My guy! Thank you for the love you've given the Z9 and Nikon. Can't wait for more positive and encouraging news and content from you about Nikon, keep up awesome work.

Im proud of all the creators giving honest reviews of this camera.. good job!

I have been watching your videos since you started out…I’ve noticed the sleek set designs and high production quality of your videos. Really seems like you are putting 100% into everything. Keep up the excellent work.

I have used nikon for years. I own Sony and have used Canon. Nikon is more difficult I the menu for people who I would say are not use to Nikon. Nikon gives you more options and flexibility plus with saving program profiles. Makes it a snap to jump to different settings. Love my camera

Photomeike let me use his Z9 at WPPI this year. I will say I love the honest review from a primarily Sony user. For me its just a bit heavier than I would like but when it comes to focusing it didn't miss a shot while out in the Valley of Fire! Firmware updates will make things even better but for straight out of the box use this was a great camera to experience!

I am personally a fan of the behind the scenes photoshoots because I wish I could do things that creative but the camera reviews are also informative which is good. I think I might just keep the idea of possibly being as good as many a dream. The time and effort he puts into his content is unmatched in my opinion.

So creative - the ending was the icing on the cake!

My guy has been having a Documentary edit style lately.. I LIKE IT! Keep them coming!

Love your videos especially the bloopers lol keep going Manny I appreciate everything that you let us know on your thoughts

The aesthetics of this video are absolutely stunning

Manny, always love your presentation. You have a fantastic way at explaining things. Got my Z9 a few months ago and look forward to your comparisons!!!

Thanks, Manny. Excellent and objective input to the Z9 conversation. (Also, hands down, the best production quality of any photography KZfaqr. [Insert 80s slow clap])

Bro the quality of this video was insane, massive improvement my guy 🔥❤️

I’m enjoying your content on the Nikons system. It offers something different. Keep it up!

Glad you're (mostly) enjoying the Z9. Love mine. Aesthetics are personal -- I think the lenses are beautiful. But on the inside, they're all business. There's no need for 1.4s; the 1.8s are excellent. I believe you'll see Nikon/Nikkor pursue the 1.2 aperture of the Z 50mm f/1.2, which has unbelievably beautiful rendering. Menus? Perhaps because I've shot Nikon for 4 decades and am familiar with their digital camera menus from day 1 they're the most familiar and practical to me. No need to deep dive; use the I menu and set that up how you like it. Use banks to set up for different scenarios..

The f/1.4 AF-S primes of Nikkor work great on the Z9 combined with the FTZ adapter. The results are even better than on the native F- mount camera's like the Nikon D5 or D6. Especially the AF-S 58/1.4 G and the AF-S 85/1.4 G work brilliantly on the Z9 with that perfect AF. Also the 105/1,4 and the 28/1.4 give some extra quality on the Z9. Personally I like the F Mount AF-S lenses more than the native Z lenses.

Your video production skills are really good. Great photo images in this video as well. It was informative and entertaining at the same time to watch. I use Nikon since 2012 and the menus are not confusing to me. The custom settings menu is for options that you can customize for the camera and the general menu is like for global settings. The "i" menu gives you quick access to settings (is also customizable).

Nikon ergonomics have always felt right... no other camera system has the colors Nikon has.

Nice video. Good to hear the opinion of someone that uses all the flagships for an extended period that translates to a real review. That mirror-like backdrop is 🔥🔥🔥

Good to watch your thoughts still curious to know those you have about the Nikon 28-75 too. 👌

Man your set up is fire!!!🔥

You’re the portrait man…and man of reason Manny…..top class vid as ever.

Great to see Nikon getting some love. This looks like a fun and great camera.

From the sounds of your menu problems, look into the "My Menu" abilities. You can put all those frequently used, or even occasionally used functions there to quickly find them. You're also not limited to one "MM", for you have the ability to setup several different ones.

