Approaching The Scene 310: Nikon Z6III Pros, Cons, Accessories & Setup Videos

[@EugeneMaynard]

My Z9 loves having a baby sister in the Z6III ! They complement each other perfectly for my Nikon needs!👍🏾🙏🏾 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇸🇪🇹🇹

[@woollieman1]

Thank you very much Hudson. As I mentioned in a comment on your initial Z6III first look, I was waiting for your fuller assessment before making my decision. Having now watched this presentation I have placed an order for a Z6III. Now I will watch your setup presentations. Keep up the excellent work that you do for all of us photographers, whether amateur or professional. Content like yours is invaluable when deciding how to spend what can be large sums of money and wanting to make the right decision.

[@garythebadger]

I LOVE the flippy screen!! I shoot lots of portrait mode live view, so now I finally can upgrade from my 12-year-old D5100 to the Z6III! Thank you Nikon!

[@GroovyGeek]

You can accomplish the exact same thing with a double tilt screen without the extreme fragility of a flippy. That is the one and only true wart of this camera. It also interferes with L brackets.

[@MichaelRichards983]

​@@GroovyGeekSorry grandma, it's 2024 and Flippy screens are here to stay and no, they aren't fragile 🙄 It's time to stop taking pictures of your cat and level up to a flip screen!

[@uhoh7541]

I don't get the hate on the screen. I have a Z6III as a '1B' to my Z9 and actually love having both style screens 🤷‍♂️

[@philmastman2490]

I've had mine for a week. Transitioning from a D800, there's a lot to absorb. So far, I'm very impressed with it. Answering your question about who this camera is for, I would also include advanced amateur photographers and videoographer/cinematographers looking for a very versatile, capable, lighter-weight camera for nearly all types of work, who don't require mega-megapixels and 8k video.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@philmastman2490 I think I did say that. Hybrid shooters that don't need 8k and dslr holdouts were both in the list. :)

[@uhoh7541]

Have you found out the difference between H and H* in the FPS selections? I'm struggling to get info on that.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@uhoh7541 yep. Drive mode

[@philmastman2490]

@@uhoh7541 H* is higher frame rate than H.

[@jeffellis6544]

Mind elaborating on that?

[@ronaldpollard8990]

Your Attention to informed detail is truly appreciated!! Thank You for sharing!!!

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

I was a D600 shooter since 2012 and got a Z5 in 2021. Love the Nikon mirrorless system (also with F-Mount lenses on FTZ). The Z6 III is a great addition to the Nikon lineup. If i had the money i would buy it but the Z5 serves me well as i don't do much action shooting. Love this body size.

[@hanns1401]

Z6 III is my intro into Nikon from an APS-C Fuji. I could have spent $1000 more on a Z8, but I really value low-light performance and the Z6 III offers what I need (and a lot more) in a smaller, lighter, and cheaper package. I spent the difference on a 24-120 f/4 S lens. Not gonna lie though - I wouldn't say not to more resolution! It was a tough choice.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

super resolution in lightroom and pano capture will get you so much resolution from 24mp. I shot 12 for many years and did commercial installation prints using lesser pano merger and resoltuion enhancement tools. :-)

[@GroovyGeek]

The low light performance of the Z6iii and the Z8 are nearly identical

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@GroovyGeek hardly. Check out the read noise vs iso measurement charts at MITs Photons To Photos site. You'll see that from a close race at 100ISO, the 6iii starts gaining at every increase of ISO. The 6iii in addition kicks to its 2nd iso gain algorythm to prioritize noise suppression at 800 ISO as opposed to the Z8/9 sensors 500 iso kick. From 800 up, the 6iii starts pulling far ahead. It's really not a contest. It's quite evident in milky way work as well, and the 800 iso setting on a tracker is a wonderful bit of time savings. Having shot the 9 and 8 on the tracker for the past 2 years for the starlite view and red overlay, I'm so happy to ditch them for the much superior night sensors of the ZF and Z6III. I used both last week for milky way and couldn't be more pleased to leave the larger sensors home. It's not thier forte.

[@jeffellis6544]

Have you done the video about the high ISO test yet? I am looking at getting the Z6lll as a bridge camera for me from my DSLR’s to mirrorless and specifically for low light event shooting. Just purchased a Tamron 150 -600 mm f5-6.3 , not for Wildlife so much as for Events on a monopod. And I’m looking for the best low light performance on a Nikon. Would you all agree that so far at this time, The Z6lll would be the best choice for this?

[@JimVajda82]

Looking forward to your comparison to the Zf, especially low-light. I have the Zf but the ergonomics aren't great with the 24-120 lens I use the most, even with a grip.

[@chrystalferreira2747]

I feel the same, love my zf but the ergonomics are not great especially with a larger lens like the 24-120 which I used with it all the time. I find it heavy for me.

[@PilotJimL]

I sold my Z 8 and got the Z 6III, and I am happier. I prefer user presets vs. banks that are not connected. I put away some money for a Z 50II.

[@Chris-13]

What did you not like about the Z8?

[@lynelljansen8057]

My very first Nikon was the D5000 I loved it for the flippy screen. I still have it! along with a few other Nikons 😂 Those other screens that halfway pull out, I always thought, "What good is this. I have the Z6ii. but seriously thinking of upgrading for the convenience of the screen alone.

