Day One With the Nikon Z8

[@RanftEvan]

Thank you for watching! As always shoutout and thank you @aleccoutinho (on instagram) for recoding all the b-roll and behind the scenes. - Let me know what videos/topics you'd like to see on this channel with this camera. As I mentioned in the video if you have any tips or tutorials you recommend for using 12-bit raw video feel free to send them my way. And just to be clear this video is not paid for by Nikon, they sent me the camera to use and that's all.

[@RejeRush]

I believe DaVinci Resolve is the only program that processes the N-RAW natively. I found this video to be helpful kzbin.info/www/bejne/paSWipSMicicrqcsi=7zU1AjM3qOXjv_mg

[@JJ-oh1ps]

Huhu 😮uyou up and running up

[@ChaseMoreLight]

Currently shooting a Q3, Z8 and Z9 and I've never been happier with my setup. Happy to see Nikon back in your hands.

[@RanftEvan]

Sounds like an awesome setup! And honestly this makes me feel less crazy for trying to find the perfect combination of kit haha

[@RobertFalconer1967]

Nikon + Leica = best combo ever.

[@ericrjennings]

I’ve found myself migrating back to Nikon myself. Undervalued right now

[@russellwright9961]

Undervalued is an understatement!

[@thomastuorto9929]

Are you saying you don't get what you pay for or, they should be charging more $$ for ZF, Z8,Z9? Thanks for any replies.

[@Eyeofkamau]

@@thomastuorto9929 not getting what you pay for would be overvalued

[@bsc001]

@@thomastuorto9929 It means you should actually pay more for them.

[@JohanTalk]

Great Video! I use the Z8 professionally and the Z30 with a cold-shoe viewfinder as my street camera. I've tried all the other brands, but I feel Nikon's Colors and ergonomics are the best. Good luck with your camera journey.

[@rexonpadre4653]

I agree. I have Z8 and planning to buy Z30

[@szeinner]

I too started on Nikon, with the d5300, d800, d850, Z6,Z7 and now the Z8. Absolutely love the Z8 and Nikon as I’ve used all other brands and keep going back to Nikon. Hope to see more Nikon Z8 content from you.

[@thewolfandthefox]

The Z8 is a stunning cam, video capabilities blow it out of the water! The 8K 12 bit Nlog is a monster of information, files are too much for me but everything is easily done on Resolve mate! Have fun and keep showing the results.

[@anfalshams]

I'm noticing a sudden rush of Nikon Z8 videos.. looks like Nikon is trying to sell more Nikon Z8s before the launch of Z6iii... I'm tired of waiting for Z6iii but holding on.. i know it will be good.. even if it's slightly better than the Zf, it will be more than enough..

[@Chopper153]

Just hold on for a few more months.

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

I also hope the Z6III is released very soon. When the Zf was announced, I watched a few people at my local camera store walk out without buying anything because we could all tell them that the Z6III was really what they wanted. Some of the rush of Nikon Z8 videos is due to a deliberate effort by Nikon to get more KZbin photography influencers at least trying the camera. The acquisition of RED also changed the perspective of some of the video people. For photography, Nikon cameras have been fully competitive since the D3 was released in 2007. The YT people, by definition, are at least hybrid users, they cannot be photo-only. So Nikon had to catch up on the video side, and they have taken four steps to get there: the Z9, the Z8, RED, and use the Sony strategy with YTers.

[@pete1927]

Yep I am one… all Nikon have to do is produce a roadmap… next stop holidays

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

@@pete1927 If Nikon had produced a roadmap in 2021, it would have been torn to shreds pretty quickly. What they can do changes. Broadcasting what they will do can also give too much information to the competition. But yes, the Z6III seems very imminent. Perhaps a June announcement?

[@ohanatraveladventures]

I have always used Nikon. I have my old 800, zfc and now Zf ❤

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

I recently picked up a used F5, for about 10% of the original price!

[@ohanatraveladventures]

@@UnconventionalReasoning I need a film camera again

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

@@ohanatraveladventures There are so many good options available for less than any new mirrorless camera. Buying, developing, and scanning about 5-7 rolls of slide film will cost as much as the F5! 😲

[@visionz_n_media]

Great video. The Z8 is my favorite Nikon camera to date. I’ve been shooting with Nikon since 2001, starting with the D1X. It does so much very well and is really a steal for what it offers. I just wish the battery grip was a tad bit smaller and didn’t look so awkward, for those few times that I need the extra battery life.

