I'm in a similar boat as you. I put off the upgrade because my main hobby photography interests (macro, architecture) are not generally about fast-moving subjects. But after reviewing some recent pictures of my daughter I realized I was very unhappy with the autofocus performance of the Z7II, particularly in indoor settings with less available light. So I splurged on the upgrade to the Z8, and now my hit rate is absurdly better for family photos. Children are absolutely action / wildlife subjects, and she's never going to be more small and cute than she is now. In retrospect it's hard to put a price on that. So if you can afford it and know what you're doing, it's definitely worth the upgrade.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Now that I've had the Z8 for 8-9 months, there is no going back. I'm taking the Z7II with me to Iceland but only as a backup or maybe for some video. I'll use the Z8 even though the Z7II is a wonderful landscape camera designed for trips like the one I'm hopefully taking soon. I've become more use to the dials on the Z8 now and since there is little to no difference in image quality for landscapes, I'll stay with the Z8. However, for action, moving kids and birds, there is no question, the Z8 is a huge upgrade over the Z7II. Yes, you can make it work with the Z7II but you're right about kids. They are only that age once.
Hi! Thank you for your video! I’m on the fence and your comparison really helps. Love your photos!!! Your images are better than some shot by a professional.
This video is way more useful and enjoyable than the more “technical” reviews which often don’t cover the real-world usage details that end up actually mattering more. Thanks!
I went through the same debate when the Z8 was announced. I had one of the first Z7iis in the UK and have been delighted by the images it produced. At the time I bought it I already had (and still have) a Z6. I took delivery of the Z9 in April 2022 and that was a revelation. Everything about it was so much better that the 7ii (apart from the weight!) and I particularly like the 4 Custom Shooting Banks which are much more powerful than the U1/2/3 set ups of the 7ii. During the following 15 months I barely touched the 7ii other than when I went to airshows and wanted one body with ha super telephoto and one with a wider lens. My last use of my 7ii was the RIAT Airshow 2023 at the end of which I decided to trade in the 7ii for the Z8. Really delighted with this and i now find I am using the 8 & 9 on a pretty well 50/50 basis across a range of genres. The fact that they are almost identical is a massive bonus and i was quickly able to mirror my personal settings from the Z9 to the Z8. The fact that the button layout is the same is a great help. I don't need to stop and think as to where the play-back button is when switching from one body to the other, and the much faster EVF with no black-out is a massive help when shooting fast moving aircraft and birds in flight whilst using burst mode. For me, the switch has made perfect sense.
Thanks for checking in and the comment. The more I use the Z8, I don't see myself using the Z7II again, unless maybe while walking around streets for vacation. I also agree with the user banks. I was happy with U1 and U2 but now that I understand the banks better, I find them better than the U1 and U2. Good luck.
@@MichaelCantwell I used Hudson Henry's RUclips videos on the set-up of the Z9 as my guide to the Custom Shooting Banks and found these invaluable. When I bought by Z8 I used the same set-ups as I find they really work well, especially for wildlife and action.
@@SwanSycorax Yeah I saw that too. I also got John Greengo's course on the Z8. It goes through each button and each menu item. I think I have the banks figured out pretty well now and find them an asset. Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks for a real world review without going into the technical aspects which are largely irrelevant these days as most cameras will do a job. Key is how you feel using the camera. At this point in time coming from someone still using a D600, the Z6II and Z7II are old hat so the decision is between the ZF and the Z8. As someone who hikes, travels, and has small hands the ZF is probably in front even though the Z8 is the better camera. That said, the Z6III/Z7III is just around the corner...patience Padawan. 😉
Thanks for watching and commenting, David. Keep an eye for a new video about using the Z8 after about 100 uses in the next week or so. I'll offer a few more pros and cons about using the Z8 after really getting a better feel for the camera. Hint, it's still my choice of camera bodies despite a few cons. I'll get into it deeper in the next video.
I thoroughly enjoyed your personal comments and opinions regarding the Z8 versus the Z7ii. I had a similar journey, in the past owning a D750, D850, Z6ii and recently the Z7ii. I traded the the D850 for a Z9, and that experience led me to trading the Z7ii for a Z8 as my second camera. Like you, I consider the Z7ii a wonderful camera, and even though I shoot mostly (by frame count) action shots, I considered keeping the Z7ii because it is a wonderful landscape and travel camera. After a period of time with I became more facile with the autofocus systems of the Z6ii and later the Z7ii, such that I was pretty happy shooting action shots with both. While I am also an enthusiast, not a pro-shooter, I have been asked to shoot for events in the past. One shoot this past May had me taking over 40,000 frames in six days with a combination of the Z7ii and Z9. That experience, which occurred coincident with the intro of the Z8 had me submit my preorder for the Z8. The joy of the Z9 in shooting action versus the of the Z7ii drove the decision for me. Two things you didn't mention that played a part in that decision were the almost instant "on" of the Z9 / Z8 versus the slight delay of the "on" for the Z7ii, and the lack of a "blackout" sensation on the Z9 / Z8 versus the Z7ii when in burst mode. Those things, along with the many factors you mentioned, just made the Z9 / Z8 more enjoyable for me to use. I normally dial my burst mode down to 15 fps versus the 20 fps that you spoke about, just because at 50 percent more fps than the Z7ii and D850, I almost always nail that coveted magic movement moment even at 15 fps and it means less culling through frames in post. In the end, I traded the Z7ii as part of the Z8 payment because, while the Z8 is larger than a Z7ii, the form factor is small enough that it works well for my 70-ish body on hikes and as a travel camera.
Thanks for watching and commenting John. I'm really enjoying the Z8 more with each passing day. I'll likely keep the Z7Ii as a backup. I'm working on a new video showing the bird shots Iv'e been getting with the Z8 that I would never have gotten with the Z7II. Thanks again.
I think I'm going to hang on to the Z7Ii as a backup and I prefer to use it as my seascape camera because I already have an L bracket for it. I also will use it as a travel camera though I would guess I'll take along the Z8 as well depending on where I'm heading and for how long. Meaning if I go back to Alaska or Europe again, I'd take both bodies but would use the Z7ii as the carry around camera body. But that's just me.
