Nikon Z8 Astro Photography Performance - iIS IT ANY GOOD?
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- Опубліковано 7 жов 2024
- Is the Nikon Z8 a good camera for astro Photography? This video will show you how it performs.
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What do you think of the Z8’s Astro performance?
In the “spanner” menu , make sure “Save focus position” is Off. Now whenever you attach a z lens, or turn your camera off and on, your camera will be focused to infinity. This setting works on every z camera I have owned (z6. z7ii and z8). I have taken 100’s over astro shots and with this setting enabled, I know I will always get pin sharp stars as long as I don’t accidentally Move the manual focus ring.
Ahhhah!! You may have just broken the matrix! THANK YOU. if the skies ever clear I’m definitely trying this.
@RalphMayhewPhotography but word of warning; this is a crap way of getting critical focus for astro. Manual focus. Zoom in to max and do it right. It's worth it. Infinity changes with temps too. So perfect focus won't always be "infinity".
OK, Here is what I have done, Why am I NOT getting Infinity Focus?
I have the Z8, using the Nikkor 20mm F1.8. In testing your statement, I set the lens to 1.8 ISO400 SS 1/50th, Sitting on a tripod, using the self-timer. Save Focus point is OFF, and it's set to manual-focus, with focus-peaking on, set to medium. Now I turn the camera on then I use the focus ring to blur the image, then shut the camera OFF and back-on, I can see the Focus peaking active, and it's focused to the farthest distance, I take a shot, but when I zoom into the image when viewing, it's off, it's not sharp. So, I did it again and this time I punched in before I shot and it was blurry, and I was able to use the Focis ring to sharpen it. So For me, It gets it close but not completely at infinity. Wished it worked as that would be a huge time saver.
@@LeonKolenda read what I just said if you want to learn how to do it properly
@@LeonKolenda to get the camera to do it automatically you’ll need a Z lens. For the f mounts you’ll need to zoom in on the display as much as you can and manually focus. The focus peaking is rebound for being inaccurate. I’d recommend even turning it off.
Amazing photo. Hmm I may look at the z8 since I do a lot of day landscape and night photos
Thanks so much. It’s an epic camera. Best I’ve ever used.
I use the Nikkor 20mm f1.8 with my Z8........back button autofocus on stars is no prob as long as the star is bright enough. I've just come back from Coonabarabran with a group of mates photographing the MW in -6C. The Z8 was amazing!
That fascinating. When I focussed and zoomed in it was ok. But not pin sharp. I had to manual focus and adjust for absolute pin sharp. When I put the 14-30 on it was ok too but not the sharpest on the brightest star. So again I had to adjust. I must sound super picky. Maybe it’s my two lenses 🤷🏼♂️ but as I’ve experienced so far the auto focus isn’t enough for me to be satisfied. Having said that, one manual focus tweak is no extra stress and I’ve been loving the Z8 in a ton of different scenarios. It’s impressive.
@RalphMayhewPhotography When I changed to the 14-30mm f4, I also used manual focus. For me as well the autofocus wasn't sharp 😕 Unfortunately my Z8 has had a recall......no camera for a while ☹️
@@davidrushworth658 oh no! What was wrong with it??
@@RalphMayhewPhotographysee my comment in the comments section of this video, if you want pin sharp stars every time. (you need to turn off Save Focus Position in the settings menu) and just like magic, you will be focused at infinity on every z lens you use.
Ps don't use an f4 lens for astro. It's just...not right...
all the z cameras instantly focus to infinity if you are using a native Z lens and you switch to manual focus, if you then touch the focus ring it will move away from infinity. it doesn't work with old F mount lenses and the FTZ adapter. if you go into the i menu and switch from an auto focus mode to MF it will be at infinity you can confirm this by just tweaking the focus ring. Once you have learnt to trust it there is no need to check even.
I'm not so sure about that, I have the Z8, using the Nikkor 20mm F1.8. In testing your statement, I set the lens to 1.8 ISO400 SS 1/50th, Sitting on a tripod, using the self-timer. Save Focus point is OFF, and it's set to manual-focus, with focus-peaking on, set to medium. Now I turn the camera on then I use the focus ring to blur the image, then shut the camera OFF and back-on, I can see the Focus peaking active, and it's focused to the farthest distance, I take a shot, but when I zoom into the image when viewing, it's off, it's not sharp. So, I did it again and this time I punched in before I shot and it was blurry, and I was able to use the Focis ring to sharpen it. So For me, It gets it close but not completely at infinity. Wished it worked as that would be a huge time saver.
@@LeonKolenda it works for me all of the time, but I never use focus peeking. The only lens it doesn't work on for me is f mount lenses with the ftz adapter.
I’ve taken great astros with my Z6. Got my Z8 back from the recall. Tried it and couldn’t grab focus on the stars to save my life. The window for the Milky Way is dwindling so I’m trying again tonight. Fingers crossed.
Gah, how frustrating. How did you go the other night?
Terrific photo!
Thanks mate. I’ve since done better with it too 👍
thanks a lot ! nice !!!
My pleasure!
There is a similar mode in Sony for low light photo / astrophoto. However with Sony, you can't zoom in that mode to make sure you have perfect focus. Can you zoom in that mode with the Z8 ? I imagine/hope you can assign that mode to a Fn key ?
You can zoom in. If I were shooting mainly Astro I’d be looking to plug it into a Fn key 👍 I use my buttons for other things though 🤷🏼♂️
@@RalphMayhewPhotographythat's pretty neat. I am thinking with some wider lenses when you try to focus with or without bahtinov mask
You are correct, the Z8 does not automatically focus on infinity upon power up. I don't know about the Z9 though.
Nikon is fantastic and the Z system has it all.
It’s pretty epic.
That's a cool camera!
It does a great job 🙌
@@RalphMayhewPhotography I'll upgrade some day!
Nice 👍🙂
Thank you!
@@RalphMayhewPhotography 👍
Doing night photography does anyone know how to illuminate the top LCD screen all the time for the Z8. I’d like to see the timer without touching the camera. Any suggestions? Greatly appreciated?
I don’t think it can be done. I use a very duplex down torch covered by my hand.
d12 in custom settings menu (firmware 2.0 just in case)
@@unaspected4 thank you'. Interestiung thing, when I did change this to On, it stays on and shows the countdown in Bulb or Time only. But if I have a lets say 30 sec timer, the Top LCD screen darkens... any suggestions?
You were using a Non Z Lens so it didnt focus
Not got that test. I put a Z lens on and it didn’t. I’ve winced tried other Z (or S lenses) and it hasn’t worked either.
For just astrophotography, the Z8 is a massive overkill. You don't need the autofocus, fast frame rate, in-body stabilization, advanced video modes etc. - basically, you end up not using anything the camera owes its price tag! If astrophotography is your main objective, just buy a used D850 or even D810 for a quarter of the price and spend the rest of the money on a nice equatorial mount, which is *the* most important piece of gear and by far the largest contributor for image quality.
I agree. Do but the z8 for Astro. But if you’ve got one, then you can use it for Astro.
That’s very interesting about the equatorial mount. I’ll have to look into it. My advice would be to spend the cash on a wide low f stop lens. Without that you’ll really struggle. Will check the mount out.