The Winter 2019 issue of the Michael Clark Photography Newsletter is now available for download. If you’d like to sign up for the Newsletter just drop me an email and I’ll add you to the mailing list. This issue includes an editorial entitled Skiing with the Bison, a review of the Nikon Z6, an article detailing my...
In just about every aspect, the Nikon Z6 is identical to the Z7 save for the sensor, which in the case of the Z6 is a 24.5 MP sensor instead of the Z7’s 45.7 MP sensor. Hence, for this review, I am not going to rehash everything discussed in my Nikon Z7 review. I will...
Great review! I am anxious to try out my first mirrorless and think the Z6 would be great with my D850 bodies as well. I noticed you said that under 1/400th you turn OFF IBIS and above you turn it on? I am confused as to why when using slower shutter speeds you’d turn it off? Again, great write up sir!
Scott – Thanks for catching that. I just corrected that. Below 1/400th second I turn the IBIS on and above 1/400th second I turn it off. Sorry for the confusion.
It was a bit of a relief to read your experience with somewhat soft images. I have yet to offload an image I consider really sharp using the 24-70/4, 50/1.4 ais, 70-200/2.8 VRII, or 500/4 AF-S. They’re all “ok” on the rear screen (until pixel peeping, which I never did with my D700 or D800), but kind of frustrating on the monitor. I’ll try the setting you recommend for Adobe and experiment from there. I’m also going to try Nikon’s software and compare how it handles to raw images.
I also wonder about the AA filter. I’d far rather deal with an occasional moire in post than have a strong filter that compromises overall sharpness.
Vince – Yes, they come in looking quite soft and adjusting the sharpening in Lightroom makes all the difference in the world.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the thoughtful and informative review.
With the current (Feb 2019) Z6 firmware, are you finding that, when shooting action in high frame rate AF-C, the two Wide AF area modes gnerally work best?
Michael,
Thanks for the great review. You said ‘the AF tracking capabilities of the Z6 are still no where near as capable as those in my trusty Nikon D850 or the AF capabilities of the Sony A9.’ But is the AF good enough for your type of action photography? Or will you primarily be using the video features of the camera?
I’d love to get the Z6 for portrait photography but I’m still unsure whether the limtited AF capabilities could cause problems. (I’ll be shooting one ore two weddings, too.)
Regards,
Johannes
The Z6 can track some subjects quite well as shown in that ski shot. It is just super fast erratic subjects that it might have trouble with. I am still experimenting with AF modes on the Z6. But my go to AF mode is the dynamic AF mode for AF-C.
The D850, and the Nikon D5, still hav the best AF on the market as far as I know. The new AF update for the Sony A9 might surpass those but that is still yet to be figured out. For me it doesn’t matter as I don’t shoot with Sony. The AF on the Z6 is excellent, but for crazy fast sports work it might not be up to the task as well as the D850. For anything not moving crazy fast it is more than capable. For weddings you would have no issues at all with the AF. For portraiture it is totally fine, though I suppose that depends on what you are expecting. The new Eye AF feature to be released in May will hopefully allow it to focus on eyes at f/1.4. For that type of stuff I just click over to manual and use focus peaking when shooting portraits with my Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 on the Z6 (with the adapter). That is more accurate than even the 85mm wide open on my D850. We will see what the new firmware update brings on that front. Fingers crossed it is amazing!
Great review! I actually jumped head-first into the Nikon mirrorless system late December 2018. So far, I’m loving everything about it – the size, the mount size, the EVF, the display, ergonomics, etc. I’m very hopeful having peeped some of the Eye AF content recently that with these firmware updates, the camera will improve significantly. I weighed waiting–even trying the A7iii, but in the end, the optics possibilities intrigued me with the Z series cameras which is one of the biggest reasons I stayed with Nikon. That, and to see all my glass and learn a whole new system just seemed too much for me at the time.
Over all, really loving the camera. Switching the WB modes, the AF modes, all of that is so intuitive. One thing I was wondering about is when you’re using off camera flash. Does anyone know if you’re setting up a shot and your killing all the ambient, is there a way to see the image exposed normally so as to gain focus, without switching your ISO or shutter back and forth – lightening it up to see the object and focus, then changing it back to the exposure for flash before shooting? Is there a way to change that function so you only see the image after you’ve shot it – but not in the EVF?
Thanks again for your indepth reviews – always interesting stuff – especially when it affirms my purchase decisions. 🙂
A
Andy – Likewise, I am loving the new Z series Nikon mirrorless cameras as well. There is a way to be able to see your subject when shooting with flash and when underexposing. Go to the Custom Settings menu to “d8 Apply settings to live view” and turn it to off. Then the EVF will give you a real time view of what is in front of the camera so you can see what is going on. Hope this helps.
