Nikon is always late to the party, but when they show up they really bring it. As a commercial photographer I was... happy with the Z6II and Z7II combo, but I'm absolutely *in love* with the Z8 and Z9 combo.

The recent Nikon financials showed the Z9 launch was the most successful flagship camera launch since the D3. Both significant technologic advances for their time. Mirrorless now accounts for 80% of Nikon camera sales.

When my colleagues recovered from the shock that I as a long term Canon dslr shooter (1983) with lots of EF L glass had suddenly bought my first Nikon (Z9) of my career plus a lot of Zs glass, they frantically wanted to know why. My simple answer was "it’s the lenses stupid!😎". My future Z8 purchase will be based on practically everything you mentioned plus it will become my main gimbal camera as well as a perfect complementary backup to my Z9. 👍🏾🙏🏾

Small and lighter - hold that thought. You always keep us enthralled by your suspense and for good reason. Your story telling deserves a standing ovation. Thanks mate. ❤

Love to see Nikon coming out with this great camera. I started on a Nikon F2 $ 660.00 US in 1972. Adjusted for inflation that would be $ 5,030.64 US today. Oh how technology has moved forward.

A competitively priced Nikon to get others to dive into the universe - good marketing move

Appreciate your thoughts (hold that one). Picked mine up yesterday and I ❤it! agree with and will also make the points you made about realistic uses for video codecs and settings -- who is gonna run the Z8 for extended times at 8K 60p RAW? The Z8 will be my second angle to the Z9 ... and, yes, sometimes at 8k, not because I expect anyone to watch it on an 8K screen, but for all the options that gives me editing on an 4K timeline.

Always so wonderful to have your perspective, Mr B. Looking forward to your smaller and lighter thoughts forthcoming. Was out shooting with my Z 6ii today with the 35mm 1.8, and looking longingly at my wife’s X-series Fuji. So compact and lovely.

Seriously I could listen to you, just read the phone book (well back when there was such a thing) you do it so well. Enjoyed this video and your prior detailing how you do this so well. Thanks for sharing Hugh, and enjoy the holiday weekend.

Glad you enjoyed - and thanks for doing such a thorough analysis. I just hope people enjoy this system now and create great work. Technically there is really not too much in the way. Nikon has it’s quirks and goes about developing their products in their steady way. I like it and look forward to continuing my 40 year marriage into their family.

Great video, thank you! I’m still a dslr shooter (D810). I’ve been thinking seriously about getting into the mirrorless realm to take advantage of several features I don’t have. I was Looking at the z7ii but looking was all I have done. I was just waiting for maybe the next upgrade z7iii perhaps. On Thursday the Nikon people had a Z8 event in Portland Oregon. I now realize that this is what I was waiting for. I think I’m going to make a clean break, selling all my equipment and go all in on the Z line. I’m ready to embrace the hybrid world Ha!

“If you need it”…that stings a little but oh so true…and honestly, I don’t. I do, however, simply want one and it may yet be my first foray into a mirrorless body and it really would give me something I don’t currently have. Being predominantly a wildlife shooter still with DSLRs (D850 & D6 still performing admirably), this “ungripped Z9” makes a compelling pitch to me but, as you say, access to the Z lenses is the real bonus. I admire your work and have long respected your attitude. Thank you.

Your delivery of amazing content is second to none. Thank you!

Thank you very much for your balanced review, Hugh!

Fantastic images, and brilliant perspective on the camera - as always.

Thanks, Hugh. So many great choices. I reserve my Z9 for big glass/wildlife. Like Claudia, I am happy with the Z6/7 form factor for other uses and hope the Nikon will soon upgrade this in a major manner. Then again the Q3 beckons.

Great video. I love the Z8, I only have two issues with it, one is a really big one for me. When connecting HDMI monitors to the camera, and after one presses record to stop recording, there is a black out for about five seconds before the signal returns. It’s even longer at about 10 seconds when attaching a wireless transmitter. This makes monitoring with the camera on a professional set a little frustrating to use. The second thing is the ability to import custom LUTs into the camera. Hopefully Nikon will address these two issues in firmware. Especially the HDMI bug

There is a thing that people don't mention and I feel it's great in Nikon Z cameras and lenses: stabilization. Even with very long telephoto.

