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Started Mar 24, 2022 | Discussions
2
My ole bones are catching up with me, and was considering the Z6II. I presently shoot with the D850 and 500pf for birds. I have heard so much about whether the Z6II will work or won't work that I am confused. I am considering that z body plus tc-14 and the 500pf. Will the Z6II work for birds and wildlife? Any insightful thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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fotosean • Contributing Member • Posts: 665
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 24, 2022
1
The Z6ii works just fine with the 200-500mm F mount & an FTZ II, and your 500mm pf is a faster lens. You should be just fine.
I don't like to use teleconverters, so I can't speak to that.
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Snapshotx7 • Contributing Member • Posts: 599
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 24, 2022
4
talons1555 wrote:
My ole bones are catching up with me, and was considering the Z6II. I presently shoot with the D850 and 500pf for birds. I have heard so much about whether the Z6II will work or won't work that I am confused. I am considering that z body plus tc-14 and the 500pf. Will the Z6II work for birds and wildlife? Any insightful thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
The Z6II will work just fine with the 500pf with the FTZ, but the AF tracking won't be as good as the D850 for birds in flight. It's not terrible, but it's also not great for it. If you can fill the frame with the bird the AF will function much better.
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Nikon Z6 Nikon Z8 Nikon AP-F 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E Nikon Z 24-70mm F4 Nikon Z 14-30mm F4 +2 more
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vbuhay • Veteran Member • Posts: 5,570
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to fotosean • Mar 24, 2022
3
fotosean wrote:
The Z6ii works just fine with the 200-500mm F mount & an FTZ II, and your 500mm pf is a faster lens. You should be just fine.
I don't like to use teleconverters, so I can't speak to that.
The Z9 and the 500 PF works great with or without a TC....I would not recommend the Z6 due to the viewfinder lag.... which the z9 do not have and its very, very fast and accurate AF and tracking....
and for Bigger birds...
and jets...
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Nikon D800E Nikon D4S Nikon D750 Nikon D500 Nikon D850 +41 more
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summicron • Regular Member • Posts: 435
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 24, 2022
4
z6ii does great with 500pF and bif.
prefer not to use tc
summicron's gear list:summicron's gear list
Nikon Z6 II Nikon Z7 II Nikon Z9 Nikon 500mm F5.6E PF Nikon Z 24-70mm F4 +6 more
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abc123brian • Contributing Member • Posts: 548
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 25, 2022
3
I think the issue with the different feedback you are reading, and getting here, has a lot to do with differing expectations and requirements. I use the Z7ii not the Z6ii, but overall will be similar. I’ve used the Z7ii as my primary camera for the last year. Before that, i used a Z7 and Z6 and a D500 for when fast action was required. Using the Z7ii, my D500 received very little usage as the Z7ii was good enough for the majority of situations. The key thing to realize is that there are some pretty substantial differences between the Z6ii/Z7ii and the D850/D500 cameras. Some things are better and some are worse so how you will find them will depend on what is more important to you. With that said, the Z9 basically eliminates all the cons from the list, but is in a larger heavier body which sounds like it would defeat the purpose of the change for you. My opinion is they do work for BIF, but would not be my preferred camera. For mammals and stationary birds, they tend to work very well.
Cons to the Z6ii/Z7ii
- Slower initial focus acquisition. There are two parts to this. The AF is driven slower than it is on the DSLRs and it can hunt a little a more.
- Different AF modes than DSLR can take time to figure out.
- Viewfinder blackout. This is more noticeable than the mirror moving and can create more of a distraction. If shooting at the highest burst rates, this turns into a slideshow of the last image taken. Either can make tracking a fast moving subject difficult. You get better as you practice or you can consider using a red dot site or other techniques.
- Slight viewfinder lag. The viewfinder is just a touch behind the actual scene.
- You would lose AF on some older lenses if this is a concern for you
Pros to the Z6ii/Z7ii
- More accurate AF. It is slower, but when it acquires, it is more accurate.
- WYSIWYG viewfinder. Seeing the exposure to spot blown highlights or if your exposure is off
- More information in the viewfinder.
- Smaller, lighter body and access to the Z lenses which many are also smaller, lighter, sharper.
- Being able to see the entire image in the EVF if you use DX mode or being able to zoom in to check focus.
- Having more information in the EVF
- Having the ability to use Eye AF to track subjects (Dependent on the subject and how quick they are moving for the time being)
Add a disclaimer that I’ve been shooting mirrorless for 8 years and I’ve been dealing with some of the pros/cons of mirrorless for a lot longer than someone who jumped to mirrorless in the last few years so I may miss some notable pros/cons that I am adjusted to.
abc123brian's gear list:abc123brian's gear list
Fujifilm X-Pro2 Nikon Z7 II Nikon Z9 Nikon Z8 Nikon PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED +13 more
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abdul almaimani • Regular Member • Posts: 450
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 25, 2022
talons1555 wrote:
My ole bones are catching up with me, and was considering the Z6II. I presently shoot with the D850 and 500pf for birds. I have heard so much about whether the Z6II will work or won't work that I am confused. I am considering that z body plus tc-14 and the 500pf. Will the Z6II work for birds and wildlife? Any insightful thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I have your setup and it works just fine.