[…] entirely at home with the Z 6 yet: there are issues with sharpening parameters, which are addressed here […]
Thanks Michael! I’ll try that out – that will make things way easier! Loving this camera. Very excited to see their Eye AF update in May – an add on to an already amazing camera. So glad I upgraded from the D750! Keep up the amazing work and thorough reviews.
A
Excellent review! I was very excited when Nikon ANNOUNCEd this camera, but the AF capabilities do give me pause. I primarily shoot outdoor actions sports with a D850 and D4. However, last year I bought a Sony A7iii for video and did some experimenting using it to shoot some mountain bike events. The Sony has excellent AF, but lacks in other areas that made it less than ideal for my work in event photography. I certainly loved the video capabilities of the Sony, but after an 8 month trial, I decided to sell it. With my D4, d850, and all my past Nikon cameras I prefer to use AF-C with single point or occasionally 9 point AF options. In your experience, how does the Z6 AF-C single point stack up to the d85o for fast moving subjects at relatively close range?
Curtis – As I said in the review the Z 6 is no D850 in terms of AF. It did pretty well with surfing but the subject was quite far away. It isn’t as bad as the internet might lead you to believe. Also, Nikon is upgrading the AF here in a few weeks so we will have to see. You will have to try it out for yourself to see if it will work for you.
[…] about the Z6 camera, as there are already vast masses of reviews out there. Take a look at this blog by Michael Clark and this review on […]
Thank you for the review. Nikon z6 is already on my shopping list for the upcoming wedding season (if it starts :)). The only thing I miss is an electronic shutter faster than 1/8000
Thank you for the review !
Great Review!
A great description of the equipment I am thinking of buying a Nikon
Really nice review! thanks 🙂
I’ve been shooting with the z6ii for the past year and a half. this is the first time I had heard of this issue, but you’re totally right! It has been frustrating seeing just off from sharp images, yet when I record in 4k video, my video is sharper than my images could ever be, especially in low light. Don’t get me wrong though, I do really love the camera. I am just very happy to see that this issue is not just my own!
great article thanks
2018 has been another stellar year. I have had some very successful assignments and photoshoots as well as some career highlights this year, like getting the chance to shoot big wave surfing with giant waves at Peahi (a.k.a. JAWS) and also shooting my first Instagram assignment for National Geographic’s @natgeotravel account. This year saw a wide...
Your photographs are stunningly amazing. Thank you for sharing these. I was happy to meet you this year at ASMP event and getting to know you and your work has been a truly inspiring experience.
wow.
wow.
wow.
You are genius.
My dream: One day, I’ll be sitting in your Santa Fe class.
You were kind enough to assist us in selecting the NIKON D-850. I cannot thank you enough!
– A Forever Diehard Fan.
Michael, your link was sent to me on FB from a photographer from Anacortes, Washington, Robert Lee Payne Jr. I love your photographic skills and love to study the “difficult” shots like the kayaker coming down the face of a waterfall.
I will be spending more time with your photos. Thank you for sharing your skills with the rest of us!
I have dabbled in photography for many years. I had to give it up for two reasons, Nikon came out with the digital about the time I retired, too rich for my budget, I always preferred Nikon because their glass was the best. Still have my N90S, a beautiful device but only good for a paper weight now. So sad.
Thank you Mary!
The Fall 2018 issue of the Michael Clark Photography Newsletter is now available for download. If you’d like to sign up for the Newsletter just drop me an email and I’ll add you to the mailing list. This issue includes an editorial introducing this issue of the Newsletter, a review of the Nikon Z7, an article detailing...
Over the last three or four years, I have been watching the mirrorless market as it grows and matures. While teaching workshops, I have had the chance to play with quite a few different mirrorless cameras brought by participants. Every time I have picked up a mirrorless camera in the past my reaction was no,...
Great in-depth review Michael! I received the Z7 along with the FTZ adapter and 24-70S lens when released. It is not a replacement for my D850 or D5, but overall I think it is an EXCELLENT piece of gear. I intend to put it to a lot of use, often alongside the 850 or D5, and often solo on it’s own. My sample with the 24-70 is incredibly sharop and really nails the focus everytime (still, not action)..
Thanks again for the review..
Tony
Excellent Review! Thank you for all the hardwork and rational assessment.
I’m also keeping my D850…. but I do agree the Z7 is an excellent camera all considered.
BUT Nikon messed up seriously on options to customize the control buttons. They have chucked out major +ves of their top DSLRs. Two irritating glitches:-
1. Unlike the Trifecta of the D500/D5/D850 the AF performance is hamstrung by the inability to assign different AF settings (ie AFC + single-point) to a Fn button. So you cannot toggle from Group to a Single-Point. This is a showstopper IME and not only shooting action but any portrait.
