My Nikon Z8 - One Week Later (I've Seen Enough) - Love It

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

I wasn't thrilled with the color in this video and I'm not the best video editor, so I took the easy route and desaturated it ;-) So, that's the reason for the lack of color. My Z8 and other photo galleries are here: www.thephotographyhobbyist.com/CAMERAGEAR/Nikon-Z8-Gallery/

[@mpl1029]

Thanks for the video! Lots of useful info!

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Thank you and sorry for the color in the video. (I mentioned the reason for that in my pinned comment)

[@obedbrinkman]

congratz with the Z8 😀

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Thanks :)

[@IanDavidBrown]

Great update on the features etc, just got mine a few days ago and this was very useful. Many Thanks Ian (UK)

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Thanks :-) Enjoy your new Z8!

[@sereginsfoto]

Good afternoon, I came to your review from your website. Thank you for the detailed collection of photos z7-z8. I want to get myself one of these cameras. Could you tell me how significant the difference is in the performance and quality of color, dynamic range between z7-2 and z8, is it worth paying extra for z8?

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Thank you. It's an easy answer for me. Unless you truly need (or want) the pro level autofocus performance of the Z8 (I'm referring to AF tracking with continuous AF) or if you need the shooting speed, I'd get a Z7 instead. You could even get a used original Z7 in great condition to save money because the image quality is essentially the same between the Z7, Z7 II and the Z8. I didn't find the continuous AF of the Z7 II to be any better for me than the original Z7. I don't really need continuous AF/tracking very often anyway, but I do use it on the Z8 because it's so reliable (I even use it for subjects that aren't moving to make focus/recompose quicker).

[@Youtuber-ku4nk]

I will receive mine this week :)

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Enjoy!

[@hpaula1946]

how's the Z8 compare with the X-H2? Notice any difference in quality in picture taking? The Z8 with Nikon lenses must be much heavier.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

The Z8 does have better image quality overall since the image sensor is larger, but I'd say it's not a massive difference. The Z8 in general will have more dynamic range and better high ISO image quality, but it's not a drastic difference. For weight, with the lenses I'd normally use (a 24-120mm equivalent), the Z8 is 1540 grams with the 24-120mm lens (about 3.4 pounds) and the X-H2 with 16-80mm lens is 1100 gams (about 2.5 pounds).

[@hpaula1946]

@@ThePhotographyHobbyist Thank you. That’s a 36% increase from the X-H2 with the 16-80, and I usually use the 18-55. When I pick up my D750 with the 24-120 it seems monstrous compared to my X-T4 or X-H2, usually with the 18-55, but also 16-80 or even 70-300.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@@hpaula1946 If size and weight is extremely important, then a smaller sensor camera makes sense. For me and the lenses I prefer to use most of the time, the size/weight difference is not objectionable (especially with a good strap, worn cross-body).

[@mlai2546]

I think the lower price of Nikon Z8 and Z9 has something to do with it being manufactured in Thailand instead of Japan. Canon R5 and Sony A1 shows that they are both made in Japan.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

I'm OK with it. It's like anything else...as long as the manufacturer specifies good materials and quality workmanship when it's assembled, it can be built in a variety of places.

[@mlai2546]

@Hooked on Photography oh yeah, I am not saying it's lower quality. Just saying that Nikon made the right decision to move manufacturing to Thailand. This gives them a price advantage.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@@mlai2546 True. I imagine labor/doing business in Thailand is cheaper than Japan.

[@mlai2546]

@Hooked on Photography labour's is probably the most expensive part of manufacturing. I don't know if you recall, back in 1990, a mid range computer cost $2000. And now a mid range computer is still $2000. That's because manufacturing went off shore to China and now to Vietnam/Thailand/Indonesia.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@@mlai2546 funny you mention that because the cost of computers is something I’ve noticed over the years and I’ve always thought it was a little funny how the type of computer I want is nearly the same price even five years later

[@RandumbTech]

You should buy a Tentacle Sync Track E 32 bit lav recorder. No clipping. Ever.

[@Mr09260]

Same as Z9 with the Raws etc

[@Mr09260]

Lossless * is the one to use

[@FotosyMas.]

What’s up with the colors? Video looks completely desaturated. Looks like ungraded N-Llog.

[@FotosyMas.]

Never mind. I had not seen your comment.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

😅😳 yeah. I added a pinned comment about that. Original color had a green tint from the tree/shade and I haven’t learned DaVinci Resolve well enough yet to properly edit color like I can for stills, so I just desaturated it ;-). I think the easier thing to do next time is avoid the trees for shade due to the green cast or I can work in a manual white balance before I start shooting (using my WhiBal card). Maybe that’s the better idea.

[@FotosyMas.]

@@ThePhotographyHobbyist By the way I added a Z5 + 40/2 to my arsenal. With the current sales it was a pretty cheap move. I’ll run it side by side with the XT5 for a while and maybe make a decision later on.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@@FotosyMas. Z5 has a nice sensor and is a good all around camera. I sort of think of it as a mirrorless D600 or D750. Great image quality and all the basics most people need like dual card slots.