Hey everyone ! I hope you found these 10 settings useful. Especially those of you receiving your new Z8 over the next few days What are the settings you always change did I miss any ? 😃
Additional SETUP steps As I shoot RAW, I have White Balance (WB) to "Cloudy" at all times. In raw, WB is just a number in the metadata and does not change the raw image data at all. It dictates how my raw processing software renders my files. I may shoot a ColourChecker Passport with critical series or when it will be hard in post to precisely set the colour palette of an image to neutral (Neutral is my preferred starting point for artistic decisions based deviations.) Then I verify ISO to be a fixed value of my choice. And look into noise and image control parameter settings. Store (focus) points by orientation. I set metering to "highlight-weighted" (where the firmware identifies the brightest photosite in the sensor and sets that to pure white - ignoring the sun. In 14 bits raw, this means that this single brightest point now becomes 11,111,111,111,111 and everything darker gets a lower number along the camera's AD conversion function lines - may be linear, may be 2-base log, etc. don't know. Well, if the image has a single bright photosite, now everything else becomes seemingly underexposed and I lose contrast envelope (the dynamic range available to a single shot, not to be confused with the camera's dynamic range as operating range of light levels). I really do not need gradation resolution between a couple single bright photosites, so an option to allow me a few choices in this respect helps get perfect exposure in one go. Nothing is fool-proof because fools are so ingenious, but with the powerful computer in the camera more is possible. File number sequence and file name and folder name - personalised. Colour space set to "Adobe RGB" rather than sRGB. Modelling flash. Assign settings to U1, U2, etc. Apply settings to live view (that's not Viewfinder brightness!) set to "On" in general but "Off" for flash sessions in the studio. Copyright information Pair with Bluetooth hosts If when JPEG is needed right away, JPEG to second card slot and start managing WB. Potentially framing grid and plumb levels
Regarding the shutter volume, I believe there's a setting for visual cues when the shutter is pressed. So you can use this instead of using a headphone in very loud locations.
Hi Ricci, I picked up my Z8 yesterday and I'm so grateful to find this video, as I'm aware what a learning curve I'm going to be on in moving up from the Z6. This has been tremendously useful to find not only the standard settings but some of the new ones. I hope you're going to do a 'Mastering the Z8' Zoom course on Nikon School soon!
Probably the most critical setting when you take it out of the box (applies to all cameras) is the "Slot empty release lock" setting. In past cameras, it was set to unlock, presumingly so the camera could click when on a showroom floor. You NEVER want to be clicking away for a client (or yourself) only to find your card slots are empty. Put it on "lock" so the camera will NOT click till you have a camera card in the slot.
@@jeremyhendersonphotography If you tether (most people never do) then unlock it or put it in your "My menu" (Another good question, if you plug in a tether, will your camera recognize it and let you shoot?)
Thank you! I love the familiarity of Nikon menus…helps when you change to a different camera. Just switched from z6ii to z9. Huge leap forward but tons of fun!
Thank you. This is an excellent video. I would love to see a similar video that covers many of the other settings that you have learned to customize and why- especially those that dive deeper into the autofocus system.
It's been a year I see from when you recorded this particular video I just got my Z8 moving from the Z6ii (which I still love) and this has been so encouraging to have you explain what's important right off from the start. I hope to find more of your "Talks" . Thank you so very much for your style of teaching, it's the best. I would love to know a recommendation for a good "L bracket" probably from "RRS" If you can recommend one to me I would love to know...
Hello Ricci, First I would like to thank you and Matt for making us aware of the overheating solution ie bye the right cards and set the menu. You know there are alway thing I pickup from your video just the smape things that can help if nothing I can explain things better to others. What a supper little video thank you. Keep safe, keep well and enjoy all the great kit.
Hi Ricci, Love your top 10. I recall being on a Nikon speedlight training course several years ago now and Neil grabbed my camera, went straight in to e1 Flash sync speed and changed it to (Auto FP) - OK there might be a couple of those now - and then said "don't go there again" ever since then that is the first thing that I've done for each of my Nikons - D300, D850, Z 8 Regards, Hayden
Great stuff as always, Ricci. Hope to have my Z8 in hand for the coming weekend. One comment regarding the sensor shield - I also have mine set to engage on my Z9s, but I also know that mechanical parts wear out with use - and I switch my cameras on and off frequently to save battery and also to prevent me messing up control ring settings when carrying the cameras with large lenses, etc. It would be wonderful if there were a way to engage the shield when the lens release button is depressed, instead of the power button... perhaps that is where the comments come from. The camera takes a bit longer to get to "ready" when the shield has to disengage, and also makes a "kerthunk" sound that is not too welcome if I'm in a hide...
01:45 - Ricci, I actually would love to see a video on the differences between the RAW file types: Lossless, HE*, and HE. Matt Granger and Matt Irwin (and the fellow from ZP Productions) have made videos, but 1) there are not many videos about this; and 2) the videos that do exist are all geared towards the Z9. I would love to see a video on this subject with the Z8.
Thank you for these tips!! I appreciate it! I followed this video and adjusted multiple settings including changing focus point to green in the AF-C mode. I'm not used to focus using AF-ON button, instead I half press the shutter button, so I didn't switch to AF-ON only. I'll play with it and see if I can use it more often. PS: the fact camera doesn't offer to change time is indeed weird. I accidentally noticed it too few weeks ago. I think they should change it like it was before.
