Night Street Shooting and do I still Love my Z9?

[@rofi3930]

Its little weird seeing lukasz without the iconic orange jacket while shooting around tokyo😂, but hey its nice to seeing you guys back on the city street cheers✌️

[@EYExplore]

I never wore it in the winter or the summer though! It's a light jacket, so it's only good for spring or autumn. But anyway, the jacket is officially retired as it was starting to get frayed. :)

[@TheChosenOne_]

@@EYExplore the legendary coq jacket will be missed

[@rofi3930]

@@EYExplore Rest in peace for the legendary jacket✌️

[@EYExplore]

@@TheChosenOne_ I may bust it out once in a while. :)

[@MykeBatez]

Been looking forward to a new eyexplore video so much! Hope y’all are well & having a good 2023 so far. Thanks for sharing your photos, thoughts, and positive vibe!

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@patrickmcmahon818]

Great video, love the casual way you describe the camera while taking shots. It makes me feel like I’m there with you just walking along as you talk about night shooting and the Z9. And a big thanks for adding the info for each shot, I find that so helpful to understand what you’re doing. I understand the heft of the camera you talk about. I transitioned from a D850 with a grip and the Z9 felt so comfortable in my hand. Other than a few buttons and dials that have moved, the transition was great! Love the videos, always look forward to the next one.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much! Glad you the 'walk and talk' feel comes across. I love walking around, shooting, and chatting with people, so I always hope to bring that feeling to the videos. Thanks for watching! :)

[@rbn1528]

Love the narration while you're walking around and taking shots.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@-grey]

Your points about the Z9 are why I like the GRIII so much too. I think there's a certain care to usability taken in their design process. Having snap distance priority a button tap away, with touch to focus and shoot override and back button focus, plus infinity focus on the ADJ menu, everything feels so poised and ready to go. I'm really enjoying the flow of the experience. Maybe I should find out the native ISO just to make sure that I can be as close to it if I need to. My only nice to have that I wish they'd implement is a battery guage with 5 sections rather than three. I don't like not knowing if I'm at 65% or 34% just sitting in the middle bar. 😅 After this I'm curious about Nikon. I'm a UL photographer so I won't be able to handle the Z9, but if the Z30 has at least some of that usability design that the Z9 has, I'd be interested to pick one up with the new 24f1.7. I have learned the hard way that generally a camera won't leave my self if it's not cute and pocketable. 😂 Also idk if you have the time, but it would be cool to see something like a top 5 most used heuristics video. The ones that you lean on most frequently. Be it frame within a frame, reflections, hard light etc. That type of thing. It would be cool to see the vision process applied to a scene in situ, with maybe a favourite example from your past work also. It doesn't necessarily have to be a listicle, but it would be an interesting bit of inspiration for us looking for some intermediate techniques. No worries if you don't have the time though, it was just a passing thought. ✌️

[@EYExplore]

As I'm sure you know, I also love and shoot with the GR3. I also find it's design to be very well thought out and ergonomic. Yeah! I more accurate battery meter (even a % instead of a picture) would be so welcome! I've always felt Nikon did great on ergonomics and it's why I've always stuck with their cameras. I find the physical aspect of how I use the camera to be just as, if not more, important than the image quality (to a degree of course). Top 5 Heuristics is a good idea! I've added it to my ideas for upcoming videos. :)

[@repHAWAIIxJPN]

4:08 These came out amazing ! Love how sharp the middle kanji is and then starts to sort of vignette as you go further from the center 6:06 Wow , I absolutely love the multitude of colors and against the bright white it makes it seems like it's a canvas . Very visually appealing to my eyes

[@EYExplore]

Thank you much!! Glad you liked them! :)

[@kevingoza]

I just recently pulled the trigger for a Nikon z9 and Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 Classic, with native z mount. Absolutely awesome. Manual focus is quick and precise, and with focus peeking very effective. Faster and more accurate than autofocus in many cases. I always know my choice point of focus is acquired. And compact without having to use a FTZ adapter!

