Pros and Cons of the Nikon Z8 : Bird and Wildlife Photography 3-Month Review

[@RadAlzyoud]

An excellent and fair review. I usually don’t trust reviews from shooters who shoot one brand for 365 days a year and then complain about another brand after trying it for just 1-2 days. You’ve actually put in the time and effort to learn the system you’re reviewing. Well done.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks. Just trying to give my experience with the gear as I'm using it.

[@marcusalanphotography694]

Awesome review…I use the Z8 and Z9 and they are great cameras. It is refreshing to see a real photographers review on a product. You have spent the time with the camera and you know to get the most out of it. I also want the 400mm 2.8 but I refuse to sell a kidney. Keep up the great work

[@WILDALASKA]

Kidney and a leg or 2 ;) and thanks for the kind words.

[@dansouth2088]

Wow, this is very well done! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the Z8! I just got mine and feel I need to go back to school just to learn how to set it up, but actually that is half the fun!

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks. There is a setup video for the z8 on the channel also.

[@cliffordhare5904]

I have the z6ii but now I want the z8. Great video excellent review. Very well done.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks! 👍

[@PhillipJ]

Just picked up my z8 the other day and coming from the D500 and D750 it's quite a change....completely honest video, thanks!!

[@WILDALASKA]

Grats, you are in for a fun journey. for the good that is. Happy Shooting ! 🎉😃🐻

[@gregcorker2193]

Thanks for your informative, engaging, and unbiased videos!

[@WILDALASKA]

So nice of you. Thanks!

[@johnvanderploeg]

Excellent review! I really enjoy your perspective as you’ve spent enough time shooting both Canon and Nikon to accurately compare the pros and cons of each brand. The z8 is a phenomenal camera and for wildlife shooters its really hard to beat! Looking forward to your upcoming videos!

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks

[@randyschwager2515]

Thanks for this review! It sure would be great to see that video of you actually using the autofocus system in the field! It’s a training step that no one else has tackled! Thanks for all your advice!

[@WILDALASKA]

So it's not much different than. how I use the canon r series cameras. I platoon making a Z9 one once I can get th time. For now here's the canon r7 which the button layout is almost the same setup except on z9 my single point is fn1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWqrlYZuZtejbac

[@matthewbell1968]

Top drawer review Scott, really interesting and informative in equal measure. Keep the videos coming of beautiful Alaska 👍

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks, will do!

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Really excellent review, Scott! Right now, Nikon has the best price to performance ratio of the top three professional level cameras. In addition, the new 180-600 mm f/5.6 to 6.3, 400 mm f/4.5, and 800 mm f/6.3 lenses are well-suited for wildlife and bird photography, and are much more affordable than the similar focal length lenses from Canon or Sony. To be certain, the prime f/2.8 and f/4 prime super-telephoto lenses from Nikon, Canon, and Sony are exceptionally sharp and bright but very expensive! For most of us, the difference in price is money that can be used to pay for trips to awesome locations rather than buying additional or more expensive gear.

[@WILDALASKA]

Very true. I have the 180-600 on pre-order and looking forward to that lens. That's why this Z8 plus that lens would make for great setup. Oh send me your mailing address on instagram so I can get the print out you won for the 7K subscriber giveaway sir ;)

[@livejames9374]

Thanks for taking adequate time to learn the system in order to get the most out of it. Your perspective matches my experience as a Nikon and Canon user.

[@WILDALASKA]

Very welcome!

[@beskimo2]

@9:19 When I started to import images from the Z9 I started to notice that I liked what was coming straight out the camera and didn't feel the need to edit as much.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@guylorenzo5324]

Scott - only recently discovered your channel. I really enjoy your content and just subscribed. Thanks for this great review of the Z8! Your descriptions and explanations of the features/benefits/negatives of the camera are clear and concise. I was especially interested in the challenges you faced with the Z8/Z9 autofocus system. An in-depth video dedicated to that subject and what modes you use in various scenarios would be great. As an aside, I own the Z9 and a D850 and love both but am considering replacing the latter with a Z8 as part of a longer term transition to mirrorless. Based on your review it seems you would agree.