I've had my z6 II for nearly 3 years now. I bought a z8 at Christmas. I didn't sell or trade my z6 II. In fact i still use it quite a lot. I don't have an L bracket for my z8 yet so i haven't used it for landscape yet. I mostly use my z8 for sports and wildlife and take advantage of the high frame rate. I figure I'll sell my z6 II for the III in 2 more years. I like the smaller form factor for specific things. As far as upgrading, i think it depends on what your needs are. I wanted the focus tracking and no screen blackout in burst mode. I can't stand that. If you mostly use a single focus point for landscape or portraits then you probably don't need to upgrade to the z8. But if you need the tracking the z8 gives you and you need to still be able to see what you're shooting in burst mode, get the z8. You will not be disappointed. And Nikon keeps improving it with firmware updates. The animal tracking was hot or miss for birds but this last update has taken it to a whole new level. It's like having a z8 II come out. It's like getting a new camera all over again. It makes me wonder what else they're going to give us.
Another thing to mention that some people don't know is when you turn the camera off to change the lens, it sets the I-S in the lens and the body into a safe locked down position so it doesn't bounce around when you're driving or walking around.
Thank you for this video< I have been considering purchasing a Z7 or a Z8 for some time and this has been a great help to hear the thoughts of someone of (I think) of a similar standard as myself it has made my decision easier about what to buy.
Thanks for your message do something for yourself, I'm getting a Z8. I own a Z5 and fell back in love with photography, was undecided about which one to get but I really haven't treated myself for awhile until now.
Thanks for watching. I do hope after you get the Z8 you think it was the right choice for you. I'd be curious to know. The Z5 is pretty good camera but the Z8 can do a bit more.
You can get a Z7II for $1,999 (body only). The Z8 is $1,500 more. That's not a small difference. I would only switch if you really need the speed the Z8 provides.
Thanks for watching and commenting. It really depends on what you photograph as to which body to use. I've said many times that if I was only shooting landscapes, I'd stay with the Z7II. However, since I shoot sports and wildlife, the Z8 was worth the upgrade for me. Thanks again for watching.
This was helpful. I’d been thinking that the primary reason to upgrade was the video capability which I would not use. You’ve cast a different light in the subject.
Interesting video. Thanks. Wondering if the latest update has helped catching the birds. Thanks for the pointer on the sensor shield cover, the main reason I want the Z8.
Hi Paul, thanks for watching and commenting. Funny you should ask about the latest update. I've working on a video about birds and using 2 different lenses. I think the update with the bird's in it has helped some. I can't say I'd upgrade because of that part of the upgrade but I think it does help. The reason for the video is because I think the lens matters more than than the firmware update, but that's only my opinion. I'm not a typical BIF shooter in that most of times I use a Nikon 24-120 F2 S lens since I typically get within a few feet of wading birds. Around our lake I guess the wading birds are used to people maybe more than more secluded locations. I have one blue heron where I can get within 5 feet so I don't need a long lens. Spoonbills as well stay pretty calm with people in the area as long as you don't make a lot of sudden moves. The Tamron 70-300 is the other lens I use for BIF and I find it still being world's better than some of the older Nikon F mount lenses for BIF as far as focus speeds, I think the 24-120 is still faster. I've been out a lot this past week taking several shots of birds including that same heron in this video. I might be getting a hair more keepers with the firmware update, but so far, I wouldn't call it a game changer. I hope that helps.
@@MichaelCantwell I should point out I am still using the Z7ii but have just purchased the Z8, on route to me currently. I am predominantly a landscape photographer, take a look at my channel, and have wanted the Z8 for a while, the cost has been the main reason I have not upgraded to date! The camera is supposed to be here Monday, so it should be fun next weekend.
Sony & Canon miss in tall grass too. Some you get some you don't. They might try to tell different. However it depends on the situation, which can vary quit a bit.
Less than half-way through the video, it was clearly a no-brainer that you'd keep the Z8. Since I'm less of an "all-round" photographer, the Z7II meets my current needs. If that changes down the road, it might change enough to take me past the Z8 to the Z9.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I knew after about 30 minutes of using it that I would switch. Had I only wanted to photograph static objects or my family, I would have stayed with the Z7II. Image quality between the Z7II and Z8 was not a factor in my decision. It was clearly the AF functions on the Z8 over the Z7II.
Great video Mike, I've been shooting with the z7ii for a while and primarily been a landscape shooter up until I went out with a friend who does a lot of bird photography and fell in love. It is a challenge with the z7ii, and everything I hear about the z8 I love. I will be making the upgrade next week actually as well as prepurchasing the 180-600mm lens. I'm curious to know you lens collection that you have for your z7ii/z8. Excellent images as well. You have an image of a tree and my wife and I couldn't figure out if it was infrared or a snow image hehe....But the wife loved it!
Thanks and good luck with the Z8. For birds, I'm finding it's a massive upgrade over the Z7II. For landscapes, not so much. If the tree is the one I'm thinking of, yes, it is infrared. I did a few videos on infrared as well. Tell your wife I said thanks :) and thanks for watching and commenting.
Also, as far as lenses, I use the Nikon 24-120 F4 a lot, even with the birds. The reason I can use it for birds is because I mostly photograph wading birds and for the most part I can get within 10 feet. If I was photographing ospreys more often, then I would use the 100-400 (I don't own that one) or the new 180-600 (don't own that one either). When I went to Alaska recently, the 24-120 was on my camera most of the time. When shooting my kids soccer and baseball games, I use a Tamron 70-300 made for the Z. I like that lens, but I would assume the Nikon 100-400 is the better overall lens. When taking shots of my family or grandkids, I use the Nikon 85mm F1.8 (love that lens) or the Voigtlander 50mm F2 lens. Voigtlander makes some of my favorite lenses. I use the Nikon 20mm F 1.8 and the Z7Ii for seascapes, though I do use the 24-120 at times now. If I was forced to only own 3 lenses for the Nikon Z7ii or the Z8 I would say the 24-120, the Nikon 85mm and the Voigtlander 50mm F2. However, despite shooting a lot of birds lately and some sports, I mostly shoot landscapes and portrait stuff. Even when I shoot spring training baseball, it's more portrait looking then action shots. Since I can rarely get a field pass, it's gotten impossible to shoot baseball with all the netting they now have up around the stadium. I have another video on bird photography and baseball if you want more info about them. Thanks again.
