Scribblings About Things
Nikon Z5II Announcement and Opinions
The Nikon Z5II has just been officially announced, and camera shops in Japan will begin to accept preorders for the camera from 10 April.
The official press release and specifications of the camera can be viewed here:
As I had expected and anticipated, the Z5II is pretty much a Z5 body updated with Zf internals (plus some nice surprises here and there).
Here is a brief summary of the major changes of the Z5II over the Z5:
24.5MP BSI sensor, ISO 100-64000, similar to that of the Zf
Expeed 7 CPU
Faster and more sensitive AF - claimed to be 3 times faster than the Z5 and being able to focus in -10 EV situations
Subject detection modes similar to that of the other Expeed 7 bodies
7.5 stops of IBIS
Up to 14 FPS RAW with mechanical shutter
3.2-inch 2.1 million dots flip screen, similar to that used in the Zf
3.69 million dots EVF, with improved 3000 cd/m2 brightness (similar to that of the Z8/Z9)
Picture control button (similar to that in the Z50II)
Video improvements include 12-bit N-RAW, FX 4K30p from 6K oversampled video, 4K60p in crop (DX) mode, up to 125minutes of continuous video recording
Some of the features of the Z5 are kept with the Z5II, for better or worse, namely:
Dual SD card slots (but does seem like both are UHS-II capable)
No top LCD panel
No mode dial lock
I think this model is an essential and very important part of Nikon’s Z lineup. On one hand it would be the entry level Expeed 7 FX body, thus attracting new users to the ecosystem with a sleuth of features is a key point in securing these new purchases. On the other hand, for many users (like me) who do not need the high frame rates or video specs, this is essentially the perfect Z6II replacement (although I am a bit sad with the lack of top screen though).
So far on paper it is very much what I expected it to be, and am looking forward to testing it out in the showroom before making a decision to pre-order or not (because you know, the Z8 strap lug fiasco..)
Here are some things that I cannot confirm now, and am planning to check them out when I get to test the camera:
According to the specs sheet, the base length is identical to that of the Z5 (and Z6/Z7/Z6II/Z7II) - and it lists both the MB-N11 and MB-N14 as compatible accessories. Does this mean that the Z-GR1 is a perfect fit for it too? (P.S. it does not fit the Z6III perfectly due to a change in length of the base plate)
Is the set in Japan available in Japanese language only (like the Z50II) or does it have English menus too?
How customizable are the buttons? (Z50II level of customization or the slightly crippled Z6III level?)
Are both SD card slots able to write at full UHS-II speeds?
Weather sealing and weather resistance information [Update: Just checked the press material again and seems like it is properly weather sealed]
I am definitely stoked that for now this sounds like a perfect replacement for my Z6II workhorse (minus the top screen, yeah I know I sound like a broken record), especially so if the Z-GR1 is able to fit it perfectly.
And also I guess I need to reconsider my little APS-C plan too.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S Announced
A couple of days ago the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S was announced.
The dedicated special contents page and technical specifications of the lens can be viewed here:
This is a highly anticipated lens by many photographers ever since its silhouette appeared in the Z lens roadmap a few years back, and I would expect that this lens would be in pretty high demand for some time, even though its price tag does lean towards the high side.
When the Z 35mm/1.4 was announced last year, it caused some commotion within the photography community as it lacked the “S” moniker and many were expecting a flagship f/1.2 lens. After the initial commotion had simmered down it became quite obvious the Z 35/1.4 was a new line of large aperture compact(ish) lenses which renders like the more classic F-mount equivalents, and this was further cemented in place by the Z 50/1.4 that was released later that year.
Back to the 35/1.2S itself, it deserves its “S” designation and flagship 35mm status in every sense. Sample images from reviewers around the globe all show that it has very good sharpness within the region in-focus, and the transitions to the out-of-focus regions are smooth and beautiful, with very pleasing rendering of specular highlights in the background.
Nikon gave it all the coatings that were available to them, which helps in delivery high clarity images and highly suppressing ghosting and flaring in backlit situations - again this was nicely documented and shown in many of the images in the sample gallery that were backlit by the sun.
The lens also suppresses focus breathing optically, and seems to work very well for cinematographers or videographers who shoot with the entire width of the sensor and not having to worry about software cropping to compensate for focus breathing issues.
