A list of the 14 best accessories and lenses to help you get the best images and video possible from the Nikon Z8 camera.

Pro Tip: Do not wait to place your order as many of these products are already on lengthy backorders due to manufacturing, shipping, and chip shortages.

Many of these accessories I had already been using with my Nikon Z9 so they are field-tested.  I’ll include buying tips and links to more in-depth posts for each item where appropriate.

For those of you thinking about a gear purchase, please consider using one of my affiliate links.   You can order your Nikon Z8 from B&H Photo or Camera Canada.  I receive a small commission to support my content creation efforts and there is no extra cost to you.

What are the Best Accessories for the Nikon Z8?

1. Nikon Z Lenses (Listed Below)
2. Lens Replacement Feet (Listed Below)
3. FTZII Mount Adapter
4. Nikon Z TC-1.4X & TC-2.0X Teleconverters
5. MB-N12 Power Battery Pack Grip
6. EN-EL15c Spare Battery
7. CFexpress Memory Cards For Stills & Video
8. Digital CFexpress Card Reader
9. Z8 Hoodman HoodEYE Eyecup
10. Glass Screen and Top LCD Screen Protectors
11. AquaTech Rain Cover
12. External Microphone
13. Wireless Remote Controller
14. Matt Granger’s Nikon Z Camera Expert Set-up Guide

Additional Nikon Z8 Accessories

If you wish to see all of the accessories available for the Nikon Z8 in one view you’ll want to go to the Nikon Z8 All Accessories Page. This page will take you to a landing page like the one shown below where you can click on each category to see what accessories are available for the Nikon Z8 under each category.

 

1. What Are The Best Nikon Z8 Lenses For Wildlife Photography?

USA/International Orders From B&H Photo

1. Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S – $2396
2. Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S – $2496
3. Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S – $2996
4. Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S – $13,996
5. Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S – $15,496
6. Nikon Z 800mm 6.3 VR S = $6496

Canada Orders From Camera Canada

1. Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S – $3099
2. Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S – $3399
3. Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S – $4049
4. Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S – $18,199
5. Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S – $19,699
6. Nikon Z 800mm 6.3 VR S – $8499

2. Lens Replacement Feet 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nikon has never provided an arca-swiss compatible foot on any of their lenses, what’s up with that?  For every lens I own I have had to replace the foot for use with my arca-swiss compatible tripod mount.  I hate attaching plates as they always seem to come loose so I do not have confidence in their ability to secure the large prime lenses. Note: The lens replacement foot for the Nikon Z 70-200 2.8, Nikon Z 100-400 and Nikon Z 400 4.5 are the exact same foot from a sizing perspective.  The same is true for the Kirk replacement feet for the Nikon Z 400 2.8, Nikon Z 600 f/4 and Nikon 800 6.3.

USA/International Orders From B&H Photo

1. Kirk Nikon Z 100-400 Replacement Foot $100
2. Really Right Stuff Nikon Z 100-400 Replacement Foot – $140
3. Kirk Nikon Z 70-200 Replacement Foot $100
4. Really Right Stuff Nikon Z 70-200 Replacement Foot – $140
5. Kirk Nikon Z 400 4.5 Replacement Foot $100
6. Really Right Stuff Nikon Z 400 4.5 Replacement Foot – $140
7. Kirk Nikon Z 400 2.8 Replacement Foot $140
8. Really Right Stuff Nikon Z 400 2.8 Replacement Foot $ 150
9. Kirk Nikon Z 600 f/4 Replacement Foot $140
10. Kirk Nikon Z 800 6.3 Replacement Foot $140
11. Really Right Stuff Nikon Z 800 6.3 Replacement Foot $ 150

Note: All prices listed below are MSRP so click on the links to look for possible sale pricing.

3. FTZII Adapter

If you plan to use the Nikon F-mount lenses you carried over from your DSLR you’ll need to purchase this FTZII adapter.  The good news is there is no image quality loss at all and the ability to focus remains the same as well.  There are two versions of the Nikon FTZ, version 1 has a tripod mount and version two does not.  Other than that they are identical.  The tripod mount on version 1 makes it difficult to hold the camera in the vertical position so order the FTZII for use with a Z8.

