I also came from a D750 and that camera is objectively worse from a technical perspective but loved it more. Could be rose colored glasses and everything since I’m exclusively using the Z8 since I got it.
The focus on the Z8 blew me away. The sensor is a lot more fine and low light performance feels better to me as does dynamic range. This is despite what reviews and metrics will tell you. I’m giving you a gut feel.
The battery life is atrocious by comparison. I ran out of battery once on the D750… after a week of shooting. Now, I always leave with two batteries if I’m shooting more than half a day.
The ergonomics are annoyingly off. The D750 was the perfect balance with the 24-120 F4S. The z with he same lens type is overall about the same weight since the body is heavier and the lens is lighter. But it FEELS heavier.
I also miss the optical viewfinder
So… For your use case, the z8 would be a massive upgrade and I would highly recommend it. It also has the the sensor shifting super resolution.
If you do travel photography or need the lighter weight… I think the z6 is plenty. Even for video.
Yeah I don’t know why I’m worried about weight - most of my shooting is with a 14-24 2.8, which is going to weigh a lot no matter what. (I do real estate photography.)
I saw the battery life comparison and chuckled. But most of my shooting is with live view, so I’m getting similar life out of my D750 now. I carry five batteries with me when I go on a shoot - one in the camera, two in my pocket, two in the car. I probably really only need one in my pocket, but I’m fairly new to doing this professionally and therefore nervous. I haven’t needed more than 1.5 or so in a day, but I haven’t had a full day of shooting yet, and I want to be prepared. (I also intend to invest in another battery charger to keep in the car… Overkill, I’m sure, but…)
I need to hit the camera shop. Maybe after Christmas.
Also remember you’ll need a Z to F converter for your existing lenses. Add around $200 to your budget for that.
Regarding weight, you’re right, with the Sigma 12-24 F2.8, the lens is so heavy, it doesn’t really matter that much. It’s a HEAVY build.
If you are shooting using the screen, the experience on the new screens is much better. They’re brighter, higher res, better color, and they are touchscreens. The z8 doesn’t have full articulation like the z6 so thats a minor detriment.
If you’re making money from photography, my advice is to think of your camera purchase as an investment into the business. How much time will it take to pay off your new camera? What - if any - opportunity would you miss by using the D750? Is your money better spent on something else?
For the primary lenses I use, I’d want the Z versions (the wide, and the 24-70ish). The converter might be nice to have access to the 70-300 until I get around to replacing it with a Z version. I have a few others, like a 50 mm 1.8, but it’s not critical I have access to it on the new camera; I rarely use it on the D750. I’m also not above buying used, as long as they’re in good condition.
I like the idea of a touchscreen but I want to try it out and see how it feels to use.
I know it’s an investment, but at the same time, there’s no point in throwing money away. It’s a tax deduction, but that doesn’t mean it’s free; I still have to pay for it. (It just reduces my tax bill.) And there are some advantages to the Z6 over the Z8, like the articulating screen you mentioned. There are times when it’d be nice to be able to set it to a weird angle. (We’re often crammed into a corner, trying to hide out of view of the camera…bathrooms, again, with their mirrors, are especially interesting. I often have to crouch down to avoid being “caught” in the frame.)
I did just spend a bunch of money on a drone, a 360 camera (for doing walkthroughs), and a phone stabilizer for doing videos, none of which I had before, so I already have spent money on higher priority things.
The D750 is obviously doing the job, so I don’t really NEED a new camera, strictly speaking. That’s why I’m not running out to buy one. But, if something happens to that camera or lens, I’m making $0 until I get it fixed or replaced. The camera is central to every job - without it, I won’t get many, if any, jobs. If my drone (for example) fails, I’ll lose a few opportunities, but I should still have photo jobs.
I also came from a D750 and that camera is objectively worse from a technical perspective but loved it more. Could be rose colored glasses and everything since I’m exclusively using the Z8 since I got it.
The focus on the Z8 blew me away. The sensor is a lot more fine and low light performance feels better to me as does dynamic range. This is despite what reviews and metrics will tell you. I’m giving you a gut feel.
The battery life is atrocious by comparison. I ran out of battery once on the D750… after a week of shooting. Now, I always leave with two batteries if I’m shooting more than half a day.
The ergonomics are annoyingly off. The D750 was the perfect balance with the 24-120 F4S. The z with he same lens type is overall about the same weight since the body is heavier and the lens is lighter. But it FEELS heavier.
I also miss the optical viewfinder
So… For your use case, the z8 would be a massive upgrade and I would highly recommend it. It also has the the sensor shifting super resolution.
If you do travel photography or need the lighter weight… I think the z6 is plenty. Even for video.
Yeah I don’t know why I’m worried about weight - most of my shooting is with a 14-24 2.8, which is going to weigh a lot no matter what. (I do real estate photography.)
I saw the battery life comparison and chuckled. But most of my shooting is with live view, so I’m getting similar life out of my D750 now. I carry five batteries with me when I go on a shoot - one in the camera, two in my pocket, two in the car. I probably really only need one in my pocket, but I’m fairly new to doing this professionally and therefore nervous. I haven’t needed more than 1.5 or so in a day, but I haven’t had a full day of shooting yet, and I want to be prepared. (I also intend to invest in another battery charger to keep in the car… Overkill, I’m sure, but…)
I need to hit the camera shop. Maybe after Christmas.
Also remember you’ll need a Z to F converter for your existing lenses. Add around $200 to your budget for that.
Regarding weight, you’re right, with the Sigma 12-24 F2.8, the lens is so heavy, it doesn’t really matter that much. It’s a HEAVY build.
If you are shooting using the screen, the experience on the new screens is much better. They’re brighter, higher res, better color, and they are touchscreens. The z8 doesn’t have full articulation like the z6 so thats a minor detriment.
If you’re making money from photography, my advice is to think of your camera purchase as an investment into the business. How much time will it take to pay off your new camera? What - if any - opportunity would you miss by using the D750? Is your money better spent on something else?
For the primary lenses I use, I’d want the Z versions (the wide, and the 24-70ish). The converter might be nice to have access to the 70-300 until I get around to replacing it with a Z version. I have a few others, like a 50 mm 1.8, but it’s not critical I have access to it on the new camera; I rarely use it on the D750. I’m also not above buying used, as long as they’re in good condition.
I like the idea of a touchscreen but I want to try it out and see how it feels to use.
I know it’s an investment, but at the same time, there’s no point in throwing money away. It’s a tax deduction, but that doesn’t mean it’s free; I still have to pay for it. (It just reduces my tax bill.) And there are some advantages to the Z6 over the Z8, like the articulating screen you mentioned. There are times when it’d be nice to be able to set it to a weird angle. (We’re often crammed into a corner, trying to hide out of view of the camera…bathrooms, again, with their mirrors, are especially interesting. I often have to crouch down to avoid being “caught” in the frame.)
I did just spend a bunch of money on a drone, a 360 camera (for doing walkthroughs), and a phone stabilizer for doing videos, none of which I had before, so I already have spent money on higher priority things.
The D750 is obviously doing the job, so I don’t really NEED a new camera, strictly speaking. That’s why I’m not running out to buy one. But, if something happens to that camera or lens, I’m making $0 until I get it fixed or replaced. The camera is central to every job - without it, I won’t get many, if any, jobs. If my drone (for example) fails, I’ll lose a few opportunities, but I should still have photo jobs.