Nikon's first flagship mirrorless Nikon Z 9 has finally arrived! I've spent the last two weeks testing it and I'm sharing my test results, experience and thoughts in this video!
Camera gear used to film this video:
Panasonic Lumix S5 | Lumix S 24mm f/1.8
Synco D2 Microphone: link.syncoaudio.com/Richard-D2
Zeapon Micro2Plus Slider + PONS Panhead: www.zeapon.com/en/product_vie...
Instagram: / photo_by_richard
Facebook: / photobyrichard
0:00 Introduction
1:26 Design & Build Quality
6:13 Tiltable Screen
7:40 Electronic Viewfinder
15:51 Image Sensor
18:00 Buffer Size
19:38 High Efficient RAW (*)
23:92 High ISO
26:45 Dynamic Range
28:57 Autofocus
32:37 Electronic Shutter / Rolling Shutter
34:40 IBIS
36:14 Video Recording / Overheating Test
39:18 Final Thoughts / Image Samples
Happy New Year! Sorry about such a long review, there are just too many things i want to talk about and test with this Nikon Z9. What do you guys think about this Z9? Any of you already ordered or got one already? Btw, I will have some more super long review coming in a few weeks time :)
Ordered mine about 3 weeks after it was announced. I’m expecting it to arrive prob by next December with this chip shortage and number of order haha.
@@boostedmaniac Awesome!!! yes the demand appears to be stupidly high. Pretty crazy for a flagship camera. Hope you'll get it very soon
ordered mine on day it was announced not yet arrived
@@mickphotos I’m thinking I should have prob ordered it locally rather than BH photo which prob has 5000 preorder sitting in front of me. Well we will see. In the meantime I can contemplate if I really do need a new camera haha.
Happy New Year! Great review 👍
Early gang in the building! Let me go grab some popcorn. Imma be here a while 😁😁😁
Wow. I am very impressed by the quality of this review. It is the best Z9 review I have found so far. It is balanced quite well about the pros and cons of this camera.
Sorry about the late reply, only just saw your comment. Thanks for watching Somsak! :)
He missed some big points on the negative side for some users, but I am a dinosaur and photojournalist, so I need my WT-6A and the Z9 had to leave that port out, in favor of the older and ridiculous ethernet cords, 1000 Base T LAN, but not a port for the WT-6A and the Z9 wireless sucks compared to the $650 WT-6A and D6 which is still $6500 most places, plus it is made slightly better in Japan, with full magnesium alloy, even near the Kensington lock area near the vertical controls, it's cold hard metal on my D6. My Z9 was plastic and not cold to the touch and see the chassis image of the Z9, there are gaps where the chassis is hollow or plastic and air, and that vertical control area often bumps into doorways, obstacles, etc. The Z9 has already shown it's mount is less strong than the D5/D6 and NOT reinforced, so a guys mount just snaps off? Clean? That would never happen on the D6! I've done it, the lens and camera mounts both bend slightly and they often get stuck together, it's an expensive repair, but the mount does not just rip off. So there is no doubt Nikon cut corners to get a flagship out at $5500 when the original flagships were $5000-$5,500 in 2001-2002? 20 years inflation and the economy and made in Thailand flagships? I dunno seems like they cut a few corners to make it possible.
@@patricksmith2553 z9 has WiFi & gps built in. Hence the bottom not being metal. So no need of that expensive adapter anymore.
