I use the Z7 for Astro as I also use it for Landscapes etc too >> Lovely Non Alias Filter Sensor and only Slightly very small more noise than Z6 and ISO 64 too on the Z7
Hey Will, a really comprehensive wrap of this great little camera. I agree with everything that you said and having used these cameras for many years now, I reckon they are ideally suited to nightscape shooting. You didn't mention a lot about time lapse, but the Z6 and even more so the Z6ii are unbeatable in this area with all you need built right into the camera. Hope you're going well. Take care. Richard
Thanks Richard! Took me a while to get back haha. I really need to get into trying time lapses more. I get impatient and always want to keep moving and trying new shots vs setting up in a single one, however that brings a good argument to buy myself a second camera! I've got another video coming out this week on the Z7II. I took one out for the first time back in April and I have to say I didn't really notice as much difference between the Z6 and Z7II in terms of nightscapes as I was expecting. -Will
There’s an interval timer option in the settings on the Z6, but you’re limited to the exposure times to those native to the camera. 1/8000th up to 30s. You also can’t fine tune the exact number of seconds you want for the exposure since the native shutter speeds are at fractions of a stop. Along with that, If you need to take longer exposures than 30s you have to have an intervalometer to be consistent or use the bulb or time mode. However, that is different on the Z6II like you pointed out. The Z6II has an extended shutter speed setting that really opens up the utilization of the interval timer option.
@@willchaneyphoto I gotcha now, yup you are correct with those things. That is one thing I’m super stoked with on my Z6ii is those extended shutter speeds. For my Astro work it’s incredibly handy
I dont think anybody lost a photo to the single slot. This is a non issue. Also, the FTZ is a great solution for support for new and older lenses. Not a valid gripe.
Great review! I've been struggling along with my old D40, waiting until I could afford to take the dive on a really good camera for astrophotography. I had been drooling over the D850 for a couple of years but recently began exploring the mirrorless possibilities. You packed a lot of detail into a relatively short video, and I love the section on alternatives at the end. Lots of food for thought. Thank you!!
Thanks!! the D850 was what I originally looked at back in 2019, but I'm so glad I went with the Z6. I also put together a review of the Z7II a few months ago. That's also an incredible camera for astrophotography.
Hey how's it going? I'm from Brazil and around here we don't have many reviews for astrophotography. I'm thinking about making my next purchase, but I don't know whether to buy a star tracker or a new camera? My camera is a nikon d3500 and my question is whether I earn more buying a startracker to use with my current camera or buy a new camera (mirrorless like yours or a d780/850). As here everything is very expensive, the purchase needs to be right. I hope that you can you help me. =D Congratulations on your review.
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you! Great question. I can’t tell you how to spend your hard earned money, but I can give you my experience! I shot with a D3200 when I first got into Milky Way photos. I would say moving the the Z6 in 2019 was the biggest improvement I made equipment wise for night photos. Most of the time I still don’t even use my tracker unless I’m doing something I want lots and lots of exposure time on. 15-20s exposures stacked are going to go extremely far for your image quality from anything you are getting with the D3500. If you think you’re going to eventually invest in new lenses, I’d say go with Z series over the 850 just to get into the newer stuff now. Not saying the 850 is bad, I’ve never shot with it, but even something like the Z6 is amazing. If you have room to stretch. I really love the Z7II.
Totally agree that I think the Nikon lenses are incredible. I love my 14-24 and I don’t think I would buy a Sigma 20mm over a Nikon. I think what I’m most curious on with Sigma is how they will adapt to the new Z-mount. Nikons big thing has been that it will allow for larger apertures, but I haven’t really seen them take advantage of it other than the .95 Noc lens. The other side though is that they’ve definitely taken advantage of being able to reduce the size of the lenses though. The lens I’ll be most curious to see if Sigma produces for a 14mm and what the aperture will be for it.
