Nikon Z9 or Z8 for wildlife photography? What camera should you buy and why I have both!
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- čas přidán 18. 07. 2023
- Hey Guys, Today I wanted to do a quick video talking about the Z8 and Z9 and discuss a few of the key reasons why you might want to pick one over the other for your own wildlife photography!
I had a great time at the weekend discussing this very topic with loads of Nikon shooters at the Birdfair in the UK so thought this might help a few of you out, if you're looking at these two rather epic cameras!
As a professional wildlife photographer I have quite a few requirements when it comes to my kit, but luckily these days with the Z9 and Z8 we are rather spoilt! The two cameras built round a 45mp sensor with high frame rates and wonderful AF are exceptional tools for working out on location and capturing the action but for many it can be a tough choice knowing what to pick up!
As a working pro you might think its obvious that I'd want two Z9's.... but as you'll hear there are quite a few reasons why the newer, smaller baby brother to my favourite camera is now firmly part of the bag!
You can grab a Z9 here tidd.ly/2ZTkiEB
or a Z8 here tidd.ly/3I3McjP
Links help me and the channel grow so thanks for the support!
As always guys thanks for watching and if you do have any questions about the cameras please drop them down below!
In my bag : (UK affiliate links help me fund the channel and cost you nothing)
Lowepro Whistler 450 AW II - (travelled flawlessly on all my flights with ALL the gear below inside!)tidd.ly/ee5e459a
Nikon Monarch HG 8x30's - Simply love these. tidd.ly/3df767bbNikon
Nikon Z9 : tidd.ly/3GOPrcl
D850 + Grip + D5 batteries tidd.ly/5e9ce68e
Nikon Z6 and 24-70S - (All video for the channel now shot on this - love this little camera!) tidd.ly/18f827ed
Nikon 600mm f4 Z TC (My new super tele) tidd.ly/3BJRVIl
Nikon 300mm 2.8 VR II (My all time favourite lens) tidd.ly/c3774d0f
Nikon 70-200 tidd.ly/50423b68
Nikon 35mm 1.4 G tidd.ly/74102f76
Nikon 20mm 1.8G tidd.ly/792d72d0
Nikon 1.4 TC tidd.ly/51bb49a8
Nikon 2.0 TC tidd.ly/6d38e4fe
Nikon SB-700 tidd.ly/40a57f1a
Spare battery tidd.ly/3c45d8ba
Gitzo Mini Traveller tidd.ly/eda4b0c
Petzl Headlamp amzn.to/2LX80SW
G-tech external drives amzn.to/2Yil63y
Macbook 12" amzn.to/2ZBQ57e
Rocket Blower ( I'd get this one) tidd.ly/8d6a3ab4
I also carry a trusty Gitzo Tripod, either my 4 series systematic or a 2 series traveller!
#WildlifePhotography #NikonZ9 #NikonZ8
I couldn't decide, so I got both.
After much consideration, I went with the Z9 for the battery and no overheating. Once I got it, my first thought was how small and light it was, what on earth were people complaining about? Has everyone gotten so used to tiny cameras? The Z9 is the perfect size for a camera, absolutely love the grips.
Good points, Tom. I bought a D6 two years ago after a lot of deliberation. At the time, knowing that the launch of a pro-level Z body (what was to be the Z9) was imminent made that process all the more challenging for me. The D6 joined my now nearly six year old D850 and these two DSLRs remain my primary cameras. I am still thrilled to shoot with both and I have long F-mount lenses to accompany them. Had I never bought a D6, yes, I’d almost certainly opt for a Z9 but the Z8 will be the choice for me when the time is right and it will be my first mirrorless body too. I don’t even want to say it will replace my D850, so much as add to it and give me some new dimensions I don’t currently have with the DSLRs. As I say so often though, getting out to shoot and some interesting locations and species is far more important. Thanks.
I have looked at countless number of videos comparing the Z9 and Z8 as I am in the market buying one of them. You are the first that mention about the benefit of low shooting angle of the Z8. 👍🏻 My last Nikon camera was the F5 (film) so I am leaning towards the Z9 as I prefer having an integrated grip.
I struggle to fathom to spend that much money on a camera. 😕🙃
Thank you for the comparison. I went with the Z8 and I have no regrets. The Z8 and 400mm f4.5 is a great combination for hiking and hand holding a moderate zoom. It’s a fabulous camera!
Hi Tom, the Z9 has also GPS included and to be honest I started to greatly appreciate it when going through images after longer trips. My Z6 II does not have this feature. So when you are out in the field and want to know/document where you have taken the picture it's a great feature. Also considering the weight that I carry around in terms of glass - I have to say that I find the weight differences not so significant. But I buy your argument on the shooting angle. Still I think I would go for a second Z9 that one can get used just 500 € above the price of a Z8 - also because of the button layout and the 2 CF-Express card slots which I appreciate for video.
Always shot the big bodies due to the battery life as here in Africa we often go a few days without access to charging facilities plus on the smaller bodies I always added a grip, with the Z8 add the battery grip extra batteries you end up with camera bigger than the Z9 and almost the same price. I have a Fuji kit for travelling or when I don't do wildlife. I even use the XH2s with 100-400 as a second set-up for flexibility and the Z9 with the 400 prime as my main wildlife camera and lens. Personal needs does not make financial sense to have a Z8 and Z9. But both are great cameras.
Who can afford a camera like this. Something I can only dream about. Maybe I can find a cheap one second had in about 20 years or so...
Great comparison. Now that I have the z9, I want for nothing else! It was a big jump from the z6ii, but I quickly adapted to all the differences. I actually love the larger size of the z9.
Thanks for a clear comparison, so much better then some reviewers who just list specs. I belief there is one more difference to point out as it may influence the choice of some photographers That's the fact that the Z8 has 2 USB C ports, one dedicated to power supply. Meaning you can hook it up to an external power supply and hook up some accessories. For studio pros this might be an important element.
Excellent comparison. Thank you.
Loved the way u explained, lets see which beast should i hunt z8 or z9....
Excellent video Tom. I am thinking I may get a Z8 as a backup for my Z9 but am making do with my Z7ii for now until funds allow. Great to meet you and chat at the Birdfair last Saturday. 😊
This is a great comparison, thanks much for taking the time to spell this out!!
Thanks for this interesting comparison. I’ve been using dslr for years and would like to know what would be your advise for D500 users? Is the adoption of the Z8 the best option? Knowing that on the D500 you had the grip whitch allows you using the big battery of D4/D5!. Many thanks for your feedback and advice.
A well thought out comparison, you touched all the bases! 👍🏻
Excellent and honest comparison of these top end mirrorless cameras I have a Z9 and have currently retained my D850, which at least gives me an alternative in relation to size.
Can you do a comparison video between Z9+Z400mm f2.8 vs Z8+Z400mm f4.5 ?
An excellent comparison between two excelent camera bodies; I'm sure it will help a lot of people made the right decision for their own use case! 👍