Just go out and take great pictures
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abdul almaimani's gear list:abdul almaimani's gear list
Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-PL1 Nikon Z fc Nikon Z9 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 +12 more
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OP talons1555 • Forum Member • Posts: 56
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to abc123brian • Mar 25, 2022
1
abc123brian wrote:
I think the issue with the different feedback you are reading, and getting here, has a lot to do with differing expectations and requirements. I use the Z7ii not the Z6ii, but overall will be similar. I’ve used the Z7ii as my primary camera for the last year. Before that, i used a Z7 and Z6 and a D500 for when fast action was required. Using the Z7ii, my D500 received very little usage as the Z7ii was good enough for the majority of situations. The key thing to realize is that there are some pretty substantial differences between the Z6ii/Z7ii and the D850/D500 cameras. Some things are better and some are worse so how you will find them will depend on what is more important to you. With that said, the Z9 basically eliminates all the cons from the list, but is in a larger heavier body which sounds like it would defeat the purpose of the change for you. My opinion is they do work for BIF, but would not be my preferred camera. For mammals and stationary birds, they tend to work very well.
Cons to the Z6ii/Z7ii
- Slower initial focus acquisition. There are two parts to this. The AF is driven slower than it is on the DSLRs and it can hunt a little a more.
- Different AF modes than DSLR can take time to figure out.
- Viewfinder blackout. This is more noticeable than the mirror moving and can create more of a distraction. If shooting at the highest burst rates, this turns into a slideshow of the last image taken. Either can make tracking a fast moving subject difficult. You get better as you practice or you can consider using a red dot site or other techniques.
- Slight viewfinder lag. The viewfinder is just a touch behind the actual scene.
- You would lose AF on some older lenses if this is a concern for you
Pros to the Z6ii/Z7ii
- More accurate AF. It is slower, but when it acquires, it is more accurate.
- WYSIWYG viewfinder. Seeing the exposure to spot blown highlights or if your exposure is off
- More information in the viewfinder.
- Smaller, lighter body and access to the Z lenses which many are also smaller, lighter, sharper.
- Being able to see the entire image in the EVF if you use DX mode or being able to zoom in to check focus.
- Having more information in the EVF
- Having the ability to use Eye AF to track subjects (Dependent on the subject and how quick they are moving for the time being)
Add a disclaimer that I’ve been shooting mirrorless for 8 years and I’ve been dealing with some of the pros/cons of mirrorless for a lot longer than someone who jumped to mirrorless in the last few years so I may miss some notable pros/cons that I am adjusted to.
Thank you for your well thought out reply. The viewfinder blackout would drive me nuts, guess I will have more thinking about this. Maybe Nikon will come out with a mark 3 that addresses some of these issues. The Pros are great though. Thinking I might need to rent the body and see what I think. Again thanks.
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NorfolkBirder • Regular Member • Posts: 171
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 25, 2022
1
talons1555 wrote
Thank you for your well thought out reply. The viewfinder blackout would drive me nuts, guess I will have more thinking about this. Maybe Nikon will come out with a mark 3 that addresses some of these issues. The Pros are great though. Thinking I might need to rent the body and see what I think. Again thanks.
I don't really notice the blackout. Not sure whether I'm just used to it. More of a flickering.
Doesn't bother me at all. (Z6ii with a v new 500pf)
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NorfolkBirder's gear list:NorfolkBirder's gear list
Nikon D40 Nikon D7000 Nikon Z6 II Nikon Z9 Nikon 500mm F5.6E PF +2 more
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abc123brian • Contributing Member • Posts: 548
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to NorfolkBirder • Mar 25, 2022
1
NorfolkBirder wrote:
talons1555 wrote
Thank you for your well thought out reply. The viewfinder blackout would drive me nuts, guess I will have more thinking about this. Maybe Nikon will come out with a mark 3 that addresses some of these issues. The Pros are great though. Thinking I might need to rent the body and see what I think. Again thanks.
I don't really notice the blackout. Not sure whether I'm just used to it. More of a flickering.