Thank you. Received my Z8 today. So far, so good. Local store didn't have the recommended CF express. I will be using XQD for a week. I thought I saw a buffer video from you, but I can't find it.
Great video, thanks! I wonder if the sensor shield setting is off to preserve mechanical actuations. Maybe just turn it on when you are going to change lenses?
Thanks for that Ricci, great stuff as usual... I will sort this out the moment my Z8 arrives tomorrow! Does the 3Dtracking white box get the options to change colour? Also something else I think Nikon should consider, and this is where we could jump the red auto focusing box (in use) from one side to the other by the press of only one button... think where subjects are looking left then look right and you need to recompose very quickly. I personally make a box large enough and use wrapping to the left or right and of course this jumps immediately to the opposite side. It works but it does mean a manual factor. This is also becoming a little redundant these days with the brilliance of eye/subject-recognition AF. Perhaps a better way forward would be where the 3D tracking system senses sudden re-composition/movement and therefore auto does all of this for you... now that I would use! Good video and thank you for all you do.
I'm hoping that perhaps some of these features (like the ability to change the AF box color when focus is locked) will come to future non Z8/Z9 bodies as I think some of them would be useful even in other models of Z cameras. Of course I know that 3D tracking will not likely be included i n other models, but it would be nice if you could change the color anyway. For the items that impact battery life, just buy a second or third battery. Personally I would not let that be a determining factor in what I turn on/off in the camera, and you should really look at your shooting workflow and style and adjust other "accessory" things (no pun intended) around that, like battery life (if you need or benefit from 120 fps EVF then just buy a spare battery and move on). I see on some forums that people take great meausres to maximize battery life, and that's fine, but if it starts impacting your shooting, then it's not and you should just spend the extra $75 for another battery (which you will probably want 2-3 spares anyway).
for the BBAF / AF on mode, i always have one profile for me in the camera, and one profile for people that don't know BBAF so i don't have to futz with my settings, might be a bit overkill but at least i can trust they wont futz with my profile unless they do more work to do so.
Great suggestions, Ricci. Always enjoy your straightforward and informative videos. I have a slightly off-topic question, other than it is related to your first change: setting the Time & Date. A couple of days ago I realized I had not changed my cameras to Daylight Savings Time so I went through and changed them all. No problem on the D850 & Z9. However, on my Z6 I noticed that it is off by one hour. I live on the east coast of the US so I set it to NYC time zone (UTC-5), however that shows it as 1 hour behind the actual time. If I then turn Daylight Savings Time Off it will become 2 hours behind. Only workaround is to set it to UTC-4. Is this a known bug? Is there some other setting that is controlling this that I may have missed? My Z6 has the latest firmware, Ver 3.5.
I set my cameras to UTC - no DST and the same all around the world. The addition of location coordinates (or time zone) and the date shot then can be used to deduce local time at the moment of the shot, by software that knows how to do this.
Thanks, just got the Z8, amazing camera. I have the Dji Mic 2, but when recording on Z8 via 3.5mm the audio is not great, have 32bit float enabled on the radio mics. Any settings you recommend to get good radio mic audio on the Z8 ?
hey great video. just converting from canon, then i am not a friend with the shooting banks and photo banks. They keep storing new settings when I chamge them. on Canon I could take autosaving off making me able to have the exact same settings when I turn camera on and off. are you able to answer or do you have a video on the x banks?
Thanks for the video you always make them interesting. I use Nikon D850 and Z6II. When I use Z6II for studio photography I find I have to turn the live view off in settings. Do you have to do the same for the Z8 when using studio strobes?
I think you needs a camera mount cover to keep the sensor shield clean! 😆🤣😂 and Where is the Speaker in the Z9... @10:35? Speaker under what, how do you spell it??? I appreciate you, Ty!
Ricci, I am a stalker or run and gun bird photographer. I have a Z9 and 400/4.5. I can never decide which auto focus mode is best. At present I have full screen AF and 3D on F1. I heard someone say that they had “double back button focus” by using the display button. Is it possible to add a different area focus mode and trigger the focus with the display button?
Nice video as always, Ricci. My Z8 EVF seems stuck on View:Camera mode, in which the viewfinder brightness changes with exposure settings. I want to switch back to “Adjust for Ease of Viewing”, but when I select this menu option, the EVF still remains in View: Camera mode. How can I “unlock” this setting so that I can change it back to View:Adjust for Ease of Viewing”? Thank you.
Hi Ricci, would I be right in thinking I can just copy and paste my z9 settings to the z8? Or is the slightly differing buttons layout an issue? Thanks as always. Simon.
I always shut off the camera before swapping lenses but have to admit that in the heat of the moment I have forgotten to a handful of times on my Z9 and I silently scream to myself "Gahh!!" when i see a naked sensor and curse at myself. But also in those moments I wish that the sensor shield would close automatically. Maybe Nikon can set up the camera to beep maniacally when you start to rotate the lens, or bring up a warning on the back of the screen that reads "HEY STUPID! DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!"
Completely agree - the problem is indeed that, under pressure, one can occasionally forget to turn the camera off. I would also comment that I frequently turn cameras on and off to conserve battery life, and it is not necessary for the sensor shield to be closed and opened every time. Hence it would be much better if closing the sensor shield was associated with removing the lens, not powering off the camera. I assume the difficulty for Nikon is that they would have to implement some electronic detection of lens removal, which might not be easy. So we just have to accept the implementation as it is.
