Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time
The one big downfall of mirrorless cameras over DSLRs is battery life. It’s a natural consequence of having to constantly power an LCD or electronic viewfinder. The Nikon Z7, for example, is rated for a measly 330 shots vs the Nikon D850 which is rated for 1,840 shots on a full battery charge.
But now Nikon appears to finally be getting ready to announce the MB-N10 battery grip for the Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras, after having registered it with the Korean Communications Commission.
Today’s a big of a mixed day for Nikon. On the good side, the Nikon Z6 & Z7 has just received a new firmware giving it Eye-Detection Autofocus. On the bad, Nikon has just issued a recall stating that some Z6 & Z7 cameras are having VR issues. Issues that can’t be solved with a quick firmware update. You’ll need to send it back to Nikon to get it sorted.
Nikon has now released Firmware Update 2.0 for the Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras. The new firmware brings improved low light performance a number of minor tweaks and fixes and, finally, Eye-Detection Autofocus.
The latest data from BCN retail shows some interesting results of how the mirrorless market is looking lately in Japan. The image above shows sales volume for the top 5 selling full-frame mirrorless cameras in Japan through March and early April, with the Sony A7III growing in popularity against its suffering competition. The Canon EOS R, Canon EOS RP, Nikon Z6, and the A7III’s older sibling, the Sony A7II.
Earlier this year, Nikon announced that its new Z6 and Z7 firmware update will include Eye AF among other features. There was no word on the exact release date, but now it has been officially revealed. You won’t have to wait much longer, as the Eye Detection AF is coming to the Z series on 16 May 2019. And what’s more, Nikon has shared a video to demonstrate how it performs.
At least, it’ll shoot full frame 12-Bit RAW video when the new firmware comes out in a few weeks. The Z6 (and Z7, and a few of Nikon’s DSLRs) will also support CFexpress when the new firmware update comes, too. Not surprisingly, Nikon was showing off the new Z6 Filmmaker’s Kit at NAB 2019, so we stopped by the booth to have a chat and find out more about it.
It’s always interesting to see camera reviews from shooters of systems other than that to which the camera they’re reviewing belongs. There is no doubt that photographer Manny Ortiz is well and truly a Sony shooter after switching from Canon several years ago, but he’s started branching out lately to try the other brands and see what they have to offer.
In this video, he tests out the Nikon Z6 along with the 35mm f/1.8 Z & 50mm f/1.8 Z lenses as well as the Nikon 105mm f/1.4 F mount lens with the FTZ adapter on an urban shoot in Downtown Chicago. As a Sony shooter, his thoughts on the Nikon are quite interesting.
Originally reported as just a weekend sale, it appears this deal might actually be a little more long term. Nikon previously bundled the FTZ F Mount to Z Mount adapter with their Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras as a promotional bundle offering $100 discount as a package. Now the FTZ adapter is included with the purchase of either camera completely free.
While Nikon’s lens roadmap is pretty clear, their intentions for future bodies isn’t, really. But Nikon has suggested that a lower entry level full frame mirrorless camera to compete with Canon’s recently announced EOS RP would be on the way. Now it looks like we might have the first leaked photo of that body, and it appears to have a name. The Nikon Z1.
Although Newsshooter might’ve been the first to see Nikon’s Eye AF in action at this year’s CP+ 2019, DPReview actually took along a Sony A7RIII with them to see how well Nikon’s new Eye AF, coming in a firmware update for the Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras, really compares side-by-side. At least under the environmental conditions set by Nikon on their stand.
You can find out more about John on his website and follow his adventures on YouTube and Facebook.
can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.
To see more of his work please visit his studio website blurMEDIAphotography, or follow him on Twitter, 500px, Google Plus or YouTube.
JP’s photography is available for licensing at Stocksy United.
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