The Mirrorless AF book for the Nikon Z-Series I mentioned in the video is now available: bcgwebstore.com/product/secrets-to-the-nikon-autofocus-system-mirrorless-edition/ I now have my button and control setup video ready to watch: backcountrygallery.com/nikon-mirrorless-button-control-setup/
Thank you! I’m newer to photography and had a D90 I managed to fumble through. I love action shots of my pups and the z50 was not working. Round 2 turned out SO many shots thanks to you!
I bought my z6 just for video in the beginning. Now more and more I have been using it for my bird photography. I normally use my Nikon d850 but gosh the z6 is a fun little camera to use. I really enjoy it personally.
Steve, thank you for explaining extended continuous high mode... I used that while photographing eagles & was quite dismayed!! I didn't get a single decent shot & the bird was always out in front after the first shutter click! Thankfully I had my 810 & after 5 or so minutes changed & got some great photos, but after that session, I planned to never use my Z7 for wildlife... I will have to give it another chance after I learn ALL the proper settings! Thank you so much for this info & other stuff you explained so well in your video. I am looking forward to your upcoming Z auto focus (& more) book!!!
I've experimented with the tips you provided for both my D500 and Z6, and they have definitely helped, especially for birds in flight. Thank you, Steve!
Mike, I ‘m wondering if I should invest in a D500 for my F Mount Lenses vs waiting for new far more expense zooms for my Z6. Since you live in both of these worlds what do you think?
@@Todd0702 This is my setup for now, while I love the Z6 for many uses, especially night and astrophotography, it really isn't well suited for action, especially BIF. The D500 is a joy to shoot, and the cropped sensor really extends the range. I am waiting on a deal to come up on a used Z7 to replace my Z6.
You confirmed my observations... Z6 great (more than great!) for travel and day to day camera... but my 300 PF and 500PF works well better on my D850... I hope that the Z8 will make it!
excellent...I've been waiting for this video! Can't wait for the follow up videos you mentioned, like with how you set your buttons, and that book too! Many thanks
Excellent video Steve, thanks for the info. Using D850 and Z7 and preferring still the D850. I’d like to hear/see your customized button settings. Looking forward to your new Z-Autofocus book.
Great video. I liked how you got through all your tips without doing a really long-winded deep dive into any one of them. Made it easier to listen to the whole thing and absorb the information.
Even thought I no longer shoot Nikon, I still love your videos and find them applicable in many ways to all brands and bodies. Once again very educational.
Hey my name is Reece and I just watched this video while I have my Z6 on the way from B&H, so I went ahead and ordered your book as well, because after watching this video, the AF system looks like a complex beast and I'm going to need all the help I can get!
Thanks for sharing your clear honest and frank experience. I've left all the Z Camera Facebook pages I was on as they're either plagued by Sony trolls saying how bad the AF is or populated by fans who won't accept that the Z cameras are still a bit behind on speed of focus acquisition compared to D5, D500 and D810 etc. When they lock focus I find that they can often actually be better and sharper but you may miss a few shots getting there.
I always wonder why people troll like that - it's too bad really. Who cares what camera you use? IMO, the Z cameras have a lot to offer, it's just that you have to play to their strengths and switch things up when needed. No biggie. Besides, I'm confident Nikon will come up with something that'll compete head-to-head with Sony for performance, probably within the next 12-18 months if COVID-19 doesn't keep things down too long.
When Nikon makes a mirror-less camera like the D850 and the D500 with the same controls, autofocus speed, buffer size, AF-C functionality, battery life, a functioning battery grip, a camera that I can count on when shooting fast moving subjects like wildlife, especially birds, until then I will stick with the two DSLR's I mentioned above, the D500 and D850 have never let me down.
The D850 is still my favorite wildlife camera ever - and the D500 is right up there as well. I think Nikon will get there eventually with mirrorless though. Sony certainly has - my a9ii and 600 F/4 are remarkable and easily get the same number of keepers as my DSLRs - maybe more. So, it can be done.
@@backcountrygallery I still don't understand why Nikon could not make a mirror-less camera with the existing f-mount with the vast amount of f-mount lenses already out there, from Nikon to Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and others. There is no reason for people to get rid of perfectly working glass, money does not grow on trees, heck I am still paying for my Sigma 500mm f4 sport. The Sony e-mount is practically the same diameter as the Nikon f-mount. Their best bet would have been to go the f-mount mirror-less route, perfect it, instead of wasting money in the z-mount route, once you have perfected the mirror-less system, got your R&D investment back plus some, have a happy customer base, then you can concentrate on a new larger mount, the entire purpose of this larger mount was to be able to produce f1.0 to f1.2 glass which no one really was asking for. While Nikon was busy playing around with their new z-mount "and burning money they don't have", Sony was busy perfecting their mirror-less e-mount system. Nikon is known to have screwed the pooch numerous times before, another reason why they are bleeding money.
