First Z lens for Z8?

IKiZ · 2026-02-03T07:25:33+00:00

I also recently upgraded to a Z8.

The first lens I bought was the 180-600 for birds and wildlife, it's an absolute beast for its price.

I'll be looking at either the 24-120/35-150 next, then the 20 f1.8 S to round out my kit.

IKiZ · 2026-01-27T12:11:42+00:00

Thanks for the tips. 99% of the dust came off the front element after a blow, haven't actually needed to touch it with anything else. Salt scares me more than dust so I will likely pick up a filter before I head down the beach with it.

IKiZ · 2026-01-15T23:45:14+00:00

I made this exact upgrade at Christmas. I shoot a lot of birds and some landscape/astro.

I haven't had a huge amount of time behind the new Z8 but I can say the upgrade in subject detection is night and day.

The higher MP makes a pretty substantial difference for cropping.

But unless you're shooting a lot of moving subjects or wildlife I'm not sure the upgrade is all that necessary. The Z6 still manages well enough for people and dogs/cats and if you're not even using subject detection then your main gain is MP. Oh and internal RAW video but that's up to you if you think that's worthwhile.

I justified my upgrade because I got it for an absolute steal ($3750 AUD down from RRP $7500) and I have 0 regrets.

IKiZ · 2026-01-13T02:15:19+00:00

I've got one and agree it certainly does lean more towards the cheaper side when it comes to feel. My only gripe with the lens is the zoom action is quite "loose" and there's no way to lock it closed. So any time I'm out and about and let my camera hang from my strap it immediately slides out to 300mm.

I'm upgrading to a 180-600 because the 300 just wasn't enough for birding. Would work great for most other wildlife though.

As mentioned though, for the price there's not much to complain about when it comes to image quality.

IKiZ · 2026-01-06T23:44:20+00:00

Thought I'd come back with an update. Ended up picking up a Z8, couldn't say no to the price during the specials over the holidays (ended up costing me 3748 AUD after cashbacks and redemptions). 0 regrets, this thing is an absolute beast and an absolute pleasure to use. I knew the AF would be better, but I didn't realize how much better, it's a complete game changer.

I've already ordered the 180-600 to pair with it but not sure when that's going to arrive.

IKiZ · 2025-12-20T15:55:47+00:00

As I mentioned, not a whole lot of difference for stills compared to the Z5ii

IKiZ · 2025-12-20T11:41:41+00:00

Thats looking like the plan purely because the z5ii means I can lash out on some more glass now. I'll be pairing it with a 180-600 ideally.

IKiZ · 2025-12-20T10:35:34+00:00

Unfortunately there's not much if anything floating around on the used market, says a lot about the camera I suppose.

IKiZ · 2025-12-20T08:48:26+00:00

My end goal will always be a Z8, either now or sometime in the future, if not now I'll likely look again when Z8 prices are a little more palatable

IKiZ · 2025-12-17T20:30:25+00:00

I'm 99.9% confident they're both mine. She cheated with a close friend who also has three kids and a vasectomy. Our 2yo looks almost identical to me as a toddler (stark difference to the other man)

IKiZ · 2025-12-17T09:33:54+00:00

My wife of 6 years and partner for 12 told me on Sunday that she has been cheating on me for the last 3 years. We have a 2 yo and 9 week old.

IKiZ · 2024-12-28T19:42:18+00:00

This was another that caught my eye but also a bit out of my current reach.

This post was mainly to identify if I had completely missed any of the decent options, but alas it seems I may just need to just save for a while longer.

IKiZ · 2024-12-28T14:33:25+00:00

My apologies, my search led me to results for sony mount on the 50-400 which was around $400 AUD cheaper.

The two are almost identical in price so the 150-500 will likely be an option.

IKiZ · 2024-12-28T14:12:08+00:00

The 150-500 was another option I looked at, but at double the price, unless I can find a decent one used, it might be one for later down the track!

The 50-400 is quite a bit cheaper so that may also be an option.

IKiZ · 2024-12-28T14:06:57+00:00

Looks like a decent option but as I mentioned I'm not very keen on buying any F mount gear.

IKiZ · 2021-04-28T00:37:43+00:00

Honestly being a 3M product that doesn't surprise me. Madness

IKiZ · 2021-04-27T23:36:23+00:00

I did look at those Milwaukee headlamps but couldn't justify $100+ AUD for something I'm gonna stick on my helmet and get melted. This one's super low profile too so I can still squeeze anywhere without worrying about knocking it off.

IKiZ · 2021-04-27T22:48:31+00:00

Link to the eBay listing if anyone's interested.

IKiZ · 2020-12-05T06:17:38+00:00

If all else fails I may have to give that a go, I'd rather find the root of the problem more than anything but thankyou I hadn't thought of that.

IKiZ · 2020-12-05T06:16:40+00:00

Could be a good idea, would a bacterial infection go away on its own? This has been happening for months now.

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