Respect for you because you gave Nikon a chance and realized that it is not trash. No biased, not leaning to any manufacturer too much. I shoot Nikon but would love to try the R7 or R10 as well, unfortunately does not have the option to be sponsored to try, but thumbs up for you.

Manny, I loved those slomo shots of the Nikon Z9.

Thanks for this review & showing the eye af in low light/thumbs up for Nikon here &, mentioning the ibis while using the slider. Great info. Price point is pretty good.

Manny some of those features like the AF speed you were looking for can be added to my menu for faster access.

Great honest video , very encouraging as I am still waiting for my Z9 in the Uk . Thank you 🙏

I haven't shot with those particular 3 cameras but I have shot digital with all three brands and, of the cameras I shot with, I liked the skin tones best on the Nikon, then the Sony, and lastly the Canon. Now, this was years ago so things might have changed but at the time I used several different models of camera from each brand, models that were a few years apart in tech and still found similar skin color. The only problem I had with the Canon was some overly magenta skin tones. I didn't feel one way or another about the Sony skin tones. The Nikon seemed the most pleasing. Manny, you might consider doing a skin tone test of all three systems under varying lighting, direct sunlight, shade, overcast, flash, studio strobes or hot or LED studio lights. (if possible with different brand lights). I'd also like to see someone do a test of shooting with and without a lens hood. (I'm very pro lens hood), I'm also very pro using high quality multi-coated filters when needed, and neutral colored ND or Polarizing filters. An interesting test is to lay out the filters on a piece of white paper and see that some aren't neutral but can be green tinged, bluish or warm tinged.)

Great Video Manny

Great video thanks again.I have the z9 and am a Nikon shooter, and recently tried the r3 love the feel and found it nice to use ,But kept some how cropping and changing the exposure compensate other than that it was great ,for me the Nikon just works 😊👍

As a Nikon shooter, I always followed you regardless if you were Sony or Canon cause you make great content.

The new light bar setup thingy that ur doing is SO FUCKING SICK like genuinely it’s such a nice visual and a nice break from the usual talking head in a studio of KZfaq.

Thank you for your insight and sharing your thoughts on this camera. The wait time is killing me so much I had been thinking about switching to Canon :)

Excellent video! Curious if you faced any flickring/banding issues in the artifical lights since Z9 only have an electronic shutter.?

I feel you on the 85 1.8 tube look but the 24-70 2.8 looks dope and performs like a champ

As far as bags for gripped bodies go, Tenba Axis 24L has been the perfect bag. Carrying around the Z9 with 24 - 70 attached + one other small lens? F-stop pro small as a shoulder bag.

Nice one for putting the outtakes on the end :) What is the electronic music at 9:25 pleas. We also got a z9 because it's just cool to try state of the art tech, it is a thing of beauty when you think back to 90's technology

I always love the colors and quality. Hope Z9 Will be the top line of the camera

Thanks for sharing yur testings!!!

Would love to see you review on that Viltrox 85mm. Thanks for this one!

Manny you hit it on the nail about the aesthetics of the lens! I just don’t like the way the Nikon lenses look but the Z9 body looks awesome

I just received my Z9. I love it!

Man, your creative side is really taking off lately. I mean this is top quality stuff with the sci-fi theme. Love it! Do it again with some gorgeous sci-fi chicks this time! 🤗

Bro, your setup of the shot of yourself is sickkkkkk. Got that vibey, bouncy airy effect--what is it called anyway--totally wicked! 🤯

Awesome Video Manny. Congrats on the Nikon Z9. We would love to have you on Vahagraphy Talk. Who here wants Manny on as a special guest? I DO!! Let's Rock n Roll!!!!!! 🤘🏼 🤘🏼 🤘🏼

There are some great f-mount lenses that you can use on the Z9, like the 105mm f/1.4 for example.

Would love to see how you get on with the s line f1.2 lenses , great video

Very accurate bro 🤠 Thanks maestro!

