Nikon Z5: You bought it, WHAT NEXT?

[@dimz25]

Now that the Z6iii is released and looking at the specs of it I realise that the Z5 might actually be a better choice for my (non professional) needs. It's way cheaper and still takes great images. I also prefer a tilt screen over a flippy screen and I'm in no need of the speed and all the video capabilities of the z6iii. Perphaps in a not too distant future a Z5ii could be a great photography oriented camera.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

I think you’re right on it. The z5 is a great option and who knows about the z5ii? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@davidgillespie6604]

Thanks for this. I have had my Z5 for 2 years, and I love it (but hate the dust spots!). You reminded me to get around to programming the function buttons. Procrastination. I usually have the Z24-200 on the camera, which covers 75% of my shooting (macro lenses and the 200-500 zoom cover most of the rest).

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Nice to hear. Getting on top of those dust spots and cleaning the sensor is well worth the stress it releives.

[@philoupc2239]

You inspire me to push my self and be more creative with my Z5 ! Thank you and like they say , the best camera is the camera you have with you !

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

This is such an awesome comment. YES!!!!

[@RobFuz]

I love my Z5! I have a Z6 and a Z50 as well but loving that Z5!!!! Great video and some great points! Thanks !

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

So great to hear this champion!

[@cider999]

So many useful tips about my favorite Z5 😃 You always deliver, Ralph 💪

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That's so kind of you to say. Thanks so much.

[@jdelarosa89]

Still the best full frame value in photography. The z5 and Nikons 40 mm f2 is a dynamic combination.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Yew!!! Come on!!

[@vicky_aesthetics]

can you use that combination for wedding photography?

[@jdelarosa89]

@@vicky_aestheticsabsolutely, but for couples you have to be ready to stop up or down, and walk around a bit. It is a light lens so it’s easy to do.

[@vicky_aesthetics]

@@jdelarosa89thanks!

[@pjc3163]

If you need a small flash for fill-in or party shots I highly recommend the Nikon SB400; it's old but its TTL system is fully compatible with the Z5 plus you can use the manual overide option in camera.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Good call 🙏🙌

[@ckcontours6965]

Great video! Very fun! Just got the camera so this is very informative and you are very likeable guy. I dont say that often. Subscribed.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Awww thanks heaps mate. That’s very kind of you to say.

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

Ralph, good video and nice information. I like your astrophotography pics. I been using my Z5 for the same use. Could you share you setting for astrophotography? On the shutter speed, I use my Z5 at Air Show and it worked fine for me.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

I should do a specific video on astro with z5. Until that happens though, I start with an iso of 3200, shutter speed of 15 seconds and widest aperture the lens can go. I'll then predominantly move the iso if too much or not enough light. 15 seconds means the stars don't move with a maximum length exposure.

[@paulhopkins1905]

It might be a weird selling point, but I'm leaning towards thr Z5 as a full frame to go with my Z50 because it takes SD cards instead of the CF. That means I don't have to keep up with an extra piece of hardware and can use the built in card reader in my laptop

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

You know what that’s not actually that weird. I’m so thankful my z8 takes sd because the XQD and CF are such a pain when it comes to importing your photos or video.

[@danettepatrickMP]

I got my Z5 last month and it was a blast to use! I hope someday Nikon will release a Z5 II with a smaller body. Or maybe a Z5 mini? I want a rangefinder body with the Nikon features. Even the Nikon ZF is still huge for my tiny hands lol

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

The z50 is out but it’s not rangefinder or full frame. Interesting thoughts though

[@leonfisher]

A nice little trip down memory lane. This is the camera that introduced me to your channel. Like your beard, I no longer have it. 😁

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

HAHA - oh the beard! The good ole days! Why did you decide to ditch the camera? Stoked you've stayed around too :D

[@leonfisher]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography Have the Z7ii now.

