Nikon Z6 III for Wildlife Photography? || Unboxing and Features

[@keithmacdonald4805]

Excellent presentation on the features of the Z6iii, I am really looking forward to your full review. Thanks for all your work reviewing products and it appears you only review things that you purchase yourself and not things that have been sent to you. I shoot with the Z9 and have the Z6ii as my backup and I plan on upgrading to the Z6iii if it looks like a good wildlife camera.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks. As far as lenses and cameras, yes I buy them all. And if I do get sent a tripod or something I let everyone know and I sign no contracts with the manufacturer and I tell it like it is and let them know ahead of time that if I don't like something im going to state that. Ive turned down a LOT of gear just for that reason.

[@mvp_kryptonite]

Neat, good to see it out in the wild so quickly as for sure this should be popular. Look forward to seeing it in action

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks

[@NikCan66]

Great video and enjoyed watching from Ireland 🇮🇪. I have 3 Nikon Z9 cameras and still have my film Nikon FM2, Nikon N2020/F501cameras

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bigboi36]

I like thee z6iii but I can wait. I still desire the 180600|6.3 to use in my z50. I have the z50 dialed in nice although I use it like a Dslr. But I seldomly miss focus. I once I capture what I want I move to next Subject. I like what you have produced, hopefully the pro apsc is coming.

[@SMZ9D850]

From what I've seen on some of the other reviews - even with the slightly slower sensor readout - they aren't seeing any noticeable rolling shutter! Impressive! Looking forward to the full review in the field!

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@cathco9]

Great unboxing, Scott. I'll be passing this on to my Nikon shooter friends. Thanks!

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@boredcat7]

Happy to see you healthy and in good spirits 🙏

[@WILDALASKA]

thanks

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

I am very eager to hear your experience with this camera in the field! Your Z8 and Z9 images have been stunning!

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks vaughn

[@cy9nvs]

Great video, as always. I was hoping for RAW pre-capture to be introduced with this release. I think having such a great feature for wildlife be JPEG only really is an issue they should address.

[@WILDALASKA]

Same here, that bummed me out some.

[@JasonLorette]

I'm very excited to get my hands on this camera!

[@WILDALASKA]

👍😃

[@briancarlisle2534]

Awesome video. Would you happen to have some settings for landscape And some for wildlife that you would recommend setting to U1 and U2?

[@WILDALASKA]

Just a setup video for Wildlife really

[@briancarlisle2534]

@@WILDALASKA Oh!! Rgr that. I’ll need to find it, thank you

[@johnhudson666]

Hi Scott - Looking forward to your comments on the Z 28-400. Need a light telephoto for hiking etc.

[@WILDALASKA]

IN a couple weeks probably. Hopefully renting it next week.

[@Lensman64]

We literally just received ours today a few hours ago and will be putting it through it's paces this week. We specialize in weddings and events (30+ years). I'm not getting my hopes up too high as I sent back the Z6II for lackluster performance especially the video and focus. We're coming from D500 which is a workhorse and which we are very happy with. We only upgrade when exceptional advancements are made. This seems to check all the upgrade criteria for us. DX > FX, Dual processors, focus improvements, higher resolution, and much, much better video performance... I will say I don't like mirrorless viewfinders after using TTL for over 40 years so I hope this new one will be nearly as good as TTL (can't even imagine what that mini TV will do to our eyesight). Regarding the battery charger. Unless you're brand new to Nikon you most likely have a plethora of EnEl15 chargers. Plus, the 3rd party chargers are cheap enough and work relatively well. BTW 24 MP for events, portraits and products is more than enough. Wildlife maybe not so much if you crop heavily. I hope you have success with the Z6iii. I hope we do! ;)

[@WILDALASKA]

grats on the camera and your in fo4 s uprise with mirrorless world

[@ianslingsby3415]

Thanks, Scott, for the unboxing. I'm really looking forward to your testing, esp bird autofocus eye detect it will largely decide if I get this camera.

[@WILDALASKA]

Fingers crossed!

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Cool new camera, look forward to the videos. 😊

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks 👍

[@bigmikesvinyl8514]

Enjoy your videos. I was really surprised that they went with 24MP again ... I was really expecting something around 30. But nice to see the other welcome improvements - seems like a lot of camera still for the money. Also LOVE the LCD motion now -- I so wish they had done that with the Z8. I recently purchased a Z8 after selling my D850. I also have a Z7ii but I prefer the feel of the Z8 in the hand - glad they carried that forward in the Z6iii. Thanks again for the great content!

