Approaching The Scene 310: Nikon Z6III Pros, Cons, Accessories & Setup Videos

(SETUP LINKS BELOW): CORRECTION! USER MODE EXPOSURE SETTINGS ARE NOT STICKY (Sadly, if turned off for 10 seconds or more, the exposure settings frustratingly revert to saved settings.) This week, I share my thoughts — pro and con — after spending time using and testing Nikon’s new Z6 III. I’ll also share some key accessories for the new body, and discuss for whom I see this camera being the right choice.

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Thanks to everyone for the great questions you are sending in. Keep them coming either in the comments below or by emailing me directly. I hope to see you in the next Office Hours session.

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LINKED TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 Intro to ATS 3010
00:45 My Z6III setup videos 1 & 2 are up on YT
01:48 What I love about the Z6III
09:09 What I wish was different about the Z6III
13:54 Who is this camera for?

[EugeneMaynard]

My Z9 loves having a baby sister in the Z6III ! They complement each other perfectly for my Nikon needs!👍🏾🙏🏾 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇸🇪🇹🇹

[woollieman]

Thank you very much Hudson. As I mentioned in a comment on your initial Z6III first look, I was waiting for your fuller assessment before making my decision. Having now watched this presentation I have placed an order for a Z6III. Now I will watch your setup presentations. Keep up the excellent work that you do for all of us photographers, whether amateur or professional. Content like yours is invaluable when deciding how to spend what can be large sums of money and wanting to make the right decision.

[ronaldpollard]

Your Attention to informed detail is truly appreciated!! Thank You for sharing!!!

[garythebadger]

I LOVE the flippy screen!! I shoot lots of portrait mode live view, so now I finally can upgrade from my 12-year-old D5100 to the Z6III! Thank you Nikon!

[philmastman]

I've had mine for a week. Transitioning from a D800, there's a lot to absorb. So far, I'm very impressed with it. Answering your question about who this camera is for, I would also include advanced amateur photographers and looking for a very versatile, capable, lighter-weight camera for nearly all types of work, who don't require mega-megapixels and 8k video.

[hanns]

Z6 III is my intro into Nikon from an APS-C Fuji. I could have spent $1000 more on a Z8, but I really value low-light performance and the Z6 III offers what I need (and a lot more) in a smaller, lighter, and cheaper package. I spent the difference on a 24-120 f/4 S lens. Not gonna lie though - I wouldn't say not to more resolution! It was a tough choice.

[jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

I was a D600 shooter since 2012 and got a Z5 in 2021. Love the Nikon mirrorless system (also with F-Mount lenses on FTZ). The Z6 III is a great addition to the Nikon lineup. If i had the money i would buy it but the Z5 serves me well as i don't do much action shooting. Love this body size.

[PilotJimL]

I sold my Z 8 and got the Z 6III, and I am happier. I prefer user presets vs. banks that are not connected. I put away some money for a Z 50II.

[Jazzshots]

Hudson... always great details and positive arguments for and against...Clear and precise... I'm looking forward to your setup vids...

[JimVajda]

Looking forward to your comparison to the Zf, especially low-light. I have the Zf but the ergonomics aren't great with the 24-120 lens I use the most, even with a grip.

[panino.c]

I switched from the z6ii to the zf. I could not justify the additional cost and the zf makes me happy 😂

[michaelstewart]

Many thanks for your honest and reliable insights, Hudson!

[judgesteve]

Very interesting video - Thank You! This is the first of yours I've watched... going to the setup ones next. I'm coming from a D7500 (just bought last year after many years with D3400)... never did much setup to D7500 so trying to doing things right on Z6iii by reading manual etc. Being 70, the single best thing about the Z6iii is the ViewFinder clarity. The second is the power of the spot focus, probably combined with the subject detection. I am staggered by the price of this camera and its lenses, but on the other hand the FTZII is wonderful (my D7500 lenses are 50/50 DX and FX) so that is turning out very handy!! You may already have a video on Milky Way and other astrophotography but would love one specific to taking full advantage of the Z6iii (short-term my lens for that will be the AF-S 14-24F). Thanks! I've subscribed so looking forward to learning much more from you.

[caleidoo]

Using two Z6II's since they came out, renting a Z8 or Z9 when needed and now buying the Z6III... the thing I miss the most in the Z6III - apart from the Meike finger grip I have on my Z6II - is a way to instantly - like the press of a button - switch to 3D tracking WITHOUT sticking to faces and eyes. On Z8/Z9 you have a couple of ways to do this, one of them being "Recall shooting function". On the Z6III you have to use User Settings (U1, U2...) - thus loosing the rest of that function. Or assign a button to dive into the menu and switch off subject detection. Both are 100x more elaborate than just assigning AF-ON to 3D tracking without the box being drawn to a face if it comes near. That and the slight increase in noise and loss of DR over the Z6II - I was hoping for an improvement, not a status quo or slight step back in image quality (but rarely noticeable in real life).... but I guess it's the trade off of having a (partially) stacked sensor and we already hit the limit of noise in 24MP sensors. AF is great, of course. It's the camera Nikon should have launched 5 years ago... Oh I and not a fan of the flip screen. It makes me feel I'm using a 1996 home camcorder: it's weird I need to look next to the camera instead of at the camera. But I'll get used to it I guess.

[lynelljansen]

My very first Nikon was the D5000 I loved it for the flippy screen. I still have it! along with a few other Nikons 😂
Those other screens that halfway pull out, I always thought, "What good is this.
I have the Z6ii. but seriously thinking of upgrading for the convenience of the screen alone.

[jrarsenault]

Love your videos - granular, easy to understand insights. Got the Zf, not feeling guilty about holding out for the Z6iii. Hoping they bake in some presets with firmware upgrades, as you said the earlier Nikons' preset modes unusable due to reset on off. So not a reason to wait, hoping the improved presets in my future updates.

[carljarvinen]

Thanks for all your help with the new Z6iii. Looking forward to reviewing your setup guidelines. I have had mine now for a week and loving it, much improved over my Z6ii, which I may convert to infra red.

[lukakoprivica]

Love the pinpointing small changes, those that make using the cameras pleasure or annoyance, like remembering changes to user modes. Love the meticulous approach to review! Thanks!
Just, tell me what you cannot do with Z8 & 9's LCD? When you do vertical photo above you, you CANNOT hold it for grip too high, roll the camera over ;)
And believe me, that twisty is far more prone to braking than hinged Z8's... but, enjoy it!

[chuckcurry]

I'm with you when it comes to being able to flip the back screen. I had it on a Pentax and have really missed it when I went to Nikon.

[jakilahmoulien]

is the noise performance and shadow detail better than the nikon D-series APS-C sensors? If you have a D750 or D7500 can u do a dynamic range comparison with those and the z6iii please?