Ever since posting the Platypod video (see below), I’ve had many ask if the Platypod is good for video filming? It is an essential tool for our video and projects like our Normandy Bound. We have four of them on site and at any given time at last two are in use with remote cameras. Typically the D850/18f2.8AF and D850/24-70VR are out rolling like you see here.
The beauty of the Platypod is we can place it in places we can’t comfortably stand. And quite often, Brent will have them stashed in locales I’m not aware of until I go to finish my images and then I see them tucked away here and there. And that’s the beauty of them. The folks we’re filming the majority of the time don’t see them either. The stability, portability, and flexibility of the Platypod simply makes our job that much easier!
At the Nikon Z7 launch, one of the sets they had created for folks to play with the preproduction Z7s was this mixologist. He was ~really~ good and it was obvious his job was not to serve drinks, but never hold still. It was a good test for testing some key features on the new Nikon Z7. I lucked out in having the amazing fellow Nikon Ambassadors Corey Rich and Chris Hershman who had already shot real world video with the Z7 with me to answer my questions. My first question was follow focus, locking on a subject and has it moved, the camera locking on to and holding that focus (yep, thinking critter and aircraft). Simply put, I was amazed! One of my personal issues with shooting video is holding focus. That’s because I wear reading glasses and in bright sun, it’s just painful for me. Not with the Z7! Better was the Z7‘s ability to pull/push focus. In the photo above, the arrows point to the to places I wanted to test focus. Simply touching the Z7‘s LCD where I wanted focus, it grabbed focus and would push or pull the focus to that point. But even better, there is a menu setting to change the speed of that push or pull +/-5 permitting slow or fast change. And it did all of these things while sliding on the slider! So for our video work, this is a huge game changer especially since I could do it!
It was an amazingly great, enlightening, fun day launching the new Nikon Z7. Amongst all the greatness around me, I was truly fortunate to be just a bystander and just watch and take it all in. I wish you could have all been there or at the very least, I could bottle up all the excitement in the room and send it to you. But you’ll understand soon enough when you experience the Nikon Z7. There were 30 Nikon Z7 kits in the room for the press and retailers to play with. Nikon had a number of shooting stations for them to shoot kind of real-world fun. Watching the faces of these folks who had been through the presentation and then reach into their camera bag to pull out the Nikon Z7 was priceless! My favorite was one who must have thought the Nikon Z7 was heavy because they gave quite a tug to get the camera out of the bag. It came FLYING out and their face not only communicated the surprise but fear the camera was going to go flying across the room! Thank goodness the Nikon Z7 has such a great grip!
As to these two photos. After folks were leaving and bodies became available, us Ambassadors started to grab them and play. Talk about kids in a candystore!!! That’s when it really got fun! First, learn the new options and maximize settings. Then we went shooting. Now I’m no portrait photographer but wanted to shoot with my beloved 105f1.4 and the FTZ (as so many of you were asking me) to compare with the Z24-70f4. Using the Pinpoint AF, CH Extended, ISO800 I shot first with both. The performance of both lenses on the Z7, AF, Sharpness or any other measure compared to a DSLR experience in every way. The operation of the 105 was the 105 even though on a mirrorless. But I’ve not seen my 105f1.4 perform so beautifully. I’ve had a ton of questions about shooting with the FTZ and after this an much more, I think the word “adapter” needs to be highly modified since it’s like no adapter you’ve ever used before! And it just continued the amazing journey that started earlier this week with the Nikon Z7, mirrorless and FUN reinvented!
If I was being truly honest with you, this blog post would be blank. That’s because the Z7 has left me … speechless!
In my years, I have seen a release or two of a new product. The Z7 (Z6 coming later) like no other has my creative mind spinning, and it hurts (Order yours now!)! Are you wondering what has my imagination on overdrive? How about you can instantly use over 380 of YOUR Nikkor lenses right off the bat with the Z7?! With the FTZ adapter (which is a ROCK!) you can use 90 of your Nikkor lenses just like you use them on your DLSR! Yep, full AF and AE operation right along with all the new features of the Z7. You have the gorgeous 14-24AFS and always wanted a VR version? Now you have it because the VR in the Z7 (5 stops) transforms your lens into VR. But I’m digressing here a bit.
The Z7 has 493 AF points, 90%, let me repeat, 90% coverage of the sensor. That’s true whether using one of the new spectacular Z Lenses (35f1.8, 50f1.8, 24-70f4) or the Nikkors in your bag. Let’s talk about the new lenses. Holly %&#(#)!!! At this point in time, there is no one word to describe the quality they deliver to the Z7 45MP sensor. All I can think of right now is, Brain Vision Sharpness, the sharpness we see with our eyes that we kinda take for granted but which we judge all other sharpness. Until YOU see the images on your computer monitor will you understand what I’m trying to say. There’s this really cool video that is so well done that explains the optical science, check it out.
Now, this AF system, is brilliant! The AF sensor when active is red, it turns green when that point is in focus. The AF is so fast, it keeps up with a moving subject with ease, still AND video! The Z7 has a new AF mode, Pinpoint that, well, until you see the camera can you truly grasp how bloody accurate it is. It’s not your dad’s autofocus folks!
Talk about grasping, it’s just like grabbing your DSLR! Big grip, thumb point, extended EVF permitting perfect hand-holding even while shooting video viewing THROUGH the EVF! It uses the D850 / D750 batteries and its own battery you can charge via USB. It even works with the iTTL wireless system (WR-10). It’s smaller and lighter than the D850 WHILE having the same type magnesium body AND weather proofing. And the menu system, you guessed it, it’s just a tick or two different from what you are used to. No learning curve. How sweet is that?!
And with all that I’ve written is, it barely scratches the surface of this gorgeous tool! The Z7 compliments your current DSLR system beautifully. It’s a tool that masters light, something Nikon does like no others.
I’ve been doing it for nearly thirty years, it’s just a habit that’s treated me well. I send my gear into Nikon for service once a year. I time the sending of my gear so I have in the locker what I need for the next few weeks. This means that about half goes in for clean, lube and adjustment every six months. This is not for repair, this is to clean six months of “work” off, tighten loose screws and just simply, well, a massage treatment for gear I depend on. Like I said, been doing this forever and in all those years, my gear has not let me down. In this case, I’m sending in just my main D5 body as it’s not been in for a year. Yikes!
A breeze came in and removed the smoke so I spent some time with Alvin Jr. Had some fun and rewarded with a photo I’ve long sought. Being a youngster, all his feathers are perfect making for a great stretch shot, with attitude!
