Why I Bought a Second Nikon Z6 over the Z50

[@warlordpriest1]

I discovered your wonderful channel just a few hours ago and have been devouring your content with relish. It’s so refreshing to get good information from a calm seasoned professional without all of the bombast of some of the American KZbinrs. I’ve been considering upgrading my Z 50 to a Z6, and was reticent about the price/value ratio of the Z6ii compared to a Z6. This and your other informative videos on the subject have helped me to decide that the Z6 should be fine for my modest needs. Also, thank you for sharing your experience about lenses and how they fit certain shooting situations. Rewarding, inspiring and eminently professional.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Flattery will get you ... far! 😀 Seriously, I'm glad you find my channel useful. I do try to "keep it real." I think you made a good choice; the Z6 is still an excellent camera. I'll keep the 2 I own while awaiting something like the Z9, or possibly Z8.

[@indydenny7]

You may be aware that by adding the Small Rig plate to the Z50, the tripod connection is moved to the side and you can use the flip down screen with ease. It also adds a cold shoe for mic. Much lighter and I find the VR more stable than the IBIS in my Z7 for vlogging. (Not trying to add to your GAS problem but it makes for a small, light vlogging/travel kit.)

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Yes, I discovered that workaround the day after I published this video. I have the SmallRig L-plate (you may have noticed I have those on my other cameras) and full cage on my GAS list for the Z6s. But you never know ... 😀 The Z50 looks like a nice little camera.

[@GunnarDresler]

I got the Z6 mainly for video reasons as well, but it has totally developed to my go to camera (even though mainly video still). I am not there yet, but I will be at some point at the same decision, just because the Z50 seems so handy and light weight. Thanks for your insight :)

[@wirinharwirjawan6422]

Thanks for sharing great info.

[@msears101]

where was the hike at the end? sorry if it is too personal of a question.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

No problem. It's part of the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. The Potholes (located in the bordering regional park) are location for some of my other videos, including: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mV6TmYuqnJ6qg7M kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3fao3eZmsumrNE

[@petermclennan6781]

Thanks, Ray. I'm on the cusp of retiring my D800 in favour of a Z6. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm a retired cinematographer and I'm looking to return to my roots by shooting more video. It's a tough decision, because the D800 is still a better photographer than me, even after eight years with it. But, as you say, it's too darn heavy. Time marches on , right? :) Look forward to more from you. Cheers from the Kootenays!

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Hi Peter. Thanks for commenting. I'm still hanging on to that D800 ... but, to be honest, it hasn't been out of that cupboard since I made the video. The Z-6 is so nice in every way, save pixel count, which is not often an issue. The IQ is extraordinary and the video quality, even 8-bit in-camera, is as good as I need. The release of the new zooms and teleconverters is tempting me to finally make the transition complete and sell my remaining DSLR and F-mount lenses. Ah, a Kootenays lad! If I wasn't here on the coast, I'd be back in the old stomping grounds that pulls my heart often, traipsing around the Purcells.

[@petermclennan6781]

@@RaymondParkerPhoto For video, it's gonna be tough to say no to the Nikkor 24-200 S. Even though it's slow, the ISO performance of the Z6 would seem to make it moot. Actually receiving one seems to be the issue. The new 11mm Laowa 11mm f4.5 also has my eyes glistening. For motion media, wide is good. As are the Kootenays! :) As a North Van boy, I miss the ocean, though. Kootenay Lake looks just exactly like Howe Sound, but there are no smells. :( You're in Sooke, right? Subbed.

[@photo-markus]

I have very similar setup but still recommend the atomos ninja V. Not even for prores raw but the whole video production becomes easier, plus 10 bit...

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Just added the Ninja: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5ilaZifmrWsrLc

[@CPSWEDEN]

Raymond! How big is the difference in quality filming with Z6 vs D800? Probably hard to answer but I have only used D810 and D750 for video and it’s not cutting it for me in real estate. It’s ok but I want a big leap forward if I commit to the Z line. As I mention earlier I do work in real estate and need a camera that can handle harsh window light with dark interiors. My plan is to go with the Atomos - Filmmakers kit. And Nikon is my choice because I have their lenses etc.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Hi Stefan. If you saw my latest video (on the Z updates) you can judge the IQ of the D800. It's not half bad. But, it's just 108p. Then, its Dynamic Range is not so good. It's prone to being noisy in the shadows and certain colour channels (I think that's the technical term). Then there's the controls ... there aren't any to speak of. You have to hit that button on the back to switch to video ... clunk! back and forth to review the recording. It's just from the days, not so long ago, when video was an afterthought. The Nikon "colour science" is hiding there in plain sight, but not much else is in evidence, especially autofocus, tracking, etc. It's simply unusable. That's the long of it. As for the Filmmaker's Kit, I considered it but already had some of the components so it didn't make sense for me. I think you'll find the dynamic range, especially shooting LOG with the Atomos to be very good.

[@CPSWEDEN]

@@RaymondParkerPhoto Thanks for the reply brother! Yeah it’s hard to know when I can’t try it before buying.... The price of living in a small town. Sounds like a pretty big step up in quality. Your videos look very good ❤️ Always great to watch your videos - glad I found you and thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Have a good one!

