Nikon Z50 • Focus Settings I use for SHARP Pictures!
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- Опубліковано 7 жов 2024
- I show you the focus settings I use with my Nikon Z50 to get tack sharp photos. These are the same techniques I use with my Nikon Z6.
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Hi, thanks for sharing your approach. I do some bird photography so I have set up two different Custom modes (U1, U2). U1 is for stationary birds: AF-S single point, 1/320, f6.3, auto ISO limited to 1600 (sometimes i change it to lower if there is a lot od sun). U2 is for birds in flight: AF-C single point with points around, 1/1250, f6.3, auto ISO limited to 3200 (sometimes switch it to 6400 if darker). This lets me quickly change from birds in flight to stationary, so I don't panic with settings and not loose quality because of high ISO noise.
Hi, i just get my z50 and i try to copy your settings to see if it works out for me. But for some reason i cant change it to 1/320 after i set my camera in to AF-S single point. Maybe you can help me out? Thanks
Great tutorial. Best photography quote yet about the "camera" taking good photos whereas it is the user that makes the photos outstanding. So true.
Thank you!
I don't know why I love your videos so much. your personality and videos just connect with me so well.
Thank you very much !
EXCELLENT KNOWLEDGE SHARED SIR. ITS REALLY HELPFUL
Thank you!
I find the focus settings you recommend in this video are what I get the best results with also. Thanks for this informative video!
Thank you!
PHIL-- I shoot my Z50 pretty much just like you do! Love my Z50 - Thanks for all do to help all people! Randy B.(Montana)
Thanks, Randy!
Thanks for an excellent tutorial, Phil. Just got the Z50 and your suggestions are so helpful.
Thank you!
Thank you so much.i will try this w my Christmas sessions this year Phil
Do you even do spot fouces for familys?
@@tammymartin621 For groups I try to keep everyone on the same plane and then I do single point on someone eyes who is either the most important or the most central person in the shot. Thank you and good luck on your Christmas sessions!
Thanks Phil. I really appreciate this instructional video and all the content you provide each week. Best to you and your family.
Thank you, Greg!
Thank you so much, Phil, helped me so much, invested in this camera to alleviate the weight factor. Unfortunately trailing around my Nikon 850 and an array of lenses is no longer an option at my age,79 years young. All of your presentations adopt a sensible and common-sense approach, which is easy to understand. good luck in the future and I wish u well . Arthur in the UK.
Thank you very much!
Thank you for Phil, great information as always.
Great video Phil. I have just bought a Nikon Z50 ( with a FTZ adapter) a few days ago for a birdwatching trip and I am just learning the features and your video has been really useful with getting me started.
Thank you!
Phil thank you 🙏 for Z50 focusing tips. I have recently purchased the Z50 and have been trying to figure out which settings are best. This video came at just the right time! 😃
Thank you, William. Enjoy your new Z 50!
Hello Phil,
Thank You so much for sharing your knowledge and experience about the autofocus techniques on the Nikon z50.
It really works great 👍 it improved the face and eye recognition.
All my pictures look amazing! We love it.
Happy Thanksgiving 🍁
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback and I'm very glad you found it helpful! :)
Phil thank you so much, this video is so so helpful!
Thank you!
Great Video! Really good advice to keep more control over your focusing. I loved the tip about using the Wide Area focus and moving it slightly above center! Thanks for that one!
Thanks, Kevin!
Works equal as well on my EOS R and Fujifilm cameras. Great info
Thanks, Mike.
Hi Phil
I really enjoyed this video!! It was very helpful to me!!
I've struggled with my Z50 and have a love/hate relationship with it. Lol Which is why I haven't used my Z50 much for the year I've had it and have considered selling it.
Again a great video!
Best wishes
Duane
Thank you, much appreciated!
Thank you for such valuable information. Yes face detect is only work best for video. For photo it is still hit and miss with this camera in good light and almost useless in poorly lit area. I hope Nikon will improve face and eye AF for photos.
good to hear Phil..I have mine set up the exact same way..I thought that I was missing something by not using some of the other modes like subject tracking and others..you put my mind at ease..but I also use back button focusing in AFC mode..works for me..thanks !