I would like to seethe Z6 series button and control configuration. Also I just got a Z6 and wanted to know best possible settings for motorcycle rally and racing
Steven! I do a lot of wildlife shooting with the Z series (and my Nikon DSLR - D4)- and ensure you have D8 - APPLY settings to Live View Turned OFF - also, I compose using Dynamic AREA AF if I need to get between bushes and Wide AREA SMALL for subjects that have an opening - and nail focus with a great hit rate! I've had a 90+% success rate (9 out of 10 pics sharp and in focus shots). Not sure what settings you are using ;)
So, an anecdotal single experience at the weekend has made me very optimistic about the longer S lens for the Z series. I usually shoot wildlife with the D500+200-500. Went for a park walk with my Z6 and S 85mm 1.8. Saw a magpie in nice light and took a few shots before he took off. Instinct kicked in and I started to track him in flight and it was so much better than I expected. In AFC single point and single release shutter it tracked him perfectly until he flew out of sight. Every shot was nailed tack sharp. It actually felt like the camera was tracking and I was a spectator! I had AF delay set to 5 and live view disabled. May have been a 1 off, but looking forward to the 100-400 and 200-600 S line nonetheless
Another fantastic video. I am in transition from DSLR to the Z and use the Z6 and D850. The Z6 is fantastic camera with its limitations. I find that all my lenses are sharper on the Z then the D850. I use Focal software to calibrate lenses and I find that almost all my lenses need some calibration on the D850. On my Z6 they are all sharp. A lens that shocked me with the results I get from the Z6 is the Nikon 80-400 G even with a TC1.4 is is shockingly good. It's AF shuttering is less then on my D850 and I really struggled to get it at acceptable level with the D850. For me the combination works very well. I use my 500 f5.6 pf on the D850 most of the time. I use my 80-400 or 70-200 f2.8 E on my Z6 as second body and lens for flexibility. I also have the 200-500 that I also find works very well with the Z6 and D850. Your tipes will help and thanks waiting for your focus book update. I bought 3 of your books already. Great work.
Nice video for whoever is making the transition from DSLRs to ML these days. I think the problem of choosing between focus modes/point will soon become irrelevant. I use a Sony A9 for wildlife and I'm simply on real time tracking all the time without having to do anything else. It's another world...
Moving from D7100 to the Z6 is giving me a lot more keepers as a result of the faster frame rate. The frustrating thing is when the Z cameras hit, the shots are tack sharp. However, I'm missing shots that I know I would have gotten before. Nikon has to improve the focusing system to pull serious sports shooters to the Z series cameras.
Thank you for the very interesting Video. - You are probably the first who is measuring focus speed. How have you done it? Sound-recording? Video Output? Remote control until sound of shutter-release? (I guess that the possible shorter close focus distance of the Z lenses has an impact on the focus speed therefore it should probably be measured between 2m and 15m to be fair)
Frame counting :) I just count the number of frames from where the lens is focusing to when it's not. It's easier with the F-mount lenses since there's a window, but the Z cameras have a slight "flash" with the AF point (or something like that I noticed) when I recored the screen that lets me determine when they start focusing. Since I film at 30FPS, I just count the number of frames and come up with the fractional numbers.
I've bought the z6 ii and it's amazing ,just need to know how to customise the AF-on button for single point focus, for more precise focusing for wildlife photography.
I would say you probably don't want to use Silent Photography (ie. Electronic shutter) when shooting moving subjects. This can cause some smearing. Another tip (not sure if this helps with speed or not) is to change the Shutter type to mechanical (I believe by default it's set to Auto, where it can choose EFCS or Mechanical). ON the Z6 unless you're shooting at slow shutter speeds / long exposures, you're probably fine to just use the mechanical shutter. Again, I don't know if that affects AF speed or not but I would NOT use silent shutter mode for action shots or wildlife. I believe the AF speed concerning F-mount vs. Z mount has to also do with the construction of the lenses. The Z lenses use a different motor for focusing than the F-mount (which tend to use the oilder SWM -- Silent wave motor, versus the Stepper motor in the Z lenses [the STM motor]).
Hi Steve : I have bought a Z6 and use the group area mode. It is not as fast as on my D 500 - but given all the beating Nikon have got, I am not too disappointed. I am quite happy with it to supplement the D 500 Greetings Stig
Hi, I currently use a D500 too for wildlife but considering buying a Z6 for my astro and landscape work. Do you think the Z6 will be on par with the D500 regarding wildlife performance? I low light I might switch to the Z6.
Balint Kordovaner No this is no match for the D 500 for fast action. The D 500 is far better. No difference in image quality - maybe even better image quality with the Z6 because it is a fullframe. For low light I am sure that the Z6 will be a clear winner. I have shot the Z 6 for a couple of days now and it IS a great camera.
I've been thinking about moving from an F mount camera (D5500) to Z mount and I'm finding your videos very informative. Nice to see practical tips and information about what these cameras are like to use!
i just ran into your you tube site while doing a search and its amazing. i'm a nikon user and i shoot travel/landscape but just got introduced to wildlife(birds). i have a d750 and a z6. my lens for wildlife is nikon 200-500 f5.6. i watch this video and was shocked that maybe for wildlife i should stick to my 750? i know you mentions the 850 dslr, but were you also referring to the 750? i just figured newer technology that i would get better shots? thanks so much, will explore more of your site. so helpful.