Thanks, Michael, for the excellent explanation on the differences and similarities of the Z7Ii and Z8. I currently have the Z7Ii and have been thinking about the Z8. You have given me some good pointers on whether to upgrade. Thanks and all the best to you.
@@teejay2483 You're welcome and thanks for watching and commenting. Good luck with your decision. For me, when photographing action it's a no brainer. If I was only shooting landscapes, seascapes and portraits, I don't think I would upgrade. I would invest in top lenses.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Yes, I'm enjoying my Z8 as well. Honestly, I think the Z8 is a minor upgrade over the D850 but after you consider the Z lenses, then it makes it a much larger upgrade to me.
Hello Michael Cantwell I also have the Nikon z72 and since the z8 came out on the market I was debating whether to buy it instead of the great z72 camera that I bought right away when it came out on the market. Before that for many years I shot with Nikon and my last camera was a D810 before switching to the Z72. There is no doubt that I really enjoy it and I took amazing and beautiful photos, yet I debated until this morning (Israel time) for many months whether to make this switch and spend about $4,000 more despite the advantages of the z8, until I saw the video you made on RUclips and the comparison is very real And the professional one at the same time and then I no longer hesitated and without thinking too much I purchased the z8 today, and next weekend I will travel to Eilat in southern Israel, a distance of 500 km (about 320 miles) round trip to receive the camera. I have to point out that I saw a lot of videos on RUclips from talented and professional photographers that I follow regularly, after they launched the z8 and it's interesting that only you managed to convince me to make the switch from z72 to z8. Maybe because you also have the same equipment as I do and maybe because of the way I saw myself in you with all the similar doubts we both had in connection with the transition to z8, and I thank you very much for that. Israel is currently celebrating the new year and I want to wish you a happy and blessed new year, perfect health, good life, and spectacular photographs. I have subscribed to your site and will continue to watch your movies. Best regards Nimrod Oren
Thank you for watching and commenting. There are many times I question why I bother to make these videos. When I receive feedback from people like you, it makes me want to continue. Thanks for taking the time watch and put so much into your comment. It made my day. Now I only hope you don't regret upgrading. LOL. The more I use the Z8, the more I'm convinced it was the right choice for me. I trust it will be for you as well. Good luck, Happy New Year and safe travels.
For travel Z6/7 is more than sufficient. Unless you plan on chasing birds while you travel. Great info/video. My limit for not doing birds isn't frame rate but rather the big heavy lens.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I use the Nikon 24-120 F4 S lens and the Tamron 70-300 for the birds. I can do that because they are wading birds and most let me get very close. It's only the ospreys that I really cant photograph easily with a 300mm lens. So the weight of those lenses really aren't an issue for me. I'd love to get a 500 or 600mm lens but it's not in the budget right now. Thanks again. Yes, the Z7II is a great travel lens. I've taken it on more than one vacation.
@@MichaelCantwell I have a friend who is really into birds and I tried shooting for a bit on his 200-500 on D500.. I just can't do it. Not just the sore arms but all the mosquitoes bites from us standing around quietly. I'm loving the Z 24-70/f4 as a daily / travel lens but I would love to get my hands on a Z 24-120. Keep up your good work!
Man...I'm having this dilemma right now...get my foot in the door with a used Z7ii or just go all the way and get the camera I really want with the Z8?? Your words have really resonated with me..."Just do something for yourself." Something to think about for sure.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm glad I can help separate you from your hard-earned money in going with the Z8. LOL Good luck with your choice, but if you only shoot landscapes, get the Z7II. If you shoot all around subjects, to me it's a no-brainer. Go with the Z8. Will the Z7II work for all subjects? Yes, but the Z8 makes it so much easier.
@@MichaelCantwell Well...in the end I went with the Z7ii. Just too much value there to ignore, plus it was a smoking deal on a barely used camera. First lens I bought was the 24-120 f4 (that lens is amazing, I was just watching your latest lens video, sounds like you agree...) and then got a really good deal on a 100-400. So we'll see where it goes...once I have my lens lineup filled out, if I find I'm really more and more drawn to wildlife, I'll think seriously about the Z8. Cheers, Adam
@@rocketmanab Hey ya, Adam. Thanks for the reply and watching. I've said it many times that if not for the bird photography that I enjoy, I would have stayed with the Z7II. I still have mine and might hang on to it. The Z8 does get heavy now and again. The image quality between the 2 is likely the same other than the better focusing with the Z8. Yes, the 24-120 F4 is such an amazing lens. It really would be the one lens I would keep if I could only have one lens. Thanks again.
Thanks for watching and commenting. The Z8 is for sure bigger and heavier than the Z7II. There are times I prefer the size and weight of the Z7II as well.
Hi Mike, I have only the Z7 and love it. You made some great points here esp re the Z7ll restricting your photography. I came to the same conclusion as you but I can’t afford the Z8. There is a rumour of a Nikon full frame mirrorless Df on the horizon. If true it will be very interesting to see what specs that has and of course price. My next lens is the Voightlander 50mm F1.2.
Hi Christian, thanks for watching and commenting. I ended up selling off some lenses that I wasn't using and a few other things to help pay for the camera. It had been rumored to come out for so long that I took the time to build up some cash to eventually buy it. Over the years, I collected some sports cards and sold them off as well. I trade around lenses and camera bodies all the time. It's gotten to the point where I'm not sure what else I could want in a camera that the Z8 doesn't offer but I said that about my D700 and D750 as well. If not for enjoying photographing birds, I would have stayed with the Z7ii. Thanks again.
