How GOOD Is It REALLY? | Nikon Z9 Review & AUTOFOCUS HACKS For Razor Sharp Images!
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- Опубліковано 7 сер 2024
- Canon and Sony have long dominated the autofocus game, but has Nikon finally caught up with the Z9's latest firmware? Let's Find Out!
Setting up and understanding the Nikon Z9's autofocus can be difficult, and it requires using several modes for the best results. In this video, I'll be sharing the settings that have given me great results!
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 New Era
0:37 Built Like a Tank
1:19 Shake No More
2:34 A Bit Noisy?
3:08 Tricky Images!
5:00 How Good Is The AF?
5:53 AF Set Up For Success
9:45 Important Settings
I LOVE my Z9! It was a huge leap from my D6 even initially (before any FW upgtrades). I shoot motorsports and I agree with you that it does noticeably better with subjects coming at me (or moving away) even at triple digit speeds. It's interesting that the way you are using the AF system is quite similar to the way I use it to shoot motorsports. Great video and your images are phenomenal!
Thanks for sharing! :)
Jan you are simply the best reviewer on the web. Your reviews are always clear, detailed, and incredibly useful. The best part is how even-handed you are. You shoot Canon but this is not an ounce of bias or fan-boy in your reviews. As I Nikon shooter I find your reviews better than anyone else. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks so much Paul. I just like to use whatever takes the best images, I doesn't;t matter for me what brand that is. And if something I don't use is actually better I am also happy to say that. I got no skin in the game, I just want to share my honest opinions with you guys.
The way it works, with the camera finding the subject on its own without any major problems, I would say this was the idea how to focus - camera shows the point of intereat and if that works for you, you can press the button and you have the 3D tracking on. Great video, I'm waiting for your Z8 review 😁
Hi Ian,
As always love your bird photos, I'm a bird guy. I adopted a bare eyed cockatoo have a bird to practice in in the house. The new cameras amaze me. When I was learning everything was manual including focusing. Bad chemistry would wreck your photos
Hi Jan. My Z9 set up is similar to yours except in reverse. For BIF I use the back AF button set to wide area large to acquire the bird then switch over to 3D tracking with using the shutter button. When the subject is not flying and 3D won’t pick it up the subject I use single point Af using the rear toggle pushed straight in to acquire focus then switch to 3D. With practice this works well. I also set my lens FN button to single point. Fn1 is set to wide area small. As you mentioned with 3.10 af has improved a lot and works really well. So much so that I picked up another Z9. I didn’t wait for the Z8. I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming.
Probably a dumb question, but if you continue to hold AF-ON I assume it will remain in Wide Area, regardless of pressing the shutter? Or is it a toggle, similar to the toggle push? Hope that makes sense, thanks
The answer is yes to your first question. Once you release AF On (while having the shutter button pressed half way) AF will switch to 3D. Same goes with single point on the toggle.
Hi Jan - nice balanced vid. I own and use 2 Z9 -- Yes it is a pro-level camera and needs a pro-level approach to learn, set-up and use. No $5k+ camera will do the job for the user. We all have to find out what works and try this in the field then adapt as necessary if circumstances are such that what you hoped would work don't on that occasion.
My keeper rate with the Z9 and latest Z lenses is 5-10 times what it was with a D5 and D500. I own the latest Nikkor Z glass and am not going to switch system anytime soon.
I pick an AF-mode relevant to what I am shooting and where and use the half depressed shutter to initiate AF-ON. Then I handoff to 3D-tracking (with SD) when I press the AF-ON button (back button).
I have alternative AF-Modes (with AF-ON) assigned to the 3 FN buttons AND I assigned the ability to turn Subject Detection ON or OFF to the Movie Record Button. When shooting big cats in Kenya in tall grass I needed to use Manual Focus and it is easiest to simply slide the M-AF switch on the side of the lens to do this in my setup. Others do not use the shutter button for AF-ON (setting this to release only).
Thanks for sharing. Yes you definitely need a range of AF modes to get the best out of the Z9
As a Z9 user, i cant agree more with this video. Jan, your reviews are truly the gold standard and your photos stand witness. The custom area with 3d tracking is by for the best af mode on Z9. I am this close 🤏 to getting your masterclass 😊
Thank you!