[@nethbt]

Great budget mirrorless full frame camera, but how I wish it was 1 fps faster

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Just 1 FPS? What would that enable that current limitations don’t?

[@tomd4748]

Def an online person 🤪

[@mattwithoutfear]

Great video, timestamps would be really helpful for coming back to it though and finding the right bits I need to re-check.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That's a great idea! I'll see what I can do!

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

I have the Z5 camera and I buy BM Premium EN-EL-15C batteries from Amazon which work perfectly for all 3 of my Nikon cameras (D750, D780 and Z5). These are much lower price batteries and last as long. The 15C batteries will charge in camera if USB-C is linked on D780. Best 3rd party brand. Regarding SD cards, Sandisk Extreme Pro SD cards are the lowest priced at B&H Photo (a big store) in New York available online. Free shipping to Canada and USA if you buy $100 of merch. About $12 USD for 32 GB Sandisk Pro SD card.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Very helpful insights. Thanks legend!

[@neilmacon8411]

Hi is the image quality of the Z5 on par with the D780 ?

[@kevinpitts3548]

Looking for some advice my friend. I am coming from a d5600. I have 2 lens for it (close and zoom). I am looking to upgrade for more video first, pictures second. I am doing audio and video for my church and their activities.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thats awesome mate. If it were me (& budget aside). I’d go the z6iii with FTZ adapter for your lenses.

[@kevinpitts3548]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography as of right now, I have 500 saved. If I can't find a used one, I'll have wait a little longer. Thanks for the feedback.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

@@kevinpitts3548 Maybe the z6 then. It's good camera, and what I started my mirrorless season with.

[@klgcreative]

I just found your channel and really enjoy your Nikon videos! Super informative and easy to follow. 🙌 I have a question for ya, I'm a designer but I sometimes get requests for basic product photography. Mainly light box or aesthetic shots/video for social media. Would you recommend the Nikon Z5? I've worked with Nikon DSLRs, but I'd like to invest in a decent camera that won't break the bank and still produces professional looking photos/video. Thanks again, keep up the good work!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Hi. I’m Glad the channel and vids are helpful. For those needs and the current amount required then I think I’d lean into the z5. You’d probably also be helped by a small light to highlight angles and reduce shadows.

[@klgcreative]

​@@RalphMayhewPhotography I appreciate the reply! I've been leaning towards the Z5, so your input helps a lot. I'm going to watch all your Nikon videos just to be safe. Thanks again! ✌

[@ACR4008]

Great video- I’m considering buying this (I have had a D7100 for 10 years and it’s been on the shelf as of late). I agree that I like using the top LCD, but I also just want to shoot my kid/pets/travel etc. Which Nikon Z is for me?

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

I had a d7100 and then a d7200. Great cameras. I think a z5 or a z50. It’d be worth checking what lenses you have and if any are DX. If so the the z50 would be a the mirrorless counterpart to the d7100 or the z5 would give you more scope to grow but is a full frame. So you may lose the use of some of your lenses :)

[@clarkejones8090]

Very Good.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thank you!

[@neilmacon8411]

I have saved some money and waiting on Z6iii but the Z5 and the ZF are enticing 😅

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Well played. Your patience should pay off nicely. Assuming the z6iii comes out.

[@patrickmcfadden1689]

Nive review, love my Z5.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

It’s a great camera isn’t it 🙌

[@mynameisnotcory]

I need a cage for the z5 + battery pack, which they have for the z6 and above, need to try it out before i commit…maybe an L mount would fit tho

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Have you had a look at this grip? amzn.to/4briXUJ And maybe this l-bracket amzn.to/4dKP97n

[@wekkimeif7720]

For some reason this video seems to have very heavy lean to left side with audio instead of being balanced stereo.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Really? I’d not realised and you’re the first to mention it. That’s strange. Thanks for letting me know.

[@wekkimeif7720]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography I was listening it earlier with speakers. But just now tried also with headphones and on headphones it sounds more like stereo without leaning to left.

