Nikon Z8 & Z9: BEST Bird-In-Flight Autofocus Settings
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- Looking for the best bird-in-flight (BIF) autofocus settings for your Nikon Z8 or Z9? Don't worry, you know I got your back!
In this video, we'll cover all the best AF settings for your Z8 or Z9. We'll look at relevant menu settings, I'll show you how to get the most from subject detection, we'll discuss AF areas and how to use them - and so much more.
This video is a bit of a deep dive, but if you're a bird-in-flight shooter with a Z8 or Z9, the field-proven advice in this view will skyrocket your keeper rate!
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No one in the business is producing (or can produce) this level of useful, detailed guidance. If you can use just a bit of it, you and your images will improve.
Thank you Steve. I don't do much bird photography, but I come here for the best Nikon autofocus tutorials, period. You have helped me immensely.
Thanks so much Steve, all the advice you've given has been so solid in the past, I always look forward to when you post about new features/how to! I just updated my Z8 and I'm on my way to Kerkini tomorrow!
Thanks Steve. I have every book that you have published. Please continue providing excellent Nikon tips and tutorials.
I purchased your focus book for my 850 years ago. I just got the Z8 and very much looking forward to your book firmware 2.0 update to pull the trigger on this one. There are a couple of other Nikon guys I follow but you are the best/most practical for detailed descriptions of how to handle real world situations. Thanks for all you do!
Most Helpful & Very timely Video with insights and "why" not found elsewhere. Steve continues to be one of the best!!
Absolutely fantastic Steve ❤ I keep counting days waiting for your tutorial video. ❤❤
As always Steve, you have the most keen insight to the Z family of pro bodies and lenses. You’re top shelf in my book! Appreciate you!
Steve you are the best. You post the most helpful and relevant videos on wildlife photography
Another awesome and helpful video. I wanted to see this first and then go to the guide. Thank you so much!
Awesome as always !!! You are without doubt the best tutor when it comes to photography!!
great video as always! Your explanation, presentation and rhythm are top notch, clear and enjoyable .
Awesome bit of knowledge about Z8. Thank You Steve!!
Always very very helpful guidance Steve! Thank You for this kind of videos. 👍
Superb video Steve. I always look forward to your video tutorials . You are the best
I have a Zf and this is extremely helpful information. Probably for all the expeed 7 based cameras down the line as well. Thank you for producing this!
Thanks Steve, here in the Netherlands we are also happy with your videos and books.
Took me a lot of time & rewinding a bit to catch all of this, but very glad I did. Great info & details.
Steve very well explained, I am using pretty much all your settings it works very well with all the firmware up to date on my Z9 & Z8 thank you very much for sharing!
You are the only one who helps me learn Sony a1 autofocus system
subscribed after watching this video and will be coming back to this a few times and seeing what else you have , so clear and easy to understand
Thanks so much for this detailed advice and for talking about how you’ve changed your approach. I came here to learn how to do handoff to 3D and now will see how wide AF and custom modes work. I am adding more events and people to my nature work so am more used to AF-S.
I watch quite a few photographers for settings, and I definitely get the best tips from you, which is why I bought your guide a while back. Thanks for this update! Hopefully that Z8 area-af button will come to the Z soon.
Great Info…thanks so much…I love your guide books they have been so helpful for me…
Great info Steve. Good to hear that Auto AF has been refined. I'm gong to give it a go. I find that I use your tutorials to learn how everything functions...even though I may program to a different set up. It is working!
Many thanks for this inciteful review. Looking froward to the updated book in due course. An excellent book that I keep referring back to, to learn exactly the differences in focal areas, use of subject detection and 3D.
Thanks Steve, excellent advice as always
Thnak You very much for your Z8 settings for the birds, I have changed a couple of my camera, so many of your settings make a lot of sense and save those crucial seconds when you are shooting. I will try them soon by shooting a kingfisher. Greetings
You really are the best imho for explaining the functions. Thanks so much!
Danke Steve für deinen fantastischen Job !!! Ist immer gut dich zu sehen und deine Tipps sind wertvoll und sparen mir einen Haufen Zeit , thanks much for your tips, this save me much time - greetings from Berlin Germany - Karsten
Thanks for sharing those tips, your images are awesome.
