In Could of 2018, I upgraded to a Nikon Z6 from my outdated Nikon D3200. Once I was attempting to resolve on cameras, I made a definite resolution to go along with the Z6 over the Z7. Principally primarily based on the technical specs on the subject of low mild sensitivity. Since then, I’ve all the time puzzled although if I would actually have observed and in addition would I’ve most popular the upper decision.
In April 2022, thanks partially to Lensrentals.com, I had the chance to lastly check out a Nikon Z7 II for astrophotography and nightscapes whereas on a visit to Huge Bend Nationwide Park. Since returning, I’ve gathered what I favored and disliked in regards to the digital camera, I’ve analyzed a number of pictures to focus on the technical points of the digital camera, and eventually carried out some reflecting on who I feel must be trying so as to add this digital camera to their bag.
Key Specs and Settings
Specs
- Worth: $2996
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Efficient Pixels: 45.7 Megapixels
- Sensor Format: FX
- Sensor Kind: Stacked CMOS sensor
- File Format: NEF (RAW): 14 bit uncooked
- Storage: 2 slots, CFexpress Kind B, XQD Kind Reminiscence, and SD
- EVF: .5in
- Shutter Kind: Digital Entrance Curtain shutter
- Shutter Pace: 1/8000 to 900s with prolonged shutter mode on
- Steady capturing velocity: 10 fps for as much as 50 frames
- Metering Vary: -3 to +17 EV
- ISO Sensitivity: 64-25600 (Prolonged: 32-102,400)
- White Steadiness: Select coloration temperature (2500-10000K)
- Monitor Dimension: 3.2 in Diagonal
- Monitor Kind: horizontally tilting TFT contact LCD
- Notable Interfaces
- USB-C that can be utilized to energy the digital camera
- Nikon DC2 Enter for a distant
- Batteries: EN-EL15c rechargeable Li-ion battery
- Tripod Socket: 1/4in
- Dimensions: 5.3in x 4in x 2.7in
- Weight: 1.4lb physique solely
- Working Atmosphere: Temperature 32F-104F
Settings
- Focus Shift Taking pictures
- Prolonged Publicity: 30s to 900s
- Interval Timer Taking pictures
- Low Gentle Autofocus
- AF-Help Illuminator
Likes
The very first thing that I favored in regards to the Nikon Z7 II was the decision. It completely blew me away after I took a fast look at one of many photos after importing them into Lightroom. The element that stands out in grains of sand and rocks when zooming in to 100% was nothing wanting unbelievable. Pairing the 45.7 Megapixels with the full-frame sensor and the nightscapes I shot turned out spectacular.
The subsequent merchandise that I favored about capturing with the Nikon Z7 II for astrophotography and nightscapes was the Z-mount. I’ve been an enormous fan to date of the standard of the glass and I just like the choices which have been rolling out with the intention to get bigger apertures. On this journey to Huge Bend, I shot primarily with a Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 which was a lens Nikon carried on the F-mount sequence, however due to the Z-mount, Nikon was in a position to drastically scale back the dimensions and weight of the lens. So though the Z-mount doesn’t drastically change a lot with the digital camera physique itself, the choices it opens up for the lenses are the place I actually see the profit.
Talking of measurement and weight, for somebody like me who has been used to utilizing a Z6, it’s superior that the Z7 II suits the identical measurement physique. The Z7 II physique measures 5.3x4x2.7in (134×100.5×69.5mm) with a weight of 1.4lbs (615g). I discover the smaller digital camera and decrease weight is basically useful when touring. I personally are likely to journey with only a single 40L backpack which implies the much less area I’ve for digital camera gear, the extra garments I can cram in.
I’ve additionally discovered some non-US airways will go so far as trying on the weight of a carry-on bag whereas having a lot decrease necessities as nicely. For instance, Southwest Airways has no weight restriction for a carry-on, whereas All Nippon Airways has a max weight of 22lb (10kg). Even in the event you aren’t flying, weight finally provides up in the event you’re attempting to mix images with different actions like backcountry tenting. To not point out if you wish to begin dabbling in different areas of night time images like deep area objects with star trackers which have weight limitations on what they will assist.
Two extra specs that go hand in hand that I favored in regards to the Z7 II had been the prolonged battery lifetime of the EN-EL15c that comes with the Z7 II and the power to plug an exterior battery financial institution into the USB-C enter. This comes actually useful in locations like Huge Bend the place electrical energy isn’t all the time available. It additionally helps when capturing for prolonged instances or when the climate is colder and the battery drains sooner. The EN-EL15c has a capability of 2280 mAh whereas the EN-EL15b that initially got here with my Z6 had a capability of 1900 mAh. Whereas not an enormous distinction, it does prolong the power to shoot.
For some perspective on the capability of the EN-EL15c with the Z7 II, the primary night time of capturing at Huge Bend began at 1:30am and continued intermittently via about 4am. Throughout most of that point, the digital camera was on and capturing was taking place, however there have been some transient downtimes whereas transferring between a number of areas. That each one being stated, I solely used about three-quarters of a battery on the Z7 II. Even when I had run out although, I had my battery financial institution in my backpack able to go.
With respect to settings, there are three that basically stand out for capturing the Milky Method. The primary setting is the built-in Interval Timer and the second is the prolonged publicity. These two settings work hand in hand as they principally get rid of the necessity for an exterior intervalometer.
The prolonged shutter permits for pushing exposures as much as 900 seconds. I used this a number of instances to shoot my foregrounds which had been sometimes at 120 or 240s. Though I by no means had a must shoot a number of 120 or 240s exposures, I used to be in a position to make use of the Interval Timer Taking pictures perform when capturing my exposures for the Milky Method which had been sometimes round 10 or 15 seconds lengthy.