[@caleidoo]

Using two Z6II's since they came out, renting a Z8 or Z9 when needed and now buying the Z6III... the thing I miss the most in the Z6III - apart from the Meike finger grip I have on my Z6II - is a way to instantly - like the press of a button - switch to 3D tracking WITHOUT sticking to faces and eyes. On Z8/Z9 you have a couple of ways to do this, one of them being "Recall shooting function". On the Z6III you have to use User Settings (U1,U2...) - thus loosing the rest of that function. Or assign a button to dive into the menu and switch off subject detection. Both are 100x more elaborate than just assigning AF-ON to 3D tracking without the box being drawn to a face if it comes near. That and the slight increase in noise and loss of DR over the Z6II - I was hoping for an improvement, not a status quo or slight step back in image quality (but rarely noticeable in real life).... but I guess it's the trade off of having a (partially) stacked sensor and we already hit the limit of noise in 24MP sensors. AF is great, of course. It's the camera Nikon should have launched 5 years ago... Oh I and not a fan of the flip screen. It makes me feel I'm using a 1996 home camcorder: it's weird I need to look next to the camera instead of at the camera. But I'll get used to it I guess.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@caleidoo 100%. I really wish they would put a limitable cycle subject detection on a function button for all the cameras. I don't need area mode cycling, I need subject detection!

[@АртемийЛетов-е7щ]

@caleidoo It is more than possible to use the flipout screen in the position, which cameras have had their screens for decades

[@caleidoo]

@@АртемийЛетов-е7щ I never had a camera that flips out like the Z6III. Not on any previous DSLR and not on any of the previous Z6 models I own and still use, nor on the Z8/Z9 models I rented. This is a major change and one of the few disappointments that people share about the Z6III, no need to downplay it. Whether other brands or purely vlog cameras had this flip out screen before, is irrelevant.

[@robertoalfalla256]

Thank you! As always excellent and inforamtive. Im Considering Switching from Fujifilm X System. Helps makes decision making easier.

[@LenLipton]

Thank you for a clearly presented comparison

[@Jazzshots]

Hudson... always great details and positive arguments for and against...Clear and precise... I'm looking forward to your setup vids...

[@judgesteve6798]

Very interesting video - Thank You! This is the first of yours I've watched... going to the setup ones next. I'm coming from a D7500 (just bought last year after many years with D3400)... never did much setup to D7500 so trying to doing things right on Z6iii by reading manual etc. Being 70, the single best thing about the Z6iii is the ViewFinder clarity. The second is the power of the spot focus, probably combined with the subject detection. I am staggered by the price of this camera and its lenses, but on the other hand the FTZII is wonderful (my D7500 lenses are 50/50 DX and FX) so that is turning out very handy!! You may already have a video on Milky Way and other astrophotography but would love one specific to taking full advantage of the Z6iii (short-term my lens for that will be the AF-S 14-24F). Thanks! I've subscribed so looking forward to learning much more from you.

[@Aegiir]

bought it for wildlife with the 180-600 lens. Price made me go for the cmpromise between z8

[@panino.c]

I switched from the z6ii to the zf. I could not justify the additional cost and the zf makes me happy 😂

[@vegasplayer7387]

Great, informative video! I’m looking at buying a new camera, and I’m trying VERY hard to not buy more than I need (was waiting on the new Canon r5ii). But this looks like it does everything I would need (lower light concert photography in local clubs, all around street photography, some landscape, etc) at a significant savings. Looking forward to renting one to try out. Thank you!

[@michaelstewart6857]

Many thanks for your honest and reliable insights, Hudson!

[@jrarsenault1937]

Love your videos - granular, easy to understand insights. Got the Zf, not feeling guilty about holding out for the Z6iii. Hoping they bake in some presets with firmware upgrades, as you said the earlier Nikons' preset modes unusable due to reset on off. So not a reason to wait, hoping the improved presets in my future updates.

[@Bgalero]

Ok, I'm getting one, thanks for the video ! I just wish Z6III looked like the Zf...and without the flippy screen.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Give the flipscreen on EVERY new Nikon made please. I would love them to follow sony and allow the tilt alongside the flip though. That's an innovation worth incorporating.

[@chuckcurry7349]

I'm with you when it comes to being able to flip the back screen. I had it on a Pentax and have really missed it when I went to Nikon.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

No one I know who'se actually had one wants to go back. I really don't understand all the flip screen hate. It seems to be really simiar to the DSLR is best, or Nikon is going bankrupt blather that echochambered in days gone by. There's a reason all the companies are finally embracing the flip screens. They're better.

[@boblozano]

Thanks for the video, well done. Have the smallrig l-bracket (ebay), and on `smallrigreseller` they claim it's a qd socket. Fits, but not nearly as well as kirk, rrs, 3 legged thing. Not sure if I'll use it (at least not often).

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@boblozano it's not QD, the cage is. It's a smaller standard. It'll damage your QD if you try and force it.

[@boblozano]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto agreed that it's not really qd, mostly noting In the photos that accompany the eBay listing they do claim it's qd. So caution, that's all.

[@stus.1710]

I’m still shooting with the original Z6 and had been eyeing the Z8 as my next upgrade. I shoot a mix of landscape, wildlife, some outdoor portraits, and figure skating (though that will soon come to a close when my daughter moves on to college in a year). I’ve also dabbled with astrophotography. I’m not into video. Now the Z6III also seems like a viable upgrade to my Z6. It’s not a slam dunk though. I like the idea of an overall more capable camera with higher resolution in the Z8, especially hoping to do more wildlife and action like air shows. I’m also hoping to start doing landscape workshops in the next couple of years, and the Z8 seems like a great fit for all of that. But I am worried about having huge files with action, though I suppose I can switch to DX and alleviate that problem. On the other hand, the smaller form factor of the Z6III is appealing, and it seems to be extremely more capable than the original Z6. I’ve really liked my Z6, frustration with the autofocus aside. So I’m a bit confounded of which way I should go. I’d love any thoughts on how to think through this “first world problem” conundrum.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@stus.1710 I honestly think you sound like an 8 person. The ability to crop is fantastic and 46mp is big, but not huge. 60+ is huge now. ;) storage is cheap thankfully and it will force you to cull more ruthlessly, which is not a bad thing. You'll not regret the 8.

