As you might remember, I work building digital asset management systems for large media companies. From NASA to corporate media departments, and to the three letter networks and their local stations. From time to time I have to look at what’s on those systems and being a geek, I look at the EXIF data. Some shooters use the absolute latest price is no object gear while others are obviously using an older body and glass that they like and are familiar with. They all capture great images….so like you say, it’s the eye, not the gear. Ok, us amateurs can be helped by the gear, and I’ve benefited from spray and pray as much as anyone, but looking at those pictures and the gear that has captured them reminds me that I don’t need to spend a fortune. I need to spend more time practicing and thinking about what I’m doing.

Hi Thomas. Thank you for this excellent video on the Nikon Z7. As a Z7/Z8 landscape, product and occasional wildlife photographer, I am quite pleased with the sharpness and detail I get from both the Z7 and Z8, and totally agree with your points about image qualityfrom the Z7 sensor! I also agree that the Z8 is a bit "chunkier" than the Z7 though much faster in most aspects. For this reason I use the Z8 for wildlife, product, and landscape work, whereas the Z7 would be used for landscape and product photography only. Regarding your comments on printing large, and comparing to medium format, not having used MF camera systems, I can only surmise that the larger sensor in MF would show greater sharpness and detail when printing quite large say, 30" x 40" and up, based on the fact that there is less enlargemnt required from the larger sensor. Thanks again!

Some nice photos. The first house photo is pretty good. I do own the Nikon Z7 as well. Since day one I may add. And excellent camera for Landscape photography.

It is a great system for sure! The lens selection certainly makes it worth while. I only have the ZF for my fast camera and use a different system for fine art landscape work.

Beautiful pictures!

I have had my Z7 for almost 5 years now and I just love it. For me, it's the ideal camera for landscape work.

That Z7 was also made in Japan unlike today when Nikon offshore production of these cameras.

I Loved my Z7 but in Wild Life I needed better AF so traded it in Nov and got a huge BlackFriday deal in S Africa and got my last ever camera I will ever need the Z8 .. Yes the Z7 cant be beat for Landscapes and Milky Way. The 45 M Pixel BSI Stacked Sensor is the Best Sensor Nikon has ever used >> its found in the Z8 and Z9 which also have much better Grip than my old Z7 ..my Z8 fits my hand like the old D850 did ..perfect in the hand. The Z8 is not heavy especially when weighted with the 180-600 .. its also great with the S 70-200 and the 24-120. Steve Perry a Top Wild Life Photographer and Trainer only Shoots in 20 FPS and for FAST birds in Flight thats what I do too . But yes a Big Male Lion walking towards me here in Africa I have it on Low Speed 5-8 FPS

You get an extra thumbs up from me for the 'tape under the LCD screed hack'. It's bugged me for years that when I have my X-H1 on an L-plate I can't get the screen to flip out for portait orientation! Thanks. Now where did I put the gaffer tape?

That was such a great video. You live in a beautiful part of the country for sure. Thank you for all the information on your camera.

Thomas, when I first saw your photo of the old white-washed house, I easily flashed back to a time when the house was new and in the summertime, a woman was sweeping off the front door step while overseeing her children playing in the yard. All this went thru my mind in a split second as I looked at this old house, which I think you captured so lovingly and beautifully. And I loved that snowy scene with the little bird sitting in the corner of the foreground. Of course, with me, birds make every shot better. haha Nice approach to your photography where you set out with no agenda but creating beautiful shots. Keep it up!

I like the ramble, as I learn from it. One more question - what's up with the red dangly things? I keep seeing videos where photographers have those on their camera.

8:10 yes, I feel like I have the whole neighborhood to myself wherever I go this time of year when making photos in winter Maine.

Good stuff. Z7 was my first trip into mirrorless so I had some real learning curves with that camera (especially lens changes and dust spots) but I look back at how good it really was. Can't agree more that you just need to get in the car and go. Not everything needs a plan. Excellent images. Cheers.

Agree completely with your take on the Z7, I had the Z7 like yourself just when it came out, I then sold it and went for the 7II, great camera, fantastic sensor. I did jump to fast and get the Z8, loved the ergonomics, a little like my D850, but it is still quite hefty when you add a few lenses for hiking. I am really looking forward to the imminent Z7III, which is probably what I should have waited for, the Z8 although a superb camera was overkill for mainly Landscape Photography.

I want to buy a second Body to go with my Z8. I am torn between the ZF and a used Z7II (which is cheaper). I used to own a Fuji T5, so I am actually thinking about the Z7II but the ZF is quicker and I am foremost a street shooter. But I do not need lightening speed.

i have the Z8 Z6ii Z6 Z50 and about a dozen or so dslrs ..... i really enjoy the z6ii and i'm trying to get used to the z8 (truthfully it is overkill with way too many functions needed for me) -- I've decided to stop buying bodies and put my $'s into glass and more photo outings. i am glad I stumbled upon this channel with some great advice and your delivery is awesome!

Great Video. Question - If you were using the Z7 for a natural light portrait & wanted to retain a nice clean image, what would be the ISO value you would not want to exceed? (I currently shoot natural light portraits with D3s and Z6, but I save my D3x for studio strobe - where it looks great.)

Hi Thomas. I'm in the deep south, so I'm curious how you keep your camera equipment from fogging up when you go from house to car, and from car to tripod?

Is the zf camera just as superior to this z7?