I'm hoping to get a video out soon, but I can tell you specifically for the tracking area that it's no better than the original cameras. Tracking drops BIF targets constantly for me. The other AF modes are noticeably better though and I've been using those with some success.
Thanks Steve ! Your content is so useful to get to know the gear quickly, it is amazing. I bought your book on the Nikon DSLR AF system it did not disappoint, I will buy the books on the Z series too.
I'd love to see your button setup. And I have to say a huge thanks for your excellent content, very consistent over the 3yrs I've followed you. Appreciate this video as a huge head start in using my new z6, quite different from my nikon DSLR. This is exactly the head start I needed.
Would definitely like a settings video. I’m certainly going to use your tips on autofocus because I have to say that I’m still far from impressed with the performance of my Z6. Using it with my 200-500 there are times when I don’t get any focus at all on birds in flight and I struggle with focus on small birds, especially against a fussy background. I’m probably at less than 10% for keepers. Thanks for the videos.
I love it when people say, “some,” “overly impressed”, and so on. The bottom line is that the AF on the Z series is no where near Nikon’s DSLR’s. I’m hoping Nikon continues to improve the AF on the Z7, but I’ve given up on action action/ bird photography with it. It’s too bad because ergonomically, the Z cameras are great.
Nice video and very helpful. Thanks. Count me in as one who would like to see how you have configured your Z camera buttons. I have had my Z camera a little over a year and though I like my setup I’m always looking for ideas.
Steve your videos are absolute 'top drawer' as we say here this is a superb explanation of the Z cameras and AF. It's interesting what you at the start about them being not quite at dslr levels in this regard. I had a Fuji xt3 with the 100-400 lens and my d500/200-500 would give me more keepers, much more in fact. A shame as the xt3 was superb I suspect the blame was maybe more with the lens. Thanks for another great video. Matt
Hi Streve ! Like i said you before, i don't have a Z7 , i have a D5, but i have seen your video , and i always be astonished how well you explain and give so fine tricks, tips, to get the best from all the systems! well i guess , when Nikon will built a Z camera at he level of the sony a9 , it will be the end of the dslr ! but like you say , they still are not at this level ! thanks for your fine video !
Great video Steve! I now have a much better understanding of the small and wide area autofocus options. I would also like to see how you have your Nikon Z7 set up. Looking forward to your book on the autofocus system.
Great video Steve, as usual. I recently picked up a Z50 (mostly for video), but wanted to at least try it out on sports next to my D5 and D850. So far, I've struggled with settings and I'm going to give yours a try. But with all I've heard about the Z-cameras and sports, I don't have high expectations.
Hi Steve. Excellent video as always. As a Z shooter, I was a bit disappointed in your Autofocus book because it didn’t really cover the Z cameras. I’m highly looking forward to the new book. I would also be interested in your custom settings.
The Z cameras really needed their own book. Probably 60%+ of the Z version of the book is new material and most of the rest was revised. It would have made the DSLR AF book a complete mess.
Excellent and very informative video Steve. I too would be very interested in a video on how you customise your buttons, particularly with regard to how best to allow one to change focus mode quickly.
Great tips as always. The observation about the focus speed of F-mount AFS lenses via the FTZ adapter is of note. The current Z cameras appear to be optimized for peformance with the newer stepper motors that are in the Z lenses. I find that my 70-300 AF-P which also has a stepper motor to be quite fast on my Z6 and doesn't suffer in comparison vs its speed on a native F-mount D750. I'm not sure what this will mean when Nikon releases a higher spec pro sports Z body because of all the high speed AF-S super teles that are stiill only F-mount. For sure they'll need to overcome this disadvantage if Nikon intends to remain competitive.
I own a Z6 and a d850. My main lense is a 200-500 and the focus is so bad on the z6. When a bird flies by, the focus pumping front and back on the z6, and on the D850 it focused instant. I will try your Tricks from your Video. Greetings from germany, and thank you so much
@@backcountrygallery thank for your answer. I will buy a nikkor 500mm f4 AF-S G ED VR in a few month. I hope the focus is better with this lense on the z6. 😊
Hi Steve thank you soooo much. I was wondering if you can do a video how to do the time lapse setting. I read how but I’m more a person that watches n follows along. Please n thank you.
Steve, which camera is best overall for wildlife Z6 or Z7? Meaning a combination of birds in flight, stationary wildlife subjects and then the occasional landscape too? If I had to choose just one. Thanks.
This video is awesome. I learned a whole lot of information about the focus modes. Thank you! And I would enjoy seeing a video on how your custom buttons are set up.
Once again, very nice tutorial, and usefull too. It´s really helpfull to know that F lenses work well on Z bodies just as if were attached to a DSLR, appart from focus speed. I'm still wondering if I'll continue with Nikon (but mirrorless) or switch to Sony mirrorless. I only have 2 old F lenses and want to try wildlife photography and Nikon is very short on Z lenses so... I confess I'm not very inclined towards Nikon because I don't think it makes sense buying a mirrorless body and F lenses to use with it.