[@emirdesouza331]

Yeah I’m kind of in the same boat - coming up from a Z6II.. Shoot a mix of landscapes, birds and astro, and I can see myself benefiting from either the Z6III or the Z8. I’m more than likely picking up the Z6III, but I am going to give the Z8 a very serious look. Luckily I have a friend who has the Z8 and he offered me to borrow his sometime soon. I guess I have to question whether the 45MP is worth it (I crop a lot) or can I continue to get by with 24MP, as I have been for nearly 8 years just as a serious hobbyist. Im also slowly getting into longer hikes so the extra size (and maybe weight) of the Z8 is something I’ve thought about, but that is something I could probably live with. Although, I find the Z6/7 size perfect for me. I’m also primarily a handheld shooter, I normally only bring the tripod out for astro, so the Z6III’s 8 stops of IBIS is tempting..

[@stus.1710]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks, Hudson! I really appreciate the feedback. I’ll keep saving my pennies. 😎 I continue to dig the truly awesome content - thanks for leading this great community. 👍🏽

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@emirdesouza331 you're a much tougher call. Use the super resolution in lightroom with the 6iii maybe. I think you benefit a lot from 6iii IBIS 800iso 2nd kick and size.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@stus.1710 I so appreciate that! means a lot. :)

[@juliette-mansour]

Hi Henry, I'm new here and appreciate your full coverage. I would love your opinion. I no longer shoot full-time but have the budget for something new. I shoot events, street and some wildlife. I've been using a Fuji X-H2S and picked up some new lenses for events and wildlife. It's ok but my struggle is low light for some of the events I shoot. I'm a stickler for clean images too. So, I picked up the Zf and love it! I've only had one opportunity to use it for events and it performed much better than my X-H2S in terms of lower light. The rest of the factors were all the same. I figured I'd keep using it for street, a back up for events (though not ideal to have two different systems at an event) and for low light situations.Then suddenly, here comes the Z6III which I didn't believe was coming. Specs-wise, it's almost on par with the X-H2S. I could buy it and use my Zf as a back up but would be faced with buying a new zoom for events and something for birding/wildlife. Also, I'm concerned about weight. I struggle with wrist and hand tendinitis from too many years of shooting and computer work. Any initial thoughts? I'd appreciate your input!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Hi there. You'd likely LOVE the Z6iii with the 100-400 S for a lot of what you do. It's about the weight of a 70-200 2.8 and just an incredible lens. Check out my reccomended gear links at www.hudsonhenry.com If you're digging the Nikon, you could ditch the X-H2S. check out MPB.COM and what they are giveing for those. First name is Hudson, but no big deal at all. Everyone does that.

[@carljarvinen1189]

Thanks for all your help with the new Z6iii. Looking forward to reviewing your setup guidelines. I have had mine now for a week and loving it, much improved over my Z6ii, which I may convert to infra red.

[@lesgregory4469]

My last DSLR was the 850. I came from that to the Z 7lii and now this one, Z 6iii. I still have all three of these and I do kinda miss the resolution but I do find I seem to grab the Z 6iii. over the Z 7ii. I do all types of portrait and wedding photography but I also love to dabble in wildlife and landscape. I have to say the Z 6iii paired with the 180-600mm I guess I love the autofocus and have done a bit of birds in flight and really liking the results

[@JonathanVoor]

I have a 850 and and trying to decide if the z6iii will do it for me. I really like the buttons on the 850. But not sure if I'll miss all of them. I think I would miss the WB and focus mode buttons. But I won't miss the bracket button! I hated hitting that by accident and not realizing until the end of a shoot. I shoot my 850 at med size 24mp anyway. 45 is too much data. Never cared for the screw in remote shutter and the cheaper plug in type is fine.

[@Mixer000999]

Hudson will you make a comparison video of Z 6iii vs ZF?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

yep

[@lukakoprivica]

Love the pinpointing small changes, those that make using the cameras pleasure or annoyance, like remembering changes to user modes. Love the meticulous approach to review! Thanks! Just, tell me what you cannot do with Z8 & 9's LCD? When you do vertical photo above you, you CANNOT hold it for grip too high, roll the camera over ;) And believe me, that twisty is far more prone to braking than hinged Z8's... but, enjoy it!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

100% wrong on the durability of the fragile mess they have on the 8 and 9 vs a rock solid flip screen, but opinions vary. When mounted on a tripod with an L-bracket high, you can't roll the camera over and you can't angle the screen down. Period.

[@waveland]

Update: Out of curiosity I tested U1 again to see if it held onto a shutter speed change (in video), and if you turn the camera off and then back on again within a few seconds then the adjusted setting appears to hold, but if I count to 10 while the camera is off the settings will revert when I turn the camera back on. So it’s a failsafe for inadvertently hitting the power switch, but it’s still kinda useless as a practical matter. I would much prefer to know that I can always return to the camera in the state I left it. M is where I will live for the most part.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Hmmmmm... I'll need to retest that. I'm not happy if so.

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Hudson, I can confirm this is an issue and it's not even a 10 second count. I counted (quickly) to 5 and it failed to persist. It seems it only persists if you turn the camera back on very quickly. Interestingly enough, I'm finding that the camera seems to retain power on some systems for about 1-2 seconds after being shut down. Case in point: The top plate illumination button does not work when the camera is off BUT when you shut down the camera you can toggle illumination for about 1-2 seconds. Perhaps this is b/c the camera is still powering certain systems and is also leading to this small window. Essentially a bug. I certainly hope Nikon add this recall to a firmware so that it only resets after switching form U# to another mode. It effectively becomes a U#(prime) (like a 4th user mode) so they hopefully have room to store that in the camera's memory. I'd hope they would.

