Tag: Nikon Z6

Previously I have done some testing with my new Nikon Z6. Today, I have tried out pairing the new camera with my old SB900 flash unit. I am also trying out the DXO products as a substitute of Capture NX-2 with Color Efex Pro plug-in. Click here to see the photo album.

• SB900 works with Nikon Z6 though it is not fully integrated with the camera. Settings need to be done on the flash unit (such as exposure and mode).
• Flash lock works well. Picking the right flash exposure is very important or else, the picture may be over-exposed as a flash filler.
• In as much as I wish to, when shooting portraits, I can’t get rid of the flash unit.
• DXO PhotoLab 2 with Nik Collection 2 is a very good product. It does almost everything as my old Capture NX-2 with Color Efex Pro. I can’t apply Nikon picture control in DXO, which is annoying. I don’t seem to be able to add descriptions to my raw photos – which is also annoying. Lastly, a TIFF file is created so that the filter can be applied. It makes photo export slightly more tedious (as there is a need to pick a set of NEF and TIFF mixed photos) and I can’t re-edit a TIFF file (i.e. have to reapply the filters all over again should I need to). Having said that, I am pretty much at home with DXO products.

For years, I have been taking photographs using my Nikon D700. These days, mirrorless full-frame cameras seem to be the trend. Unable to resist my curiosity – and mainly drawn towards the lightweight build – I have bought a Nikon Z6 with little or no expectation. Here are my quick observations.

Click here to view the full album. There is no Photoshop. Just cropping and fine-tuning via Capture NX-D software. That is to say, what you see is what you can get straight from the camera.

1. I am impressed by the photo quality. Superb ISO range. Starting to fall in love with the 35mm f/1.8 Z mount lens. The camera body is made in Japan. But the lens is made in China.
2. Lightweight. I can even take pictures with one hand!
3. Lesser physical buttons compared to D700. Hence, need to get used to the in-camera menu and touchscreen LCD.
4. I use the electronic viewfinder and immediately feel at home. My wife prefers LCD (that can be pulled out for food shots!).
5. Able to wirelessly transfer the photos into my wired computer. No cable is required.
6. Z6 photos cannot be exported through Capture NX-2, which is a shame. Because I have the Color Efex Pro plug-in.
7. Capture NX-D is a nightmare to use.
8. Lightroom is an option (gosh, I hate Adobe’s hard sell for monthly or yearly subscription … and no, I don’t need your cloud). But I still prefer Capture NX-D.
9. Battery life is pretty poor, which is expected. There is a heavy reliance on the LCD so as to navigate the various menu options.
10. So far, no regret. I have also purchased the FTZ mount. I shall test out the Z6 with my legacy F mount lenses.