Is the Z7ii really not that good at photographing birds? I would love to get into wild life as well as landscape photography but z8 is a lot more expensive. Is it really the difference really that substantial?
Mike there was one other question I had for you and what is your experience with the battery life? I'm curious to know if in the field it is comparable to the z7ii. I know what the specs say, but often I find the feedback from the actual photographer in the field is different - thanks.
Hello Cody, the battery life is not as long as the Z7ii. However, in fairness to the Z8, I'm mostly using it shooting 20 frames a second with the birds. I find that I can walk around and shoot between 5-6 hours on one battery charge and maybe 700-1000 images give or take. It's hard for me to judge for sure because so far I've only taken it out for about 2 hours at a time and I might shoot 300 images or I might shoot 50. I don't recharge the battery until the 3rd time I've taken it out. I'm not finding it to be a real issue so far since I don't shoot all day. My guess is that if i was hiking and shooting landscapes and then be out all or most of the day then I could easily do it on one battery charge. Yes, it does eat up the battery faster but it's not say twice as much even with birds. Personally, it hasn't been an issue for me so far.
Hello! Can you talk about image size when uploaded to a laptop of the Z8 vs z7ii? Which one takes up more storage space? I want to get a high MP camera but worried about storage issues. Many thanks!
Thanks for watching and commenting. I believe the image sizes are the same. I don't use a laptop, but I don't think that makes a difference between that and a desktop.
I bought may Z72 to do things my Leica RF can not do fast and easy. It was purchased on sale after Z8 was introduced so there was a big price difference. Also the size fits my Leica bags, 8 will not. Image quality is the same for my images. The nice light weight with 26, 40, 85 lenses is nice to carry and dodgy areas I will not risk Leicas. All the improved features of 8 would be appreciated if I were a pro photographer, but I am not.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Ronald. As I've said, everyone has to make up their own mind if the upgrade is worth it to them or not. I don't think you need to be a pro to use the Z8. For me, the choice came down to a few things, but one was that I don't spend much money on personal items, however, I will spend money on my photography since I enjoy it so much. I'm currently working on a new video about if the Z8 made me a better photographer or not. It should be out soon. I started to film it this morning.
Right, I had the Z6II and I know how bad it was, I sold it and bought my Z8 and very happy with it. I do say it does need a new firmware to improve eye focus.@@MichaelCantwell
I am have a z7ii. I am looking at getting a z8. Because of some arthritis in my thumbs, weight is a consideration. I sold my d850 and 24-70mm lens because of its overall weight. How does the weight feel after walking around for awhile with the z8?
Hello Paul, thanks for watching and commenting. That's a tough question for me to answer for you. If the D850 and the 24-70 was too heavy, I don't know that the Z8 with a lens will feel any lighter than your previous set up. To me, the Z8 is about the same as the D850 after carrying around for a couple of hours. I'm not one to carry around a camera for more than a couple of hours unless it's a rare occasion when I'm hiking the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone area. I'd hate to tell you to buy something that expensive and you discover that it's too heavy. Maybe try renting one for a few days before buying? That way you would know for sure.
Thanks for watching. You might be correct. It's why I always say if I was mostly photographing landscapes I would stay with the Z7II. I still use the Z7II for my landscape work.
Absolutely not! The Z7 II is a fine camera, trading just makes Nikon retailers a bit more money for very little if any gain. Just hang on to the Z7 II and buy an extra lens.
The Z7II is a fine camera. Thanks for watching and commenting. However, after using the Z8 in my opinion If you photograph sports or wildlife, it's more than very little gain. If you shoot mostly landscapes and portraits, I would agree with you.
I know I'd be depressed about what I could get for my Z7ii as a trade-in. I'll just keep mine as a backup for the Z8 and not have to feel as bad about it 😇
@@MichaelCantwell Now you have me wondering how people photographed birds and deer before the Z8. How in the world did photographers manage to capture images of wildlife in the bad old days of film? People that have to have the latest equipment to capture a duck landing in a pond are not very skilled photographers. I have the Z 7II and the Z9 I take both with me when I go photographing wildlife, mostly birds. I get really excellent images with both cameras.
@@joegrossinger3381 Hi Joe, thanks for watching and commenting. You might want to watch my latest video coming out Sunday night where I talk pretty much about that identical topic and you can decide if we agree or not. Or find one of my older videos where I talk about how current photographers are spoiled.
If you listen closer, I think you will find that this is more of a first impressions video than a review. I later do a review of the Z8 after using it for several months. You will see that I do use it in the video. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I'm in a similar boat as you. I put off the upgrade because my main hobby photography interests (macro, architecture) are not generally about fast-moving subjects. But after reviewing some recent pictures of my daughter I realized I was very unhappy with the autofocus performance of the Z7II, particularly in indoor settings with less available light. So I splurged on the upgrade to the Z8, and now my hit rate is absurdly better for family photos. Children are absolutely action / wildlife subjects, and she's never going to be more small and cute than she is now. In retrospect it's hard to put a price on that. So if you can afford it and know what you're doing, it's definitely worth the upgrade.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Now that I've had the Z8 for 8-9 months, there is no going back. I'm taking the Z7II with me to Iceland but only as a backup or maybe for some video. I'll use the Z8 even though the Z7II is a wonderful landscape camera designed for trips like the one I'm hopefully taking soon. I've become more use to the dials on the Z8 now and since there is little to no difference in image quality for landscapes, I'll stay with the Z8. However, for action, moving kids and birds, there is no question, the Z8 is a huge upgrade over the Z7II. Yes, you can make it work with the Z7II but you're right about kids. They are only that age once.
Hi! Thank you for your video! I’m on the fence and your comparison really helps. Love your photos!!! Your images are better than some shot by a professional.
Thanks for watching and your kind words. Good luck with your decision. I love my Z8.
This video is way more useful and enjoyable than the more “technical” reviews which often don’t cover the real-world usage details that end up actually mattering more. Thanks!
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and your kind words.