@@datdudeinred Except it’s not the same. It has a much shorter range and is not 100% reliable as the WT-6A has been for me. The D6 also has built in Wifi and GPS, yet I and others still use the WT-6A. It wouldn’t have been that hard to keep the WT-6 port. All I was saying is the D6 has certain advantages. So does the Z9, it’s a game changer in that you can shoot at 20, 30 or 120fps!!! I unfortunately suffer from TBI/CTE and have some light sensitivity issues. I don’t like the EVF in the Z6 II or Z9. The only EVF that I enjoyed or I guess that I was able to use for long periods…is the Canon R3’s EVF! It has OVF simulation and higher resolution, plus it’s larger! While I’m not about to switch to Canon, I am impressed with the R3. As well as some of their lenses. Overall though Nikon is absolutely killing it. Their prices and quality is unreal. A new 800mm for $6500 USD? A Z9 for $5500? Amazing! Especially when you look at the two side by side, Nikon is beating Canon in almost every way. Although I do think the R3 may have slightly better AF overall, the Z9 is pretty good. I just have been using the back thumb selector or AF joysticks since 2010 on the Canon 1D Mark III? So for an old timer I’m more comfortable and better at autofocus than I trust the Z9 to be on its own. Now for people and some other subjects…the Z9 is amazing, however so is the D6. In the right hands I believe the D6 has the potential to be better AF wise, in certain scenarios. Other scenarios the Z9 would be better. So both are amazing cameras and we’re blessed to be living in awesome and inspiring times. We’re all so fortunate and gear has been easier to find or for amazing prices, used DSLR gear is often going for great prices. It’s a great time to be a photographer! All DSLR or mirrorless since about 2012-2014 to present are more than capable. Plus affordable, you can get a D4s or D500 for less than $1500 or less than $1000 for the D500. It’s awesome!
I have watched about 50 Z9 videos and reviews and you are the FIRST person to show the screen orientation changes from Landscape to Portrait. Such a simple thing, especially when we are all so used to our smartphones and tablets doing it for over a decade, so really, really nice to see it implemented so nicely on the Z9 by Nikon.
Thanks Andrew! ye the screen orientation changes is one of the first thiing i note down i need to show you guys as its a small thing, but it's a very nice touch to the user interface. Thanks for watching
Thanks for the thorough review on the Z9, Richard. I really took a lot from this video. I have a Z6 and quite unhappy with its performance compared to my D4s. After watching your review, I am convinced that Z9 is the way to go.
Hey Reymond, thank you for watching and the comment. Yes I think the Z9 would be a good all round upgrade to your D4s with very little tradeoff
Thanks Richard, this is a really excellent review of the Z9. Best I have seen so far. Excellent tests that you presented very clearly. You have got my subscription.
oh thank you so much Paul and thanks for the sub!
Bravo!Best review of Z9 seen so far!
oh thanks so much Costas Hadjiimarcou
Calm and composed. Brilliant review.
Thank you very much
Another thorough review. Well done! I was surprised at how soon you had this after the initial shipment but I can tell you didn't cut any corners for this review.
hi ow de, many many late night testing and edting over the last two weeks :P
Very nice review. Thanks for taking the time out to review this camera
Thank you very much High Dynamic Photography &Films!
Another superb review Richard, as we have now come to expect of you! Well done. Great stills and video footage. The image quality looks insane! Oh - and nice to see Rangitoto island in there too :)
Thank you Zak! I got more reviews coming very soon :D
Thank you so much for a very comprehensive, professional and detailed review. It has helped me make up my mind about the Z9
Glad it was helpful Irene!
Excellent, Richard! Thank you for the details.
thanks for watching Mike :)
Very nice review. I'm getting this camera and I am looking at as many videos about it that i can. Outstanding job. Thank you for sharing.
Balanced and practical and simple, great review. Thank you
Thank you Roy!
Great level of detail. Thx Richard W.
Watched start to finish. Fantastic and very informative. I'll save for reference
Thank you so much CharleyHarley!
Very helpful information. Thank you, Richard!
Quinn, Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the very thorough and detailed review.
Thanks Richard. This is an absolutely first-rate review.
Oh thank you very much Shane! :)
Thank you so much - this was so informative. You covered everything I wanted to know about the Z9.
Edward, Glad it was helpful!