What is back button focus @DanAusec ? Could you please elaborate a bit how to use...I am being a beginner asking
@@amritkumar2224 ..you assign the AEL AFL button on the back to focus instead of using the half press shutter button..makes focusing much faster and separates focusing from taking the picture..you set it up in the menu system..not hard but tough to explain in words..there are numerous YT videos showing how to do it and the advantages..a great video is by Steve Perry..just search for Steve Perry Back Button Focus and it will come up..good luck !
very helpful ~ the basic does the best
Very informative video 👍
Thank you!
Nice video Phil. Well done. I also did a video about the z50 for wildlife photography. 😀
Very informative. Thank You!
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing. I recently bought the Nikon z50 as I like crop sensors and I regret I didn't see your posts earlier. Nikon should have discontinued such a poor camera instead of continuing to make money from it. Focus is bad, as is the battery life that I hope Nikon will be able to fix via a new battery and update firmware for this camera.
I also tried to focus by touching the screen to indicate what I want, but then the camera fires instantly, so I can't fine tune - maybe I need to change the settings.
Perfect 👌
Thank you!
Thanks for the video Phil. If I ever get a Z50 I'll use this video as a guide for the set up. Your pics out of the Z50 really are amazing. You certainly know how to get the most out of that camera. Thanks for sharing mate 🙏
Thanks, Adrian. I’m pretty sure a lot of owners are just leaving the camera in auto-area autofocus. Hopefully this video will help them get the most out of their Z50. Have a great week, Adrian!
Hi, love your videos, but as a Z6 & Z50 user I will use the 9 point dynamic area mode almost exclusively for action shots. I did a lot of high school sports until the pandemic, and used dynamic indoors and outdoors. Now I do a lot of birding and I continue using dynamic. I have been hesitant to use the wide area modes for fear the photos wouldn't be as sharp because of the extended focus range. I will certainly try it now that you've been using it successfully, but I would also encourage you to try the dynamic mode again. Looking forward to your next video. Also, I've started my 10 year old grand daughter into photography, love that you are able to partner with Heather in your videos. It's nice to have someone to share your passion with.
Thank you, Paul! It’s interesting that you have had good results with dynamic area. Every time I shoot sports for the first time in a while I always start out with dynamic area because that is what Nikon recommends, then after some frustration with missing shots I switch to wide area small and immediately see better results. Like I said in the video, your mileage may vary LOL I really appreciate your support of the channel!
Hi Phil absoltuley aggree with your settings one thing i might add with my typical lomd of photography ( motor Sport) with back button focus and AF-C after i have taken shots i will still hold the fucus button down to stop the camera from going to sleep, when i first got the Z50 i was missing a lot of shots as the camera does take a little while to wake up so the view finder is blank with my old dslr setup as soon as you look through the view finder you can see the action right away and start to compose the shot. also find the face eye detect somewhat of a gimick maybe for video it works and will track a subject but for my type of photography it just a wste of time any how thanks for sharing and always good when you find the same thing when it comes to settings
Thank you! Here is something you can try, in the custom settings menu under timers set the standby time to infinity and your camera will never go to sleep. 🤓
Great video Phil thanks! Nikon z50 is my first camera by profession I am a mechanical engineer but I have always enjoyed clicking pictures. If you could make a small video for Nikon Z50 with Nikkor Z 50mm 1.8S and difference between half-press shutter button for focus or ae/al lock button (which one is good to go) that would be very helpful.
I don’t own the 50 mm 1.8S. I’m sure it’s an amazing lens though. I prefer back button focus. I turn focus off on my shutter button. I prefer to have the camera focus only when I tell it to.
I made the same experience with AF on my Z50. Tried dynamic AF area for birds in flight but got better results with wide area small. The tracking mode is useless.
Thank u good brother for this
Thank you!
Great video! Thank you. I just bought the Z50. I will try your method. Cheers!
Hey Phil... gotta say, your passion for photography is admirable! Love it! Admittedly, I was disappointed, though, to see you go to a Canon. Yeah, I'm a Nikon fanboy. 😝
I own a Z6ii, Z7ii, and Z50. I've been EXTREMELY impressed with Heather's photos. I am wondering if these are the same settings Heather uses, or if there is an update to this video after a year of experience?
