Nikon Z9 ISO 25600

by Stanley LearyPhotography

[NIKON Z 9, NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/6, ƒ/4, (35mm = 52)]

This year Dorie Griggs, my wife, suggested we go and see the Walk-Through Live Nativity Scene at Northminster Presbyterian Church. She was an intern pastor twenty-four years ago. Here are some photos from tonight.

I was surprised that since this is at night and with little light, I was shooting most all the photos at ISO 25600.

Just Lightroom only [NIKON Z 9, NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/125, ƒ/5, (35mm = 24)]
With Topaz denoise and face AI [NIKON Z 9, NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/125, ƒ/5, (35mm = 24)]

I processed them with Lightroom and then used Topaz AI to process them further.

Topaz Denoise [NIKON Z 9, NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/160, ƒ/5, (35mm = 200)]
With Topaz denoise and face AI [NIKON Z 9, NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/250, ƒ/4, (35mm = 24)]
Lightroom only [NIKON Z 9, NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/15, ƒ/4, (35mm = 120)]

With Topaz denoise and face AI [NIKON Z 9, NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/15, ƒ/4, (35mm = 120)]
Lightroom Only [NIKON Z 9, NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/250, ƒ/4, (35mm = 24)]

With Topaz denoise and face AI [NIKON Z 9, NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/250, ƒ/4, (35mm = 24)]

While I do not want to shoot at ISO 25600, I found all these acceptable for social media posts. Not sure I would wish to have large prints of them.

Image Stabilization

Z9 also has a Sensor-based 5-axis Image Stabilization system which means that all of these lenses will be stabilized when used on Z9. Nikon claims that the image stabilization of Z9 is effective up to 6.0 stops. Sensor-based image stabilization is one of the most valuable features that you can have.

I was very impressed with the Nikkor 100-400mm. The IBIS gave me sharp images being handheld.

I was shooting this as much to test my gear as to appreciate the event. I can’t wait to do more Christmas photos this season with the Nikon Z9, 14-30mm, 24-120mm, and the 100-400mm. I have been shooting for the past year with all my older F-mount lenses. I am just now getting used to the incredibly sharp Z-mount lenses.