AUTOFOCUS With A TWIST! | Nikon Z8/Z9: The Settings You NEED To KNOW!
There's a NEW great way to set up your Z8 or Z9 for that matter after the latest Firmware release! So if you are not sure how to set up your Z8 to get the best results, look no further!
Z8 Settings Video!
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 FW 2.0 Is here!
0:49 Old Set Up
1:59 First Big Change
2:59 The New AF Set Up
6:20 Next AF Mode
7:22 "Emergency" AF Mode
Although I am a loyal Canon user, I was captivated by your video on the firmware update for the Nikon Z8, especially regarding the autofocus improvements. The added features truly impressed me. I am eagerly hoping to see similar advancements directly integrated into the upcoming Canon R1 and R5 II models. It's always exciting to see how different brands innovate in the field of photography, and it benefits the entire photography community. Thank you for sharing such enriching information.
I have Canon R3 which I use for sports. It never grabs the eye for players as fast as the Nikon Z8. I point the camera to a player and in milliseconds it’s on the players eye. Now I’m taking the Z8 to all of my highs school games and investing in Z glass
@@MrTedTed I also have R3 Z8 and I agree with you!
@@MrTedTedLies. My iPhone 15pro has better autofocus than Nikons whole Mirrorless lineup.
My thoughts are on a similar track. However, I‘d find it more than appropriate if Canon provided a FW 2.0 for the original R5 with improved AF features rather than integrating these only in their upcoming gear. I am pretty disappointed with what the R5 community was given in this regard so far.
@@HotGates yeah ! I bought two R3 because it was supposed to be the best in AF for sports . I am not finding that’s the case. It never jumps to the eye as my Z8. I have tried multiple setups on my R3 , back button focus, AF case 2 and 4 , spot AF , etc and AF point when scrolling through the images it’s all over the place except the eye. With Nikon , you set it as AF for people , and it’s in the players eye before you blink. I just don’t understand what’s happening with my Canon. I’m using RF glass , prime expensive professional lenses , and it just doesn’t perform as well.
I'm a huge fan of using the new "cycle AF" option for FN1 or FN2. These are easier for me to hit than the DISP button. I limit the cycle to single point, wide area, 3D, and auto. That covers everything I need for birds.
Yes, that is a new great solution!
Yes, that’s a also a good way to do it. Comes down to what works better for you. I like the three buttons because I know whichever button I press will have the desired effect. Cycling through options opens up the possibility of accidentally going for the wrong mode and having to mess with it for a few seconds which may be all it takes for the animal to be gone. I’m saying that I am not a huge fan of the DISP button and which Nikon had a second bette replaced button in the back
Exactly how my Z9 and Z8 has been set up for the last couple of week, Great minds
This is great staff. This change everything. Canon and Sony see you later. I was never thinking about it this way. A lot of value. Thank you man. 🙏♥️📸
Hi Jan - you might consider as an alternative to using single point as your 'base AF mode', using a custom box and sizing it to single point - then you have the option of applying subject tracking to it as well - something that is not available to single point. Just a thought - I wonder if this would give you even more control of locking onto the birds in the grass etc. -PD
I prefer the base AF mode to be “dumb” because then I can focus on whatever I need to with it. Or for instance when the tracking failed to track the herons and egrets, it helped a lot to have a “dumb” mode that I could put in the eye and it gave me great results. If the base mode has tracking it sometimes will have the same issues the other modes have whereas with no tracking it will give you more options
@@jan_wegener Makes sense :)
Hi Jan, I asked for this and you produced… thank you, your time putting this together is much appreciated 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the video! I’m trying these updated focus methods on my Z9.
Jan I am now using the cycle AF function were I can quickly cycle through single point, wide area, 3D, and auto very quickly using only the FN1 button. very handy
Thanks Jan, for showing us how to set up the camera to best use that new auto focus abilities of the Z8. I found your video a great deal more useful than others describing the changes.
Glad it was helpful!