I went through the same debate when the Z8 was announced. I had one of the first Z7iis in the UK and have been delighted by the images it produced. At the time I bought it I already had (and still have) a Z6. I took delivery of the Z9 in April 2022 and that was a revelation. Everything about it was so much better that the 7ii (apart from the weight!) and I particularly like the 4 Custom Shooting Banks which are much more powerful than the U1/2/3 set ups of the 7ii. During the following 15 months I barely touched the 7ii other than when I went to airshows and wanted one body with ha super telephoto and one with a wider lens. My last use of my 7ii was the RIAT Airshow 2023 at the end of which I decided to trade in the 7ii for the Z8. Really delighted with this and i now find I am using the 8 & 9 on a pretty well 50/50 basis across a range of genres. The fact that they are almost identical is a massive bonus and i was quickly able to mirror my personal settings from the Z9 to the Z8. The fact that the button layout is the same is a great help. I don't need to stop and think as to where the play-back button is when switching from one body to the other, and the much faster EVF with no black-out is a massive help when shooting fast moving aircraft and birds in flight whilst using burst mode. For me, the switch has made perfect sense.
Thanks for checking in and the comment. The more I use the Z8, I don't see myself using the Z7II again, unless maybe while walking around streets for vacation. I also agree with the user banks. I was happy with U1 and U2 but now that I understand the banks better, I find them better than the U1 and U2. Good luck.
@@MichaelCantwell I used Hudson Henry's RUclips videos on the set-up of the Z9 as my guide to the Custom Shooting Banks and found these invaluable. When I bought by Z8 I used the same set-ups as I find they really work well, especially for wildlife and action.
@@SwanSycorax Yeah I saw that too. I also got John Greengo's course on the Z8. It goes through each button and each menu item. I think I have the banks figured out pretty well now and find them an asset. Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks for a real world review without going into the technical aspects which are largely irrelevant these days as most cameras will do a job. Key is how you feel using the camera. At this point in time coming from someone still using a D600, the Z6II and Z7II are old hat so the decision is between the ZF and the Z8. As someone who hikes, travels, and has small hands the ZF is probably in front even though the Z8 is the better camera. That said, the Z6III/Z7III is just around the corner...patience Padawan. 😉
Thanks for watching and commenting, David. Keep an eye for a new video about using the Z8 after about 100 uses in the next week or so. I'll offer a few more pros and cons about using the Z8 after really getting a better feel for the camera. Hint, it's still my choice of camera bodies despite a few cons. I'll get into it deeper in the next video.
I thoroughly enjoyed your personal comments and opinions regarding the Z8 versus the Z7ii. I had a similar journey, in the past owning a D750, D850, Z6ii and recently the Z7ii. I traded the the D850 for a Z9, and that experience led me to trading the Z7ii for a Z8 as my second camera. Like you, I consider the Z7ii a wonderful camera, and even though I shoot mostly (by frame count) action shots, I considered keeping the Z7ii because it is a wonderful landscape and travel camera. After a period of time with I became more facile with the autofocus systems of the Z6ii and later the Z7ii, such that I was pretty happy shooting action shots with both. While I am also an enthusiast, not a pro-shooter, I have been asked to shoot for events in the past. One shoot this past May had me taking over 40,000 frames in six days with a combination of the Z7ii and Z9. That experience, which occurred coincident with the intro of the Z8 had me submit my preorder for the Z8. The joy of the Z9 in shooting action versus the of the Z7ii drove the decision for me. Two things you didn't mention that played a part in that decision were the almost instant "on" of the Z9 / Z8 versus the slight delay of the "on" for the Z7ii, and the lack of a "blackout" sensation on the Z9 / Z8 versus the Z7ii when in burst mode. Those things, along with the many factors you mentioned, just made the Z9 / Z8 more enjoyable for me to use. I normally dial my burst mode down to 15 fps versus the 20 fps that you spoke about, just because at 50 percent more fps than the Z7ii and D850, I almost always nail that coveted magic movement moment even at 15 fps and it means less culling through frames in post. In the end, I traded the Z7ii as part of the Z8 payment because, while the Z8 is larger than a Z7ii, the form factor is small enough that it works well for my 70-ish body on hikes and as a travel camera.
Thanks for watching and commenting John. I'm really enjoying the Z8 more with each passing day. I'll likely keep the Z7Ii as a backup. I'm working on a new video showing the bird shots Iv'e been getting with the Z8 that I would never have gotten with the Z7II. Thanks again.
I think I'm going to hang on to the Z7Ii as a backup and I prefer to use it as my seascape camera because I already have an L bracket for it. I also will use it as a travel camera though I would guess I'll take along the Z8 as well depending on where I'm heading and for how long. Meaning if I go back to Alaska or Europe again, I'd take both bodies but would use the Z7ii as the carry around camera body. But that's just me.
🙂🙂 changing banks from the I menu or assigned to a function button works very well
Yes, I've got that all set up now as well. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I've had my z6 II for nearly 3 years now. I bought a z8 at Christmas. I didn't sell or trade my z6 II. In fact i still use it quite a lot. I don't have an L bracket for my z8 yet so i haven't used it for landscape yet. I mostly use my z8 for sports and wildlife and take advantage of the high frame rate. I figure I'll sell my z6 II for the III in 2 more years. I like the smaller form factor for specific things. As far as upgrading, i think it depends on what your needs are. I wanted the focus tracking and no screen blackout in burst mode. I can't stand that. If you mostly use a single focus point for landscape or portraits then you probably don't need to upgrade to the z8. But if you need the tracking the z8 gives you and you need to still be able to see what you're shooting in burst mode, get the z8. You will not be disappointed. And Nikon keeps improving it with firmware updates. The animal tracking was hot or miss for birds but this last update has taken it to a whole new level. It's like having a z8 II come out. It's like getting a new camera all over again. It makes me wonder what else they're going to give us.
Hi Carl, Thanks for watching and your thoughts. I agree with you all the way. Enjoy the camera.