Excellent review, very thorough… Thank you 🙏 You showed me a few things that I hadn’t seen before like the back screen orientation shift & that it was a touchscreen that had pinch to zoom feature. Looking forward to getting mine at the end of the month 👍
Glad you like it Tony!
Hi Richard - that was an excellent review - very informative and entertaining - great work - thank you! :)
Thank you very much Baron! :) Surprised you said entertaining though.. i always thought my reviews are pretty "dry" and boring, anything but entertaining
Richard Thankyou, loved the comparisons especially iso and exposure latitudes. Great review.
thanks for watching :) glad you like it. Thanks for the feedback as sometimes I really don't know which part of video my viewer like and don't like
@@TheRealRichardWong Richard your amazing , I always like watching your videos and you are thorough, Ive been waiting for you to get this camera to get the most honest opinion as your comments are I think the most reliable (not saying that others are not), but I seem to feel that, You also have been helpful in the past and do answer questions that have been raised. Thanks again and keep up the great work you do.
Superb review, best so far on you tube - thank you
Oh thanks for the kind words. Thanks a lot Ian!
really good review Richard! excited to try this camera some time, and for some of the features to flow down to the lower cameras 😊
Thanks Kunal!! Yes most of the tech will definitely trickle down to the lower models :D
Best review yet of z9- well done
Thank you so much Jay!
Excellent review, a joy to watch!
Thank you very much my friend!
Very good explanation of the differences in specs and real life experience. Especially liked the details of the viewfinder!
Thanks a lot Lekker!
Awesome review of the Z9 Richard! well done, sir 👍
Thank you kindly! :)
Thank you … thanks for your review … wish you a happy new year … it’s a beast of a camera ..
Thank you Felix and have a great 2022!
Great review
Happy New Year Richard:-) Fantastic Video, thank you!
Happy New year Aktivstudio! Thanks for watching!
Great Review, Richard. 👍
Thanks Victor!
Cant wait to get mine next week!!
I'm sure you will love it Dave
Great video, thank you Richard!
Thank you very much
Excellent review. Still waiting on mine 🙏
Enjoy your Z9 (when you received it)
Brilliant video and thanks again
Thanks NikCan, but are you from Nikon or Canon? :p
@@TheRealRichardWong neither company as I use both Canon with my employer and nikon for private work. I use the DSLRs cameras at present for over 35 years. CANON Cripple hammer 🔨 with the R3 of the CF express and SD card is a deal breaker for my needs so I want for the R1 or RX or whatever it will be called before moving to mirrorless. Nikon z9 I can't get in Ireland and no sign on the camera as the shop owners reckon its more likely June or July before non NPS members get the Z9 camera. There has been problems in Ireland joining NPS many years ago going through different process to the UK that hindered joining Nikon NPS so I never bothered afterwards to join NPS.
Excellent review 💯
Thank you 🤗
Darn, this is the best and most complete and thoughtful review of technical aspects of the Z9 that I have seen to date. Your consideration of various aspects of high and low ISO performance and under/over exposure was flawless. I was so impressed that I had to stop your video at that point to write this comment. What were your results in starlight mode?
Oh thanks so much! To be honest, since I spent a lot of time testing other features I only briefly played with the starlight mode but my experience is quite positive!
Great review, thanks!
Thanks Duncan!
Thanks so much for your review. I'd love to have you do a review of the Z9 video capabilities, since that's such a big feature set of the camera.
Great analysis!! Mine should be here later this week. Can't wait!!!
wow amazing! I'm excited for you my friend
@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks!! At 23:30 when you had ISO 6400 and above, why is there so much noise?? What lens were you using and shutter speed?? Was VR turned off?? You said the Z6 had less noise because it has less megapixels. I read that shouldn't be an issue with the newer sensors.
Excellent review Richard! By far the best Z9 review I have seen to date. It looks like the Z9 is everything that Nikon wanted it to be. Nikon is back in a huge way and I so look forward to seeing these new features in a smaller mirrorless version, Z8, similar to D6 to 850 of DSLR technology exchange. Any inside info as to when Nikon would release such a camera? Z7ii excellent for landscape but would like to see more Z9 features, such as shutterless tech, backlit buttons, better auto focus, and a multi-pivoting display screen.