I use the Z7 for Astro as I also use it for Landscapes etc too >> Lovely Non Alias Filter Sensor and only Slightly very small more noise than Z6 and ISO 64 too on the Z7
Hey Will, a really comprehensive wrap of this great little camera. I agree with everything that you said and having used these cameras for many years now, I reckon they are ideally suited to nightscape shooting. You didn't mention a lot about time lapse, but the Z6 and even more so the Z6ii are unbeatable in this area with all you need built right into the camera. Hope you're going well. Take care. Richard
Thanks Richard! Took me a while to get back haha. I really need to get into trying time lapses more. I get impatient and always want to keep moving and trying new shots vs setting up in a single one, however that brings a good argument to buy myself a second camera! I've got another video coming out this week on the Z7II. I took one out for the first time back in April and I have to say I didn't really notice as much difference between the Z6 and Z7II in terms of nightscapes as I was expecting. -Will
Pretty confident that this has an internal intervalometer. My Z6ii does 🤷♂️
There’s an interval timer option in the settings on the Z6, but you’re limited to the exposure times to those native to the camera. 1/8000th up to 30s. You also can’t fine tune the exact number of seconds you want for the exposure since the native shutter speeds are at fractions of a stop. Along with that, If you need to take longer exposures than 30s you have to have an intervalometer to be consistent or use the bulb or time mode.
However, that is different on the Z6II like you pointed out. The Z6II has an extended shutter speed setting that really opens up the utilization of the interval timer option.
@@willchaneyphoto I gotcha now, yup you are correct with those things. That is one thing I’m super stoked with on my Z6ii is those extended shutter speeds. For my Astro work it’s incredibly handy
I bet it is. I hate always carrying around the intervalometer haha
I dont think anybody lost a photo to the single slot. This is a non issue. Also, the FTZ is a great solution for support for new and older lenses. Not a valid gripe.
Great review! I've been struggling along with my old D40, waiting until I could afford to take the dive on a really good camera for astrophotography. I had been drooling over the D850 for a couple of years but recently began exploring the mirrorless possibilities. You packed a lot of detail into a relatively short video, and I love the section on alternatives at the end. Lots of food for thought. Thank you!!
Thanks!! the D850 was what I originally looked at back in 2019, but I'm so glad I went with the Z6. I also put together a review of the Z7II a few months ago. That's also an incredible camera for astrophotography.
@@willchaneyphoto Yes, I saw it. Based on that review, I decided to find the extra $$$ necessary to go for it. Thanks, again! :)
Hey how's it going? I'm from Brazil and around here we don't have many reviews for astrophotography. I'm thinking about making my next purchase, but I don't know whether to buy a star tracker or a new camera?
My camera is a nikon d3500 and my question is whether I earn more buying a startracker to use with my current camera or buy a new camera (mirrorless like yours or a d780/850).
As here everything is very expensive, the purchase needs to be right. I hope that you can you help me. =D
Congratulations on your review.
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you! Great question. I can’t tell you how to spend your hard earned money, but I can give you my experience! I shot with a D3200 when I first got into Milky Way photos. I would say moving the the Z6 in 2019 was the biggest improvement I made equipment wise for night photos. Most of the time I still don’t even use my tracker unless I’m doing something I want lots and lots of exposure time on. 15-20s exposures stacked are going to go extremely far for your image quality from anything you are getting with the D3500. If you think you’re going to eventually invest in new lenses, I’d say go with Z series over the 850 just to get into the newer stuff now. Not saying the 850 is bad, I’ve never shot with it, but even something like the Z6 is amazing. If you have room to stretch. I really love the Z7II.
You wont need Sigma Lenses etc as th Expensive Z Mount Lenses are the Best on the Planet Period
Totally agree that I think the Nikon lenses are incredible. I love my 14-24 and I don’t think I would buy a Sigma 20mm over a Nikon. I think what I’m most curious on with Sigma is how they will adapt to the new Z-mount. Nikons big thing has been that it will allow for larger apertures, but I haven’t really seen them take advantage of it other than the .95 Noc lens. The other side though is that they’ve definitely taken advantage of being able to reduce the size of the lenses though. The lens I’ll be most curious to see if Sigma produces for a 14mm and what the aperture will be for it.