The last couple of years has seen an expansion in the full-frame mirrorless sector. All the major camera manufacturers have added new cameras and lenses to their line-ups. Like many professionals, I have, over the last 25 years, invested a lot into the F mount system having owned many of the pro bodies at some point that Nikon has released over the years. Mirrorless was specifically not on my radar as I have been more than happy with the D850s and the results I have been getting from it since its release in 2017. The announcement and release of the Nikon Z 7II gave me an opportunity to test the system and see if it would be an advantage and improve some aspects of the range of work I do especially macro which is one of my specialties. It would also give me an insight into the mirrorless world and sample the future of photography which is undoubtedly headed in that direction.
I have been using the Z 7II for a while on a wide range of subjects and I'm extremely impressed with the performance and the quality of the images I have gotten from it. Make no mistake this is an impressive and extremely capable camera and exceptionally good value considering its price. While I have read and heard various comments about it; most of them being excellent, however, there will always be those that want to take issue with some aspect. As you will see in a short time I have had the use of the camera I have tested where possible on a wide range of subjects. I have to use GPS in all of my work and the D850 is ideal for that but for the majority of photographers, this would not be essential. You can, of course, use SnapBridge and transfer the data, but this is a bit more time-consuming and I prefer to have GPS in at source. The Z 7II is not a replacement for the D850 as many photographers think. Nikon has been careful to ensure that the D850 has its independence from the Z 7II. The forthcoming release of their flagship model, the Z 9 is likely to set the bar even higher. I look forward to testing this camera which I feel will be the turning point for many photographers still holding on to DSLR technology. The current release of the Nikon Teasers has shown what awaits those who want to dip their toe into the future of photography. The Z 9 looks to be another D 3 moment for Nikon and then some. I think this camera will set the bar at a level that others will have to reach.
Below is a sample of images taken with the Nikon Z 7II using a range of F mount lenses and some Z glass ranging from 14mm through to 500mm.
Black Darter Sympetrum danae Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC VR S 105mm micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 and MagicBallVapourer Moth Orgyia antiqua Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mmVR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallNudaurelia macrothyris Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallRinaca lindia Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/8 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallCollared Parachute Marasmius rotula Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MaicBalll (the Big One)Common Silverweed Pontentilla anserina Nikon Z 7II, Novoflex BALPRO-1 Schneider 90mm APO Digitar macro at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallEmerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallGreen-veined White Pieris napi Nikon Z 7II, Nikon EL 50mm enlarging lens reversed on Novoflex BALPRO-1 bellows mounted on the Castel-Micro electronic focusing rail and the Castel XQ focusing rail at f/8 focus stacked magnification 2XCommon Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallEarly Thorn Selenia dentaria Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallBrimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallsnow Fungus Tremella fuciformis Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallWhite Rock Rose Cistus salviifolius Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm reversed on Novoflex BALPRO-1 bellows with Retro Reverse Adapter at f/11 focus stacked magnification 1:3XFour-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mM VR S micro nikkor at f/8 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallLarge Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor mounted on Novoflex BAL-F bellows with Retro Reverse Adapter, Castel-Micro Electronic focusing rail, mounted on XQ focusing rail at f/11 focus stacked magnification 2XRiver Shannagh Mourne Mountains County Down Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm at f/16 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallShimna River, Tollymore Forest, County Down Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm at f/16 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallWillowherb Hawk-moth Proserpinus proserpina Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallGreat Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 500mm at f/8 Novoflex PRO75 ClassicBall 5IIBee Orchid Ophrys apifera Nikon Z 7II, Nikon EL 50mm enlarging lens reversed on Novoflex BALPRO-1 bellows at f/16 Novoflex PRO75 and MagicBallBee Orchid Ophrys apifera Nikon Z 7II, Nikon EL 50mm enlarging lens reversed on Novoflex BALPRO-1 bellows at f/16 Novoflex PRO75 and MagicBall 2XBog Asphodel Narthecium ossifragum Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor on Novoflex BALPRO-1 bellows at f/11, Novoflex PRO75 MagicBall, focus stacked 2:5XBog Asphodel Narthecium ossifragum Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11, Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallNorthern Gannet Morus bassanus Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 500mm at f/5.6, Novoflex PRO75 ClassicBall 5IINorthern Gannet Morus bassanus Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 500mm at f/8, Novoflex PRO75 ClassicBall 5IINorthern Gannet Morus bassanus Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 500mm at f/5.6, Novoflex PRO75 ClassicBall 5IIFernsfly Dahlia Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallClouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallCitheronia regalis Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallAtlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 500mm at f/5.6, Novoflex PRO75 ClassicBall 5 IINorthwest Donegal Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 24-70mm at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 ClassicBall 5 IICommon Hawker Aeshna juncea Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z MC 105mm VR S micro nikkor at f/16 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallCommon Hawker Aeshna juncea Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 200mm micro nikkkor at f/8 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallNorthwest Donegal Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm at f/11, Novoflex PRO75 ClassicBall 5 II, PanoramicAtlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 500mm at f/8 handheldNorth Antrim Coast Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 24-70mm at f/11 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallBee Orchid Ophrys apifera Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 200mm micro nikkor at f/5.6 Novoflex PRO75 MagicBallCampanula persiciflolia Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm reversed on Novoflex BALPRO-1 bellows with Retro Reverse Adapter at f/11 focus stacked magnification 2XLisianthus species Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm reversed on Novoflex BALPRO-1 bellows with Retro Reverse Adapter at f/11 focus stacked magnification 2:5XHerb Robert Geranium robertianum Stamens only 2mm across Nikon Z 7II, Nikon EL 50mm enlarging lens reversed on Novoflex BALPRO-1 bellows mounted on the Castel-Micro electronic focusing rail and the Castel XQ focusing rail at f/8 focus stacked magnification 3:5X
Thompson FRPS FIPF award winning natural history photographer, author, freelance writer, conservationist and entomologist. Specialising in macro, travel, aerial and conventional landscapes nature & wildlife photography. Frequent contributor to the photographic press and other natural history publications. Photography seminars, lectures workshops. Specialist interest in insects especially butterflies, moths, saturniidae, dragonflies, seashore, plants, orchids., fungi and lichens.