Switching to the Nikon Z8

[Andrew Reid]

Still need to upload those files...

I did a quick test of the Voigtlander 40mm F1.2 and 35mm F1.2 today, Leica M mount versions on the Canon EOS R5, Sony a7r III and Nikon Z8.

This is to see exactly how different the optical performance is on each filter stack in the 40+ megapixel range.

So along with the N-RAW and N-LOG files I'll try and get that turned into a blog post soon too.

[mercer]

I'm getting bored of putzing around with the FP. Great little camera, especially for what I paid for mine, but I'm tired of the SSD and although I like the internal 8bit 4K cDNG files, V90 cards are just too expensive, especially when you see what CF Express cards go for. That said, I still have my 5D3 and other than the inherent sharpness I am getting from the FP, I find the image from the 5D3 ML Raw to be more pleasant.

Even though the last thing I need is a new camera, I know I need to upgrade at some point, so I'm thinking about which way to go. On one hand, I've always had the most pleasure from shooting with Canon cameras... and the best results, but Canon doesn't really offer what I want at the price point I need to be. I do enjoy my friend's R7 I've been messing around with, and find the h.265 files to be pretty good if you nail the WB and you gotta love Canon's AWB. But I really don't want to spend Canon money for their lenses.

So that lead me to look at the Z6iii and I must say it looks like an amazing machine. It pretty much does everything I could need and want in a camera.

Have you tested the ProRes Raw in the Z8? If so, how does it compare to NRaw? It doesn't seem to have much benefit in the file space size compared to NRaw when in Normal Quality? But as a FCPX user, ProRes Raw sounds pretty tempting.

Also does the Z8 have the binned/skipped (unsure which it does) full frame, 4K raw? I saw a negligible difference even when zoomed in 200% in a YT video I watched.

[BTM_Pix]

On 3/10/2025 at 5:10 PM, mercer said:

I’m getting bored of putzing around with the FP. Great little camera, especially for what I paid for mine, but I'm tired of the SSD and although I like the internal 8bit 4K cDNG files, V90 cards are just too expensive, especially when you see what CF Express cards go for.

Might be too little too late for you but this Arca-Swiss plate SSD mount is quite interesting and is just over $100

Full details here 

https://www.52weeks.com/product-page/sigma-fp-arca-swiss-ssd-bottom-plate-1-0

 

 

[eatstoomuchjam]

1 hour ago, BTM_Pix said:

Might be too little too late for you but this Arca-Swiss plate SSD mount is quite interesting and is just over $100

I'd be willing to bet that if you measure the dimensions of the camera with that plate on it, you'll be really close to an EOS R5 in terms of dimensions.  Dark Power Lab has a similar bottom plate (though without the abomination that is an 90 degree offset Arca-Swiss plate) and custom SSD sleds that are really small.

I spent a while trying to get the fp and fp-l to a reasonable setup for filming things.  Everything had big compromises or ended up as big as the R5 (or bigger).  I really wish Sigma would re-release nearly the exact same camera, but with an option for faster internal media.

If they'd add 12-bit cDNG support to the bf, I'd probably go buy one.  Paired with Leica M glass, it'd be a brilliant EDC.

[BTM_Pix]

The key issue with the Fp and the additions is the “when you need it” aspect though.

I don’t always have to use the EVF-11 or the cage or even the SSD but it’s there if and when I need to.

Obviously, something like the R5 has to be the R5 all the time so I wouldn’t be able to strip it to a semi pocketable form like my Fp with a small M mount.

But it’s all swings and roundabouts isn’t it.

With regard to the drive holder, I actually prefer the Dark Power Lab with the front mounted SSD as it can come off in one piece with the EVF-11 and makes a grip too.

But the last time I looked it was considerably more expensive (unless I dreamt it) but now looks to be in the same ballpark.

So, rudely not following my own suggestion to my good friend @mercer I’ll  buy one of these and a couple of the drive holders instead !

[mercer]

3 hours ago, BTM_Pix said:

Might be too little too late for you but this Arca-Swiss plate SSD mount is quite interesting and is just over $100

Full details here 

https://www.52weeks.com/product-page/sigma-fp-arca-swiss-ssd-bottom-plate-1-0

 

 

I have seen this and even the set up I have with the SmallRig sled is pretty small. Sadly, it's not the only reason I'm getting bored with it. My amateur eyes, thinks the R7's IQ is damn near almost as good, when you add a touch of Midtone Detail in Resolve, as the FP and it's a lot more fun to shoot with. I believe Sigma is doing something internally with noise reduction in the FP raw files that's smoothing everything over.

Weirdly, I feel like the internal 8bit 4K, or your suggested 10bit 4K, actually may look a little better... for what I'm looking for. 

[ac6000cw]

...and in L-mount, there's always the Pana S9 - not much larger and heavier than the Fp (both fitted with the Pana 18-40mm collapsible zoom below) - and you get IBIS too:

[MrSMW]

1 hour ago, ac6000cw said:

and you get IBIS too

And a flip screen.

And open gate 6k 30p.

And the best LUT support in the game.

The FP is cooler though and has cdng…

Neither of them are a Z8 however.

[eatstoomuchjam]

3 hours ago, BTM_Pix said:

With regard to the drive holder, I actually prefer the Dark Power Lab with the front mounted SSD as it can come off in one piece with the EVF-11 and makes a grip too.