[@lilmichael212]

Just ordered a D810 (30k shutter count) for my first full frame camera, coming from a D7100. Happy to carry the D series legacy 🫡

[@subhamsanyal7447]

Me also used D7200 currently using Z6ii

[@jamespalsson746]

Go for it Evan, you look real excited about swapping to Nikon 👌

[@p.m1777]

Finally I found a channel that loves Nikon ! Subscribed

[@pathfindercod4638]

GREAT video thank you. I am loving my z9 and zf. Haven’t been to Atlanta in a while but live right up the street from you in Greenville SC. Looking forward to your videos and thoughts over the next while on the awesome z system.

[@Travel_Photography_Dude]

I think what you’re talking about are the 8K raw footage that, last I checked Divinci Resolve was the only program that could use the files. I’ve only tried it a few times but was able to open the files in the free version of DiVinci Resolve, convert it and export to something I could use in Final Cut Pro.

[@Marcus_Visbal]

Have been thinking about ditching Sony and going to either Lumix or Nikon

[@russellwright9961]

All I can tell you is Nikon is not playing any games, they’re past the catch-up phase in terms of mirrorless technology and features, in fact, they’ve brought at least one feature to mirrorless that no other brand thought about and that’s Auto Capture. On top of the technology in my opinion is the Z Mount glass, when I tell you it’s phenomenal, I’m not exaggerating at all. It provides little to no focus breathing, and I expect that to get to zero focus breathing once they fully integrate this mount with what they learn from RED. I don’t know much about LUMIX, but NIKON is not a joke! Oh, I forgot to mention Nikon’s colors, you really can’t get better!

[@Marcus_Visbal]

@@russellwright9961 glad to hear, Sonys lack of firmware support has been a giant pain in the ass and the cameras are amazing but I’m not married to them

[@Marcus_Visbal]

@@russellwright9961 definitely am eyeing up Nikon but a big factor is going to be open gate

[@delanescott7872]

Nikon is where you want to be. user friendly menu better colors straight out of camera and z glass is amazing!!!

[@segunmicha]

But why 🤔🤔

[@grantdettore7353]

I have a Z9 and I feel like a good place to start would be Nikon's N-LOG conversion LUT just to get a good base. Sometimes its overly saturated though. Also, when shooting I've found that overexposing just a little from where you would normally think gives me the best results. I edit in Davinci Resolve so milage may vary if you use other NLEs to color grade. Looking forward to future vids and seeing what you do with it!

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

I think Nikon might have a big come back now that they have RED codec. Everyone says RED codec is the easiest to work with even low even machines can edit RED 4K like butter.

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

A lot of people question how RED got the patent they have for internally recording compressed raw video. But looking at what it does and when it was granted, around 2006, it seems very reasonable that the patent was granted. I don't know how much Nikon will maintain the licensing, but getting REDCODE Raw in cameras like the Z9 and Z8 will be great.

[@Bettus074]

When I saw your thumbnail I was wondering what you would think of that 24-70, because I shift systems 2 years ago and sometimes I still miss that lens. If I would like to shoot something "new" again I definitely would buy that lens first and then look for a new body, I loved the rendering that much. Keep it up!

[@Bensphotography633]

Love to watch these kind of videos they make me now more about photography. Keep it up! 👍

[@RobertFalconer1967]

The Z Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 S lens *is* phenomenal. But the Z Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 S lens is jaw-dropping.

[@Terra_ay]

I used to have a passion for photography way back in highschool but i ddnt have enough funds for a “good” camera . Then i just lost interest since then, but ive been thinking otherwise since I’ve started watching your videos recently. Thank you for inspiring me to get my old passion back🫂 im thinking of getting a Sony a7iv and maybe a sigma 1,4. Wish me luck🙏

[@RuskinBinod]

Best of luck 🎉

[@ucevrim]

Sony has no soul

[@Chopper153]

​@@ucevrimThese cameras are tools, you use whatever suits you best. Sony, like other brands makes excellent cameras and lenses.

