The Nikon Z6 Filmmaker’s Kit is the first camera rig to shoot 12-Bit RAW full frame video over HDMI

Apr 15, 2019 by John Aldred 2 Comments

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.

The Z6 Filmmaker’s kit was announced a couple of months ago, along with the upcoming firmware for the Z6 and Z7 cameras. The firmware comes with Eye AF, CFexpress support and 12-Bit raw video over HDMI. The latter part of this is what matters to the Z6 Filmmaker’s kit, as it includes an Atomos Ninja V allowing you to record full frame ProRes RAW, a world’s first for small form factor mirrorless cameras. But let’s take a look at everything in the Nikon Z6 Filmmaker’s Kit.

Bought separately, these items come to a total of around $4,700 (at current B&H prices). Bought together as part of the Z6 Filmmaker’s Kit, you’re only paying $3,996. So, that’s a pretty substantial saving. Many filmmakers shooting DSLRs or mirrorless cameras either own or will buy the types of accessories included in the kit anyway (I know I have), regardless of which camera they’re using. So, if you’ve been thinking about picking up a Z6 for shooting video, buying the whole kit together is definitely a good way to go.

At the moment, obviously, without the new firmware, there’s no ProRes RAW yet. Nikon is still being quite tight-lipped about when the firmware will be released, just saying that it will be at some time later in the year.

The kit, though, is available to buy now for $3,996, so you can start getting used to it while you wait for that firmware update.

We would love to send a shoutout to our sponsors who helped bring you this NAB 2019 coverage: Artlist, StoryBlocks Video, SYRP, B&H, Spiffy Gear.

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About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.