Thanks :) Mirrorless offers a rest of sorts. The truth is, no matter what, you'll very likely want to use native lenses on your mirrorless camera, so you'll eventually need to replace your current ones anyway. If another system looks better, now's the time. Also, older F-mount lenses may not focus with the FTZ - only AF-S and other lenses with built-in motors work. Most "D" type lenses don't focus.
Hi Steve nice video as usual. Did you check the AF Speed and AF tracking sensitivity setting under the movie settings. When I was playing around wth the z6 i did notice that changing these two settings had an impact on AF performance in stills too..No idea y, but it seems to b d case. Please let me know ur feedback.
I've heard that but I haven't tested it. I've read where people say it helps and then where people say it makes no difference. The truth is, it shouldn't' matter. But, the other part of that truth is it's really hard to test AF in a consistent way. I'll have to look into it deeper. Thanks!!
Thanks Steve for a very clear and concise discussion of these settings. This is great information because it is very actionable and applicable. Important to me as I contemplate moving from my D3s to a Sony A9, or maybe it should be a Z6? Adapted glass is a significant topic.
Really interesting and good video :) I am a little bit disappointed about the Z7... my d850 is such a well built tank... but maybe the f-Mount lenses are speed limited in the z firmware to push sales of the z-Mount lenses... because there is no technical reason why they should focus slower.
Great video and very useful Steve. I would ask you revisit your statement regarding the 'slide show' issue when using H+ mode. I don't have this problem when I go to Playback menu and set Image Review to OFF. Please check. Thanks.
I'm not talking about reviewing images, but rather the lag effect when shooting CH. What you saw in the demo was what you would see in the viewfinder as you shot, the camera wasn't showing you playback.
@@backcountrygallery Steve, thanks for your prompt reply. I do agree with you that with H+ you do have a lag in the EVF. I was perhaps mistaken when you said 'slide show'. I was referring to the following which I observed and now I understand that you were referring to something else. Assume release mode is set to H+. If Playback image review is set to ON and you take a long burst and then you lift the finger from the shutter release then the captured images are shown one after another in the EVF. This is what I was referring to as the 'slide show'. I am sure many here must have observed this. What I was trying to say was that, this can be avoided by setting Playback image review to OFF but then image will not be played back unless you explicitly press the playback button. It is clear to me now that you were referring to something else. Thanks again and keep those great tips coming.
The Mirrorless AF book for the Nikon Z-Series I mentioned in the video is now available:
bcgwebstore.com/product/secrets-to-the-nikon-autofocus-system-mirrorless-edition/
I now have my button and control setup video ready to watch:
backcountrygallery.com/nikon-mirrorless-button-control-setup/
What an absolute pleasure to watch your videos Steve. Zero BS, only quality education.
I want to see how you have your nikon z series buttons customized for wildlife/landscape.
Yes, that would be wonderful. With comparison to the D850 - side by side.
Yes please
So Do I
Same here
Agreed.
Thank you! I’m newer to photography and had a D90 I managed to fumble through. I love action shots of my pups and the z50 was not working. Round 2 turned out SO many shots thanks to you!
I bought my z6 just for video in the beginning. Now more and more I have been using it for my bird photography. I normally use my Nikon d850 but gosh the z6 is a fun little camera to use. I really enjoy it personally.
Thanks Steve! I would certainly be interested in a video, or cheat sheet on settings for your Z cameras! Happy shooting!
Hi Jerry!! Will do!
Steve, thank you for explaining extended continuous high mode... I used that while photographing eagles & was quite dismayed!! I didn't get a single decent shot & the bird was always out in front after the first shutter click! Thankfully I had my 810 & after 5 or so minutes changed & got some great photos, but after that session, I planned to never use my Z7 for wildlife... I will have to give it another chance after I learn ALL the proper settings! Thank you so much for this info & other stuff you explained so well in your video. I am looking forward to your upcoming Z auto focus (& more) book!!!
Waiting patiently for the 70/200 2.8 ,just received the 24/70,it’s brilliant.
That 24-70 2.8 S is my favorite 24-70 ever :)
You explained this so good! Thanks!!!
I've experimented with the tips you provided for both my D500 and Z6, and they have definitely helped, especially for birds in flight. Thank you, Steve!
Mike, I ‘m wondering if I should invest in a D500 for my F Mount Lenses vs waiting for new far more expense zooms for my Z6. Since you live in both of these worlds what do you think?
@@Todd0702 This is my setup for now, while I love the Z6 for many uses, especially night and astrophotography, it really isn't well suited for action, especially BIF. The D500 is a joy to shoot, and the cropped sensor really extends the range. I am waiting on a deal to come up on a used Z7 to replace my Z6.
You confirmed my observations... Z6 great (more than great!) for travel and day to day camera... but my 300 PF and 500PF works well better on my D850... I hope that the Z8 will make it!
Me too :) BTW - the Z7 and 500PF are wonderful for walking / hiking though. I take that setup all the time if I don't really anticipate much action.
