So… That Nikon Z6 III… & Zf… Well Done Nikon.
In my original post regarding the at the time newly released Nikon Zf I started with this:
Preface: Personal preference ahead. With a side of trying not to play, “Got to catch them all.”, camera Pokemon. But if I ever locate that elusive money tree, I would have one the next day.
Same here with the Nikon Z6 III.
I like Nikon cameras. My first DSLR was a Nikon D3300.
The only reason I did not stay with Nikon was the rocky full frame upgrade path they provided at the time. Do you want 1/8000s shutter speed? D810. Oh you wanted remote control capabilities? D750. Both? Pfft. No. With both over $2,000 at the time only one was on the table… Then, while stuck in analysis paralysis Sony dropped the price of the A7 to just below $1,000. Game over man. Full frame digital camera wise anyway.
On the film side, I liked the Nikon FE,…
…and I really liked the Nikon F3.
In the end, none of them survived the great SLR culling. All are fine cameras, but another had stolen my heart.
So, the topic at hand. The Nikon Z6 III. Wow.
Great ergonomics. An amazing spec sheet. And a great value, especially at the current sale price.
That is it. Expecting caveats… or but… Nope. A solid offering besting feature lists in some ways of my recently acquired A7C II. Especially where fps burst speeds, shutter speeds, and video chops are concerned. It would be a strong contender for my money if I were starting from scratch.
Especially paired with the aforementioned retro themed Nikon Zf.
Nikon even has access to my favorite lens, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8.
So… will I switch? No.
I am happy with what I have. Add to that the fact that I would lose my shirt if I traded my way over to Nikon. I am good.
As I have continually stated all brands have at least one strong contender for my money. For example Panasonic has the Lumix S5 II, especially with the price of the 50mm lens kit. Had they not whiffed it, in my opinion, by hobbling the S9 I would be speaking about them the same way. I really like the twice purchased by me Canon EOS RP and their STM prime lenses.
But they shot themselves in the foot with their decision to restrict access to third party lens manufacturers. This stopped all consideration for a system change. Give me an RF mount Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 and 20-40mm f/2.8 (Hint to Tamron regarding Nikon…) and things may have moved forward. Nikon was the first to create a two camera mirrorless threat. A workhorse (Z6 III) and a show pony (Zf) that could replace my current pairing (A7RV/A7C II).
I will also admit that there is one Sony perk that no longer holds any water for me. Adapting other glass. A nice to have that I occasionally employ, like in a recent post, but could easily do without. Personal shift. I would rather use glass with their native cameras or not at all.
Could I do without a 60MP camera, since Nikon tops out at 45.7MP? Yes. Definitely. The Z8 even costs less than the A7RV. That could also easily be a workhorse body contender.
What I will not do is make up some vague personal preference driven justification for being loyal to my current brand.
It is no more complicated than I am happy with what I have.
This does not require fabricating mud to toss at other options.
Well done. Maybe next time Nikon.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 