Bird Eye AF- Nikon Z8 Firmware 2.0 - Part 1
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.พ. 2024
- In this video I will take a look at the new Bird Eye Auto Focus in the Firmware 2.0 Update for the Nikon Z8. This update has made a great camera even better, with a bunch of changes, with the Bird Eye AF being the most anticipated. I go through how I have implemented the new changes into my Shooting Bank A settings when out in the field chasing birds, for both photos and videos. This video focuses (no pun intended) on how the settings perform in a forest/feeder setting with a close/cluttered background (Part 2 will look at the setting for inflight with distant backgrounds) You will get some great insight into setting this camera up for increased success in your bird photography.
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Most useful video I have seen so far on using the Z8 for birding. Big thumbs up!
Thanks a lot Paul, I really appreciate the feedback Cheers
This is why I use Auto Area AF on BOTH the AF ON back button AND the shutter. with AA on the shutter, you get a white passive AF tracking box with an arrow. So with multiple birds in the frame you can use the directional pad to tell it what to focus on and just hit AF ON button and it AF on the subject the white box is on. For RSF Hold I only have it set to change AF Area mode to Wide C1 and Subject Detection to Animal for when Mammals wonder by like a fox ect...
The 3D tracking is set to my DISP (Display cycle is set to my Flash button on the top left of the camera since I never cycle those) What you probably don't know or you would have mentioned and set it up like this is since the Z9's FW 3.0 update, the 3D AF mode doesn't work from the center of the frame is there is a passive white AF box. So in any Wide Area AF mode you will see the passive white AF box tracking the subject OR if in Auto Area AF mode and get that passive white AF box, you can just hit 3D and 3D AF will instantly pick up the AF tracking where ever that white AF box is. This is why I have AA AF mode on both my Shutter AND AF ON back button. Being on the shutter, I can control what, of multiple subjects in the frame, to focus on and I can use either Auto Area AF on the shutter or AF ON to instantly start focusing without worrying about hitting the background by mistake.
Also, 3D AF mode can ONLY use blocked shot setting 3 (Menu item A3) no matter what you set it to. Auto Area AF mode can only use settings 3, 4 and 5. Set A3 to 5 and your AA AF mode with be the most sticky and there's no need to change it for 3D as it can only use 3 and will default to that when you press the button you have 3D assigned to. All the Wide Area AF mode can use blocked shot setting 1-5. This is likely why you are seeing the Auto Area AF mode jumping when there are multiple subject in the frame. I never have this issue with setting 5. Also, never use subject motion erratic, only use Steady. Erratic is for when the camera is Steady and the subject pounces or takes off from a perch, that is erratic. If you are tracking a bird in flight, you are panning and generally keeping the subject fairly steady in the EVF. Most, don't understand the use for Steady or Erratic setting.
Also, looking at your EVF in the video, you are using Standard Picture Control. You should use Flat, it helps the AF quite noticeably. You can always choose the camaera matching profile Standard in Lightroom if that is what you prefer the look of.
I have been teaching Z9 and Z8 setups and techniques since Feb of 2022 so less then 2 months after the Z9's release, so I have been honing setups and techniques for a long time lol
Thanks Eric some great info there I will definitely look into some of those ideas , still fairly new to the camera so I am sure there will be a few changes in the coming months
Thanks for your time..! Really simplified and probably better settings than having what I have set up now. Will try your settings. Cheers
Thanks, I hope it works for you
Excellent, I really love the cycle through AF modes , I have it mapped to the video record button
Yeah it's a great new feature so happy they included it.
Thank you so much for this video! I too prefer the simplicity of having fewer function buttons. I look forward to the ease my Fn1 and Fn2 buttons will provide me now. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Rhonda
I loved your setting for Birds. This is the real brain teatching the AI. Thanks for this video.
thank you
I am currently waiting on my Z8 to arrive, I am a life long Nikon shooter and will be moving up to the Z8 from a D4. I believe I have watched every Z8 2.0 Firmware video out there on Birds. I dont know if it was just the way you explained it or your thought process in how you set up. From where I am sitting, it all just clicked. One, you got a sub :) and two I look forward to seeing part two. Keep up the good work and please keep posting.
Thanks Toby, I really appreciate the comment , you should be really happy with the Z8, just takes a few weeks to get it all setup a lot more to it than a dslr. I switched from a d500 was a huge upgrade.
Current D500 shooter soon to purchase the Z8/600 PF. Looks like my photography world is about to get crazy! There will be a lot to learn with this new camera but I'm excited to get it. Your video cleared a few things up already for me. I'll be watching this again once I get my new gear.
I moved from the d500 too, the difference is so much more than just megapixels and af, I hope to get that 600 later in the year, The camera makes my 200-500 feel like a new lens can't imagine how good it would be with that lens
The manual for the Z8/9 is crazy big. One piece at a time. Have fun.