While I personally am not in the market for this lens since I do not shoot with a 35mm focal length much, I am very much impressed with the performance of the lens and am truly excited for anyone who has been anticipating and waiting for this lens ever since it appeared on the roadmap.
It is definitely a no compromise lens (with an equivalent price tag and physical size to go with), and seeing how Nikon devotes itself to correct optical flaws physically rather than via software for a flagship lens is definitely something worthy of praises.
With this release, the 35/1.2S finally completes the Z lens roadmap, and for future products only Nikon themselves know exactly what is cooking in their secret labs. Fingers crossed for a modern version for the Ai-S 105/2.5 with similar physical dimensions!
Nikon Z50II Manual Available
The reference guide for the newly announced Z50II can now be downloaded at the official Nikon pages (English or Japanese).
I was snooping around to see if the new Picture Control button can be reprogrammed, and while it can be reprogrammed, the reference manual only included a complete list of custom functions, but did not have an appendix for which functions are available to which buttons, so I am still not sure how flexible that button is if you do not use picture controls much.
That said, I noticed something interesting in the reference manuals too.
Under Custom Controls (Shooting), “Cycle AF-Area Mode” is an option available; and similarly under Custom Controls (Playback), “Delete” is an option available.
I personally use Cycle AF-Area mode very often on my Z8, and was surprised to see Z6III and Zf omitting this option.
Similarly, a good photographer acquaintance of mine uses the “Delete” function mapped to one of the function buttons of the Z8 for quick review and culling through the EVF, and we were both surprised that the Z6III omitted this option too.
It is sure delightful to see it being implemented in the Z50II, and if I were to make a smart guess, I think the Expeed 7 siblings (Z6III and Zf) would have these options enabled in their next firmware update too.
Nikon Z50II Announcement and Opinions
Last week the Nikon Z50II has been officially announced, and camera shops in Japan today are beginning to accept preorders for the camera.
The official press release and specifications of the camera can be viewed here:
As what most people and I have expected, the Z50II is pretty much an updated Z50 with Expeed 7, USB-C and UHS-II slot.
But I do not mean it in any negative way; on the contrary this update is definitely very welcomed, as Expeed 7 comes with an entire set of benefits which makes it a very prominent update to the Z50.
While it sports the same 20.9MP APS-C sensor from the Z50/Zfc/Z30, the new Expeed 7 CPU in it does squeeze quite a bit of performance out of the sensor, mainly in the autofocus department (which inherits the subject detection modes from the full frame Expeed 7 siblings) as well as low light sensitivity - it can now focus down to -9EV!
Physically the camera also sees a revamp in its button layout, and overall it is slightly larger and heavier than that of the Z50, which may be a detriment for some who are looking for a more compact APS-C solution.
The tilting screen is gone, now replaced by an articulating screen. I personally am not a fan of articulating screens, but I guess with all the new video modes in the camera Nikon is trying to target hybrid shooters or single-man videographers, and hence this design decision.
The button layout has also changed, which makes it much more similar to the Z6III than the original Z50 - definitely a welcome change since there are also now more physical buttons around.
There is also an emphasis on Imaging Recipes and Picture Controls, with a dedicated button present to swap picture controls on the fly. I think the casual users of this camera would definitely appreciate this new feature, as together with the imaging recipes from Nikon Imaging Cloud it allows users to play around and experiment with various looks without having to go through the hassle of post processing the images.
Like always with any announcements, there are definitely some negative opinions floating around - and this time the 2 loudest complaints are about Nikon’s decision to only include a single slot and to exclude IBIS. In my opinion for this price bracket these are definitely acceptable compromises, as IBIS and double card slots would greatly increase the cost and size of the camera. Taking this note positively, it means that there remains an option for a higher end APS-C model if Nikon deems it profitable - one with double slots, IBIS and a perhaps a newer APS-C sensor. Only time will tell I guess.
While I am not in the market for an APS-C camera any time soon, I am glad with the direction they are taking with updating the older bodies and am now looking forward to see how they would proceed with the Z5’s replacement.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 Announcement and Opinions
The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 has been officially announced.
The official press release and specifications of the lens can be viewed here:
It follows the footsteps of the previously announced Z 35mm f/1.4, providing users with more options for prime lenses.
