Looks like this will be announced next week. Rumored specs are basically a Z6 sensor inside a D750-like body, with improved FPS/buffer performance and Z6 like AF in video/live view. Same number of AF points as D750 when shooting OVF, and no connections for a functioning battery grip. Price about $2K.
A lot of people are upset about the lack of a grip option. Personally, I'm not sure how many folks actually use a grip on these cameras - I don't think it's all that many. But still this seems like a lot of $$ for what is really a fairly marginal upgrade, especially for stills shooters
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I never got the grip for the D750, even though I wanted it, because they wanted way too much money ($499 Cdn) for it, ridiculous. I love the grip for improved balance with long lenses, and vertical shooting, but at that price, no way. I bet many of the people who had grips had third party versions.
We will wait and see. Imagine that the D610 was upgraded? What would it look like? I might imagine something like the D750’s five year old focus system. A minor upgrade to the sensor with no resolution increase. Certainly no grip and flash to cut costs. No upgrade to XQD, but two slots would be a surprise.
Hmmm... sounds like the current D750.
Now what would I expect from a D750 upgrade that we didn’t get? Grip, better AF (but inferior to D750) two XQD slots, 36 or more MP.......
Or put another way, If I was a D610 user, I would see this as a compelling upgrade. But if a D750 user wants to upgrade or replace their D750 because of wear, I might advise them to find a cheap and new D750 while they are still available and save their money for a lens.
Now there are some holes in my argument, so I would think of it as a discussion point.
As far as @PB_PM 's point about the grip - yes a lot of folks on the blog are saying that. The Nikon grip was too expensive and they went 3rd party. I'm curious what the attach rate is for grips in general, which is probably a hard number to figure out since so many folks use 3rd party. Anecdotally from what I see it's not that many, but I also just plain don't see all that many higher end cameras out there that have an option for a functioning grip.
I've never used a grip with any Nikon DSLR that I've owned, so lack of grip contacts is not a biggie.
For me the only reason to even consider getting one would be the improved AF in Live View (which hopefully will greatly improve the complete Live View experience).
Definitely won't be rushing out to buy one though (once bitten, twice shy - my 2014 D750 has been back to Nikon a few times for recalls and warranty repairs!)
Cheers,
Baldy
- The D750 shutter issues bit me hard during a potentially big (to me) opportunity. I ended up missing shots because the camera kept locking up. That's just one of a few issues I've had, the quality is not as good with this camera.
- Nikon keeps missing the mark with accessories. Watching how the Z series has been going has been sad. You cannot expect customers to accept what they with the battery pack. It looks like they are going to keep missing out on what consumers want.
- The updates for Z series software issues takes way too long for Nikon to sort out. Seriously, Nikon if you read anything I write please hire a software company to write and maintain your software. You suck at it.
- The big hit against them for me is the amount of time it takes them to release new lenses and the amount of time it takes to actually get one. This started with the DX line of lenses where they just quit making DX specific ones. The whole CX train wreck was sad to watch. And now they are dragging again with the Z series.
Now, with all that said I still want to go with Nikon. The D750 has been great since it was repaired and I have a lot invested in glass. It's just hard for me to justify the new cameras with the shortcuts they take.
For me, taking vertical shots is so much better with the grip with the shutter button and AF/EF Lock being used as an "AF" on button. Much more comfortable for me taking vertical photos.
I only had an issue with my D750 with the 2nd shutter locking up. I wound up with three recalls on my D750. Got mine about 6 weeks after it was launched. It's been a great camera for me and my first FX camera.
|SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
A DSLR does everything I need it to do, the Z system doesn't add anything else other than cost for me. If anything, I might get the D7500 or whatever that replaces it along with the AF-P 70-300. I'm a little bummed out the AF-P technology came out so late, I'm curious where Nikon would have gone with it.
I've been really happy with the D750 since the shutter was fixed. Planning on using it for a second body when I don't want to change lens in the field. Really want something that has a faster framerate and 1/8000 shutter. D500 will probably be my future.
I always have a grip but never use it for vertical . I just twist my wrist ..too much trouble all that hand over hand to change to the vertical grip.
If they do a Z70 I sure hope it would be Z6 size, not Z50! Real enthusiasts are more into capability, not minis. But the Z50 and kit lens is a blockbuster travel camera. It surely could use real back lens caps not the cheap white unreliable caps and it does use screw in lens hoods and I do not know yet if the UV and or thin polarizers I am using can stack up filter and hood??
Pardon me if we've already discussed it, but how do you like what the 70-300 DX AF-P lens gives you? I really wanted to like that lens, but could never get really sharp images from mine, especially at 300. Would up getting rid of it and bought the FX version which I liked much better.
Same metering module as D850
1/8000 min shutter
900 sec max shutter
New AF-ON and ISO buttons
HLG video (not sure what that is but folks seem to think it's good)
https://nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Photography-Accessories/DSLR-Camera-Accessories.page?#!/tag:7WA:Power%20Accessories/product:1618:D780
Edit must be a mistake, pictures of the bottom of the camera show no contacts for a grip.