Nikon Z8 & Z9: BEST Bird-In-Flight Autofocus Settings
Looking for the best bird-in-flight (BIF) autofocus settings for your Nikon Z8 or Z9? Don't worry, you know I got your back!
In this video, we'll cover all the best AF settings for your Z8 or Z9. We'll look at relevant menu settings, I'll show you how to get the most from subject detection, we'll discuss AF areas and how to use them - and so much more.
This video is a bit of a deep dive, but if you're a bird-in-flight shooter with a Z8 or Z9, the field-proven advice in this view will skyrocket your keeper rate!
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No one in the business is producing (or can produce) this level of useful, detailed guidance. If you can use just a bit of it, you and your images will improve.
Thank you Steve. I don't do much bird photography, but I come here for the best Nikon autofocus tutorials, period. You have helped me immensely.
I purchased your focus book for my 850 years ago. I just got the Z8 and very much looking forward to your book firmware 2.0 update to pull the trigger on this one. There are a couple of other Nikon guys I follow but you are the best/most practical for detailed descriptions of how to handle real world situations. Thanks for all you do!
Awesome bit of knowledge about Z8. Thank You Steve!!
Most Helpful & Very timely Video with insights and "why" not found elsewhere. Steve continues to be one of the best!!
Another awesome and helpful video. I wanted to see this first and then go to the guide. Thank you so much!
Always very very helpful guidance Steve! Thank You for this kind of videos. 👍
Absolutely fantastic Steve ❤ I keep counting days waiting for your tutorial video. ❤❤
Thanks Steve, excellent advice as always
Superb video Steve. I always look forward to your video tutorials . You are the best
Thanks Steve, here in the Netherlands we are also happy with your videos and books.
great video as always! Your explanation, presentation and rhythm are top notch, clear and enjoyable .
Awesome as always !!! You are without doubt the best tutor when it comes to photography!!
You really are the best imho for explaining the functions. Thanks so much!
Great Info…thanks so much…I love your guide books they have been so helpful for me…
Steve you are the best. You post the most helpful and relevant videos on wildlife photography
Thanks so much Steve, all the advice you've given has been so solid in the past, I always look forward to when you post about new features/how to! I just updated my Z8 and I'm on my way to Kerkini tomorrow!
Thanks Steve. I have every book that you have published. Please continue providing excellent Nikon tips and tutorials.
Took me a lot of time & rewinding a bit to catch all of this, but very glad I did. Great info & details.
As always Steve, you have the most keen insight to the Z family of pro bodies and lenses. You’re top shelf in my book! Appreciate you!
Steve very well explained, I am using pretty much all your settings it works very well with all the firmware up to date on my Z9 & Z8 thank you very much for sharing!
Great info. Thanks for posting.
Many thanks for this inciteful review. Looking froward to the updated book in due course. An excellent book that I keep referring back to, to learn exactly the differences in focal areas, use of subject detection and 3D.
Great info Steve. Good to hear that Auto AF has been refined. I'm gong to give it a go. I find that I use your tutorials to learn how everything functions...even though I may program to a different set up. It is working!
Thanks, Steve, for the always-helpful information, as well as new methods that become possible with firmware changes! :)
You are the only one who helps me learn Sony a1 autofocus system
subscribed after watching this video and will be coming back to this a few times and seeing what else you have , so clear and easy to understand
Great video, very informative
I watch quite a few photographers for settings, and I definitely get the best tips from you, which is why I bought your guide a while back. Thanks for this update! Hopefully that Z8 area-af button will come to the Z soon.
Great info and hope the the toggle detection option comes to the Z9 soon as you mentioned!! Great over view👍
Thanks so much for this detailed advice and for talking about how you’ve changed your approach. I came here to learn how to do handoff to 3D and now will see how wide AF and custom modes work. I am adding more events and people to my nature work so am more used to AF-S.