[@WILDALASKA]

Yes I think if you need 2 bodies and shoot nikon. the z9 and backup Z8 would be ideal. that z8 and light lens for walk around and a backup. Thanks for subscribing also. I've been planning on making just such a video. May be a bit. I have tons of videos now in the pipeline, from the Kodiak trip, gear reviews, and how-to's. But it's coming.

[@brianglock3099]

I have both, it’s like having two different size hammers in your tool box. Both have the same results but each is best for different jobs. Shooting with both together is a joy. 100-400 on z9 wide or other on Z8

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@dance2jam]

Stewart, thanks as always. I know there is a lot to cover. There are several things I could point out, but the 20 FPS is NOT in UNCOMPRESSED RAW, it's lossless compressed RAW. I know you know this, just pointing it out.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@brianglock3099]

Love and use both the Z9 and Z8 . On the Z9 you can rotate the dial all the way to the two squares then press the two square top button and use command duals to chose single, low for, high, 30…… times. Just like you are doing on the Z8. 🙂

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for the info!

[@cathco9]

Great review, Scott. I'm a Canon shooter (R5) but three of my friends shoot with this Z8. I'm loving all of the features you outlined, especially the BSI stacked sensor. Why? Canon needs to pay attention for the R5 II. THE R5 is 3 years old now, older when you think of when it was developed. Time for many upgrades. Thanks!!!

[@WILDALASKA]

very true, but for being 3 years long in the tooth that R5 still holds up. Im curious what the r5II will have as the R series historically was the all around, but the r5 changed that with the high fps in stills. Im sure canon will pop something nice out with hopefully a stacked sensor and maybe an announcement in the winter? I have no idea really lol

[@michaeljohannsen4872]

Thanks for the fab review and Canon comparisons 🤗 I‘m in the same situation of (maybe) switching :)

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jasonbishop8656]

My Z7ii has the same card door… drives my absolutely nuts. I like the lock on the Z9.

[@WILDALASKA]

Good thats its not just me ;)

[@MrModerate_kane]

a few things here are fixed in fW2.0 which is very nice for the Z8, although battery life, card door and small things wont change. I am so 50/50 about the Z8/9. will decide in store in a week or so but i am liking the Z9 i just need to feel the size again before giving my card over.

[@WILDALASKA]

if you can afford the extra 1k or so get the z9. that battery drain is a pain on the z8

[@Ben_Stewart]

I love this camera. I kept my Z6ii for Astro modified and sold my Z50 hoping for a mark 2 to come around. I think your bang on. People need learn AF systems before barking about how they don't work like their automatic car.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@danielelcolombo]

Great review, very informative, thanks! Can you shoot a video looking through the viewfinder, or are you limited to the LCD (as in the D850)? Thanks!!!!

[@WILDALASKA]

Looks through any of the Z9 or Z8 videos and there should be EVF footage in them. I will be doing some more Z9 videos soon that have the EVF footage. The Z9 and Z8 are almost identical in then EVF performance.

[@markwalker8374]

I enjoy your channel Scott. I have the Sony A9 and would like to upgrade as I am becoming more of a hybrid shooter and the high quality 4k 120 fps with much better stabilisation than Sony can offer is very tempting. I'm sure many Sony shooters with the 200-600mm are eyeing the Z8 (with MegaAdapter) as the A1 is too expensive and well behind on firmware updates. But then again next year is an Olympics year so the R5 MkII and A1 MkII should be due out by year end. Could you cover the video aspect in your upcoming flagship comparison or do a separate video on filming wildlife clips. Thanks

[@WILDALASKA]

will do

[@Frippin-MTBD80]

I have Z6 and really want the Z8/Z9, not just because of autofocus... but because the stacked sensor + whatever they are doing for stabilization for still and video is amazing! Yes AF is much more amazing but that's not what annoys me on my Z6. It's mostly shooting video and avoiding warpy corners and jiggles or ripples in the video from sudden movements and maxing out IBIS+VR on a non-stacked sensor. It just seems amazing on Z8/Z9.