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

@@Chopper153 For professional cinematographers, I agree that cameras are tools, and they are usually rented. For many amateurs, we stick with a system for years, perhaps even decades, and the camera becomes more than simply a tool. It becomes a component in a partnership to create stunning images.

[@DominereEvansMusic]

Definitely love my Z8 📷

[@ChrisBoultonPhotography]

Think @cammacky has just been beasting the Z8 on a vid project, might be able to point you in the right direction? I’ve just been testing the Z8 and I must say the colour and iq of the files are incredible.

[@spinthma]

Very nice impressions, as soon I would have a Z8 I would come back to your functional preset library, beautiful shot by the way, for me 5 out of 5.

[@alejandroloza]

I am depending on Nikon 8 and Sony A7 5. When they come out and do a comparison I will either upgrade to sony flashship or switch to Nikon.

[@lukagobovic666]

still here :) still use my d810 :))

[@aaronramos6056]

imma get a d780 i think, moneywise it's still impressive these a little bit older DSLR are gems for the money

[@JuanSanchez-zz3me]

Same, been using a D810 for a year, and still love it. Mirrorless would be great, but it's just so expensive. For now, D810 is still amazing for the 600 bucks I got it for

[@dubanhernandocastanedamora7196]

Nikon has the chance to be a great brand like they were before

[@russellwright9961]

It’s happening as we breath!

[@nicedward7544]

I want to go to Nikon as well but with a z7 III lol. I love the 8 but I really want a mechanical shutter. May just get a z7ii and call it a day. I've been happily rocking an a7Riii forever. I like what Nikon is doing with their tele glass. Wouldn't hurt that stuff looks pretty good sooc. It has very similar sensor to my beloved 7Riii. Peace up A town down

[@chromegator482]

Alec crushed the intro video 🔥

[@RanftEvan]

Yeah he did a great job!

[@judeemclaughlin7394]

Welcome back to the dark side. Been shooting Nikon longer than you've been alive. I mentioned this on IG - got the exact set up you used. The image stabilization has impressed me (not as much as my Zf) for hand held long exposures.

[@Flamamacue]

I built my career on a D800 too, but I stuck with Nikon and added a BM P4K for the video stuff. After years of having a bit of a janky system with the lenses not being overly compatible, it feels amazing to use the Z8 and have not only one of the best stills bodies available but also having the high quality proper formats of video as well. Excited to see where the RED merger takes Nikon's future and it's definitely vindication for putting up with their crap video ecosystem for years lol. I've also noticed the potato jokes from the Sony club has totally stopped lol

[@felm.974]

You should try the Nikon ZF 🔥🔥🔥🔥👌🏾 warning, it is heavy, but well built stuff are nice and heavy 🙂👌🏾

[@Evrce]

I'm debating on either adding a sl2 for stills to pair with my s5iix (I do portraits, club/events) or switch and go all into Nikon z ( as I'm excited to see what they do with RED tech)

[@parisafterhour]

Have you tried the sl3 yet ? Compare to the z8. Nice video motivational as always

[@Chopper153]

SL3 doesn't have a stacked sensor, so it's readout speed and autofocus will be worse than Z8.

[@Lucas-vj8rr]

Nice preset system

[@Jparkss]

Still rocking the d200

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

The Lumix that had issues was that the Panasonic Lumix S5iiX?

[@dubanhernandocastanedamora7196]

In my opinión lumix right now is the best camera. They are the real underdog

[@Nadeemkhalid07]

Even my first camera was a nikon d3100 when i was learning photography. But now i am a fujifilm guy! I wish Nikon send me z8 too!!!!!

[@thomastuorto9929]

Seems like all the more popular photography & gear tubers are on a Nikon push the last couple of weeks. AF still isn't as fast or sticky as the other 2 big brands but at least Nikon is giving it a go with the firmware updates. I shoot the D810 for about 8 years now & will probably get another because my pockets aren't deep enough for a lens flush. If all good, well. If not satisfied, I'll keep the Nikon gear & try/rent Sony & Canon for the Wildlife photography & make a decision then. Afterr the D810 to a Z8/9 I'm sure I'd be estatic & wouldn't know any better if didn't try anything else or watch to much you tube like I do now. Have fun & thanks for the vid! PS; surprised you are not using the Leica SL system!