David, you described the camera i really want too! But no, no inside info and to be honest, even if i was told anything, it would be under very strict NDA so i won't be able to share with anyone else until the manufacturer has announced it publicly. :P Thank you very much for your kind words
Fantastic review, Thank you Richard. The issue I have is, the more I learn about the Z9 the more I want one.
Sorry about that Stefan 😅
Great information. I can’t wait to get mine…
Worth the wait
Great review!
Glad you enjoyed it
Great review. Very comprehensive.
Bob Glad you enjoyed it!
A really good and comprehensive video - thank you
Thank you John!
perfect review, thank you so much
Thank you very much!
One of the best Z9 reviews out there.
Thank you!
Thenk you very much for the really in-depth review
Thanks for watching Roman!
For someone who doesn’t consider themselves to be a bird photographer, I would be quite happy with those images of Australasian Gannets. Very nice review of the Nikon Z9. I’m now subscribed.
Thank you very much! And i'm definitely not a bird photographer :P
A lot of great points, like instant turn on, quick responses and other usability factors that are important factors for how people actually use a camera in high pressure, high value moments.
Yes those are things that do annoy me quite a bit and caused me missed photos when using some mirrorless cameras shooting weddings/events myself
The z9 is my dream camera. So amazing. Currently shooting with Sony a7iv.
Hi Mr Wong, I just wanted to thank you really so much, for your so great video of the z9.You explained everything in a so patient, wonderful, precise way. Incredible😃😃👍👍.Everyting is perfect,the pictures which follow your explanations are perfectly in time.No subject has been forgotten pfffff. I have been shooting with my d5 now for 5 years and with your video. I know now, what to expect, when I change to mirorless.Your video is by far, far the best of the reviews I have seen. And I have seen a lot of those.thanks a lot again.🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much Francois! Yes I really want people to know what they should expect, the pros and cons of the product I am reviewing so if they want to purchase one , they will get what they expected.
Richard this is the best Nikon Z9 review (and I have watched quite a few) and possibly one of the best photography gear related reviews. You are honest and concise (packing in tons of info into 40 mins which flew by!) well done, I subscribed and now checking out a bunch of your other vids, thanks again!
Wow, thanks Bryan! I was really worried if this 40min review is too long but glad you didn't find it an issue.
Wow, incredible results, thanks for all the thorough testing Richard! I have to say, the 42 minutes seemed to pass quite quickly watching this. To be honest, it sounds like the Z9 checks everything I might want off my wish list, particularly the handling, the startup time, and tracking. Are you considering using them for your professional work?
i was worried this video is a bit too long, but glad to heard you managed to watch it all Christopher :) For myself, I do LOVE to have one for my wedding/portrait work, but i haven't order one for myself yet. I want to see if Nikon will bring out a D850 foam factor baby Z9 which would be my ideal wedding camera.
Great video thanks again 😊👍
Thank you Paul!
Good review!
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks!
Wow! Thanks so much Photo-Me-Ike!! I have bookmarked your new A7IV video and am going to watch it once I got this super long review done (which I have been working on almost 24/7 over the Christmas break haha)
Thanks for this. Really good review. Very comprehensive and well structured. Even though I have no plans of buying one, I watched the whole thing, and it really just flew by. I'll pick up a Z6II or maybe Z6III, if available later this year.
Thanks so much! Glad to hear you managed to watch it all ☺️
Thanks for the great review. Now let's hope Nikon will give as Z8 soon.