Thnak You very much for your Z8 settings for the birds, I have changed a couple of my camera, so many of your settings make a lot of sense and save those crucial seconds when you are shooting. I will try them soon by shooting a kingfisher. Greetings
I don't know what I'd do without your guidance! Thank you so much!!
Thanks for the kind words :)
I have a Zf and this is extremely helpful information. Probably for all the expeed 7 based cameras down the line as well. Thank you for producing this!
Great video Steve. Big thank You!
Fantastic video, super helpful
Really helpful! Thank you so much!
First class every time. Nice video.
Danke Steve für deinen fantastischen Job !!! Ist immer gut dich zu sehen und deine Tipps sind wertvoll und sparen mir einen Haufen Zeit , thanks much for your tips, this save me much time - greetings from Berlin Germany - Karsten
Steve is the best, I have all the books, thx for the vid…
As always, excellent tutorial. One addition I would like is a refresher on how to save these settings to one of the shooting banks.
Don’t quote me on it but, I think it is a memory card where to save your settings. Just get the smallest, cheapest card that does’t have any bad reviews, put your settings there & keep the card in your camera bag or pocket in case something happens. As with anything computerized, probably good idea to keep 2 backups.
Just pick a menu bank, eg. Bank A & do all your settings. Want to set up another menu bank, eg. Bank BC or D for shooting maybe macro, just choose B-C-D & choose your settings. I believe if you change them while you’re in one of the banks, those settings will be the new settings in that particular menu bank. Have & read your manual? I looked at the Z9 manual online. Holy Moly! Man I’m not looking towards moving to mirrorless as far as the menus go. I’m pretty sure it will make everything easier than with a DSLR once setup. Just have to take the time to dig in, setup & then practice using them everyday until it becomes second nature. Which never really seams to come to me.😊
@@thomastuorto9929 Thanks. I think I've done that. Will have to go out in the field, change Banks a few times and see what settings stick. I found it much easier to set up U1, U2, and U3 on my Z6 and Z7's, and to switch between them.
Awesome. Thanks Steve.
You are a great teacher.
Thanks so much!
Right on, Thanks man😊
Great video Steve. Thanks. To turn off the AF subject detection I use the REC button and the rear wheel on Z9. I use it to switch between SHOOT A and B. A and B have exactly the same settings until the AF subject detection is missing on B. Another advantage is that I can choose a different measuring field in B than in A.
The best as always.
Thanks for confirming
Thank you Steve, Cycle AF Area is dope...I find in team sports small dynamic works well as the main and I hand it off to auto subject, (to many people). I'm very experienced in fast moving subjects and so use to the legacy modes. I realize birding is different and your way seems like it works great. Auto area mode/subject detect works great with the latest firmware on isolated subjects. I use it a lot. My hit rate is 99%+ I use most of the modes over a lot of situations and always trying to find shortcuts like the cycle mode.
thanks Steve Brilliant
Great, very useful video, thank U
I wish Nikon would do this in the AF-Full: Replace multiple squares cluster as the AF system trying to locate the eye of the bird (bird detection mode) with a big box which occupies the entire sensor and a small white box to hunt for the bird's eye (as the camera is panning). As soon as the small white box nails the bird's eye, it turns green. This will make it easier to engage the rule of thirds and easy on the eye due to multiple squares jumping around. Thank you so much for your excellent tutorial.
Hi Fly With Me! Cool video my friend! Well done! Very nice cut! Like nº 16 👍👍👍!!! Congratulations!Thanks for uploading!
Thank you 🙏 Steve for sharing this vital information; i only own a Z7ii ,8&9 are out of budget nevertheless i’m listening to what you say 😊
Thank you, Steve... I'd go insane if I didn't have your videos to help me learn my Z8.😁
Thanks so much!
Thank you for a great tutorial Steve. I wonder if these tips will work with other subjects (airplanes, other fast moving wildlife, even people). Please do a tutorial on the other improvements that came with the Z8 firmware update 2.0. Thank you!