[@livejames9374]

I’m a canon and Nikon shooter but also have to use Sony for work. I don’t think Z8/9 af is slower or not as sticky. Overall a system might perform better than others depending on unique situations but now they are all about even outside of A9iii which is best but also newest.

[@russellwright9961]

How do you know that the AF is not as good as the other 2 big brands?

[@thomastuorto9929]

@@russellwright9961 you mean watching a bunch of you tube vids including vids from Nikon USA? A forum I frequent where a lot of wildlife photos are shown e everyday. I see some really nice ones from the Nikon users but more from the Sony & Canon users. But what really gives it away is when someone buys a new camera or even when switching brands, the Sony & Canon users have quality in focus photos rite from the get-go. Nikon, not so much. Watch some Nikon video.Even from Nikon USA. It is on the subject & just jumps off & they cut the vid. I wish it wasn’t true but…

[@thomastuorto9929]

@@livejames9374 what do you photograph personally & professionally?

[@livejames9374]

@@thomastuorto9929 professionally I’m a sports photographer, ufc, College and Pro football and basketball. Other corporate and large events (not wedding). In my spare time it’s wildlife and landscapes.

[@ForTheViolence]

Probably going to upgrade My Fuji XT-2 soon. Don’t know if I’m getting a used GFX or a Z7.

[@delanescott7872]

go z8 you won't regret it

[@paulbourdin5477]

Hi, don’t feel obliged to justify yourself about loving Nikon’s gear…! It is OK ! Thanks for sharing your thought and experience with the Z8…😊

[@NickDelDuca]

Nikon is leading the camera industry. Unfortunately the masses haven't caught up yet.

[@roberthoernig]

Dear Evan, if you’re still looking for advice regarding the Z8s N-Raw processing and grading workflow, please feel free coming back. Cheers, Rob

[@365potatochips2]

In my understanding basically same system chip set built-in of Sony sensors but one thing I don’t like is Nikon Z and lenses still way too big heavy for traveling but hoping changing

[@BryanKeithPhoto]

you can use your sony lenses on nikon with an adapter and still have AF

[@wingcreator]

Exactly. Size Matters.

[@Ben_Stewart]

Nikon designed Sony baked. You can't get the Nikon Z8/9 sensor in any other brand or camera. Nikon Lenses are real lenses and take full advantage of the larger Z mount, unlike Sony who require software lens corrections.

[@Chopper153]

Nikon lenses are optically better than Sony ones, that's why they're larger. For example, Sony lenses have huge focus breathing.

[@MeAMuse]

I agree whatever makes it easier, but I also think that sometimes when we work harder - we become more creative, and we try more things (and I think it is partially this causing a revival in film photography). But I am biased.... I don't do any video....

[@Lucas-vj8rr]

I buy z6lll I like less pixels less noise I SHOOT GIGS

[@EricDejuanOOO]

I keep telling people the video from the Nikon Z8 is incredible. I have some videos filmed with it on my channel.

[@marqman05]

Evan I thought you were using the z9 before or thought about switching to that.

[@RanftEvan]

No honestly it’s just too expensive for what I would be using it for. The z8 feels like a better option because I don’t really shot any sports or action

[@marqman05]

@@RanftEvan I hope you enjoy the experience, I love my z8.

[@lymancopps5957]

You will never use that zoom again if you try the f/1.2 and Plena Z primes. The Nikon Z primes are fantastic.

[@bsc001]

I have the 70-200 2.8, 24-120 4, as well as 50 1.2 and the 135 Plena, and the 70-200 still get some good use. Horses for courses.

[@IliasKoureas]

Holy shit the d810 has BATTLESCARS

[@Princeton_James]

I own Sony, Fuji, Canon, and Panasonic. I have never owned 1 Nikon. Looks good though. I just can't invest in another system. Please no....

[@wingcreator]

Ditch Fuji, Canon and Panasonic. Keep Sony and buy a Z8, use Sony lenses with Megadap.

[@Ben_Stewart]

@@wingcreator he' right. Nikon have the advantage with the back-focus and larger Z mount. You can mount any E-mount lens to Z flawlessly.

[@Princeton_James]

@@wingcreator thank you I was totally unaware of the Megadap.

[@Chopper153]

Yup, ditch Fuji and Canon and just switch to Nikon and Sony.