Great video Steve. Thanks.
To turn off the AF subject detection I use the REC button and the rear wheel on Z9. I use it to switch between SHOOT A and B. A and B have exactly the same settings until the AF subject detection is missing on B. Another advantage is that I can choose a different measuring field in B than in A.
Great video Steve. Big thank You!
Thanks, Steve, for the always-helpful information, as well as new methods that become possible with firmware changes! :)
I don't know what I'd do without your guidance! Thank you so much!!
Thanks for the kind words :)
Great info. Thanks for posting.
Great info and hope the the toggle detection option comes to the Z9 soon as you mentioned!! Great over view👍
First class every time. Nice video.
Fantastic video, super helpful
Great video, very informative
Thank you Steve, Cycle AF Area is dope...I find in team sports small dynamic works well as the main and I hand it off to auto subject, (to many people). I'm very experienced in fast moving subjects and so use to the legacy modes. I realize birding is different and your way seems like it works great. Auto area mode/subject detect works great with the latest firmware on isolated subjects. I use it a lot. My hit rate is 99%+ I use most of the modes over a lot of situations and always trying to find shortcuts like the cycle mode.
The best as always.
Steve is the best, I have all the books, thx for the vid…
Really helpful! Thank you so much!
Awesome. Thanks Steve.
Thank you 🙏 Steve for sharing this vital information; i only own a Z7ii ,8&9 are out of budget nevertheless i’m listening to what you say 😊
Right on, Thanks man😊
I wish Nikon would do this in the AF-Full: Replace multiple squares cluster as the AF system trying to locate the eye of the bird (bird detection mode) with a big box which occupies the entire sensor and a small white box to hunt for the bird's eye (as the camera is panning). As soon as the small white box nails the bird's eye, it turns green. This will make it easier to engage the rule of thirds and easy on the eye due to multiple squares jumping around. Thank you so much for your excellent tutorial.
I usually setup the AF just like you have shown over the years and it always works great.
But recently I discovered a trick. I keep the Shutter AF-On and keep it on Auto Area AF with Animal mode. It works great after the 2.0 update.
And i keep the back button Af-on button to Af Area+Af-on as 3D tracking and 1 front fn button to Af area+af-on with af area as Custom Area 1x1.
Focus persistence is always on auto and movie button to switch af-areas.
If Auto-Area not working well, i switch it using movie recording button to Wide area S/L and once subject is detected, I hand it over to 3d tracking set to Back button AF and still if doesn't work I press the front fn button as single point and focus persistence mostly works well and if it doesn't, I move it with the joystick while keeping the front fn button pressed.
The AF Area+AF-On switches overrides the Shutter Af-on button. So, now I can use both Shutter Af-On & Back Button Af simultaneously.
Will use it for sometime if it doesn't work, will switch back to as you said in this video.
Great, very useful video, thank U
As always, excellent tutorial. One addition I would like is a refresher on how to save these settings to one of the shooting banks.
Don’t quote me on it but, I think it is a memory card where to save your settings. Just get the smallest, cheapest card that does’t have any bad reviews, put your settings there & keep the card in your camera bag or pocket in case something happens. As with anything computerized, probably good idea to keep 2 backups.
Just pick a menu bank, eg. Bank A & do all your settings. Want to set up another menu bank, eg. Bank BC or D for shooting maybe macro, just choose B-C-D & choose your settings. I believe if you change them while you’re in one of the banks, those settings will be the new settings in that particular menu bank. Have & read your manual? I looked at the Z9 manual online. Holy Moly! Man I’m not looking towards moving to mirrorless as far as the menus go. I’m pretty sure it will make everything easier than with a DSLR once setup. Just have to take the time to dig in, setup & then practice using them everyday until it becomes second nature. Which never really seams to come to me.😊
@@thomastuorto9929 Thanks. I think I've done that. Will have to go out in the field, change Banks a few times and see what settings stick. I found it much easier to set up U1, U2, and U3 on my Z6 and Z7's, and to switch between them.
Thanks for confirming
Thank you, Steve... I'd go insane if I didn't have your videos to help me learn my Z8.😁
Thanks so much!
You are a great teacher.