Been waitng for Hugh's video on the Z8 ... thanks

I do landscape and street photography, mostly. I would be happy with a Z 6/7 body that includes the shutter cover and tilting screen of the Z 8. In fact, if they made one with zero video features for less money, I would be ecstatic. I always end up taking video with my phone in the spur of the moment, anyway. It's so much more intuitive.

You've got my sub. I could listen to your voice for hours. Wouldn't mind listening to an eBook with your voice. Information is brilliant, with no bulshit. Love it

Great video Hugh, the info we need . Thanks

Subscribed. Hugh your review goes above and beyond most, especially when you bring into account other competitors options. I love the D850 I have but its video autofocus is dismal in 4K🙄. Combine that with the 8K TV I own and interest in more video shooting and the Z 8 is VERY appealing. Thanks for a very insightful review.

Very informative and good value points on comparisons to whats in the market today thanks

Whoo hooo!! 100k subscribers! Well done, Hugh! :) And thank you for providing us with such insightful, original, and eloquent content! Long may it continue.

Thank you, Hugh, for yet another exquisite video!

I was waiting for the Z6iii to come out but you are definitely making me think about the Z8. I'm upgrading from a D7100 so I'll need new lenses either way. It's quite an upgrade I'm looking at.

I'm 67; been w/ Nikon since 1972 (my first, a F2).....but Nikon is doing what they've always done: FUCK up the basics. Like introducing the Z8....AFTER the Z9. Like calling "automatic" on lenses "M/A".....instead of just A. Like calling macro lenses...."micro". Like deciding to put 2 DIFFERENT type media cards in your bodies, or deciding that XQD cards were the future, etc.

Being approximately the same age as you, I got the "stupid" reference. It's a bit depressing to realize that for many viewers this a bit on ancient history while for me it's a memory from my late thirties. 😮

It's funny you mention the D3! Cause as much as Nikon would make us think that the Z8 is the replacement to the D850 (and I mean if we're strictrly talking about pricing, size and weight it kinda is), I don't think that the comparison stands. The D850 was a litteral beast. So much so that getting a D850 with a power grip was generally a way better idea than getting a Nikon D5. Both had the same autofocus, but considerably different usecases and the D5's sensor was not a very versatile sensor, being targeted almost exclusively at profesionnal sports shooters and journalists that would have a very quick turnaround of unedited pictures to newspaper redactions, putting the high ISO performance way beyond the dynamic range in the priority list. Even if we look a bit further into Nikon's camera history, neither the D800 and D810 (and their variants) would fit the comparison, as they were both very different from the Nikon D4 that was the company's flagship at the time. No really, if we look into what's the Z8's philosophy, it's a successor to the Nikon D700. Back in 2007, Nikon introduced their very first full frame DSLR camera in the form of the flagship D3 (that at the time would replace both the 2003 aging D2H, and the higher megapixel but long in the tooth 2005 D2X, having the same shooting speed as the H, but the same resolution as the X). That camera was truly ground breaking, putting Nikon back alongside Canon that has been dominant since the EOS 1DS mk III and EOS 1D mk III were released earlier this same year. It had better dynamic range than the Canons, similar framerates and superior autofocus (so much so that this system would be used in Nikon DSLRs until the very end of the DSLRs, still finding its place in the company's last DSLR in the form of the Nikon D780. It's also still very potent today). Less than a year later, Nikon put to the market the Nikon D700, a camera that was much smaller but still using a bigger and more rugged body than Nikon's other DSLR cameras like the D80. It had the same sensor, the same autofocus system and burst rates coming just 1 fps short of the D3 (with the battery grip), all the while being $2000 cheaper than its bigger brother. The compromises were minimal (we're talking about no contrast AF in live view and only 1 CF card port instead of 2. That's it.). Ring a bell yet? With that strategy of putting essentially their well acclaimed flagship product at a cheaper price, Nikon achieved 2 things: First, they put a profesionnal camera at reach to a LOT more people. People, that would not need the few features than the D3 offered on top of the D700 anyway. Second, it made the whole Nikon DSLR system a LOT more attractive for profesionnal shooters, by the simple fact that a pro would not have to buy a second D3 at the steep pricepoint of $5000 when the D700 could do 99% of the same things, with the same image output, the same autofocus performance with a substantial discount. Thing that Canon couldn't even touch with their own cameras, the D700's competitor (EOS 5D mk II) being very far off the performance of the 1D series, especially for autofocus and burst rates. Those two things combined helped Nikon stay on the map for 15 years, even though they were not doing so good prior to these 2007 and 2008 launches. And it allowed Nikon to not do that strategy again "wasting" expensive components meant for flagship products into lower end models. That was a risky strategy, but it paid off handsomely. No other camera would be like the D700 again after Nikon pulled that off. (Closest would be the Df which would be the only other camera to use the sensor out of the Nikon D4, but it was more a niche product, paired with a sub-standard autofocus system straight out of the Nikon D610) That's why I think the Z8 is the true successor to the D700 (and its legacy as well). There's one camera I haven't mentionned though, that played a role just as important as the D700 in Nikon's 2007/2008 success : the D300. It had a 12MP APS-C sensor, but with the same autofocus and burst speeds as the D3 it was released alongside with. At first, THIS was the perfect backup that Nikon made for the D3, and the D700 is nothing other than a D3 sensor in a D300 body (making the switch from the D300 to the D700 much easier, having the same body shape, weight, size, batteries and accesories). Unlike the D700, the D300 had a true modern successor in the form of the D500 (which took the same formula : D5's autofocus, D5's framerates but APS-C sensor) So now I'm left wondering : Nikon, where is the Z90?