Buy from B&H $249.95.

Buy From Camera Canada $349.95

 

4. Nikon TC-1.4X & TC-2.0X Z Teleconverters

No matter how long your lens is there will always be times you wish it were a little longer.  That’s where teleconverters come in handy.  Best of all, these new Z teleconverters developed for the Z mirrorless cameras are far superior to the old f-mount teleconverters.  Even the 2x tele provides excellent results when paired with the right lenses.

There is no perceptible difference between the 70-200 shot with the Z TC-1.4X and without.   I shot birds in flight all Summer with the Nikon Z 70-200 2.8 with the TC-2.0X with zero loss in the ability to acquire focus and the resulting images were tack sharp.

I also performed testing with the Nikon Z 100-400 with both teleconverters.  You can read my in-depth post with sample images at Nikon Z 100-400 Teleconverters Field Test.  Spoiler Alert: Both teleconverters work very well with this new lens.  Surprising for an f/5.6 zoom, that was never possible with an f-mount zoom lens.

Buy From B&H Nikon Z TC-1.4X Teleconverter $546.95

Buy From Camera Canada Nikon Z TC-1.4X Teleconverter: $799.00

Buy From B&H TC-2.0X Teleconverter $596.95

Buy From Camera Canada Nikon Z TC-2.0X Teleconverter: $799.00

 

Compatible Wildlife Lenses With Z Teleconverters

USA/International Orders From B&H Photo

1. Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
2. Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
3. Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
4. Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
5. Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

Canada Orders From Camera Canada

1. Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
2. Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
3. Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
4. Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
5. Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

 

5. MB-N12 Power Battery Pack Grip

The MB-N12 extends shooting time 1.8x (CIPA standard) for the Z 8 vs the single battery in the camera alone.  It includes a vertical shutter release button, main- and sub-command dials, multi-selector, Fn button and AF-ON button. Added onto the Z 8, the MB-N12 lets you concentrate on capturing more moments without having to worry about battery life.

I’ve always added a battery grip to my small form factor cameras like the Z8 to not only extend battery life but also provide the additional weight required to balance large prime lenses on a tripod. The MB-N12 also features hot-swapping versatility, so you can change out the battery in the grip without the need to turn the camera off.  The MB-N12 is powered by two EN-EL15 series batteries and is compatible with EN-EL15c, EN-EL15b or EN-EL15a batteries.

 

6. Spare Batteries (EN-EL15c)

The EN-EL15c battery for Nikon Z8 is CIPA rated for 420 shots.  While you’ll do considerably better in real-life shooting scenario’s it’s still not enough for a day-long shoot. If your shoots are only a few hours you’ll more than likely never run down your primary battery.  If you have longer shoots, shot in winter, or travel to remote locations where you are unable to charge batteries then you will want a few spares on hand.  For example, when I went camping in Alaska for ten days to photograph coastal brown bears I took 10 batteries and those were EN-EL18’s which last significantly longer than the EN-EL15c battery for the Nikon Z8.

Buy From B&H Nikon EN-EL15c Battery $69.00.  

Buy From Camera Canada Nikon EN-EL15c Battery $104.97  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. CF Express Memory Cards (Type B) For Stills & Video

The Nikon Z8 accepts XQD memory cards and for those of you not shooting action or video that’s the best choice from a price point perspective for slot 1.  I’m only going to recommend CFexpress Memory cards for wildlife and sport shooters.  To transfer 45.7MP at 20 frames per second fills the Nikon Z8’s buffer very quickly.  Once filled the files are now being written to the memory card and this is where speed matters.  The faster the card, the more images can be taken in a burst.  I choke on the price of these cards but if you’re spending $4000 on a Nikon Z8 camera you’ll want it to perform to the best of its abilities.