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad you enjoyed it 😄

[@linhaixueyuan]

Nice video, thanks! Mine is coming tomorrow ✌

[@WILDALASKA]

Grats.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

The Z6 III must really be some camera if you're thinking of dumping the Z8 for it. I look forward to your field tests.

[@WILDALASKA]

Well I have the Z9 already and the z8 is a backup camera ( I don't worry too much about light gear) and its main use is a second lens at the ready or video. And "IF" the Z6 III fills that need, it's $3K plus back in my pocket 🤪 We'll se though in a few weeks.

[@street_biologist6727]

Excellent first-hand review. I will be looking forward to your full review. I have traded in my Z6ii for it and will be picking it up tomorrow. Hoping that it would be a good second body to Z9. Will check out how the "animal" detection works for "birds." I kind of have a feeling that Nikon will add "birds" with a future firmware update. Thank you for your wonderful informative videos.

[@WILDALASKA]

I think they will add it also. 🤞

[@Mikey1421985]

About a month ago, one of my brother in laws bought himself a new Samsung phone and to his surprise, there was also no charger in the box. Good thing he had one already that worked, but hearing you say that about the camera made me remember him buying his phone.

[@WILDALASKA]

Same for Apple phones

[@Mikey1421985]

@@WILDALASKA ahh okay, didn't know that. I guess there must be a reason for that.

[@HotGates]

Great video, As a Z9 and Z8 owner I don't need the Z6III but I will never understand why Nikon does Pre-Capture in jpeg only that is absurd especially on the Z9 and Z8 that cost over 4 grand, Nikon better change it with firmware because R1 R5II is right around the corner and we all know they will have a great implementation of it, These jpeg features from nikon is a big slap in the face.

[@WILDALASKA]

True, but the Canon pre-capture is just as bad with only being able to use the DPP4 software to unpack the images one at a time also. UGH

[@HotGates]

@@WILDALASKA Yes I had the R7 and was also able to select my image in camera instead of DPP. I'm sure it won't be like that with the newer Canon cameras, But honestly I prefer Nikon they just need to change their jpeg features into RAW and I'll never cheat on Nikon again 😉

[@danaswan843]

Run it through the ringer. I have both the Z9 and Z8. I’m a bird first and wildlife photographer next. I’m looking for a second camera for African safari where weight restrictions keep me from taking both. I preordered the Z6iii and am getting it Thursday. Am concerned it doesn’t have bird subject detection. Will be watching your bird opinion. I suspect the Z6iii will be good, but not quite up to Z9 or Z8. But how close is crucial. Leaving for Kenya in two weeks. Will it be in my camera bag?

[@WILDALASKA]

Will do !

[@resorect]

Thanks for the review, super helpful! Could someone upload a sample raw file from the z6 III, I would like to try to open it on my Camera Raw before buying the camera.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks

[@hugomouteira7015]

Big fan of Mr. Wild Alaska! Was thinking, is it to dumb to pair a Z6 iii with my Canon R5? Cause im loving the idea of shooting raw video. But if I use both for photos, will it be hard to edit them to look the same? Best Regards from Portugal!

[@WILDALASKA]

Not really. You learn each camera/lens combo and what colors you get out of them. Then the edits are easy. And HUGE THANKS for the kind words

[@BibaTheGreat]

Hey, is dynamic range really a problem for the Z6iii?

[@WILDALASKA]

no

[@FQ8]

I stop using chargers...I charge in camera via USB-C and been buying those batterries with built-in USB-C ports.

[@kathirkathir4387]

If any issue with while use cam on charging?

[@FQ8]

@@kathirkathir4387On my Canon it only charges when it is powered off unfortunately.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@ronkagan367]

Does it have illuminated buttons?

[@WILDALASKA]

Negative

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Thank you for the information!!.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@just_eirik]

I keep being surprised how spoiled Fuji has made me when I hear about features I take for granted but aren’t standard on other brands. Like pre capture being jpeg only, that’s wild! I’m pretty sure my X-T3 from 2018 had pre-capture with RAW. And I know most of Sony’s cameras don’t let you go beyond 1/8000 shutter speed with electronic shutter. Even my X-T100 (beginner camera from 2018) has electronic shutter that goes 1/32000. (Of course I don’t get the same amazing auto focus with my current Fuji (X-T5) as other brands. But after using tons of manual lenses, I’m happy with what I have. :P)

[@WILDALASKA]

🤷‍♂️

[@AstairVentof]

I've seen rolling shutter pretty often on the R6Mii. Its not bad though - it's most noticable when scrolling through a sequence of images, fast panning and shooting fast moving birds like hummingbirds. It will be interesting to see if the 11ms of the Z6iii will make a major improvement. The buffer is going to be amazing though. Its really annoying when shooting with R6mii when it buffers and wont let you take a shot. Im not sure why the Z6III is only 20fps when the R6Mii has 40fps with a slower sensor not to mention the the nikon has a better buffer - is this a deliberate nerf on Nikons part? Precapture on R6Mii is raw which is nice but the the workflow and buffer makes me not want to use it. Z6iii only has jpeg precapture though - id really like your thoughts on how useable this is for a wildlife photographer in your review.