Some people will complain at the sun rising in the morning…. I love your show Hugh. LL&P 🖖

Thanks for your perspective on the Z8. Mine showed up at the front door as I watched your video!

Thank you for the video, the information and the feedback 👍🏼

Great vid….As much as I drool over this Z8 (and I do!), I think I am team Claudia….my Z7ii is more than enough for me. I just came back from my vacation. I popped off the grip, and that smaller Z7ii/24-120f4 S package was all I needed for 95% of my captures. I got great shots, even in bad weather. As I push into the senior ranks soon, travelling light is very important!

Thanks for the content of this video. I love it

I have switched almost completley from f-mount to z-mount based on the Z9. I gave Sony a shot and I just didn't like the way the camera felt in my hand. I also did have a 120-300mm, 400mm, and 600mm f-mount lens to consider. Ultimately I have been veryhappy with the Z9, ordered a Z8 on day 1 and the only f-mount lenses I still have are those large telephoto lenses. The z8 got here today and it feels great, looking forward for having it as my second boday at the lacross tournamets tomorrow.

Great review, Hugh. Hope Nikon starts putting shutter angle into their cameras.

This review is the best, especially because I maxed out my CC on the z8 and a couple of lenses. I find that its focus stacking feature works great. I did find out that the OM 1 mark ii has an integrated and graduated ND. that can be manipulated on the viewfinder. I would be looking for that feature on Nikon's next-gen cameras. Fingers crossed.

Amazing wonderful photos, thank you! :) What a fantastic camera!

Brilliant, balanced vid as usual ty 👌

I’m still shooting with a D810 but also have a Z50. I want to get a full frame mirrorless to replace my D810 in the next couple years. Getting older and with rheumatoid arthritis I really prefer something smaller so will probably opt for the Z7iii when it comes out over the z8. I really like the feel of the Z7ii when I’ve looked at it at Best Buy. I don’t even want to pick up a Z8 for fear I might like it,

It's always a pleasure to listen to you, Hugh, and watch your videos for the artwork. As to the Z 8, there's one thing that may not directly be a use case you frequent, in that it can AF down to LV -7 [1] while my Z 7ii halts at LV -4. What I would like to know, is not if this is true - because it is. But rather, at what EV level these cameras start having difficulties with eye/face detection. My experience and perception are that between my LV -4 and that LV of confusion may lie some 8 LV and mathematically that is a big number in integer lumens (256 times more light). And it can be more than 8 LV. So, while the AF spec is not a lie, in the sense that the camera can focus right using single point and recompose. It would be very interesting to learn from you and Claudia how these two compare. And, maybe it turns out that I'm less clever in reading Nikon's Reference Guide, combining menu items in different places that all contribute to how AF works. [1] LV = Light Value =by definition= Exposure Value (EV) at ISO 100

Tired of waiting for what seemed to be a mythical Z8 I got the Z9. It really is too big for 80% of my needs but the huge battery has reluctantly won me over. Like you and your wife, for casual shooting (i.e. non-work shooting) I prefer the Z6ii - love the smaller format. While I "want" more resolution, I find in that case I don't "need" more. I fear I'll order the Z8 anyway (or maybe I should wait for the Z7/Z6iii's to come out). Nice to finally have some decent choices in the Nikon system.

