Nikon Z6

[Kyle Root]

I just picked one up from B&H and the new 24-70 2.8S lens. Will be here tomorrow. Hated to spend all that money, but was looking for something better than my D750 for video and figured I'd give it a shot.

Plus, I've never had a 24-70 2.8 and have always wanted one. (I've got the 14-24 2.8 and 70-200 2.8, but had been using my 24-120 F4 kit lens as the middle.)

[Mike Quinones]

Kyle;
I did the same thing Got one from BestBuy, I could have paid it in full but they gave 18 month no interest, and after some test I don't regret it one bit. I have 28 mm 1.9 vintage lens and video on my dark basement surprise me. Good luck with your camera.

[Kyle Root]

Thanks! The 24-70 2.8 is stunning in clarity. I've never seen anything like it out of my F mount lenses.

Today I'll be shooting a 5 hour event (our local Diner en Blanc) with the Z6 in 4K, so that will be interesting to see how it handles. Also bringing my Sony X70 as a backup.

[Rob Katz]

after 6 months, how do folks feel about the z6 as a video camera?

there appears to be a nice set of video specific tools/menus.

how is the image quality?

anyone edit/grade the z6's 8 bit internal footage?

if so, thoughts?

lastly, it has been reported that the z6's audio pre-amps are lacking.

anyone notice any audio issues when using the z6's pre-amps with an external mic?

thanks in advance for any info you care to share.

rob
smalltalk productions/nyc

[Kyle Root]

So I've just come off a very busy 5 weeks with the Z6 for video usage that included 3 weddings, and 2 promo videos.

It performed very well with the 24-70 2.8S being the main lens used 99% of the time for video (handheld, tripod, and glidecam). The video AF performed very well, although there were some times where it tried to lock onto something other than what I wanted and I had to touch AF or manual override. it's nice that the peaking comes on when you go for manual override.

as par as on-board audio, I only use it for scratch tracks and use Tascam DR10s mostly and a DR40 for all other audio. However, I will say I bought a Sennheiser MKE400 onboard mic for it, and for those instances where I'm getting unplanned audio, it works very well and I haven't had any issues using the onboard stuff when I needed it.

Granted there aren't high end productions I"m doing, but it works well for me.

[Rob Katz]

kyle-

thank you for the sharing.

your experiences and insights are helpful.

what was your camera of choice pre-nikon z6?

thumbs up.

rob
smalltalk productions/nyc

[Bill Ackerman]

I've been using it since February, mostly for live-action close-up tabletop work with some timelapse/motion control/stop-motion mixed in. Much of the footage is ultimately destined for VFX/compositing requiring the best image quality I can for keying, tracking, roto, etc. Not much audio recording. I've even flown it on a gimbal for a few assignments.

A few random thoughts:

Image quality is stunning. I'm recording 10-bit 4:2:2 4K ProRes to an Atomos Ninja V. I've messed a little with Nlog, but really don't need it since I am shooting under controlled lighting conditions. ProRes raw is due before the end of the year and I'm certain I'll be sending the camera in to the service center for the paid upgrade.

I have a large collection of Nikon F-mount glass I was hoping to use, but the new S lenses are so good for video (silent, fast AF, IBIS 5-axis stabilization) that I'll be transitioning almost everything to Z-mount lenses. In particular, the 50mm/1.8 may be the finest lens I have used for video. The 85mm/1.8 just arrived today. I've only been able to take the obligatory dog shots, but was blown away with the image quality with the lens wide open.

Things I wish it had:
4K/60p
Scopes (but that is covered with the Ninja V)

[Rob Katz]

bill-

thank you for the sharing.

i continue to be intrigued by the z6.

i have read several folks mentioning the ninja v as a real addition to the kit.

what don't you like about the z6?

ergos?

movie menu and features?

image quality in motion? in stills?

any and all thoughts are appreciated.

thumbs up.

rob
smalltalk productions/nyc

[Rob Katz]

Originally Posted by Kyle Root

So I've just come off a very busy 5 weeks with the Z6 for video usage that included 3 weddings, and 2 promo videos.

It performed very well with the 24-70 2.8S being the main lens used 99% of the time for video (handheld, tripod, and glidecam). The video AF performed very well, although there were some times where it tried to lock onto something other than what I wanted and I had to touch AF or manual override. it's nice that the peaking comes on when you go for manual override.

as par as on-board audio, I only use it for scratch tracks and use Tascam DR10s mostly and a DR40 for all other audio. However, I will say I bought a Sennheiser MKE400 onboard mic for it, and for those instances where I'm getting unplanned audio, it works very well and I haven't had any issues using the onboard stuff when I needed it.

Granted there aren't high end productions I"m doing, but it works well for me.

kyle-

i'll ask you what i asked bill above.

thank you for the sharing.

i continue to be intrigued by the z6.

i have read several folks mentioning the ninja v as a real addition to the kit.

do you think about adding the ninja v?

what don't you like about the z6?

ergos?

movie menu and features?

image quality in motion? in stills?

any and all thoughts are appreciated.

thumbs up.

rob
smalltalk productions/nyc

[Bill Ackerman]

what don't you like about the z6?
No flip-out LCD (just flip-up/down) - but using Ninja V reduces this limitation
Z-mount lenses not suitable for manual focus racking
30-minute internal recording limitation
Focus peaking only in manual focus mode

ergos?
Very comfortable in my largish hands, especially with smallrig QR plate and side handle. Great EVF.

movie menu and features?
One standout feature is that there are separate settings for stills and movies so you can quickly switch between the two modes for hybrid content.

image quality in motion? in stills?
If you can't make great videos and photos with the Z6, you can't make them with any camera.

[Mark Rosenzweig]

YouTube (Short URL)

[David Peterson]

Originally Posted by Kyle Root

I just picked one up from B&H and the new 24-70 2.8S lens. Will be here tomorrow. Hated to spend all that money, but was looking for something better than my D750 for video and figured I'd give it a shot.

For 1080 work the Nikon D750 is still pretty good!

Dynamic Range Shootout - Nikon D750 vs Blackmagic Cinema - YouTube

Nikon D750 vs. BMPCC Video Showdown - YouTube

13 Stops Confirmed – Nikon D750 vs BMCC Dynamic Range Shootout | Gunpowder Video

[Kyle Root]

The D750 is great for sure. I used that with a 50 1.4 and manual focus for many many years as my primary wedding video system until the z6.

[Kyle Root]

4 years later, I'm still shooting that Z6 and 24-70 combo plus I got a second one that I run on a Ronin mini 3 gimbal with a 14-30 F4 on it.

Waiting for the Z6iii and will probably upgrade to that.

[Kyle Root]

My girlfriend got a Z8 about a week ago. That thing is pretty nice, but so much larger than the Z6.

Still waiting for the Z6-3.