The Z 8 is simply a great camera, hands down! The Z 9 is my primary camera but the Z 8 gets just as pounded in the field rounding out the kit, adding strength to the kit. One thing I love about the Z 8 is its smaller size, getting into places where the Z 9 simply can’t but of late, I’ve wanted a little more oomph. For example, when I set up the Z 8 to do a time lapse or long period of video, I need more battery time. Up in a plane on a photo mission, the Z 8 has the Z24-120 as a second body for some shots and I desire for surface to hold on to. The examples keep going on. I was thinking of buying another Z 9 to solve these problems but I didn’t need that extra “bulk” that often to justify the additional Z 9. Well, The MB-N12 (thanks Bedfords for getting it to me in a day!) solves the need perfectly while adding a great perk!
The MB-N12 holds two EN-EL15c batteries (the one in the Z 8 is removed) providing nearly 2x the battery power / battery life. They are in a tray that permits hot battery swamping (you can replace the dead battery and not shut down the camera). The really cool thing I think is the USBc charging. You can plug the MB-N12 in, without the Z 8 attached, and charge the two batteries at once! This means for me, leaving the Z 8 battery charger at home almost zeroing the weight and size increase in my luggage and always have the MB-N12 with me if I need it or not. The increase in battery life solves my needs perfectly. The extra “grip” along with the vertical firing button is perfect for my A2A photo missions and the best part is, I still have a small camera. When I don’t need that bulk, I just remove the MB-N12! It’s simply a beautiful duo, the Z 8 and MB-N12.