[@EYExplore]

That's awesome!! Oh that is a cooooool lens! I might have to pick one up! :)

[@michael2968]

ive just come across your channel and watching through your back catalogue of videos, great style and your videographer does great work too, love the continual movement shots instead of quick cut edits.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! We're very happy you enjoy our style! :)

[@Demanufactur3r]

4:14 is just PERFECT. It's alligned so satisfyingly.

[@EYExplore]

I am very happy with this one! :)

[@splendidindifference]

Good to see you back on the streets of Tokyo!

[@EYExplore]

Oh yes! :)

[@elliotresnick5433]

I like that 40mm focal length and compactness on the Z9

[@EYExplore]

Yeah, it really makes this massive camera feel small and nimble. Soon we'll make a video with the 26mm which is ever smaller! :)

[@elliotresnick5433]

@@EYExplore Really interesting that you love a $275 lens on a $5500 camera body (even that Nikon sells a native Z mount lens at that price point).

[@EYExplore]

​@@elliotresnick5433 Actually, I would gladly pay triple for a better version of this lens (weather sealing, metal mount, better glass). But this one is great, especially for the price. The size and focal length are perfect. :)

[@allen.9]

I still primarily use the Nikkor 40mm. Such a quality lens in a small form :)

[@EYExplore]

It really is! :)

[@eanzenberg]

I recently got hooked on your channel, but I was surprised you updated to the Z9! This year I got the D6, the last pro level DSLR Nikon is making and absolutely love the files it generates. i’ve watched your old videos with the D4 and I also shoot street photography with the D6. I was wondering what your thought process was for transitioning to mirrorless.

[@EYExplore]

Ah well that's a long gradual thought process, but basically in 2020 I got a Z6II (originally the Z6 didn't have a functional battery grip so that was a deal breaker). I considered a D6 but although the AF system is greatly improved from my D4 (and the D5, which I shot with on a few occasions) it didn't feel warranted to spend that much money on the upgrade. So, I went the cheaper route by getting a Z6II and trying something new. I just gave it chance. Overall, I liked the benefits of mirrorless but missed many of the qualities of the D4: the feel, the weight, the durability, the huge viewfinder, the responsiveness. The Z6II is a fine camera but it does feel somewhat sluggish (not by most standards, but compared to a flagship DSLR). But again, I liked some of the benefits of mirrorless: the eye-tracking AF, the ability to use the screen just as easily as the viewfinder (versatility), and the video features are also useful to me as a youtuber. But it lacked something.... and then the Z9 came out. It is a perfect marriage of the qualities I loved in my D4 with the new things I enjoyed about the Z6II... and much, much more. It is an extremely 'complete' camera. For me, there is nothing it lacks. The EVF is incredible, better than any I've ever seen. This is thanks to its very high dynamic range and 120hz refresh rate. It is close to lifelike. Sure, it's not reality like an OVF, but close enough. And on top of the that is has NO shutter, meaning no blackout, no sound.... I mean I miss the shutter sound for its aesthetic quality, but in a practical sense, for someone who does street photography and shoots business events for a living (me) a silent camera is a boon! I can sum it up like this: I love cameras that just 'get out of my way' and the Z9 is the most 'invisible' camera I've ever used. :)

[@eanzenberg]

@@EYExplore Awesome, love your photos. I love the size and weight as well for street (and all) photography I do.

[@guspangs]

Really enjoyed your photo in this video man! Awesome videography tho

[@EYExplore]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it all! :)

[@Mowikan]

That 40 looks very good. Nice video also!

[@EYExplore]

I loved the 40! But I recently upgraded it to the new 35mm f/1.4. Glad you like the video!

[@dawidregulski4408]

Świetne zdjęcia, świetne video. Inspirujący materiał jak zwykle. Dzięki i pozdrawiam!