This video was very helpful to getting the most out of my z8 camera. I am using firmware 2.0 and have noticed an improved focus. I purchased your setup guide and found it very helpful in setting up the camera. There are a few typos, but nothing major. Some of the items were in a different order than the menu system. It caused me to have to search for them. The biggest thing was the change in how to set up continuous AF. I did not understand how that worked until this change. It would be helpful to add more background for that feature. Since you want the default AF to be set for Wide Area focus with 2.0, it makes total sense. Since the other focus types only last as long as your finger is on the button, having the best default AF is critical. Using the pinpoint focus to get my subject in focus and let the camera take over after that, really works well. I find that true on the Z9 also. Thank you for that tip. One point that beginners like me need to understand is that the focus chooses a focal plane based on how you focus the camera as a starting point. Thereafter, the camera uses the default continuous AF method to move that focal plane around. The better the software is at finding the subject, the more sharp pictures you will take. Thanks for talking about Nikon even though I know you prefer Canon.
These are great. What i've done is assign my Lens-Function button to cycle through Auto-area, Wide-L, and Single Point. I use the different areas in the same way, auto area is great for 90% of the time but in busier scenes I may need to use wide or single point
I use Auto Area on the Shutter and 3D on the AFON button and have the movie button set to cycle the AF modes
Your experience mirrows mine but I set mine up a bit different. AF on button = single point af area mode, Shutter and base af area mode = auto area , FN 1 = cycles auto focus which I selected only 3D and auto area. The intent here is to go directly to the subject without guess work with the single point assigned to the af on button. If subject is automatically detected by the af then I can go directly to the shutter button. If I need the 3D then I cycle ttbrou the af with FN 1 button which is just one press. The Z8 is now a stunning camera with the firmware 2.0. Am also finding the custom af area mode set to single point to work greatly,further testing will tell me if that can replace the single point as that will offer me both single point and subject detection. Bravo nikon.
Some great and useful set up tips Jan, just waiting now on Nikon to give these new features to my Z9.
It already has the autofocus ones So this will work with it
Great Video and very helpful, Jan!Wunderbar 😀 As others already mentioned, the cycle AF modes are really useful. Sharing my setup, as they might be useful for some users here: I assigned Cycle AF mode to Fn 1 with only the option to cycle the Single Point AF and Auto Area AF. Additionally on the Joystick press (as you did on DISP), I assigned Af-Area + Af-On for the 3D-Tracking . So the 3 important AF modes are easily and fast available. As I shoot all sorts of animals in general, I needed a solution to toggle between Animal & Bird detection and assigned the recall shooting function to the Video record button. There, I only checked the option of Bird Detection. So, with the press of a button (in this case Video Record button)I can also easily switch between Animal and Bird detection with exact same settings. Hope this helps the one or other! Beste Grüße, amicx
Nikon DSLR user here. Went to Costa Rica with my D750 and Tamron 100-400. Got some great results, but sometimes had trouble getting accurate focus. Most shots were of wildlife in trees (sloth, monkeys, birds, etc). Used 3D tracking almost all the time. I think the AF points may have been a bit too large. But feedback on DPReview was also to maybe not use 3D tracking. But with the D modes composing takes more time since you have to move the area around. Wondering if the Z8 or upcoming Z6 III may make sense for me to move to.
Hi Jan - big fan of your channel here from Canada... Another AF twist to think about. No changes whatsoever to your AF Area + AF-ON for your AF-ON button. As noted, works beautifully with Firmware 2.0. Only slight change is Fn-1 which I've set to AF-ON and set the Video recording red button to the new Cycle AF Area Mode with only Single Point and 3D Tracking enabled. Essentially this allows me to toggle between Single Point and 3D by hitting the Video button and then use the Fn-1 to get to focus. This frees up my DISP button which I find uncomfortable for focusing. I'm in single point pretty much all the time, use it as my base AF mode, and can focus with Fn-1. When i feel like 3D might be better suited, I hit the video button, that takes me to 3D and hit Fn-1 again to track focus - this is very quick. For BIF, I can use AF-ON, like you do. Works nicely.
Thanks for sharing!
I find assigning the back toggle button to single point, the back focus to auto area subject detection. Then I use the display button to switch to 3d wide subject if needed for single subjects. If I have a bunch of subjects I use the single point dynamic S to the back focus, pinpoint to the toggle buttons and auto area to function 1 and 3. I'm use to it. It's like playing a piano. With practice it becomes second nature and the hit rate is 99%. I shoot a lot of sports so I maximize all the settings. Maximizing every mode the camera is capable of in different situations, it is a great practice. I never ran into a camera using one setting covers all situations. In many cases the single point to auto area subject works very well and fast.