This is true however I do still see lots of people that want to shoot lossless so thought I would cover it here for people that have not owned a z8/ Z9 previously
Amigo, gostaria de transferir as fotos de festa infantil diretamente pro celular. Ainda no evento! Em torno de 100 fotos. Para o cliente ter as fotos no momento da festa. Acredita até seja rápido na z6ii?
Set the viewfinder diopter for your own vision. It gently pulls out and rotates until the information in the viewfinder is clear and crisp to see, then just press it gently back in.
Thanks Ricci -- my Z8 will be set up as closely to my Z9 bodies as possible. I always start in the Network (and pair with snapbridge for time and location data); then Setup Menu and then work through Shooting, Video, Custom Settings, and finally Review. I check the Timecode pairs with my UltraSync Blue source. AND finally I create a snapshot in Reikan FoCal so that I have a backup of my settings. It would be great if Nikon gave us a small bit of software to save, edit and transfer settings between Z8 and Z9 bodies. My plan is to keep all my camera bodies (Z8/Z9) configured as close as possible - and use a series of saved settings configured for different type of shoot.
I got the call yesterday I became one of the lucky fews that won the lottery to buy the first batch from Nikon official store in my city at launch day today. Could bearly fell asleep last night 😂
For me the most important customization is the control ring. It is set to aperture by default and that causes the aperture to change whenever you touch the ring on some lenses.
Camera defaults can cause problems to the unaware. A friend used a Nikon D60 years ago not for jpegs unaware that the camera default was for a basic jpeg not the highest thus losing megapixels on every shot taken for about two years. Since they were only interested in enprint sized pictures it was not the issue that it might have been.
On a z9 there's a setting that you can change so that when looking through the viewfinder and taking a shot there are lines that will come across the viewfinder, I seem to remember there were various options of how this looked when I set it up. Ive looked and looked ( for at least three minutes ) but can't see where this setting is and really want to try and change it, any idea?
Great reminder tips, especially as my Z8 is supposed to arrive within the next hour, as it is already 25 May here in Sydney. I also turn on Airplane mode to save battery.
Thank you for great info. I like BBF but there are times when it would be useful to be able to switch quickly to shutter focus instead of going into the menu - for example when holding the camera with one hand for animal action photography, my second hand being used to attract attention etc! My hand aren’t big enough to grip the camera, and press the back button and the shutter button simultaneously…
👍👍vlog. Informative. Excellent. Do you know (by the way) the sizes of the photos/data that are sent to the CF card of the different (lossless compression/high efficiency* and high efficiency) compression types (50Mb or more/less)? Differ the sizes of the files of high efficiency and lossless compression a factor or two?
Hello Ricci , I use the Nikon Z7II and I have my personal setting set to U1 for landscape U2 for wildlife and U3 for Street photography. So I’m thinking of upgrading to the Z8 but I just can’t find the custom buttons U1, U2 & U3 on the Z8 anywhere, nor can I find Full Auto on the camera the Green button setting on the Z7II. Can you please help me with these questions . I have watched all your reviews on the Z8 and all the Z Lenses reviews on your UA-cam channel and I just can’t find the answer. Perhaps the Z8 has done away with the personal functions setting I have mentioned above. Your advise will be very much appreciated. Thank you Andre Anthony
Thanks a lot, I prefer your truthfully videos. You ask, why would somebode not use AF-ON - I never use it, simply because I need my fingers to change TV or other essential changes, so I mostly need my thumb for something else then AF-activation. I also use RAW only, if I am in difficult light or harsh contrast scenes - nobody pays me for using raw, for needing more lifetime at a Mac and most animals and situations I shoot will not need anything else but Jpeg. So RAW is not a religion for me.
Love any cam video that promotes back button shooting! :) I note the menu item numbers (in "d" at least) are different in Z9 -- surely to be remedied when my Z9 gets its firmware update (soon!!?) so it as senior camera can equal it's new baby brother the 8? :) Also, I'm really hoping a frivolous firmware update is still coming -- an option to have the option to have the shutter release sound to match that when there is an actual shutter in the camera (e.g. D6 et al back to the first...). So it really doesn't matter I know, and I do with wildlife appreciate the silent option -- tho a shutter noise HAS produced great looks direct down the lens from wildlife for me in the past -- but the 10 cent toy sound the Z9 (and I'm presuming the 8) produces is feeble and embarrassing frankly :) Thanks as always for your videos -- changed a setting to give your way a try, actually. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing this information, Ricci. I shoot with two Z9s with no immediate plans for a Z8, but such refreshers are always useful. Now for a little confession. I was hoping for a hint about any upcoming FW updates for the Z9.
Thanks Ricci I pick my Z8 on Saturday, you are straight to the point with no waffle and that’s what we need. Do enjoy Grays of Westminster as well for their light banter as well as their knowledge of all things Nikon. Would recommend Thomas Rask a Swedish landscape photographer who uses a Nikon Z7.
I’ve got a problem with your Z9 settings videos! I always note the settings codes that you include in your vids, but when I go to those codes they don’t reflect the subject matter you were talking to! I can’t find many of the settings you talk about because my settings codes are different! I will admit that I may have a different firmware than you (I recently loaded version 4.0) but I don’t think that’s th only problem. You look into that and see if you need to explain something to your audience. Tom KC3QAC
I’ve been a photographer and videographer for 35 years and I have never switched lenses without shutting the camera off. I guess they’re a lot of morons out there.