I still on 4 Nikon bodies and a whole cabinet full of lenses. You’ll see me using Nikon from time to time. Heather uses the same focus settings. Thanks for watching, Chris!
Sorry to hear that you don't like Subject tracking, for me it works perfect! Here's how I set up the camera:
AF-C activated with my thumb on the AF-ON button
Automatic AF-area
Fn1 programmed for subject tracking with which I can switch instantly between Automatic AF and Subject tracking.
When Fn1 is selected i get a white square that I position on my subject, I press AF-ON button to get a yellow square, this locks on the subject you have selected as long as you have AF-ON depressed. You can move around the camera or the subject can move around within the picture.
If you have the white square and press the OK button, it stays yellow and continues to follow the subject. I activate the focus motor with AF-ON button.
Going back to Automatic AF is done instantly pressing the Fn1 button. It's Ingenious!! Try it! You might like it after some practice.
To get this to work you have to have the latest firmware, but of course you have that.
😬🤷🏻♂️ “Autofocus tracking is a joke”. Thanks for the information, I struggle with autofocus settings to be honest mainly because I shoot so much with manual glass... So when I run autofocus I end up struggling a lot to be honest. I do use single point because the camera never seems to agree with me on the subject... but I am one of those that would use AF-S. Ill give AF-C a run and see how it turns out. 👍📸
AF-C is especially good if you have autofocus turned off on the shutter button and on on one of the back buttons. I have all of my cameras set up that way.
I’m assuming these tips are applicable for the Z6 too. Been sticking with the D750 for fast moving animal shots because I’ve been too lazy to figure out how to utilize the Z6 for this genre. Going to try it. Thanks!
Absolutely! I probably should have called this "Nikon Z series focus settings I use for SHARP pictures"
hi Phil, love you video!
want to ask, i wedding photographer, move to z50 from df.
My question is when the bride walking what's tips from you? still use afc and wide area small focus?
Or use single AF and use touchscreen for focus? I'm really exciting about touchscreen focus. But do not want miss the moment. :D
I think I would certainly use AFC and wide-area small or single point for that. Thanks for watching!
@@PhilThach all right Phil, thank you.
I'll try today.
Wish me luck! 😄
I wonder if Nikon has any plans in the future to update its eye af for animals into the D500 I doubt they will but I wish they would.
Thanks Phil ;)
You're welcome, Thank you!
I’m going whale watching tomorrow and I gotta figure out my Z50 autofocus tonight.😂
That sounds like a fun day. Good luck!
@@PhilThach Your video was helpful. Thanks!
Thank you, it is very much useful to me. How do you set focus for a group of (five or more) people?
I would still use single point and place it on the face or eye of a person in the center, then try to get everyone to line up straight. Thank you!
Hello, I take toy photography, and I'm having a little trouble. My camera will focus on one part of it as sharp as possible, but anything even just a tad further from the focus and it's a blurry mess. Is there any way to improve on that?
Search for videos about “focus stacking”
Great info, I'm using my for underwater photography, so settings are a little different. When you are using those settings, are you shooting in manual mode?
Thank you. I pretty much always shoot in manual mode or manual with auto-iso.
Very practical tips. Thanks. What focus point option do you recommend for general scenic or landscapes? Wide small or large?
Thank you. I'd use single point for landscapes so I can place the point precisely where I want it.
@@PhilThach Interesting. Ok thx. And would you go with single point metering as well or matrix - assuming it's a wide landscape?
@@valerienathan7757 Matrix for sure. Look for any overexposed areas and if you find any, lower your exposure and re-shoot. You can always bring up underexposed areas but overexposed areas are often lost.
Old skool focus style
True. You have to do what works. Back to basics.
@@PhilThach very true
Thanks. That made a difference. Just about ready to return it. Now I won't.
Happy to help! Thanks for watching…
Hey Phil! New subscriber here 👋🏽 Just got the Z50 a couple weeks ago after watching a few of your videos. Curious to know, what settings you would suggest for a group photo (5+ppl) to get those sharp images? Thanks in advance!