The third setting to notice, which I’m not even positive is a setting at this level, is that by disabling the Save Autofocus setting, I’ve discovered the Nikon Z sequence cameras when paired with a Z sequence lens will virtually all the time be at infinity focus when turned on.
Lastly, the pictures I took with this digital camera had been nothing wanting unbelievable. Not solely was the digital camera nice when capturing Astrophotography and Nightscapes with the Milky Method, however it additionally carried out nice after I put it to work on Panorama photographs.
Dislikes
My first dislike with this digital camera is that the horizontal show solely tilts. Different digital camera producers have discovered the best way to make it additionally rotate left and proper, and for me, I’m simply drained at this level of not with the ability to flip the display screen out to the aspect after I must document myself on video with the digital camera.
I’m additionally all the time irritated when I’ve one in all these cameras on a star tracker or I’m attempting to shoot in portrait mode with the digital camera pointed upwards and I’ve to get in a bizarre place to squat with the intention to see the LCD. I’m hoping to see how the brand new updates with the Z9 display screen work on the subject of a horizontal and vertical tilting display screen.
On the subject of imaging, I actually solely have technical nitpicks of the low mild efficiency. When my Z7 II pictures from Huge Bend, they appear nice. I’ll be sincere that I don’t discover an enormous distinction between these shot with the Z7 II and the Z6. Nonetheless, there’s positively a distinction once you take two pictures and evaluate them aspect by aspect the place the Z7 II has barely extra noise because the ISO worth is elevated. That is as a result of measurement of the sensor being the identical between the cameras, however the precise measurement of the “pixels” being smaller on the Z7 II. This reduces the variety of photons that may be captured by every pixel and provides the Z6 a slight edge in low mild efficiency.
Talking of pixel measurement, it additionally reduces the publicity time that can be utilized earlier than star trailing will develop into obvious. Utilizing the NPF rule from the PhotoPills app with a 14mm focal size and f/2.8 with a Z6 can shoot for 18.48s whereas the Z7 II can solely shoot for 15.47s. Three seconds might not sound like so much, however that does add up over a number of exposures and can assist in bringing out extra element within the night time sky.
Nikon Z6 Noise Pictures
Nikon Z7 II Noise Pictures
The subsequent dislike I wish to spotlight is the file measurement which appeared to vary anyplace from 50-65Mb. This isn’t essentially a foul factor as it’s only a aspect impact of the bigger decision, however it’s one thing to consider as it should have an effect on issues like picture enhancing and storage. I observed in a number of the focus stacked photographs I took in addition to the Milky Method stacks that it took considerably longer to course of the pictures. Even at one level, Photoshop used up all of my RAM and crashed. I’ve by no means had that problem with the smaller Z6 recordsdata.
With respect to storage, additionally, you will eat via your onerous drives virtually twice as quick. So simply be ready that your pc may have a tougher time with the bigger recordsdata.
Lastly, I can’t discuss my dislikes with out mentioning the worth. I’m a penny pincher so when it comes all the way down to dropping $3,000 on a digital camera, it’s a tough factor to do for me. I’ve to be completely positive a bit of apparatus goes to get the job carried out for me. That’s why I get pleasure from renting gear from LensRentals.com, which (full disclosure) supplied me with loaner gear for the aim of this overview, earlier than I purchase. However that apart, I’ve all the time struggled with how costly this passion could be!
Who It’s For
I feel this digital camera is a good choice for an expert or a well-experienced hobbyist as the necessity for 2 playing cards will get crucial as you begin relying in your instruments for earnings. So, on this case, an expert can have redundancy with the reminiscence card system. I feel this digital camera additionally works nicely for anybody wanting larger decision, however that comes with a caveat in that it doesn’t robotically imply your photos can be higher.
With the enhancements in velocity over the Z6, the Z7 II lends itself to be a greater digital camera for many who are additionally capturing wildlife, motion sports activities, and so forth. as it may maintain a excessive body per second (fps) charge, whereas additionally dealing with nice with low mild conditions resembling nightscapes and astrophotography. Nonetheless, if on a tighter finances and might reside with out the upper decision, the Z6 II could be an amazing choice to have a look at for buying.
Total, I actually loved this digital camera and the pictures I used to be in a position to seize with the Z7 II. I particularly favored the elevated decision and I can’t wait to see what a number of the prints I lately ordered come out trying like. Moreover, I discovered that I didn’t actually discover the drop in low-light efficiency when reviewing my photos of the Milky Method. I additionally felt peace of thoughts in having two reminiscence card slots, which I’ve by no means had earlier than and I favored that the digital camera wasn’t any completely different with respect to measurement when in comparison with my Z6. At this level, I’m actually tempted to promote my Z6 and improve to a Z7 II, however I’d like to offer the Z9 a strive earlier than I decide.
If you’re seeking to hire this lens, you possibly can use my affiliate code to obtain 25% off your first rental. Moreover, in the event you resolve to purchase a Z7 II, I’d respect it in the event you bought it utilizing my affiliate hyperlink from Amazon. That easy motion helps assist me in creating these critiques.
Concerning the writer: After a number of journeys together with his spouse, Will Chaney realized he was simply being a vacationer taking pictures of every little thing he may. In 2018, he began learning extra about picture composition and completely different images strategies to get him to the place he’s at this time. Will continues to be studying and doesn’t see that portion of images ever ending for him. This overview was initially posted right here.
