New Camera Shopping for Watch photography & Videography

[Gregorylausch]

Amongst watch collecting, I also love photography and videography.

I am now on the market to seriously upgrade my game and as of now, the serious contender under my radar is the Nikon Z9.

I intend to use the camera mainly to shoot and film watches, hence I’d like to gather some of the experts or passionate folks in this field as to what you’d recommend and why and if the Nikon Z9 would be a great camera for that purpose.

Would also be open to some recommendations on what lenses are best from macro to regular photo/video.

Thanks

[Maleg]

Not an expert, but have a passion for photography.

I upgraded to full frame this year. I shot a D500 for years and went mirrorless with the Z8. It has everything I wanted in the Z9, but in a size more compatible with my use. The Z8 was a tad cheaper, but not enough to be a deal breaker if I wanted the extra features the Z9 offers. The suite of available glass is the same for both bodies.

For macro photography it’s all about a solid tripod and quality lighting IMO. Not too much money gets you some fairly high quality lighting.

Jocke has some amazing watch photo’s here. You might want to PM him for starter kit advice.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by Maleg

For macro photography it’s all about a solid tripod and quality lighting IMO. Not too much money gets you some fairly high quality lighting.

Agreed.

I bought a Zf a year or two ago, but although it's a great camera, I just don't like mirrorless. Call me old fashioned.

Everything I read about the Z9 is positive though, especially for video (which I don't do) so that's probably a good choice.

It's really all about the glass though. The body, the sensor, that's all secondary. Good lenses make or break the image. I find that a 105mm is just about perfect for macro.

I built a lightbox from an old cardboard box and some parchment paper. Seriously. I get a bit of yellow from the parchment, but that's adjustable with the WB.

[JasoninDenver]

Figure out what focal length you want to shoot at and then look to see which lenses excel in that range. Many brands now have step down cameras that are meant for vlogging with much simpler video menus and features. This is not my ballgame, but I understand overheating can be the primary issue with many non-video centric models - at least as recently as two years ago when i last bought a body.

FWIW, I bought Sony for the lens selection, especially 3rd party options.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by m j b

Agreed.

I bought a Zf a year or two ago, but although it's a great camera, I just don't like mirrorless. Call me old fashioned.

Everything I read about the Z9 is positive though, especially for video (which I don't do) so that's probably a good choice.

It's really all about the glass though. The body, the sensor, that's all secondary. Good lenses make or break the image. I find that a 105mm is just about perfect for macro.

I built a lightbox from an old cardboard box and some parchment paper. Seriously. I get a bit of yellow from the parchment, but that's adjustable with the WB.

My lightbox is a microwave oven box with butcher block paper.

For the OP. I stuck with Nikon glass. The 14-24 f2.8 s is the flattest WA zoom I’ve ever owned. The 24-70 f2.8 s is an amazing lens that gets the most out the sensor (the one must have in my bag). I use the 20mm f1.8 s for astrophotography and the 105 f2.8 VR S for macro.

If you’re into wildlife or sports photography a buddy swears by the 70-200 f2.8 s.

I have a Really Right Stuff ascend tripod with a ball head that works for pretty much everything I do.

[brandrea]

I once knew a guy who said Leica was the only way to go

[austinp]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I once knew a guy who said Leica was the only way to go

Yea but he never unboxed them so how would he know?


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[Gregorylausch]

Thanks for the input guys, I’ll continue my research!

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by austinp

Yea but he never unboxed them so how would he know?


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And back-ups to the back-ups were a “must have”.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Maleg

My lightbox is a microwave oven box with butcher block paper.

I like the cooler, flatter light in the refrigerator...

I tried the freezer but my ice cream kept melting while I set up the shot.

Just kidding of course -


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[scarlet knight]

You cannot go wrong with Nikon, Canon or Sony. I use Sony. I think they are in front of the race in technology and have the best lens selection.

The Z9 is high on the food chain for a newbie. More entry level cameras will do just as well for thousands less. Use the savings on a watch!

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

You cannot go wrong with Nikon, Canon or Sony. I use Sony. I think they are in front of the race in technology and have the best lens selection.

The Z9 is high on the food chain for a newbie. More entry level cameras will do just as well for thousands less. Use the savings on a watch!

I was thinking the same thing. That’s getting close to new watch money. I just bought a Leica V Lux 5, which is a bridge camera, with a lot of nice features and a very high quality lens. Check it out. Cost is 1/4 of what you’re thinking of buying.

