all win in the end.

[@natehaiden]

3 seconds into the video and ready to argue for the gfx 100 ii lmao

[@shaonstreetphotography]

Im a sony shooter ❤

[@chromegator482]

The Porsche photo… wow

[@RanftEvan]

My favorite too!

[@josebrivera1716]

The PPA only pay a depreciated value of equipment, not the cost of purchase. It''s depreciated by age of the equipment. Not sure how much peace of mind that will give me. I will go with Allstate instead. I don't see any other value of the PPA.

[@kuroexmachina]

4 bands for a camera better be the best

[@markinthemix6055]

Why not Z9? I need to deep dive the comparison of the top Z cameras.

[@alexdjackson]

The Z9 is basically a Z8 with a battery grip lol

[@shorne1111]

So why are you shooting with the lens hood reversed all the time? If you are not going to use it, why leave it on reversed? It just gets in the way of operating the zoom.

[@iggytse]

The Z8 has a weakness. It has banding issues with led low light in nightclubs because it only has electronic shutter. If you take a lot of those photos the Zf still has a mechanical shutter.

[@EdAb]

Fwiw, I shoot in low, low light conditions all the time and absolutely never see banding. I only shoot in RAW, do you see banding in RAW or jpeg? Maybe your camera has a problem? 🤷🏻‍♂

[@iggytse]

@@EdAb I’ve only seen a sample photo from a z8 owner in a Nikon group on Facebook. I’ve also seen another owner post about this issue. It’s not all low light conditions. It is specifically artificial lights. Something to do with the frequency.

[@EdAb]

@@iggytse Hmmm... I somehow doubt that explanation. Like I said earlier, I've shot thousands and thousands of images, over the course of probably a hundred different assignments, all under artificial lighting conditions and have never seen any banding. That said, I rarely go higher than ISO 20,000. Not because of quality, but simply because there is rarely a situation where ISO 20,000 isn't enough. I suppose above 20,000 (like closer to 100,000) there might be some banding, but at that point, what are you expecting? Cheers

[@EdAb]

Btw, I think we have a confusion of language. I think what you've been reading about isn't banding, but rather High-Frequency Flicker (HFF). HFF is what is most commonly seen with shutterless sensors and LED lights. Thankfully the phenomenon is easily corrected in a Z8, but rarely necessary. Between my Z8 and Z9, I have probably shot more than 500,000 images, and have never experienced HFF.

[@dominiclester3232]

No arguments here!

[@chromegator482]

The one at 0:50 also

[@RanftEvan]

💯

[@ValentinoLuggen]

If only skin tones were not so off when used in the studio.

[@eltinjones4542]

Couldn't afford it!

[@vzshadow1]

I concur. As of yesterday, May 1, it was on sale for $3500.

[@twoblink]

Why aren't you using the hood??

[@The_Daliban]

It isn’t back

[@thomastuorto9929]

Who took my Nikon sucks post down??? Just joking. Ah, the big Nikon push. Man, LEICA IS GONNA BE PISSED!

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

So whats the catch. The z8 came out a year ago yet all the big names released these videos within the past week. Did Nikon pull a hail mary to try and sell them by giving a bunch away?

[@unclefart5527]

Not for me. 61MP or hit the road.

[@marknakasone85]

I only use fujifilm medium format. This high MP 48+ are not medium format killers

[@savrah]

Too big, too heavy.

[@lilloc2094]

& u supposedly workout

[@lewcehjitl3282]

Nikon Z8 has poor battery life. Not worth it.

[@Zenutheduck-to4nr]

All of the photos you took could have been taken with any camera, really. That's nothing against your photography, which is good, but it doesn't scream "Only a Nikon can do this."

[@throughsoul]

Not going to support Nikon’s decision to cut the top view screen in half. The MOST VALUABLE real estate on the whole camera and they chop it in half and reduce the available information in half. That is such an incredibly stupid design flaw I have to actually boycott this camera. It’s like the D7500 only having one card slot AT THE SLOWEST SPEED.

[@Anadrol88]

I think Sony has the best lenses, Nikon has the worst IMHO...

[@bamboojled8919]

LOL, let me guess... you shoot Sony

[@unique93obr]

Nikon Z lenses are one of the best for mirrorless...yes, they are bigger and heavier, but, their glass is superb...try some nikon z glass and sony glass...nikon Z barrely have any distortion(with disabled in body correction), Sony lenses have a lot of distortions, but in camera software correct that. :)

[@csc-photo]

LOL! Come on man. Nikon glass is spectacular (they literally make their own actual glass). They are known for their optics in many industries. They offer 2 levels of 2.8 trinities. Their native Z lineup is super now.

[@Anadrol88]

@@csc-photo Actually not, many of their lenses are made by Tamron or other manufacturers... The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is a total joke compared to the new Sigma 50mm f/1.2 or the Sony one...

[@Anadrol88]

@@bamboojled8919 yes I shoot Sony, IMHO they have the best lenses, cameras, and sensors...

[@khoavubach2839]

Z8 is the camera of the year, no doubt

[@johnlocke8389]

Nikon has really distinguished themselves in SUPER UGLY mirrorless camera design (excluding the Zf, which is rather nice).