[@WILDALASKA]

and it is :)

[@tintin69rr]

Awesome review I’ve just packed the r7 up ready for shipping I was going to get the Olympus om-1 for wildlife and keep the R6 for landscape with my ef L lenses but I’m now thinking get shut of the r6 as well and rf 100-500 and go all in get a Z8or z9 with that ef- z adapter you use and get a sigma 150-600 for now on the Nikon till can get the z180-600

[@WILDALASKA]

Nice 👍

[@HotGates]

Yes a great camera and love mine, I also have the Z 180-600 on pre order, But using the prograde cobalt CF Express I have been having lots of warnings about hot cards.

[@WILDALASKA]

I haven't had any heat warnings on my Exascend Card or the Delkin Black Card. That's interesting new on the prograde card. I'm very much looking forward to that lens and see how it holds up against the 200-500 5.6.

[@HotGates]

@@WILDALASKA I'm sure the Z 180-600 will be much better than the 200-500 as all Z lenses stomp the Nikkor AF-S Lenses, As far as the heat warning that could very well be the really hot weather we are having in Greece.

[@cody484848]

Great video and thanks for all the details on the Z8. I've been dabling in wildlife and bird photography the past year with my Nikon Z7II, but primarily a landscape photographer. Have you tried and landscaping and guessing it would be very similar to the 7II as far as image quality and HDR. Thanks for any feedback.

[@WILDALASKA]

Yes its fantastic for landscapes also. I just try not to shoot much landscape as I have enough to edit as is with just my wildlife adventures ;)

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Thank you for the information!!

[@WILDALASKA]

You bet!

[@hstein27]

Scott, excellent long term review. This camera is super-tempting to switch to from R5/R7. If the R5 II wasn't on the horizon, I would most likely make the switch now, especially for the 180-600 and 800 PF lenses. I was out with the R7 yesterday photographing great blue herons fairly close to me in bright light, and the R7 frequently shows the auto-focus box on the bird's eye but it's focusing on the background, which doesn't happen on the R5 for me. I found that underexposing when there's a lot of light helps with this on the R7, and raising exposure when light is not so great. Have you had any such issues with the Z8/9? I have a feeling Canon will outdo Nikon with the R5 II with a stacked BSI sensor and improved auto-focus over all their current models.

[@WILDALASKA]

Canon and Nikon both need good contrast on the subject for them to grab. Usually the background grab thing is due to holding the af to long. The r5II should be interesting whenever they finally announce it

[@grom5756]

I switched from D750 to R6 II and now I am considering going back with Z8, because of the shadow recovery, ease of edit and colors of Nikon. Generally Nikon lenses are cheaper here, so I will make up for the trade in time. How is the autofocus compared to R6 II, I know I would get better body in the Z8 (45 MP, stacked sensor), but I am still not sure..

[@WILDALASKA]

The canon autofocus is easier to use and quicker to acquire in a lot of situations, BUT the Z8/Z9 autofocus is good. This weeks video you will like as its going to be the R5, Z8, A7RV in field comparison.

[@grom5756]

@@WILDALASKA Thank you for the reply, I'm looking forward to the video :)

[@MrBubinski777]

6:26 I may be wrong but I dont believe the Z8 has a Global shutter. It's extremely fast but still reads from top to bottom.

[@WILDALASKA]

Didn't say it had global. Said Electronic only. I mentioned global as it's the future. Thanks for watching

[@stripes_in_raw]

Brilliant Spot on Review. Can you tell me what picture profile you were using for straight out of camera videos in 4k120 ? And did you get a chance to try the Z400 f4.5 ? That lens looks great and takes a 1.4Tc very well when compared to Zoom lenses.

[@WILDALASKA]

Standard profile

[@martinsarre]

I use the z8 with Z400 with 1.4 teleconverter . Very light weight and very good sharpness and auto focus. Also amazed at how light weight and sharp my 800pf lens is. I have no plans to get the z400 2.8 or the z600 f4, because they are just too heavy and I am more than satisfied with the results I am getting with my current wildlife setup.

