With such a wide range of accessories available for your Nikon Z 9, it can be daunting to identify what you need or even where to begin. Nevertheless, choosing the right accessories for your gear can help to bring out its best qualities for outstanding video content. Here are some of our top picks for accessories to get the most out of your Z 9.
When it comes to video production, your camera and lenses are just one part of the equation. While the videos that the Nikon Z 9 can achieve on its own are comparable with other large cinema cameras, investing in the right accessories will take your filmmaking to a whole new level. From camera cages to external microphones, many of today’s mirrorless cameras are compatible with a plethora of accessories in the market; take time to consider what accessories are best suited to streamline your workflow and create even better videos with your current gear.
Nikon constantly collaborates closely with a range of partners, including Rode, Deity, SmallRig, DJI, ATOMOS, and more – to give the Z 9 added versatility needed to craft even better videos especially in challenging environments.
Let’s dive deeper into some of our top camera accessories picks for the Z 9:
Tip #1
CAMERA RIG
Whether you’re out filming dynamic, action-packed nature videos or documenting the once-in-a-lifetime moments at a wedding, ensuring a steady shot is paramount. On its own, the Z 9 comes equipped with an impressive 5-axis in-camera sensor-shift – but pairing it together with a multifunctional camera rig offers greater protection as well as control over your gear for improved handling.
SmallRig offers highly versatile camera cages that has been a favourite among Nikon creators. The dedicated camera cage for the Z 9 comes with multiple mounting ports to support a wide range of accessories for multi-scene filming. If you often work with fast-moving subjects or utilise a range of accessories when filming, such as external microphones or LED lights, a camera cage is a highly useful tool to add to your arsenal.
Tip #2
AUDIO
There’s no denying that audio plays a critical role in video. As such – while not always necessary – it is still a good rule of thumb to be familiar with the types of external microphones available. For example, the all-purpose, highly directional shotgun microphones excel at picking up sounds directly in front of them while effectively reducing noise coming from other directions. On the other hand, a wireless or lavalier microphone would be more well-suited for interviews or documentaries where it can be clipped discreetly onto your subject’s clothing to ensure their voices are crisp and clear.
A favourite of ours is RØDE’s Wireless GO. This highly versatile and compact wireless microphone system is perfect for creators to focus more on filming great content and worry less about complicated technical set-ups. Alternatively, those looking for directional microphones can look to the highly compact V-Mic D4 Mini by Deity for an affordable yet high-quality option.
Tip #3
EXTERNAL MONITOR
For creators that are just embarking on their journey, external monitors may seem like an unnecessary investment. And while that may seem true to an extent – many experienced filmmakers would advise that if you’re looking to get serious about your craft, this is a game-changing investment to make.
An external monitor offers a myriad of advantages. By displaying the video recording on a larger screen, manually focusing your camera and keeping your frame in focus becomes much easier. Monitoring or reviewing footage while working on set with a team or external parties, such as clients, is also made far more convenient. If you're looking for a fuss-free external monitor, the ATOMOS Shinobi accurately displays HDR pictures that surpass what you can view from your camera's native screen. Additionally, a multi-tool Analysis View displays all the essentials you need at a glance; with advanced histograms, waveforms, and video scopes to set up your shots just as you envision.
Tip #4
STABLISATION
Last but not least, gimbals are the go-to for eliminating camera shake when shooting hand-held. One of our top picks would be the DJI RS 2. For fast-paced, action-packed scenes, this gimbal delivers superb camera stabilisation for dynamic cinematography. The vertical camera mount also supports filming in portrait mode – helping you capture scroll-stopping footage to up your social media promotional Reels.