Maybe you could say Nikon pulled a D700 on the other brands (if you remember the landscape back in 2008 when the D700 was released...basically, a flagship D3 in a smaller body and lower price). They seem intent on getting more business by, well...doing another D700 (and I'm glad they did).

Well well , I shoot with Z9 , Z6, Z7 and D3S (I Love it) every model have his charm. this Z8 is a nice tool as a lighter Z9 ! Talking about the old D3S have very nice colors , and 12 mpx is enough for many jobs too , just being careful while framing !!

Excellent! As a Z9 shooter I’ve been holing on to the D850 as a second body for the times of need. Now I have a perfect camera that will inspire me to upgrade the D850. Well not upgrade, it is after all an incredible camera, but perhaps modernize or some such thing.

You know, Hugh, without sounding like a Fanboy (no cooling needed internally), appreciate the time, effort, and thought that goes into your videos. There were several points about the Z8 that were incorrect, but I'll let that go (ex: it is not similar in weather sealing compared to the Z9). Couple of quick points: I love your coverage of other systems and comparisons. Since I do not own all the other brands (I have been shooting the Z9 for sports/action/wildlife since launch), it's nice to hear your perspective when it comes to the overall ecosystems. I do shoot with a number of friends - who shoot Sony (A1, A7R5) and Canon (R3/R5/6) and a few DSLR bodies of all types (D500, D850, 1DXMarkIII, 5DMarkIV). All of my glass is f-mount - and is in excellent shape - but the new telephoto and telephoto zooms (100-400, 400 f4.5, 400 f/2.8 TC, 600 f/4 TC, 800 f/6.3) and 24-120s make it very tempting at times to sell a kidney. The Z9 was my first interchangeable lens mirrorless camera - and I knew what I wanted, so I waited until the Z9 was released. I am pleased to say, other than weight, I personally feel, more than anything else, it has made photography more enjoyable and allowed me to unlock creative potential. There's less concern about getting exposure or DOF correct, getting the focus point over the eye - not to mention having to "focus and recompose" if that was your thing. I can set this tool up the way I use it. The worry of tracking, buffering, or overheating - or running out of battery simply have vanished. Last, but not least, the ability to shoot silently, have high frame rates, no banding or rolling shutter, with high resolution has really made my job much easier. I will point out, for all the great stuff, it would be nice if Nikon added Zebras to stills shooting, and battery percentage in addition to "bars". Shooting with back up video to a second slot would be sweet, but so would a global shutter. We can continue to enjoy the innervations making their way to market - and hope it's a win/win for everyone involved.

I would get the Z8 if it wasn’t for the price. I’m still using the original Z6 professionally and I get by just fine. I have done basically everything on 24mpx sensor and “shitty” AF. I know all its shortcomings and how to counter them. I really hope Z6iii comes out next year. That will be an amazing upgrade.

just got my Z8 - I agree with your assessment - its the mirrorless D850

Much like you often speak about your history with Leica, to me the equivalent is having grown up around my dad's F-body Nikon SLR's in the 80's. I will have a hard time not jumping into Z mount the moment they release an S-line 135/1.8, if such a thing is even possible. (edit: I might have checked their website prior to posting this)

I ran out and bought a Z7 as soon as it was available and have since purchased a half dozen Z lenses. I'm almost fully retired and still use a pair of D750 cameras to shoot weddings because I don't feel the need to fix what isn't broke. I use the Z7 for portraits and landscapes and I can't imagine how the photo quality could get any better. I don't shoot much video, while sports and wildlife are for my own pleasure. I use Olympus and Lumix mft for that, their long lenses are so much easier to lug around. Perhaps I'll wait for the Z8II or III (ha!) I just can't bring myself to upgrade again and again. BTW, watching these videos I've come to the conclusion that there should be more emphasis on the art of photography than gear.

Your videos are excellent

The issue over the second card slot has always puzzled me. I typically use the second card for overflow and rarely for backup. Was wondering what your primary use for the second card slot is?

I had many full frame Nikon cameras in the past and when the Z line came out I decided to purchase the z6 first generation and i love it. But two months I dropped this camera on one of my trips in Greece and so i decided to look about buying the Z6ii or Z7ii, but after long hours of reading reviews about the z8. I decided this is what I want. I ordered the nikon Z 180-600 lens and the Z8 this week. I cant wait to try them since i love st photography and wild life :). Also will try it with my nikon 500 f4 VRll, nikon z 24-70 f2.8 and other good lenses

Looking forward to your smaller and lighter video. Be interesting if you look at smaller sensor sizes.