[@bigsadhu99]

I think you'll find the Z6 (and the D800) also has a CMOS sensor. I'm guessing you mean a CROP sensor, when referring to the Z50 and the XT-2? Aside from that, nice video and good info.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Yup. Slip of the tongue, which is why I added text correction in the video. APS-C Cheers.

[@googo151]

Because you can!!!

[@TheGeoDaddy]

I can follow up with my disappointment that Nikon/Atomos was NOT able to pressure Apple to implement a profile for ProRws RAW in FCPX. I have been using the Sony Cine profile and some 3rd Party LUTS to approach some semblance of a workflow... but it’s NOT what you get from Sony or Cannon or any other Apple - partner - and, as my main interest is to shoot theater under controlled lighting, it is a major disappointment that the slightest change on lighting forces you to color grade from scratch... if you shout ProRes RAW. I’ve been distracted by Covid job loss... but I’m thinking I may skip shooting 4K and stick with 1080p for small screen production.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Well, the 1080p does hold up well. I most often shoot 4K and use 1080 timeline. I only recently invested in the Ninja V (I have 2 videos so far on my experience) and agree that colour grading can be a pain. I haven't yet had to modification done to try ProRes Raw, but I'm finding that grading from scratch can be easier than bothering with LUTS, which I wouldn't have thought of but for @MaartenHeilbron

[@KarenVaisman1]

Great summary. I have a very similar setup. How do you compare the z6 for vlogging vs gopro? They make a urigg mirror to help w vlogging. Any reason you didn’t choose a z7 for second camera?

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Thanks for the question, Karen. The GoPro can't touch the Z6 for picture quality, but it's sure a lot lighter and more convenient. Since I bought the first Z6 primarily for video (though I'm using it now for most of my still shoots), I wanted a second camera to match the first as closely as possible in that regard -- plus cost. If I need more pixels, I have the D800 -- for now.

[@runcmd1419]

I would really like to see a d500/XT4 equivalent body that takes enel15b's and xqd. Maybe when they get the af a bit more sorted.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Not sure what "equivalent" means to you in comparison to the d500 and Fuji XT4. Personally, I've never had an issue with the af on my Z6. With 3.0 firmware, it's excellent.

[@runcmd1419]

@@RaymondParkerPhoto It is excellent, but still trails canon and sony a bit, improving that and the buffer would be great as a sports camera. I'd like to see something like 4k60 10bit 4:2:2 internal with fast readout like the xt4, maybe they could do raw too in a year or so. My other big reason for looking past the Z50 is i want to share batteries and cards between my bodies, i have 4 en el15's already. A prosumer dx body would warrant keeping the cards and batteries in line with the z6, while utilizing the advantages smaller sensors tend to have for video output and give us something neither the Z6 or Z50 do.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

@@runcmd1419 I'm not a sports photographer, though I still enjoy shooting bicycle racing, and rambunctious children. I'm sure we all have a wish list and agree 10-bit internal would be a bonus, if we're talking Z6. The different battery was my main reason to pass on the Z50.

[@MrGougog]

I love my z6 and z50.

[@RobOK_BTC]

@raymondparker Why are some of your lenses taped up?

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Thanks for the question Rob. Perhaps you are referring to my 70-200 2.8 F-mount lens and 2x teleconverter, which are sheathed in LensCoat neoprene camo covers. These protect my lenses and, assuming the rest of you is camouflaged, purportedly help you sneak up on Bigfoot.

[@amitk1187]

How is the nikon z50 image quality next to the z6?

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

I don't own the Z50. I explain why in the video.

[@markshirley01]

The second slot virtually rules it out as a wedding camera. That's such a big market that people take note of. They really need to address this fast from a marketing point of view.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

If there is a market demand, then, yes, they'll have to respond. However, there are plenty of wedding photographers using the Z6 exclusively. Arguably, as I say in the video, the best failsafe is not relying on one camera, which no professional photographer does. There's also various wireless backup options..

[@jeffreyprokopowicz9842]

If it was just one SD slot I`d agree with you, but with XQD you only need one slot.

[@xjr1618x]

I love my Z6. I got the body only with the FTZ adaptor to use with my F lenses. I'm going on a trip to Iceland in one week and decided to get the S50 1.8 and the 14-30. Hope those two will be sufficient for my trip. Can't wait. My next lens likely be the S85 1.8

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Excellent! As I say, the 50 1.8S was my first Z-mount lens and, boy, was I impressed! Then the 14-30. You're gonna make some nice landscape photos with that in Iceland, I bet.

[@collinsmin]

Its the touch wood for me

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Are you a Z camera owner? Did you buy more than one? What's you experience?

[@lwhite7991]

Raymond Parker thinking about a second z6 as well. I have a d850 back up to the z6 and the colors are way different

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

@@lwhite7991 Certainly easier to process -- just minor differences depending on light variation and lens.

