Nikon Z9. Bird Photography Autofocus. I finally see what I've been missing!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.พ. 2022
- How well does the Z9 perform when focusing on birds. I don't really know what I was expecting but my expectations were....well, you'll have to watch and see.
Photographed with the 500pf and Nikon Z9.
#NikonZ9 #Nikon #birdphotography
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Here is a list of the equipment I use.
Nikon 500mm PF amzn.to/3GwTfys
Nikon z mount 105mm 2.8 MC amzn.to/3ye0M2b
F-Stop Backpack amzn.to/2Wykvuv
Drone DJI Air 2S amzn.to/3jnSwXJ
Nikon Z6II amzn.to/2SntkFK
Nikon Z6 amzn.to/3wy1IgC
K&F Concept Variable ND amzn.to/3gXMmf6
Wimberley gimbal amzn.to/3s2ABqE
Tripod Benro Mach 3 amzn.to/3uobYWE
Memory cards xqd amzn.to/3uygzG7
Rode video video Mic NTG. amzn.to/31R2bzm
Nikon 20mm 1.8. amzn.to/3h1bSjG
Zoom H4N amzn.to/3kX0TJh
Tape wrap for tripod amzn.to/2Vobzb8
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/ bayou_josh
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This video was not paid for by outside persons or manufacturers.
No gear was supplied to me for this video.
All Aerial Photography and video was captured by me. I am a Part 107 UAV Pilot. Feel free to email with inquiries.
For someone that wasn't sent a Z9 from Nikon, you've made the most useful video on the autofocus. Good job Josh
Still figuring it out. I'm sure I overlooked a few things. 🙂
S/O to the Gremlins. I've had the chance to use a Z9 over a weekend and I felt the same way. It's like black magic.
Just now found this channel. Where have you been hiding during my hundreds of wildlife photography searches?? Let the binge watching commence
Oh Yay!!! you just made my day. TH-cam and that dang search algorithm. they get it right sometimes. 😄
Hello from MANHATTAN,
I wanted to tell you I just finished watching The Vahagraphy TH-cam video of Jan 2, 2022, where my buddy Vahagan praised you, your work and your channel..all I can say, he's correct..kudos to you Josh for great content..Carmine 👍
You are very kind Carmine. thank you so much. Vahagn is a good friend and a great ambassador in the Nikon community.
I think that the el. shutter alone, makes this camera better than any Canon or Sony. This is a big leap into the future of digital photography technology!
It is pretty amazing.
I JUST picked up my Z9 today from the store and WOW!!!!!!!!!! SO MANY KEEPERS NOW!!!
This is how a review should be. I hope Jared Polin is watching. Very informative straight to the point no nonsense like Polin does.
Congrats with camera Josh. Man I want to visit you, what a magnificent birds.
I'm not a Nikon shooter and I'm not a subscriber.. but maybe I will be.. a subscriber I mean.. lol.. because I just watched one of the most honest not in your face camera reviews I think I've ever seen on TH-cam.. Thanks for that! Enjoy your new camera! I hope you continue to show in your videos how much fun photography can be.. Great Video!
thanks so much Billy. It is a fun hobby!
@@BayouJoshYes.. It certainly is a fun hobby!
Love it Josh! Many paths to take and some, like us, tinker, poke and prod, stumble and get back up, to eventually getting there. That AF-hunting is not surprising on some of your images. Squint, or convert to black and white and squint. (heck, some are already b&w!) Close your eyes half way and you'll see the owl disappear.
😄 right?
So cool Josh, that your really happy with Z9 camera. Looking forward to your next video.
Good to hear!!!!
Awesome. Happy for you Josh.
Love this ❤ great video as always josh
That's it. I'm sold.
😄
Awesome to see your excitement about it
This is great
Finally, Nikon has a good sensor. I have never liked the colors of the D1, D2, D3, etc... not accurate at all--way off. And now I am SOOOOOO happy they are using a Sony sensor, it's wonderful, what a perfect combination, I love it. the Z9 is awesome because of the Sony sensor. the best of both worlds.
Sony color is bad and difficult to post process. Great colors in Nikon is not because it’s a Sony sensor but because it’s a Nikon calibrated sensor
im glad nikon finally came thru ..
very interesting and as always, also informative
Glad your enjoying your new Z9 Josh! Keep making good shots. 👌🏾👌🏾
I have the same setup and was also blown away. First by the 500pf and now with that lens attached to my Z9.