Kat


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[Maleg]

Originally Posted by 77T

I like the cooler, flatter light in the refrigerator...

I tried the freezer but my ice cream kept melting while I set up the shot.

Just kidding of course -


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Funny. You had me for a moment.

I started out with a small engine crate. A few splinters later I switched to the cardboard box. The box also folds up easily and stores neatly in the closet when not in use.

[77T]

Yeah - I was just playing around with the appliance concept.

Now that you said cardboard, I think you meant a microwave oven box?

I thought you meant the microwave itself! Missed the "box" part the first time.

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[Maleg]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

I was thinking the same thing. That’s getting close to new watch money. I just bought a Leica V Lux 5, which is a bridge camera, with a lot of nice features and a very high quality lens. Check it out. Cost is 1/4 of what you’re thinking of buying.

Kat


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A lot of people give this advice, but for people bitten by the bug it will end up costing more working your way up the price ladder than buying what you really need in the first place.

The rule of thumb is to buy the best sensor/processor you can afford. Pair that with the best glass you can afford. A D9 and a couple good lenses will be less than a Sub if you shop around. And will be all the OP will need for many years to come. If the OP goes with the D8 the cost savings is a high quality tripod (expect to pay circa $1500 for a good tripod).

[77T]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

I was thinking the same thing. That’s getting close to new watch money. I just bought a Leica V Lux 5, which is a bridge camera, with a lot of nice features and a very high quality lens. Check it out. Cost is 1/4 of what you’re thinking of buying.

Kat


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That is a Lumix underneath the Leica skin that costs half as much. Not casting shade on the choice but a costly choice.

It's still a good option for the OP. Both have the Leica glass, but it's a Panasonic base that Leica replaces with its own block logo, just above the lens barrel, as well as its red dot icon, also visible on the front.




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[77T]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I once knew a guy who said Leica was the only way to go

Oh how I miss "some of" those threads.


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[Dilemma]

I've been a Canon shooter since film days so that'll be my recommendation I suppose. I'm currently shooting and R5 and R7.

Both do great video also although the 8K from the R5 difficult to manage. The files are YUGE.

This short clip was the R7. The still photo at the end was an iPhone shot.

https://youtu.be/OnP-NlxJpcQ?si=As50JO2PuzHyipGV

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by 77T

That is a Lumix underneath the Leica skin that costs half as much. Not casting shade on the choice but a costly choice.

It's still a good option for the OP. Both have the Leica glass, but it's a Panasonic base that Leica replaces with its own block logo, just above the lens barrel, as well as its red dot icon, also visible on the front.




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Lumix (S5ii) is where I’m headed with my next camera purchase. Best value and exceptional quality/performance in the $2-$4k price range.

Problem with the advice of “buy best you can afford” is that when someone can “afford” really high-end cameras, it leads to buying more than most will likely ever utilize. Just my opinion.

[77T]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Lumix is where I’m headed with my next camera purchase. Best value and exceptional quality/performance in the $2-$5k price range.

Problem with the advice of “buy best you can afford” is that when someone can “afford” really high-end cameras, it leads to buying more than most will likely ever utilize. Just my opinion.

Just for the avoidance of doubt, my advice was not to "buy best you can afford".

I believe you should ride the tech curve and only spend reasonably.

Thus the comment about going LUMIX vs Leica for same tech at half the price.

Spend the difference on professional education in shooting and post-production. That knowledge stays with you for life while the old chassis go into the ash heap.


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[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by 77T

Just for the avoidance of doubt, my advice was not to "buy best you can afford".

I believe you should ride the tech curve and only spend reasonably.

Thus the comment about going LUMIX vs Leica for same tech at half the price.

Spend the difference on professional education in shooting and post-production. That knowledge stays with you for life while the old chassis go into the ash heap.


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Definitely - that part wasn’t directed at your post. Nowhere in the quote - and I agree with everything you said.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Lumix (S5ii) is where I’m headed with my next camera purchase. Best value and exceptional quality/performance in the $2-$4k price range.

Problem with the advice of “buy best you can afford” is that when someone can “afford” really high-end cameras, it leads to buying more than most will likely ever utilize. Just my opinion.

Quick follow-up. Just purchased an S5IIX and a few lenses. Ticks all the boxes for me. Will report back once I put it through the rounds.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Lumix (S5ii) is where I’m headed with my next camera purchase. Best value and exceptional quality/performance in the $2-$4k price range.

