Nikon Z6II actual real world review on a Film Set.

A day after I finished Quarantine I slipped onto a film set to test the low light capabilities of the Nikon Z6II.
I can safely report she can see in the dark like a cat full of carrots!
The the frame rate and buffer make action super easy to follow and the autofocus in low contrast low light is sensational.
I like to do my tests in conditions that show me real performance in conditions most stay away from, actual real life shooting.
I see little point in testing a camera in bright light on a football field, I want to see what a camera can do in the dark.
www.nikon.com.au/en_AU
www.nikon.co.uk/en_GB/
www.nikonusa.com/en/index.page

[@BowlesImages]

Thanks for sharing your images and comments. Amazing work as always.

[@smilest4902]

Thanks Jasin 👍

[@Ritalie]

These are the most artful photos I've ever seen. Just unreal. It looks like you spent hours trying to precisely edit these photos to give them their artistic effect. Just amazing. But they don't look artificially enhanced either.

[@JasinBoland]

Thank you so much!

[@Jasonsegade]

Dam!! That’s incredibly clean @ 6400 jeezzz

[@vickosis]

Good to hear your view about the new Z6ii as well as the 85mm s lens :)

[@JasinBoland]

85 has always been my favoured focal length but the S glass takes everything a step further!

[@johnstewart4650]

Images look great! Hope you’re coming up for the premiere legend!

[@NikCan66]

Very interesting review

[@POETICIMAGES]

Love this review. Thank you!

[@JasinBoland]

Thanks! Have you watched my Z 9 one yet?

[@Ritalie]

I can't wait for Nikon's next firmware update for the Z6ii that puts it on par with the Sony and Canon for action sports focusing. Because it's a beautiful work of art, with amazing hardware, dual processors, and the best lenses. Nikon nails the color science better than anyone. I want them to solve some very minor auto focus issues, so they can get the full credit they deserve. I'm going to buy a Z6ii very soon. The Z lenses also don't "breathe" when focusing, unlike other still camera lenses.

[@JasinBoland]

The S glass is astounding!

[@ericmilner4367]

Great video, thanks Jasin. Also from a Z6 shooter that does unit stills, the Nikon IBIS is fantastic! When an actor pauses for a brief period, and is still, one can easily use 1/30ss on an 85mm lens. As you know, we can lower our iso a couple of stops here, too. Thanks for the great videos and content that is relevant, Jasin.

[@JasinBoland]

Absolutely. I was only there for a couple of hours and the cast were constantly in n the move so I wanted to give myself as much chance as I could. If I needed more like I would have dropped the shutter and kept iso where it was. Happy Z days ahead!

[@pmb6667]

Agreed! I was SO ecstatic that Nikon was FINALLY getting us the IBIS option with these cameras! When I had to switch to Nikon from Olympus over 7 years ago, I was so bummed out about not having IBIS anymore (and having to get stabilization only through lenses). I'm still shooting with my old workhorses (D700 and D810), but I'm looking forward to getting this Z6II!

[@pmb6667]

Thank you so much for your review and insights, Jasin! This covered *exactly* what I needed to know about low-contrast, low-light conditions on set. Much appreciated!

[@JasinBoland]

Oh thats cool! It was a little tricky timing to the prac lights but it was so flat and dark I was super surprised it came up as good as it did.

[@pmb6667]

@@JasinBoland It's so funny too because when you said that the moment you walked onto that said and thought 'no way', I had to laugh because that's EXACTLY my thoughts when it happens to me too! Same with shooting concerts (my other passion) -- low-light shooting, again. My heart would sink, but I somehow make it work (to make a few decent shots but just not as many as I'd like). Between this video, and the other one you posted a while back in that hotel room with the amazing *backlight* shot... Boy I'm really saving up some coins to get this camera!

[@nigelwesleyphotographer]

Thanks for sharing these insights Jasin 👍

[@JasinBoland]

My pleasure champ. It’s nice to share. Glad you enjoy them.

