Hey everyone! I just finally pulled the trigger and upgraded to the Nikon Z6 II. I’m coming from a D750, so I’m super excited about the jump to mirrorless, but I’m realizing that my old setup might need a bit of an overhaul to really get the most out of this body. Since this camera has dual card slots—one CFexpress/XQD and one SD—I'm curious what everyone is using for reliable storage without breaking the bank. Is it worth investing in the high-speed CFexpress Type B cards right away?
I also noticed it came with the new EN-EL15c battery. Should I stick specifically with those for the USB-C charging feature, or are the older 'b' versions still worth keeping as spares? I already have a few F-mount lenses, so the FTZ II adapter is definitely on my radar, but I’m wondering what else is considered 'essential' for day-to-day shooting. Are people finding a tempered glass screen protector or a specific L-bracket necessary for the ergonomics of this body? I mainly shoot a mix of travel and some low-light events, so I want to be prepared for long days.
For those of you who have been using the Z6 II for a while, what are the top 3 or 4 accessories you think every new owner should pick up right away?
Oh man, congrats on the Z6 II! It's such an amazing jump from the D750, you're literally gonna LOVE the mirrorless life!! Honestly tho, it can get pricey fast, so I'd be a bit cautious with ur budget at first. Basically, dont feel like you HAVE to buy top-tier CFexpress cards immediately if youre just doing travel stuff. Here's my budget-friendly must-haves:
* SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card (around $25) - way cheaper than CFexpress for now!
* Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter (about $249) - lets you keep all your old glass.
* ULBTER Z6 II Tempered Glass Screen Protector ($10) - seriously, just get it for peace of mind.
* SmallRig L-Bracket for Nikon Z6 II 2947 ($40) - helps a lot with the grip! I'd keep those 'b' batteries as spares, but the Nikon EN-EL15c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery is the way to go for long days. gl!!
This^ Also wanted to add some technical context. The Z6 II uses a PCIe 3.0 interface for the primary slot, which is significantly faster than the UHS-II bus in the SD slot. Because of this, your write speed is basically only as fast as your slowest card if you're shooting in 'backup' mode, so you really want to match them up well to avoid bottlenecks. I highkey recommend the ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type B Gold because it handles the 14fps burst without breaking a sweat. For the second slot, something like the SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II 300MB/s is essential to keep the buffer moving. Also, for long travel days, the SmallRig L-Bracket for Nikon Z6 II 2947 adds that extra bit of grip for your pinky that the mirrorless body is missing. It makes the transition from the D750 feel much more natural!! gl with the new rig!
Works great for me
I've been shooting with the Z6 II for about a year now and honestly, the ergonomics were the biggest adjustment for me coming from a beefier DSLR. I remember being out on a cold morning for a landscape shoot and almost dropping the thing because the grip felt a bit shallow compared to what I was used to. I ended up getting a dedicated bracket that stays on the camera full-time now. It adds just enough height for my pinky to rest on, which makes a massive difference for stability. The battery situation was another learning curve. I tried using my older spares from my previous body, and while they definitely work in a pinch, I noticed they dont last nearly as long. During one event, I actually ran out of juice because the older cells just couldnt keep up with the constant electronic viewfinder usage. Now I mostly stick to the newer versions that allow for charging over the cable. Its saved me a few times when I forgot my wall charger and just used a power bank in my bag. Reliability is everything when you're in the middle of a shoot and dont want to be worrying about your gear failing.