Christian K

As UW photographers, we shoot a whole system. And we shoot in water. Singeling out one part like the sensor, a lens, the camera model, port/dome, etc will not always be productive. I think this episode of the UWP show gives some perspective and food for thought. Many images shot with equipment way inferior to what we have today. My fav of the lot is shot on a 12 mp aps-c sensor, noisy as hell. It’s fun to measurbate, but it won’t produce anything. YMMV.

Ok, over here the Sony is roughly twice the price of a z5ii. Not really on top of the Sony line-up. They might or might not have something similar to the z5ii?

The z5ii must be quite a bit cheaper (and a little smaller?) than the Sony. And I wouldn’t pitch those two at each other. The Nikon z5ii is foremost a still photography tool. The Sony is a hybrid, more similar to z6iii in the Nikon line-up. If video is something you might want to do, they make more sense inmo. If stills is what you want to work with, you might be spending on features that has no value to you.

This is what i found out when researching to use the z 24 f1.8S prime with the wwl-c. Front element apparently ”too big”. But haven’t seen anyone test it.

Welcome! Lived in TC for a couple of years. Love MN.

You’d have to move down from the super heavyweight class to middle weight 🙂 Unfortunately DX does not have any great options atm in the z-series for UW inmo. The new z5ii is however inmo a very interesting FF alternative unless you think you must have 45 mp instead of 25. With the new Nauticam design that thing is seriously small. I’d be surprised if it doesn’t challenge the M4/3 Olympus in a Nauticam for weight and petiteness.

There’s a Sony ”screw-on” fisheye that one attach to a 28/f2 mm prime, I saw in the latest UWP show. Turns it into a 16 mm FE lens.

D850 is when IQ peaked and it had already surpassed what’s usable, unless you shoot for lab tests, inmo. As @TimG I’m also a Nikon shooter DSLR since old. Downsizing was the big advantage for me when I went mirrorless. The electronic viewfinders on new mirrorless can be very good (not all) as well as the AF. So if you’re not bothered by size and weight (travel?) or buying 2:nd hand, there should be super deals on eg Nauticam or Subal 850 housings.

Long time HW user. Great little boards.

Any Nikon ff z-shooters that have tried it and can share experiences?

The 7 kg limit is not uncommon, 8 kg more so on most international airlines unless you travel business. So one has to check things, depend on luck or pay up. . Nauticam housing, Z6iii+battery+charger, z240x2, macroport, z24-50, extension, cables in pelican 1485 air (2.4 kgs).

Ok, so even more surprising size comparison. I’ll stop here or people think I’m some kind of Nikon rep… but just think it is worth looking into the z5ii.

As a comparison with z24-50 and IDK about olympus but a 9-18!? Would that be what you’d use with wet optics?

What’s very specific for the z5ii is the ability to use the z24-50 and the wwl-c. It is a very petite set-up that kind of throw the conventional wisdoms on FF out the window inme. The wwl-c was developed for 24 mm focal lengths according to Nauticam, not necessarily compact cameras and not for any sensortype. The wwl 1 for 28. IQ should be the same if set up correctly. But I haven’t used Sony or Canon and not the wwl 1. I suggest asking @MatthewSullivan if he can see any IQ variations between the two wwl:s, as I believe he has used both of them. It will be a little more expensive. It will be some more weight and bulk (lenses as TimG point out, how many will you need for a trip?) of course. But surprisingly little for the basic set-up, and the z5ii brings some heavy weight abilities into a lightweight fight. Worth considering inmo. YMMV.

Kiitos. That looks very promising. Are you on your way to diving? Would like to hear your impressions comparing it to the Inons (and Scubalamps too, but more the Inons). Is it the lithium-battery version or AA? As a many (too many?) year Inon-user, I am already totally Lost in Translation 🤣 Cheers

Yes. A flashtrigger and strobes that does HSS. Turtle, UW Technics… depending on strobes. I have shot with old strobes that don’t do HSS and another z-model doing max 1/200, in bright tropical waters and haven’t felt that limited by it, tbh. But will upgrade it eventually, to increase flexibility. EDIT. WWL-c and 24-50 does not need to be shot at super small apertures, it’s sharp all across and acceptable already at 5.6 or 6.3 and up, is nice with some added DoF in image. F8 and 1/125 my starting point. *Have dived and shot plenty in the Red Sea and wouldn’t worry. Matt tested it in GC which is super bright so a good comparison point.

Not necessarily. Z6iii is bigger and I went that route with Nauticam and actually downsized from Nikon DX xxx:s in Hugyfot, which is a very tight housing. Then you have the wwl-c and 24-50, which is petit and covers a lot of WA and CFWA. So old rules do not always apply (hate it when it happens). The z5ii is even smaller, so is the Nauticam Z5ii housing. It ain’t cheap though, that’s for sure. But not crazy steep either. Would be very interesting to see it with the wwl-c next to a OLY Nauticam with the same or a smallish dome. EDIT If you haven’t already, watch Alex and Matt Sullivans reaction to z5ii+Nauticam in the UWP-Show posted earlier. Size was brought up.

In general regarding IQ, yes it has peaked already in the DSLR days inmo. DR, noise levels, MP:s has been more than anyone need to create stunning images for all types of usage for some time back (actually did an outdoor poster ad 115x185 cm) out of a 12 mp D2x file some 20 years ago). Now it’s speed and smart power usage, physical size, file sizes and probably a couple more that can see real usable improvements. YMMV. Then there will always be measurebators of course that will tell you different…

I am looking into this combo too, would you say it ”transforms” the 105 to a 60, roughly? Great idea with face of your buddy (?j in the background.

Matt and Alex are on here from time to time. Perhaps they can help if you have detailed questions about shooting that particular (z5ii+Nauticam) set-up. It will be a 7000-8000ish US$ investment which is money, but not a lot in the UW photo business tbh. But I heard mines are doing well down under 😁

What can you say about size and weight? Small, light and travel friendly compared to other strobes you’ve had/encountered?

45 degree viewfinder could be an alternative. Inmo the EVF:s in the new mirrorless cameras is a huge wow! Let’s pray for your stocks to sky rocket 🙏🏻

They are working, yes. And what you don’t know you don’t know. But I want HSS—that I know. A bit more light, sure, but not if it costs me too much size and weight. Have 0 issues with dropping AA:s. Video light nice to have, but again not if it means too much extra weight and size compared to my z240:s. So…

Roughly about sensors, the bigger they are and the lesser the MP count is, you get cleaner (less noise) files in higher ISO:s. And the bigger sensor, the more dynamic range. As a rule of thumb. So for bigger lowlight scenes where you'd might want to bump your ISO up, a bigger sensor will deliver cleaner images. I would also, if I were you coming from the SLR days, pay some attention to autofocus performance, especially if you go mirrorless. Even some newer models lack a little and you'd might experience them as sluggish. Go to a camera store or some photo fair and try. Read tests and get a sense for how they stack up. Good luck. And it is expensive, but you already knew that.

Another dinosaur here still using z240:s--they just keep on pumping. Might be replacing them this fall before I head to Indonesia, but they work and I know how to use them. Perhaps Inon again... if they release the z360 anytime soon. But won't shy away from other choices either. I like that they give plenty of light for their very little size. Have the infrastructure for AA:s already, so that could be steering me towards Inon or Retra, but not a deal breaker. Already have standard 21700 lithiums in a few lights too so... could easily restructure for that too. Don't care for TTL. Must have HSS capability in the next ones. Then--travel friendly. Can do a little bit bigger than z240:s but not a lot. And not a lot heavier either. Hybrid nice to have. Not a must.