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

    32 megapixels APS-C sensor, 15 frames per second mechanical, 4K video (60p), Full HD at up to 120 fps, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization (up to 7 stops), 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder

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  • Intermediate

    Nikon Z 5

    24 megapixels Full-Frame sensor, 12 frames per second mechanical, 4K video (60p) 10-Bit Internal Video, C-Log 3, Full HD at up to 120 fps, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization (up to 7 stops) 3.69 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.

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  • Advanced

    Nikon Z 8

    45 megapixels Full-Frame sensor, 12 frames per second mechanical, 8K 30p Raw, 4K 120 fps video 10-Bit Internal Video, C-Log 3, Full HD at up to 120 fps, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization (up to 7 stops), 5.76 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.

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  • Professional

    Nikon Z 9

    24 megapixels Full-Frame Stacked BSI sensor, 12 frames per second mechanical, 30 fps Electronic shutter (virtually no rolling shutter distortion, 6K 60p Raw, 4K 120 fps video, 10-Bit Internal Video, C-Log 3, Full HD at up to 120 fps, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization (up to 7 stops), Eye control autofocus, 5.76 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder, Pro-Grade body construction

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