Another thing to mention that some people don't know is when you turn the camera off to change the lens, it sets the I-S in the lens and the body into a safe locked down position so it doesn't bounce around when you're driving or walking around.
good point. Thanks for responding and watching.
Thank you for this video< I have been considering purchasing a Z7 or a Z8 for some time and this has been a great help to hear the thoughts of someone of (I think) of a similar standard as myself it has made my decision easier about what to buy.
Thanks for watching and I'm glad it helped even a little bit. Good luck with your decision and future work.
Thank you for the thoughts.
You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Thanks for the suggestions! Well done
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
Thanks for your message do something for yourself, I'm getting a Z8. I own a Z5 and fell back in love with photography, was undecided about which one to get but I really haven't treated myself for awhile until now.
Thanks for watching. I do hope after you get the Z8 you think it was the right choice for you. I'd be curious to know. The Z5 is pretty good camera but the Z8 can do a bit more.
Thanks, I'm in the same boat🙂 God bless and much success 👍🏽📸🙏🏽
Thanks and thanks for commenting and watching.
You can get a Z7II for $1,999 (body only). The Z8 is $1,500 more. That's not a small difference. I would only switch if you really need the speed the Z8 provides.
Thanks for watching and commenting. It really depends on what you photograph as to which body to use. I've said many times that if I was only shooting landscapes, I'd stay with the Z7II. However, since I shoot sports and wildlife, the Z8 was worth the upgrade for me. Thanks again for watching.
This was helpful. I’d been thinking that the primary reason to upgrade was the video capability which I would not use. You’ve cast a different light in the subject.
Thanks for watching and I'm pleased it helped.
Interesting video. Thanks. Wondering if the latest update has helped catching the birds. Thanks for the pointer on the sensor shield cover, the main reason I want the Z8.
Hi Paul, thanks for watching and commenting. Funny you should ask about the latest update. I've working on a video about birds and using 2 different lenses. I think the update with the bird's in it has helped some. I can't say I'd upgrade because of that part of the upgrade but I think it does help. The reason for the video is because I think the lens matters more than than the firmware update, but that's only my opinion. I'm not a typical BIF shooter in that most of times I use a Nikon 24-120 F2 S lens since I typically get within a few feet of wading birds. Around our lake I guess the wading birds are used to people maybe more than more secluded locations. I have one blue heron where I can get within 5 feet so I don't need a long lens. Spoonbills as well stay pretty calm with people in the area as long as you don't make a lot of sudden moves. The Tamron 70-300 is the other lens I use for BIF and I find it still being world's better than some of the older Nikon F mount lenses for BIF as far as focus speeds, I think the 24-120 is still faster. I've been out a lot this past week taking several shots of birds including that same heron in this video. I might be getting a hair more keepers with the firmware update, but so far, I wouldn't call it a game changer. I hope that helps.
Is the 24-120mm not F4 S type? I use that when I travel, excellent quality. Thanks for sharing :) @@MichaelCantwell
@@MichaelCantwell I should point out I am still using the Z7ii but have just purchased the Z8, on route to me currently. I am predominantly a landscape photographer, take a look at my channel, and have wanted the Z8 for a while, the cost has been the main reason I have not upgraded to date! The camera is supposed to be here Monday, so it should be fun next weekend.
@@paulwbakerphotography The 24-120 is an S lens. The 24-200 is not.
Sony & Canon miss in tall grass too. Some you get some you don't. They might try to tell different. However it depends on the situation, which can vary quit a bit.
Less than half-way through the video, it was clearly a no-brainer that you'd keep the Z8. Since I'm less of an "all-round" photographer, the Z7II meets my current needs. If that changes down the road, it might change enough to take me past the Z8 to the Z9.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I knew after about 30 minutes of using it that I would switch. Had I only wanted to photograph static objects or my family, I would have stayed with the Z7II. Image quality between the Z7II and Z8 was not a factor in my decision. It was clearly the AF functions on the Z8 over the Z7II.
Great video Mike, I've been shooting with the z7ii for a while and primarily been a landscape shooter up until I went out with a friend who does a lot of bird photography and fell in love. It is a challenge with the z7ii, and everything I hear about the z8 I love. I will be making the upgrade next week actually as well as prepurchasing the 180-600mm lens. I'm curious to know you lens collection that you have for your z7ii/z8. Excellent images as well. You have an image of a tree and my wife and I couldn't figure out if it was infrared or a snow image hehe....But the wife loved it!
Thanks and good luck with the Z8. For birds, I'm finding it's a massive upgrade over the Z7II. For landscapes, not so much. If the tree is the one I'm thinking of, yes, it is infrared. I did a few videos on infrared as well. Tell your wife I said thanks :) and thanks for watching and commenting.
Also, as far as lenses, I use the Nikon 24-120 F4 a lot, even with the birds. The reason I can use it for birds is because I mostly photograph wading birds and for the most part I can get within 10 feet. If I was photographing ospreys more often, then I would use the 100-400 (I don't own that one) or the new 180-600 (don't own that one either). When I went to Alaska recently, the 24-120 was on my camera most of the time. When shooting my kids soccer and baseball games, I use a Tamron 70-300 made for the Z. I like that lens, but I would assume the Nikon 100-400 is the better overall lens. When taking shots of my family or grandkids, I use the Nikon 85mm F1.8 (love that lens) or the Voigtlander 50mm F2 lens. Voigtlander makes some of my favorite lenses. I use the Nikon 20mm F 1.8 and the Z7Ii for seascapes, though I do use the 24-120 at times now. If I was forced to only own 3 lenses for the Nikon Z7ii or the Z8 I would say the 24-120, the Nikon 85mm and the Voigtlander 50mm F2. However, despite shooting a lot of birds lately and some sports, I mostly shoot landscapes and portrait stuff. Even when I shoot spring training baseball, it's more portrait looking then action shots. Since I can rarely get a field pass, it's gotten impossible to shoot baseball with all the netting they now have up around the stadium. I have another video on bird photography and baseball if you want more info about them. Thanks again.
