Why I Upgraded From the Nikon D800 to the Nikon Z8

Your camera isn’t just a tool; it’s how you see the world. Mine has been a faithful companion for years. I’m not a gear enthusiast chasing the latest model, but after more than a decade with my trusty Nikon D800, it was time for a change.

How My Kit Has Evolved

My photography journey began with a Nikon D80. As my skills grew, I moved to the D300s for its better performance in low light. A few years later, I made the jump to full frame with the D800, which has been my workhorse ever since. But as technology moved on, a few limitations started to show.

Why I Upgraded

Weight

The D800 with a 24–70mm f/2.8 lens is a fantastic combination, but it’s heavy. After a long wedding day, my wrist and shoulder were feeling it. I wanted something lighter that I could carry all day.

Video

More clients have been asking for video. The D800 could shoot 1080p, but it struggled with higher frame rates. I needed a camera that could keep up.

Focus and tracking

Face detection and continuous tracking have come a long way. My old cameras worked well in spot focus, but there were times when someone moved slightly and the focus wasn’t quite where I wanted it. At a wedding, you don’t get a second chance.

Earning It

I treat big purchases like any business decision, so I set myself a target first: book ten new weddings at Westpoint’s Wedding Extravaganza. If I hit it, I’d buy the camera.

Last week, I reached that target. I walked into London Camera Exchange in Plymouth and, after a long chat, walked out with a new Nikon Z8.

The bundle included:

• Nikon Z8
• Nikon 24–120mm f/4 lens
• Nikon FTZ adapter, so my existing F-mount lenses still work
• 128GB CFexpress card

I also picked up a second battery, after reading reviews about battery life, and SanDisk’s new CFexpress card reader. The Z8 takes CFexpress and SD cards, and the reader uses USB-C, which might catch a few people out.

First Impressions

The Z8’s first outing was Maria and Jon’s Halloween wedding at Swancar Farm Country House. It’s lighter, the shutter is lovely, auto ISO makes busy moments easier, and the 3D tracking and face detection kept every shot sharp, even in the dark.

What It Means for My Clients

The camera doesn’t take the pictures; the person behind it does. But kit that’s lighter, faster and more reliable lets me focus on what matters: people, moments and stories.

If you have a wedding, event or business shoot coming up, take a look at my wedding photography and commercial photography, or get in touch.