[@junitusbung4176]

nikon did a great job on z6 ii , thank you for sharing with us, Jasin. stay safe ...

[@JasinBoland]

Yeah it really is a wonderful camera! Thank you and you stay safe too please.

[@MichaelSeneschal]

Woohoo! Red Sox Nation!

[@geordieincrete]

Great video, thanks a lot. I have just purchased my first mirrorless [ z 6ii ] , very impressed so far, it is handling my f mount lenses very well via the adapter but I agree with you, looking to the future with the Z mount glass. I only have one Z lens atm [ z 50mm f1.8 s] but will be adding more for sure.

[@JasinBoland]

Oh the S glass makes me shiver...

[@057rcbartman]

Great info as usual mate. You seem to stick a lot to 6400 iso , how often would you go a lot higher ? sometimes iv shot 12000 to get a decent speed in very dark areas Yet you rarely mention shooting higher than that?

[@JasinBoland]

I try to keep 6400 isi as my happy upper level. anything over that I have a psychological resistance to.

[@cacofhv]

Do you feel better going higher with your D5/D6 you stay at 6400 with those, as well. How does it compare with the DSLR in terms of ISO?

[@AdamDLevy]

Thanks for the vid Jason. Couple of questions for you here...first , not related, did you do the pro res upgrade on the 6ii? While on set in the video above, what metering setting do you use? Last and just as intriguing in the hockey Dad video. I've been a bit upset with the noise from my D850 and Z7 when shooting in these rinks which can have some of the worst lighting ever...anxious to see what your settings are for ice, especially when sitting behind the goal and watching a player rush the puck from defensive end out. With auto eye AF I am curious to see how fast it picks up the tracking after something passes by the skater and the lens. A usual, great stuff mate. Stay safe and healthy out there. Last, curious to see a pic of COVID Jasin, with mask and shield shooting on set!

[@JasinBoland]

I have the pro res but don't really use it. I only ever shoot manual and I would recommend you do too. Better you control the camera than it control you on an auto exposure setting. Yeah I promise you will be surprised but the file output with the 6II. It's actually the most recognisable thing for me. Thanks so much for watching.

[@AdamDLevy]

@@JasinBoland I am strictly a manual guy! Was asking about Pro Res because there's always that time when the Dp or Director turns and asks, you have video on that thing, right? Every once in a while I do an occasional shoot to help them out. I am sure I can get away with it for now. Forgot to ask if there is any issue shooting with the new Arri Skypanels?

[@JasinBoland]

@@AdamDLevy Sorry Adam your question asked what metering setting did I use so I took that as an Auto mode. I do everything by eye so it's not something I use. No Skypanel issues for me but there will always be some lighting scenario that will band with all cameras when using the wrong shutter speed.

[@kjltube]

Thanks for the conclusions. Do your shoot in silent shutter mode and risk warping or blurring or use a blimp. Perhaps silent mode is fast enough for most cases on movie sets?

[@JasinBoland]

Im really not getting it at all with the 6II I know it should be there but it certainly hasn't been an issue. I still do use my dslr in a blimp when I need but also the Z cameras are so quiet I can use mechanical shutter a lot without sound being an issue

[@kjltube]

@@JasinBoland thank you Jasin, and yes the shutter it quiet. A longer focal length came help reduce localized noise too perhaps (70-200)

[@dianaweng1459]

you are so charming, tiger! you need to give acting a try! xo

[@JasinBoland]

Thanks so much! Maybe I will get discovered!

[@gregallenphoto]

In the future please address your metering selection in low light situations.

[@JasinBoland]

Sorry you missed it Greg, I only shoot Manual exposure.

[@gregallenphoto]

@@JasinBoland yep got that manual exposure. Sorry I wasn't clear. Do u pin spot meter the face on the set?

[@JasinBoland]

@@gregallenphoto no I do everything by eye.