That's the one I used the most often with mine.  Keep in mind that the drive sleds for that one use the smaller NVMe's and also be ready for them to get VERY hot when dumping footage - like I nearly burnt myself picking one up.  Also, make sure to take any stickers off the SSD that you're putting in it.  The tolerances are really tight and when I didn't take off a sticker, the drive wasn't working well.

You can actually use the bigger drives/sleds that go with the cage version, but they will just stick out about 20-30cm under the camera.

[eatstoomuchjam]

1 hour ago, ac6000cw said:

...and in L-mount, there's always the Pana S9 - not much larger and heavier than the Fp (both fitted with the Pana 18-40mm collapsible zoom below) - and you get IBIS too:

As far as I know, there's no raw on the S9 - but for EDC stuff, the internal 10-bit log modes are almost certainly enough.

[BTM_Pix]

1 hour ago, eatstoomuchjam said:

Keep in mind that the drive sleds for that one use the smaller NVMe's and also be ready for them to get VERY hot when dumping footage - like I nearly burnt myself picking one up.  Also, make sure to take any stickers off the SSD that you're putting in it.  The tolerances are really tight and when I didn't take off a sticker, the drive wasn't working well.

Yeah I have them in USB hubs for my Macs.

Double up as tea warmers.

[BTM_Pix]

3 hours ago, ac6000cw said:

and in L-mount, there's always the Pana S9 - not much larger and heavier than the Fp (both fitted with the Pana 18-40mm collapsible zoom below) - and you get IBIS too

I think the S9 is the thinking man’s Fp.

Sadly, I’m not so good on the thinking these days!

I had a go of the S9 with that lens combo and it’s not bad at all.

I’ve said it before but I think if Panasonic want to kick start the S9 after the stuttering launch then they’d bring over the ARRI LogC3 option from the GH7.

With the LUT burning option this would certainly satisfy the “film stock” type of thing that @mercer is after and it’s something that I’ve got an interest in myself too.

Yes, I know this can be done with what exists in the camera already but for dummies like me it is appealing to hand over responsibility for the base look and think to myself “right, talented people get this known quantity to look good so keep at it until you can as well and if you can’t work out why”.

It also saves the endless noodling about on offer in Resolve.

 

 

[ac6000cw]

24 minutes ago, BTM_Pix said:

I had a go of the S9 with that lens combo and it’s not bad at all.

After sitting on the fence for while, after the recent price reductions and a 'used - like new' deal popping up, I bought that combo. Handles rather like a slightly larger and heavier GX85, with much better video quality and C-AF - pretty much as I hoped/expected.

Quote

I’ve said it before but I think if Panasonic want to kick start the S9 after the stuttering launch then they’d bring over the ARRI LogC3 option from the GH7.

That would be nice - but I suspect the more expensive S-series cams would get that first (if it happens at all).

[MrSMW]

48 minutes ago, ac6000cw said:

That would be nice - but I suspect the more expensive S-series cams would get that first (if it happens at all).

I’d hope they would put it in all of them as it’s somewhat annoying when footage does not match and the S9 is very much a B cam to to S5ii/x.

Actually, it’s my A cam and the S5ii’s are ‘B’ but burning in that base LUT makes my workflow so much easier.

An Arri link up is very good marketing just as Nikons is with RED.

They both need to milk these things.

[mercer]

1 hour ago, BTM_Pix said:

I think the S9 is the thinking man’s Fp.

Sadly, I’m not so good on the thinking these days!

I had a go of the S9 with that lens combo and it’s not bad at all.

I’ve said it before but I think if Panasonic want to kick start the S9 after the stuttering launch then they’d bring over the ARRI LogC3 option from the GH7.

With the LUT burning option this would certainly satisfy the “film stock” type of thing that @mercer is after and it’s something that I’ve got an interest in myself too.

Yes, I know this can be done with what exists in the camera already but for dummies like me it is appealing to hand over responsibility for the base look and think to myself “right, talented people get this known quantity to look good so keep at it until you can as well and if you can’t work out why”.

It also saves the endless noodling about on offer in Resolve.

 

 

Exactly.

I've even thought about getting another GH6 just to have that. Although it's not exactly what I'm looking for at least I know there are plenty of Look LUTs floating around for it.

Another reason I'm interested in the Z6iii is for raw options or Flat Profile.

But I go back and forth. Sometimes I'm tired of messing with log, other times I just want to mess around with it. I guess it's a luxury of being a hobbyist. If I got paid for any of this, I would find the path of least resistance. 

[Ninpo33]

9 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

I’d hope they would put it in all of them as it’s somewhat annoying when footage does not match and the S9 is very much a B cam to to S5ii/x.

Actually, it’s my A cam and the S5ii’s are ‘B’ but burning in that base LUT makes my workflow so much easier.

An Arri link up is very good marketing just as Nikons is with RED.

They both need to milk these things.

DJI - Hasselblad has entered the chat. 

[BTM_Pix]

1 hour ago, ac6000cw said:

That would be nice - but I suspect the more expensive S-series cams would get that first (if it happens at all).

Equally they should’ve got it before the GH series but Panasonic probably felt that line needed the boost ?

I don’t know whether the S9 is the most needy but after the balls up of the launch it wouldn’t do it any harm.

It could well be if course that ARRI won’t license it for anything above MFT, which would make the whole thing moot of course.