@@jan_wegener how did you customize the shutter button half press?
The Z9 is looking great, good progress from Nikon. Fantastic images as well Jan, as always.
Thank you!
Great video, very informative! Thanks for sharing!! I don’t have a Z9, but ordered a Z8, so the information will no doubt carry over. Thanks again!
Jan a great motivation for me to save up for the Z8 that was announced today. Thank you for being so objective with your field experiences.
You have nailed it Jan. When I received mine I initially set it up for back-button focus, but for me the camera really struggled in this setup. Obviously the firmware updates have enhaced autofocus but going back to shutter release and 3d tracking on the AF On button has transformed how this camera works for me. I know some still prefer BBF but it is no longer my preferred option. I also have the Display button set with Recall Shooting Function (hold) pre set with Bird in Flight settings. Thanks again for your great work.
Yes, this camera is not made for pure BBF, which is also my preferred way of shooting. But when you adjust to it you get good results
Your autofocus hand-off is exactly how I have had my Z9 set up from the beginning. I also set up the joy stick button for single point focus for those cranes eyes that the Z9 can't seem to find. The Z9 still struggles with small in the viewfinder birds, but I probably shouldn't even be taking those shots, anyway. Steve Perry says using DX mode helps in that situation with Nikon, but not with Sony.
I have both systems and the Dax mode certainly helps with both .
I have been using two different BBF buttons to do the same thing, but I am going to give your 'hack' a try. For how I like to shoot (hand-held) the Nikon Z glass is what I think sets the system apart - an 800mm that weights 5.25 pds, and cost $6,500 US gives wildlife photographers a great option when they want reach.
Yes, the lenses are very intriguing
That’s a great idea I totally agree with you, and I have been using wide af and 3 D tracking but will definitely make a custom wide that u mentioned thank you!
I’ve had the Z9 for over a year and love it. Was debating a brand switch till Nikon came out with it. It’s definitely made my photography much easier
awesome
You are truly good at promoting your masterclass and prosets: the results/photos are just adorable! (I'm almost on the hook 😊). I'm handling my Z9 and af similar although I Mapp more modes to 1,2 and 3. Only downside with my configuration is when I am shooting vertical where 3 becomes 1, but it's doable. In the field I train a lot, testing. Like practicing my guitar: there are no real shortcuts to mastering something. Keep'em coming, your photos inspires a lot (although we don't have those tropical colors in Sweden), cheers!
When I was using the 600 Tc using the FN buttons became basically impossible cause the same fingers also need to use the TC switch
Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always 🐦👍🤗
This is very helpful and clearly explained, thanks Jan! I’m deciding on the Z8 or Z9 this week, leaning toward Z9 for a few reasons.
Thank you!
Very informative clip. Thank you so much for sharing.
Great Video I have the Z 9 and love it, I use similar AF settings as you do. BTW you mentioned the Z 9 files looked a little noisy, this is a well known issue when using LR you need to tweak the default settings when using LR, there are a lot of UA-cam videos on this. The same file opened in Capture One looks fine.
I looked at them in Photomechanic, but since they clean up fine it doesn’t really matter anyways
Thanks for the heads up tho
Great video, Jan. Lots of good titbits on the AF. 👍
Thank you!
Thank you for that thorough review, great camera!, great lenses!
Wow!!! Such a nice review and tips... Steve Perry's was the channel I used to follow for Photographic advice as well as comprehensive reviews on gear for wildlife photography. After having watched a few of your video's I have started to really like your work. The beautiful images that you show in the video's are what separates you guys from other UA-cam photography channels.
Thank you! Yes, I do like to take nice images too, while I do the reviews :D
I like your idea of setting wide area AF on the shutter, with 3D on the AF-ON.
This would also have the added bonus of the camera being able to focus when my wife picks it up and just presses the shutter button.
Genius! PURE GOLD. I need to emulate this effect on my cameras.
Good luck!
Thanks for the tips, I will be trying them... Beautiful images you captured.
Thank you!
I recently tried the 400mm and 800mm Z, stabilization is something incredible, sharpness, weight, wow wow!