Similar to the Z 35/1.4, it comes with two rings - one dedicated manual focus ring and one customizable control ring. It also maintains the same 62mm filter thread size, similar to both the 35/1.4, 35/1.8S and 50/1.8S.
In Japan it is priced very similarly to the 50/1.8S, which also follows the design and pricing strategy of the 35/1.4 35/1.8S pair.
And like the wide angle pair, in addition to the aperture differences, the 50/1.4 also does have other features that differs from the 50/1.8S:
The 50/1.8S has the more advanced Nano-crystal coatings, whereas the 50/1.4 has the more standing SIC coatings.
The 50/1.8S has ED glass elements in addition to aspherical elements.
The MTF for the 50/1.4 shows a steeper sharpness falloff when moving out from the central region, whereas the 50/1.8S has a more balanced sharpness profile throughout the frame.
There is no A/M switch on the 50/1.4.
The differences make a nice proposition for the 50/1.4, as the slightly less corrected lens, together with tis wider aperture, gives the lens a bit more character and a touch of softness when used wide open.
Marketing material also mentions their stance on both lenses:
The 50/1.4 is targeted towards users who want to make use of the wider f/1.4 aperture for softer bokeh and more background blur, as well as for users looking to have a touch of soft character in the lens for more flattering natural portrait shoots.
The 50/1.8S is targeted towards users who want to have good sharpness and resolution across the frame at all apertures, yet maintaining a natural looking bokeh and background blur.
And even if the S-line designation is missing from the 50/1.4, it is still built to the robust Nikon standards with weather sealings in place, so it can definitely be a workhorse lens if one desires the character of the images it produces.
With this announcement, Z system users now have several options in the “normal” range:
The 50/1.2S for best subject and background rendition at the expense of weight, size and price
The 50/1.8S for best image sharpness and resolution across the frame at all apertures
The 50/1.4 for thin DOF shots with some character in its sharpness rendition and falloff when used wide-open
The MC 50/2.8 if you want to double your normal lens as a macro lens as well
The 40/2 for a small compact package without much compromises to image quality
This also opens up several possible future product predictions, such as:
If the 85mm focal length follows similar design philosophies, perhaps we could see a compact 85mm f/1.4 to complete the 85mm trio.
Still hopeful for a compact 105/2.5 equivalent, or a 135/2.5 which could complement the Plena 135mm.
Definitely excited to see how this line of compact wide-aperture lenses would play out!
Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 Announcement and Opinions
Just earlier today, the Z 35mm f/1.4 was officially announced.
The official press release and specifications of the lens can be viewed here:
This release came as an interesting surprise in several ways for most people, including me, though not in a bad sense.
As a f/1.4 lens, it is reasonably light and compact, not that different from the Z 35/1.8S itself. They also managed to keep its filter thread size at 62mm, so if anyone is thinking of switching to this from the 35/1.8S at least the filters can be reused.
It also comes with two rings - one dedicated manual focus ring and one customizable control ring. Most of the earlier f/1.8 S-line primes (everything minus the Plena), and the compact 28mm/40mm only come with one ring, so it seems like an new design and handling direction that they are going in.
In Japan the expected street price for the lens at launch is around JPY 95000, which comes in just a little under the Z 35/1.8S. It is indeed a nice change in times where everything just seems to get more and more expensive, so am grateful that they are coming out with affordable wide-aperture lenses.
Its direct competitor would be Nikon’s own Z 35/1.8S (as I have subconsciously compared to above), especially since they are in similar price brackets and size, and based on the specs shown so far, here are some of the key differences:
The 35/1.8S has the more advanced Nano-crystal coatings, whereas the 35/1.4 has the more standing SIC coatings.
Based on MTF curves the 35/1.4 is less sharp wide open with a steeper sharpness falloff, whereas the 35/1.8S is sharper wide open and maintains the sharpness across the frame better.
The 35/1.4 does not employ multi-focusing system found on the 35/1.8S.
Aesthetics wise, the 35/1.4 uses more plastic than the 35/1.8S, which has a metal focusing ring and metal “rear ring”.
There is no A/M switch on the 35/1.4.