Steve, Thank you for taking the time to provide such in-depth guidance. Great help! What type memory card are you currently using in your Z9 for capturing bird stills & video clips? Thanks!
Thanks! I use the Delkin black series
Thank you Steve
I love your videos but I was wondering if you would do a review on the OM-1 M2 for BIF?
Thankls Steve
I need this for the ZF!
I usually setup the AF just like you have shown over the years and it always works great. But recently I discovered a trick. I keep the Shutter AF-On and keep it on Auto Area AF with Animal mode. It works great after the 2.0 update. And i keep the back button Af-on button to Af Area+Af-on as 3D tracking and 1 front fn button to Af area+af-on with af area as Custom Area 1x1. Focus persistence is always on auto and movie button to switch af-areas. If Auto-Area not working well, i switch it using movie recording button to Wide area S/L and once subject is detected, I hand it over to 3d tracking set to Back button AF and still if doesn't work I press the front fn button as single point and focus persistence mostly works well and if it doesn't, I move it with the joystick while keeping the front fn button pressed. The AF Area+AF-On switches overrides the Shutter Af-on button. So, now I can use both Shutter Af-On & Back Button Af simultaneously. Will use it for sometime if it doesn't work, will switch back to as you said in this video.
Hi Steve! Once again, your content is incredibly high-quality and very helpful. I was wondering, at the end of your video when you discuss and show your guide on shutter speed, what do you do with your vibration reduction? Do you mostly leave it on, or do you turn it off when your shutter speed is higher? Once again, thank you for your amazing knowledge transfer!
I try to remember to shut it off, but with newer lenses it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. Sometimes I like it on just because of the added viewfinder ability - the more stable the viewfinder, the better my chances at a sharp image and the better subject detection will stick :)
@@backcountrygallery thank you!
Z9 is a beast, a piano lesson + lot of practice , what i still need to invest. TBH as of now i think D500 worked better for me, as there was 2 well usable AF mode and happy dayz. Here you need to know what is usable and when. ( I need to try out the complete Auto AF as most of the time i used wide (size depending on the bird) - than switch to 3d) However i bet if i finally get enough practice z9 will yield way better results. And for that i really recommend Steve's e-books. Anno the DSLR was a gamechanger for me. With a bit big head i thought i learnt the tricks and z9 will be business as usual. I was so wrong, but Steve's book saved me again. I know most what i need to, just need to put in the field experience, making those settings core reflexes.
Thanks for another great video Steve. I hate having to use my fn2 button like you do. Wish Nikon would put af area change on one dial and subject detect on other. Then it could be on one function button. Seems like simple firmware. My other objection has to do with renaming lens function buttons. But that’s another story. Thanks again friend.
That's a great video and useful tips. I especially like the DISP button with animal-AF override which can be useful if you encounter mammals. I missed a great shot of a coyote once when shooting eagles as the cam just wouldn't lock on when I panned over. As I was trying manual AF it ran away, a missed opportunity.
As always Steve, an excellent video. I find though that the control ring moves when the camera is hanging on my side with a strap changing either the ISO or EV or whatever I set it too.
Thanks! I always shut my camera off as I hike to keep that from happening - and to save my battery :) However, I know it can be a pain when the camera has to be on and ready. I've done the same.
As much as I think I know all I need to know using my Nikon, Steve always proves me wrong.
If you set up display button as you indicated, how does one change actual display option then? For instance if you might want to show histogram? Great video , very helpful.
You can program it pretty much anywhere. I have it on FN3 on the Z8.
I have just got the Z8 and 160-600 z Lens and I use Auto Focus Wide C2 and Bang it works well so far on Coastal fast fliers Like Sandwich Terns here in S Africa
Hi Steve, I have a wish 🥰 I, many of your followers, would like to request you to make a detailed video on how you do maintenance of your camera, lens, memory cards ....like cleaning of lens, camera and how to handle memory cards for enhancing its life and health...like- quick formatting or full formatting of CF Express cards etc. The trust and loyalty that we have on you keeps us demanding more and more from you in terms of knowledge and learning 😊. I am also very keen to buy your digital books but in India the dollar equivalent amount is bit too much 😅....hope some special offers in the form of discount comes out way someday ❤
Excellent video. Just to confirm, what you call Auto AF is called Auto-area AF in the menu system? Thanks!