Yep!
It’s an amazing camera I love it up to firmware 4 now👍thx for your advice great video
The image @ 2:54 this is by far your best image for my eyes. Very special!
Yes I was happy I went back to capture that shot 😀
Great video! I enjoy all your videos.
Another focus setup that works for me with small birds is setting a custom focus mode to the smallest box size and assigning it to a front button. Basically like single point except now it will track. I set it to one of the front FN buttons, that seems to be fast to use. This way if I need a small area to focus on a tiny bird on a branch etc, I have single point but with tracking added.
Interesting!
You did a great job removing that branch but I actually didn't mind it.
Yes, can always go both ways :) Thanks
After adding or removing objects from the photo its not anymore photo. Its college. So dont cheat yourself. Its better for everybody that getting great photo is difficult.
I’m glad you’re coming over to the Z9??😂 I hope so! You just might get me to purchase some of you’re presets and master class workshops! I’ve always loved your videos. Is the Z9 and 600 f/4 TC and 800 pf yours now or are you borrowing it? I have the Z9 and 600e fl currently and wanting the 600 f/4 TC. I may sell the 600e and some other gear to purchase one. You’d have me hooked on your channel because you do a lot more videos than Steve Perry. I believe I’m going to try the large area custom you are now using on the z9 and I just want to thank you for all you’re doing to help us photographers!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
The Prosets and Masterclass work on all brands 😆
I don’t own any Nikon gear atm, but I am sure I will be doing a lot more reviews with them going forward. Maybe even real soon 😉
Great review as usual. If you could only choose one - Z8 or Z9 - which and why?
It's interesting to see how others have setup the Z9 for focus. I have mine set for my "Action" shooting bank such that AF-ON provides wide area with animal tracking. The joystick is set to provide AF-ON with a push but the focus area is a small custom area similar in size to single point but with animal tracking added. To move to 3D tracking I have set the FN1 button to "Recall Shooting Function (Hold) along with F6 set to "release button to use dial (On). This then allows me to just tap the FN1 button and not have to hold it to jump to 3D. Another tap returns me to an AF-ON button. So far this works for me but may not suit everyone.
Great video, Jan. Sony A1 user here but after watching this I'm thinking of switching to Nikon 😂
I just found your channel and was watching this video. I am doing virtually the same thing. I noticed after a week or 2 after FW 3.10 that the 3D would start off the white passive box inside the Wide Area AF mode. I use C1 and C2 as I still think there is an issue with Wide Area Large AF mode that still likes the background too much on distance subjects, more so then C1/C2. The other benefits is to let the camera passively track the subject, not keeping AF-C activated saving battery and it basically eliminates needing a smaller AF custom box as the white passive box is already eliminating the rest of the frame.
Jan, I have been shooting 2 Z9's since the camera was announced. I don't shoot Wild Life of Birds, just winter sports alpine skiing and freestyle I also own both the Z4400/2.8TC and the Z600/4 TC yep I am all in. The AF has definitely improved since FW 1.0 is it up to Sony A1 / Canon R3 levels, not yet though it's close. I've actually been using the "All Area" AF with subject detection turned on and have been happily surprised how well it's been working now since the latest FW update. Your comment about not just using 3D tricking I complete agree with and for me never worked for me though I will give it a try again next ski season using your method you described in your video...
Lastly when you said you felt the files were a little more "noisy" then the R5, make sure when using ACR to use "Camera Standard" and make sure by default ACR is not adding some Texture by default.
Thanks for sharing! Yes the full area AF is definitely improved a lot. I would think that at least for people it should work well. This is where Canon is ahead because the whole area works very well with just one button pressed
Thanks for the review!
Hi, I own a Z9, plus others. I love it and am impressed you have noticed that Nikon customer backup is to constantly improve its short falls. I’m lucky I have been blessed with a very responsible camera. Having used Nikon since 1988, I have constantly tried to push my equipment to its limits. Thank you for a clear and mature video in reviewing the Z9 progress.
Nice as always Jan. 👍
Thank you!