I am pretty sure Nikon will Michael
Just found your channel mate 🎅 Make your vids as long as you want to Thanks for the great review, waiting for the Z9 to arrive just like everyone else 😀 Where did you get yours … nps ?
hi Jack, thank you! No unfortunately it is a loaner from Nikon and I have already returned it. Hope you will receive your Z9 soon, I know how painful it is waiting for a new camera to show up :D
Nice review
Jesse thank you for watching
You rock Richard! :-)
Haha Thanks Peter!!
Probs the very best Z9 info vid there is... punkt!
Thank you very much
Thank you very much for your review Richard. I've watched quite a few already (like so many I assume) but you have been able to include quite a bit of fresh information. I've been reading and re-reading the Z9 manual whilst waiting for my new Z baby to arrive and can't find much useful information in the manual about our possibilities for button assignments. Yes, we can read in the manual which buttons are assignable, and what the total list of assignable functions is, but not every function can be programmed on every button. Do you have recommendations that you can share. Also very interested to get your feedback on the various AF area modes. Which work best for model and animal photography?
Hi Ed, thank you very much! Re recommendations, i don't actually have any. I found that when shooting with pro cameras, because there are already so many buttons/controls so i rarely need to do too much customisation myself, compare to when using an entry level camera which I would like to do more customisation but then those cameras usually don't allow me to do that. For Nikon cameras, I usually just program a button to do a zoom 100% (or more) button to check the focus, or when shooting with manual focus lens, and that's pretty much it.
A very good review, one of the best actually. I have ordered a Z9 about one month ago ( 1 march ) and still waiting. I'm upgrading from a D5 which isn't really necessary as the D5 delivers for my use case. By the way, regarding the battery life of my D5 and using the second iteration of battery, I have only run the battery down once in three years shooting high school sports so I'm very confident of it. Thanks so much for your review and the time you put into making this video. Ted in Sebastian, Fl
Thank you very much Ted! Enjoy your Z9 it's an amazing camera :)
Outstanding review Richard, can't wait to get mine although being a non NPS member it might take forever. But at least I will no longer have to jump ship to get adequate performance for wildlife shooting. And then there is the 800mm pf coming soon, yehaaaaa!
Thank you Jerry!! Hope you'll get your soon!
hello thank you for this review. I am an event photogrpaher too but wuld you recommend this camera for such kind of niche?
Liked and subscribed. Thank you, Richard. You live in probably the must beautify country in the world.
Guy Thanks for the sub! And yes i'm very lucky living in NZ
Another great review....Thank you, Richard!! I imagine the Z9 to be superior to many of its compatitors...Since you use both, would you recommend the Z9 or the Lumix S1R for everyday photography?
Z9 is technically better camera and it should be too as it's price is almost double that of S1R. If you shoot sports/fast action, Z9's autofocus system is amazingly good. But if you shoot everyday photo, then S1R is good enough as well. However, one major downside of Z9 as an everyday camera is that it's really a big and heavy camera. S1R is also not a small/lightweight camera, but the Z9 is much much heavier and bigger.
@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks for always being so concise in your answers🙂....I have a better idea now!!
Hey Richard, happy to see that you get your Z9 so quick too. I get mine right before christmas on 23th december and I love it. Really nice review, as always :). I use the Pergear 1TB version too and until today I had no issues. But today I tried to update the firmware of the Z9 to the new one, but now, for the first time, it shows up the message, that the camera can't read the card. Do you have any update experience with your card?
No i didn't have issue with the Z9 but i also has not update the FW (as it was a loan camera).
@@TheRealRichardWong Oh, I did not noticed, that this was not yours. But thanks for your response. I am in contact with the european support and hope, that they will help me with my issue ;).
Once again, great review! As for the buffer, according to others, you can achieve more than 1000 shots - 20fps NEF, but you have to have very fast CFe cards. With "ordinary" card you can achieve "limitless" buffer - just set it to 15fps (NEF).