Dear Ricci i just got an Nikon Z8. I notice that when you turn on Vibration Reduction the IBIS lock , locks everytime you go to review an image. This makes a "clunky" noise and you can even feel a little "Clunk" . If you set the camera to Silentmode of if you turn VR off the noice goes away. Is this normal? Thank you. Kind Regards, Jonathan
Hi Ricci, new subscriber. I was notified today my Z8 is shipping soon. I would like to know where you obtained the L Bracket for your Z8? I currently shoot with a 3 Legged thing on my Z6ii and would love one for the Z8 also. Cheers Kirk in the USA.
I guess my question about the sensor shield is if anyone has had it malfunction? I could see why people might be hesitant to turn it on (ie. if it were to get stuck or jammed either because something bumped it or whatever; obviously it will help protect the sensor and I would think repalcing the sensor shield from damage is cheaper than replacing a sensor, but that's the only thing I could think of why someone might NOT turn this on). Personally, for me, I haven't damaged a sensor on any Z camera and would probably be indifferent to this. I also wonder if the shield has a finite life like a regular sensor (then again, even if it does, it likely has a long enough life that unless you're turning the camera on and off repeatedly, it should last at least 5-6 years before possibly needing replacement, if ever). I think your last part about proper lens swapping is very important and something that people tend to forget (I do). And this does make sense, because I do see some pepole talk about rattling in lenses like the 70-200 S, only to find out that they did not / do not power off the camera when changing lenses, which I think for the VR lenses (like you said) it's very important. I mean you should in general regardless, but I think with non-VR lenses it doesn't really cause issues, but still, I have been trying to get in the habit of turning the camera off first (part of the reason people maybe didn't do this was related to slow startup times on the original Z and the DSLR days).
Hey Ricci :). Did you know if it's possible to save the settings on the z9 and "load" them in the z8? I have both cameras and did not want do change all my settings in the z8 manually. Thanks
I personally shoot in lossless raw, but have heard many claim they notice no difference between lossless and HE. Have you seen a difference yourself or just use lossless to get best quality possible (same reason i chose it).
Rocco also what do you recommend for a Lbracket? I called RRS and they won’t have one for months. I see something orange on yours. Thanks. Also please post a your settings. Like for portrait/ alsoIm new to video Would love to know how to set up for that
I’ve enjoyed your pieces for a year or so now but you really got me on this one… you covered several very important observations that I’m grateful to you for sharing (like sensor cover) which I may have missed for quite some time. Great informative piece! Thanks again!!
Hey everyone !
I hope you found these 10 settings useful. Especially those of you receiving your new Z8 over the next few days
What are the settings you always change did I miss any ? 😃
Very useful only I have to wait at least 1,5 years before buying the Z8 due to Kiddo still at University luckily last yr starts July August !
Great info, thank you. I received my shipping notification today and it will arrive Friday.
Thank you, some of these I have done already on my Z6ii but most are new to me because of the Z8 can’t wait for mine to get here too.
Additional SETUP steps
As I shoot RAW, I have White Balance (WB) to "Cloudy" at all times. In raw, WB is just a number in the metadata and does not change the raw image data at all. It dictates how my raw processing software renders my files. I may shoot a ColourChecker Passport with critical series or when it will be hard in post to precisely set the colour palette of an image to neutral (Neutral is my preferred starting point for artistic decisions based deviations.)
Then I verify ISO to be a fixed value of my choice.
And look into noise and image control parameter settings.
Store (focus) points by orientation.
I set metering to "highlight-weighted" (where the firmware identifies the brightest photosite in the sensor and sets that to pure white - ignoring the sun. In 14 bits raw, this means that this single brightest point now becomes 11,111,111,111,111 and everything darker gets a lower number along the camera's AD conversion function lines - may be linear, may be 2-base log, etc. don't know. Well, if the image has a single bright photosite, now everything else becomes seemingly underexposed and I lose contrast envelope (the dynamic range available to a single shot, not to be confused with the camera's dynamic range as operating range of light levels). I really do not need gradation resolution between a couple single bright photosites, so an option to allow me a few choices in this respect helps get perfect exposure in one go. Nothing is fool-proof because fools are so ingenious, but with the powerful computer in the camera more is possible.
File number sequence and file name and folder name - personalised.
Colour space set to "Adobe RGB" rather than sRGB.
Modelling flash.
Assign settings to U1, U2, etc.
Apply settings to live view (that's not Viewfinder brightness!) set to "On" in general but "Off" for flash sessions in the studio.
Copyright information
Pair with Bluetooth hosts
If when JPEG is needed right away, JPEG to second card slot and start managing WB.
Potentially framing grid and plumb levels
Regarding the shutter volume, I believe there's a setting for visual cues when the shutter is pressed. So you can use this instead of using a headphone in very loud locations.
Hi Ricci, I picked up my Z8 yesterday and I'm so grateful to find this video, as I'm aware what a learning curve I'm going to be on in moving up from the Z6. This has been tremendously useful to find not only the standard settings but some of the new ones. I hope you're going to do a 'Mastering the Z8' Zoom course on Nikon School soon!