One of the best entertaining and informative videos ever!

Funny coincidence. I've tested my new Z8, which I got today, around those same areas, FiDi and near Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall.

Your channel is outstanding, super professional. Congrats on hitting 100K subs! :)

If I were being paid for my photography or videography, the Z system is 100% what I would adopt at this point. The X-T5's improved AF, improved resolution, and overall compact system size is keeping me in that ecosystem for now, but I kinda feel like the guy in that meme continually glancing over my shoulder at Nikon... I'd keep my X100V, though - that's never going away. :)

Hi Hugh its always a pleasure listening to you. I’ve been a photo enthusiast since the 1950’s. I want to get a digital camera I love the idea of the Nikon I shoot portraits and scenery only. What do you suggest? Thank you

Cool video, thanks. Got mine yesterday. After having Nikon digital cams for 20 yrs, the complexity of the Z8 was quite unexpected. And for me, the manual leaves a lot of blanks - e.g. what IS the difference between Prioritize viewfinder (1) and (2) (OK, finally found the answer online in the Z9 firmware release notes :-( ). While the Z7ii never was a replacement for my D850, the Z8 definitely is, and I moved to fully mirrorless with it. Amazing cam, but now have to see how I best make use of it - I feel a bit pleasantly overwhelmed, like when I got my 1st D2X (and moving up from a D70). Having no paper reference guide anymore is a downside.

Excellent review (as always). Thinking of a Z8 but no rush so might wait to see what a Z7iii brings - I only want the Expeed7, AF capability and shutterless elements from the Z8, so put those in a Z7iii and I am sold.

Would just like to point out that 8K is a real bonus for some applications. I don't ever deliver in 8K but 4K delivery is now a requirement in my sector so having that extra crop room from 8K footage is a blessing (just like it was when 4K arrived during 1080p delivery days). The oversampling is also a perceptible IQ enhancement and my 5K iMac Pro can resolve that extra resolution over 4K files. And that is why I got my eyes set on a Z9 rather than a Z8. If I was only shooting 4K my current setup would suffice. The whole point of upgrading here is to reek benefits from this new tech, but I guess if you are mainly a stills shooter with light video demands then yeah a Z8 will be way enough. Battery life is actually my main concern with Z8, overheating being second. The price difference if you're a smart shopper (ie buy second hand) isn't big and a Z9 brings some serious advantages over a Z8 IF you use the camera to its top full specs!

I'm temped by the Z8, but I'm paid for architectural and product photography - (all static subjects that rely almost solely on manual focus in my workflow). I still shoot with a Z6 & Z7 (Generation 1) and the combination of the sensor quality and RAW file quality in conjunction with the superb S line lenses still tick all the boxes for virtually all of my needs. If I shot portraits or wildlife, a Z8 would be a no-brainer.

For me, if somebody would ask me what camera to buy. I will always recommend the Z6 second hand. Or perhaps the Z6II if available. However now owning the Z8, this is a really good camera. But the Z6 is lighter and more easy to carry around. However the Nikon Z lenses are really great, especially the "cheap" lenses.

As usual. Brilliant counterpoint w/minimum gushing, fluff. Maximum thought provoking content, backed up with the plain truth and no fanboy blather. Refreshing. Yet again. Kudos

I have a Z8 coming to test out against my current A7RV. I'm so curious to see what it might bring to the table I don't currently have. If it were to equal or beat out my A7RV for general IQ the Sony would be sent packing. But that's going to take a LOT to accomplish. The focus speed and accuracy on the Sony is astoundingly good thus far. We shall see.

But if you need the autofocus capability of the Z8 for fast action sports and/ or wildlife, you're gonna want a vertical grip. So adding the accessory verticle grip to the Z8 makes the Z8 even bigger and bulkier than the Z9. If your autofocus needs are such, it seems you'd be better off going straight to a Z9, not to mention the better battery, extra function button, plus a few other goodies.

Excellent presentation! Being a NIKON fan basically my entire existence on this sphere called earth, at least as an adult (oh wait!) which by observation I would guess very similar. Typically it comes to: "Want vs Need", that is the question: answer in part may be; Can you/I afford it? Really enjoyed your knowledge and passion, sometimes I get a bit too much passion.

thanks for the great video! :)

How about coming from a D90? I squeezed just about everything I could get out of it. Now the question is do I move to a FF for street, portrait, landscape, and architecture photography, or do I continue with an ASP-C format? It’s tempting to make the leap at this point given where camera technology is at this point. This camera seems like a lot of camera for the price to last me another 15 years or more if photo software keeps progressing.