With this as a reference, I think here are what are some of the concerns to look out for when reviews of this lens drop in the coming weeks from both reviewers and users:
When closed down to f/1.8, how does the performance of the two lenses compare?
How does the 35/1.4 perform close-up since it does not have close-range correction of the multi-focusing system?
How fast does the lens focus, and how well does it track moving subjects?
How flare resistant is it in backlit situations since it lacks the more advanced coatings?
And on top of this, I think this release also brings forth several questions regarding their lens strategy:
There was a 35mm S-line lens on the roadmap, and is this supposed to replace that or is a S-line 35mm still in the works? (Personal opinion: I think a S-line 35mm is still in the works, but they decided to launch this first to ride on the highly video-capable Z6III)
Does this release indicate the start of a new line of wide-aperture affordable non-S primes?
While I am not in the market for a 35mm lens, I am glad that they are giving users affordable options and sincerely hope that this indeed is the start of a new line of compact lenses - a modern compact version of the AI-S 105/2.5 would be a beautiful piece of work!
Nikon Z6III Announcement and Opinions
Finally, the Z6III is now officially announced.
The official press release and specifications of the camera can be viewed here:
With the embargo finally lifted, the first impression or review articles and videos are all released now, and it seems like most of them are positive about the camera - with regards to both the camera’s new hardware capabilities and image quality. This release also shows the general direction the Z6 line is moving in - that is a more video-oriented hybrid line with a wide range of video recording features.
As I am a primarily stills shooter, I guess most of the newer video specs would not affect me directly, though most of the improvements made in the video space would have some form of improvement impact indirectly on the stills side.
Take for example the partially stacked sensor - to get the sensor fast enough for 6k/60p, it also helps with offloading data to the CPU faster for AF calculations.
Personally, what I find interesting and useful to me with the new Z6III are these features:
Bright EVF that can be used in harsh sunlight
Increased sensitivity in low-light situations
Improved subject detection in backlit situations
Focus point IBIS (similar to that of the Zf)
Improved AF over the Z6II (and seems close enough to Z8’s AF performance)
The biggest drawback of the Z6II in my use case is the AF system - in controlled studio environments I tend to have a bit more misfocused shots than I would like; slightly remedied by using AF-S Pinpoint, but still not 100% foolproof.
The AF improvements alone could justify replacing my Z6II as the main workhorse camera. Truth be told I did ponder quite a bit on whether to get a Zf as my main workhorse, but I just could not get used to its ergonomics with longer and heavier lenses.
Interestingly, there were a few other details that I had noticed, which I think might be good to keep a lookout for.
The Z6III does not come with a battery charger, but only a USB cable. (Similar to the Z30/Zf)
The new battery pack (MB-N14) would work on Z6II/Z7II too, which suggests that perhaps the Z-GR1 could fit as well? But the presence of the articulating screen should affect the Z-VP1 plate though.
The top plate has a new illumination button - I wonder if that button is programmable to other functions?
The situation with the weak Japanese yen has not been entirely friendly to us living here, and an effect of that is a huge jump in the launch price of the Z6III (street price estimated around JPY 390,000) as compared to the launch price of the Z6II (street price roughly JPY 245,000).
While I do want the AF improvements, which can certainly be helpful in my workflow, the steep price increase does not seem very justifiable even as a business cost - especially when a used Z8 may cost just a little bit more than this. Furthermore as I had mentioned in my previous post, Japan usually does not provide much pre-order incentives or benefits, so I guess I would sit out the pre-order phase this time round and ponder about my upgrade paths to replace my aging Z6II workhorse.
**Update: Initial impressions upon trying the camera out and more about flexible color picture control.
Nikon Z8 Firmware 2.01 Released
Earlier today Nikon released a minor firmware update (2.01) for the Z8.
The firmware can be downloaded at the official Nikon page here.
This minor firmware update changed the default encryption keys of the camera, which is similar to the recent wave of firmware updates that have been released for the other Z bodies.
And the main attention of this minor update is to fix the issue regarding the d-pad panning the image in wrong directions when used in vertical mode. (I have written about this in more detail in this post over here).
One interesting note of this patch is the fixing of green color cast with some pictures taken. While I personally have not encountered it myself (and thus not sure what combinations of settings would trigger it), I am wondering if they changed the imaging algorithm a bit in FW2.00 since there has been some buzz in forums and discussion boards about FW2.00 RAW files looking cleaner and less noisy at higher ISOs. There is no concrete evidence so far to substantiate the high ISO improvements as far as I know, so take this statement with a pinch of salt.