2. The Image Protect function cannot be set to kick in only when in Playback mode. Nikon caused this problem by killing off the Image-Protect button (yet there is enough space top left, rear above Playback & Delete);
I found last week’s firmware upgrade a BIG disappointment that these bugs\lost functions have been ignored by Nikon.
If Nikon make a mature revamp an upgrade of the firmware a MOST URGENT priority, then they will set a new precedent in customer relations. I would advise prospective buyers to hold back to see if the Z6 has improved customization.
Michael,
Great review. Thanks for taking the time and effort to write that up. The Nikon Mirrorless Cameras are certainly getting all the love right now.
Have you had a chance to shoot with the 500 f5.6 PFE lens? I’ve shot a bunch of surfing, soccer, scenics with it and it is awesome. Razor sharp, crazy light weight and compact. My new travel lens for sure as it can fit in my carry on and not attract a ton of attention.
Appreciate your newsletter too!
Bill
Bill – I have not shot with that new 500mm PFE. I love the 300 and take it with me just about everywhere. I wish they made that in a Z mount. Not sure I want to buy any F-mount lenses anymore.
Very nice and practical review. This is my first Nikon and I am enjoying it. Easier for me since I don’t have other Nikon bodies to compare to.
Hello Michael,
Do you happen to know whether the combination of the latest manual focus Zeiss Milvus lenses and the Z7 body provide for the full functionality?
Thx and cheers
Klaus
Klaus – I have not tried them Zeiss Milvus lenses on the Z7 but I don’t see why they wouldn’t work just fine–especially since they are manual focus lenses.
[…] — i.e. fast paced action in dark, mixed lighting. The Z7 did incredibly well. Check out the full review of the Z7 on my […]
[…] 45.7 MP sensor. Hence, for this review, I am not going to rehash everything discussed in my Nikon Z7 review. I will instead concentrate on how the Z6 is different than the Z7 and why for me it was the better […]
To get the ball rolling for the fall holiday season, I am happy to announce a 25% off sale on all of my fine art prints until December 31st, 2018. How this works is very simple, just take 25% off my standard fine art print pricing, which can be found here, and contact me to order...
Over the past year or more, in anticipation of this time–where Nikon, Canon and everyone else would jump on the mirrorless train–I have been testing out and thinking a lot–too much really–about the equipment I use and what the future holds. It has been clear for a while now, at least to me, that mirrorless...
Hi Michael,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the Mirrorless world.
Since Nikon and Canon entered the full frame Mirrorless focusing most of their marketing on the lens mount itself I have been wondering what are the advantages of having a bigger diameter mount like Nikon vs the Sony smaller mount diameter.
In 1987 Canon introduced the EF mount with a much bigger diameter than Nikon and Nikon was still able to build awesome lenses on pair with Canon.
Do you know what are the advantages of the bigger diameter lens mount?
Cheers
Martim – Hello. There are quite a few benefits to a larger lens mount, and especially with such a short flange distance like the Z series Nikons and R series Canons. First it simplifies the lens design pretty seriously, allowing lenses to be built with fewer elements, which means more light reaches the sensor (i.e. fewer lens surface interfaces). Second, you can also collimate the light so it is striking the sensor straight on instead of being bent at radical angles. This reduces Chromatic Aberration and also allows for much sharper rendering in the corners than previously. Thirds, it allows for using IBIS to it’s full potential. Fourth, in the case of the Nikon, it might mean that we are using the center of the lens more – i.e. the best part of the optics. With the Z7 I have not really seen any CA at all, which is pretty phenomenal. I will discuss this more in my actual review. This covers the basics of a larger lens mount. I am sure there is a lot I don’t know. Nikon released a very extensive PDF all about the reasoning behind the larger lens mount.
[…] I wrote about in my last blog post, entitled Random Thoughts on Mirrorless Camera Systems, while the small, lightweight form factor of the Z7 is great for some situations, it can be a […]
Excellent thoughts about mirrorless Michael! I totally agree that the future will be (or should be) a range of mirrorless cameras incorporating the advantages and minimizing the disadvantages of mirrorless. I’m very pleased with the Z7, but already thinking about a Z850 :-).
Many Thanks for the article. As a long-time (mostly) Leica user I am clearly not in the telephoto or ‘need for speed’ lane. As such, I now cannot imagine having to use those big, long-lens units of my youth! (Especially as most Leica lenses are basically miniaturized.)
At Photokina a few weeks ago the crowds of people around the mirrorless stands were many bodies deep. Probably 75% of them were carrying DSLR cameras so it was possible to see, first-hand, the enormous interest in mirrorless. I did persevere and got to fondle the Nikon Z7. Very nice!
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nice <3