Thanks for the hack on the focus! I just got my Z9 two weeks ago and am still fiddling with the button configurations. This hack seems to be the ticket to success! Can't wait to try it tomorrow!
Awesome!
❤. Very nice tutorial
Merci Jan pour la vidéo.
Love my Z9, 400 2.8 TC, and 400 4.5!! Nikon doing great things for wildlife 🙏🙏
nice!
I’m dreaming about a Z9! Someday! Excellent review! Thanks for taking me along!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good tip! 👏🏾👍🏾🙏🏾
thanks for your autofocus settings. I think that will helps a lot. I am proud owner of a Z9 and the Nikkor Z800mm and I think for birds photography the best combo on the market. Of course the 600mm TC is also the perfect lens but for an amateur like me definitely out of range / budget. Grüße aus Österreich Jürgen
fabulous video, giving answers to every possible question with great details. Not a z9 user but an OM 1, hint hint, LOL.
hehe! I'd like to try one, but hard to come by
I I love your vids man
Love my Z9!
I use the Z9 focus pretty much as you described, except I actually use the 3d tracking in the same way as 'spot focus' if I need to bring it to a specific point, then I release 3d button and go back to custom wide-area until it finds the bird, then 3d again. The photos I can get with Z9 focus go far beyond anything I dreamed of before getting the camera!
Interesting, so many ways to use it!
I love my Z9! Totally worth it.
HI Jan , i am a z9 user and i would like to know how to set up my z9 like you did i want to try it for the tracking ,me i use back boutton focus, thank you
HI Jan thanks this insightful video. Can you share the work flow of how you edited the tricky image starting at 13:22 ?
Which one?
enjoyed the good review of the camera. I only wish I had enough money to afford it. Maybe the Z8 will be in my price range.
Very helpful tips! Do you set your AF-ON button to 3D or 3D+AF-ON? Thanks.
I suppose it’s 3D and af on
Wow this is tremendously useful. The 3d tracking is great, but having to use the two button system has been very annoying.
I’ve been loving the camera, but after picking up my friend’s R8 this weekend, Nikon still feels way less intuitive and the bird detection isn’t as intelligent.
But your setup idea here is brilliant. Being able to do this with one button reliably is a big deal. I set it up this morning and tested in some songbirds and it worked wonderfully.
Glad I could help. Canon AF is definitely easier to use and finds the birds with more ease
@@jan_wegener for sure, this is a great hack you’ve come up with though. I tried it out a lot yesterday and it’s way easier than trying to fiddle with two buttons. I love my z9 and this is a game changer for quality of life focusing!
@@heymikeriley yeah the two button thing just wasn't for me :D
What lense(s) would you recommend for wildlife photography namely for larger animals e..g, bears, moose, bison, wolves, etc.,? I am purchasing the Z9 and I have been reviewing multiple options and would like to gain the perspective of a more seasoned pro.
Wonder if you two button method would improve A7RV focus.
Jan what a great tip. Using the front AF with C-1 19X11 and assigning the back button to 3D Tracking. The larger AF box helps plenty. My question is how do you set the Front AF button to C1? What has been your best setup AF in Video?
If the shutter button is activated whichever base AF mode you chose will be assigned to it. So you can set it in the quick menu for instance
I use AF area and continuous AF for video
@@jan_wegener Jan when your in Video AF-C and Auto Area do you pull focus with the AF button by pumping I and out depending on the subject and the distance? It seems to focus better in AF-F am I missing something?
@@hankdinardo4308 I may have gotten the terminology mixed up. I used AF-F for video
…how are you overall? Hope better and better..!🙌 Great content as always…
Up and down, but not too bad, thank you!
Hello:
Question when you set C1 wide area what are the dimensions' of the box you are using? Love your videos. Thanks. Bob
I think it was maybe 19x11 or whatever is the largest possible
ThNk you!
Thank you so much.
If I understand correctly on the fn button you set the single area, right?
the smallest possible field, I think it's called Spot on Nikon, too
Thank you for the reply.
Use wide area AF than hand off to 3d if the subject is moving
Thank you for your video, Jan!