Extremely useful tips - especially on the AF settings / mapping to quick C1, buttons, will add these to my Z9, fingers cross Nikon can do another Z FF Massive product launch and support with the rumored Z6 III.
I feel, the firmware 2.0 has a qualitative effect on focusing birds easily. Now really the camera has become a fun to use for a hobbyist. Your suggestion on single point focus mode is worth trying.
Awesome set up i use them for uw photos too works great !!
Great to hear!
Great video and advice. One small point... why not use the cycler function to change the autofocus mode and thus use just one function button and keep display as is?
My favorite part when he promotes his online course is when he says : “I will teach you “Step by Step”…. it sounds so calming …. and on in this video he didn’t say that part. Jan don’t stop saying that now please ! That’s my favorite part of your ad
Haha ok 😆
Thanks for the update! Your videos are always comprehensive and helpful. Canon R5 user here. Been waiting for the R5ii but am now considering the Z8 for my next purchase. With the new Nikon firmware update would you say you prefer the Z8 over the current R5?
It's vey close now, there's performance advantages for the Z8 for sure, especially for video and buffer etc, but I prefer the ergonomics of Canon with more and better placed buttons in the back. I guess we will fully know what the future holds when the R5 II is available, but as you say that might be a few more months off
believe it or not , with Bird Autofocus coming with new firmware version , there is quite a remarkable difference in Bird in Flight with busy background . I did not notice it at first as I stopped expecting it. Every now and then I would try BIF should the opportunity arise but then would just leave it to that - and would never check the photos or develop them in post. But in my recent trip , after doing it successfully for couple of days , I realized , OMG ! Its really doing it :)) -OMG I have at least few BIF with greener background !!! now isn't that a treat :D btw , one thing I noticed with new AF , it has somehow made the matter worse in the situation where you have accidentally focused to the background and your subject is blur - this is an issue now with AF-ON + 3D Tracking hand-off technique with 2 button press. And that is where Jan's new technique will help you . With Jan's technique the problem is less noticeable since you will have less chance to miss the subject and focus on the background. so ! Cheers Jan :))
Thanks for sharing. Yes that’s why I talked about the need to pre focus as well and the auto area helps too at times to prevent the dreaded background focus
Jan, thank you for another excellent video! I am curious though, you always cite what you do on focusing modes; however, you rarely, if ever, address metering modes. What metering mode(s) have you found most useful when you are photographing birds?
I shoot full manual, so the metering mode doesn’t matter. I guess that’s why it has become an afterthought for me
Yes, but doesn’t your light meter still indicate over/under exposure? I assume you ignore your exposure, perhaps using your histogram instead. Thanks!
@@johnpeterka8355 correct
Thank you!
But how are you planing to use the “auto area” mode on the AF-on button if you want to focus on an specific bird between a bunch of other birds, or if you are doing sports , let’s say that there are a lot of players running after the ball and you want to focus on one specific player, how is auto area AF work on those scenarios ??
i have set my AF-Mode Button to the new Cycle Mode and Aktivate 3d,Auto, and single point, so i can reakt fast to that what i need to. AF-On is set to C1. for me it is the fast way to swap in the AF-Modes
Thanks for another great video. Had you considered using the F1 button to just cycle between your 3 AF Modes? That way you wouldn't need to worry about not having a working display button.
This has the additional benefit that I always focus with the SAME button (back focus button), which gives me a better overall experience. But working a lot with Canon, Jan might like different focus buttons more.. its awesome that there are so many unique ways to setup the Z8!
The possibility to cycle AF modes with a button press is one of the best updates in the new firmware, in my opinion. For me it will free up function buttons to use for other things than AF areas.
Totally agree, the new cycle AF mode is awesome. And while I mainly use the camara for birds, when I come across another animal I have the other function button set up to quickly switch to animal mode.
Jan thank you Sir .Great video . didn't Nikon add a focus toggling option now so you can with the click of one button. just cycle from single point to auto to 3D? I haven't tried this yet but it would seem more efficient if we only need to program one single button to do it .