The most important thing when doing a group photo is to get everybody to line up to where they are all the same distance from your camera. That way if you get one and focus they will all be in focus. Once you have that accomplished, you can use single point on one of the peoples eye. If you have trouble getting everyone in focus, try a smaller aperture which means larger aperture number, that will increase your depth of field making it more likely to get everyone in focus. Good luck! Thanks for watching!
What would you use for street photography, slow moving subjects, is it good enough, thanks
Wide area small or maybe eye detect. .
@@PhilThach thanks 🙏
Nice video..well u have used both xt3 and z50.which one u think has better continuous autofocus
I haven't done much photography of fast-moving subject with my XT-3, I've used it mainly for landscape photography so far so I can't really give you an informed answer for still photos. For video, however, I can say that both cameras do a good job of finding a face to focus on but the Z50 does a much better job of staying on that face throughout a video clip.
@@PhilThach thanks for the reply...
@@faisalsheraz8101 you are very welcome, Faisal.
Agree with you about the Dynamic Area AF as I have never ever gotten good results using that mode. Since I am mostly a wildlife shooter of the wading birds and birds that are perched I use the single point AF most. My biggest complaint is that the perched bird shots will often be focused on a branch in front or behind the subject even though the "point" is squarely on the bird. I like my Z50 but I like my D750 more.
Do you use your D750 for birds in flight? I have both cameras and the D750 struggles quite a bit when subjects are moving.
Great video Phil very informative. What camera and lens were you using for the video.
Thank you! I think I used my Z6 and 50 mm F1.8 G on this one. I had the sound set for full range and I should’ve had it set for voice. The Z6 is really crappy sounding for voice if you have it on full range.
I asked because I was impressed at how the camera was focusing. It did a great job focusing on anything you put in front of you and back to your face.
The z series cameras are really great for vlogging with the exception of no flip screen. I use one of those mirror thingies that mounts in the hot shoe and then you point the rear screen straight up. The face detect auto focus is fantastic at close range on these.
What is the mirror thing actually called? I can't find it searching mirror thing. 🙂
@@genokearney My apologies. On B&H the product is called "Ulanzi Mirrorless Camera Flip Screen with 3 Cold Shoe Mounts"
I was able to take the sharpest pictures with those settings.
Nice!
How to Adjust Sharpness Nikonz50
I’m using a Nikon d850 with the Tamron 100-400mm for hiking to photograph flowers and birds. Unfortunately it’s not sharp as primes. Would you recommend a Z50 with the dual kit lens as a lightweight alternative?
Absolutely. If 400 mm is enough reach for you for birds, then you will probably be satisfied with the 375 mm full frame equivalent that the 50-250 Lens gives you. Personally, I like a little more focal length for birds.
Thank you very much. I'm used to AF-S : semi-press focus with single pin point-- Compose -- Shoot. Most of the time I use the rule of thirds for composing. Would you recommand using AF-C and put the pin point on a third spot ? I'm coming from D40/D90/D7000 where the center single point was more precise than the other. I guess this is not true anymore with Z50. Any thoughts ?
The Z50 will focus accurately wherever you put the focus point, with that in mind your idea of putting the focus point in a rule of thirds area is a good one.
im going to be taking mainly pictures. but a small amount of video on the side. i video my rc trucks as i drive them over obstacles. what focus settings would i use when i set the camera down and slowly drive a rc truck towards the camera then off out of frame?
That's a really good question. I might just focus at one point manually and let the RC truck drive into and then out of focus as it rolls through the frame.
@@PhilThach thank you
Thanks Phil ! Do you use non vr lense on the z50? If so how is the sharpness of the photos and what shutter speed do you use
I use VR and non VR lenses. No sharpness issues. Try to keep you speed at 1/125 or faster and you should be fine if you hold the camera steady. For extremely slow shutter speeds, I recommend using a tripod even on VR lenses.
Hi, is there any way to stop the pinpoint square from moving around from shot to shot? I’d like to keep it in the center....
If you are using the single point auto focus mode, it will stay in the center unless you move it. If it is moving by itself you are using a different focus mode.
Sir I am z50 user😀😀☺️