Do you love your Nikon Z9 more than the Canon R3? I am debating selling all our Canon and Fujifilm gear to migrate to Nikon. We would likely go to the Z8's rather than the Z9's. I considered retaining the R3 and picking up a R5. However, I struggle with purchasing a three year old camera knowing that, in less than a year, Canon will release either the R1 or R5 II/S. What are your thoughts?
OMG! I have almost the same exact problem as you. I want a 45MP camera in a pro body and I’m pissed that the R3 is only 24MP and I have no idea how long it will be before we see the R1, which is why I’m tempted to buy the Z9. It’s just that I’m really used to the Canon menu system. I also really don’t like the feel of the R5
Do a good menu and custom buttens setup video for the Z9, there are not many good ones on youtube
Hi Jan
Had the Z9 for some months now, my comparisons would be a different experience than yours,
D700/D4s/Z9, no regrets, just amazed at its performance , like you, especially after firmware, my old Tammy 150-600 G1 doesn't work any more so not needed, gone to a good home
I need long glass now, just need to sell a kidney for a Z 600s, trouble is, I'm 78 already so most probably past the use by date :)
the 500 PF is very tempting but not long enough for small wrens, even 600 is not long enough for small wrens
For the Z9, no complaints and appreciate the dynamic range as well, now, having a bucket full of pixels compared to the D4s, cannot just shoot any ISO without impunity , but Adobe has that sorted now
............. Gary
...............AU
Sounds like you'd like the 800 ;)
@@jan_wegener
Sounds great, but only have the "holy trinity" so too much gap, also too much gap in the budget right now
............. Gary
@@jan_wegener that's just evil Jan!
@@davepastern haha 😆
What about a fast moving bird like a whiteteled eagle, shooting from a boat thats moving all the time? :) It "easy "standing at a solid ground, but in a boat thats mowinng with the wind and sea, what u recomand then?
I have a Z9, which I've been struggling to get the right configuration. Thanks for this video. It has helped. And, the Prosets are great. I highly recommend the Prosets. I think I will sign up for your Masterclass. And, I will get the Z8, but still keep my D850 and 500 PF lens. Now, if I can just find a photo tour where the photo leader shoots Nikon.😀
Awesome, thanks for sharing. Where r u located
I’m located in Texas.
@@kandaceheimer4370 Alan Murphy does bird workshops there and shoots Nikon
Thanks for your re-visit to the Nikon Z9. Nice quick summary of your overall thoughts. I agree with tracking over water (something I just mentioned to a fellow Z9 user) and how sometimes using dynamic small (in the Z9, but left over from DSLR days) is the best bet - leaving subject detection behind. I do have a quick question for you and your setup - Why did you decide to go with the largest custom function area you could make instead of the built in AFF mode? (autofocus full). Did you find some benefit to restricting the initial AF area a little bit? I do have a custom area box of 1 by 1 as well (with subject detection enabled). I turn off subject detection with the push of a button if it's causing the camera to get confused. I shoot with friends using the Canon R3, R5, and Sony a1. We talk all the time, and aside from weight, each camera has its selling points. Your review was with two of the more recent Nikon lenses which gave you better magnification (phase detection chance of excellent AF results) and better AF motors. In those circumstances, you were most certainly getting the best out of the camera. Mileage for people using older lenses and f-mount glass may vary. All that said, I use mostly f-mount glass and find that it's the best Nikon camera for sports/action/wildlife I've used to date . Thanks again for keeping it real. Keep up the great work.
For sone reason the AF seems to be better with the custom wide area than the full AF-F area. When leaving the camera totally to it’s own devices it seemed to have a harder time finding certain subjects
@@jan_wegener Just curious. Thanks for the reply. We (my friend and I) are going to give it a test as well. AFF vs. Custom largest area. I have no doubt you are correct. I'll let you know what we experience. My friend is going to toss the custom wide over to his shutter button as you have. I've experimented with that prior to the most recent firmware, but moved away from it - but will try it again. Thank you for always providing your thoughts and challenging us to modify our settings looking for something better. ;-) Well done. BTW: Now you have your answer to a smaller Nikon Body: Z8. Let's see what you think.
Thank you for your info. My order is in for a Z8. I am hoping you can do some reviews with the more affordable lenses. 100-400, 500PF maybe with TC's attached, 200-600 if it shows up.