It’s a nice option, but will take much longer in the field imo. Because you may have to press it a few times and it then won’t take over from the other mode
I just have the display button reassigned to the microphone buttonwhile shooting on the Z9:) not sure id it works on the z8 on another button but I'd guess so.
Very nice Jan Z8 just became a super camera, I just wish the rumored pre focus raw was included but they might add it to the Z9 first. Question why is my exposure compensation doing it's own thing? I have it on 0 but then it will jump to +2 on it's own and I have to press the button to bring it to 0 again. I'm always in manual mode with auto ISO.
If you have a lens with a control ring I think it is set to exposure compensation by default. And it is very easy to accidently turn it. I do not have such a lens myself but I think those who have a lens with control ring often turn it off to avoid any problems. Or assign it to some other function.
@@senglund I'll check that out and make sure my 600pf isn't set like that Thanks.
Nice information.I just updated my Z8 and found that in auto capture mode I can not see bird direction mode but i can see only auto,pppl animal and vehicle mode.. What could be the reason?
Hi Jan. Currently I use 400 4.5 and it works ok, for better range I use tc1.4 but unfortunately the photo quality decreases. I would like to buy something longer now. I have two lenses in mind: 800pf and 600pf. I mainly photograph birds. Please tell me which lens in your opinion is better, sharper and what would be your choice?
I watched a very thorough review about focus. The 600 pf was sharper than the 800, and stayed as sharp as the 800 with the 1.4 tc. Hope this helps.
Jan, Do you use the same setup for your Z9? Do you prefer the Z8 to the Z9 for birds? Thanks. long time subscriber.
Yes I do. They’re very similar cameras. I like the battery life of the z9 but the size of the z8 😆
Thank you for all of this wonderful information. I am using a new Z8 with a Nikon FTZ lens adapter (I have some older lens that I use with this Z8). I can not find the 3D option for the Display button option. Does anyone else have this issue?
you have to go to AF on + Area mode and then 3D will be in that sub menu
Hi Jan great video thank you,but I can’t find your z8 settings anywhere 🤔
www.thebirdphotographyshow.com
@@jan_wegenerhas it been updated for firmware 2.0? Thanks
I would like to set the shutter button to use the single point focus and the AF back button to other focus modes. What does not work is if your set a function button to scroll through the focus modes it does it only for the shutter button and I would like it to do it for AF back button. Any idea of a workaround?
Top Drawer ....
Hi Jan, great video,. Can you set up a Z9 in the same way?
Yes
Nikon please, on next firmware version 3.0 I would like to see the top Control Panel display to be a little brighter and with more contrast when I turn it on
I Want to to assign fb1 to single AF point too
U cn assign display button to joystick
Nikon is doing very well. I hope they will sell better and get a solid third place in the market share, not so far from Sony and Canon.
what about z6 ii for hobies birds protographer
Hi Jan, this is the best timing I can think of for this video. Yesterday I picked up the Z8 along with the 600/6.3PF. I am now trying to download the PDF of the Z8 set up, but every time I get a message that something went wrong from Paypall, so I am unable to pay?
I have now succeeded... 😬
Great!
What I'm trying to find confirmation on is whether auto subject detection mode is still comprised of bird detection (alongside other animals and humans)? Or to get the benefits of the new bird tracking, do you have to be in bird mode exclusively?
Yes you have to be in bird mode. Animal won’t really find a bird anymore. It happened to me in video mode where I didn’t change over and it did very poorly. In bird mode it instantly did great
Great, thanks Jan. I did a few more comparisons earlier today before seeing your reply and whilst auto subject detect did pick up birds, it didn't seem to be as consistent or sticky as bird only mode@@jan_wegener
Thanks@@jan_wegener I did a few tests earlier today before seeing your reply and it seemed to play out that way. Auto subject detection did pick out birds, but it seemed less sticky and consistent than bird mode, even on the same scene and subjects.