[@EYExplore]

Cieszę się ze ci się podobało! Dzięki! :)

[@alhOOO2O]

Congrats to both of you for another awesome video!

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@laxcdn]

Took the Tokyo Metropolis tour with Lukasz, I highly recommend it.

[@EYExplore]

Thanks Mike!! :)

[@quang5DCameras]

Very nice shots in Japan night! I'm using Z6II and very happy with it. I don't need to change or upgrade. I don't care if they will release Z6III or later version. To me Z6II is Perfect for what I need. It's Smaller, lighter, easy to carry around and more discreet. Despite of Z9 price, I just think it's too big like a brick, too noticeable to bring in street. Btw, I don't always look every shot into EVF viewfinder like with my DSLRs back then...

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much! The Z6II is a fantastic camera! We shot the video on a Z6II haha. :)

[@MowMent]

I discovered your blog, I read them, and it took me a while to find your channel where you upload regularly. Haha. I just bought a Canon 80D with kit lens as a start. Now I will bingewatch your videos and read your blogs, so if ever I feel I have a very huge potential in photography (and probably videography) then I will upgrade while improving continuously everyday

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! I'm happy to hear you're enjoying my ramblings on the blog! :)

[@NikonDave]

I will say I have mixed feelings still on the electronic only shutter. I super appreciate the shutter shield although I did learn a "hack" on the Z6 and Z7's to close the shutter to change lenses and I appreciate the silent shooting but there is still something magical and visceral about pentaprism and shutter on film or DSLR that makes me calm and happy. Nice shots and I appreciate your creativity with everyday things. Doubt I'll make it back to Japan any time soon but can enjoy it through your videos.

[@EYExplore]

Is the hack pulling the battery while the camera is on? I think that drops the shutter if I remember correctly. I totally agree that some magic is gone. The visceral CRUNCH of the big D3/D4 shutter is something I will always miss. But, sadly it had to go by the wayside in the name of progress. :)

[@warricksmith5178]

Another interesting and useful vid, Lukasz. By coincidence, I was in Kanda station shooting variations on that sign and trains just a few night ago...still to review the results (many (many) shots ahead of them on my queue🙂!)...

[@EYExplore]

Thanks!! That's great! Glad to hear about the huge backlog of photos to edit. I am in the same boat. It's a good problem to have! :)

[@awildcyclistappears]

I’m ending my 38 day long stay in Japan on monday. Too bad I haven’t pinged you guys, because I spent lots of time walking solo and shooting. Still in Tokyo, but already missing this place 😢

[@EYExplore]

Ah well, sounds like a great trip anyway! 38 days is a long time! :)

[@awildcyclistappears]

@@EYExplore Well, been cycling/bikepacking across the country 🎉

[@pkennethv]

in Photo Mode, I have the Video Record button mapped as my "Mode" button (and keep the ISO button as ISO). You seem to be happy with your solution, but just sharing in case you didn't think of this and might end up preferring it :)

[@EYExplore]

Ah yeah, good idea. But I think I did it this way because I also want to be able to switch modes while in video mode, which means I can't map to the video record button. Unless maybe I can map video recording to the shutter button? I dunno, I can play around with it. But that's one thing I love about this camera is how customizable it is!

[@TMM6900]

1:56. Awesome pic

[@EYExplore]

Thank you!! :)

[@DonSuhr]

Brillint video! I really need to check out Kanda Area a bit more! Thanks for the motivation push ;)

[@EYExplore]

Thanks!! It's a cool area! :)

[@edvrolijk8943]

Where were You al that time? I started to get worried! Glad to see an other video from You!

[@EYExplore]

We were posting about once a month for the last few months. Though there was a big gap from the last video. We were extremely busy with photo workshops since Japan opened the boarder in October. We should have more time over the summer but I think we'll stick to one video per 3 or 4 weeks for the time being. :)

[@syeaud4919]

Take care Lukas, it was raining like crazy 2 days ago. Stay strong, I love your content.

