Nikon Z8 Launched

Sorry, no. I meant that the cameras immediately the D700 didn't "appeared to me" to have the same build quality.

Not my intention to insult any D750/800, etc. owners, it was just how I perceived the later cameras.

And maybe to add, the D700 was the last camera outside of my Leica M6 and Ricoh GR that I truly loved. And since I keep trying (unsucessfuly) to convince myself that I can find a replacement in a Fujifilm body (so far I've bought and sold an X100V and I'm contemplating selling my months-old X-Pro3), I'm considering going back to Nikon.

IMO the D800, D810, and D850 had similar build quality as the D700. They are the same "pro-sumer" class bodies with the 10-pin connector around $3000 to $3300. The D750 and D780 are more in line with the D600 and D610, closer to $2000 initially.

Oh, interesting. I don't suppose you'd be allowed to elaborate? I'd love to hear what the other ideas were ... though I'm assuming NDAs would apply here.

That information is mostly already on Thom’s web site: www.zsystemuser.com/nikon-z-system-news-and/nikon-introduces-the-z9.html

Often when people say "build quality" they means "feels tough and/or luxuriously made" - this isn't exactly the same as build quality. My Pentax K5 feels incredibly solid, tough and well made. You could imagine hammering nails with it. Yet it broke, shortly after I bought it. Something went wrong with the screw drive AF mechanism. It was whirring away but not focusing. Had to be sent back for repair. It hasn't caused any issues in all the years I've had it since but build quality can be more subtle a thing than you might think.

Thanks. I hadn't really spent any time objectively sorting out the differences, but I do know that the D700 was certainly well built and very nice to use.

No, it is not. I'm still trying to maintain a respectable distance from Nikon so I can say that I'm not beholden to them in any way. Selling an image(s) to them would cross them over to being a client, and that would introduce the appearance of bias, even if there wasn't any bias.

Nikon hasn't put any conditions on my getting cameras prior to release other than to not disclose details prior to launch.

I'll have more to say (and possibly demonstrate) in my presentation tonight. But generally, the Z8 seems robust, much like a D850 seems robust. Obviously, field use will be the true determinant. But Nikon is promoting the weather sealing on the Z8, and clearly there is more sealing on it than on a Z7 II.

This is not exactly true.

The D800 "frame breakage" occurred at the back of the body. As examined by metallurgists I and others consulted, this was absolutely a bad frame design with a bad pour. Essentially, the material was getting "pre-cracked" due to the bad linkage in that particular area. Nikon changed the frame design with the D810 in that particular region as well as making other changes.

Also "plastic" is not the right term for monoque technique Nikon is using. Originally it was carbon fiber reinforced, but today I believe it's completely carbon fiber. Nope, it's still Sereebo, the carbon fiber infused material Nikon has been using for awhile.

It seems that Nikon Z8 does not have the same sensor as Z9. It might be even faster than Z9.

I’ve heard multiple Nikon reps — factory reps, not ambassadors — claim that it’s the same sensor on various video streams I've consumed since the launch. I’d question the accuracy of this (unsourced) screenshot.

source Nikon Japan website - translated via google.

You can translate this www.nikon-image.com/products/mirrorless/lineup/z_8/features03.html#a1

Maybe something was lost in translation — either from Japanese to English or in the conversation between engineering and the marketing graphics team. The claims of “same sensor, same processor” have been clear and consistent in everything (else) I’ve seen or heard.

It says same Expeed 7 as Z9, but "similar" sensor. Could be mistranslated by Google. But given claim its fastest as of 10th May, it seems an updated sensor.

They do claim it’s the world’s fastest, but they don’t explicitly state that it’s exclusive to the Z8 — nothing said precludes the Z9 from having the same sensor.

Again, I think you’re reading a lot into a translated slide, and this claim is contrary to everything I’ve heard or read. However, I can’t say with absolute certainty that it’s incorrect.

Like the flagship Nikon Z 9, the Z 8 is at the industry apex of speed and versatility. At its core, Nikon’s powerful EXPEED 7 image processing engine has been combined with the proven full-frame (FX-format) 45.7-megapixel BSI stacked sensor with a scan rate so fast that no mechanical shutter is needed.

ᔥ ULTIMATE HYBRID PERFORMANCE. AGILITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE. THIS IS THE NIKON Z 8.

From a press release available on the Nikon USA site. No translation required (for me). The emphasis on the word proven is mine — indicating to me that this isn’t a new sensor.

Edit to add:

~www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/mirrorless-cameras/z-8.html#