Hi -- first time I have watched your content (well it is a big planet) -- thanks for the "sensible" observations - I'm now a subscriber - even though I shoot wildlife and action and so have 2 Z9 and now a Z8 in my hands as well and possibly one more on the way; and all the new Z long glass and zooms I am going to need for the next decade or so. One note -- The single video recording limit in a Z8 is 125 mins in the production version. One simply starts recording again to continue -- why not take a break change cards and off you go, when shooting in reasonable formats/codex/fps. At one point I thought I was looking at Jon Stewart.

Great video! Well worded narrative. Also I find your face very aesthetically pleasing to look at 😜

The Z8 is a special camera and the whole Z system is above any other camera system in play right now.

Awesome review looks like Nikon is attempting to recapture the magic of the d700 as a downsized d3. I love Nikon and hope it’s a huge success. Just wondering have you tried the zfc yet would love to see a street review of it I have one and love the camera

Very interesting views presented so well. I would like a Z8 but I have no use for video. All my allowance is in Nikon F glass and Im approaching retirement age. I will keep shooting my D4s and my old film cameras which I sill love! If I win a small lottery however Im getting a Z8 and some lenses. Again a great video.

I might want a Z8 but.... do I really need it, probably not. I'm well happy with my Z6ii ( with a smalrig L bracket to bulk it up a bit ), D850, D700 and a host of mostly Nikon and Minolta film SLR's not forgetting all the medium format cameras from the 50,s and 60,s all make perfect art for printing.

As a canon owner, I’m tempted to switch for the reasons you state, esp the 400 4.5 for sports!

Great photos 👍

If you have a Z7 or Z7 II are doing landscape photography or something not too difficult in terms of autofocus and you just do regular video, they are largely sufficient If you have prime autofocus for sport, animal, then z8 If you want prime video, then z8 If you want more portable setup because you are hiking a lot, z7 or z7ii If you are short on money, the d850 can now be found at around 1200.. it's still an amazing camera and the sensor resolution / DR is the same If you feel for landscape or astrophotography that you need a little more resolution, then maybe A7RIV/V So indeed, depends of what you want / need The Z8 is extremely versatile and indeed on par with Sony camera in terms of autofocus The only one thing I am missing with Nikon is a F to Z adapter with a drop-in filter. It would open up so many possibilities..

brilliantly said

Canon R5 is still very competitive despite being 3 years older. Let’s see how the Z8 stacks against the upcoming R5 mk2 which should be the benchmark. It doesn’t hit the current R5 completely out of the water. It feels like Nikon is still minimum 2 years behind Canon. No quantum leap at all.

Great video as always. But honestly, as a photographer, I will still rather shoot with my Fuji X-T1 & X-T2….even my X-H1 when I need to shoot some video.

While I waited years for Nikon to get into the mirrorless game. I dabbled with Sony and then Canon with the R5/6. Then getting into the Z6/7-Z6ii/z7ii, I knew I wanted to stick with Nikon over the faster R5/6 so I sold them and had Sony A1 and now A7RV. Just sold the A1 and have had the Z9 for over a year now I suppose. What the system now offers is the best overall camera used. From image quality, to ergonomics, etc. with the Z8, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted from a Nikon mirrorless since the days of the dslr.

With all this im excited for the z6iii and hopefully a 200-600

love the Nikon Z system

I'm sure the Z8 is very nice but my A7iv cost a good bit less and I love my Sony 35mm and 50mm and 135mm gm lenses that Focus quickly and silently with beautiful image quality. Even my small and light Sony 85mm 1.8 focuses quickly and silently with beautiful images. I hear from Bird & Wildlife shooters that it takes more work to get the Z9 and probably the z8 to focus with flying birds and to get birds eyes compared to the Sony's and Canons. I also have the R7 and R8 with Canon Wildlife lenses and they work beautifully and a very affordable. I guess it's good that we've got a lot of different systems to choose from and they all have their strengths!

Not sure if you used the Z8 to shoot this video, but this looks super super great.

Z8 or A7R5 which one is better?

