Foreword

This is the 21st Anniversary of the Nikonians® community and this is the 23rd edition of the Mastering the Nikon DSLR and Z book series, authored by Nikonian Darrell Young (known to us as DigitalDarrell). This joint venture between Nikonians Press and Rocky Nook has developed a strong following in the camera instruction genre, and Darrell's deep attention to detail has been the key ingredient in that trend.

The Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II cameras are Nikon’s answer to the major paradigm shift that mirrorless photography has now become. With the FX 24.5 MP imaging sensor in the Z6 II and the 45.7 MP sensor in the Z7 II (both are CMOS BSI), along with dual EXPEED 6 microprocessors, the cameras have expanded speed, dynamic range, and image quality like few other mirrorless cameras today. They are advanced digital single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) cameras, with a lightweight, weather-sealed, magnesium-alloy body; dual card slots; excellent in-body image stabilization; a powerful eye-and-face detection autofocus system; live histogram; live exposure preview of images; and up to 14-fps image capture in the Z6 II and 10 fps in the Z7 II. Both cameras can capture 1080p Full HD or 4K UHD H.264 8- or 10-bit N-log and HDR (HLG) 4:2:2 video. Both cameras also have the ability to use not only the incredible new Nikkor Z lenses, but also our dependable F-mount Nikkor lenses via an FTZ adapter. The Nikon Z cameras are faster and more feature-loaded than even some of the world’s most expensive cameras. Their external control system ergonomics have been refined so that all controls are within easy reach for various hand sizes, plus they have the flexible fingertip touch, pinch, and swipe control interface for smartphone-like handling of camera menus and internal settings.

We fully agree with Darrell’s statement: “Because of the feature-rich capabilities of these second-generation Nikon Z cameras, they can be successfully used for anything from unhurried landscapes to high-speed event photography. They can easily handle advanced portraiture, or capture family and commercial video. Either camera gives a strong edge to advanced amateur, enthusiast, and professional photographers and videographers. If you want to carry one or two comparatively lightweight cameras with you for all styles of photography and excellent video capture, the new Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II will do the job.”

We are proud to include Darrell’s body of work in our ever-growing and never-ending resources for our community, such as the Nikonians forums, The Nikonian eZine, Nikonians Academy Workshops, Nikonians News Blog, and our Wiki, Galleries, Members’ Portfolios, eBooks, and newsletters. Our community continues to grow as we now surpass 587,000 members on record.

Nikonians, now in its 22nd year, has earned a reputation as a friendly, reliable, informative, and passionate Nikon® user's community thanks in great measure to members like our own DigitalDarrell, who have taken the time to share the results of their experiences with Nikon imaging equipment.

Enjoy this book, the Nikonians community, and your Nikons.

J. Ramón Palacios (jrp) and Bo Stahlbrandt (bgs)

Nikonians Founders www.nikonians.org