Excellent video
Nice, this is the video I've been waiting to see. Glad you finally got the camera. You have some great images on your instagram account buddy!!
thank you so much. I appreciate it.
I'm so happy for you, Josh! The right tool in the right hands😉 Some amazing owl photos you have there! I look forward to seeing wildlife through your eyes with this amazing tool! Enjoy it man!
Thanks so much!
Good honest video Josh and I take no credit, but do feel a wee bit of pleasure in knowing I encouraged you to buy it!! 😊
😆
Thanks Josh. The more "in the field" reviews of any piece of equipment is leagues better than any "on paper" or "out-of-the-box" testimonials. I appreciate your honest review of the Z9, especially when it comes to in-flight shots.
When shooting birds - Put in bird detection mode. Then the camera knows what you want 👍🏻 You had it in auto detection. I think that’s the reason
Forget the gear, the joy you andd yo wife bring to photography is wonderful. Thank you for sharing! (Also the Z9 is amazing. 😁)
Edit: 10:15 Those "I was fumbling to get the shot" shots are jaw-dropping. The Z9 is no joke!
WOW!!! CONGRATS On the new Z9!!
thank you,
I like what your saying, Please just keep on enjoying photography.
Thanks, will do!
Many thanks for sharing your honest experience in the field. For most of us out there, wildlife photographers, it is more about real life experience in the field and the actual end results than theoretical figures and tests. Your video conveys just that and is really motivating. And, well done for the great shots.
I am glad you enjoy it Patrick. thank you,
AMAZING !!!! Definitely my next purchace
Impressive gear! Thanks for taking to the time to share. Insightful
Well Josh, your game is moving on up. I can't wait to see some of your new photos and videos with the new Z9.
Thanks for this video! The Owl footage is awesome!
Hi Josh, great video, and I like your channel! I'm still a beginner in photography, and an absolute beginner in bird photography. And even worse, I'm a Canon guy, a proud owner of an R5. Since this is a video on autofocus, I thought I'd share a tip that I found on another youtube video; double back-button focusing.
I've sat it up on my R5, and I'm sure you can do it on Nikon and Sony as well. So I use two buttons for back-button focus. The first one (AF on) is a single spot continous focus. I use that when the bird is a bit hard to find, maybe partly hiding is some branches. In those cases the Eye focus won't always work, so the standard one point is safer. Than if the bird moves or turns so that the eye becomes clearly visible, I move my thumb to the other button (the star button) which is set up for eye detection focus, and I have eye focus.
This works well for me, so maybe it is worth trying.
Great advice! I’ve learned over the years that you can put 10 photographers in a room and get 10 different preferences on camera set up. I love that we can customize these cameras so much these days.
Excellent explanation
Thankyou
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! I'm glad you finally pull the trigger on to Z9. I do believe that better equipment doesn't make you a better photographer but it will definitely makes your life easier and your experience much more smoother!
I totally agree!
I love the intro ! The best on on the Nikon Z9 !
thank you my friend.
This is one of the most honest videos I've ever seen on TH-cam for the Nikon Z9
I've just bought the Olympus OM-1 and it's incredible a new camera with new technology doesn't make you a better photographer but it definitely makes photography much easier and I've definitely gotten better results.
Awesome location for getting so many owls.
Great AF video 😁
Thank you 😊
Thank you, Josh. This is exactly the type of information I've been looking for. Morten Hilmer also did a video that was straight to the point user information. Now, if my health improves I might end up with a Z9.
Another great and resourceful video. Thanks, Bayou
So happy you’ve got one and got already these amazing results.
thank you so much.
Love the video! I’ve got a Z9 on order. Hearing about your experiences (and enthusiasm about the camera) makes me believe I’ve done the right thing. Keep the videos coming please. I look forward to seeing where this camera takes you!
You certainly did the right thing.
Excellent! Thanks!
You bet!
Beautiful owl and shots.
Many thanks!
thanks a lot for sharing this all the best for you and subscribed already
love your comment at the end not deifying the nikon above sony/canon, but instead being pleased that nikon is at last in the 3 way conversation... very mature statement and rare on YT where most shooters are not just biased to a brand but are loyal to the point of blindness... much appreciated!
There are a lot of great cameras out there and I can honestly say that this is a wonderful time to be a photographer.
Bayou Josh - I like your channel, and your honesty/directness. - Subscribed.