I will definitely review some more Nikon gear
I’m Still Struggling I really hate the AF when can’t find the bird… and I need to manually focus to get the bird. But I’m use the same technic Wide to 3D, and I have 2 Fn one to remove the Animal Detector and the other with Single Point AF.
I have also the Nikon Z9 , and the latest firmware 5.0 works perfect I have no complaints about aufofocus , also shooting birds and wildlife What makes Nikon so good for me is the total package of S lenses what they have in their collection The Nikon Z9 is heavy but it is so solid At last the Nikon Z9 is silent
Thanks, will try this setup, although it irritates me to have any AF function on the shutter button after 18 years of BBAF.
One tip from me though: I noticed you using the MF ring on the 600; I switched MF an Fn rings as I find that much easier to reach on the 400/600/800 Z lenses.
Yes I don’t like it much either, but it’s the only way to make the camera work very well
Got Z9 over ago and really enjoyed it. One downside is that it’s heavy, really heavy cause it was built like a tank. This will last me for years.
Does any have any idea when the Canon R1 will be released?
Probably before the olympics in 2024
Capture One looks fine
As a long time Sony A1 user, I would appreciate your guidance on how to achieve similar focusing results
I made a video about the A1 a while ago. I found it a bit easier to set up
@@jan_wegener - I found one of yours which pits the A1 against the R5. However, as a wildlife shooter, I found that the 30fps just compensates for the relative high focus loss (I had better focus+ibis success with my (former) SLT A99ii and f4 500mm sigma lens when the ibis was just 3 axis and the shutter was mechanical), I had similar or even better ratio using the A9. It seems to me that for wildlife shooters, the Nikon Z9 or upcoming Z8 should be much more suited, especially since Sony does not seem interested in maintaining any customer relations, when it comes to releases. I also take clips, so programed one of the buttons to be the video start/stop..(instead of using the dial and back again) - for the first time I get an annoying error (I had this setup on A77V, A77ii, A99ii, A9, A7Riv also) -- the camera takes clips on its own at random, without any external input (buttons touching something etc.) - really annoying to try and focus quickly on a subject only to find out that the failure to do so was because it was shooting a clip of the interior of your vehicle. I suspect that it is connected to some logic of the stabilization mechanism. which while offroading in standby mode might be triggered and somehow invoke the starting of a video clip.
Jan, may I ask how you set the spot auto focus? I can not seen to figure it out? Thank you very much.
In the custom menu where I assign the button I set fn1 to spot + af-on
@@jan_wegener thank you very much.🙂🙏🏻
Very very interesting
So when you press the front focus to take the shot does it go back to custom wide area or you have to keep the AF button pressed on for it to stay in 3D tracking
Yes I have to keep 3D pressed
@@jan_wegener So as long as you hold the AF ON Button (BBF) it will override the shutter button then ?
@@kuau714 yes
@@kuau714 yes
One clarification to Block shot af response! It does not apply to 3d tracking, i own a z9 and i've done a lot of testing my self, this applies to dynamic af. I hope nikon makes it work on the 3d as well because when a bird crosses a branch on 3d tracking, sometimes it does still focus on the branch but dynamic doesnt when you set the af response to 5
Ah interesting. The stilt example flying behind the tree was 3d where it stayed on quite well
I follow your channel and I saw lot of your videos. I have an R5, it's a good camera, but not amazing as autofocus. I want to buy a second body for wildlife photography. I know you shot with the R3, the R5, the R6 mk2, the R7 and tested also the Z9. Which one would you chose ? (talking about focus accuracy / stick on subject)
Out of those probably R6 II
@@jan_wegener thank you for your fast reply... my bigger struggle is if to buy another Canon camera or change camera brand (in this case I would be open to all other camera brand options)
@@michelebelotti2022 I do think Canon has the best overall AF atm
Do you have any presets for DXO Photo Lab 6?
Not at this stage
Is it possible to do something similar on the R5? Have the shutter half press acquire the subject by tracking, then hand off to spot AF using AF-on?