Well it's getting tougher. If Canon doesn't have similar features in the R1 and/or the R5 II, I'm not waiting another four years (which seems to be the only release cycle they believe in). And if the "leaked" specs of the R1 are correct, and it is going to be around 30 mp, it is already out for me. I hate to say this, but watching Canon lately is strangely similar to watching Nokia. Nokia got arrogant in their thinking, and decided that they didn't have to innovate - or even pay attention to user wants and needs. Nokia's downfall surprised a lot of people.
How hot was when you got your hot card warning ?
Maybe low 30s, but quite humid. I took the card out a few times and it wasn’t even hot. So must be quite a low threshold to that wanting
@@jan_wegener it happened to me too with my Z8 and it happened when I was shooting 20 fps for some time. What I did to resolve once for all this problem is to change CF express card and put one with high sustained speed writing. I will not write the name here because I don't know if writing the name is kind of advertising the card
Nikon z8 vs canon r5c which would you recommend me to buy
to do what? R5c is very video heavy and lacks some crucial photo features like IBIS
@@jan_wegener for filmmaking purposes
@@jan_wegener for filmmaking purposes
I noticed the AF bird detect did yesterday didn't work as well as I hoped when the birds are small in the frame, so I did try the single point this morning and it worked much better. Thanks.
Yes when they get too small it struggles a bit
Are there keepers coming out when bird is really small in frame?
@@livejames9374 Maybe about half. It is much better than my D7200 :)
Im still getting eye lash focus with my Z8.
Many thanks for the tips. Unfortunately I can't speak English, but pictures say a lot. Greetings from South Tyrol (Italy)
I purchased the Z8 / Z9 Set up Guide. Any plans to update the guide to your new setup video on Z8 2.0 firmware update? Will soon be in South Georgia Island / Falklands / Patagonia, and will be testing out your new set up additions. Even though you shoot Canon, I really appreciate the time and effort you put in for all of us Nikon shooters. This trip I will not bring the 500 PF, F mount lens. However, I will be bringing the 100-400mm, Z lens and the 70-200, f2.8 Z lens, and my old standby 12-24mm F mount with adaptor.
Yes, like I said in the video I will send out an update very soon
👍
6:30
👍🏾🙏🏾 🏴🇸🇪🇹🇹
Looks like Nikon is finally catching up to the Sony A1 after 3 years ;-)
Love the A1 precapture, auto capture and video bird af. Oh wait!
@@livejames9374 Clearly I was referring to the AF capability of the Nikons.............which is what the video was mostly about.
@@briansmall3090 and I mentioned video af. Maybe after the long awaited fw update drops the A1 will catch up to the Nikon. 😉
After recently purchasing the Z8, I learned that the raw file format it produces is not supported on Apple IOS devices. Since i edit my photos on my iPad, this makes the camera much less attractive to me. I will be attempting to return it for a refund.
What? I use iPad to edit Z9/8 photos when I’m traveling. Do you use Adobe?
@@livejames9374 I use Lightroom and Apple Photo app. I’ve read that Apple IOS does support the Z9 @nd Z7 raw file format but not z8. I don’t know about the Z9 or Z7 raw file format but I definitely can’t open the z8 raw fileson my 10th gen IPad with the latest update, either with the Apple Photo app nor with the Lightroom mobile app on my iPad. I was able to open Z8 raw files on my pc laptop in Lightroom, but I prefer to edit my photos on my iPad. I tried the 2.0 z8 update but it didn’t fix the problem.
What error message to you get in LR?
No error message. When I try to open the raw photos from the z8 I get a blank screen. I’m not alone with this problem. Do a web search on “why can’t my ipad open nikon z8 raw photos” or something similar. You will find other threads on this issue. I can open Z8 jpeg photos on my iPad, but not raw photos. I am able to open raw photos from my D500 and D7100, but not from the Z8. Like I said, it appears I’m not alone with this problem.
When I try to import the photos into Lightroom mobile on my iPad, it does see the photos in my iPad camera roll.
Since you shoot canon would you say Nikon has finally caught up in tracking and autofocus?? Is the ease of tracking and autofocus as convenient and as easy with the Nikon?? I guess you still have to use the Wide area large on the Z9 until they update Autofocus AF? It would be great if we could see side-by-side pics of the same subject. That would be the final test!! Great review and technique.
The z9 already has this update.
There’s a side by side example with the R5 in my review of the FW. Overall it’s very close now