Thanks, Michael, for the excellent explanation on the differences and similarities of the Z7Ii and Z8. I currently have the Z7Ii and have been thinking about the Z8. You have given me some good pointers on whether to upgrade. Thanks and all the best to you.
@@teejay2483 You're welcome and thanks for watching and commenting. Good luck with your decision. For me, when photographing action it's a no brainer. If I was only shooting landscapes, seascapes and portraits, I don't think I would upgrade. I would invest in top lenses.
Thanks Mike, I have just upgraded from D850 to Z8 - a giant step but excellent camera!
Thanks for watching and commenting. Yes, I'm enjoying my Z8 as well. Honestly, I think the Z8 is a minor upgrade over the D850 but after you consider the Z lenses, then it makes it a much larger upgrade to me.
If you do landscape, architecture and static portraits, the Z7ii is perfectly fine. In 2023 the z7ii is a good back up or travel camera.
I would agree with you. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Agree one should do something for himself regardless
thanks for watching and commenting :)
Hello Michael Cantwell
I also have the Nikon z72 and since the z8 came out on the market I was debating whether to buy it instead of the great z72 camera that I bought right away when it came out on the market.
Before that for many years I shot with Nikon and my last camera was a D810 before switching to the Z72.
There is no doubt that I really enjoy it and I took amazing and beautiful photos, yet I debated until this morning (Israel time) for many months whether to make this switch and spend about $4,000 more despite the advantages of the z8, until I saw the video you made on RUclips and the comparison is very real And the professional one at the same time and then I no longer hesitated and without thinking too much I purchased the z8 today, and next weekend I will travel to Eilat in southern Israel, a distance of 500 km (about 320 miles) round trip to receive the camera.
I have to point out that I saw a lot of videos on RUclips from talented and professional photographers that I follow regularly, after they launched the z8 and it's interesting that only you managed to convince me to make the switch from z72 to z8.
Maybe because you also have the same equipment as I do and maybe because of the way I saw myself in you with all the similar doubts we both had in connection with the transition to z8, and I thank you very much for that.
Israel is currently celebrating the new year and I want to wish you a happy and blessed new year, perfect health, good life, and spectacular photographs.
I have subscribed to your site and will continue to watch your movies.
Best regards
Nimrod Oren
Thank you for watching and commenting. There are many times I question why I bother to make these videos. When I receive feedback from people like you, it makes me want to continue. Thanks for taking the time watch and put so much into your comment. It made my day. Now I only hope you don't regret upgrading. LOL. The more I use the Z8, the more I'm convinced it was the right choice for me. I trust it will be for you as well. Good luck, Happy New Year and safe travels.
Thanks for the video. It was very useful.
A kind request to level your videocamera. It was a bit distracting when you where talking in office.
Fair enough. I did notice that and almost re-recorded the video. I'll make sure next time. Thanks for the comment and watching.
For travel Z6/7 is more than sufficient. Unless you plan on chasing birds while you travel.
Great info/video. My limit for not doing birds isn't frame rate but rather the big heavy lens.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I use the Nikon 24-120 F4 S lens and the Tamron 70-300 for the birds. I can do that because they are wading birds and most let me get very close. It's only the ospreys that I really cant photograph easily with a 300mm lens. So the weight of those lenses really aren't an issue for me. I'd love to get a 500 or 600mm lens but it's not in the budget right now. Thanks again. Yes, the Z7II is a great travel lens. I've taken it on more than one vacation.
@@MichaelCantwell I have a friend who is really into birds and I tried shooting for a bit on his 200-500 on D500.. I just can't do it. Not just the sore arms but all the mosquitoes bites from us standing around quietly.
I'm loving the Z 24-70/f4 as a daily / travel lens but I would love to get my hands on a Z 24-120.
Keep up your good work!
@@vueport99 I enjoy the 24-120 for many things. It's a wonderful lens.
Great Video
Thanks for watching and the kind words.
Man...I'm having this dilemma right now...get my foot in the door with a used Z7ii or just go all the way and get the camera I really want with the Z8?? Your words have really resonated with me..."Just do something for yourself." Something to think about for sure.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm glad I can help separate you from your hard-earned money in going with the Z8. LOL Good luck with your choice, but if you only shoot landscapes, get the Z7II. If you shoot all around subjects, to me it's a no-brainer. Go with the Z8. Will the Z7II work for all subjects? Yes, but the Z8 makes it so much easier.
@@MichaelCantwell Definitely leaning Z7ii at this point, seeing as I can get that and probably a really good lens for the price of a Z8...thanks again
@@rocketmanab good luck. Only you know what's best for you. Keep in touch. I'll be curious to know your feeling about it after you start using it.
@@MichaelCantwell Well...in the end I went with the Z7ii. Just too much value there to ignore, plus it was a smoking deal on a barely used camera. First lens I bought was the 24-120 f4 (that lens is amazing, I was just watching your latest lens video, sounds like you agree...) and then got a really good deal on a 100-400. So we'll see where it goes...once I have my lens lineup filled out, if I find I'm really more and more drawn to wildlife, I'll think seriously about the Z8.
Cheers, Adam
@@rocketmanab Hey ya, Adam. Thanks for the reply and watching. I've said it many times that if not for the bird photography that I enjoy, I would have stayed with the Z7II. I still have mine and might hang on to it. The Z8 does get heavy now and again. The image quality between the 2 is likely the same other than the better focusing with the Z8. Yes, the 24-120 F4 is such an amazing lens. It really would be the one lens I would keep if I could only have one lens. Thanks again.
Personal I would stick with z7ii. The z8 is huge. I sold mine
Thanks for watching and commenting. The Z8 is for sure bigger and heavier than the Z7II. There are times I prefer the size and weight of the Z7II as well.
Hi Mike, I have only the Z7 and love it. You made some great points here esp re the Z7ll restricting your photography. I came to the same conclusion as you but I can’t afford the Z8. There is a rumour of a Nikon full frame mirrorless Df on the horizon. If true it will be very interesting to see what specs that has and of course price. My next lens is the Voightlander 50mm F1.2.
