What are the must-have accessories for a new Nikon Z6?

Question

Man I finally did it. Just picked up a used Nikon Z6 today and I am literally vibrating with excitement right now haha. Upgrading from my ancient D5300 so this feels like jumping into a spaceship or something. Im based in Seattle so I really want to get out there and do some moody street shots and maybe some rainy hiking stuff at Mt Rainier once the weather clears up a bit but I realized I might be underprepared for the move to mirrorless.

I have about $500 left in my gear fund for this month and I am realizing I need way more than just the body and the 24-70 kit lens I got. I spent a few hours looking at forums and youtube but man it is confusing. Like the memory card situation is driving me crazy. I read that I have to use XQD cards but then some people say you can use CFexpress Type B if you update the firmware? But then some people are saying CFexpress runs hot or something and the XQD is more reliable for the older Z6? The cards are like $150 on their own which is a huge chunk of my budget so I dont want to buy the wrong thing and find out it doesnt work right.

Then there is the battery situation. I have a bunch of EN-EL15 batteries from my old Nikon kit but I heard only the -c- version lets you charge through the USB port which would be huge for travel. Is it worth buying the official Nikon ones or are the Wasabi ones okay? I saw some guy on a thread saying third party batteries can swell up and get stuck and that lowkey terrified me lol.

And since I am in a rainy area do I need a specific screen protector or like a silicon skin? I keep seeing those advertised and dont know if they are gimmicks. Plus I still have a few old F-mount lenses. I was looking at the FTZ adapter but the official one is pricey compared to the Viltrox ones. Does the autofocus actually work the same on the knockoffs? I really want to get this right. What are the absolute must-have accessories for someone just starting out with the Z6?

Savannah · Accepted Answer

Congrats man, the Z6 is such a solid choice. I have been using mine since launch and honestly, I am still so happy with it. Since you are in Seattle, you definitely want to prioritize weather sealing over those silicon skins. Those skins are basically gimmicks that just trap grit and moisture against your camera body... skip them. For the rain, I have been very satisfied with the Peak Design Shell Camera Cover Small because it actually lets you access the controls without a mess. Memory cards are the biggest headache, I get it. Go with a ProGrade Digital 128GB CFexpress Type B Gold card. Just make sure your firmware is updated to 3.0 or higher. CFexpress is way faster for offloading photos to your PC, and I havent had any heat issues with that specific brand. It works well and is much more future-proof than XQD at this point. On the battery front, I really recommend sticking with the Nikon EN-EL15c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery. Your old ones will work, but you wont get that USB charging which is basically mandatory for travel. I have heard the horror stories about third-party ones too... not worth the risk imo. Also, definitely shell out for the Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter instead of the knockoffs. The autofocus performance is much more consistent, especially with older F-mount glass. You already spent the money on a great body, might as well make sure the lenses can actually keep up!

PolarPhoton · Answer

Wait, real quick before you drop any cash... what specific F-mount lenses are you moving over from your D5300? If they are the older AF-D lenses with the screw drive, even the official Nikon adapter wont autofocus them on the Z6. Knowing exactly what glass you have changes the advice big time. Technically speaking, here is how I would handle that budget:

Memory: If you are nervous about CFexpress firmware or heat, just get a Sony Professional XQD G Series 120GB. Its the native format the Z6 was designed for and it is basically bulletproof for street photography.

Power: The SmallRig EN-EL15c USB-C Rechargeable Camera Battery is a killer alternative. It has a USB-C port built right into the battery itself so you can charge it in your bag while hiking without needing the camera body.

Screen: A Expert Shield Glass Screen Protector for Nikon Z6 is essential for Seattle weather. Youll be wiping rain off the LCD constantly and this stops micro-scratches from your jacket sleeve.

ZenByteX · Answer

Regarding what #2 said about the F-mount lenses, listen to that! Getting stuck with gear that wont even autofocus is the worst. I am so hyped for your Z6 because it is amazing tech, but the costs of getting it running are just a total scam!

The memory card situation is basically a legalized racket! It drives me crazy that we drop $150 on a single card just to make the camera work. Its pure extortion for a tiny piece of plastic!

Nikon making us pay a premium for official batteries just for basic features is such a joke. It feels like they are punishing us for upgrading! The whole proprietary ecosystem is honestly ridiculous.

Its wild how $500 barely covers anything anymore. You buy the body and then realize you need a fortune just for the basic essentials. It is so frustrating when you just want to go shoot!