Z 8

I decided to make the leap from a non-Nikon DSLR to a mirrorless system. After speaking with many photographers, Nikon came most highly recommended. And the Z8 has not only met, but exceeded al of my expectations! The camera has countless features and customizations for my diverse shooting needs. After watching a few youTube tutorials, I was able to customize setting and profiles to my needs.The first set of wildlife images I took with the Z8 blew me away with sharpness, clarity, color, and the ability to track the birds that I was tracking. Every image in the burst that I took was flawless (I was lucky to get one good image from my old DLSR camera).So far, I can say with confidence that I made the right choice going with Nikon and the Z8!

The Z8 is really a superb, amazing machine. I would recommend it for anyone looking for something similar to that. I just got mine, and it has performed exceptionally. I really love the ability it has do, but without the added weight like the Z9.

I finally had to upgrade my D500 because the shutter gave out after almost 500,000 activations. I’m still using my F lens with the converter. I primarily shoot birds and wildlife, so the Z8 seemed like it made sense. The Z8 is better at some things, like birds and flight. I like that I can take video while looking through the view finder, though I’ll admit getting used to the electronic versus the optical is a challenge after 10 years with my D500. I’m struggling with some other things because I can’t quite figure out what focus mode I need to be in to make them work. For instance, I cannot seem to get focused on a dragonflies eyes for anything and that used to be easy on the D 500. It seems to handle bees and butterflies just fine, but dragonflies confuse it. It seems like it has a hard time deciding what’s a bird and what’s a leaf if a small bird is sitting in a tree branch. And even if I manually focus it, it changes the focus on me. I’ve only had it two weeks, so there’s probably a lot of things I haven’t learned yet. And perhaps it would do better with a Z lens, but I can only afford to upgrade so much at one time! It’s definitely a learning curve.

Moved from D750 to Z5II to Z8. Shoot landscape, portraits, action, and real estate. This is an extraordinary camera. Not just a step up - a LEAP up! I've never experienced this level of camera expertise where the camera allows me to function at my highest and best. The bird detection is awesome. I have one button set up in Recall mode to instantly switch to all the settings needed for fast-moving birds. Using Bank A for landscapes, Bank B for action (e.g. surfers), Bank C for portraits, and Bank D for real estate. So easy and fluid to move between these worlds. If I had known that I would experience this much power, fluidity, & acquisition capacity, I would have made the leap a whole lot earlier. The ability to crop A LOT and still have a fabulous image is something I couldn't get with the Z5II, although I loved that camera. It's bigger, yes, but it just feels exactly right. I basically work with 2 lenses, the 24-120 F4 S and the 70-200 F2.8 S II. I'm a happy Z8 owner.

I shot Canon for 30 years plus. And after buying an old F4 from a friend of mine last year, I fell in love with Nikon. Now here I am a year later, with a dozen plus film bodies and 2 Z bodies. I absolutely love the ergonomics of the camera. I shoot multiple genres, platforms, and camera manufacturers. But after owning a D850 last year I fell in love with the Nikon colors. Well you know you have to scratch that itch. So after partying with the d850. I do my next step would be to buy a z8.

Love the camera especially the speed of focus. Do not like that you can’t set up a function button to single press to do focus stacking. The best you can do is assign a function button to my menu. Then the my menu comes up and the image disappears. You then have to press start with the ok button. Very awkward , needs a firmware upgrade.

I recently added the Nikon Z8 to my camera bag to become my primary camera. My Z7II will be my backup/2nd camera. I've only had a few days to work with the Z8, but I already love it. I have no reservations in recommending it.

Upgraded from D850. Plan to use Z8 with Z lenses plus F-mount with FTZ adapter. First body card slot would not release a new Provideo CFexpress card. Returned to retailer who could also not get card to release, finally got card out. Replaced with a new body. The new body works but card slot remains sticky, not smooth. I prefer the card system in the D850 which I never had a problem with. Overall the Z is a high quality camera with amazing technology and impressive IQ, especially the rich rendering, excellent focusing and light gathering ability. Size and weight are noticeably smaller than D850 and well balanced. The Plena lens is amazing. I wish the camera had more sound options and a bigger better screen image, too much black border & frame. The screen is good quality but with modern screen technology there are options that would better match the quality level of the rest of the camera. If the height (base to top of flash housing) of the cam could be reduced by an inch or so it would allow it to fit in more camera bags easier. I prefer to carry camera and one lens when I’m walking around on vacation.

I upgraded to the Z 8, from my Z 7II because of its enhanced AF capabilities. I have just received the Z 8, and as expected, it is, operationally different than the Z 7 II, but it is still a camera that basically functions like any other camera system operationally. Today, I discovered the Command Wheel so I am off and running! It will just get better from this point on! I am excited about the future! Richard, Shipmate Palmer Photography!