Thanks so much!
thanks Steve Brilliant
Hello Steve, admire your indepth knowledge and patience in sharing your knowledge. I am happy to be a Landscape Photographer with all of this. How do you manage to shift the AF modes in the same speed as a flying subject baffles me. I have saved all your Videos and maybe one day😇😇😇
Programmable buttons :) I'm in one mode and just press when I need to switch to another. I'm not actually pressing button and turning a dial to get into a different mode in that scenario.
I need this for the ZF!
Thank you for a great tutorial Steve. I wonder if these tips will work with other subjects (airplanes, other fast moving wildlife, even people). Please do a tutorial on the other improvements that came with the Z8 firmware update 2.0. Thank you!
Z9 is a beast, a piano lesson + lot of practice , what i still need to invest. TBH as of now i think D500 worked better for me, as there was 2 well usable AF mode and happy dayz. Here you need to know what is usable and when. ( I need to try out the complete Auto AF as most of the time i used wide (size depending on the bird) - than switch to 3d)
However i bet if i finally get enough practice z9 will yield way better results. And for that i really recommend Steve's e-books. Anno the DSLR was a gamechanger for me. With a bit big head i thought i learnt the tricks and z9 will be business as usual. I was so wrong, but Steve's book saved me again. I know most what i need to, just need to put in the field experience, making those settings core reflexes.
Hi Fly With Me!
Cool video my friend! Well done!
Very nice cut! Like nº 16 👍👍👍!!!
Congratulations!Thanks for uploading!
Steve, Thank you for taking the time to provide such in-depth guidance. Great help!
What type memory card are you currently using in your Z9 for capturing bird stills & video clips? Thanks!
Thanks! I use the Delkin black series
Thank you Steve
That's a great video and useful tips. I especially like the DISP button with animal-AF override which can be useful if you encounter mammals. I missed a great shot of a coyote once when shooting eagles as the cam just wouldn't lock on when I panned over. As I was trying manual AF it ran away, a missed opportunity.
Perfect timing Steve! I leave next week for a month in Kenya. While my main focus is the big cats, the birds are at times irresistible. Your books on Secrets to the Nikon autofocus system, and Nikon Z8 wildlife setup guide have prepared me (and my Z8 with 400mm 4.5S) to ensure that this the best trip ever.
Great all the best for u trip.Give a feedback 😊 on the Z8 setup performance
Thanks for another great video Steve. I hate having to use my fn2 button like you do. Wish Nikon would put af area change on one dial and subject detect on other. Then it could be on one function button. Seems like simple firmware. My other objection has to do with renaming lens function buttons. But that’s another story. Thanks again friend.
As much as I think I know all I need to know using my Nikon, Steve always proves me wrong.
Thankls Steve
I have just got the Z8 and 160-600 z Lens and I use Auto Focus Wide C2 and Bang it works well so far on Coastal fast fliers Like Sandwich Terns here in S Africa
I love your videos but I was wondering if you would do a review on the OM-1 M2 for BIF?
Hi Steve! Once again, your content is incredibly high-quality and very helpful.
I was wondering, at the end of your video when you discuss and show your guide on shutter speed, what do you do with your vibration reduction? Do you mostly leave it on, or do you turn it off when your shutter speed is higher?
Once again, thank you for your amazing knowledge transfer!
I try to remember to shut it off, but with newer lenses it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. Sometimes I like it on just because of the added viewfinder ability - the more stable the viewfinder, the better my chances at a sharp image and the better subject detection will stick :)
@@backcountrygallery thank you!
Hi Steve, I have a wish 🥰 I, many of your followers, would like to request you to make a detailed video on how you do maintenance of your camera, lens, memory cards ....like cleaning of lens, camera and how to handle memory cards for enhancing its life and health...like- quick formatting or full formatting of CF Express cards etc.
The trust and loyalty that we have on you keeps us demanding more and more from you in terms of knowledge and learning 😊.
I am also very keen to buy your digital books but in India the dollar equivalent amount is bit too much 😅....hope some special offers in the form of discount comes out way someday ❤
Thanks!
Thanks so much!