If your shooting regular raw files expect around 30-35 shots…not that far off from Sony A1 at 70
@@chrisvig123 so, yes, the A1 is "not that far off" the 81/1100+/3000+ shots on the Z9 😂😂😂 kzhead.info/sun/jLJ9ZdOZmnx4n2w/bejne.html
Thank you for a review that includes the ergonomics, haptics and useability of the camera. It is simply a tool for taking pictures and it really helps to better understand the similarities, differences and advantages between it and a D6.
Ian Thanks! yes i really think the usability /ergonomics are very important for a pro camera, a lot more than an entry level camera.
Thanks for the detailed review! Are you planning a detailed review of new Nikon 24-120/4 S? (The long-awaited lens for all Nikon fans)
Vladimir thanks for watching! yes i will have a review of the 24-120 coming very soon!
How does the evf/rear display work in long exposures?
Hey Mr Wong, Thank you for the review. I am coming from Sony system and really enjoy it’s clear image zoom feature, extending the focal length imaging without loosing the quality. Does Nikon, specifically Z9 offer similar lossless zoom feature?
Hi ESMP Media, Thanks for watching! I haven't use the Clear Image Zoom feature much so please correct me if I say something wrong. Sony's Clear Image Zoom is more or less a fancy name for digital zoom, which basically crop and re-size the image to create a larger JPG file. Nikon has digital zoom in some of it's compact cameras but from memory, they never implement this on their pro DSLR/Mirrorless lineup. Clear Image Zoom is certainly not Loseless though (I think Sony didn't claim that too for obvious reason) and you could get similar or even better results if you do that on your computer with some of latest resizing/upsizing software
Nice review - thanks - probably the most balanced review I have seen to date.
Wow, thank you very much Duncan! :)
Thanks Richard for the overview. Have you examined a JPEG still captured off a 8K RAW video? How does a HE RAW file compare (MB size, quality, recovery of shadow details, etc) with a JPEG fine? Keep up the good work.
Hi n c, no i didn't. I've only compared a normal JPG Fine photo with the HE RAW and the HE RAW looks just as good and have more flexibility for editing
@@TheRealRichardWong Kia Ora Richard.Tēnā koe.
Dear Richard, Thank you so much for your very enlighting and descriptive video. I have about 10 very excellent Leica M lenses and I am very much interested to be able to use them on Nikon Z9, preferably with automatic focusing. Is that possible? I would also like very much that you commented if Nikon Z9 is weather tightened?
Leica M lenses are manual focus lens, if you want to autofocus, you can rely on some third party M to Z autofocus adaptor, i've reviewed the Megadap adaptor: kzhead.info/sun/Y7iJYKt-Z5OGhZE/bejne.html Don't expect perfect autofocus but this is the best you can do.
Hello Richard thank you for the great videos Is that true that Z9 doesn't have an option for 5:4 aspect ratio? This was my favorite output ratio on my D850 and most used one.
Hi David, i don't have the Z9 with me anymore as i returned my sample to Nikon. But i think you are correct i don't remember seeing 5:4 ratio selectable on the Z9. It is not a really usual aspect ratio, i'm curious what makes you like it the most?
@@TheRealRichardWong I’m a fashion and celebrity photographer and most of my client need their images to be punished on social medias especially on Instagram and since this aspect ratio is exactly the same my client asked always for this aspect ratio. Can we have any option to ask Nikon about it and if not available at this moment could have it in the future with software updates? Thank you for the quick kind reply Wish you all the best
Such a brilliant camera I will be buying but not until spring 2023. Going to use what have right now they are new and doing the job great.
haha i can understand your situation. I'm the same. I have the Laowa 100mm and would LOVE to have the 85mm instead now as i love it's more compact size and also prefer it's slightly wider field of view.
Attach the Z 50mm f1.2 S lens onto this camera and you’d have one hell of a setup for wedding photography if you have 24” biceps. It’ll save you the time going to the gym! 😅 Seriously though, that would make a phenomenal combo.