I just ordered mine yesterday (: I'm a wildlife photographer, so very excited to come from my Nikon D850 DLSR to a flagship mirrorless. I have no idea when the next shipping dates are for US, so I may have my order in, but could be a very long time before it's in my hands lol. Great video Manny.

Hi Manny. I do a lot of outdoor work that involves shallow d.o.f and HSS.. Can you please recommend a compatible strobe for the Z9 ?

Appreciate the bloopers at the end.. let's me know I'm not the only one lol

What light tubes are u using, love the look and grading of the video

Hey Manny, can you share some insight into the colors in this Nikon shot (3:24) and the Canon one afterwards? Are colors straight out of camera with no edits? Canon's looked incredible

Really great review, very informative of real world use. Manny, I know you're probably interested in the S line of lenses, but there are some Nikkor 1.4 F Mount glass that is to die for that can be adapted to the Z9, mainly the 105 1.4. I don't know for myself, but there are others who have said it actually performs better on the Z mount than the F Mount, and I believe it. Also, I think some firmware updates will fix some of the issues you mentioned, in fact, it was said during WPPI that a firmware update this year will allow 8K 12-bit recording internal, and for any filmmaker having that capability at the Z9's price point is insane!!

Brilliant review

My first camera was a Nikon APSC and then I switches to Fujifilm. Now I bought a Canon R6 and a 15-35 f2.8 and a 85mm f1.2 and I'm blown away by Canon. I'm still very interested in Nikon and want them to succeed, just because their files are amazing, even on entry level cameras like I used to have. Hopefully they'll release some Pro Glass to keep up with Canon and Sony.

Also have you tried sports mode for the Vibration Reduction (IBIS)... That might help a little bit with this issue... Would be grateful if you update on whether it resolves the issue or not...

I am sure the upcoming firmware updates will fine tune the AF and hopefully the IBIS as well. This is all new tech for Nikon Z and just out the door so we should see the firmware updates soon.

Z9 (and R3?) have illuminated buttons on the back of the camera, which is probably a plus when shooting in dim studios or live performance settings.

Absolutely, I’d love to get some pixel peeping review between high efficiency and high efficiency +

Thank you for your video! We purchased the Canon R5, but we are considering exchanging it for the Nikon Z9. We had the Canon R5 freeze up a few times and that was after we updated firmware to 1.5.1. What are your thoughts? We had a Nikon Z7 that we sold because its AF was terrible and the low-light performance was poor. We did use the FTZ adapter on the older F-mount lenses. Overall, those lenses worked well with our Z7. We never considered the Sony's because I have large hands. We totally agree with you about the menus. We have been very impressed with the Canon's menu system. I have been frustrated that, unlike the Nikon, we have to switch the AF to people or animals rather than let the camera decide which we are shooting. Does the Z9 enable you to save your camera settings like Canon? Thank you!

You click the (i) button to get fast access to AF settings. Nikon menus are not confusing - its like you said your not used to them. I remember using a Canon camera and thinking the same - it was just because I wasn't used to it.

Great review! Honest, pragmatic, and engaging. Whatever you decide about the Z9 system, you at least gave it a thorough trial.

Nice I have the A1 and the z9 and I am lusting for the r3 the canon 85 1:2 has my attention. Good point about the third-party glass for the Z nine very limited at the moment. Changing the subject what do you think about the Sigma 1.485 mm art is that the best 85 for the Sony system I have the G master 85 to be honest I’m not very happy with it also have the baddest 85 1.8 which for the compact size image quality is amazing but something is missing with the 85s what’s your thoughts

The Z9 is just such a nice looking and feeling object, and for me that makes it a pleasure to use and makes me pick it up all the time just for the sake of it. It's tactile and expensive feeling

Appreciate the B-roll shots that you have made on the Nikon Z9. You must have put a lot of effort on it.

Mr. Ortiz, If the only option you had was to select one camera - Sony A1, Nikon Z9, or Canon R5, what would be your choice?