Doesn't bother me at all. (Z6ii with a v new 500pf)
It certainly bothers some more than others. I seem to be more sensitive to it. Even the mirror on the D500 I had was a distraction. The blackout free EVF of the Z9 is a big deal for me.
abc123brian's gear list:abc123brian's gear list
Fujifilm X-Pro2 Nikon Z7 II Nikon Z9 Nikon Z8 Nikon PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED +13 more
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abc123brian • Contributing Member • Posts: 548
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 25, 2022
talons1555 wrote:
abc123brian wrote:
I think the issue with the different feedback you are reading, and getting here, has a lot to do with differing expectations and requirements. I use the Z7ii not the Z6ii, but overall will be similar. I’ve used the Z7ii as my primary camera for the last year. Before that, i used a Z7 and Z6 and a D500 for when fast action was required. Using the Z7ii, my D500 received very little usage as the Z7ii was good enough for the majority of situations. The key thing to realize is that there are some pretty substantial differences between the Z6ii/Z7ii and the D850/D500 cameras. Some things are better and some are worse so how you will find them will depend on what is more important to you. With that said, the Z9 basically eliminates all the cons from the list, but is in a larger heavier body which sounds like it would defeat the purpose of the change for you. My opinion is they do work for BIF, but would not be my preferred camera. For mammals and stationary birds, they tend to work very well.
Cons to the Z6ii/Z7ii
- Slower initial focus acquisition. There are two parts to this. The AF is driven slower than it is on the DSLRs and it can hunt a little a more.
- Different AF modes than DSLR can take time to figure out.
- Viewfinder blackout. This is more noticeable than the mirror moving and can create more of a distraction. If shooting at the highest burst rates, this turns into a slideshow of the last image taken. Either can make tracking a fast moving subject difficult. You get better as you practice or you can consider using a red dot site or other techniques.
- Slight viewfinder lag. The viewfinder is just a touch behind the actual scene.
- You would lose AF on some older lenses if this is a concern for you
Pros to the Z6ii/Z7ii
- More accurate AF. It is slower, but when it acquires, it is more accurate.
- WYSIWYG viewfinder. Seeing the exposure to spot blown highlights or if your exposure is off
- More information in the viewfinder.
- Smaller, lighter body and access to the Z lenses which many are also smaller, lighter, sharper.
- Being able to see the entire image in the EVF if you use DX mode or being able to zoom in to check focus.
- Having more information in the EVF
- Having the ability to use Eye AF to track subjects (Dependent on the subject and how quick they are moving for the time being)
Add a disclaimer that I’ve been shooting mirrorless for 8 years and I’ve been dealing with some of the pros/cons of mirrorless for a lot longer than someone who jumped to mirrorless in the last few years so I may miss some notable pros/cons that I am adjusted to.
Thank you for your well thought out reply. The viewfinder blackout would drive me nuts, guess I will have more thinking about this. Maybe Nikon will come out with a mark 3 that addresses some of these issues. The Pros are great though. Thinking I might need to rent the body and see what I think. Again thanks.
I think renting is a good option for giving it a try. Another consideration would be if you could get the Z6ii as a second body. I bought a used D500 to compliment my Z6 when I decided to move to Nikon mirrorless and that worked out well. I don’t expect to see the Ziii cameras until next year, but could be wrong.
abc123brian's gear list:abc123brian's gear list
Fujifilm X-Pro2 Nikon Z7 II Nikon Z9 Nikon Z8 Nikon PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED +13 more
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sirhawkeye64 • Forum Pro • Posts: 12,664
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 25, 2022
talons1555 wrote:
My ole bones are catching up with me, and was considering the Z6II. I presently shoot with the D850 and 500pf for birds. I have heard so much about whether the Z6II will work or won't work that I am confused. I am considering that z body plus tc-14 and the 500pf. Will the Z6II work for birds and wildlife? Any insightful thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I don't usually shoot BIFs (although I have with my Z6 II and the 200-500) and it should be fine for general shooting. I wouldn't use it for pro shooting though as the AF does lag in some areas behind Canon and Sony, but for enthusiast/casual shooting it's fine. Where I've probably had the most problems was if I lost focus while tracking something, it seems to take longer than necessary to re-gain focus.
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Nikon Z5 Nikon Z6 II Nikon Z7 II Nikon Z8 Tamron 100-400mm F4.5-6.3 +8 more
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Kapiro • Regular Member • Posts: 455
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 27, 2022
1
talons1555 wrote:
My ole bones are catching up with me, and was considering the Z6II. I presently shoot with the D850 and 500pf for birds. I have heard so much about whether the Z6II will work or won't work that I am confused. I am considering that z body plus tc-14 and the 500pf. Will the Z6II work for birds and wildlife? Any insightful thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Are you using your D850 with a grip? If so, maybe an option would be to get D500, that away all your finger muscle memory would work instantly. Combined with your 500pf you'd get a 750mm FL equivalent.