Hi Christian, thanks for watching and commenting. I ended up selling off some lenses that I wasn't using and a few other things to help pay for the camera. It had been rumored to come out for so long that I took the time to build up some cash to eventually buy it. Over the years, I collected some sports cards and sold them off as well. I trade around lenses and camera bodies all the time. It's gotten to the point where I'm not sure what else I could want in a camera that the Z8 doesn't offer but I said that about my D700 and D750 as well. If not for enjoying photographing birds, I would have stayed with the Z7ii. Thanks again.
Is the Z7ii really not that good at photographing birds? I would love to get into wild life as well as landscape photography but z8 is a lot more expensive. Is it really the difference really that substantial?
Mike there was one other question I had for you and what is your experience with the battery life? I'm curious to know if in the field it is comparable to the z7ii. I know what the specs say, but often I find the feedback from the actual photographer in the field is different - thanks.
Hello Cody, the battery life is not as long as the Z7ii. However, in fairness to the Z8, I'm mostly using it shooting 20 frames a second with the birds. I find that I can walk around and shoot between 5-6 hours on one battery charge and maybe 700-1000 images give or take. It's hard for me to judge for sure because so far I've only taken it out for about 2 hours at a time and I might shoot 300 images or I might shoot 50. I don't recharge the battery until the 3rd time I've taken it out. I'm not finding it to be a real issue so far since I don't shoot all day. My guess is that if i was hiking and shooting landscapes and then be out all or most of the day then I could easily do it on one battery charge. Yes, it does eat up the battery faster but it's not say twice as much even with birds. Personally, it hasn't been an issue for me so far.
I am upgrading from Z7 to Z9 for African Wild Life
Enjoy the trip and good luck.
Hello! Can you talk about image size when uploaded to a laptop of the Z8 vs z7ii? Which one takes up more storage space? I want to get a high MP camera but worried about storage issues. Many thanks!
Thanks for watching and commenting. I believe the image sizes are the same. I don't use a laptop, but I don't think that makes a difference between that and a desktop.
I bought may Z72 to do things my Leica RF can not do fast and easy. It was purchased on sale after Z8 was introduced so there was a big price difference. Also the size fits my Leica bags, 8 will not. Image quality is the same for my images. The nice light weight with 26, 40, 85 lenses is nice to carry and dodgy areas I will not risk Leicas. All the improved features of 8 would be appreciated if I were a pro photographer, but I am not.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Ronald. As I've said, everyone has to make up their own mind if the upgrade is worth it to them or not. I don't think you need to be a pro to use the Z8. For me, the choice came down to a few things, but one was that I don't spend much money on personal items, however, I will spend money on my photography since I enjoy it so much. I'm currently working on a new video about if the Z8 made me a better photographer or not. It should be out soon. I started to film it this morning.
Yes
Ha. why waste words eh :)
Right, I had the Z6II and I know how bad it was, I sold it and bought my Z8 and very happy with it. I do say it does need a new firmware to improve eye focus.@@MichaelCantwell
I am have a z7ii. I am looking at getting a z8. Because of some arthritis in my thumbs, weight is a consideration. I sold my d850 and 24-70mm lens because of its overall weight. How does the weight feel after walking around for awhile with the z8?
Hello Paul, thanks for watching and commenting. That's a tough question for me to answer for you. If the D850 and the 24-70 was too heavy, I don't know that the Z8 with a lens will feel any lighter than your previous set up. To me, the Z8 is about the same as the D850 after carrying around for a couple of hours. I'm not one to carry around a camera for more than a couple of hours unless it's a rare occasion when I'm hiking the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone area. I'd hate to tell you to buy something that expensive and you discover that it's too heavy. Maybe try renting one for a few days before buying? That way you would know for sure.
The Z7ii sensor has a slightly better IQ than the Z8.
Thanks for watching. You might be correct. It's why I always say if I was mostly photographing landscapes I would stay with the Z7II. I still use the Z7II for my landscape work.
I just went to the Northern California coast and the Z8 is far superior to the Z7II. My other body is the Z9.
Glad you're enjoying the Z8. I am too and thanks for watching and commenting.
The z7ii is even better in terms of sensor, I don’t believe that the Z8 takes better pictures.
Absolutely not! The Z7 II is a fine camera, trading just makes Nikon retailers a bit more money for very little if any gain. Just hang on to the Z7 II and buy an extra lens.
The Z7II is a fine camera. Thanks for watching and commenting. However, after using the Z8 in my opinion If you photograph sports or wildlife, it's more than very little gain. If you shoot mostly landscapes and portraits, I would agree with you.
I know I'd be depressed about what I could get for my Z7ii as a trade-in. I'll just keep mine as a backup for the Z8 and not have to feel as bad about it 😇
@@madst7521 I'm going to keep mine as a backup and not feel bad since I'm sure I'll use it again in the future. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@MichaelCantwell Now you have me wondering how people photographed birds and deer before the Z8. How in the world did photographers manage to capture images of wildlife in the bad old days of film? People that have to have the latest equipment to capture a duck landing in a pond are not very skilled photographers. I have the Z 7II and the Z9 I take both with me when I go photographing wildlife, mostly birds. I get really excellent images with both cameras.
@@joegrossinger3381 Hi Joe, thanks for watching and commenting. You might want to watch my latest video coming out Sunday night where I talk pretty much about that identical topic and you can decide if we agree or not. Or find one of my older videos where I talk about how current photographers are spoiled.
So you are making a video about a camera that you haven’t used.
If you listen closer, I think you will find that this is more of a first impressions video than a review. I later do a review of the Z8 after using it for several months. You will see that I do use it in the video. Thanks for watching and commenting.
NO! Too many issues with the Z8 and Z9.
Thanks for watching and commenting. For me, overall it was worth the upgrade. Every camera and system will have flaws.
True, but camera strap mounts falling off a £4000 camera isn't good.
@@derekgillan7314 true but they will fix the tiny percentage that may have the issue. Mine did not.