Yes
Perfect timing Steve! I leave next week for a month in Kenya. While my main focus is the big cats, the birds are at times irresistible. Your books on Secrets to the Nikon autofocus system, and Nikon Z8 wildlife setup guide have prepared me (and my Z8 with 400mm 4.5S) to ensure that this the best trip ever.
Great all the best for u trip.Give a feedback 😊 on the Z8 setup performance
I tested the new bird subject as well as auto-subject quite a bit in Costa Rica last week on my Z9, and i'm a bit underwhelmed... It works for some birds, but has a LOT of trouble with others. Pelicans and similarly shaped sea birds are apparently a tough subject for it. Frigate birds also cause issues - something about their pouches freaks the AF out. Definitely a YMMV kind of thing. I ended up falling back to dynamic area AF quite a bit. Very small number of keepers, mostly static birds. I'm chalking it up as a "scouting trip" and will definitely follow your AF settings guide next time.
The Z8/9 can struggle with long necked or unusual birds, no question about it. Although, I've seen my Sony a1 have struggles with them as well so it's not just a Nikon thing. That's why I get so adamant about shutting SD off when it's not working - it's can cause more harm than good. Sometimes, you just gotta drive :)
@@backcountrygallery Yeah, i keep dynamic area AF and auto area AF on front fn buttons (and pinpoint on joystick press for good measure) just for cases like that :)
@@backcountrygallery SD worked really well on spider monkeys though - i guess the flailing limbs don't confuse it as long as there's a humanoid face attached to them, hah!
Thanks!
Thanks so much!
Mr. Steve, would it be possible to have a Portuguese version of the guide for Z8? Please!
Hi Steve...Question, so if I'm covering a dance or a play (Using the z8) where people are moving around would you recommend the c1/c2, continuous with people selected? Thanks!
I love your videos and training material. Why does the Menu in my Z8 look different than what you show on the screen? I was trying to follow your section on setting up F1 button for Focusing but could not get the same choices. I am sure I missed something basic..
Make sure you're in the "f" settings on the Custom Setting menu and not the "g" ones (those are for video). That's the only thing I can think of offhand.
Steve, do you use the shooting banks for different scenarios or just set up your cam one way and tweak it if the need arises? For example, if you want to take photos of family, landscapes, etc. would you just keep most of your settings and switch the subject detection to people? Or do you customize the banks and switch between them?
Great video. A question. I set up the display button as you suggested but it keep jumping back bird after I take photos . Am I doing something incorrect?
Make sure you're using Recall Shooting Hold. Also, there are things that will cause it to go back - turning off the camera, changing AF areas, etc. Recall Shooting Functions is a temporary deal.
Thanks for getting back to me. I did everything correctly. I had a feeling it’s a temporary hold . Again always look forward to your educational videos.
Steve, does your Z8/9 setup guide also show settings for perched birds, or do these BIF settings work well for perched birds too?
Yes. This video was specific for BIF, but the book talks about general wildlife and action and when to use what AF area, how they work, way more about subject detection, etc.
I request you to do similar training KZhead for Nikon Zf. I am lately using it to get the old feeling of Nikon FM2. I understand that the camera has Expeed 7 processor and many of autofocus functions like Z8, but not all. It will be nice to know how Nikon Zf can be used for bird photography.
Steve, as you cycle through your AF modes, since your Wide-area C1 is like a single point but with subject detection, why do you also need single point AF? Thank you!
Mostly because there are times I want single point without SD and that's a quicker way to get there than trying to shut it off via the menus.