The minimum sustained write speed recommended for the Nikon Z8 is 1300 MB/s.  I’ve done an entirely separate post that talks about memory cards for fast write speeds. Given the sensor specs are the same for the Nikon Z8 and Z9 this post applies equally to both cameras.  You’ll find that post at Nikon Z9 | Best CF Express Cards For Fast Write Speeds.

The bottom line is this, if you’re shooting sports or wildlife in longer bursts, you need fast CFexpress cards.

PRO TIP: Don’t be fooled by the label on the card advertising high write or read speeds.  Read the fine print and look for a card that has a minimum sustained write speed of 1300 MB/s.

 

CF Cards For Stills

What are the best CFexpress cards for the Nikon Z8?

1. Delkin Black 150 GB  – Min Write Speed 1710 MB/s – B&H $179.99 Camera Canada $224.99
2. Angelbird 160GB SX – Min Write Speed 1480 MB/s – B&H $129.99 Camera Canada $249.00
3. Delkin Black 325 GB – Min Write Speed 1400 MB/s – B&H $424.99 Camera Canada $544.99
4. ProGrade 325GB Cobalt – Min Write Speed 1400 MB/s – B&H $449.99
5. Angelbird 330GB MK2 – Min Write Speed 1480 MB/s – B&H $479.99 Camera Canada $669.00
6. Delkin Black 512GB – Min Write Speed 1405 MB/s – B&H $499.99
7. Wise 640 Pro 640 GB – Min Write Speed 1400 MB/s – B&H $779.99
8. Prograde 650GB Cobalt – Min Write Speed 1400 MB/s – B&H $769.99
9. Angelbird 660GB MK2 – Min Write Speed 1480 MB/s – B&H $959.99

The CF Express cards listed above have been field tested on a Nikon Z9 production camera thus the performance should be identical on the Nikon Z8.

The only other decision you have to make is how big a card you need and that will be based on the type of shooting you do.   Personally, I feel that 256GB and above is the minimum, but I included one 150 GB card and one 160GB card in the mix for those not requiring the space or having the budget.

The popular Delkin Black 128GB CFexpress cards have been discontinued and replaced by the Delkin Black 150GB cards.

I carry the Angelbird 160GB SX, Angelbird 330GB MK2, Angelbird 2TB MK2 (Video) and the Prograde 325GB Cobalt.

Angelbird

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delkin

 

Prograde

 

 

 

 

 

Wise

 

CF Express Memory Cards (Type B)

For 4K & 8K Video

If you thought the CFexpress cards for still shooting were expensive you’ll want to be sitting down for this next bit.  If you intend to shoot 4K or 8K video with the Nikon Z8 you’re going to need not only a fast minimum write speed CFexpress card but also one large enough to handle the file size.  With my Nikon Z9 I shoot in 8K.   I may down-sample it to 4K in post but at least I’ll have the original 8K footage when 8K becomes more mainstream.  All those videos I shot in 1080p that I wished I now had 4K footage for were lessons learned.

Yes, I can upscale that 1080p footage to 4k using Topaz Video Enhance AI and it does a great job.  But wherever possible, I prefer to shoot in the highest resolution that my camera is capable of shooting.

There are two considerations when purchasing a CFexpress card for 8K video.

• Speed: The table below depicts the card speed requirements for each type of video recording.  Angelbird advertises a minimum sustained write speed of 1300 MB/s.  The Ordinary Filmmaker ran a test on the 2TB card (Not MK2 which is newly improved) and showed a real world speed of 866 MB/s which is more than enough to handle the load.  He ran 8K tests and had no drops with the Angelbird 2TB card using the Canon R5.
• Capacity:  Recording in 8K requires massive storage.  Just to give you an example from the Nikon Z9 an 8K 60P RAW 12-bit gives a recording time of 46 mins on my Angelbird 2TB card.  On the Prograde 325GB Cobalt or Angelbird 330GB MK2 it is a mere 7 minutes.  I did not want to have to monitor my card usage during every shoot, that’s why I purchased the Angelbird 2TB MK2 card.  If your shooting 4K or 8K H.265 10-bit the Angelbird 1TB MK2 card at $479.99 is another option at $479.99.  Both the 1TB and 2TB MK2 cards come in at $.48 per GB.  The only card that beats that price is the Angelbird 4TB card at $45 per GB at an MSRP of $1799.