Thanks Richard. Happy new year and best of luck in 2022. Thanks for the great review. By the sound of this review, I see a heavy camera in your future. One question I have not seen addressed is the dof preview. Above f5.6 the evf no longer shows accurate dof on the z series and most mirrorless as af needs good light, so you need to program a dof preview button. The question I have is, will the z9 allow you to zoom in to check dof. On the z cameras, when you hit the dof preview button it will zoom you back to 100%. In video mode this is not the case, just photo mode. I find this annoying when shooting landscapes at high f stop manual focus when I want to judge if I need focus stacking. Let me know. I will wait a bit before I buy a z9, but it does look like a wonderful all rounder. No excuses for bad photos is another downside to this camera
hey Barry, i did test that for you! And the answer is unfortunately NO. You can't zoom in while DOF preview is enabled. At least I didn't find a way to do that.
@@TheRealRichardWong thanks
Please give us Manual settings in portrait, landscape, sports, wildlife shooting. Still and video suiting.
Thanks for your testing. Is it possible to connect USB-C to prolong energy last long?
I haven't try that but I am pretty sure you can
Excellent! Yoy could use the 3D AF mode for birds in flight.
Please make a comparison video of fujifilm GFX series with full frame cameras And Gfx with f0. 95 full frame lense
Hi Richard. I'm newly subscribed to your channel, but your explanations are really excellent. I switched from a Nikon D5 and D850 to the Z9. I never used the Shooting Menu Banks or the Custom Settings banks because I have always found them very confusing. For example, the sub-menus are different under the two sets of banks, and I've seen others say the Shooting and Custom banks are mutually exclusive, i.e., you select either set of banks (A-D), and if you select one of the Custom banks, the items in the Shooting menu banks are no longer working. I really want/need to take advantage of the bank function, but I could really use some help. I've seen videos about switching between banks, renaming and saving bank information, but nothing that gives a good overall explanation of HOW to really use them. Thanks.
hi Tom, thank you very much for your support! And to be honest with you, i don't use the Shooting Menu Banks that much these days anymore. I used to use it more when i do multiple type of photography that requires very different settings like motorsports and wedding but these days I am a bit too lazy to set up as i don't need to quickly switch between very different settings anymore. But i'll write down your question and see if i have a chance to do a video about that in the future :)
@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks. Here's something I just wrote after trying to study the user manuals. Shooting Menu Bank and Custom Settings Bank confusion By Tom Sweet, July 25, 2022 I’ve been shooting Nikon cameras for decades since my first D70 to the D2s, D3s, D5, D800, D850 and now the Z9. For years, I played with the shooting banks and custom banks, but really had no idea how they work. Each time, I would abandon trying to use the banks and just set the camera for whatever I was doing at that moment. When I changed from sports photography to portrait, I had to change a lot of settings. When I finally received my Z9 after waiting seven months, I decided I was going to figure out the menu banks once and for all. I watched dozens of videos that were of little help, even from some great photographers. I went through the manuals over and over. Finally, I created a spreadsheet and selected from the user manual only the “Focus” related sections from both the Photo Shooting Menu and Custom Settings Menu. (The same analysis is true for the Video Shooting Menu section, but I’ll get into that another time.) After looking at my spreadsheet, I had my eureka moment. I finally see what is going on. I used the focus sections, but the relationship holds true for metering and all other topics in the banks. The Shooting Menu Banks work in conjunction with the Custom Settings Banks. If you set up a Shooting Menu Bank and didn’t bother with a Custom Settings Bank, then you’re defaulting to the A Customer Settings Bank without even thinking about it. How are the two sets of banks related to each other? In the Shooting Menu Bank A, for example, if you select, Focus Mode > AF-C Continuous AF, and then you select in the Custom Settings Bank B, Focus > AF-C Priority Selection > Focus, then your camera will be