You do an excellent job Ricci. You always do. You deserve the 50K subscribers.
Keep it up and no telling how high you might go. Thanks. Robert
I’ve never watched your instructions before, you are amazing. Thank you.
Probably the most critical setting when you take it out of the box (applies to all cameras) is the "Slot empty release lock" setting. In past cameras, it was set to unlock, presumingly so the camera could click when on a showroom floor. You NEVER want to be clicking away for a client (or yourself) only to find your card slots are empty. Put it on "lock" so the camera will NOT click till you have a camera card in the slot.
Yes, this really belongs with the first things to do in the initial set up! In all Nikons.
But if you forget your card and so need to shoot tehtrered into your phone, I guess you need to set this to unlock?
@@jeremyhendersonphotography If you tether (most people never do) then unlock it or put it in your "My menu" (Another good question, if you plug in a tether, will your camera recognize it and let you shoot?)
@@stevengeorges9046 works on my Z7. TBH it’s the only reason I ever tether !!
with no blackout and a hideous fake shutter sound you still might not notice. Anybody else hate those flashing white lines?
Thank you! I love the familiarity of Nikon menus…helps when you change to a different camera. Just switched from z6ii to z9. Huge leap forward but tons of fun!
Thank you. This is an excellent video. I would love to see a similar video that covers many of the other settings that you have learned to customize and why- especially those that dive deeper into the autofocus system.
It's been a year I see from when you recorded this particular video I just got my Z8 moving from the Z6ii (which I still love) and this has been so encouraging to have you explain what's important right off from the start. I hope to find more of your "Talks" . Thank you so very much for your style of teaching, it's the best. I would love to know a recommendation for a good "L bracket" probably from "RRS" If you can recommend one to me I would love to know...
I know so many South Korean photographers love you and your channel and I am one of them!!!
GoGoGo~ 50,000 subscribers
Hello Ricci, First I would like to thank you and Matt for making us aware of the overheating solution ie bye the right cards and set the menu. You know there are alway thing I pickup from your video just the smape things that can help if nothing I can explain things better to others. What a supper little video thank you. Keep safe, keep well and enjoy all the great kit.
Hi Ricci,
Love your top 10. I recall being on a Nikon speedlight training course several years ago now and Neil grabbed my camera, went straight in to e1 Flash sync speed and changed it to (Auto FP) - OK there might be a couple of those now - and then said "don't go there again" ever since then that is the first thing that I've done for each of my Nikons - D300, D850, Z 8
Regards,
Hayden
Great stuff as always, Ricci. Hope to have my Z8 in hand for the coming weekend. One comment regarding the sensor shield - I also have mine set to engage on my Z9s, but I also know that mechanical parts wear out with use - and I switch my cameras on and off frequently to save battery and also to prevent me messing up control ring settings when carrying the cameras with large lenses, etc. It would be wonderful if there were a way to engage the shield when the lens release button is depressed, instead of the power button... perhaps that is where the comments come from. The camera takes a bit longer to get to "ready" when the shield has to disengage, and also makes a "kerthunk" sound that is not too welcome if I'm in a hide...
01:45 - Ricci, I actually would love to see a video on the differences between the RAW file types: Lossless, HE*, and HE. Matt Granger and Matt Irwin (and the fellow from ZP Productions) have made videos, but 1) there are not many videos about this; and 2) the videos that do exist are all geared towards the Z9. I would love to see a video on this subject with the Z8.
Got my Z8 today, so this video was very helpful. Thanks Ricci!
Thanks for doing this video Ricci 👍🏻
Thank you for these tips!! I appreciate it! I followed this video and adjusted multiple settings including changing focus point to green in the AF-C mode. I'm not used to focus using AF-ON button, instead I half press the shutter button, so I didn't switch to AF-ON only. I'll play with it and see if I can use it more often. PS: the fact camera doesn't offer to change time is indeed weird. I accidentally noticed it too few weeks ago. I think they should change it like it was before.
Hi Ricci, thanks for the heads up on, AFC in-focus display, missed that one on the Z9, picked up Z8 today as a backup/travel camera.
This was fantastic! Thank you. I’ve got a Z9 on the way and sounds like I’ll be making all of these changes. And count me in as a new sub.
Great video, my Z8 arrives today and this video is a great place to start. Thank You
Thank you. Received my Z8 today. So far, so good. Local store didn't have the recommended CF express. I will be using XQD for a week. I thought I saw a buffer video from you, but I can't find it.
None of the cards I use are on the recommended list
Very lucid and I have set my Z8 by playing and pausing your video. Kindly share some mire insights about Z8 autoficus settings as well. Regards ,
Great video, very helpful. I would love to see what you would cover in a deep dive of the Z* settings you use.
Thanks for your excellent and informative vid Ricci................I'm coming from a Z6ii to the Z8, hopefully today 😁
thank you, Ricci! New Z8 owner here. :)
Great video, thanks! I wonder if the sensor shield setting is off to preserve mechanical actuations. Maybe just turn it on when you are going to change lenses?
SUPER helpful!!!❤ thank you
Thanks for that Ricci, great stuff as usual... I will sort this out the moment my Z8 arrives tomorrow! Does the 3Dtracking white box get the options to change colour? Also something else I think Nikon should consider, and this is where we could jump the red auto focusing box (in use) from one side to the other by the press of only one button... think where subjects are looking left then look right and you need to recompose very quickly. I personally make a box large enough and use wrapping to the left or right and of course this jumps immediately to the opposite side. It works but it does mean a manual factor. This is also becoming a little redundant these days with the brilliance of eye/subject-recognition AF. Perhaps a better way forward would be where the 3D tracking system senses sudden re-composition/movement and therefore auto does all of this for you... now that I would use!