Note: There are not many other brands other than Angelbird offering 1TB or greater cards.  Those that do often have sustained write speeds that fall below the minimum sustained write speed required to handle high-resolution video.

For example, the Wise Advanced 1TB CFX-B series card is large but has a minimum sustained write speed of 400 MB/s.  The lesson here is to read the fine print on whatever card you land on and pay attention to the minimum sustained write speed, NOT the write speed advertised on the label.

Note: I recommend purchasing only the Angelbird SX or MK2 cards to assure compatibility with the Nikon Z8.

Credit The Ordinary Filmmaker 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy From B&H Angelbird 1TB AV Pro MK2 CFexpress $379.99

Buy From B&H Angelbird 2TB AV Pro MK2 CFexpress $959.99

Buy From B&H Angelbird 4TB AV Pro MK2 CFexpress $1799.99

You can watch my field review of the Angelbird cards along with a price comparison showing cost per GB in this video.

 

8. Digital CF Express Type B & UHS-II SDXC Dual-Slot USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card Reader

CF Express memory cards require a CF Express card reader, your XQD card reader is not compatible.

If you opt to buy an Angelbird CFexpress card YOU MUST PURCHASE the Angelbird card reader.  That’s because Angelbird provides firmware updates for their CFexpress cards and those updates can only be applied using their CFexpress reader.

Buy from B&H Angelbird CFexpress Type B MK2 Memory Card Reader $79.99

Buy from Camera Canada Angelbird CFexpress Type B MK2 Memory Card Reader $129.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nikon Z8 uses both CFexpress and SD cards.  I am recommending the Prograde dual slot reader for folks who shoot with both the Nikon Z6/Z7 and Nikon Z8 as it supports both UHS-II SDXC and CFexpress cards.  This allows you to use this one reader for both types of cards.

Buy From B&H ProGrade Digital CFexpress Card Reader $79.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Canadians, the best deal is the Lexar CFexpress Type B Card Reader.

Buy From Camera Canada Lexar CFexpress Type B USB 3.1 Reader $79.99

 

 

 

9. Glass Screen and Top LCD Protectors

As good as today’s LCD’s are I have always placed a glass screen protector over the back and top LCD’s of my camera’s.  They provide an additional layer of protection against scratches as well as preserving the condition of your camera for resale.  When installed properly you won’t even know they are there and they do not impede any of the touch functionality.

Both Vello and Expert Shield offer glass screen protectors.  Neither one has listed a protector for the Nikon Z8 however the Nikon Z9 screen size is identical to the Nikon Z8 at 3.2 inches so you can order that protector and it will fit..

Buy From B&H Expert Shield Glass Screen and Top LCD Protector $19.95  Vello LCD Screen Protector $24.95.

 

 

10. AquaTech Rain Cover

If you bought a Z8 chances are you’ll be shooting in inclement weather.  Sure the Nikon Z8 is weather sealed but let’s not get ridiculous.  There’s no way you should be leaving a Nikon Z8 and lens unprotected when you know you’re going to be shooting in the rain for a good part of the day.

I’ve used both the AquaTech and what I feel is the next best competitive product, the Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia.  I preferred the open-back design of the Aquatech for ease of viewing through the viewfinder.  The Think Tank has a clear plastic cover and eyepiece on the back of the camera and I found that it made it way more difficult to access the buttons on my camera.  It also fogged up when I was in the rain on my Alaskan Grizzly Bear tour.

The AquaTech comes in a variety of sizes so you’ll need to know what lenses you’ll be using this cover with before you order.