That said, I am really curious what are the conditions that would trigger the green color cast. Hmm..
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z-mount Announced
Tamron has just announced their latest Z-mount lens, the wide-aperture standard 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 lens.
Official press release here in English and Japanese.
According to reports and reviews of the E-mount version, this G2 lens has significant performance and handling improvements over the G1 lens that precedes it. And given that the G1 lens acted as the basis of the current Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 lens, I would expect similar improvements of the new lens over the Nikon version.
With increasing lens prices throughout the board, I thought that it was a very refreshing breather to see this new lens being released in Japan at reasonable prices, similar to the current Nikon Z 28-75/2.8, and not that different from the E-mount version of the G2 lens at launch.
To be honest I was quite surprised about this announcement, since this lens was manufactured by Tamron under licensing agreement with Nikon, even though it would be competing directly with the Nikon Z 28-75/2.8, which is still an active model in the lens lineup.
I think there is no doubt that the Nikon Z 28-75/2.8 is based on the G1 version of the Tamron lens, but when it came in Nikon colors, there were many theories floating around the internet about who was the one actually building the lenses, and similarly predictions about the collaboration and agreement between the two companies started to find their way around too.
I do not think any one except for the parties directly involved in the negotiation and manufacturing processes would know exactly how the Nikon Z 28-75/2.8 was built.
So now that we have the 2 lenses in very similar price brackets, and assuming this G2 lens provides improvements over the Nikon Z lens similar to that in the E-mount camp, image quality and AF performance would definitely favor this new G2 lens, making the current Z 28-75/2.8 a tough sell unless serious sales or cashback campaigns are put in place to move them.
If not for pricing difference, I guess the only reasons one could still consider the Z 28-75/2.8 would be:
Preference over the Nikon-styled rings and barrel material, over the Tamron-styled rings and barrel material
Nikon’s SIC lens coating vs Tamron’s BBAR lens coating
Nikon’s weather sealing vs Tamron’s weather sealing
Being able to update the lens directly via camera body (Nikon) vs being able to update the lens directly via USB-C (Tamron)
Nevertheless, the launch of this lens also set an important precedence - it shows like Nikon does allow third party lens manufacturers to license lenses even if they are direct competition to Nikon’s own offerings.
This would mean that until now it has been the lens manufacturers who are unwilling to build things in the Z-mount, rather than being restricted by Nikon.
Anyway, time to go back to my previous post to add a little edit in the available standard zoom lenses for the Z-mount.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Officially Announced
Nikon has just announced their new superzoom lens for the Z mount, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR.
Official press release statements can be accessed here (in English and in Japanese), as well as the product page here (in English and in Japanese).
Based on the technical specifications released, the new lens weighs in at 725g, is 141.5mm long with 77mm filter threads.
Comparing this with the other Z superzoom already on the market, the Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR, which comes in at 570g, 114mm length and takes 67mm filters, the new lens is no doubt larger and heavier, but provides twice as much reach in the telephoto range.
MTF curves seem reasonable for a superzoom of modest aperture values - the new lens looks to have good contrast in the center of the frame with significant sharpness falloff outside the DX circle, and the telephoto side is a weaker performer than the wide side of the lens. The curves predict that fine detail resolution would deteriorate really fast once out of the center of the image circle, which is typical for most superzooms I think, and we will only know the extent of it after production samples get into the hands on reviewers and consumers I guess.
With this release, Nikon users now have an expansive selection of standard lenses to choose from, depending on one’s needs and budget:
24-50mm f/4-6.3 = smallest sized standard zoom
24-70mm f/4 S = compact standard zoom balancing size and quality very well (collapsible design)
24-70mm f/2.8 S = no-compromise standard zoom focused on image quality and focus speed
24-120mm f/4 S = moderately-sized 5x standard zoom that provides flexibility with very good performance throughout
24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR = 8.3x superzoom in a modestly compact size with good performance throughout
28-75mm f/2.8 = lightweight f/2.8 standard zoom
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 = improved version of the Nikon 28-75mm f/2.8 with better image quality and AF motors
28-400mm f/4-8 = 14.2x superzoom in a modest size
Having such a wide focal length coverage, I can foresee this lens being a popular lens for travel, or even as a all-in-one backup lens of sorts for working professionals.