Thanks
Thanks so much!
please for Z7II or below too please :)
Hi Steve, a quick question, I have read through your Z8 & Z9 Wildlife Set-Up Guide - when using AF Hand-off - onec you "hand-off" to say 3DAF do I continue to press my back-button AF or do I just hold the Fn button assigned?
Thanks for the purchase! Keep pressing AF-On as you hold the Fn button.
I hope Nikon Releases soon for the Z9 the Cycle AF-area mode. This can be very useful
Agree 100%. It completely changes the AF workflow in the field. I'm heading to Africa in about 6 weeks and I'm thinking of getting a second Z8 and leaving the Z9 at home!
I have a 5 day shoot with the US Ski Team at then end of March and keeping my fingers crossed Nikon release a "small" FW upgrade for the Z9 which I have 2 of them. I had a Z8 and for me I Just didn't like the smaller body.@@backcountrygallery
@@kuau714 Fingers crossed. It would be great to have it on the Z9.
Mr. Steve, I ask if the guides sold on your page already include firmware 2.0
They do :)
Steve, I have Firmware 2.0 on my Z8. In programming my video button to cycle through my selected focus areas, the camera will not include Auto Area AF in the cycle even though I have it selected. Anyone have any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong. Great video with invaluable suggestions. Thank you, Steve.
You have to have it checked in two places - the Cycle AF Area option AND under a8, Focus Mode Restrictions. Check that spot - I'll bet Auto AF is unchecked.
That fixed the problem. Thank you very much for the response. Heading out soon to practice.
@@backcountrygallery I hope Firmware 5.0 on my Z9 may now have the same capability of cycling through the autofocus area settings.
@@scottheppel8847It does.
Hi Steve, setting mind up this way as we speak, so why is it necessary to add Auto Area Mode to the Fn1 button when it can already be selected as the primary in the the Cycle? Cheers from Downunder...
So you can do a handoff if needed. If that's not something you do, I'd use Fn1 for something else. :)
@@backcountrygallery Thanks Steve
Hey Steve, I was hoping you could tell me why you have a 1x1 custom area and 3d tracking both set up on that toggle through button. If they are both small areas capable of subject tracking isn’t that redundant? I ask because your settings are so optimized for speed and efficiency.
It's for when I want to pin subject down to a specific area. With 3D, the camera has run of the viewfinder and even though I tell it where to start, I've had it wander too far off with tricky targets (hippos come to mind), With C1 1x1, I can use it like single point AF with SD but SD can't wander very far. I've used this same toggle system with my Sonys for a few years now and I know how fast it is, so although this isn't an AF area I use very often, I still like to have it on tap. Plus, if I need to change the size of it - to like a long rectangle - I can press my and hold focus mode button to reconfigure it on the fly.
@@backcountrygallery Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. That makes sense I appreciate your reply.
I also set spot focus on Fn2 on my Z9 for those times when the camera just wants to ignore the hawk in the tree. Hopefully once the cycle through option comes to the Z9 I can just use that. Matt Granger was complaining about Nikon not wanting to focus on subjects if the focus point is past the subject. It won't back up. For that he has the focus recall button on the lens set to a shorter distance so he can immediately get the focus in front of the bird so it can find it. I just shot my Zf at ridiculous ISO, up to 32,000 and I am floored with the image quality. The Z6III is going to be a low light monster.
I thought about meriting Recall Focus Distance but the video was already getting too long :) I might do a separate one on that topic. Most of the time though, I have a finger or thumb on the manual focus ring for when the camera is stubborn about focusing on a closer subject. I've done it so much now that I don't' even think about it anymore :)
Nice information.I just updated my Z8 and found that in auto capture mode I can not see bird ditection mode but i can see only auto,pppl animal and vehicle mode.. What could be the reason?
AC doesn't have Bird as an option in the Z8 or the Z9. Not sure why.