[@saraheyler6047]

I just got a z6 with a 24-70mm lens when Nikon was having their super sale. I am still at a beginner level and do not know all the tech terms. My z6 has 2 SD slots no cfexpress. I figure for my skill/level in understanding photography it’s more than sufficient.

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Thank you for a great video. I like your style. You will do well :-)

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Cheers, guys!

[@willswomble7274]

You personally might be better now spending spare dosh on travel/holidays - oops - back to spending too much time on your favourite gear website. If I had your mix of equipment I might well have gone for the Z50 so gaining extra reach from your present lenses from a tiny 'always carry it' body. I'm very happy with my Z6 but still keep my very solid D200 for that reason and because it is only worth the price of a meal for one in a so so pub/restaurant in the UK now.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

I'm guessing you're not doing too much travelling right now. Speaking to my relatives in the UK yesterday, they were surprised we have so much freedom here in Canada to wander. Lucky for me, I live in a place that is itself a "holiday," as illustrated in other videos on this channel. All the money I'd spend on travel I can invest in gear, right here in paradise.

[@AG-nj3ky]

Still happy with my d7200. As a non-professional shooter it is still way too early for me to switch to nikon mirrorles. It seems that there dx line will not offer anything for the enthousiasts, based on there dx lens offering. The fx line is still too expensive for non-professionals. Also waiting to see how the 24-105 performs compared to the 24-70 f4. I also do miss the second card slot. I save jpeg and raw to different cards which is really convenient if you take like 2000 pictures on your vacation and only need to raw edit a small fraction of them. You can just copy the whole second slot and then pick the photos for editting from the first slot and never look back. Also I am interested to see what tamron/sigma will offer for nikon in the next years. I will wait for now.

[@colingift8912]

I bought the Z50 to supplement my Z7 ... I have a monthly head shoot and now use the Z50 with my Z mount 50... 75 mm is a perfect focal length... Image quality is super.... color matches my Z7... You have serious gear acquisition syndrome!

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Yup. Nice to match the IQ. I like/need pro tools. Most of my gear has been acquired over many years and, though I wish I'd kept some cameras and lenses, I usually liquidate older gear to rationalize the new.

[@TheGeoDaddy]

How prophetic, I was just thinking of getting a 2nd Z6 body to go with my Z6 Filmmaker’s Kit. Now that Nikon/Atomos have delivered ProRes RAW the 2nd SSD is not really relevant as you are writing out to the Ninja V anyways (not two) Shooting video off a Rhino Slider, however, I still use legacy Nikkor lenses because the Z lenses rely on Autofocus as they are focused by “wire” and are subject to “focus breathing” which makes repeatable slider shots to pull focus impossible... the manual focus rings with Rhino Focus works like like a charm. Since I am attempting to shoot a theater piece for a web series, I do use the Z 85mm with the Rhino ArcII to take advantage of the Follow Tracking with Eye Focus for those tight head shots... anywhichwaythouwouldhaveit.com

[@LnMMedia]

What I wouldn’t give to be able to buy even one Z6 OR Z50. 😪

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

I sold some stuff.

[@MrGougog]

Buy them both.

[@SanderSander88]

subscribed!

[@WILDFOTOPaulThomsen]

Hi Raymond thanks interesting video and thoughts.. I'm using Z7 and doing a lot of video as well as stills.. really enjoying it.. but now I've started a youtube channel I'm thinking I'd love a Z6 alongside the Z7 to video with.. maybe one day! Hey I can't find it by googling but it seems my Z7 doesn't do auto focus pulling? My GH5 did this.. and I assumed I'd have the same video features on the Z7 as the Z6 (even if the Z6 is a bit better low noise and better quality at full frame with no line skipping). Apart from shooting myself a bit for youtube, I'm mainly shooting wildlife and nature - check out my channel if you want. :)

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Thanks, Paul. I don't own the Z7 (wish I did) but I'd think it would have all the same focussing options as the Z6 via the touch screen. Have you initialized the touch-screen? Presume you've watched my related video.

[@WILDFOTOPaulThomsen]

@@RaymondParkerPhoto i do use the touchscreen but not sure what you mean so I'll take a look. If by pull focus you mean it'll just change focus to what you tap on the screen then yeah I do that.. but I wondered if you meant like on the Panasonic GH5 where you had more control.. like you'd pick a starting point and and end point of focus in the menus and then even set how long you want the focus pull to take etc... By the way the prores raw update would've cost you a lot more than the firmware update price.. I'm shooting 10 bit (not raw) a bit now externally with a Atomos - love it but I'm gonna need a lot more storage! :) Even the 8 bit.. Windows reports the files having an ~800Mbit data rate so the files are really big...

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

@Paul Thomsen Just tapping the screen to "pull focus"; I have a video on that linked in this video ... and, of course, amongst my recent videos. Yes, another $1500CAD to enjoy external recording with the Ninja V, not to mention storage costs, which are onerous enough with 8-bit 4K. I see you bit the bullet.

[@TaipeiGeek]

You have too much glass, serious G.A.S.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

There's no such thing as "too much glass." 😀 As long as you use it all.