[@daleroyal6449]

After shooting with the Nikon D500 for a long time, I decided to go mirrorless, {500 was a cracking wildlife camera} I Decided on the z8,What a beast of a camera its a d500 on steroids, Only had it 3 weeks and just finding my way around it, Scott is it possible to put the z8 into the DX mode assigned to a fn button as same as Z9?,Thanks for fair but great review.

[@WILDALASKA]

yes. the z8 will work almost exactly the same as the z9 on assignment of buttons

[@angelawilkins3624]

Should I tell you the z400 2.8 pairs great with the external 1.4 and 2x tc for razor sharp images all the way to 1120mm f8 handheld at 1/400 second😊

[@WILDALASKA]

Oh yes I now it does :( Its almost a one lens to rule them all lol. Stop trying to hurt my checking account 🤣

[@saurabhbhardwaj6753]

Really well done :)

[@WILDALASKA]

thx

[@lewcehjitl3282]

Dose the canon Eos R8 perform better overall?

[@mlai2546]

R8 is not in the same price range. You should be comparing it to an R5 or maybe an R3.

[@lewcehjitl3282]

@@mlai2546 it’s funny a $1500 full frame camera perform better than a $4000usd camera.

[@WILDALASKA]

Do you mean the Nikon Z8 or the Canon R8? different beasts. The R8 for not having a BSI stacked CMOS sensor is really good at 14.5ms readout speed but doesn't touch the Z8 3.7ms. plus the sensor response, mp size, and colors are so much better on the Z8 but your talking about $2500 difference in price also. Autofocus is situational on the differences also. Over all edge to Canon R8, but again depends on scenario.

[@livejames9374]

Z8 “overall” is in a different league as the price gap indicates.

[@TheWildlifeGallery388]

I've been shooting the R5 for the last 9 months and feel I'm finally in tune with it, but I have been eyeballing this Z8, Question Scott, did you use your Canon 500 prime with this Z8 - any issues there that you could share as long as it doesn't ruin a future Video release for you? I have a 600mm F4 prime V2 lens. the reason for the question. THANKS in Advance.

[@WILDALASKA]

Yes I use all my EF lenses with the Nikon Z9 and Z8 using the Fringer adapter. There are a few EF to Z adapters out there, but this one gives you full autofocus ability with the lens and body. Here's the video I made about it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn3ShmhraNd9o8U

[@martinsarre]

Great review! Still getting used to auto focus on mine for birds in flight with busy background. Love using it with my 800pf and 400 4.5 S and 1.4 teleconverter. I am now getting very sharp photos with this setup. Also great for astro landscapes, as good as my z7ii, which I did not expect.

[@WILDALASKA]

Great to hear!

[@bfs5113]

Heard from some Canonite pros about Canon's AF stickiness and Nikon simply doesn't have that technology and history with its AF. Hence, a future Z9/8 II + AI co-processor (~Sony 7R V) can be a possible brute force solution. However, Canon's upcoming Quad Pixel AF may nullify that feature's advantage, but other methods, such as (third party) customized AI software plug-in can be considered.

[@WILDALASKA]

😒

[@jamesscharnitz7640]

I would love to give Nikon another shot but I can’t justify spending the $4,000 for the z8 when I’m just a hobbyist. I wish Nikon would refresh the z6,z7 lineup with new models including the new Nikon processor and AF

[@WILDALASKA]

z6 ii is due for an update, release was Oct 2020

[@cy9nvs]

I've had this camera for about a month now, but couldn't really use it since the 180-600 hasn't arrived yet. It really kills me. 😅

[@WILDALASKA]

what lens do you have on hand now? Most of mine are adapted either with the FtoZ using the 200-500 or the fringer EF to Z using the canon 500 f4 mike or the 70-200 mkIII.

[@cy9nvs]

@@WILDALASKA I only bought the 50 and 85 f/1.8 lenses so far. Until the pre-ordered 180-600 arrives, I'll keep using my Fuji X-H2 for birds and wildlife.

[@WILDALASKA]

@@cy9nvs nice lenses. I think the ship date is the 17th of August. Hopefully Nikon made a lot of them. fingers crossed.

[@richardroberts3205]

👍

[@WILDALASKA]

👍