[@GeorgeUrsan]

You can flip the position of the camera (Z8, 8:30 minute mark). I encountered that too! It's a bit less stable but works.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Ha, not really interseted in that. I want to lock down on my L-bracket and tilt out. Flipscreen is FAR superior in every way in my expience using cameras with both. :-)

[@jakilahmoulien9070]

is the noise performance and shadow detail better than the nikon D-series APS-C sensors? If you have a D750 or D7500 can u do a dynamic range comparison with those and the z6iii please?

[@tylerlekki4948]

Thanks for the Review, I am currently with a z6ii and a z7 but want to sell them both for a z6iii or a z8, cant decide which one i want. I do a ton of backpacking so the lighter camera is intriguing. Not sure if 24 MP is enough but i shot with the d750 for 5 years and was fine.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

If your focus is birds and wildlife go for the croppability of the Z8 and carry the extra load. If it's landscapes, then get the Z6iii and shoot panos sometimes or use super-resolution. :-)

[@KR2photo]

Thanks Hudson, excellent as usual

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

I replied to @Wavelands comment as well but I know YT will often not give you a notification on nested comments so here goes: I can confirm the recall for User modes does not persist when the camera is shut down. It's not even a 10 second count. I counted (quickly) to 5 and it failed to persist. It seems it only persists if you turn the camera back on very quickly. Interestingly enough, I'm finding that the camera seems to retain power on some systems for about 1-2 seconds after being shut down. Case in point: The top plate illumination button does not work when the camera is off BUT when you shut down the camera you can toggle illumination for about 1-2 seconds before it ceases to perform. Perhaps this is b/c the camera is still powering certain systems and is also leading to this small window. Essentially a bug. I certainly hope Nikon add this recall to a firmware so that it only resets after switching form U# to another mode. It effectively becomes a U#(prime) (like a 4th user mode) so they hopefully have room to store that in the camera's memory. I'd hope they would.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@ElGrecoDaGeek yeah, I'm planning to do a short to amend that. It's just a delayed shutdown that fooled me.ill chew my Nikon connections ear about that too...

[@rjcoleman5621]

Hudson, Love your ATS Video series. I also like your products links. Unfortunately, the link to the L-bracket tells me the vendor will not ship to USA address. So you have another vendor. I have looked but no luck so far.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Did you see last week's video? The best L-bracket yet is linked with the camera here now. www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks

[@briancarlisle2534]

Amazing. Thank you so much. You’ve put this video out there about the Z6iii and you didn’t “pop my bubble” about the camera. In other words you were simple, honest, without being harsh and making me feel like I made a wrong move on buying the Z6iii. In fact, I feel a little better about trading my Zf for the Z6iii. Now, I want to ask. Would you shoot landscape with this camera? If you were not a professional, looking for good picture quality, and was on a budget, would you utilize this camera for landscape, besides using it for Astro and Wildlife. Thats me; I wanted an all around camera (I’m not big on video), but I do landscapes; nature (wildlife), and some street and astro. But my budget couldn’t get a 45 mpx camera (and mainly I hear the files are so big w/ a 45 mp camera, so I didn’t want to upgrade computers and such)

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I shot landscape for years on the 12mp D700. Use panoramic capture when you want to really boost image quality at capture. Use Super Resoltuion on your best single frames to approximate that in post. ;-)

[@Digmen1]

I have a Z6ii and was waiting for the Z6ii for years! I hope it sells well. But I wonder if at my age I can no longer justify the expense.

[@williambuford6136]

The Z6iii is everything the Z6ii should have been. The EVF improvement is really nice. I'm sure some will buy it and decide they really need a Z8 and there will be some on the used market in a few months.

[@lsh-zi2lc]

Being "my age" would be the best reason to get it, what are you saving it for?

[@KellyHollis]

Thanks Hudson for this well presented review! 👏 I've been using a Z6 for 3 years - the main issue I've had all along is that the autofocus is not consistent and reliable. The body fits my hand very well...and the weight is perfect. Like really perfect. ;) Z8 and Z9 are too big and heavy for me...and that is before you add extra lens weight. Is this Z6iii body the same size and weight as Z6? And does it have the same feel? I know the Z6iii has an additional card slot so I'm thinking it may be bigger/heavier but that is just conjecture 😜so I would love your (or other folks) feedback on the body. Thanks!!!

[@williambuford6136]

I do not notice the slight difference in size and weight between the Z6, Z6ii and the Z6iii. You might have to get a new L-bracket for the Z6iii. The autofocus is so close to my Z8. I used both cameras for a photoshoot Wednesday night. I really loved the new EVF. Go to your local camera store and hold one. If you are using your Z6 have you updated its firmware to the lastest version as it improved focus compared to that camera on release firmware. I was able to use my Z6ii(latest firmware) for event photography use without worrying about focus issues. BIF was not fun with the Z6ii. I have noticed The Z6iii was good at tracking birds not as good as the Z8.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It's very close to what you're used to size wise Kelly, and the AF is stellar. ;)

[@KellyHollis]

@@williambuford6136 Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes, I updated the firmware along the way but AF never quite feels locked in. Thanks for the reminder about the new L bracket. I have one on the current Z6 - recommended by Hudson in a video way back when.. ;)

[@KellyHollis]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Awesome! Thank you! I live in a small town so I'd have to drive a bit to be able to hold one in hand so your feedback is super helpful!

[@williambuford6136]

Funny thing, I was able to use the Z6ii to do photos of model jet Airplanes, but they were usually 10 times larger than a bird. RC planes have less erratic flight paths than birds as well. I have not tried the Z6iii for the RC jets. That event is coming up soon!

[@cathysummers3915]

Thanks for the videos. One of my complaints with the Z6iii is the limited options for the control rings. On my Z9 and Z8 I have a ring mapped to exposure compensation for example to photograph birds in flight going from a background of trees to the sky. I also miss being able to change the lens function buttons, or any other, to Delete in the Playback mode. ( I know. I know. Protect the keepers and then delete, but that doesn’t work for a bunch of the things I photograph, and then I seem to always have to go to a terminal window to chown after the import, since Lightroom won’t make certain changes to the protected files.)