Nikon Z mount 500mm PF price 5 000 pounds ...may be ..more expensive.... it is be....
excellent...I've been waiting for this video! Can't wait for the follow up videos you mentioned, like with how you set your buttons, and that book too! Many thanks
Thanks! I think that putting stabilize off in high shutter speed, is good for speed
Very interesting. As a wildlife shooter, I have chosen to wait on the Z cameras and this video has confirmed why.
Great video. Yes, please do a video on how you have your buttons and controls configured. It would be very helpful. Thanks.
Excellent video Steve, thanks for the info. Using D850 and Z7 and preferring still the D850. I’d like to hear/see your customized button settings. Looking forward to your new Z-Autofocus book.
happy to see that someone who has both systems continues to prefer DSLR ( i have a d5)
"In case your camera decides to go on a little focus hunting trip" lol! That one got me. Great video!
Great video. I liked how you got through all your tips without doing a really long-winded deep dive into any one of them. Made it easier to listen to the whole thing and absorb the information.
LOL, I do it like that because I HATE videos that can't get to the point. I don't want mine to be like that! :)
Even thought I no longer shoot Nikon, I still love your videos and find them applicable in many ways to all brands and bodies. Once again very educational.
Hey my name is Reece and I just watched this video while I have my Z6 on the way from B&H, so I went ahead and ordered your book as well, because after watching this video, the AF system looks like a complex beast and I'm going to need all the help I can get!
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your clear honest and frank experience. I've left all the Z Camera Facebook pages I was on as they're either plagued by Sony trolls saying how bad the AF is or populated by fans who won't accept that the Z cameras are still a bit behind on speed of focus acquisition compared to D5, D500 and D810 etc. When they lock focus I find that they can often actually be better and sharper but you may miss a few shots getting there.
I always wonder why people troll like that - it's too bad really. Who cares what camera you use? IMO, the Z cameras have a lot to offer, it's just that you have to play to their strengths and switch things up when needed. No biggie. Besides, I'm confident Nikon will come up with something that'll compete head-to-head with Sony for performance, probably within the next 12-18 months if COVID-19 doesn't keep things down too long.
When Nikon makes a mirror-less camera like the D850 and the D500 with the same controls, autofocus speed, buffer size, AF-C functionality, battery life, a functioning battery grip, a camera that I can count on when shooting fast moving subjects like wildlife, especially birds, until then I will stick with the two DSLR's I mentioned above, the D500 and D850 have never let me down.
The D850 is still my favorite wildlife camera ever - and the D500 is right up there as well. I think Nikon will get there eventually with mirrorless though. Sony certainly has - my a9ii and 600 F/4 are remarkable and easily get the same number of keepers as my DSLRs - maybe more. So, it can be done.
@@backcountrygallery I still don't understand why Nikon could not make a mirror-less camera with the existing f-mount with the vast amount of f-mount lenses already out there, from Nikon to Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and others.
There is no reason for people to get rid of perfectly working glass, money does not grow on trees, heck I am still paying for my Sigma 500mm f4 sport.
The Sony e-mount is practically the same diameter as the Nikon f-mount.
Their best bet would have been to go the f-mount mirror-less route, perfect it, instead of wasting money in the z-mount route, once you have perfected the mirror-less system, got your R&D investment back plus some, have a happy customer base, then you can concentrate on a new larger mount, the entire purpose of this larger mount was to be able to produce f1.0 to f1.2 glass which no one really was asking for. While Nikon was busy playing around with their new z-mount "and burning money they don't have", Sony was busy perfecting their mirror-less e-mount system.
Nikon is known to have screwed the pooch numerous times before, another reason why they are bleeding money.
I would like to seethe Z6 series button and control configuration.
Also I just got a Z6 and wanted to know best possible settings for motorcycle rally and racing
Yes,button configuration please,thanks Steve,great info.
Steven! I do a lot of wildlife shooting with the Z series (and my Nikon DSLR - D4)- and ensure you have D8 - APPLY settings to Live View Turned OFF - also, I compose using Dynamic AREA AF if I need to get between bushes and Wide AREA SMALL for subjects that have an opening - and nail focus with a great hit rate! I've had a 90+% success rate (9 out of 10 pics sharp and in focus shots). Not sure what settings you are using ;)
Wow im 3 years late, just bought the camera and reading ur comment was positive was worried ! thnx
Gold again... Thanks Steve. Cant wait for that Z book
So, an anecdotal single experience at the weekend has made me very optimistic about the longer S lens for the Z series. I usually shoot wildlife with the D500+200-500. Went for a park walk with my Z6 and S 85mm 1.8. Saw a magpie in nice light and took a few shots before he took off. Instinct kicked in and I started to track him in flight and it was so much better than I expected. In AFC single point and single release shutter it tracked him perfectly until he flew out of sight. Every shot was nailed tack sharp. It actually felt like the camera was tracking and I was a spectator! I had AF delay set to 5 and live view disabled. May have been a 1 off, but looking forward to the 100-400 and 200-600 S line nonetheless
Another fantastic video. I am in transition from DSLR to the Z and use the Z6 and D850. The Z6 is fantastic camera with its limitations. I find that all my lenses are sharper on the Z then the D850. I use Focal software to calibrate lenses and I find that almost all my lenses need some calibration on the D850. On my Z6 they are all sharp. A lens that shocked me with the results I get from the Z6 is the Nikon 80-400 G even with a TC1.4 is is shockingly good. It's AF shuttering is less then on my D850 and I really struggled to get it at acceptable level with the D850. For me the combination works very well. I use my 500 f5.6 pf on the D850 most of the time. I use my 80-400 or 70-200 f2.8 E on my Z6 as second body and lens for flexibility. I also have the 200-500 that I also find works very well with the Z6 and D850. Your tipes will help and thanks waiting for your focus book update. I bought 3 of your books already. Great work.