in AF-C mode, but it must obtain focus before it will take the shot. The two banks work together to determine what will happen. As another example, in the Shooting Menu Bank D, if you select, AF-S Single AF, and in Custom Settings Bank C, you select, AF-S Priority Selection > Release, then your camera is in AF-S (you can select the focus point with the joystick), and the camera will take a shot when you press the shutter-release button, even if it didn’t obtain focus. When using the banks for focus, the Shooting Menu Bank (A, B, C or D) determines what mode you are shooting-in for focusing, like AF-C, AF-S or Manual Focus. It also determines the AF area-mode such as Single Point AF or 3D Tracking, and the AF Subject Detection Option like “People.” For example, if you want to set the Shooting Menu Bank C for sports, you could select AF-C Continuous AF, with the AF area mode set to 3D Tracking, and AF subject detection option set to “People.” Then you can set the AF-C Priority Selection in the Custom Settings Bank B to “Release,” and the Focus Tracking with Lock-On to “Erratic.” Next time you want to shoot sports, just select the Shooting Menu Bank C and Custom Settings Bank to B together. You see the relationship. The Shooting Menu Bank determines your focus mode (AF-C), AF area mode (Wide Area AF) and AF subject detection options (Auto) to determine how you will shoot. Then in the Custom Settings Bank, you choose a1: AF-C Priority Selection (Focus), a3: Focus Tracking with Lock-on (blocked shot/Steady) and a few other options if you like. The Custom Settings Bank determines how the settings behave. Together that gives the photographer complete control, and using the banks eliminates the need to make multiple settings changes for different situations. Here is the Focus spreadsheet to show the options in both the Shooting Menu Bank and the Custom Settings Bank. You can see the relationships I describe above.
That's very good info Tom! Thanks for sharing
rolling shutter with propeller ?
Hello Richard, please outline how I can soften shadows on an un-edited photo. Thank you.
hi Michael, do you mean you want the shadow not being so dark and you don't want to edit the files?
@@TheRealRichardWong I wish to take a photo and be able to lighten the shadows as I look at the photo. Thank you from England.
you could try shoot in "Neutral" or even "Flat" picture control. But for better results, shoot in RAW and then try push the shadow in postprocessing then you can fine tune how much brighter the shadow is
in case you want to make a video focused review of Z9 then maybe wait sometimes. Nikon may going to drop 8k 60fps 12 bit N-Raw firmware update in February. thats what i have heard.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Another excellent review. I am not in the market to buy a Z9, but the Z9 tells me what is likely in store when Nikon comes out with Version 3 of the Z6 and Z7 (and V2 of the Z5). At that point, Nikon's traditional strengths -- color science, build quality, ergonomics, feel in the hand, lens quality, and high ISO/dynamic range -- would make it hard for me to choose Sony or Canon over Nikon.
Thanks Franklyn and I agree with what you said! 👍
Hello Richard, One of the main differences between the RAW formats should just be in the amount of data collected but when you copy the files they should retain all their data. As with JPG each time you copy the JPG it will get compressed even more. With RAW file no data should be lost. As any compression should only be done when capturing the image and not when copying. Great review I have just about made my mind up to bye a Z9 but would still like to put it in my hands first. Keep well, keep safe and do find some time for fun.
hi John thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Yes as much as I think the Z9 is really pretty amazing, it's not a cheap camera so see if your local shops have a demo unit or contact Nikon and see if you can get your hands on it.
@@TheRealRichardWong There was one plan and I did have an invite but, the COVID hit again and it was canceled :( So hope fully it will happen soon.
AEWESOME Review THANKS ❤🙌
Thank you very much Azeem Merchant
how does the Z9 compare to the D4/5/6 sports/wildlife performance?..better..equal..or almost there..thanks..
Much better than D4, i can't say much about D6 as I didn't get much chance to use it, but I think overall it is better than D5 as well.
The Nikon Z9！！
Yes the Z9!!
wow what a review !!!!!! nikon should pay you !
Thanks Marian. You guys watchiing and give it a like/comment is the best way to pay me :)