Problem with the advice of “buy best you can afford” is that when someone can “afford” really high-end cameras, it leads to buying more than most will likely ever utilize. Just my opinion.

Digital cameras are a technology purchase. Buying the best technology you can afford gets equipment that will be relevant for a long time.

Think about it. Does anyone say “don’t buy that iphone, it’s too much phone for you. It has features you’ll never use. Get the flip phone instead.”

Resale on the Z9 and S lenses is pretty good. If the OP wants to walk away, the loss isn’t much different than flipping a watch. But, if the OP pursues photography, the Z9 will be an exceptional camera for many years to come.

[Zartan]

Just got a Leica Q3, sold off a bunch of gear it replaces. It is a 60mp, f1.7 fixed lens, 8k video, macro, tilt touchscreen….all in one compact beautiful body. I’m very pleased. Ive owned a lot of different cameras over the years.
It’s a one n done camera

[scarlet knight]

Originally Posted by Maleg

Digital cameras are a technology purchase. Buying the best technology you can afford gets equipment that will be relevant for a long time.

Think about it. Does anyone say “don’t buy that iphone, it’s too much phone for you. It has features you’ll never use. Get the flip phone instead.”

Resale on the Z9 and S lenses is pretty good. If the OP wants to walk away, the loss isn’t much different than flipping a watch. But, if the OP pursues photography, the Z9 will be an exceptional camera for many years to come.

The technology goes fast in cameras. While you can still use a five year old camera, the new one does things that were unimaginable. Also, if you trade in gear to a store, you are getting a 50% haircut. I say buy what you need unless money is no object.

[Dr.Brian]

I’m going to go a different way and tell you to look at a Panasonic if you want a strong video camera. The GH6 and the G9ii are their current flagships, the H is more video centric and the 9 more stills. Yes, I know it’s a M4/3 sensor, but this isn’t the M4/3 of a decade ago, and they shoot professional video on 4/3 all the time. As a bonus because of physics the lenses are smaller and cheaper. I use an Olympus/OM System OM1 for travel photography for the size and weight benefit. The cost savings is a bonus though. ;)
Give the new offerings a look before you dismiss it as “not full frame, so no good”.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Lumix (S5ii) is where I’m headed with my next camera purchase. Best value and exceptional quality/performance in the $2-$4k price range.

Problem with the advice of “buy best you can afford” is that when someone can “afford” really high-end cameras, it leads to buying more than most will likely ever utilize. Just my opinion.

Exactly my thought. My iPhone 14 takes great shots, but I can certainly see the difference with the new Leica. I actually just got it, as my Birthday present to myself. All of my Nikon gear was stolen in a home invasion robbery last year. I’ve always loved photography, but this camera is enough for me.

Kat


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[enjoythemusic]

i'll take the other side of the debate. Get the new Hasselblad 907X 100c system and two or three of the best primes. May as well just go all in, plus Hasselblad is modular so easy to upgrade, or change up to old-school film.

Remember: Ilford B&W film is worth the effort :)

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I’m going to go a different way and tell you to look at a Panasonic if you want a strong video camera. The GH6 and the G9ii are their current flagships, the H is more video centric and the 9 more stills. Yes, I know it’s a M4/3 sensor, but this isn’t the M4/3 of a decade ago, and they shoot professional video on 4/3 all the time. As a bonus because of physics the lenses are smaller and cheaper. I use an Olympus/OM System OM1 for travel photography for the size and weight benefit. The cost savings is a bonus though. ;)
Give the new offerings a look before you dismiss it as “not full frame, so no good”.

These Panasonic cameras are fabulous. I would simply worry about the M4/3 format becoming obsolete in 2-3 hears time.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

The technology goes fast in cameras. While you can still use a five year old camera, the new one does things that were unimaginable. Also, if you trade in gear to a store, you are getting a 50% haircut. I say buy what you need unless money is no object.

Agree 100%.

Years ago, I read that about half of the people buying the high end cameras never take them off full auto.

If someone is not already shooting aperture or shutter priority, utilizing ISO, experimenting with various video formats, enlarging to the size of a billboard, or needing the fastest buffering cameras in the world, then I honestly believe that most of the mid-tier levels are more than adequate at sometimes less than half the price.

For me, I would rather spend my money on great lenses (okay, mid tier there as well) to match a good body. Currently, I use the Sony A7C with a mix of Sony G, Tamron and Samyang lenses. I get phenomenal results and have not once ever been limited by the onboard tech of the A7C as even it can do far more than I ever need.