Z6II for bird photography: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (2024)

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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.

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.

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...

4

z6ii does great with 500pF and bif.

prefer not to use tc

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

1. 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.
2. Different AF modes than DSLR can take time to figure out.
3. 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.
4. Slight viewfinder lag. The viewfinder is just a touch behind the actual scene.
5. You would lose AF on some older lenses if this is a concern for you

Pros to the Z6ii/Z7ii

1. More accurate AF. It is slower, but when it acquires, it is more accurate.
2. WYSIWYG viewfinder. Seeing the exposure to spot blown highlights or if your exposure is off
3. More information in the viewfinder.
4. Smaller, lighter body and access to the Z lenses which many are also smaller, lighter, sharper.
5. Being able to see the entire image in the EVF if you use DX mode or being able to zoom in to check focus.
6. Having more information in the EVF
7. 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.

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

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

1. 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.
2. Different AF modes than DSLR can take time to figure out.
3. 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.
4. Slight viewfinder lag. The viewfinder is just a touch behind the actual scene.
5. You would lose AF on some older lenses if this is a concern for you

Pros to the Z6ii/Z7ii

1. More accurate AF. It is slower, but when it acquires, it is more accurate.
2. WYSIWYG viewfinder. Seeing the exposure to spot blown highlights or if your exposure is off
3. More information in the viewfinder.
4. Smaller, lighter body and access to the Z lenses which many are also smaller, lighter, sharper.
5. Being able to see the entire image in the EVF if you use DX mode or being able to zoom in to check focus.
6. Having more information in the EVF
7. 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.

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)

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.

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

1. 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.
2. Different AF modes than DSLR can take time to figure out.
3. 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.
4. Slight viewfinder lag. The viewfinder is just a touch behind the actual scene.
5. You would lose AF on some older lenses if this is a concern for you

Pros to the Z6ii/Z7ii

1. More accurate AF. It is slower, but when it acquires, it is more accurate.
2. WYSIWYG viewfinder. Seeing the exposure to spot blown highlights or if your exposure is off
3. More information in the viewfinder.
4. Smaller, lighter body and access to the Z lenses which many are also smaller, lighter, sharper.
5. Being able to see the entire image in the EVF if you use DX mode or being able to zoom in to check focus.
6. Having more information in the EVF
7. 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.

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.

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.

1

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 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.

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.

2

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.

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