Your excitement is infectious! Congratulations on nailing your best BIF shots with your new toy :)
Thanks so much!!
Hello Josh Nice video I’m very happy that you are happy with z9 Beautiful job Gary temor
I had the same thoughts using mine. Going out tomorrow for a walk. Hopefully something worth shooting. It is a nice feeling to be able to focus on the moment, feeling and composition more now than the focus. As always, enjoy watching each video Josh.
Thanks Steve. definite game changer
What a wonderfully accurate assessment of the strengths and shortcomings of this AF system. Great video. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for watching Paula.
Nice, thanks!
Such beautiful country and you are doing a wonderful job of telling the story of you capturing it.
Thank you so much!
Happy in the extreme for your delight in the Z9. I settled over a year ago for a Z6ii. The Z9 has huge computing power and the software needed to get you the focusing experience you are so pleased with. I’m sure the software will be further developed and can anticipate your continued delight. Those owl shots were great and you are hopefully going to give us more. Enjoy.
Thank you Edward. Exciting times.
Less than a few minutes in now and I like the authenticity and style of your videos! Also I just laughed out loud at the part about obsessing over bird photos I’m in that zone as well it is a fun addiction!
It certainly is a fun addiction! Thanks for tagging a long Tom.
Great images Josh! Thanks for sharing. Keep them coming.
Thanks, will do!
Awesome video Josh. You are an awesome guy. There is something about you that strikes the chord with most of the people watching your channel. The video about Making Your Own Luck, made me a fan of yours, and it helped me to see things from a better perspective. I too am not a professional photographer, but I love bird photography. Thank you so much. And keep up the good work. Cheers. 🍻
You are very kind. thank you.
Still waiting for my Z9. Hudson Henry is using an interesting strategy for focus on flying birds. He has set the shutter button focus for auto area which picks the birds up initially, but may lose them if they fly out of the focus square. He has the back button focus set for 3-D tracking. He acquires focus with the shutter button and then immediately hits the back button focus to follow the bird. For perching birds you can just use the back button for 3-D tracking.
Could sense your excitement from the start. The wait has been worth it I see. Looking forward to more.
😀
Thank you. (and congratulations!) I'm still waiting for my Z9, so in the meantime, it's hugely gratifying to see others enjoying the camera, and seeing that it's elevating everyone's work. Nice!
Thank you Mike. It really is making things easier.
I am not sure how i ended up here, but i like it!
You seem humble, down to earth and honest. Three things i highly appreciate in people and your video was informative and useful without any useless fluff.
Looking forward to more videos!
Subscribed and liked!
I appreciate that! Welcome aboard
I can tell by your voice you're loving it - looking forward not backwards... i'm selling my DSLR gear... before it's worthless
You are going to love it.
Awesome Josh, I am glad you have your new camera! You extremely excited
So excited
Well hello and welcome to the Mirrorless world of photography ! You remind me of when I bought the Sony A9 ! Blown away ! 😀👍😍
Definitely blown away.
Hey Josh - been a fan since the early days. Excited for you with the Z9 - I completely understand the buzz of a new camera. It doesn't happen often, and great fun to have that new, hottest toy in your hands. That said, please don't change this channel to a hardware focus. I've always enjoyed your narratives, and coming along on your adventures and seeing what you see. YT is bombarded with videos about the Z9 and how it the best thing ever and run out and buy it!!!! Well, as you know, all of us can't - at least right now. So it's great to have content that focuses on other things, too ;-) All I'm saying is don't forget where you came from with this channel - you are a MASTER story teller. That said, I am excited to see what you do with the Z9 as my wife also watches your vids with me and I can say "see, look at what I could do with THAT camera!" ;-) (Course I need to find some Great Greys as cooperative as those - wow!)
Thank you so much Steve. It will certainly not turn into a gear channel. Like you said, I am just excited and I do get a fair share of guys reaching out asking me to do these reviews. back to normal next week. working on it now. 🙂
@@BayouJosh +1 to Steve Klett's request. - I can relate to you in so many ways. I upgraded my Nikon D70 after 18 years - gear Does(nt) matter just like you say. And I enjoy these videos. I got my Z9 in Mar 2022 and in my first shoot itself I had a 90% keeper rate. There are gremlins inside :) .
Brilliant , and honest assessment as always. Thank you. Ian (UK)
Thank you Ian.