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@cathysummers3915 it's pretty easy to unprotect all in camera before importing, but yeah. I hear ya. I really don't think this is a wildlife machine unless someone is so budget limited that apsc makes more sense. It's a low light handholder and video machine. For wildlife the 8 & 9 are much better choices.

[@CathySummers-z7g]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto You're right. For now, I won't be selling either the Z8 or Z9. The Z6ii will probably be my astro camera more than anything else. A quick testing for MW the other night shows that it is a winner there.

[@g00nther]

Thanks. I will definitely be getting one. Been waiting to upgrade from my entry level DSLR for some time 😄 Do you still have the Z6II? I'd be interested to see how it compares in low light performance.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Same sensor as the ZF. I got rid of it long ago. Z6, Z6ii and Zf make use of the same sensor. You'll love the iii!

[@Renan-o1e]

Many Thanks for your video. I shoot mainly sunset landscpes + family events (kids…) and no video at all. Do you recomend Z6iii or Z7ii (for allmost the same budget and weight category)? I come from Z6.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

If wildlife is not in the equation, the Z7ii is darned near as good for people and the sensor is in many ways the best Nikon offers. Particularly in backlit landscapes.

[@Renan-o1e]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto many thanks;)

[@Sebas-sg1kj]

Great review, well done

[@KGi4]

i am d750 shooter, i feel i will hold on little bit longer seeing this new Nikon release 🤞🏻

[@williambuford6136]

It blows away the D750. The Z6ii blows away the D750. The only reason not to upgrade would be lack of cash or you have some great lens that will not have full functionality with F to Z adapter. If you have large hands the Z6 family of camera, may not feel as good in the hand as the D750/D780. I appreciate this smaller size camera. I have medium sized hands. I have a feeling you will be able to pick up a Z6 or Z6ii used for a great price now that the Z6iii is out.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I found with spending a month with the original Z7 that for anything but wildlife it blew away my D850/500 combo which immediately started gathering dust. I was super skeptical when they launched having shot every DSLR since my transition from film to the D70 and D200. I hated the early panasonics and Sonys I tested. The Z7 changed everything. No way to go back to the 850 after a dedicated month of figuring it out. No looking back. I haven't seen a Nikon DSLR in the past two years on any of my workshops... The optics are light years ahead too. The wide flange and short throw enabled miracles. The F4 S zoooms beat the AFS 2.8s across the board.

[@jwleemedia]

Great stuff as always, Hudson! Just tried ordering the Smallrig L- Bracket and it says they won't ship to US.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@jwleemedia that's odd. They've been doing it. Maybe they're inundated.

[@speedbumpmedia9584]

I returned mine for the main reason that the ergo’s just don’t work. I feel this thing is just a fat block of wood with a finger grip. I wish they’d stretch it out and make it thinner and slide the thumb pad over vs having it hang over the edge. The Z9 is great, the Zf with the Smallrig grip even feels better, and the D750 is the gold standard for ergos.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@speedbumpmedia9584 hmmmmm, I don't mind the ergo with it, but it's familiar from my years with the z6&7 I and iis. I also love the Zf and the Z9 though.

[@Lucas-vj8rr]

I choose it for the low pixels Don’t want too much Heard z8 has lot of noise in higher iso because of that

[@filipesantanalopes4771]

Hello, thank you for the wonderful video. I am considering purchasing this camera as my first camera, having previously only used compact cameras and smartphones. 😅 If I understand correctly, this camera may not be the best choice for Milky Way photography. Is that accurate? Would you recommend the Z8 instead, or would the Z6III be sufficient? I am interested in landscape, architecture, wildlife, and especially Milky Way photography, starting as a hobby with the potential for further exploration. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards,

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

No, it's a fantastic Milky Way camera. In many ways better for that than anything else out there right now. You can use 800 ISO very cleanly and Nikon can focus bright stars. The warm color display and starlight view are icing on the cake.

[@filipesantanalopes4771]

Thank you very much, @HudsonHenryPhoto. I will go ahead and make the purchase. 😀 I am eagerly looking forward to taking my first pictures with the camera! 🤩

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

​@@filipesantanalopes4771I've been using my Z6 for Milky Way and astro photography for years and just upgraded to the z6iii. Before that my d750 was my goto. If you scour the internet for reviews for clean astrophotography at all ISO, you don't get better than Nikon. ISO and DR is actually why I switched from Canon 5Diii to Nikon in 2016.

[@racsi2142]

I mainly shoot portraits. Wanted to go first with sony a74 , but heard they got many faulty ones still with EyeAF issues. I only want to use 85mm and 35 mm as I only had few time paid works. Coming from d3100 I only had issues with the low light, and autofocus. Regarding the z6 III I dont like that there is no sensor protection. Hard to decide which system to get. Z8 or Z6 III .

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@racsi2142 the mechanical shutter uses that space here. Not really a good way to do both in the Z mount.

[@ClifftheBigRedDoggy]

Thanks for this! 🍁

[@peterconstable9349]

You called out the speed of the Z6III. At this point, 5+ years into the Z line, what's the closest Z replacement for the D500?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@peterconstable9349 Z8 in DX mode is the 500 on steroids. Then you get a full frame powerhouse to boot and the AF, viewfinder experience and S glass will make your 500 feel like an F100 by comparison. A great camera of yesteryear before technology moved on.

[@starbase218]

Does the L-bracket work with the Foolography Unleashed? I think you used that in the past? Or is Snapbridge reliable for geotagging and remote control?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Snapbridge is great and the extended shutter speeds kind of obviate the need for me. You can go to 900s in camera. You can also pick up the very affordable bluetooth remote in my links.

