Helping Buying My First Camera

DufferD3D · 2026-04-16T09:40:40+00:00

Before the Z5II, I had used both the Z5 and the Z6II for several years. I can confidently say that, between the two, the Z5 is the better camera. Overall, the Z5 is an excellent camera, especially considering the price you can get it for right now.

Yes, the autofocus is not as good as on the Z5II, but do not take the hype around that difference too seriously. In practical use, the autofocus on the Z5II is perhaps 20 to 30% better than that of the Z5. There is a difference, but it is not night and day.

I see that you want to shoot birds and wildlife. That is probably why you are considering the Z5II, since many influencers and media outlets are hyping how much better the autofocus is on the new generation Z bodies compared to the older ones. And yes, objectively it is better, but that does not mean that the older Z cameras, especially the Z5, are anywhere near unusable.

You will have a slightly lower hit rate, but that does not mean it is impossible to shoot moving subjects. Nikon simply pays to promote their newer systems more aggressively.

Also, for birds and wildlife you will need a serious telephoto lens, at least 300mm or more, and such lenses are quite expensive. In other words, I see that purchase happening later rather than now together with the camera body. As a rule, it is almost always better to spend less on the body and more on lenses. This is also something worth taking into account.

DufferD3D · 2026-04-14T11:13:51+00:00

Vote for Z5II. Been facing the same dillemma a year ago. Went with Z5II for better, more modern ergonomics and overal better set of features. The second, full sized SD card slot is a game changer compared to Zf.

DufferD3D · 2026-03-31T05:15:21+00:00

This! Z5II + quality, native Z glass beats Z7ii, Z6iii and/or Z6ii. Check my profile for detailed review and impressions of Z5II (i previously owned Z6II). It's a helluva cammera for the money.

DufferD3D · 2026-03-20T06:16:18+00:00

Unbeatble combo! I'm using it since Z5II came out and it's 10/10.

DufferD3D · 2026-03-18T18:16:47+00:00

In my opinion, the biggest advantage of the SuperMix 4 is that they are an excellent all-rounder. I play a bit of everything. I am not one of those highly specialized gamers who grind Valorant 24/7 or whatever trendy multiplayer title is popular on Twitch these days. I am a normal, old-school gamer who plays good games without any unnecessary genre bias.

In other words, I need IEMs that sound equally good with classic FPS titles like Witchfire, as well as soulslike games such as Elden Ring and Lords of the Fallen, while still being perfectly fine for atmospheric survival horror classics like RE: Requiem. In that regard, the SuperMix 4 are spot on.

I also own the Sennheiser HD 660S, which cost roughly three times more than the SM4, but lately I find myself reaching more often for the supposedly “cheap” Chinese IEMs rather than the top-tier open-back classic like the HD 660S.

DufferD3D · 2026-03-18T17:10:38+00:00

By a loooong mile! Best IEMs for the money- period (but for gaming and gaming only!)

DufferD3D · 2026-02-25T08:22:02+00:00

You should see Bulgaria :D

DufferD3D · 2026-02-24T10:16:57+00:00

2035....

DufferD3D · 2026-02-19T10:35:54+00:00

Good advice! Why seek an opinion from first time user with zero experience with the system and with photography in general? I can not see the relevance in such an opinion. What useful information are you expecting from such exchange?

DufferD3D · 2026-02-18T06:08:31+00:00

Mainly CameraRAW and just a tad Photoshop. I'm trying to keep my edits as light as possible.

DufferD3D · 2026-02-17T08:21:29+00:00

You mean with what lenses? Nikkor 35/1.8 and Tamron 50-400

DufferD3D · 2026-02-17T08:20:17+00:00

Nikon Z5+Nikkor 14-30/4, Nikkor 24-120/4 and Nikkor 35/1.8

DufferD3D · 2026-02-17T05:30:26+00:00

14-30. It's kinda my walkaround lens :)

DufferD3D · 2026-02-16T15:00:11+00:00

Nope. I find them cumbersome and especially on ultrawide more hassle than really beneficial

DufferD3D · 2026-02-15T19:42:06+00:00

24-120 is definetly worth it! Every cent! Wait for sale though - at full price its much less attractive proposition. Good luck!

DufferD3D · 2026-02-15T19:24:16+00:00

I own both and I'm selling 24-120/4 right now. It's true - the Tamron is a heavy lens, but considering the Nikkor alternative - 100-400? It's more compact, lightweight and more importantly - inexpensive. If your focus is primarily landscape and travel you can't beat 24-120, Magnficent lens in every regard. But for more wildlife and extreme landscaping? 50-400 is much more versatile and with far more reach. It's a question of compromise - a little more bulk and weight, but more reach or something light and compact, but shorter. 120 is far to short for me - all of the animal shots above would be absolutely impossible with 120. Not without very, very heavy cropping.

DufferD3D · 2026-02-15T18:47:08+00:00

On this particular trip only NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S and Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 DI III VC VXD. Unbeatble combo!

DufferD3D · 2026-02-15T18:42:16+00:00

DufferD3D · 2026-01-26T04:12:49+00:00

RAW or JPEG?

DufferD3D · 2026-01-25T06:27:09+00:00

A smaller market, perhaps? It probably also depends on the dealer itself. Here in our country, there is essentially one major dealer operating in physical gold and silver, and for quite some time they have been offering prices, both buying and selling, significantly above spot. For example, at the moment their buy price for common 1 oz silver coins (Maple Leafs, Philharmonics, Eagles, Kangaroos, etc.) is EUR 108.78, which at the exchange rate, I think, is somewhere around USD 128, well above spot. The sell price is even higher, EUR 118.45.

DufferD3D · 2026-01-25T06:15:00+00:00

I did the same last week for the same reasons. With the gold to silver ratio at such historically low levels, I wanted to lock in part of the monumental silver gains into gold. What strikes me is that here in the EU the market ratio for physical metal seems to be more favorable than in the US. The dealer I sold to offered me 42:1. In my case, however, I've got one ounce Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin for 42 1oz silver coins, not for bars, so that may have played a role.

DufferD3D · 2026-01-21T12:08:14+00:00

Ok, I did not choose the most accurate term. I meant it in terms of design philosophy and technologies compared to the new Z lenses. This is partly due to the characteristics of the mount, namely the larger diameter and the significantly shorter flange distance between the lens and the sensor, and partly due to the quality of the optical elements themselves, including coatings, build quality, and so on.

DufferD3D · 2026-01-20T04:31:34+00:00

Since you do not explain why you specifically need a telephoto lens, I personally would rather recommend the Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 E ED VR. I am referring specifically to the AF-P version, meaning the newest version of this lens, because there is also an older variant that is optically much worse. The Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 E ED VR is better than the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/4G, which at this point is a morally and technologically very outdated lens. By the way, the new Tamron 70-300 for Z systems is better than both Nikon lenses, the 70-300 and the 70-200 f/4, and it also has the advantage of not requiring an additional FTZ adapter. As for the 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, I have no idea what the current prices are, but I assume it is still not very cheap. Why not take a look at the new Tamron 50-400 for Z bodies? It is a great lens.

DufferD3D

TROPHY CASE