Good video and thank you for all you do.
I'm hoping that perhaps some of these features (like the ability to change the AF box color when focus is locked) will come to future non Z8/Z9 bodies as I think some of them would be useful even in other models of Z cameras. Of course I know that 3D tracking will not likely be included i n other models, but it would be nice if you could change the color anyway.
For the items that impact battery life, just buy a second or third battery. Personally I would not let that be a determining factor in what I turn on/off in the camera, and you should really look at your shooting workflow and style and adjust other "accessory" things (no pun intended) around that, like battery life (if you need or benefit from 120 fps EVF then just buy a spare battery and move on). I see on some forums that people take great meausres to maximize battery life, and that's fine, but if it starts impacting your shooting, then it's not and you should just spend the extra $75 for another battery (which you will probably want 2-3 spares anyway).
Thank you so much for these helpful tips!
I actually use the shutter button. I keep the backfocus af for eye af Incase it doesn’t focus on my subject.
Thanks for the great setup info.
for the BBAF / AF on mode, i always have one profile for me in the camera, and one profile for people that don't know BBAF so i don't have to futz with my settings, might be a bit overkill but at least i can trust they wont futz with my profile unless they do more work to do so.
Thank you for this very helpful video.
Thanks Ricci. Really useful.
Thanks Ricci 👍🏻
Great video, Ricci! Thank you!
Great suggestions, Ricci. Always enjoy your straightforward and informative videos. I have a slightly off-topic question, other than it is related to your first change: setting the Time & Date. A couple of days ago I realized I had not changed my cameras to Daylight Savings Time so I went through and changed them all. No problem on the D850 & Z9. However, on my Z6 I noticed that it is off by one hour. I live on the east coast of the US so I set it to NYC time zone (UTC-5), however that shows it as 1 hour behind the actual time. If I then turn Daylight Savings Time Off it will become 2 hours behind. Only workaround is to set it to UTC-4. Is this a known bug? Is there some other setting that is controlling this that I may have missed? My Z6 has the latest firmware, Ver 3.5.
I set my cameras to UTC - no DST and the same all around the world.
The addition of location coordinates (or time zone) and the date shot then can be used to deduce local time at the moment of the shot, by software that knows how to do this.
Ricci, do you recommend turning on the Clean Image Sensor setting when camera turns off? Thanks!
Great channel, thanks.
Thanks, just got the Z8, amazing camera. I have the Dji Mic 2, but when recording on Z8 via 3.5mm the audio is not great, have 32bit float enabled on the radio mics. Any settings you recommend to get good radio mic audio on the Z8 ?
Thanks, waiting for my z 8.
hey great video. just converting from canon, then i am not a friend with the shooting banks and photo banks. They keep storing new settings when I chamge them. on Canon I could take autosaving off making me able to have the exact same settings when I turn camera on and off. are you able to answer or do you have a video on the x banks?
With my camera on the way I'd like to know what L bracket you use on a Z8
Thanks for the video you always make them interesting. I use Nikon D850 and Z6II. When I use Z6II for studio photography I find I have to turn the live view off in settings. Do you have to do the same for the Z8 when using studio strobes?
Thanks!
Oh wow thank you so much !! ❤️
Very helpful. Thanks.
Is turning the shutter volume to 0 the same as Silent Shutter setting and has the same impact i.e. not triggering flash and no flicker control ?
I think you needs a camera mount cover to keep the sensor shield clean! 😆🤣😂 and Where is the Speaker in the Z9... @10:35? Speaker under what, how do you spell it??? I appreciate you, Ty!
Ricci, I am a stalker or run and gun bird photographer. I have a Z9 and 400/4.5. I can never decide which auto focus mode is best. At present I have full screen AF and 3D on F1. I heard someone say that they had “double back button focus” by using the display button. Is it possible to add a different area focus mode and trigger the focus with the display button?
Great info, will update mine as Soon as it comes, Will the banks be the same as D850 as i only just got used to U1,2,3 with Z6II??
Can the lenses I use on the D7200 be used on the Z8?
Nice video as always, Ricci. My Z8 EVF seems stuck on View:Camera mode, in which the viewfinder brightness changes with exposure settings. I want to switch back to “Adjust for Ease of Viewing”, but when I select this menu option, the EVF still remains in View: Camera mode. How can I “unlock” this setting so that I can change it back to View:Adjust for Ease of Viewing”? Thank you.
Hi Ricci, would I be right in thinking I can just copy and paste my z9 settings to the z8? Or is the slightly differing buttons layout an issue?
Thanks as always. Simon.
Hi Ricci, Can we save and transfer custom settings and photo settings from the z9 to the z8 via memory card?
I find it hard to believe people change lenses with the camera on! What are they thinking?
Ricci Can you lock the focus point in the center of the viewfinder ?
You can in controls lock in the custom settings menu
I always shut off the camera before swapping lenses but have to admit that in the heat of the moment I have forgotten to a handful of times on my Z9 and I silently scream to myself "Gahh!!" when i see a naked sensor and curse at myself. But also in those moments I wish that the sensor shield would close automatically. Maybe Nikon can set up the camera to beep maniacally when you start to rotate the lens, or bring up a warning on the back of the screen that reads "HEY STUPID! DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!"