[@WILDALASKA]

I covered my thoughts on the pre-capture on the Nikon in this video a bit. When we review the recapture we'll go in depth on it. I don't shoot many hummingbirds so rolling shutter for the r6 MKII and R8 don't affect me much. The buffer on the r6mkII in 20 fps is a little better but remember it doresnt have CFExpress Type B like the Z6 III. That's why you get unlimited buffer. As far as the 20 FPS, that one boggled me also @ 24.5 MP.

[@AstairVentof]

@@WILDALASKA XD I just got excited and put down my comment before finishing the video. I haven't tried shooting 20fps on the R6Mii mostly because for birds I'd like to have as many poses as possible and even then sometimes I feel like I might want more frames than 40fps. Perhaps Nikon is saving the high fps for a D500 mirrorless.

[@DrNick8002]

Congratulations Bro

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks

[@tejasvaniya2664]

Lucky you

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

I like that I can charge my battery in the camera, but I prefer having a dedicated solution in the off chance there is an issue while the battery is charging. A charger is cheap, a camera is not... While I've never had an issue with a brand camera battery, I've had 1 offbrand fail and destroy the charger long ago when I was shooting on a 30D. I just imagine something similar in camera. Meanwhile I've also seen Panasonic 18650s fail (Nikon/Canon/Sony use 18XXX in their high end camera batteries) and the EN-EL15 uses 18500. Cylindrical batteries like this have the worst failure. Case in point, a Sony Vaio's battery pack literally burned my friend's house down in less than 20 min after it exploded like a molten grenade. Granted in that horrid case you're screwed anyway but my point is most failures usually just cause the battery to bulge and overheat. Good luck prying such a failure out of your camera body... While I have a modular 2 battery charger that works with my Canon and Nikon gear, the Nikon/Canon single battery chargers are more compact. At the end of the day this all started with Apple and the iPhone and a money grab for people who want a new charger. I suspect we're only a year or so away from Apple pulling chargers on even their Mac Books forcing another $40 purchase for those who want the basic 30W charger (while also keeping the price the same).

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@m.maclean8911]

Sadly, still no GPS … so not a good backup for my Z9.

[@ericaceous1652]

Does Nikon have a phone app that can embed GPS data - not ideal obviously, but a partial solution? I use the Panasonic sync app to embed coordinates into photos from my G9.

[@WILDALASKA]

Not something I use

[@lawrose4]

@@ericaceous1652 , yes. SnapBridge. A free Nikon app does that and more.

[@mvp_kryptonite]

@@ericaceous1652yh this will be the way now unless the body is flagship. It’s a way to encourage users to get the app

[@m.maclean8911]

@@ericaceous1652 yes you can tether a phone if you want to mess around with the hassles of old technology.

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

I can't wait to see your testing of bird detection. No dedicated bird detection was a big disappointment. I have not seen the autofocus cycling they recently added to the Z9 mentioned in the Z6iii. I use that all of the time. I wish we could cycle through subject detection modes using a button, too. As you probably know, Steve Perry recently said he will use the Z6iii whenever he expects fast wildlife action because of the limitless buffer. Likwise, wedding shooters are loving they they can be shooting stills and switch to video and have it work immediately and not have to wait for the buffer to clear before it comes on.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@tejasvaniya2664]

They cheap out on not giving charger is really disappointing

[@WILDALASKA]

🤷‍♂️

[@mattbuckley7645]

If it had the separate bird mode my zf would be gone

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@soumakbinduwildlife]

I think the only problem that is left in Nikon is the noise problem

[@FTRek]

I want yellow ring on S lenses too :(

[@WILDALASKA]

Noise? In images or audible? 🤪

[@soumakbinduwildlife]

@@WILDALASKA in images

[@WILDALASKA]

@@soumakbinduwildlife I process ALL may images on Canon and Nikon through DXO. LR doesn't work with the files correctly on import. Hope that helps some

[@weikaifan7979]

Z6III is too expensive !!!

[@WILDALASKA]

Not for what it offers

[@dennismurphy1937]

This camera is not for wildlife IMO.

[@WILDALASKA]

ok......