Now i have started to get that nikon just imported this directly from Z9 4.0 and they jave not from 4.10
Hi Steve, are you into the new firmware for the Z9? Any specific news which will effect the 160 version of your wildlife book?
A few things - I'll have an update out soon :)
@@backcountrygallery Waiting for it:) Could you please include an overview of the changes that are important for BIF and wildlife settings? :D much appreciated!
@@VNVZ-Zoetermeer Honestly, there's not much that applies to BIF. I have updated my control setup, so maybe that counts, but none of the new features are really directly targeted at BIF shooters.
Hell yes, they included the AF cycle in the new firmware!!!
Hi Steve need help!!!! I have the Z8 set up to “Cycle AF” on FN2. It works, but as soon as I push my “Back Button AF”, the Z8 jumps back to “Auto Area AF” mode, & ignores where I had “Cycled” the AF MODE?????? Please help
If you set the display button to hold to change from bird to animal, will it still toggle through the display options of you do a short press? I have my record button set to DX mode because there's time when I quickly need to switch back and forth. I found that helpful for me. But like you said, to each their own. I also have all 4 banks set up. One is for general photography with a single focus point set. It'll probably be used for landscape work. One is set for action like for ballgames. One is set to planes and cars because I like to take photos of planes. And the last one set to birds. There's a micro adjustment for the shutter speed and somehow I accidentally set it on the back for planes. When I change the shutter speed it changes it in tiny increments. It even has decimal points. I have no idea what I did. But on the touch screen the shutter speed is not a selection like the aperture and ISO. I had a helicopter flying over and I wanted motion blur in the rotors but when I changed the shutter speed it was in tiny amounts and I couldn't turn it fast enough to get my shutter speed lower.
First question, nope. It can only be set for one thing at a time. The shutter speed is acting like that because High Frequency Flicker Reduction is turned on in the Photo Shooting Menu. Turn it off and it'll go back to normal. :)
@@backcountrygallery thank you.
Can we assign custom button for 3D focus and tracking?. I heard that 3D only works for Shutter button focus. Please explain
Sure, it can go on any supported button, which is quite a few. An no, it's not just for shutter release, I use it with BBAF all the time :)
Looks like the firmware updates(5.0 and 2.0) have taken the "Manual focus ring in AF mode" option out of both the Z9 and Z8 menus or did it move somewhere else or what replaced it? I have "Focus Point Selection Speed" at A15 on the Z9 and the Z8 does not have an A15. Just A14 which is the same as the Z9 now. I did have a native Z lens on both bodies to check this.
It has to be both a Z series lens and one with a dedicated focus ring. (not just a control ring that allows you to focus)
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This is what makes you the best for Z8/Z9 settings Steve! I was actually caught in a situation last week while doing video of some turkeys on the ground with my Z8 and a coyote stepped out into the open. I fumbled around with trying to get out of bird and into animal detection mode via the info button, which is very doable, but the coyote decided to run off before I got my act together. Today after watching your video I set up my FN2 button to quickly toggle through subject detection modes by setting it to access the top item in My Menu. Works like a charm for photos but unfortunately even though the option is there to select this also in the Video custom controls it won't work. In other words, I can try to select a different subject detection mode and hit OK but the original mode stays put. I know you're not much of a video guy but do you know of a better work around than using the info button like I suggested? Btw.. I did try programming all of the other buttons and nothing gave me the option in video mode that I was able to achieve in photos. Thanks!
Yeah, I don't know about that - it sounds like it's changing for photo mode and not video. I'm able to change SD in the "i" menu while in video mode, but I'm not sure on the other. There's probably a way, I just don't know it offhand :)
@@backcountrygallery Thanks for the reply Steve. I've tried practicing it using the info button "touch" on the back monitor multiple times and have had better results. Who knows how that will be out in the field though. Haha Thanks again
Thank you very much Steve. Can you please add the Transscript, please? I need it to translate in german.
The transscript text is avaible now, thanks!
I think YT does them automatically