Nice video for whoever is making the transition from DSLRs to ML these days. I think the problem of choosing between focus modes/point will soon become irrelevant. I use a Sony A9 for wildlife and I'm simply on real time tracking all the time without having to do anything else. It's another world...
It really is. I have an a9ii and the 600 F/4 and it's an outstanding outfit. I'm optimistic Nikon will catch up :)
Moving from D7100 to the Z6 is giving me a lot more keepers as a result of the faster frame rate. The frustrating thing is when the Z cameras hit, the shots are tack sharp. However, I'm missing shots that I know I would have gotten before. Nikon has to improve the focusing system to pull serious sports shooters to the Z series cameras.
Thank you for the very interesting Video. - You are probably the first who is measuring focus speed.
How have you done it? Sound-recording? Video Output? Remote control until sound of shutter-release? (I guess that the possible shorter close focus distance of the Z lenses has an impact on the focus speed therefore it should probably be measured between 2m and 15m to be fair)
Frame counting :) I just count the number of frames from where the lens is focusing to when it's not. It's easier with the F-mount lenses since there's a window, but the Z cameras have a slight "flash" with the AF point (or something like that I noticed) when I recored the screen that lets me determine when they start focusing. Since I film at 30FPS, I just count the number of frames and come up with the fractional numbers.
I've bought the z6 ii and it's amazing ,just need to know how to customise the AF-on button for single point focus, for more precise focusing for wildlife photography.
The Z6 doesn't allow you to put AF areas on buttons. Not sure what Nikon was thinking with that, but that's a common complaint about that camera.
I would say you probably don't want to use Silent Photography (ie. Electronic shutter) when shooting moving subjects. This can cause some smearing. Another tip (not sure if this helps with speed or not) is to change the Shutter type to mechanical (I believe by default it's set to Auto, where it can choose EFCS or Mechanical). ON the Z6 unless you're shooting at slow shutter speeds / long exposures, you're probably fine to just use the mechanical shutter. Again, I don't know if that affects AF speed or not but I would NOT use silent shutter mode for action shots or wildlife.
I believe the AF speed concerning F-mount vs. Z mount has to also do with the construction of the lenses. The Z lenses use a different motor for focusing than the F-mount (which tend to use the oilder SWM -- Silent wave motor, versus the Stepper motor in the Z lenses [the STM motor]).
Thanks, Steve - great info, very useful. Look forward to your book - and would love to see a video on how you configure your controls!
Your videos are so clear, concise and tremendously helpful - thanks Steve!
Such a great and helpful video!! Learnt a lot.... Thank you!
Hi Steve : I have bought a Z6 and use the group area mode. It is not as fast as on my D 500 - but given all the beating Nikon have got, I am not too disappointed.
I am quite happy with it to supplement the D 500
Greetings Stig
Hi,
I currently use a D500 too for wildlife but considering buying a Z6 for my astro and landscape work. Do you think the Z6 will be on par with the D500 regarding wildlife performance?
I low light I might switch to the Z6.
Balint Kordovaner No this is no match for the D 500 for fast action. The D 500 is far better. No difference in image quality - maybe even better image quality with the Z6 because it is a fullframe.
For low light I am sure that the Z6 will be a clear winner. I have shot the Z 6 for a couple of days now and it IS a great camera.
I've been thinking about moving from an F mount camera (D5500) to Z mount and I'm finding your videos very informative. Nice to see practical tips and information about what these cameras are like to use!
i just ran into your you tube site while doing a search and its amazing. i'm a nikon user and i shoot travel/landscape but just got introduced to wildlife(birds). i have a d750 and a z6. my lens for wildlife is nikon 200-500 f5.6. i watch this video and was shocked that maybe for wildlife i should stick to my 750? i know you mentions the 850 dslr, but were you also referring to the 750? i just figured newer technology that i would get better shots? thanks so much, will explore more of your site. so helpful.
Thank you Steve... well illustrated, beautiful tips.
Another great video, thanks. And yes, I’d love to a guide to how you configure your Z cameras please.
Looking forward to seeing if you think the Z6II and Z7II have improved enough to recommend subject area tracking for flying birds now.
I'm hoping to get a video out soon, but I can tell you specifically for the tracking area that it's no better than the original cameras. Tracking drops BIF targets constantly for me. The other AF modes are noticeably better though and I've been using those with some success.
@@backcountrygallery thanks. I just bought a used Z6 and the tracking will not even follow a dog chasing a frisbee!
