My preferred Nikon gear for aviation photography would consist of the following:

Nikon Z8 + NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR + NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S + NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S + Nikon Z8 (second body)

Why this photography setup? I prefer to balance the sharpest yet lightest lenses I can carry for handheld photography. A 400mm f/2.8 with a 1.4x Teleconverter provides that balance and can fit in a carry-on baggage aboard aircraft. A 180-600mm zoom allows flexibility for a wide variety of focal lengths, especially at airshows where you are limited to where you will be allowed to photograph from. The 24-120mm provides you with the coverage you need to capture static aircraft, people as well as the landscape surrounding you. Lastly, the Z8 is a high performance camera that has most of the features of its big brother the Z9, yet weighs less and is smaller and a perfect fit in the hand.

Nikon Body + Lenses

  • Budget

    Nikon Z 50 II

    20 megapixels DX format CMOS sensor, Pre-Release Capture, 30 frames per second, 4K video (60p), Full HD at up to 120 fps, Improved Autofocus.

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  • Intermediate

    Nikon Z 7 II

    45.7 megapixels Full-Frame BSI CMOS sensor, 10 frames per second, 4K video (60p) 10-Bit HDMI Out, N-Log, 493-Point Phase Detect AF, 5-Axis In-Body Vibration Reduction, Dual Memory Card Slots.

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  • Advanced

    Nikon Z 8

    45.7 megapixels Full-Frame Stacked CMOS sensor, Up to 20 fps Raw, 30 fps JPEG Shooting, Blackout-Free Real Live Viewfinder, 8.3K 60p N-RAW, 4.1K 60p ProRes RAW, 8K30p and 4K120p Video, 10-Bit Internal, 493-Point AF, AI-Based Subject Detection,3.2" 4-Axis Tilting Touchscreen LCD, CFx Type B & SD Memory Card Slots, Lighter and 30% Smaller than Z9.

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  • Professional

    Nikon Z 9

    45.7 megapixels Full-Frame Stacked CMOS sensor, EXPEED 7 Image Processor, Up to 20 fps Raw, 30 fps JPEG Shooting, Blackout-Free Real Live Viewfinder, 8.3K 60p N-RAW, 4.1K 60p ProRes RAW, 8K30p and 4K120p Video, 10-Bit Internal, 493-Point AF, AI-Based Subject Detection, 3.2" 4-Axis Tilting Touchscreen LCD, Vertical Grip, 2x CFexpress Type B Slots, 5 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GNSS.

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