[@EYExplore]

Thanks!! The rain was not so bad here. I mean, it rained a ton, but wasn't a big deal in Ikebukuro at least. :)

[@Nicgerry]

Beautiful video as always

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@TheHawaiianc]

Heh after waiting for you unlock the video just want to say openly I really in your videos Lukas. Also i want add you inspire me in someways

[@EYExplore]

Thank you much!! So happy to hear that! :)

[@nickfanzo]

Fun to watch, as always

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@gainde1137]

Street photography seems really easy in Japan regarding people's attention and reaction to a big camera like the Z9. Here in Europe it would be almost impossible to stay stealthy like you - especially in some areas. The best imho are large shopping streets or touristic places. But the Japanese tourists are now using their smartphone more often than before. So only street photographers are using a DLSM in public. What do you shoot with besides these kinds of videos in your personal street work?

[@EYExplore]

I dunno, I've traveled to lots of countries and always used big cameras. I'm not saying it woks everywhere, but it's not a major issue in my experience. What do you mean by 'what do I shoot besides these videos?' I shoot street photography, like you see in the video (even when the camera is not rolling). :)

[@TMM6900]

What setting / focal does axle usually use? I love how we know that you are the main subject and still able to show the wide or sometime very wide environment

[@EYExplore]

From this video we started using a Nikon Z6II with the 24-70mm f/4. He shoots at 24mm and f/4. It gives plenty of DOF, especially when the camera is not so close. :)

[@TMM6900]

@@EYExplore cool! A possible upgrade from z50?

[@EYExplore]

@@TMM6900 Yeah, we upgraded it December 2022 shortly before shooting this video. :)

[@nancyk9475]

Great video! Z9 looks awesome. Still love my Z6ii

[@EYExplore]

Thanks!! It's still a great camera. :)

[@confracto]

Kanda! I was just there! I hope he finds the octopus wall! (he did not) having Lukasz walk around places I am recently familiar with and seeing what he saw differently about it was really informative. Eyexplore wasn't available to do photography tours when I was there, but I did get the map, and did find some useful spots based on it, but I ended up spending more time in places I was already familiar with or spots he'd marked out that were also overlapping with places I was already going to, like Ikebukuro, mostly because I ran out of time.

[@EYExplore]

Woo thank you so much!! It was such a busy spring season. Hopefully we can get you on a workshop next time! And glad you liked the map! The octopus wall? :)

[@confracto]

@@EYExplore the octopus wall can be found 70m directly north from the neon sign. It's a pink octopus on a black second storey wall, and ended up being the subject of one of my best pictures of the trip. and yes, Next Time.

[@EYExplore]

@@confracto Ah okay, it's just a mural on a shop or something. That's cool. :)

[@dinoskanal]

Kann es sein das du vor kurzem in Graz bei der Bärenschützklamm warst?

[@EYExplore]

I was not in Graz recently. :)

[@TMM6900]

How did you find avg vs center weighted metering on the Z9 vs your previous Z cameras?

[@EYExplore]

I find the average metering to be extremely accurate and consistent. I seldom have to adjust the EV, as can be seen in the vid. On the Z6/7 I often had to underexpose. I still have to sometimes with the Z9, but much less often.

[@dbugatto]

You def got some 'keepers' , nice vid as always.

[@EYExplore]

For sure! Thanks! :)

[@r1berto1]

I compliment you, you seem to be very good about it. Why the slow speeds?

[@EYExplore]

Thanks!! I shoot slow when fast speeds are not needed in order to keep ISO low (always better if it's possible). Of course for all of the train shots in the beginning the point was to get lots of motion blur so the slow speeds were necessary. :)

[@kevingoza]

Curious…..how does the camera feel in the hand compared to your D4?

