Lens Review, Camera ReviewMorten ByskovDecember 08, 2024Nikon Z6 III first impressions review, Nikon Z6 III review, Nikon Z6 III sample images, Nikon Z6 III sample photos, Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena first look, Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena first impressions, Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena review, Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena sample images, Nikon 135mm Plena sample images, Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1 Z-Mount, Nokton 50mm, VoigtlanderComment

Nikon Z6 III - First Impressions

Nikon Z6 III and Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

First Impressions of the Nikon Z6 III

Plus Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena First Look and Sample Images

Black Friday deals are always tempting, but I usually shy away because I fear buying gear I don’t need. However, the recent $300 rebate on the Nikon Z6 III represents good value on paper, and I was curious to try it out.

My friend Chris jumped on this deal, which gave me a chance to take the Z6 III for a spin and try out three excellent lenses: the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 Plena, Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar 50mm f/2 V1, and Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1. The two Voigtländer lenses are the Z-Mount versions.

It was a fine sunny morning at English Bay, so let’s see how it played out.

My friend, Chris, brought the Nikon Z6 III and the impressive Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena for a sunny December morning walk

Nikon Z8, Z6 III, or Zf

Nikon photographers patiently waited for the Nikon Z6 III, which was finally announced in June 2024. The Z8 had become the choice of many pros and avid enthusiasts, while the Zf was welcomed by retro fans with its film camera looks and vibe.

The Z8 and Zf are capable cameras, and many photographers have both. The Z8 is for heavy lifting, and the Zf is for days when you want to travel light, perhaps customize the look of your camera, and don’t need a high-megapixel camera.

The Z6 III nicely fills the gap with a camera capable of higher frame rates due to the partially stacked sensor and video features exceeding the Zf but in a more compact package and at a lower price than the Z8. The Z6 III targets a significant segment of sports, wedding, and wildlife photographers.

Condo construction by Burrard Bridge in Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena — Burrard Street Condos, Vancouver, Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/3.2

Unfortunately, the Z6 III received bad press right out of the gate. It was deemed to have a lower dynamic range, especially at lower ISO values. In the same breath, the internet has a way of going crazy over things, which will have only a slight disadvantage in real life.

My test of the Z6 III was very brief, so I cannot comment on the dynamic range issue. I can only say that I would not worry about it.

The regular price of the Nikon Z6 III is $2,696.95

Canada geese at English Bay in Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena — Stanley Park, Vancouver, Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/1.8

Nikon Z6 III Specs

24.5MP Partially-Stacked CMOS Sensor
EXPEED 7 Image Processor
Up to 20 fps Raw, 60 fps JPEG Shooting
6K 60p N-RAW, 6K 30p ProRes RAW, 4K 120p, Full HD 240p Slow Motion Video
493-Point AF, AI-Based Subject Detection
CFexpress Type B & SD Memory Card Slots
Blackout-Free, 5760k-Dot EVF
3.2" 4-Axis Tilting Touchscreen LCD
Weight: 23.6 oz / 670 g (Body Only)

English Bay Beach, December morning. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena — English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/1.8

Handling

The Nikon Z6 III is 26% lighter than the Z8 and feels noticeably smaller sizewise. While the grip on the Z8 is superb, my pinky starts to slide off the grip on the Z6 III.

The Nikon Zf is 6% smaller, but the body dimensions make the two cameras feel pretty different. The Zf feels like an old film camera, e.g., a Nikon F3, while the Z6 III is beefier and feels more like a standard SLR.

The new 5.7m Dot EVF has been widely praised for its brightness and clarity, but I was not initially impressed. It looked pixelated to a certain degree, and compared to the ZF, it didn’t look any better.

The Zf was better in my eyes. Please remember that this was a rapid test, and I did not get to explore different settings, so I may not have had the highest refresh rates. If you've tried both, I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

I found the shutter sound of the Z6 III to be very similar to the Zf.

Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S

With a weight of 2.2 lb, 995 g, the 135mm Plena is surprisingly well balanced on the Z6 III. Most of the weight is at the camera's end, making it easier to handle.

Nikon promises unrivaled bokeh with the 135mm Plena, which appears to hold true from this first look. The lens is sharp and a joy to use, and I look forward to trying it again for a further review at some point.

Freight ships on English Bay in Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena. — English Bay, Vancouver, Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/2.2

Image Quality

The sample images in this first-impression review are processed in Lightroom from RAW files. I have used the Nikon profiles in Lightroom in some files, such as Rich Tone Portrait.

Compared to my Leica SL2-S files, the Z6 III files seem a bit more vibrant in color and appear slightly punchier. In many ways, the photos remind me of Zf files but perhaps a bit softer, but this statement would undoubtedly need a side-by-side test before I could fully stand by it.

Check the sample images in this article. Depending on the size of your monitor, they can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide, or you can pinch-zoom if you are on your mobile phone.

Chris with his Nikon Zf and Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1 — My buddy Chris with his Nikon Zf and Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1 Z-Mount. The photo is captured with a Nikon Z6 III and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/2.2

It’s a Wrap

I would jump right out and say that based on my experience with the Zf and brief encounters with the Z8 and Z6 III, I would probably pick the Zf if I were buying a Nikon camera today. The second choice would be the Z8.

The Zf appeals to me as it is a camera that begs to be picked up. I will admit that I love the retro vibe. On the polar opposite, we have the Z8 (or Z9), which I would view as a tool to get a job done. It feels solid, and the increased megapixel count may be useful for landscape photography or cropping wildlife images. These attributes would have me pick a Zf or Z8 over a Z6 III.

Of course, this is unfair to the new feature-rich Z6 III, which appears to have so much going for it. Also, testing and making conclusions after an hour of using a camera is not ideal, but it is better than not having the chance.

My ranking is an individual choice, and yours may differ entirely depending on your needs, camera taste, and budget. I would not fault anyone for seriously looking at the Z6 III. At first glance appears to be a strong performer.

Blue skies at English Bay, December day. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III and Viltrox AF 40mm f/2.5 Z. — English Bay, Vancouver, Nikon Z6 III, Viltrox AF 40mm f/2.5 Z @ f/8

Trying the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena was a treat, and I would love to dig deeper with this lens. I could see it being useful for multiple scenarios. However, I was equally impressed when using the Z6 III with the two Z-Mount Voigtländer lenses.

Thanks to Chris for providing gear for this review. It is much appreciated.

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate links below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Nikon Z6 III - B&H Photo
Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena - B&H Photo
Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1 Z - B&H Photo
Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar 50mm f/2 II - B&H Photo

Thank you for being supportive.