@@gosman949 Yeah, I'm not surprised - give Wide (S) a try :)
😭omg this video answer's my question for the z6. I just learns some awesome tricks. Thank you thank you.
Thanks Steve !
Your content is so useful to get to know the gear quickly, it is amazing. I bought your book on the Nikon DSLR AF system it did not disappoint, I will buy the books on the Z series too.
Thank you so much!
Great video, would LOVE to see a video of your button settings...
Steve, UV light and disinfectant has been shown to improve autofocus performance.
But you have to put the UV light inside the body and that will likely void your warranty :)
Will be really interesting to see what Algorithms dribble down to Z6II/Z7II from Z9, hoping to see some good changes coming to help us mere mortals
I'd love to see your button setup. And I have to say a huge thanks for your excellent content, very consistent over the 3yrs I've followed you. Appreciate this video as a huge head start in using my new z6, quite different from my nikon DSLR.
This is exactly the head start I needed.
Thanks - her bit is:
ua-cam.com/video/O558jqlJcTw/v-deo.html
Would definitely like a settings video. I’m certainly going to use your tips on autofocus because I have to say that I’m still far from impressed with the performance of my Z6. Using it with my 200-500 there are times when I don’t get any focus at all on birds in flight and I struggle with focus on small birds, especially against a fussy background. I’m probably at less than 10% for keepers.
Thanks for the videos.
I love it when people say, “some,” “overly impressed”, and so on. The bottom line is that the AF on the Z series is no where near Nikon’s DSLR’s. I’m hoping Nikon continues to improve the AF on the Z7, but I’ve given up on action action/ bird photography with it. It’s too bad because ergonomically, the Z cameras are great.
Great video, Steve! Would be interested to know the settings of your Z cameras, thanks.
Nice video and very helpful. Thanks. Count me in as one who would like to see how you have configured your Z camera buttons. I have had my Z camera a little over a year and though I like my setup I’m always looking for ideas.
Steve your videos are absolute 'top drawer' as we say here this is a superb explanation of the Z cameras and AF. It's interesting what you at the start about them being not quite at dslr levels in this regard. I had a Fuji xt3 with the 100-400 lens and my d500/200-500 would give me more keepers, much more in fact. A shame as the xt3 was superb I suspect the blame was maybe more with the lens. Thanks for another great video. Matt
Hi Streve !
Like i said you before, i don't have a Z7 , i have a D5, but i have seen your video , and i always be astonished how well you explain and give so fine tricks, tips, to get the best from all the systems! well i guess , when Nikon will built a Z camera at he level of the sony a9 , it will be the end of the dslr ! but like you say , they still are not at this level ! thanks for your fine video !
Very Very Thorough Very professional and honest tips!
Thank you Steve. Very useful and clearly presented as always!
You're the guy ... Thank you so much for all the important details that you covered thanks to your experience ...
Thank you Mr. Steve for the wonderful tips, getting better results with my z6 for Bird shots.
I would like the video on how you set up the Z6 ... and more important ... WHY. Thanks Steve
Will do - and no worries - "why" is the most important part :)
Great video Steve! I now have a much better understanding of the small and wide area autofocus options. I would also like to see how you have your Nikon Z7 set up. Looking forward to your book on the autofocus system.
Well Explained. And hich One would be better Auto Area AF (Animals) or Auto Area AF for birds in flight or static ?
I'm not the biggest fan of Auto AF. I usually use one of the Wide AF modes or more recently in the Z9, I've been using 3D a bit.
Great video Steve, as usual. I recently picked up a Z50 (mostly for video), but wanted to at least try it out on sports next to my D5 and D850. So far, I've struggled with settings and I'm going to give yours a try. But with all I've heard about the Z-cameras and sports, I don't have high expectations.
What Timing! Just got my Z7 about a week ago.
Glad I bought your book and subscribed to your videos!
Yes I would like to see have you setup your Z camera thanks for the tip very nice job. I appreciate it very much.
Steve, please share how are the buttons on your Z6 configured for wildlife/landscape. Thanks!
Hi Steve. Excellent video as always. As a Z shooter, I was a bit disappointed in your Autofocus book because it didn’t really cover the Z cameras. I’m highly looking forward to the new book. I would also be interested in your custom settings.
The Z cameras really needed their own book. Probably 60%+ of the Z version of the book is new material and most of the rest was revised. It would have made the DSLR AF book a complete mess.
What would you use for street photography af wise, thanks
Excellent and very informative video Steve. I too would be very interested in a video on how you customise your buttons, particularly with regard to how best to allow one to change focus mode quickly.
Very useful information. Thank you!
Thanks very much, Steve. Great info! I would like to see a video on how you customize your Z settings.
Great tips as always. The observation about the focus speed of F-mount AFS lenses via the FTZ adapter is of note. The current Z cameras appear to be optimized for peformance with the newer stepper motors that are in the Z lenses. I find that my 70-300 AF-P which also has a stepper motor to be quite fast on my Z6 and doesn't suffer in comparison vs its speed on a native F-mount D750. I'm not sure what this will mean when Nikon releases a higher spec pro sports Z body because of all the high speed AF-S super teles that are stiill only F-mount. For sure they'll need to overcome this disadvantage if Nikon intends to remain competitive.
