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Thread: Just a "sitting" duck for the Z9

  1. #1
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Default Just a "sitting" duck for the Z9

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    I have been shooting with the Z9 for about two weeks. Nothing exotic as far as subjects, just learning the camera and how to take advantage of it.

    PROS:
    1) Autofocus. Significant upgrade over my D850 and worlds better than my first Z, the original Z6 (even with all the firmware updates). Primarily using Animal detect eye autofocus, in Wide area large. AF is very sticky. Not unusual to capture 30 plus frames in a row of BIF, all in focus on the eye.
    2) No black out viewfinder . Makes tracking BIF much easier, fewer clipped wings, feet or other poor framing issues. Operator error is still a factor on tracking erratically flying birds, but significantly easier than previous cameras that I have used.
    3) Frame rates - I have generally been shooting at 15 fps, but some at 20 fps. The faster frame rates do give more options re: wing position, etc.
    4) WYSIWG - the viewfinder makes controlling the exposure much easier. I shoot full manual with Auto ISO, and at this site, the exposure can easily change by three stops as the birds drop from the clear sky, to a dark tree background, in and out of deep shadows, flying over the snow covered ice, and then landing in the open water. I had memorized a set of different exposure compensation settings that I would click in on my D850, but sometimes when switching back and forth from different colored birds and changing lighting conditions, I would miss the exposure. Much less of a problem with the Z9

    Negatives:

    Not much: a bit heavier than I expected based on previous Z cameras I have used, some buttons have been moved around. Need to use the FTZ adapter for F mount lenses until the Z super teles are available.

    The noise reduction in LR is not very refined yet. Nikons software does a better job, but is remarkably slow. Topaz AI is somewhere between the two. Should improve over time.

    This mallard is full frame, f.5.6, 1/3200s, handheld.
    500 PF.


    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  2. #2
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Randy, currently Lr doesn’t support Z9, therefore the NR within Nikon Studio does render the files better, however my understanding is that there will be an update coming this month and so you can get back to using Lr.

    Certainly the files look great, but I think like the R5, ISO6400 is the optimal point, yes higher, but then everyone is still feeling their way so to speak.

    Enjoy the new toy, those Loons are going to be awesome.

    cheers
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  3. #3
    BPN Member Dorian Anderson's Avatar
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    Beautiful pose. Love the fanned primaries and dangling feet. Lovely exposure and detail across the bird. Just wish the head was raised so it wasn't against the body. But a very strong frame regardless.

  4. #4
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Quite the wingspread! Great overall - always fun getting to grips with new gear :-) Hope you get to really push it with loons and low morning light!

  5. #5
    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    nice frame Randy, congrats your new camera. When I had Nikon I used C1P, I found ACR to be too noisy for my taste.

    looking forward to your action frames

    TFS
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