The R5 doesn't;t have spot with tracking (3D), but you don't need it, cause the eye tracking will find the bird by itself without the need to rest two buttons
So have you changed to having the R5 shutter half press do something, or still use double BBAF with the half press deactivated?
@@Bleirer-tj6sb I have not changed anything in the R5
cant wait for the z8 really holding back to buy a z9 cause of it !! the 1/200 sync is the only trouble for me especially for uw !
Yes these flash sync times are very annoying
@@jan_wegener that being said with hss you can get away with it and also i guess a trade off for all the other incredible specs. for me for hss uw it means an extra 1400 euros per strobe 😭gonna have to be a step by step investment ! still hoping z8 has a mechanical shutter 2 days to go 😻
Nikon AF seems very complicated compared to Canon. My R5 finds the subject very easily all over the screen unless the whole scene is rather dark. (Today it did have trouble finding a very well-camouflaged green tree frog on a branch; it looked too much like a leaf, I guess.)
I'm sure Nikon feels their system is more refined. But I think it'd be much easier to use with whole-screen one-button AF like Canon. Canon employs various case functions to control how it tracks a subject or handles obstacles between subject and camera. How does Nikon handle things interrupting a moving subject?
The systems are quite different. Canon is definitely easier to use
I didn't manage to use your one-button AF trick. I still have to half-press my shutter button before pressing the AF-ON button (set to [3D][AF-ON]) for a handover to happen. The handover doesn't happen when the box over the subject is grey, only when it's green, and for it to turn green I need to half-press the shutter button first. What am I doing wrong?
For me it works when it’s grey almost all the time
@@jan_wegener I was out in the field today and your single button method worked well. Not sure why when I tried it at home it wasn't cooperating. Thanks!
To be honest im wrestling myself out of getting the z9 , i have the main huge fast telephotos , on d850s , once theres an sd adaptor for the xqd cards il get one
to put SD in the Z9?
Johnny Pink did video about how the AF on the Z9 two weeks ago he said it wasn't perfect and also said the Canon R7 was a better Camera than the Z9 ...and he was considering moving to Nikon as he does have an old Nikon DSLR , instead opted to stick with Canon .
Well what is "better" depends on personal preferrence. If someone prefers the smaller 32 MP APS-C sensor of the R7 over the 45 MP stacked BSI full frame sensor of the Z9 so be it. The Z9 has the advantage in image quality, dynamic range, burst speed, continuos shooting, storage and battery life. But the R7 is way cheaper, lighter and has a tighter aspect ratio for more reach. The R7 in theory has the option to use lighter APS-C glass, if it existed.
If Nikon only presents the rumored Z8 they will likely lose a lot of customers to the R7.
I am also not married to Nikon...
@@phelanwolf6747 He also has an R5 ....
There's differences the AF, but the R7 is definitely not better, I have one and while they react different in different scenarios, I'd take a Z9 any day if I could only chose between the two.
If you throw in an R5 the waters get more muddy, tho.
@@colintraveller he also didn’t own any native Z lenses, I think that is where Nikon’s biggest benefit can be found, lightweight 400 4.5 and 800, 400/600 with TC.
I've just received my Z9.. I use back button focus with 3D traking and my fn1 and fn2 buttons programmed for separate focus area modes.. When pressing fn1 or fn2 buttons on my D850 it would focus instantly on the subject.. My Z9 nothing.. fn1 and fn2 buttons will not focus independently at all.. I have to use three fingers to take the shot.. One finger pressing fn1.. The second finger pressing the BBF to focus on subject and the third finger pressing the shutter release button.. This can't be right can it? Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? Seems like a step backwards to me..
Did you assign the focus mode + AF-ON? Otherwise it will just switch the mode
@@jan_wegener I'm a dummy at times.. Thank you very much Jan.. Problem solved.. Now I can enjoy my new toy..
I love my Z9. Gets better the more you use it.
Wildlife photography is documentary work, though, and it's unethical to delete those branches out of the photo. The image should be truthful, not manipulated.
How good is the AF compared to the R3 or R6 II that's what I want to know ?