I'm a lil biased because I'm a Nikon shooter but I like for the other brands in different ways. You give an honest review on your Sony and canon cameras and I like how you break down the specs for each brand ✊🏿👍🏿

Great review , thanks you!

Hey Manny, did you drop that Z9 at 11minutes 17seconds into the video?

5:00 - Was waiting for you to comment on that rear LCD display while shooting 😄

Voigtlander just announced they are creating lenses for the Z mount. They will be manual focus only however.

I wonder if it’s a software issue with that wobble with using ibis on a slider. I use to get that wobble when using my GH5 on a slider. Haven’t got the wobble on my z6ii. Your Studio shoots are amazing and your studio is absolutely amazing!!

Nice video production. You sound pretty honest, for sure all of them are great machines (even Leica, Fuji, Phase One, Hasselblad, etc.).

Very good independent review - something a bit different. Beautiful aesthetic as well. I can understand that that tube like 85m S is a bit underwelming in external appearance, but wow does it render nicely - give it another chance. Thank you.

What strobes are you using? I have interfit and they are not playing nice with my z9….

Hello my friend Thank you for this wonderful review Regardless of the advanced technology in any camera Any advice please I am a wedding photographer What do you recommend Nikon D850 or z9

Looking forward to the 1.2 shoot-out. I think the Z9 and Nikon glass will take home the belt for sure.

Never going back to a Nikon Brick, those days have gone :-) Off subject... Manny, may I ask where do you obtain your music, thank you in advance :-)

I have been waiting on your review of the Z9. I figured you would be honest. Really like your reviews, being a Nikon shooter my entire photography journey. This truly helps. I have picked up a Canon and I found it to be very confusing, being that I had only used Nikon. Guess I am use to the Menu from Nikon. Still I can't justify buying the Z9 being that I don't do video.

Ibis is supposed to be turned off when the camera is statically mounted. Even Panasonic & Olympus stabilisation (the best in the business) is done this way.

I thought the lens design issue was kind of off base. This is a Pro body not a Fuji retro camera. And these Z lenses are just crushing the performance barriers. For a Pro that is all that should count. Besides I like the minimal sleek design. The F1.4 glass is something that has me thinking about. I am wondering if they will skip f1.4 and go straight to F1.2. Nikon talked about the Z mount being designed for faster glass so that would fit the idea. They already have the 501.2 and the 85 1.2 is coming soon. Will we see a Z mount 105mm F1.4 ?

man, the last 3 min...i struggle with that in my videos...all. the. time. but excellent video review on the Z9. I found that you 'really' have to be use to Nikon's menu system to kinda get an idea of where everything is at. When I went from the D750 to the Z6, it was pretty refreshing but Nikon definitely made sure someone that stayed Nikon would be familiar with it. Not sure if I'm the only one that noticed that but the transition from DSLR to Mirrorless (from Nikon) was a breeze. I think some day, I'll get the Z9 in my hands for more than 30 days! lol

did you try the Z9 with the new update 2.0 did you try all the new update added

Manny vould you give your views on the Viltrox 85 vs Z 85?

