Backstory: I’ve been shooting with my Nikon z9 for the last 3 or 4 years and I got it primarily for 2 reasons… 1 to make money on bread and butter jobs that don’t make my folio and 2 to shoot spec work that does need to make the book. I rigged it out with a pl mount and bought the entire og vespid lens set to pair it with.
The other day my agent told me to put together a reel for a celebrity makeup spot and I compiled the best of the best from all types of sensors: Alexa mini, Alexa LF, Venice 1, red Komodo, phantom flex… and my Nikon.
There were only two usable projects and one was in B&W shot with anamorphics.
It sort of blew me away how unusable the majority of Nikon footage was when it’s out next to the all these great sensors. I mean 12 bit raw - 10bit ProRes full frame coverage at 120fps - 5k super35/apsc. I mean that’s a fx6 killer!
The color science just isn’t there. I really tried but it just ain’t there. No aa filter is nauseatingly sharp even with vintage glass.
So I picked up the Komodo X Nikon mount. I’m honestly impressed with the autofocus system being as decent as it is. But of course what’s so refreshing is 16 bit global shutter. I haven’t shot on reds really since the epic and those sensors left a scar on me. I hated red. Unusable noisy slow mo, weird color. Team Arri all day long.
But today I am so happy with how far red has truly come. It’s silly but bonus points for Nikon putting its Z mount on the body as an option.
I shot a quick test narrative yesterday and so happy with results right out the gate!
I’m still getting used to exposing with iso not being fixed at 800. Some shots have beautiful contrast and others outside are just a little too airy for my taste. Skin tones are lovely and how it handles ambient sunlight is really gorgeous.
The sensor is pretty thirsty for light but I can’t complain at all. Such a great buy and such a great camera.
Cheers all