[@EYExplore]

Very, very similar. And much more familiar than the Z6 even with the battery grip. I feel very at home with the Z9! :)

[@westdk6705]

Lukas is back and hallo from the North Sea offshore Denmark 🙋

[@EYExplore]

Thanks!! :)

[@barryobrien1890]

Would be nice to have iso bracketing and shoot 2 pictures at both native iso for blending in post later, depending on the exposure required..thanks for another great video

[@EYExplore]

That's a cool concept. Not sure how that would work technically. :)

[@barryobrien1890]

@@EYExplore I suppose the camera could determine if it's possible based on the scene and then if it's not going to blow out highlights or crush blacks it could grab a bracketed set at 20fps

[@EYExplore]

@@barryobrien1890 Yeah, true, this would work well for things not moving. But you can just turn on bracketing and achieve that. :)

[@barryobrien1890]

@@EYExplore i was not aware the z9 had iso bracketing. I assumed it just changed speed. Good to know. Thanks

[@EYExplore]

@@barryobrien1890 It will bracket with whatever setting is left on auto. So, if you set the mode to M (manual shutter/aperture) but leave auto ISO then it will bracket with ISO. I think this has been true for all Nikon cameras for a long time now, even going back to DSLRs like D3/D4.

[@TMM6900]

Yoo! He is back! Will watch later

[@EYExplore]

Never left, just posting less often. :)

[@BlackRain_]

4:09 Beautiful.

[@victorlim5077]

I agree.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@thomasmanson1119]

I enjoyed the night street shooting. I was a little surprised that there was no risk of having your camera stolen, but maybe Yokohama is a safer place than Washington D.C. :). Tom KC3QAC

[@EYExplore]

Japan is super safe, no issues with street theft here. :)

[@robertleeimages]

Do you mean iso invariant? Or maybe it's a tricked up take on that?

[@EYExplore]

So, my understanding is that ISO invariant is having a single ISO, so no matter how you shoot you can adjust in post. But dual-ISO means the opposite. It means that you have two different physical ISOs. Within each range, the ISO is invariant, but when switching from one range to the other range, there is a different. On the Z9 it seems to 64-400 and then 400 and above. But I'm not an expert on this, just something I noticed in my own photos.

[@robertleeimages]

@@EYExplore very interesting concept that's for sure

[@valentinursu1747]

Why was the Geisha shoot video removed? I saw it was long so I said I'd see it home and by the time I got home it wasn't up anymore :(

[@EYExplore]

We never removed a geisha shoot video. If you are referring to the Geisha photo EDITING stream, yeah I unlisted the stream. The algorithm doesn't like those super long vids and punished the channel for them. However, you can find it on our Patreon. :)

[@paulm8157]

Credible use-case video and pics. Cook in the frame my fav. Cool effect of sign through moving train - unique. What did that sign say, BTW? Global shutter likely to become a standard, IMO - kudos for Nikon. Empty space once filled w/bars - sad😢. Has the Z9 face/eye detect ever erred by focusing on a phantom face? Glad the police didn’t beat you up after all😊. For a Dec shoot I would have expected to see at least some Christmas decor - is Christianity that small a minority in Japan? Cheers!

[@EYExplore]

The cook is my fave too! The sign is just advertising a brand of sake. Yeah, these fully electronic global (they don't call it global, so maybe it's only super fast but still line-by-line, so practically global) shutters will certainly trickle down to other camera. A completely solid-state design is the future. I'm sure it's one reason they were able to make the camera cheaper than their old flagship SLRs. The Z9 certainly picks up phantom faces sometimes when there is NO face in the scene, but if there is at least one face it always gets the real face. It guess it has a way to prioritize. And yeah, Christianity is really minor here. They do put up some holiday 'illumination' as they call it, which is festive but not really Christmas-y. :)

[@kentkloman48]

If the Z8 had been available at the same time as the Z9, would you still have gotten the Z9?