[@jebemligashta]

I would like to keep my 85 1.4G and 70-200 VRII, because they work perfectly with my Nikon F100. Would they be as fast or with at least negligible speed downgrade comparing to Z lenses when mounted on Z6iii? Thanks!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I can't speak to the G glass. I havne't used that since my D70/D200 days. The 70-200VRII will work just as well as on the legacy cameras. All the AFS glass will. The VRII was VERY much improved in the FL-ED version and the S version goes even a step further. You'll find that all the F4 S glass beats the socks off the best 2.8 lenses made for the F mount and that the 1.8 Primes do the same to older 1.4s. It's really incredible what the shorter flange distance and wider mount enabled.

[@plusplus940]

How do you think about this vs. the Z8 as a hiker? Mix of wildlife, landscape, and outdoor portraits. Does the weight difference feel meaningful? (if price and video doesn't matter)

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Yeah, Z8 if wildlife is on the plate for the the croppability. It's worth the few extra ounces. Without the wildlife need, z7ii is the hiker.

[@panino.c]

The zf also has pre-release.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Yep, it sure does.

[@japandrew]

This might be a super basic question but I can't see a clear answer in online specs: do the U1 U2 U3 modes duplicate between photo and video? It would seem like a logical and highly useful thing for U1 U2 U3 dial positions to give 6 individual user modes - 1 to 3 in photo, then separate 1-3 in video. Is that the case? Or do you have to choose and set them for 1 or the other? Thanks in advance...

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It's one set of settings. However, you can program your video settings alongside your photo settings and it will lock differential settings including exposure when the lever is flipped. So if you want 24p 4k 10-bit in U3 at 1/50th for the 180 degree shutter, but 1250th in U3 stills mode for action, you can set up both and save to U3 and it will remember each.

[@gchristopherklug]

I have been anticipating this video!!!! One question: for manual focus lenses, would you get this camera or the Zf?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@gchristopherklug they're identical in that regard. Total preference choice.

[@kjltube]

The Z6iii is better, as the viewfinder can be brighter, and is higher resolution. I believe the refresh rate is double the speed on the Z6III also (optional). So actually, I would go as far to say rhe Z6iii has the best manual focus experience I’ve ever tried. P.s. to its credit the Zf viewfinder is lovely too

[@kjltube]

Regarding manual focus assist aids, both are the same.

[@FireImageFM1]

Yeah and my Canon EOS 80D loves his big brother the canon EOS 90D

[@margot6041]

What is the link for the video assessment?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It's there, it just hits a couple of seconds late. Sometimes the KZbin controls for that go a bit wonky. Just search Gerald Undone Z6iii. He's the only other non-kitesurfing KZbinr that I watch. :-)

[@uhoh7541]

Great video (as always). However something I'm struggling to figure out is the difference between H and H* in regards to FPS selection. The only explanation I've found is H has blackout and H* doesn't, but H* has lower bit files. Please educate me, if you know the answer.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

H* is slightly faster with a bit less blackout and a longer buffer at the expense of bits. Bits equal quality. I never ever use H*. I want the highest quality RAW files possible. I don't feel that H is too slow or that the blackout is a problem. It's similar to DSLR blackout which was minimal. Nothing will compare to the Z9/8, but they are flagships for a reason.

[@uhoh7541]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks for the explanation, i wasn't sure if that info was true or how big a deal the bit loss was. Also agree with you about the Z8/9, but i bought the Z6III as more of a toy camera to save 'mileage' on my Z9 and only use it in situations where it's really needed.

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

Hudson, I have a number of suggestions for firmware improvements that I'd like to see in the Z6iii. What is your suggestion for _effectively_ communicating those to Nikon. Is it just calling Nikon support? Perhaps pinging Ricci? Or does Nikon have a more direct way for us non NPS folks? FWIW, these are few things I'd like to see: 1) I've been shooting Nikon for years and one thing I miss from the D750 is the ability to lock the focus point. The nib is just too easy to knock. My Z6 didn't have an option but thankfully they added one to the Z6iii. HOWEVER, it displays this horribly annoying messages that takes up 30% of the screen. As easy as the nib is to knock it makes the feature a total PITA that I'd rather not use and therefore a fail. Given how easy the nib is to knock in the first place, the massive message just defeats the purpose considering. I'd rather they just make the focus point have thicker borders and in a different color - perhaps orange - to designate it is locked in place. They could do the same for the Shutter speed/aperture (color/bold and or other highlighting), though those dials are much harder to accidentally knock and I'm honestly surprised to see them included. I'd suggest just making the border thicker, but I'd like to see the border customization make its way from the Z8 so color has to be a part of it. 2) A way to adjust the contrast of the top plate. Compared to my Z6 I can barely see the top plate of the Z6iii unless I look straight down on it. If the brightness can be adjusted that would also be nice to see. 3) Give us a way to set focus point border thickness like on the Z8 (hence my suggestion to also incorporate color into suggestion (1) rather than just having a thick border for locked focus points.) 4) Functional user mode recall after power down like you reported but that sadly does not work as @wavelands and I reported. 5) An option to get a DOF preview without having to dedicate a button to DOF preview. I've also found at least one bug but I'm still trying to get a handle on what is causing it. It involves the new (i.e. similar to Z8 fw 2.0) " + AF-ON" control customizations and the viewfinder _sometimes_ going into a low FPS mode when used with them (while assigned button is pressed). This does not occur when in that focus mode, only if the control assignment includes the +AFON action. Most noticeable with longer lenses.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Trust me, Ricci, folks at Nikon USA and others would love to see some changes too. I would presonnally like to see DOF at all apertures at least in Manual focus of AFS-Pinpoint, and a set of menu-wide user preferences (say 6) that save everythign camrea wide internally and float until reset by reselecting or switching. It could all be accessed by the i-Menu. They should be exportable and importable to the memory card. That's how Leica does it with the Q cameras and it's perfect. The focus lock is a thing I'm presonally glad to be rid of, particularly now that it's so simple to drag a finger on the screen or press the center of the joystick to center, but I get that others want the option. I used to bump that lever on my DSLRs and missed opportunities turning it back off. I don't think i ever turned it on intentionally. :-) Best to just email support. Enough people screamed and they brought exposure delay back to the 8 and 9. Maybe we can get somewhere.

