Hey everyone! I finally pulled the trigger on the Nikon Z8 after saving up for months, and man, this camera is an absolute powerhouse. Coming from my trusty old D850, the transition to mirrorless has been exciting but also a bit of a learning curve when it comes to the new ecosystem. I have the body and the 24-120mm f/4 S kit lens, but now I am looking at my gear and realizing I need to kit it out properly to really take advantage of what this sensor can do.
I am primarily into landscape and occasional wildlife photography, so I know I will need fast storage. I have been looking at CFexpress Type B cards, but the price range is all over the place. Is it worth splurging on the top-tier ProGrade or Delkin Black cards for those high-speed bursts and 8K video, or are the more affordable ones reliable enough for everyday use? I really do not want to deal with buffer lag when a bird finally takes flight.
Also, I am a bit worried about the battery life. I have a couple of older EN-EL15 batteries from my DSLR days, but I know the Z8 really wants the 15c version for the best performance and in-camera charging. Are people finding that a vertical grip is necessary for a full day of shooting, or should I just stick to carrying four or five spare batteries in my bag? I have also heard some people mention using USB-C power banks for long timelapse sessions.
Lastly, I am searching for a solid L-bracket. I have heard some designs can interfere with the way the four-axis tilting screen moves, which would be a huge dealbreaker for my low-angle landscape shots. If anyone has found a specific brand that fits perfectly without blocking the side ports or the screen movement, please let me know.
I want to make sure I am not missing any other essentials before my first big trip with this rig. For those of you who have been shooting with the Z8 for a while, what are the absolute must-have accessories that have earned a permanent spot in your bag?
> Is it worth splurging on the top-tier CFexpress cards? I would suggest sticking with the ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type B Cobalt Memory Card to be reallyyy safe. It basically prevents data errors during big bursts so you dont lose shots!!
So basically the consensus is Cobalt vs Lexar. Honestly I'm reallyyy cautious so I'd get Angelbird 512GB AV PRO CFexpress B SE because sustained speeds prevent errors?? It's literally amazing, hope it helps!!
i went through this last year... i tried saving cash with the Lexar Professional 128GB CFexpress Type B Gold Series and it actually works reallyyy great for you're wildlife bursts, basically saved me $100 right?