Hey everyone! I finally pulled the trigger on a Nikon Z6 II after months of debating, and I am absolutely loving it so far. Coming from an older D750, the mirrorless world feels like a whole different ballgame. The autofocus is snappy, and the IBIS is a total lifesaver, but now that I have the body and the 24-70mm f/4 S kit lens in hand, I’m realizing that my old DSLR kit isn't quite a perfect match for this new system.
I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there and I want to make sure I’m setting myself up for success without blowing my remaining budget on gear I don’t actually need. I’ve been looking specifically at memory cards because the dual slots were a big selling point for me. Is it worth investing in a high-speed CFexpress Type B card right away for that primary slot, or should I just stick with fast SD UHS-II cards for now? I’ve heard mixed things about the performance gains for general photography.
Also, I have a decent collection of older F-mount glass. Should the FTZ II adapter be a "day one" purchase, or is it better to just focus on saving up for the native S-line lenses? I'm also a bit concerned about the battery life compared to my old DSLR. I have some older EN-EL15b batteries lying around, but I’m wondering if I really need to stock up on the newer 'c' versions to get the most out of the USB-C charging features.
I’m planning to use this for a mix of travel photography and some light client work, so I need a setup that’s reliable but still relatively portable. For those of you who have been shooting with the Z6 II for a while, what stayed in your bag and what ended up being a waste of money? Aside from the obvious things like a bag or a tripod, what are the absolute must-have accessories that really unlock the potential of this camera?
yo! congrats on the Z6 II. i moved from a D750 too and the mirrorless jump is real... tbh i was kinda overwhelmed by the accessories too. since you're doing travel and client work, you gotta be careful about reliability. Here's what I recommend for your situation: * **Memory:** Seriously, get the SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Type B. Even for general photography, the build quality is way better than SD cards, and you wont deal with buffer lag during bursts. * **Adapter:** The Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter is a "day one" buy if you have good F-mount glass. Most of my old lenses actually feel more accurate now cuz of the mirrorless AF system.
* **Battery:** You definitely need at least one Nikon EN-EL15c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery. The 15b works, but the 'c' version is basically required if you wanna charge via USB-C while the camera is actually running. I'd be careful with cheap third-party batteries tho, i've heard they can be finicky with the newer firmware. anyway, gl with the new rig! 👍
> I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there and I want to make sure I’m setting myself up for success... Is it worth investing in a high-speed CFexpress Type B card right away? sooo i’ve been shooting with the Z6 II for about a year now and honestly, the memory card thing depends on how you shoot. if you’re doing heavy bursts—like birds or sports—then yeah, you'll want the ProGrade Digital 128GB CFexpress Type B Gold. the buffer clears literally instantly. but for travel and light client work? a solid SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II V90 is probably enough and saves you some cash for glass. i use both, but the CFexpress is mostly there so i dont have to worry about lag during weddings. about the batteries—the Nikon EN-EL15c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery is a total game changer compared to the older 'b' versions you have. it’s not just the extra capacity, it’s the USB-C Power Delivery. being able to top up from a power bank while the camera is *actually* turned on is a lifesaver for travel. i’d say grab at least one 'c' battery for that feature alone... just make sure your power bank supports PD! one thing people always forget is protection... i basically won't take a new body out without a ULBTER Z6 II Tempered Glass Screen Protector. it's like $10 and saves you from a heart attack if you bump it. also, if you do any tripod work, look into the SmallRig L-Bracket for Nikon Z 6II / Z 7II. it makes the grip a bit more substantial for those with bigger hands and switching to portrait mode is so much faster. as for the FTZ II... i know it's a popular pick, but if your F-mount glass is just 'okay,' maybe skip it and put that $250 toward the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2. it's tiny, cheap, and honestly more fun for travel than hauling around heavy adapted lenses. anyway, just my two cents! gl with the new setup! 👍
Can vouch for this