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto good to know. Regarding this low refresh/FPS issue I noted, I'm still sorting it out, but I wanted to ask if you've seen anything like this. I wish I had an external recorder to record my screen. I’ll need to figure something out. First off, I've been playing around with the issue again this afternoon and it seem that I was mistaken as I can in fact reproduce it even with just standard back-button focus (i.e. it wasn't just the "+AFON" modes). That said, I’m only seeing it under indoor and/or lower-light conditions. Almost like it's going into a low-light AF mode, but star-light is off. My monitor is in normal mode (not high FPS). I’ve also turned off VR. Mostly notably, my Z6 does not produce this issue at all under the same exact conditions. I can reproduce the issue on the LCD as well so it's not a display issue (even if it seems to repro more readily while using the EVF in some cases). It’s easiest to repo at longer focal lengths using 3D AF-C (just b/c it forces the camera to keep your acquired subject in focus as you pan - panning being required to see the low refresh rate). AF-S also produces the issue but stops once focus is acquired. To repro: I used the 24-70 and 70mm. I then focus on a subject/person under moderate/poor indoor lighting with AF-C 3D tracking. Press AF-ON, acquire focus and then pan around. The issue will not always repro, so keep re focusing and panning. It seems to be most easy to repro if the 3D tracking is still locking initial focus (on my setup a yellow box with green confirming focus). When it repros you’ll know it and it will continue until you release the AF-ON button.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@ElGrecoDaGeekyou're not alone reporting that, but I really don't worry too much about it myself. It's likely just switching to give what the engineers considered the best view possible given processing priorities and lower light / narrower aperture high demand scenarios. It's certainly not slowing me down when I work in any way.

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

​@@HudsonHenryPhoto Do you think it's something that might get corrected/adjusted in firmware. I may try to record it because under certain conditions on at least my copy and setup/conditions the FPS/refresh drops significantly.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@ElGrecoDaGeek I would not hold my breath... 😉

[@truthkeeperfilms]

I’m pretty sure the dual gain for the second native iso is 6400, not 800. Seen it numerous times on 6400 from reviewers and my testing.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It's not. Check photons to photos from MIT. I tested it too and it confirms their results & charts. I'll showcase it next week. 800 is the 2nd base and noise deteriorates from there just like the Z6, Z6ii and Zf.

[@truthkeeperfilms]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Gerland and few others show the significant drop in noise at its second base 6400. Same with mine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eInYnoaVntiFm68si=aLjnWpG0zUfGbiCw

[@nino1996ify]

i just got mine as well very happy with the auto focus the only problem i have now is that the raw photos i get out of it are maximum 27mb only is that normal?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Set raw recording to lossless.

[@nino1996ify]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto i did that as well and its still the same stack on 27mb for some reason 🙃

[@JeffreyOakarPhotos]

Great run through....thank you!

[@gabrielcruz8071]

Compared the white balance with the z7 ii or z8, is the z6 iii very different? I'm scared of picking it up and having trouble matching the colors with my z7 ii

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It's as simple as selecting both raw files in lightroom and clicking Sync (WB) in develop, but no... It's solid Nikon color. I shoot with the Z9, Z8, Zf, Z6iii, Z50 and don't notice much variance.

[@gabrielcruz8071]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto how i can sync different cameras match WB?

[@robertoalfalla256]

BTW.. Why did you keep the ZF and Sell the Z6III? Im keeping my Xpro2.. and would sell My XT4 for the Nikon Z6III OR ZF.. What's your opinion?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@robertoalfalla256 simple. I have a Z9 for action and wildlife. The Z6iii would be the choice iif it was my one camera for enerything. I prefer the ZF's high iso and dynamic range performance just a little bit over the partially stacked sensor of the 6iii. I wish the Zf had more custom buttons and/or user modes, but... I love the look and feel of the Zf body. I love the dials, but each dial has a command dial mode too if more nuance is needed. I may never sell it. I've missed the last film manual Nikon body I sold ever since I let it go. The Zf is an incredible modern camera that feels like that old beloved friend came home.

[@robertoalfalla256]

@HudsonHenryPhoto Thank you! Great Channel and you have been an inspiration for me. Thanks again for the quick response... Best to you and your family... Happy Holidays

[@zeplman09]

How do I assign Subject Tracking to the front button 2?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@zeplman09 If you watch my setup video you'll see.

[@zeplman09]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto yeah, coming from the z6II I the icon and name must have changed, I don't see it.

[@b34k97]

I still want a ZF in a Z6 body. Give me the original BSI sensor, but with the Expeed 7 powered AF and modern ergonomics. Maybe a Z5II? Nikon really doesn’t have anything compelling at more entry level prices right now.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@b34k97with the SmallRig grip and wheels locked in command dial mode you've got everything in the ZF minus the user modes. I love it's ergonomics with the grip. I'm still hopeful for a serious landscape and fashion high megapixel camera focused solely on image quality, but it certainly wouldn't be entry level.

[@b34k97]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Yeah I might go the ZF route eventually... but right now I'm loving my Z8 and just thinking about a second body that's smaller / lighter for travel. I do feel like Nikon's current trajectory is to only try to release bodies with broad appeal to gain back some of the market share they lost in the past decade. Their market research seems to have led them to "fast" as the most important feature for broad appeal (fast sensors, fast processors, fast data rates for HQ video). While high MP IQ focused camera would be awesome, I'm not sure that's where they'll be headed anytime soon.