[@EYExplore]

Almost certainly, but I would have really strongly considered the Z8 if only for the cost savings. But in the end I prefer the Z9 for the dual CFexpress slots, better battery life, and integrated grip. I love the grip. It feels good in my hands. I could put a grip on the Z8 but it's better if it's integrated. Is that worth an additional 1500 bucks? To me it is. :)

[@pathfindercod4638]

Great video, enjoyed the photography. I love my z9 even with all thje z8 hype and its being made out to be better than the 'old z9" by many youtubers.

[@EYExplore]

I can't see how it's better. I mean, the differences are few, but the Z9 is still superior in my opinion, unless size/weight are a really huge issue, which are really not for me. Of course, for most people the Z8 is far better and also they save a ton of cash, so I get it. :)

[@petermccann2561]

Weird that everyone there is still masked. What gives?

[@EYExplore]

Well, this video was shot ages ago, in late 2022.

[@petermccann2561]

@@EYExplore Yes, but still...2022 was more than long enough to know that masks don't work. The data have been out since well before then.

[@wingedbull1257]

your prospective is bad.

[@EYExplore]

My prospective what?

[@TheChosenOne_]

Great to see you back! Already got the feeling the channel was in a hiatus...

[@EYExplore]

We've been posting about once a month so far this year, but we've been super busy with all of the tourism. Our primary job is running our workshops! Anyway, we have one more video in the backlog (also shot in December) and then we plan to shoot some fresh stuff in June or July. I have lots of things to talk about! :)

[@TheChosenOne_]

Regarding the ISO stuff. I would assume if you have two native ISOs at lets say 100 and 400 that the camera already uses the 400 setting even when at 320. Just like how many cameras have a base 100 ISO but have lower extension to 64. By that logic you wouldnt have to worry that the camera uses the "wrong" ISO even when you are slighty below it, at least thats how it makes sense to me. But, if you really want to push for example from ISO 100 at the shot to 1000 in post then you might be right because then it most definitely will use the ISO 100 setting as it is cleaner if you use it the way it is (probably there is/should be an option to just use one ISO setting as at night I would never use anything below 400 anyway ,except to purposefully underexpose, so I wouldnt mind if the 100 shots still used the 400 ISO setting). However, all of that is irrelevant if you already tested it and the Z9 really is cleaner pushed from 400 to 1000 than it is 320 to 1000.

[@EYExplore]

The issue is that if the camera is at 400 but I PUSH the ISO in post by 1 or 2 stop, up to 800 or 1600. Then it would have been better to just shoot in the higher ISO mode in the first place. That's what I was trying to say in the video. This is because I tend to shoot under exposed to protect highlights and then lift the shadows later. This is a strategy that is useful in high-contrast, low-light environments like Tokyo at night. I've definitely tested it and it's definitely cleaner if you avoid pushing 'through' the ISO threshold. A 1-stop push is okay, but 2 stops or more it can get nasty. As for shooting at 64-ISO at night... it definitely happens when using slow shutters and big apertures. In fact the neon/train photos in the beginning of this video are exactly that. :)

[@TheChosenOne_]

@@EYExplore okay I see. Yeah then as I said it would be cool to set the camera to always take the higher native ISO. Maybe an update will allow that function in the future

[@EYExplore]

@@TheChosenOne_ You can do that easily. you can just set the minimum ISO to be 500. But again, I don't see the point. The lower ISO is actually better overall. It's only bad to push through the threshold. Both should be used, in my opinion.

[@TheChosenOne_]

@@EYExplore haha I think we are talking past each other to a degree. So I'll just give this one more idea and say that maybe in the future both native ISOs are embedded in the RAW file and you can choose the same way as you can choose color temperature in the editing software

[@EYExplore]

@@TheChosenOne_ Sure! I maybe I misunderstood when you said there should be a setting to ALWAYS shoot at the higher ISO. If you mean shooting at both in the same time, then yeah that would be cool, but honestly I don't that's technically easy. It would be a super hard electronics engineering problem since the sensor would have to somehow read two voltages in the same time or something... (but what do I know, haha?)