[@yukonkev]

Thanks!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s awesome! Thank you so much!!

[@Bizon-q2u]

I've read on forums that the biggest downside of the Z5 is the very poor quality of the viewfinder in lower light, let alone shooting the stars. At this point the viewfinder is useless. Is this true? The viewfinder is stopping me from buying this camera.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

It is the biggest downside. It’s not unusable though. It’s pretty noisy at night but if you develop some skill you’ll be fine. Watch this… Nikon Z5 Incredible Astrophotography Performance kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWW9hKGliLCGaZI

[@Bizon-q2u]

I watched the footage. Shooting stars at night is extreme conditions. Is the viewfinder useful indoors with artificial light (light bulbs)? ​@@RalphMayhewPhotography

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

@@Bizon-q2uoh yeah. I’ve had no issues. It’s not that bad. Just low light it gets noisy.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Try this… Nikon Z5 Viewfinder (EVF) Quality Test kzbin.info15ASXYXsms0?feature=share

[@Russellrodberg]

good job

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks :)

[@Mrfrog-r6g]

7:11

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

?? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@cristiangeorge781]

I use z5 at weddings and I am very happy with the results! A very good camera at a decent price.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s helpful mate. Thanks .

[@vicky_aesthetics]

what lenses?

[@jane22226]

Brilliant video - love my Z5 - there’s just bin a firmware update to the focussing modes - those are the ones i could do with some help with - fancy giving us a video on the different focussing methods for the z5 specifically? Great video dude..

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s a great idea. I’ll take a look 👍

[@tomd4748]

Annnnnd you can charge it while using it, unlike the z6…. Which is really weird. And it has 2 card slots, and the z6 doesn’t…which is weird. Not sure why anybody would get the 6. Just get the 5, and if you want to upgrade later, get the 6 mk 2.

[@Roarmeister2]

My Zed-5 arrives tomorrow. Only Americans say Zee. 😀 I haven't had a decent camera since my old film Minolta and I was relying on a P&S and phone camera for far too long. It has the standard short 24-50 zoom, later on I will get a longer zoom.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

You’ll love it 👌

[@rigobertomorales6092]

Good review but no pictures

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Check my other reviews on the z5. Tons of pictures there.

[@VideoProcConverter]

Wow, amazing~

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks very much.

[@VideoProcConverter]

You are amazing, Ralph!@@RalphMayhewPhotography

[@patrickmcmahon818]

Another great video and perfect timing! I have a friend who is picking up a Z5 this week and I just forwarded your video to him. Once again so happy to have run across your channel.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That's awesome to hear. love that!

[@jameshammond89]

Great stuff mate. Loved this. Really looking forward to seeing the work you make it the mamiya.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks heaps mate.

[@Visual_Ghoul]

Any suggestions on a $1500 budget for a beginner for motorsport photography? Just want a zoom lens and body for formula 1. For closeups im just going to use my phone as it has a 1 inch sensor.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s a big call, to get what you need for that. The hardest challenge you’ll face is getting a telephoto that has a low enough f stop. Maybe a z5 (cheapest full frame) with Tamron z mount 70-300. Shooting auto iso with shutter priority over 1/1000. Should do the trick 🤔

[@Visual_Ghoul]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography thanks for the reccomendations. I mainly want it for panning motion shots so from what I read it will be 1/500 and below

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

@@Visual_Ghoul​​⁠oh for panning you’ll probably need a much slower shutter speed. I pan around 1/5 or even slower.

[@Visual_Ghoul]

Thanks for the advice. Just noticed that the sony version of the Tamron is £150 cheaper in the UK, is it worth getting that and trying to find a sony body instead?@@RalphMayhewPhotography

[@Visual_Ghoul]

Also the Z6 seems to be cheaper than the Z5 used. would that be better?@@RalphMayhewPhotography

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video 😊!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thank you very much!