Completely agree - the problem is indeed that, under pressure, one can occasionally forget to turn the camera off. I would also comment that I frequently turn cameras on and off to conserve battery life, and it is not necessary for the sensor shield to be closed and opened every time. Hence it would be much better if closing the sensor shield was associated with removing the lens, not powering off the camera. I assume the difficulty for Nikon is that they would have to implement some electronic detection of lens removal, which might not be easy. So we just have to accept the implementation as it is.
Could of sworn you were of the opinion that high efficiency* was imperceptible from lossless compressed ?
This is true however I do still see lots of people that want to shoot lossless so thought I would cover it here for people that have not owned a z8/ Z9 previously
@@RicciTalks Thanks Ricci. I always enjoy your reviews!
Amigo, gostaria de transferir as fotos de festa infantil diretamente pro celular. Ainda no evento! Em torno de 100 fotos. Para o cliente ter as fotos no momento da festa. Acredita até seja rápido na z6ii?
Set the viewfinder diopter for your own vision. It gently pulls out and rotates until the information in the viewfinder is clear and crisp to see, then just press it gently back in.
Thanks!
Love your videos! Hope the other videos are about a "Z90" (D500 equivalent) and the long pending 200-600.
Thanks Ricci -- my Z8 will be set up as closely to my Z9 bodies as possible.
I always start in the Network (and pair with snapbridge for time and location data); then Setup Menu and then work through Shooting, Video, Custom Settings, and finally Review. I check the Timecode pairs with my UltraSync Blue source. AND finally I create a snapshot in Reikan FoCal so that I have a backup of my settings. It would be great if Nikon gave us a small bit of software to save, edit and transfer settings between Z8 and Z9 bodies. My plan is to keep all my camera bodies (Z8/Z9) configured as close as possible - and use a series of saved settings configured for different type of shoot.
I got the call yesterday I became one of the lucky fews that won the lottery to buy the first batch from Nikon official store in my city at launch day today. Could bearly fell asleep last night 😂
You channel is so great , always offers best information !
Hey ! Thanks a lot 😊
Hey great job! 1. I can clearly understand you! 2. No flapping of hands or silly banter. 3. Segmented. 4. Why and how!
For me the most important customization is the control ring.
It is set to aperture by default and that causes the aperture to change whenever you touch the ring on some lenses.
Legend! This was really useful. As someone that never RTFM this was perfect ;)
Hi.. Could plz tell me about the pre release capture feature in z8 and How to use it..
Most crucial for me was sensor shield behavior on power off. Why it isn't set to 'sensor shield closes' by default is beyond me
So when can we expect the option to add custom shutter sounds? I, for one, would love to set it to "quack" 😂
I would also want a “quack”🦆 🤣
Might be able to do that with the voice memo feature
Camera defaults can cause problems to the unaware. A friend used a Nikon D60 years ago not for jpegs unaware that the camera default was for a basic jpeg not the highest thus losing megapixels on every shot taken for about two years. Since they were only interested in enprint sized pictures it was not the issue that it might have been.
Still see this today even with Z9 users
This hit me on the z6 having brought the camera straight from dealer to an airshow without the time to go through settings first.
On a z9 there's a setting that you can change so that when looking through the viewfinder and taking a shot there are lines that will come across the viewfinder, I seem to remember there were various options of how this looked when I set it up.
Ive looked and looked ( for at least three minutes ) but can't see where this setting is and really want to try and change it, any idea?
Great reminder tips, especially as my Z8 is supposed to arrive within the next hour, as it is already 25 May here in Sydney. I also turn on Airplane mode to save battery.
Thanks Ricci. Really useful. If you have time, i would love to see an overview of the menu system inc auto focus settings!
Thank you for great info. I like BBF but there are times when it would be useful to be able to switch quickly to shutter focus instead of going into the menu - for example when holding the camera with one hand for animal action photography, my second hand being used to attract attention etc! My hand aren’t big enough to grip the camera, and press the back button and the shutter button simultaneously…
I'm old enough to remember only 4 settings to shoot film.
Computers are taking the art out of photography. Making everything too complicated.
Hi, I have a question I appreciate if you answer it. I have a Z9 with 180-600 lens can I take a picture will I'm shooting videos and how? Thank you.
👍👍vlog. Informative. Excellent. Do you know (by the way) the sizes of the photos/data that are sent to the CF card of the different (lossless compression/high efficiency* and high efficiency) compression types (50Mb or more/less)? Differ the sizes of the files of high efficiency and lossless compression a factor or two?
Hello Ricci ,
I use the Nikon Z7II and I have my personal setting set to U1 for landscape U2 for wildlife and U3 for Street photography.
So I’m thinking of upgrading to the Z8 but I just can’t find the custom buttons U1, U2 & U3 on the Z8 anywhere, nor can I find Full Auto on the camera the Green button setting on the Z7II. Can you please help me with these questions .
I have watched all your reviews on the Z8 and all the Z Lenses reviews on your UA-cam channel and I just can’t find the answer.
Perhaps the Z8 has done away with the personal functions setting I have mentioned above.
Your advise will be very much appreciated.