One interesting note is its close focusing capabilities - it can focus down to 0.2m at the widest focal length (28mm), at which a magnification ratio of 0.35x is achieved. This would certainly come in handy for anyone using it for travel, since close-up shots of food and what not are possible in tight spaces without the need for a closer focusing lens, cementing its position as a do-it-all lens.
Anyway just for reference, here are the minimum focus distances at the various focal lengths:
28mm = 0.2m
35mm = 0.36m
50mm = 0.5m
70mm = 0.57m
105mm = 0.6m
200mm = 0.8m
300mm = 1.2m
400mm = 1.2m
Images of the lens show that the lens does extend very significantly when zoomed in, which is to be expected as it covers such a wide range of focal lengths. I guess it might be problematic for video users to balance it on a gimbal, so definitely a point to take note when considering this lens.
While the aperture values will not win any prizes for fastest superzoom lens produced (according to reports it slows down to f/8 at the 200mm mark), it seems like a pretty economical and convenient way to get access to the 400mm focal length, if the performance of the lens at that focal length meets one’s needs or demands.
That said, I think it is asking for the impossible to expect this lens to produce images like the S-line primes or S-line zooms, so one has to consider if the convenience of having a large focal length is more important that ultimate image quality at the expense of lugging extra weight and/or changing lenses in the field.
Oh, and did I also mention that the lens comes with a square hood? I actually like the design of the hood a lot lol.
**Edited on 2024/3/28 to include the newly announced Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 in the list.
Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Officially Announced
Just a couple of hours ago Sigma has officially unveiled and announced their latest lens for mirrorless cameras, the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art, which would be available for L-mount and E-mount at launch.
Here are the links to the official press release (in English and Japanese), and the product information page (in English and Japanese).
Based on the released technical specifications of the lens, it looks like they have managed to keep the entire package pretty compact for a f/1.2 lens, and the MTF charts show a very high performance of the lens’ resolving power. Sample galleries seem to agree with that too, and it looks like Sigma has created a winner in their hands.
I have enjoyed using Sigma products during my DSLR days, and one of my favorite lenses from them is the 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens. And my experience with their customer service was pleasant and positive in the few times whereby I had to reach out to them for maintenance or calibration, so this is one company that I would always have a soft spot for.
It is really nice to see Sigma innovate in their quest to create quality modern optics for mirrorless cameras, by utilizing the advantages of the short flange distance as well as focus-by-wire AF systems to create more complex optics that were not possible in the DSLR era.
While previously, Sigma Art lenses were well-known to be behemoths (I’m looking at you 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art), their recent lens releases for mirrorless cameras seem to reflect their growth as an optics manufacturer as they embark on using more sophisticated optical designs and techniques to bring size and weight down.
While it is unfortunate that this lens is not coming to the Z-mount at launch, and to be honest I doubt that a native Z-mount version of this lens would ever happen, I am certainly looking forward to see what other lenses Sigma would create and bring over to the Z-mount.
My Opinions on Nikon’s RED Acquisition
Just a couple of days ago a surprising announcement appeared in the late afternoon here - Nikon has acquired 100% of the cinema camera maker RED, making RED a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nikon.
Most of us definitely did not see this coming, so the news caught a lot of us off-guard, but in a very good way - it brings confidence to users as it shows Nikon’s commitment to improve and diversify their product lineup by expanding into the high-end movie making market and bring new video technology into their products.
I personally have not used RED products as I am not into video shooting, let alone high-end movie making, so I do not have any first hand experience or insights on RED products.
But the impression I had of RED was that they were a brand primarily associated with high-end videos and movies, with technologies such as global shutters and compressed RAW to improve quality and workflow of such productions.
Granted that the patent lawsuit (which was ultimately dismissed) a while back between RED and Nikon regarding the RAW video recording of the Z9 did somewhat paint a slightly negative image of RED, they do own rights to other technologies and have an established team of experts and technical specialists which would definitely help with development of Nikon’s video capabilities.