Kapiro's gear list:Kapiro's gear list
Nikon D500 Nikon Z7 Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 +4 more
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PhilipTheArab • Regular Member • Posts: 404
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 27, 2022
if the Z6II has the same AF response as the Z7, I will not recommend it for bif
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OP talons1555 • Forum Member • Posts: 56
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 28, 2022
1
Think I will just hold off on any purchase and suffer a few aches and see if Nikon comes out with a D500 equivalent in the Z bodies. Thanks everyone for your replies.
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summicron • Regular Member • Posts: 435
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Mar 28, 2022
talons1555 wrote:
Think I will just hold off on any purchase and suffer a few aches and see if Nikon comes out with a D500 equivalent in the Z bodies. Thanks everyone for your replies.
why not rent a z6ii and see if you like it??
summicron's gear list:summicron's gear list
Nikon Z6 II Nikon Z7 II Nikon Z9 Nikon 500mm F5.6E PF Nikon Z 24-70mm F4 +6 more
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OP talons1555 • Forum Member • Posts: 56
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to summicron • Mar 29, 2022
summicron wrote:
talons1555 wrote:
Think I will just hold off on any purchase and suffer a few aches and see if Nikon comes out with a D500 equivalent in the Z bodies. Thanks everyone for your replies.
why not rent a z6ii and see if you like it??
I mentioned that 3 days ago. Thinking I will, going to Yellowstone soon.
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JulietteM • Regular Member • Posts: 151
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to talons1555 • Nov 11, 2022
talons1555 wrote:
Think I will just hold off on any purchase and suffer a few aches and see if Nikon comes out with a D500 equivalent in the Z bodies. Thanks everyone for your replies.
I'm in the exact same boat and would love to know if you stuck with the decision to wait. I'm sporting at D750 and the frame rate is killing me for songbirds. My keeper rate is pretty low.
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richard cohen • Senior Member • Posts: 1,636
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to JulietteM • Nov 11, 2022
2
I own the z7ii and imo the af performance is just flat out terrible for bif. So I moved over to canon r6/5. Far superior performance at similar price point (well maybe a tad more expensive).
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ghostfox_1 • Senior Member • Posts: 2,228
Re: Z6II for bird photography
In reply to richard cohen • Nov 11, 2022
9
richard cohen wrote:
I own the z7ii and imo the af performance is just flat out terrible for bif. So I moved over to canon r6/5. Far superior performance at similar price point (well maybe a tad more expensive).
This is just plain wrong.
It's fine. It's still one of the best cameras out there. If I can get pictures of swallows in flight with a gen1, the gen2 is only going to be an improvement.
ghostfox_1's gear list:ghostfox_1's gear list
Nikon Z9 Samyang 14mm F2.8 ED AS IF UMC Samyang 135mm F2.0 Nikon Z 24-70mm F4 Nikon Z 50mm F1.8 +3 more
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About the Nikon Z6II for Bird Photography
As an enthusiast with demonstrable knowledge in the field of photography, I can provide insights into the use of the Nikon Z6II for bird photography based on the discussions in the forum thread you provided.
The Nikon Z6II is a popular choice for bird photography, and there are varying opinions on its suitability for this specific type of photography. Some users have reported positive experiences with the Z6II and its compatibility with lenses such as the 500mm PF, while others have highlighted certain limitations, particularly in terms of autofocus performance for birds in flight.
User Experiences and Insights
- Compatibility with Lenses: Users have reported that the Z6II works well with the 500mm PF lens, especially when used with the FTZ adapter .
- Autofocus Performance: Some users have noted that while the Z6II can work with the 500mm PF and teleconverters, the autofocus tracking may not be as good as with other Nikon DSLRs, particularly for birds in flight.
- Differences from DSLRs: The Z6II and Z7II have been compared to Nikon DSLRs, with some users highlighting differences in autofocus performance and viewfinder blackout, which may impact the overall experience for bird photography.
Considerations for Bird Photography
- Pros and Cons: Users have outlined various pros and cons of using the Z6II/Z7II for bird photography, including differences in autofocus acquisition, viewfinder blackout, and overall camera performance compared to DSLRs.
- Renting for Trial: Some users have suggested renting the Z6II to assess its suitability for bird photography, especially for specific scenarios such as bird-in-flight photography.
Conclusion
The decision to use the Nikon Z6II for bird photography depends on individual preferences, shooting styles, and specific requirements. While some users have found the Z6II to be suitable for their needs, others have highlighted potential limitations, particularly in comparison to Nikon DSLRs. Renting the camera for a trial period may be a practical approach to assess its compatibility with specific photography needs.
Based on the discussions in the forum thread, it's evident that the suitability of the Nikon Z6II for bird photography is influenced by individual preferences and shooting conditions. It's important to consider the specific requirements and challenges of bird photography before making a decision.
If you have any further questions or if there's anything else you'd like to know about bird photography or camera equipment, feel free to ask!