[@a8f235]

I want flippy screen mostly to be able to protect the screen while not in use. That bracket thing on the Z9 just looks overcomplicated.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Could not agree more.

[@josecalibecerra]

Shame it doesn’t record video to both SD cards… would have been a perfect camera

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It only has one SD card. ;-) There's really no need to back up CF-Express B. They're built like sherman tanks.

[@anthonymrbs]

Not being able to switch exposure modes with the user settings on my Z50 drives me nuts and is why I prefer the user banks and separate exposure mode control on my D810 much better. It seems like Nikon could just have a separate button to change exposure modes (like on the pro models) independent of the user settings and then maybe add a couple more user settings to the wheel.

[@alwinbenjamin]

🤖👏

[@Ed-lz4jv]

nice info, selling my Z6 on Ebay shitty AF, just have to get better upgrade. also did not know about the the focus point works with the IBIS sounds sweet, I know about all the other deatures, still wanted the Old flip screen but will have to take it. So your note is saying it Soes not save setting in U1 etc? which would be great? Am subscribed

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@Ed-lz4jv 👍

[@photo2000]

I don't understand why people are ok with the price. Even adjusting for global inflation, this body is way more expensive compared to the price of Z6 when it was released. And sure it has more spec and features, but the initial Z6 had all the R&D behind it. The amount of mayo they put on every camera release is ridiculous... but they keep doing it, cause they know people will pay it. And no sensor shield!! seriously... it should be the first thing they design into a mirrorless camera body... protect the image capture device from the elements!! 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@caleidoo]

It's about €500 more than the Z6 (or Z6II) and you indeed don't get a charger in the box (€60). But given that tech things got more expensive in general + inflation, I don't think it's too far off of being a normal price increase. If I put Z6 2018's €2500 into a website that calculates inflation in my EU country, it gets me €3075.... People underestimate inflation.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

100% correct pricing for today. It's closer to the Zf than the Z8. I think that's right. with PD charging I can't remember the last time I packed an old battery charger. I almost never use a spare these days. Just plug in a PD brick in the bag between shoots. :) Times they change.

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

If Nikon keeps selling cameras in this class for 2000, in 20 years the time value of money on them will be much less. Case in point, time value of money, since 2005, we've had 56% inflation but the price of cameras has stayed the same. Rather than bump prices up every year manufacturers do it ever decade or so.

[@markolwick2223]

To say that any camera that has a tilt screen is “fragile” is ridiculous. I absolutely hate the flippy screen. You fall into the trap of assuming that everyone in the world is like you and agrees with you. In your scenario of “banging it into a rock”, it is likely that you wouldn’t have your beloved flippy screen turned inward anyway, since you’re actively shooting, and it would break the screen as well.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I always turn it in. Just like most of us who love flip screens. Again, you sound a bit the pot in chat with a kettle in your wording. The one thing I viserally hate on my Z9 is the tilt-a-whirl mess they put the screen on, and yes it is absoultely weaker than the flip alterntative and the weakest point on an otherwise tank like machine. Aside, I did not say every camera with a tilt screen was fragile. I said, Nikon's horrific Z8/Z9 tilt-a-whirl mess is fragile. My Q3's tilt screen is not fragile. But, I wish very much it fliped and reversed to protect the camera like the Zf and Z6iii. I'm a climber and adventure guy. That Z8/Z9 Tilt-a-whirl is a mess. I was digusted the instant I took it out of the box. I frequently shoot overhead panos, and it's 100% useless on the L-bracket veritcal above you. Flip screens rock for that as well as any other angle imgainable. Sorry. The flip screen is the future. Just look at the big brands current moves. Nikon, Sony, Canon. I'm far from alone. Panasonic led the way. I've been jealous since the first time I used a Panasonic GH camera with a flip screen 12 years ago. Thankfully the industry is seeing the light.

[@WhiskeyTangoFoxtraught]

Hate hate hate the flip screen! I’ll never buy a camera with that flip screen, ever.

[@GroovyGeek]

I feel the same way but the improvement in usability over the Z6 and Z6ii is pretty significant. I am hoping that Nikon gets an earful about the stupid flippy thing and releases a Z6iii-s with a double tilt screen in a year or two, at which point I am going to sell the Z6iii. Not going to a Z8 no matter what, I am past the time I am willing to deal with a notably bulkier and heavier camera.

[@gosman949]

The dynamic range of the Z6iii is worse than the Z6 and Z6ii. Disappointing!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It's a pretty minor hit on the photons to photos charts. A bracketed burst solves all issues. I haven't noticed any issues in high contrast scenes. I think naysayers are looking for any fault. The Z9 has slightly less dynamic range than the Z7ii as well. It's part of the price we pay for the new stacked sensors. Future sensors will get more, but at this point it's speed vs DR. I keep my fingers crossed for a higher megapixel landscape and fashion focused machine to come thats light and not focused on speed, but pure image quality. For now I use my Q3 as much as the 28mm lets me. ;-)

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

Put another way the autofocus and rolling shutter of the Z6/ii are much worse than the Z6iii... Now which is more disappointing, a metric you'll only notice in a small subset of single shot photos (as Hudson stated you can bracket if you need to push that extra DR) or the overwhelming number of shots where getting focus acquisition and retention as well as limiting rolling shutter are the goal. The first has a workaround, the second not so much at this price bracket.

[@ronaldpollard8990]

@@ElGrecoDaGeekpreach!!!

[@ronaldpollard8990]

@@HudsonHenryPhotoReal Talk brother! You handled this foolishness with class and professionalism again!!!

[@kjltube]

I just took a shot outside with my Z6III and Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 wide open at iso 100 and 1/16000th of a second in E shutter. Do that on a Z6 and you’ll lose dynamic range from burning the highlights at the top speed of 1/8000th…