That's really interesting and may very well be the case. The Zs do seem to enjoy their native lenses better and that may be why.
Awesome video Steve. Thank you!
Top Shelf Video, Steve... Easy to Follow Instructions !!
could you do an episode like this for Sony?
I own a Z6 and a d850. My main lense is a 200-500 and the focus is so bad on the z6. When a bird flies by, the focus pumping front and back on the z6, and on the D850 it focused instant. I will try your Tricks from your Video. Greetings from germany, and thank you so much
The Z6 - as it is now - won't ever be on the level of your D850 for that kind of work. The tips will get it closer, but it's tough to be the D850!
@@backcountrygallery thank for your answer. I will buy a nikkor 500mm f4 AF-S G ED VR in a few month. I hope the focus is better with this lense on the z6. 😊
Nicely done video. I don't even shoot Nikon and still found this interesting as a mirrorless shooter. Thanks.
I would love to see how you have customized your buttons for z series for wildlife. Thanks so much for your great videos.
Towards the end of the video you talk about different crop modes, what happens to the focal length of the lens when you change crops?
Hi Steve thank you soooo much. I was wondering if you can do a video how to do the time lapse setting. I read how but I’m more a person that watches n follows along. Please n thank you.
Wow, so much to check out the next trip out. Great video as usual.
Fantastic, a greatly needed video!
Thanks Steve, great job as always!
Steve, which camera is best overall for wildlife Z6 or Z7? Meaning a combination of birds in flight, stationary wildlife subjects and then the occasional landscape too? If I had to choose just one. Thanks.
Please talk about stacking on the Z7
Excellent video. Thank you!
This video is awesome. I learned a whole lot of information about the focus modes. Thank you! And I would enjoy seeing a video on how your custom buttons are set up.
Once again, very nice tutorial, and usefull too. It´s really helpfull to know that F lenses work well on Z bodies just as if were attached to a DSLR, appart from focus speed.
I'm still wondering if I'll continue with Nikon (but mirrorless) or switch to Sony mirrorless. I only have 2 old F lenses and want to try wildlife photography and Nikon is very short on Z lenses so... I confess I'm not very inclined towards Nikon because I don't think it makes sense buying a mirrorless body and F lenses to use with it.
Thanks :)
Mirrorless offers a rest of sorts. The truth is, no matter what, you'll very likely want to use native lenses on your mirrorless camera, so you'll eventually need to replace your current ones anyway. If another system looks better, now's the time. Also, older F-mount lenses may not focus with the FTZ - only AF-S and other lenses with built-in motors work. Most "D" type lenses don't focus.
Always interested to understand your own setup!
Hi Steve nice video as usual. Did you check the AF Speed and AF tracking sensitivity setting under the movie settings. When I was playing around wth the z6 i did notice that changing these two settings had an impact on AF performance in stills too..No idea y, but it seems to b d case. Please let me know ur feedback.
I've heard that but I haven't tested it. I've read where people say it helps and then where people say it makes no difference. The truth is, it shouldn't' matter. But, the other part of that truth is it's really hard to test AF in a consistent way. I'll have to look into it deeper. Thanks!!
I also heard the same too.
Thanks Steve for a very clear and concise discussion of these settings. This is great information because it is very actionable and applicable. Important to me as I contemplate moving from my D3s to a Sony A9, or maybe it should be a Z6? Adapted glass is a significant topic.
Really interesting and good video :) I am a little bit disappointed about the Z7... my d850 is such a well built tank... but maybe the f-Mount lenses are speed limited in the z firmware to push sales of the z-Mount lenses... because there is no technical reason why they should focus slower.
Great informative video, Thanks
Great video and very useful Steve. I would ask you revisit your statement regarding the 'slide show' issue when using H+ mode. I don't have this problem when I go to Playback menu and set Image Review to OFF. Please check. Thanks.
I'm not talking about reviewing images, but rather the lag effect when shooting CH. What you saw in the demo was what you would see in the viewfinder as you shot, the camera wasn't showing you playback.
@@backcountrygallery Steve, thanks for your prompt reply. I do agree with you that with H+ you do have a lag in the EVF. I was perhaps mistaken when you said 'slide show'. I was referring to the following which I observed and now I understand that you were referring to something else.
Assume release mode is set to H+. If Playback image review is set to ON and you take a long burst and then you lift the finger from the shutter release then the captured images are shown one after another in the EVF. This is what I was referring to as the 'slide show'. I am sure many here must have observed this. What I was trying to say was that, this can be avoided by setting Playback image review to OFF but then image will not be played back unless you explicitly press the playback button.
It is clear to me now that you were referring to something else. Thanks again and keep those great tips coming.
Thanks Steve. Might switch to Z mount one day if the AF gets 'up to speed' for sports
Awesome, I would love to see a custom buttons video as well. Keep up the good work Steve!
A video on your button configuration would be great!
I would definitely like to see a video on how you have your buttons configured.
Wow nice content, thanks a lot! Now let´s wait for that Z 200-600mm !!
yes please for button set up. thanks
Great tips! Thanks!