Steve. I have purchased your guides and I use the Z8 and Z7.2. I know you have changed some of your settings since the firmware update on the Z8. I am leaving in a few days for Borneo and would greatly appreciate if you would let me know what you have changed. It would be helpful for some additional keepers. I really enjoy your material. Thank you. Paul
As always Steve, an excellent video. I find though that the control ring moves when the camera is hanging on my side with a strap changing either the ISO or EV or whatever I set it too.
Thanks! I always shut my camera off as I hike to keep that from happening - and to save my battery :) However, I know it can be a pain when the camera has to be on and ready. I've done the same.
Steve, do you use the shooting banks for different scenarios or just set up your cam one way and tweak it if the need arises? For example, if you want to take photos of family, landscapes, etc. would you just keep most of your settings and switch the subject detection to people? Or do you customize the banks and switch between them?
I tested the new bird subject as well as auto-subject quite a bit in Costa Rica last week on my Z9, and i'm a bit underwhelmed... It works for some birds, but has a LOT of trouble with others. Pelicans and similarly shaped sea birds are apparently a tough subject for it. Frigate birds also cause issues - something about their pouches freaks the AF out. Definitely a YMMV kind of thing.
I ended up falling back to dynamic area AF quite a bit. Very small number of keepers, mostly static birds. I'm chalking it up as a "scouting trip" and will definitely follow your AF settings guide next time.
The Z8/9 can struggle with long necked or unusual birds, no question about it. Although, I've seen my Sony a1 have struggles with them as well so it's not just a Nikon thing. That's why I get so adamant about shutting SD off when it's not working - it's can cause more harm than good. Sometimes, you just gotta drive :)
@@backcountrygallery Yeah, i keep dynamic area AF and auto area AF on front fn buttons (and pinpoint on joystick press for good measure) just for cases like that :)
@@backcountrygallery SD worked really well on spider monkeys though - i guess the flailing limbs don't confuse it as long as there's a humanoid face attached to them, hah!
Hi Steve...Question, so if I'm covering a dance or a play (Using the z8) where people are moving around would you recommend the c1/c2, continuous with people selected? Thanks!
I request you to do similar training UA-cam for Nikon Zf. I am lately using it to get the old feeling of Nikon FM2. I understand that the camera has Expeed 7 processor and many of autofocus functions like Z8, but not all. It will be nice to know how Nikon Zf can be used for bird photography.
If you set up display button as you indicated, how does one change actual display option then? For instance if you might want to show histogram? Great video , very helpful.
You can program it pretty much anywhere. I have it on FN3 on the Z8.
Thanks
Thanks so much!
I love your videos and training material. Why does the Menu in my Z8 look different than what you show on the screen? I was trying to follow your section on setting up F1 button for Focusing but could not get the same choices. I am sure I missed something basic..
Make sure you're in the "f" settings on the Custom Setting menu and not the "g" ones (those are for video). That's the only thing I can think of offhand.
I also set spot focus on Fn2 on my Z9 for those times when the camera just wants to ignore the hawk in the tree. Hopefully once the cycle through option comes to the Z9 I can just use that. Matt Granger was complaining about Nikon not wanting to focus on subjects if the focus point is past the subject. It won't back up. For that he has the focus recall button on the lens set to a shorter distance so he can immediately get the focus in front of the bird so it can find it. I just shot my Zf at ridiculous ISO, up to 32,000 and I am floored with the image quality. The Z6III is going to be a low light monster.
I thought about meriting Recall Focus Distance but the video was already getting too long :) I might do a separate one on that topic. Most of the time though, I have a finger or thumb on the manual focus ring for when the camera is stubborn about focusing on a closer subject. I've done it so much now that I don't' even think about it anymore :)
Excellent video. Just to confirm, what you call Auto AF is called Auto-area AF in the menu system? Thanks!
Yes
I have recently moved to the Nikon Z8 +180-600 combination from a Nikon D850 + 500mm f4 AF-SII combination. While I am really happy with the move, but for some reason my birds in flight keeper rates are much lower than the old D850 combination. I haved used Single sop, Wide area AF in combination with and without 3D tracking. But still struggiling to get shots with sharp focus on the eye. It would either focus in wings or not focus at all.
A93’s AF is much less complicated. One mode does it all.