As I mentioned earlier I am no video shooter, and this acquisition in all honesty does not impact me directly as of now, but I do am quite intrigued with how things will turn out from this point on:
I am sure adding a Z-mount to RED cameras is already in the roadmap, so it comes down to whether there will be a new line of Nikon Cinema lenses developed to accommodate them?
RED currently holds a license to create cameras with RF-mount. Though highly improbable, going forward would we be able to see official RF-Z mount adapters?
I am pretty sure RED’s video technology would trickle down to the Z-system cameras. Seems interesting to see how RED RAW and N-RAW could be further developed or integrated together.
The access to RED’s global shutter sensor design could bring global shutter to the photography-oriented cameras sooner than anticipated.
Focus-by-wire has improved a lot compared to the past, and has opened up new options and possibilities such as employing multiple focus groups working in tandem without complicated mechanical couplings or large increases in physical size, eliminating focus breathing in the process too. Moving forward I am eager to see how else it can be innovated which will be beneficial to both stills and videos.
Any form of healthy competition between manufacturers would definitely bring about new innovations, and as end-users of cameras I am certainly looking forward to seeing new technology or workflow improvements brought forward by Nikon or other manufacturers due to this acquisition.
Nextorage NX-B2PRO CFexpress 4.0 Type-B Cards Announced
Just read that earlier today Nextorage has announced their CFexpress 4.0 Type-B cards, the NX-B2PRO.
According to the official page, the NX-B2PRO comes in 4 capacities, and while all of them are VPG400 certified, they do have slightly varying max speeds and sustained speeds:
165GB : Max Read 3,900 MB/s, Max Write 3,600 MB/s, Min Sustained Write 3,400 MB/s
330GB : Max Read 3,900 MB/s, Max Write 3,600 MB/s, Min Sustained Write 3,400 MB/s
660GB : Max Read 3,700 MB/s, Max Write 3,600 MB/s, Min Sustained Write 3,400 MB/s
1330GB : Max Read 3,700 MB/s, Max Write 3,600 MB/s, Min Sustained Write 3,200 MB/s
CFexpress 4.0 specifications doubles the theoretical bandwidth of current CFexpress 2.0 cards (actual press release of CFe 4.0 here; you can read my write-up on it here), and while none of the current camera bodies are capable of using CFe 4.0 speeds in them, the standard being backwards compatible means that it does make sense to purchase a CFe 4.0 card for future proofing.
I have had very good experience with Nextorage cards so far, and their customer support was efficient and helpful when I contacted them prior to my first purchase with them to learn more about the cards, so I definitely am glad that they are one of the first few to have CFe 4.0 cards ready and available.
With this release, they now have a simple to understand line-up for CFe-B cards:
B1SE - Standard CFe cards with decent max speeds, but low minimum sustained write speeds (discontinued)
B2SE - Successor to B1SE; standard CFe cards with improved max write speeds and minimum sustained write speeds
B1PRO - High performance pSLC CFe 2.0 cards with high max speeds and high minimum sustained write speeds.
B2PRO - High performance pSLC CFe 4.0 cards with high max speeds and high minimum sustained write speeds.
B2SE cards do offer a really good cost performance per GB if you do not require high speeds for video or high fps shooting, and definitely would recommend them (especially the 512GB version) for anyone looking for a high capacity card that is plenty fast.
The B1PRO is a great card to use with the Z8 (and I would assume the Z9 too), as even shooting in moderate bursts at high FPS in lossless compressed RAWs, the buffer does not stutter and remains responsive throughout its operations. It also remains relatively cool throughout - both during shooting and when offloading from the reader to the PC.
The B2PRO with higher speed ratings, almost double in fact, means that using them in current equipment now should make them run much cooler than the B1PRO since the speeds are way below their theoretical threshold.
Which brings me to wonder the following:
Will there be a B3SE based on CFe 4.0 standards too? This could be a good way to get high speed high capacity cards with good cost/GB ratio.
Will future Z cameras come with a CFe-B primary slot, and a SD+CFe-A hybrid secondary slot? If CFe-A slots run at CFe 4.0 specifications it would be performing at current CFe-B speeds now, so not much compromise on speeds need to be made.
Anyway definitely looking forward to reading B2PRO’s reviews, and keeping my eyes on it when it is time to replace or add more cards to my kit.