From Nikon D7000 to?

[Antoine de Brisbane]

Hi everyone,

 

My trusted D7000, after 12 years of service and mistreatment, has earned a well-deserved retirement.

 

I shoot a bit of everything, kind of everywhere, when I can (~50 dives per year, mostly during travels), using a Tokina 10-17 (holding together thanks to duct tape and faith mostly) and a Nikon 105mm.

Still 99% of the time.

 

You can see some of my (favourite) images on insta @antoine.de.brisbane

 

I am considering moving to either a used Sony A7 RV or a new Nikon Z6 iii, with a macro lens, and for WA either a WWL1-B/ WACP-C and/or a Fisheye behind the smallest dome that works (weight and size considerations for travel).

 

Topside, I shoot a Z6 ii these days, and I have a number of old and newish lenses (24-70, 50, 70-200).

 

Reasons for moving from the D7000:

- it's almost dead, and my Nauticam casing is falling apart...

- better autofocus

- having one camera for uw and topside

- gas

 

A7 pros and cons I've identified:

+ 61mp.. beautiful WA, macro crop baby crop!

+ autofocus

+ Seems it works great for a lot of people out there

- new system, ergonomics etc

- 61mp, like really, I don't need that..

- adapting my Nikon lenses topside

 

Z6:

+ Nikon fan boy (and long time user..)

+ Autofocus

+ Cheaper?

- Dynamic range?

 

Since I intend to keep it for a long long time, I'd love to hear your thoughts before I push the shutter.

Especially from Z6 iii users, if there are any out there..

 

Ps: Z8, too big, too expensive (but maybe I'm wrong)

 

So any help appreciated:)

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 

[Dave_Hicks]

You can keep using your existing 105 if you go with Nikon, plus any other lenses you own. You might replace the Tokina with a WWL-C and the low cost 24-50z, which is an amazing combo. The WACP-C won't deliver much if any value over the WWL-C. I would look into the option of a Z8 refurb body, this camera is amazing and will be familiar at the same time. The Cost of a Sony is not going to be cheaper in most cases, plus you will be buying all new lenses. Sony macro lenses have fewer great options versus Nikon's 60mm & 105mm. Nikon has a 105z mount lens but since you have an F-mount stick with that, it's 99% as good.

[ChipBPhoto]

I’m not a Nikon photog, but I agree to stay with what you all ready have.  Sony does not seem to be a logic choice unless you simply want to move to Sony.  
 

Here are options I would offer:
 - House your Z6ii and get the new appropriate lenses/ports (least expensive)

 - The Z8 is pretty amazing!  Sell your Z6 and go all-in with the Z8.  A refurb could be a good option.

          Z8 gives the a7RV stiff competition.

 - Unless you absolutely want 180 fisheye, either WWL or WACP-C is terrific and quite versatile.

          WWL-1B or WWL-C are lower cost, whereas WACP-C is a dry lens.  All are the same IQ.

 

Best of luck!  Let us know what you get.

chip

 

[Chris Ross]

If the Tokina 10-17 is working for you it won't transfer across to the new Nikon mirrorless bodies and you would be looking at either a WWL option or 8-15 fisheye to replace it - but you don't get the full fisheye view with the WWL and I have seen the opinion expressed on here that the WWL is not a substitute for for fisheye for reef scenics.  

 

You could use the Nikon 8-15, but that's only a full frame fisheye at 15mm, you could add a 1.4x and use the lens between about 15mm and 21mm equivalent focal length , but it won't have the reach of the 17mm end of the the 10-17 which gets to 25.5 mm FF equivalent.  All this will work behind either the Nauticam 140mm dome or the Zen 100mm dome, with the Nauticam having slightly better corners. 

 

I don't know if you plan to get a new Nauticam housing or look second hand for the Z6?  You could save some money and get a physically smaller housing with Isotta.  I know a local Sydney photographer who went with Isotta for a Z6 for this reason, the housing is significantly smaller.  You can use your Nauticam ports on Isotta housings by changing the lug ring.  For the fisheye I don't think the Zen dome is an option as it doesn't have a removable lug ring if I recall correctly, but Isotta offer a 4.5"crystal dome. 

 

If you want to emulate the 10-17 the only budget way to do it is with a DX - aPS-C body and currently with Nikon that would mean a Z50 and Isotta don't have a housing and a Nauticam one is a fairly pricey.  A d500 is a fine camera still and a possibility or you could go to smaller formats - I'm more than happy with my OM-1 housing and the image quality is a close match for the d500 sensor - you could adapt a Canon 8-15 to it or use the straight fisheye and add mid range zoom if needed.

[Architeuthis]

I think since you already have Nikon Z, it is better to stay with the system you have unless you intend to switch to Sony anyhow...

In case you choose Sony and do not want the many Megapixels (I find them very useful), you could wait for A75 that probably will come out soon and certainly will have the latest technology.

 

WA fisheye is a real problem with FF (all brands), there is nothing like Tokina 10-17mm for APS-C. Only FCP-1 or 8-15mm fisheye with TC (1.4x, maybe even 2x (=> see tread on 8-15 fisheye with TC about this issue) cover the entire range, starting from 180°. WWL/WACP options start at 130° and this is not enough (at least for me, personally)...