Love your vids. the only thing I differ about with you here, in a friendly way, is you kind of skirt over the countless superb third=party E-mount lenses from Sigma, Tamron, Samyang/Rokinon, Zeiss, Tokina, Viltrox, Meike, etc., as good as some of the best Sony GM lenses, making the mirrorless E-mount lens lineup far bigger and more comprehensive than the Z-mount, by far. The E-mount is the most widely produced and used mirrorless lens mount system in the world with 200 lenses and growing. I have 13 excellent quality mirrorless E-mount lenses covering 10mm to 600mm from Sony, Sigma, Tamron for my Sony A7RIV, A1, A7SIII. I am happy that Nikon has teamed up with Tamron for some new Nikon-badged Z-mount lens and some Tamron-badged Z-mount lenses. As you know, Sony owns part of Tamron so Sony wins every time one of those z-mount lenses is sold . I was a user of pro Nikon and Canon gear for over 40 years (both brands at the same time) before I moved to Sony in 2017. I applaud Nikon's latest fullframe mirrorless efforts, but I really have no reasons to switch back to Nikon from my Sony gear for both my professional and personal use, none. Cheers and best to you Hugh. Keep up your good work. I am one of your biggest fans.

Hi Hugh! How would you compare the color science of the Z8 vis-a-vis the S5 II?

I must say that the photos examples on this video, which BTW are pretty good, hold that thought, could have been shot on a much cheaper camera . I'm sure that the Z (zed) 8 in amazing piece of kit but totally OTT for most situations

Hi, I’m shooting with Fujifilm gfx100s but it’s not good for all types of photography which I like (Portrait, Landscape, Still-life). It’s heavy and bulky with gf lenses to carry around, and slow for sports and wildlife if sometimes I like to experience it! But it seems Z8 is all in one camera. The only matter important to me is if I switch to Z8, with 14bit and 45mp, could I achieve the same high images quality (detailing, colour rendering, and deep dynamic range) by gfx100s with 16bit and 102mp? Thank you.

No Z8 for me but the Z9, just as a D3 instead of the D700 back then. The ergonomic is the deal breaker and the Z9 reduced introductory price is hard to resist. Although a reverse desire for a baby Z9 will have me to deal with different memory card formats, either monitoring the remaining battery power or use of an alternate source, possible different L-bracket for it with & w/o grip, may not balance well with some of my lenses in handling, etc. Horse for courses and the devil is in the details. 🙂

Thanks for your content, Hugh! I have watched many a colleague leave the Nikon universe over the past few years in frustration; waiting for Sony/Canon level AF, etc in the mirrorless realm. All I can say is that I’m glad I held out and experienced the evolution of the Z system, which continues to expand and delight! I will be getting a Z8 at some point, as I’ve still got a lot of gas in my Z7 II and Z5’s tanks. Aside from the technological advances the Z8/Z9 bring, you know Nikon has a great thing going when you look at images from any of these bodies, using even ‘just’ the Z 50 mm 1.8s…and you find yourself smiling with delight at the results. Beyond the spec sheets and FPS statistics, that’s the essence of finding a tool that works with you to tell the story, capture a moment and express yourself. Utter delight indeed! Love your channel!

I appreciate Your thoughtful appraisal of the Z8 (this is why I continue to watch) I have been a Nikon guy since 1968 ... Interesting that Nikon is not the first to the (at that time) BEST in so many ways... It has been hard to hear all of the negative vibe coming at Nikon BUT,, I am glad that I have stayed with Nikon :) :) :)

I stretched my budget to own a Z7II for two years. It depreciated $1,000. I sold it November, and felt lucky to get the price I did. What is more SILLY is that Nikon doesn't make A SINGLE FX body with a fully articulating screen for video. 33mp Expeed7 IBIS would be ideal for my needs, and FX or DX doesn't matter to me. I kind of prefer DX, and the potential smaller size is just a bonus. I'm rolling an A7C with f2.8 Tamron zooms, a few primes, and the SIgma 100-400. I have a few z-lenses with no body, waiting on the next body...and waiting...and waiting. They still haven't made firmware 2.x for the II's or updated the Z50's firmware (to match Dfc/Z30) either. Love the content, thank you, happy shooting!

Just got a D850 used - looking forward to getting the z8 used in 5-6 years :D

I love Nikon's primes with a built-in TC, even though I don't have one. I hope that Sony will get it too.

Any recommendations for the best value lens for z8 either Nikon or 3rd party? These are the lenses I'm thinking of...NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR $1,299.95, NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S $529.95, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S $849.95 (in that order).