Thank you
Andre Anthony
Thanks a lot, I prefer your truthfully videos.
You ask, why would somebode not use AF-ON - I never use it, simply because I need my fingers to change TV or other essential changes, so I mostly need my thumb for something else then AF-activation.
I also use RAW only, if I am in difficult light or harsh contrast scenes - nobody pays me for using raw, for needing more lifetime at a Mac and most animals and situations I shoot will not need anything else but Jpeg. So RAW is not a religion for me.
Love any cam video that promotes back button shooting! :) I note the menu item numbers (in "d" at least) are different in Z9 -- surely to be remedied when my Z9 gets its firmware update (soon!!?) so it as senior camera can equal it's new baby brother the 8? :) Also, I'm really hoping a frivolous firmware update is still coming -- an option to have the option to have the shutter release sound to match that when there is an actual shutter in the camera (e.g. D6 et al back to the first...). So it really doesn't matter I know, and I do with wildlife appreciate the silent option -- tho a shutter noise HAS produced great looks direct down the lens from wildlife for me in the past -- but the 10 cent toy sound the Z9 (and I'm presuming the 8) produces is feeble and embarrassing frankly :) Thanks as always for your videos -- changed a setting to give your way a try, actually. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing this information, Ricci. I shoot with two Z9s with no immediate plans for a Z8, but such refreshers are always useful. Now for a little confession. I was hoping for a hint about any upcoming FW updates for the Z9.
Thanks Ricci I pick my Z8 on Saturday, you are straight to the point with no waffle and that’s what we need. Do enjoy Grays of Westminster as well for their light banter as well as their knowledge of all things Nikon. Would recommend Thomas Rask a Swedish landscape photographer who uses a Nikon Z7.
Looking forward to what those others things could be.
I’ve got a problem with your Z9 settings videos! I always note the settings codes that you include in your vids, but when I go to those codes they don’t reflect the subject matter you were talking to! I can’t find many of the settings you talk about because my settings codes are different! I will admit that I may have a different firmware than you (I recently loaded version 4.0) but I don’t think that’s th only problem. You look into that and see if you need to explain something to your audience. Tom KC3QAC
I’ve been a photographer and videographer for 35 years and I have never switched lenses without shutting the camera off. I guess they’re a lot of morons out there.
Dear Ricci i just got an Nikon Z8. I notice that when you turn on Vibration Reduction the IBIS lock , locks everytime you go to review an image. This makes a "clunky" noise and you can even feel a little "Clunk" . If you set the camera to Silentmode of if you turn VR off the noice goes away. Is this normal? Thank you. Kind Regards, Jonathan
Hi Ricci, new subscriber. I was notified today my Z8 is shipping soon. I would like to know where you obtained the L Bracket for your Z8? I currently shoot with a 3 Legged thing on my Z6ii and would love one for the Z8 also. Cheers Kirk in the USA.
Hi Ricci NIKON Z8 My Vibration Reduction Multiple Exposure and Focus Shift Shooting in Photo Shooting Menu are all greyed out. Help 🙂
I guess my question about the sensor shield is if anyone has had it malfunction? I could see why people might be hesitant to turn it on (ie. if it were to get stuck or jammed either because something bumped it or whatever; obviously it will help protect the sensor and I would think repalcing the sensor shield from damage is cheaper than replacing a sensor, but that's the only thing I could think of why someone might NOT turn this on). Personally, for me, I haven't damaged a sensor on any Z camera and would probably be indifferent to this. I also wonder if the shield has a finite life like a regular sensor (then again, even if it does, it likely has a long enough life that unless you're turning the camera on and off repeatedly, it should last at least 5-6 years before possibly needing replacement, if ever).
I think your last part about proper lens swapping is very important and something that people tend to forget (I do). And this does make sense, because I do see some pepole talk about rattling in lenses like the 70-200 S, only to find out that they did not / do not power off the camera when changing lenses, which I think for the VR lenses (like you said) it's very important. I mean you should in general regardless, but I think with non-VR lenses it doesn't really cause issues, but still, I have been trying to get in the habit of turning the camera off first (part of the reason people maybe didn't do this was related to slow startup times on the original Z and the DSLR days).
Ricci can you please do a video about metering modes, especially spot and highlight weighted? Thanks!
Please can you link me to face recognition for the Z9. Thank you Ricci.
Hey Ricci :). Did you know if it's possible to save the settings on the z9 and "load" them in the z8? I have both cameras and did not want do change all my settings in the z8 manually. Thanks
My Z8 arrives in a few days, is there no way for it to show your shooting in the viewfinder like a Sony does where it strobes a frame box?
I personally shoot in lossless raw, but have heard many claim they notice no difference between lossless and HE. Have you seen a difference yourself or just use lossless to get best quality possible (same reason i chose it).
Thanks so much for great video. My Z8 is arriving tomorrow and I shall follow your advice. I also subscribed.
Rocco also what do you recommend for a Lbracket? I called RRS and they won’t have one for months. I see something orange on yours. Thanks. Also please post a your settings. Like for portrait/ alsoIm new to video Would love to know how to set up for that
I’ve enjoyed your pieces for a year or so now but you really got me on this one… you covered several very important observations that I’m grateful to you for sharing (like sensor cover) which I may have missed for quite some time.
Great informative piece!
Thanks again!!
So is that why a few people moaned about the evf.. they didn’t have it at 120