Buy From B&H AquaTech SSRC Large Sport Shield $159.00

 

 

 

11. External Microphone

If you’re planning to do any video work with your Nikon Z8 the video quality will be excellent.  However, if the sound is anything like the Nikon Z6II/7II quality coming from the standard integrated monophonic microphone it leaves much to be desired.  I have seen nothing in the Nikon Z8 spec sheet regarding upgraded audio quality from previous Z cameras.  Logic ensues that there is no way that the quality of a monophonic microphone can compare to an external shotgun microphone.  I purchased the Shure VP83F Lenshopper and it really helps to capture a professional sound stage.

Both microphones listed below are excellent, and come with a 3.5mm cable that connects to your camera’s mic jack.  Both also come with a foam windscreen to reduce unwanted external wind noise.  I also purchased an additional wind jammer to place over the top of the foam cover to further cut down on the wind noise.  I chose the Shure Lenshopper VP83F however the Rode VideoMic Pro+ gets excellent reviews as well so you can’t go wrong with either one.

Buy From B&H Rode VideoMic Pro+ Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone $299.00 

Buy From Camera Canada Rode VideoMic Pro + Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone $499.00

Buy From B&H Shure VP83F LensHopper Shotgun Microphone $299.00 

Buy From B&H Fur Windjammer for VP83 and VP83F LensHopper Microphones $45.00

 

12. Wireless Remote Controller

There are a few very good reasons to consider a wireless remote controller For your Nikon Z8.  As a wildlife photographer using long lenses, I often use a remote to eliminate vibration through the lens resulting in sharper images.

I also use my remote when I am photographing hard-to-approach animals.  I set up my rig where I expect the animal to be and remotely trigger my shutter from a distant location.

Additionally, remotely triggering the shutter means I do not need to be glued to the back of the viewfinder when photographing birds in tree holes.  I simply place my camera on a tripod, set my f stop to something like f/10 and pre-focus on the hole. When the bird pops its head out of the hole all I need to do is trigger the remote.

If you’re looking for the best of the best, with a 5-mile range and 112 channels, then you’ll want the Pocket Wizard.  I have two sets of the Pocket Wizard’s and they are excellent, although I have not tested them from 5 miles.))

If you prefer to stick with a Nikon option then the Nikon WR-R11a/WR-T10 Wireless Remote Controller Set is compatible with the Nikon Z8. A more budget-conscious choice from Nikon would be the MH-36A Multi-function remote cord but it is not wireless.

Buy from B&H PocketWizard Plus IIIe 2-Transceiver Kit $260.00

Buy from B&H Nikon WR-R11a/WR-T10 Wireless Remote Controller Set $276.95

Buy from Camera Canada Nikon WR-R11a/WR-T10 Wireless Remote Controller Set $379.00

Buy from B&H Nikon MH-36A Multi-Function Remote Cord $159.95

 

 

 

 

 

13. Z8 Hoodman HoodEYE Eyecup

Not available at time of writing but worth mentioning so you can place it on your wish list.

I’ve always used a Hoodman HoodEye Eyecup with all of my cameras for two primary reasons.  The first is that it cuts down on the amount of light that enters the viewfinder, making it easier to see.  Secondly, when working with long lenses on a tripod. it allows me to press my eye against the cup and this helps in getting sharper images by reducing the vibration traveling across the lens, especially in low-light situations.

 

14. Matt Granger’s Nikon Z Camera Expert Set-up Guide

Your success with the Nikon Z8 will be directly correlated to how you have it set up.  That’s why I highly recommend Matt Granger’s Nikon Z Camera Expert Setup Guide.

Whether you’re a longtime Nikon shooter like me or relatively new to the Nikon mirrorless system you will benefit from Matt’s expert guide. There are so many nuggets in Matt’s review of the Z8 system that make this a worthwhile purchase to get up and shooting fast and with confidence.

I watched all of his Nikon Z9 expert video guide content when I purchased that camera and I can confidently say that if you follow along with Matt as he dives into the menus and walks you through how to make all of the customizations and settings changes required, you can head out into the field knowing your Z8 is perfectly configured.

Conclusion

This list of Nikon Z8 accessories should get you off to a good start and lighten your wallet, sorry for that.  In the future, I will add to this list as items like L-brackets, etc. get announced.

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