I set the video record button to 100% zoom when I am shooting stills. It's great for very still shots and far shots, for checking critical focus. Try it.
I like that idea thanks Ed
Yeh i have Fn buttons for Recall hold like yourself but 3D bird, other FX to DX, then lens - single point and record button is cycle AF then lens has memory set and i have recall on other lens FN. its all very quick on Z8 am very happy so far with both theZ8 and 600pf combo. love your content and showing the settings, subbed and belled - great job.
That sounds like a good setup , I am still using F-mount lenses so no options for the fn buttons on there yet. That 600pf is definitely on my want list, how are you finding it
@@raincoastphoto it’s sharper than my 500pf. And I find I don’t go into dx mode often now, it’s feels like the same weight but focus feels faster, overall very very happy, I think I will get the 1.4tc in future but at present I don’t feel I need it, also seems sharp wide open as opposed to softer 500pf wide open etc, overall very happy, it’s just that lens foot off carrying all day vibe at 600, I did look at the 800 but I think 600 suited better.
Thanks!
Much appreciated, thank you
Great informational video. I’m new to the Z8, it would be awesome if you could do a complete setup for bird photography.
Thanks Rick, it was almost done when the firmware 2.0 came out so pretty much everything got changed, so I will hopefully get back to it in the coming weeks
Thanks, I appreciate that.
Thanks for the vid. That little box on the Smallrig just above the shutter button? = Audio? Thanks for any replies. You mess with the Auto capture at all?
Yeah its the receiver for the Rode Wireless Pro mics. I will be covering how I use them in an upcoming video. I have yet to dive into the auto capture, but have already been giving it some thought where it could be really useful beyond just in a camera trap situation.
I filmed my son's hockey game with my Z8 this past weekend. Its autofocus kept focusing on the team's hawk logo on the jersey! LOL After switching to 3D tracking, then eventually a custom focus range, the issue was resolved. It was amusing how the camera consistently focused on the hawk on the jersey's logo.
Need to have only humans selected for auto tracking.
@@Old_Man_Bridge That’s what perplexed me, as I did have only humans AF selected (if you consider youth hockey players humans… I joke I joke, LOL). :)
Maybe this is one of the things being addressed in the upcoming rumored FW 2.0.1 fix. Only time will tell.
You aren't alone. I did 2 studio portrait sessions with my Z8 on firmware 2.0. Auto Area AF will show its glued to the eyes, but focus was always on my subjects arm and shirt, lots of soft eyes. I have to switch to Pinpoint AF to get sharp eyes until I can figure out whats going on with this camera.
Interesting, I never photograph people so have no experience in that area but I wonder with the hockey helmets the camera couldn't find an eye so went to the logo instead.
I’ve shot a lot of hockey with the Z8 (firmware 1) and it was great at tracking the eyes. It was better than the A7RV I used to have. I’m interested to try it now on 2.0 to see if I have any of the issues you mention
I've noticed that 3D with bird detect tends to zero in more on the eye than Auto area with bird detect. Auto area tended to stop at the head in situations where 3D went for the eye. So I start in Wide area and hand off to 3D usually.
Ok interesting I will definitely keep an eye on that, 3D was my go to before the firmware so we will see in the coming weeks if I may go back to that for in tight situations
Really enjoyed this, I have set my Z8 per some really popular wildlife photographers. My problem is I can never remember all the settings, I changed.
thanks, yeah and once you throw in the 4 shooting banks and photos and videos it can get a little bit overwhelming. So far these setting are working really well for me, I am sure there will be a few changes but good luck with your settings
I enjoyed this, would love to hear more about the Z8s settings for butterflies. 🦋 I have the z24-70 2.8f lens and not sure if the birds would work with butterflies or if animals would be my best option.
Good question, insects are the one thing missing from the subject detect. Butterflies are always tough because the wings are typically picked up by the af easier then the eyes. Be another month before we have any subjects to test it on here :)
Have you tried thr Z8 with butterflies and insects? Thank you
Not yet we have a warm spell coming this week so I may get a chance then@@hans6304
@@raincoastphoto that will be great. Thanks!
Thank you
You're welcome
I've only started using the video feature last week after getting a fluid head (been doing photos only till now). Do you shoot in H265 as opposed to RAW? I've been shooting in 4k30 N-Log RAW for birds, but I'm not sure if I should shoot in 4k120 or 8k60 instead (I'd like to watch in 8K on TV but not sure if there will be a big difference visually). What format gives the best dynamic range (after colour grading in DaVinci)? What memory card do you use? (I noticed that you have over 2h recording left on your card). Thank you!
