NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/1.8, 1/500 sec, ISO64)
No new camera evaluation is complete without some pictures of a cat. In this case I also tested my newest Z-lens.
I think the lens is obvious from the EXIF data: The Nikon Z 50/1.8 S. A truly fantastic lens even though on paper it looks like the most boring lens on the planet. A 50mm lens with an aperture of 1.8 used to be the cheapest lens one could buy. The Nikon Z 50/1.8 S is not exactly cheap but it is not the typical 50/1.8 either.
But before I talk more about this lens and the AF of the Nikon Z8 here is an example of the dynamic range of its sensor. For whatever reason this shot was severely underexposed but I could pull the shadows like crazy. But in order to get a more balanced result I mainly corrected the exposure by more than 2 stops!
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/1.8, 1/500 sec, ISO64)
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO640)
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO640)
The last 8 years I shot Fuji. Mostly with the X-Pro2 and later X-Pro3. I never had the feeling that I missed something. I understood the strengths and the weaknesses of the Fuji X system and adapted to it. Fuji makes amazing cameras but regarding AF they are not on the same level as Canon, Sony and Nikon. This is true for AF tracking but also for eye AF. I never had a problem to get sharp images of static subjects and if there was plenty of light even eye AF worked on the faster lenses. I never really tried to capture any kind of action though.
With the Nikon Z8 it is just crazy. Eye-AF is sticky for both humans and for animals and tracking is not a big deal either. You can select a single AF point but wide area AF also works or 3D tracking. That helps to focus on composition instead of worrying about whether your subject will be in focus. To shoot with my Fuji X-Pro2 is fun and I love it but when I have to get results I would always pick the Nikon Z8. This camera is the perfect work horse, it makes sure that you get the job done. I think this is mandatory for professionals but it’s not a bad thing for us amateurs either.
The guy who bought my Fuji 90/2 WR told me about his discussions with his wife. He has two small kids and problems to get in focus shots of them playing or running around. His wife doesn’t understand that she had no issues to get sharp images with her phone while he struggles to get sharp shots with his camera. He liked the fast focus on the 90mm lens but I told him that if he wants to stay with Fuji he should consider to get the Fuji X-H2s and the XF 16-55/2.8 WR. I think this would be the best combo to cover his kids at play.
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/1.8, 1/2000 sec, ISO64)
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/1.8, 1/2000 sec, ISO64)
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/1.8, 1/2000 sec, ISO64)
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO640)
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/1.8, 1/500 sec, ISO64)
With the Nikon Z8 I don’t have to worry about speed again. The Nikon Z50/1.8 S is the Nikon version of my Fuji XF 35/1.4 R. The image quality is similar but AF is silent and fast on the Nikon. As much as I love the output of the 35/1.4 but focus is clearly the weak point of this lens. As you can see I shot the lens wide open for all images above and only stopped down for the last couple of closeup shots.
The lens is perfectly fine at f1.8 but of course sharpness and contrast improve if stopped down to f2.8. At f2.8 it is crazy sharp to the point that if you take a portrait of a middle aged person it’s possible that your model doesn’t appreciate the amount of details on display. It’s totally fine for cats of course.
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO250)
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO320)
I also really enjoyed to have a tilt screen again so that I don’t have to lie down on the floor to get to eye level. That’s important because when you lay down your subject usually thinks you want to engage in a play and moves straight to you. Young dogs are almost impossible to photograph but a cat can go from I totally ignore you to I want to play in an instant. In wildlife or bird photography the most difficult part is to get close enough to your subject. Here it’s the opposite. How can I keep some distance?
One last word regarding the Nikon Z 50/1.8 S. This is not the average boring 50mm lens from the SLR days. Those were extremely soft wide open and only get decently sharp if stopped down to f4 or below. This lens is very different. It’s excellent and as sharp as a claw.
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO360)