Z 9

Nikon’s Z 9 Mirrorless camera has garnered much acclaim for its innovative features.Having used cameras for nearly six decades, with two and a half of those decades utilizing digital SLRs, I have preferred Nikon equipment. Colleagues advised me of the learning curve associated with transitioning to a mirrorless system, even from the advance D800.The Nikon Z 9 is sleek, well-constructed, and provides a sense of reliability and power. Despite its considerable weight, due in part to the larger battery compared to previous "D" level Nikons, the camera's layout remains familiar to users.Photographs taken with this device (using NEF format) exhibit exceptional clarity and detail. Even when cropped, images maintain their professional quality with nearly 46 megapixels ensuring sharpness, vivid colors, and discernable textures and minutiae.Manual mode (the only one I use) settings require adjustment from traditional outdoor daylight shooting at ISO100, reflecting the camera's refined tuning capabilities. The fast shutter speed minimizes motion blur effectively, though initial reliance on the viewfinder for aperture and speed adjustments may be necessary.The sophisticated internal mechanisms, which border on artificial intelligence, can experience connectivity issues in areas with weak cellphone reception. This is crucial as the Nikon Z 9 relies on Bluetooth linkage with mobile devices.Upon review, the results are nothing short of remarkable—professional, beautiful, and justifying the investment.Nikon continues to uphold its reputation for quality, and the Z 9 exemplifies this tradition.

Upgrading from a D2Xs and a D800 - has been painless a lot of the options are the same. Mind you, I read through the manuals first. I quickly realized most of what online influencers were saying were limitations of the Z9 was simply nonsense. Z9 is highly customizable. Spend the time learning the options and set it up for the way you shoot. I've shot macro, street, sports, and video with old D-type and newer VR lenses, everything has been simply lovely.I'm glad I didn't opt for the Z8, this camera is compact enough and I love the integrated grip which pairs perfectly with my 70-200. With a DX-35mm and the FTZ-II it is still compact enough for street photography, but I'd like to get a native Z-28mm. I also have an DJI Action 5 and mic-mini attached to the hot shoe for video and audio, and I like this pairing. Now I have to go buy some more hard drives!

Think the camera is great if you’re a professional wedding photographer, this is definitely the camera for you

This is a game changer of a camera. It’s kind of like HD television, you don’t realize the difference until you experience both. With 20 fps you rarely miss a shot. Working mostly in the sports genre that is important to me. Focus is ultra quick.

Been very happy with the Nikon Z9: Image quality 45 Meg Resolution, Ergonomics and the outstanding support Nikon provides. Great camera.

Well coming from the D6 and I’m a wildlife/bird photographer. After watching a few videos and setting up the camera to work for me!The first thing I noticed is how great the AF System with the custom 3D Tracking is. Once the subject is quickly acquired and locked on the eye. It’s tracks it till you either quit or it turns and flys away from you.There’s nothing I’ve disliked in the few weeks that I’ve had it. I just wish Nikon would take the time to make a video that shows how to navigate the menu system and spend some time showing how to custom setup all the buttons. I’ve watched Steve Perry and Hudson Henry and they do a great job at explaining it for the most part.I replaced my 24-70 f/2.8E with the 24-70 f/2.8 S, plus my AF-S600mm f/4G with the Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S. First thing I noticed yesterday when unboxing it. Just how much lighter it felt!I’ve been a DSLR guy for around 41 years and was a little skeptical at first. But after taking it out last weekend for some water falls and bird photography. I’m sold and should have done it sooner.The only thing I’ve seen and hope I don’t have to worry about. Some users on the forum have posted pictures were the rubber on the camera has come loose or is pulling away! I can’t speak for how they have treated there equipment. But I hope I don’t have that problem and or Nikon is willing to fix it. I treat my equipment like I want it to last a life time and if and when I should part with a piece when upgrading. That person is getting that appears to be new!

I've been a Nikon user since 1976 with a used F camera I paid $150 for. I own an F2, F3 ,F4s, F5, D200, D700, D800, 2 - D810's, D850 and Z6ii. So I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a Nikon fanboy. But for video it's been all Sony and Canon. I just got my Z9 a week ago and already it's changed everything. I really havn't wanted to pick up any other cameras in my collection since I got it. It felt like I knew this camera right from the start like an old friend which was fortunate cause the manual tells you absolutely NOTHING about operating this beast. And it is a beast I call it my 800LB Gorilla in the room. I can't even imagine anything you CAN'T shoot with this camera! I shoot portraits, beauty and glamor in my home studio. Also city scapes and landscapes. I'm 70 now but back in the day I shot lots of sports. Football (Steelers), baseball (Pirates), with the F2 & F3. Basketball (Bulls) with the F4s & F5. Already It's evident this is the finest most capable Nikon I've ever had the pleasure of shooting with. But lets be honest I purchased the Z9 for it's video chops. The video features of the Z9 are astounding! I get why Red sued Nikon - the IQ of this video is like a mini V - Raptor!! I have to say the auto focus has a rather steep learning curve and since I'm old school, single point is my natural tendency, but I'm learning fast. The two last firmware improvements I would LOVE to see for the Z9 are anamorphic de- squeeze with aspect ratios and Recode Raw at 16 bit. I know that last one is a stretch now that Nilon has a cinema line to protect, that would be nirvana. Ultimately I'm waiting for that mythical Nikon CINEMA Camera! It's inevitable- the only question is WHEN! Anyway I'll just use the time to revel in the Z9 and actually try to put it down occasionally! Love this cameta!

This is the second Z9 I own. Got the first one back in 2022 shortly after they came out. The Z9 is effectively a "software defined camera". Having no limitation of a mechanical shutter (other than the one protecting the sensor) its capable of doing things that prior to its introduction are unimaginable. For example flash sync is up to 1/8000 of a second. There is zero EVF blackout while shooting. You can shoot 200 FPS. The AF is absolutely incredible. And firmware updates are always adding new features. I have more than a quarter million images shot on my first Z9 without any issues whatsoever. Solid and reliable my Z9's have been bounced down dirt roads in the back of my truck, stuffed into overhead bins on aircraft, subjected to -10 F to 110F temperatures and always worked flawlessly.Really the only thing the Z9 won't do for you is drive its self to the shoot and take the pictures for you.

I've had this camera now for a few weeks and just becoming comfortable with all of the features - I'm incredibly happy with what this camera can do! I only purchased one lens (so far) that was compatible with the Z9 (the 50mm 1.8S) and purchased the FTZ II to use the rest of my lens arsenal. I couldn't be happier with the focus, clarity, and functionality of this camera - totally blown away with the features now that I've had a chance to explore them. It's my go to for sure, with the D850 as a reliable backup!Wildlife shooting just got a LOT better!