I think that Canon 8-15mm & 2x Sony TC on Sony is o.k., but there may be a difference in IQ between the Nikon and Canon 8-15mm fisheyes, especially when used with TCs (maybe the performance of the Nikon 8-15mm fisheye with TCs is much worse) - this has never been studied in detail...

 

Wolfgang

 

Edited October 26 by Architeuthis

[TimG]

Hmmm, yeah, not easy.

 

I do think the guys are right in staying with the same ecosystem - Nikon/Nikkor. The problem is though the same one I would have - moving away from DX into, presumably, FX. 

 

No problem, of course, with macro lenses. The 90mm or 105mm Nikons work extremely well with FX or DX. If you go down the Z-mount route, the Nikkor Z 105 looks amazing. 

 

WA is another story if you are used to the Tokina 10-17 (as I am having had my Nikon/Subal D500 since 2017 and still loving it). As Wolfgang says, there is no FX equivalent. Even FEs are an issue with Z-mount.

 

In a foolishly idle moment I took a look at the new Nauticam Z6III housing having just upgraded my (topside) Z6 to the Z6III. It was not long before I was mulling over the Nauticam recommendation of the Z6III with the WWL-C and Nikon Z 24-50 which, Nauticam argue (well they would wouldn't they) is a brilliant WA combination.  Have to say, it did look good.

 

But then the issue arises of pixel count and DX v FX. I'm not a pixel counter and have never seen the point of having more than 20MB or an FX sensor for most use. However, for the moment Nikon pretty much force us down the FX route. Would you want to go with a 20ishMB Z6III when there are FX cameras (Z8?) around which can create bigger files with more cropping potential? Or even which can switch to DX and still create decent size files?

 

I have not yet sorted these first-world dilemmas out in my mind. No cash has, as yet, been slapped down for the Z6III/Nauticam system - I love my Subal/D500 too much. But, have to say, I really was thinking hard about it..... on paper it looked pretty darned good. 

[Antoine de Brisbane]

Hi everyone!

 

Thank you for your helpful replies. Lot of food for thoughts.

 

I need to get my hands on a Z6 iii and a Z8 to get a feel for the cameras.

Will keep you posted.

 

Feel free to add more!

 

Cheers

Antoine

[TimG]

Do let us know how you get on, Antoine.

[ChipBPhoto]

6 hours ago, Antoine de Brisbane said:

Hi everyone!

 

Thank you for your helpful replies. Lot of food for thoughts.

 

I need to get my hands on a Z6 iii and a Z8 to get a feel for the cameras.

Will keep you posted.

 

Feel free to add more!

 

Cheers

Antoine

 

Passing on something I learned.  If you do go to a Z8, or other high res camera, the focus point becomes extremely critical.  Hi res files show incredible detail, which is awesome!  They also show if the focus is not exactly right.  Low res sensors (~24MP +/- or less) are much more forgiving.  It took me a couple of dives to really master this.  

 

Just something to file away if you do move in that direction.  😃

 

 

Edited October 28 by ChipBPhoto

[Architeuthis]

I am not in the Nikon system, so others have a better overview - but I just see that Nikon came out with a new APS-C model (unfortunately not with a smaller stacked sensor, similar to Z8 and still with 20 Mpixel): https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-z50ii-initial-review#II

 

Depending on how good the AF works UW, it may be a good camera for UW. I am not sure, but  I believe that the old Nikon 8-15mm fisheye and the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye (Nikon version) are not usable on the Z mount, but as far as I know, one can use the Canon EF version of Tokina and the Canon 8-15mm via adapters on Z-mount (plus all Z mount lenses and also the old Nikon lenses that work via adapter)...

 

Maybe worth a consideration?

 

 

Wolfgang

[Chris Ross]

14 hours ago, Architeuthis said:

I am not in the Nikon system, so others have a better overview - but I just see that Nikon came out with a new APS-C model (unfortunately not with a smaller stacked sensor, similar to Z8 and still with 20 Mpixel): https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-z50ii-initial-review#II

 

Depending on how good the AF works UW, it may be a good camera for UW. I am not sure, but  I believe that the old Nikon 8-15mm fisheye and the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye (Nikon version) are not usable on the Z mount, but as far as I know, one can use the Canon EF version of Tokina and the Canon 8-15mm via adapters on Z-mount (plus all Z mount lenses and also the old Nikon lenses that work via adapter)...

 

Maybe worth a consideration?

 

 

Wolfgang

The Tokina can't be used as it's screw drive lens, but I believe the 8-15 is fine and AFs well on the FTZ adapter.  Might be the old 16mm fisheye, that is also screw drive you are thinking of that doesn't work on Z cameras.

[TimG]

Yep, the Nikkor 8-15 works perfectly on a Z mount body via the FTZ. I use the lens a lot weirdly for topside shots. 

[Antoine de Brisbane]

Hi,

 

So I decided for a Nikon z6iii in Nautical housing with a WWL-C and keeping the AFS 105mm for macro.

I'll consider a fisheye at a later time.

 

Main factors Vs Sony: keep all my topside lenses and 15 years of using Nikon's

 

Main factors Vs Z8: weight (~900g less for underwater use and smaller camera for travel and hiking) + cost (~1500 EUR)

 

Thank you for your help.

Will report back in a few months!

 

Happy diving to all 🙂

[TimG]

Yeah, please do report back, Antoine. Good luck with the new gear.