I've always said Sony's AF was easier to use with more overlap :)
Hi Steve, one more question - you recently had a video that showed how to quickly go from Bird to animal detect - I think using the WB button on a Z9 - I can't find that video to set it up?
Hi Steve Great Video. Question I set up my Z9 for BBF with Wide area-S and my F1 button to Auto Area. I then programmed by Video button to cycle through area modes. Problem is when I cycle through the area modes it only affects the mode on the shutter button which I am not using. How do I get it to cycle throuh area modes and the back button AF-ON? Thanks.
I hope Nikon Releases soon for the Z9 the Cycle AF-area mode. This can be very useful
Agree 100%. It completely changes the AF workflow in the field. I'm heading to Africa in about 6 weeks and I'm thinking of getting a second Z8 and leaving the Z9 at home!
I have a 5 day shoot with the US Ski Team at then end of March and keeping my fingers crossed Nikon release a "small" FW upgrade for the Z9 which I have 2 of them. I had a Z8 and for me I Just didn't like the smaller body.@@backcountrygallery
@@kuau714 Fingers crossed. It would be great to have it on the Z9.
Steve, does your Z8/9 setup guide also show settings for perched birds, or do these BIF settings work well for perched birds too?
Yes. This video was specific for BIF, but the book talks about general wildlife and action and when to use what AF area, how they work, way more about subject detection, etc.
Mr. Steve, would it be possible to have a Portuguese version of the guide for Z8? Please!
I really like the way Sony implemented acquiring/tracking focus - letting you choose w/e size box for initial acquisition, but then tracking the subject al over the frame and continuing to track it as a "generic" target, even it loses subject recognition. It's like if Nikon would let you choose the size for 3D, instead of defaulting to a "single point."
Also I find Sony to be better at recognizing a "thing" to focus on when I see a bird approaching from very far away and I want to start focusing on it, to track as it approaches. Sony will recognize even the smallest dark-ish point against a blue sky as something to focus on, while Nikon will just hunt if the subject isn't large enough in frame.
I agree 100% - I prefer the way Sony does tracking. No handoffs, just pick and AF mode you want to start with and then let tracking takeover once a subject is identified. I wish Nikon would do something similar.
However, I'm not so sure I agree with the recognition part, at least not fully. Although Sony may have an edge with tiny subjects (I haven't compared recently), when it comes to initial locks when the target is out of focus, Nikon does a better job, at least between the Z9 and a1.
Hi Steve, a quick question, I have read through your Z8 & Z9 Wildlife Set-Up Guide - when using AF Hand-off - onec you "hand-off" to say 3DAF do I continue to press my back-button AF or do I just hold the Fn button assigned?
Thanks for the purchase!
Keep pressing AF-On as you hold the Fn button.
Hi, does the book refer to some of your videos (links) thank you
Great video. A question. I set up the display button as you suggested but it keep jumping back bird after I take photos . Am I doing something incorrect?
Make sure you're using Recall Shooting Hold. Also, there are things that will cause it to go back - turning off the camera, changing AF areas, etc. Recall Shooting Functions is a temporary deal.
Thanks for getting back to me. I did everything correctly. I had a feeling it’s a temporary hold . Again always look forward to your educational videos.
Do you ever share your banks settings for download to a SD card. I have your Nikon Z8 And Z9 Widllife Setup Guide-v170. Still struggling to get everything into my Z8 camera.
Steve, as you cycle through your AF modes, since your Wide-area C1 is like a single point but with subject detection, why do you also need single point AF? Thank you!
Mostly because there are times I want single point without SD and that's a quicker way to get there than trying to shut it off via the menus.
❤❤
Can we assign custom button for 3D focus and tracking?. I heard that 3D only works for Shutter button focus. Please explain
Sure, it can go on any supported button, which is quite a few. An no, it's not just for shutter release, I use it with BBAF all the time :)
please for Z7II or below too please :)
Hi Steve, setting mind up this way as we speak, so why is it necessary to add Auto Area Mode to the Fn1 button when it can already be selected as the primary in the the Cycle? Cheers from Downunder...
So you can do a handoff if needed. If that's not something you do, I'd use Fn1 for something else. :)
@@backcountrygallery Thanks Steve