My video settings are definitely a compromise of cost and file size and in many ways just my current reality and needs. It would be great to record everything in 8K but It will be a few years before I have an 8K TV, and the storage and processing needs are pretty hefty for shooting 8K. I use a 12 core 5900X and with a 3060ti video card with lots of ssd storage and it would all need to be upgraded to keep up with 8K. I use a 512 Gb card that with 4k 120 H265 10 bit N-log I get 2hours and 5 min, vs 11 min of 8k 60 N-raw or 18,min with 4k 120 N-raw so it's just not practical for me to shoot that format especially on road trips. The other big reason I chose the H265 10 bit is the fx/dx change is a 2.3X crop which is great for a lot of situations. 120fps really has its advantage over 60fps from a slow motion standpoint too. N-raw or prores will definitely give you better dynamic range then h265 but for most of my bird shooting I am in lower light or overcast days where dynamic range is less of an issue than it would be with something like landscapes. Video is a steep curve to say the least I am still learning on the go with it for sure.
Hello Stu, great video I am new to Nikon and have been shooting with your suggested setup however I have to press FN1 again to get FN2 to switch through focus modes, is there a fix for that? I also had to change from single point to dynamic area because the dynamic area has a larger area in the viewfinder. I did. This because when shooting bursts the box on single point acts like recoil on a machine gun and gets off the subject. Is that something in my setting I am missing? I have a pretty steady hold on the camera.
Yes the fn 1 has to be pressed twice for on and off. The idea with it is for very specific cases where the af is not picking up the subject that is why I chose the single point and don't have it part of the cycle af fn2. In open terrain, (beach, wetlands etc) you will almost only ever need fn2 with auto area and 3d. Single point doesn't have subject detect so is not intended to follow the subject. So that may be why it appears to jump or you have VR set to normal instead of sport. In my upcoming shooting Bank B video I will be discussing single point af a bit more so that may be useful for you. Hope that helps.
@@raincoastphoto thank you very much! Love your videos! I was in normal VR mode I’ll see if that helps.
Great video. Do you know how much of this can the Zf do?
Thanks I am not familiar with the ZF custom functions, it has the bird eye af but not sure if it has the cycle area af
.
Great video used it as my base settings, i have a newbie question my camera takes a couple of images at a time any ideas
Possibly C2 in the custom settings menu- self timer you can set the number of shots it will take.
Do you shoot in auto ISO or you manually adjust? Can you guide me on that? Thanks for very detailed video. Subscribed 😉😊.
Hi Jahan, Yeah so i shoot in Manual mode with Auto ISO. So basically I will set my aperture wide open so f5.6 - f8 depending on dof needed, shutter speed at the lowest necessary to freeze my subject so I typically leave the house at 1/1000sec and then the auto iso will be set by the camera. I have found with this camera and the new Denoise in Lightroom I am happy up to 8-10000 ISO . Hope that helps and thanks for the sub. Cheers
@@raincoastphoto Really appreciated, Thank you once again. 🙏
The strange thing is , when i bought the z8 in his standard i was less struggling .But i ve looked too many setting tetorials on youtube that its now a bit messed up with too many settings. Ill try this settings because its not to big of a change. its my mistake to try so many different things .
Yeah I hear you there the basic tried and true camera settings still work. I found combining video really made adopting a lot of these settings important. I was out shooting today and the cycle af on the fn2 button works so well just being able to go between the auto area af and 3d. if that was the only thing you used beyond the default would be worth trying .
Hi ive set my Z8 as per your video, thankyou.. can you tell me if possible can i set up a button to switch between bird and animal
the only way I have seen people do it is have the recall function (hold) fn1 button set to animal mode. Which I may do on my spring road trip when I encounter a lot of animals and birds. But for now I use the AF button on the lower left or from the i menu to switch, not ideal but it works
Just like you I shoot Wild Life here in S Africa with the Nikon Z8 and Nikon 180-600 >> GREAT combo
I am currently using the 200-500mm, need to give that 180-600 a try. It's the decision between that or the 600mm 6.3 pf.
Did you decide between these lenses? The PF is expensive but tempting
Not yet, I am quite happy with the 200-500mm at the moment so will probably try and get the 600pf in the fall for the weight savings@@bladerealm124
Whats the lens you are using
Trying to figure that out myself
An FTZ adapted Nikon 200-500 5.6
Can u tell me which lens u attached with z8 ?... it will help me
I currently use a 200-500 f5.6 with the ftz adaptor
@@raincoastphoto it looks great performnace with z8. I also have 200-500 currently with d500. I even thinking not to sell this lense as of now, thinking to buy a new Mirrorless good body with adaptor
@@trishitdutta8823 It honestly feels like I got a lens upgrade with the Z8. It works great.
Can u plz tell what lens u attached to this z8 body ?
An ftz adapted 200-500mm Nikon
@@raincoastphoto Thank you and it's doing great job so I will replace D500 to z8 soon because I have my nikon 200-500mm
I also upgraded from the D500, great camera but the Z8 is so much better and works really well with the 200-500@@fazlisubhan2041
@@raincoastphoto Thank you so much brother for ur reply.
@@raincoastphoto hi I was considering to upgrade to z8 & this comment really helped me ... I have d500+200-500 setup. And was thinking of only buying z8 body for a time being