It's more complicated to use overall
@@jan_wegener I gathered that from what you said in the video 👍 compared to my R3 it seems a bit clunky and a bit hit and miss ? A fellow photographer had one next to me and he was surprised how good the AF on the R3 was at tracking BIF compared to his Z9, I was surprised as told him the R6 II was even better than my R3 in my opinion.
It struggled in cluttered back grounds and when the subject is small in the frame
@@spencerburrows5360 that's what I got told by the fellow photographer sat next to me, I was quiet shocked as I was under the understanding it's AF was as good as the R3 and Sony A1 ?
@@chimpy9823 Yes, the R6 II is probably the best over-all camera atm, minus the mpix.
I find the R3 hard to compare to the other cams due to the sensor, but the Af is definitely easier to use
Ir you have a Sony contact… can you ask them if the A1 is their flagship camera? They launch it at a very high price an forget to give us firmware updates and now all smaller camera are better
Those lower cameras may have features the A1 doesn’t have, but NO those cameras aren’t better than the A1. It’s been 2.5 years since the A1 has been released what do you expect no advancement?
@@livejames9374 as you may know Nikon is constantly upgrading their cameras via firmware updates, why Sony cannot do the same… A1 is 3 times the price of a A74 and the A74 has better features. Why we don’t have Focus breathing compensation, focus stacking, bird eye autofocus in video?? Those features can be included in the A1 via firmware update. Why the terrible new Creator’s app doesn’t accept the A1 … we are talking about Sony’s flagship!!!
@@AlbertoAcero most of the Z9 updates have been features the A1 already had or were promised but weren’t ready… variable shutter, improved af raw video etc I don’t think Sony should be looked negatively upon because they released a camera that was pretty complete.
I agree. Not adding at least the eye tracking in video and sone other features look very odd and makes the users not very appreciated
I was considering swapping to a z8 so i could use the pf500 lens , but this video has put me right off it, that af set up sounds a right pain compared to Sonys
It's a bit more involved
There are other ways to set it up - personally, I just use a custom wide-area for flight/action shots, and 3D tracking (with subject detection) for perched/slower moving birds. Works perfectly fine for me.
Maybe that isn't the best-performing setting e.g. for smaller subjects in front of busy backgrounds, but I really don't care about that, because if your subject is small/far away and in front of a busy background, the pictures are gonna be crappy no matter how sharp.
Can you share how you actually set the camera to use your technique?
wide area custom on shutter button, 3D on AF on
@@jan_wegenerwhere’s the option to customize the shutter button?
It's a separate part in the shooting menu I think @@myartmyrules
it is driving me crazy lol. I cannot find it. It's very strange.
thank you@@jan_wegener
I use a Z-9 and I will need to try some of your settings out. You’re looking like your old self again.
Thank you! Still up and down but better overall
What u said is true, the z9 af will lose its subject and also not as sticky as r5. I find r5 at ease where it acquire and stick on it better than z9. I seen video samples of r5 and it was amazing and wondering why my z9 cant do that
I struggle with the price of that camera v. the R5.
I guess it comes down to what lenses you have and want to use as well. R5 is fantastic value for money
I tried setting mine up the same way after watching your video, but for some reason when I go to press the af button for 3d tracking it still starts in the middle even if wide area has a grey box around the bird. I wonder what I’ve done wrong
You have to turn focus point persistence ON.
@@garfieldirwin it is. Well, it’s set to auto.
@@Dadboddave Hmmm...don't have my Z9 in front of me but it sounds like it should hand-off the focus point then.
Hmm, not sure why it’d do that. Is AF on set to 3d+af-on ?
@@jan_wegener Yes I believe so. I think i've decided it was just due to the weather/size of the bird and how far away. I'm going to sit out in a hide this weekend when the weather clears up and see if it works correctly.
I've owned the Z9 for over a year and a half. I primarily shoot with the Z400mm f/2.8 TC, and it yields nice results. It seems like the autofocus struggles a bit, when small birds are in very close, with a busy background. I programmed my back-button to wide area custom 1, with a 1x1 box. My lens function ring is programmed to manual focus, while my function buttons are programmed to 3D tracking. My support hand rests right near these buttons and ring, so it's easy to make quick adjustments.
Thanks for sharing. Yes, it did struggle a bit with the branches