Fuji to Zf. I want MORE.

Posted in here a few times and was met with mixed thoughts. Posting again.

I recently traded my Fuji XT5 and a lens for a mint condition Nikon Zf in the box with the 40mm f2. He was also selling the 851.8S, in box. I bought that too. After using the Zf on a paid shoot (I shoot headshots & portraits for a living), I was so amazed that I immediately bought the 50mm 1.8S. Incredible.

Now I'm saving to aquire a second backup body, that's affordable and takes my Z mount lenses. I’m leaning towards the Nikon Z6II or even a Z5.

Nearly everyone I've spoken to who actually owns a Z6ii (or Z5), LOVES it. I love my Zf, but I want something that will act as a more ergonomic and compact backup, with similar menus, and that I can hand off to my girlfriend, who is my studio manager and occasional second shooter. I shoot portraits and headshots, but also an occasional posed family session or engagement shoot. No events, sports, street or wildlife. I don't need speed, and I don’t plan on doing video with this backup. Zero. I played with a Z5 and a Z6ii in the camera store recently and they both felt really nimble and great to use. In use, I couldn’t really tell much difference between the Z5 and Z6ii. Both really nice. However I do like the ability to choose a focus box and eye detection simultaneously. The Z6II does it, Z5 doesn’t.

People are very salty about the Z6II focus, which I can’t grasp. I’ve spoken to many wedding photographers and portrait photographer friends who love and shoot the Z6II for events and do great. I do not understand the people saying the Z6II is underwhelming. Or the Z5 for that matter. I’m still shooting my Fuji X100V for family sessions and tracking kids with single point. I trained on film, manual focus cameras. I’m 53. I’m still entranced by mirrorless!

Are people just nascent or salty or both? Tell me your Z6II success stories.