Nice review. If you keep the Z 9 as studio camera, then you do not have a need for 1.2 or 1.4 lenses. Note that these numbers are academic (in the meaning of theoretical). If you made these lenses using black glass then the f/number stayed the same. This is why the industry came up with the T-stop that indicates how much light really comes through. IN the DxO Mark website you may see that a 1.4 from this brand has a T-stop of 1.5 and a 1.2L from another brand also has a T-stop of 1.5. We do not notice this as the camera measures exposure through the lens. And now with an eVF we do not see a darker viewfinder for these deviations. Yes but Depth of Field (DoF) you say. Well, that depends on the Circle of Confusion (CoC - its diameter). And that depends on a few things: the resolution of your camera and lens but also how large you depict your image and at what distance it will be looked at. Pixel peeping at 200% at a 1' distance (tiny CoC) is another story than looking at a 100% print at 7' (large CoC). Generally, in the studio we would shoot at 5.6 or 8, or even 11. The background being even toned or having a smooth gradation, there's no need for detail there. The 5.6..11 range makes sure your subject is sharp from the tip of the nose to the back of the ears. Of course we sometimes deviate from the principle, e.g. to render bad skin unsharp. "We" needed the fast lenses for our SLR cameras as these lenses actually doubled as the main lens of our viewfinders. A 1.4 would give a much brighter viewfinder than a 2.8 lens (4 times). One reason for me to never use zooms. I do not expect Nikon to still come up with 1.4 primes in the Z system. The 1.8 lenses are perfect, optically, and a 1.4 lens would become significantly larger and heavier while the difference in light transmission is about 0.5 f/stop and on a mirrorless camera that is totally meaningless. The size and weight increase is due to modern requirements and improved sharpness and almost absent chromatic aberration all at the same time. Boring design? It's functional and does not distract and I feel no need to compensate something. You can even see that some third party lens manufacturers have been inspired by this new Nikon lens design. It reminds of the Bauhaus architecture style period - less is more and form follows function. Just put gaffer tape over the camera's brand name. Say no to clients asking, what camera did you use, instead of wow, nice pictures. Third party lenses? My recurring rant of the past 45 years with Nikon was: (a) chromatic aberration and (b) tint/character differences between lenses. Robustness and reliability, check. Sharpness, check. Professional precision, check. The Z system addresses both (a) and (b) and does that very well.

I learned a trick for cellphones for "training" stabilization. Turn on your camera with a small lens on it and wave it around in a "figure 8" pattern for a minute or two. What this does is to set the limits of the travel range. It might work on the Z9. . . .

Manny with the Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems lighting. LOL.

Just use all the already available f mount glass, even from the sigma art series, the best option is buy it with the FTZ adapter and enjoy it.

This was a great review.

Still using my D4s without issues, enjoy your Nikon!!!!

You can quickly get to frame rates by hitting the i button without being in the menus.

@Manny Ortiz Please can you do image comparison of the Sony FE 135mm f1.8 GM and Sony FE 70-200 G Master OSS II Lens for portraits. Thanks! ))

where did you learn about that EVF?

In school, our professor always told us to turn off any instabllizer in our camera because when you are shooting hand held, the camera's instablizer is already working to compensate for any shaking that is occurring. If on a tripod and with the inbody stabilizer on; the camera will will begin to tremble because it's trying to feel out the shaking. So on my Nikon cameras; I always turned off my V/R (vibration reduction) off that were built into my lens. So yeah, I hope this helps someone out there.

Yeah from the video world, we always turn off IBIS when on tripod. For the very reason you are experiencing...some platforms are more sensitive than others, but I imagine its a software thing that Nikon could fix and so far it appears Sony and canon are better with...but again simple solution, turn it off...no biggie. I'd love to see more video footage comparisons between them since you have em all. I personally was thinking the z9 might be a great option over the r5c, because no cripple hammer...they put EVERYTHING into it and has amazing photos and battery life. But yeah, I already have an R5 and love it, but not so much for video work which is my primary focus.

Thanks for a nice and fair review. I have a Z9 in my bag right now. Have used it for the last four to five weeks and have to return it to Nikon on Wednesday. :( The only thing I do not agree with was first the note about complicated menu… then you said it might be biased… and I remember having the same issues we itch Sony and Canon when I test them. I am a Nikon photographer and are used to Nikon menu. The other thing I disagree is the lens design … but maybe your are right! My 85mm 1.8 with the hood ob looks kind of boring compared to the 85mm 1.4 I sold when going full to Nikon mirrorless. But there are Z lenses that looks better :)

Anything, like the ibis glitch, is important if it impacts your workflow. Hopefully, Nikon will fix it in firmware, but you have a workaround for now. As far as menu items, you can customize with “my menu”. Glass is an issue, but it should be fixed in about a year.