Clearly not a safari image. I thought it time to take some new photographs, though my focus remains on processing the safari ones. But for a change of pace, this was taken with the Nikon Z6 mirrorless, handheld with the kit 24-70 lens, though a glass window. I continue to be satisfied with how well it works in low-light situations.
@huvesaker Yep...there's so much ambient light here that we never have the ability to photograph stars. I find it such a treat to be somewhere out in the country for the contrast -- or on Beaver Island in the summer where there are no lights at night.
@gamelee Thanks, Lee. I do like the Z6. I've run into the problem of it not switching automatically sometimes between the viewfinder and the LED monitor, but have learned it happens when the (very sensitive) sensor has some dust on it, so if I blow it off, it switches just fine. The cost of the card was a huge 'eek!' but it is very sturdy and a single card handled all 5000 of my photos during the safari. I've now culled to 2450 and saved them so am debating whether to reformat and reuse the card, or save it. The card reader I bought -- the Sony -- has worked flawlessly. But this was a big investment and a hassle with (a) the different card and (b) one card slot so no auto-backup. But, I do like the Z6 a LOT, and find that the stabilization they talk about and low-light capability is not hype. It is really good. My drive-by shots of villagers in Tanzania were remarkably clear -- probably a 1 out of 3 just fine and 2 out of 3 useable. So that was not bad from a moving land rover on bumpy roads. The Z7 was okay, but slower so in the end, for my needs, the less expensive Z6 was a better choice.
@pistache Thanks Clare! The Z6 seems to handle high ISOs fairly well. Some of the animal shots I took on safari where they were really active (e.g., the zebra foreplay or the lions) I used a higher ISO to capture the action, and my drive-by ones of the walkers and the villages were sometimes even at 2000 - 3000 and still useable, not that grainy. I'm guessing the next generation of this model will be even better, but given that I needed one and couldn't wait, so far, so good!
I like the way the lines in the centre all converge in the distance. This really has a done a super job of low light levels, a most enjoyable shot. (And I am sure there will be a giraffe out there somewhere if I look hard enough.....!!)
@pamknowler I know you are a Canon user, but it does seem that this is a very user-friendly camera. The thing would be whether there is an adaptor for your lenses, or whether you simply go with their Z mount lenses as they become available. I suspect you'd like how the camera feels and how it operates.
I must've missed a large part of the early discussions about these cameras, so please pardon any dumb questions. Did you buy both the 6 and the 7? And, if not, why did you choose the 6 alone? I'm happy with the Fujifilm X-T2, but it's not everyone's cuppa tea.
Clean forgot to comment on the image, d'uh. The views from your eyrie are simply breath-taking and I'm so happy you share them with us. I always enjoy looking at Chicago from your pov, so much to see and think about. Love the image, of course.
@golftragic I was having problems with the Z7. Two were considered defective, though in hindsight, I think the problem was the sensor blocking the ability to switch between viewfinder and LED monitor. But then, the battery cover fell off the Z7 so I returned it. By then, the Z6 had come out and I was so disappointed in the Z7, I didn't want to get a third one. Switched and bought the Z6 which was faster and better for my needs, but the pixels are 24.6 instead of 45. Not a problem as I'm seeing from the trip.
@ukandie1 LOL! Yep, I just changed it today when I posted and it went into a different day. Hoping no one had noticed that our sunset was taking place in the middle of the night according to my camera.
Nothing compares to the Windy City at night, as you've so capably demonstrated. Interesting to read about your experiences with the Z6 and Z7. Mirrorless is definitely the way of the future, but both Nikon and Canon are really playing catch up.
@taffy Given the quality of your travel photos, 24MP is plenty and then some. As ever, it's the person behind the lens that is of paramount importance, and she's a very good photographer! To my mind a faster camera easily out-weighs more pixels. Thanks for the update.
Fabulous shot Taffy, a great test for the Z6! I've been really impressed with this camera in low light, been testing mine this week and was really delighted with the early evening hand held shots.