The AF improvements in mirrorless are phenomenal. Glad you're enjoying the Z9. I've just got the Canon R3 and equally impressed. It's ability to pick up the subject and eye and stick on it in varied situations and light is just incredible!
R3 is awesome
I almost watched all of your video and I enjoy it, keep it up.
Thank you so much 😊
You couldn't hide your enthusiasm for this camera, well done. I look forward to your videos going forward with this super beast. Well done. What is valuable is that you are not some Nikon sponsored 'expert' so what you say is an honest users view
It is exciting to have something that actually makes it a little easier. I feel like we've been struggling and watching other companies pull away for the last few years.
Hi Josh excellent video as usual. Auto focus is even faster if you just set the focus mode to just Animal, people or vehicle depending on what you are photographing. Also Hudson Henry just posted several videos on setting up the Z9 for Action, Standard, Landscape and Astro. Worth taking a look at. Leep shooting. Bob
thanks for the heads up on the focus mode. I'll definitely be switching that. Just winging it. It's the way I learn. dive in a screw things up a bit then work it out afterwards.
In those videos he talks about using a hybrid AF approach of wide area and 3d with looks very promising.
Amazing Amazing Review
It was the best video I saw about the Z9 focus system
Great Job
Thanks a ton!
I'm so glad to see that you waited along with the rest of us for Nikon to catch up to the rest of the mirrorless market with Autofocus. I've been yelling loudly in your comments to all the naysayers out there that Nikon will without a doubt catch up and maybe even surpass the rest of the class on autofocus. They haven't passed anyone yet but I think thats coming within a year or two. I am not sure if I am going to get the Z9 or wait a year and grab a Z8 or Z7iii because if history has shown me anything with Nikon is that they always put their flagship autofocus system in their lower end bodies a year or so after they drop. I may sell my Z6ii and Z7 and grab the Z9 anyways but honestly I really like the smaller bodies of the Z6 & Z7 bodies over the Flagship bodies with the grip. I do own a grip for my Z6ii just in case I'm shooting portraits but thats almost NEVER, so I guess it will just come down to how much effort I feel like putting into selling my other bodies and if Nikon teases any newer lower end bodies soon. Super glad you got your Z9 and I'm glad that I was one of the guys telling you to not even put any thought into it and to just get it because it will advance your channel without a doubt. Remember..... 108k within a year and you've doubled your subs in the last 5 months, so I expect it go grow super fast now that you got a fire lit under you right now with that new bazooka Z9! Good Luck Josh!!!
Thanks brother. I am sure the tech will trickle down. It is exciting times for Nikon.
Glad to see you having fun with your new Z9 Josh. I can hear the excitement in your voice. These new digitals are well worth the purchase.
thank you. Indeed makes things fun.
Nice video with live shots. I'm the :gear hauler" in my marriage but occasionally I get to take some pictures.... lol
I tell my wildlife photographer wife all the time she is cheating with her Sony A1. Once it gets locked on to a flying bird it will take focused images even as they fly through the trees. The technology change in cameras since she started many years ago is amazing.
so true
Thanks for giving me a few hours with the Z9. I can’t wait for mine to show up! Glad the back button/shutter release tip worked better for you. Loving the Atomos!
Thanks for pointing that out. Let me know if you have any other secrets you want to share. 😆
I love the way you are almost breathless with excitement. The modern mirrorless certainly can do that to you. I still find myself giggling some days when the camera grabs focus on a bird whizzing by.
It is pretty amazing! I think that breathlessness is me needing to control my breathing a little better. Thank you so much though.
A great honest review Josh, and some fab owl photos 👌
Thank you so much
Good, honest review! 👍
TGIF and your joy with the Z9.... bleeding that joy to me today as well like water moving through resting paper napkin...... those flying images of the owl, beautiful, wonderful~!~!~!
😀
I’m sold .. thanks Josh! Can’t wait until I get the Z9 .. and also great moments capturing the great greys!
Right on!
Wow! This video has got me very excited for mine to come. Good thing it’s winter and birding is not too good yet at least around here. Thanks Josh!
You are going to love it.
Great to see you out in the field with it Josh. And that it lives up to expectations. My main issue is having to damn many keepers to choose from, I've gone down to 15 fps to to reduce my post processing workload!
Right!!!! I can't believe how much time I would spend going back and forth between 10-20 perfect shots and trying to figure out which one is the most perfect 😆
Love your measured, balanced, comprehensive approach to photography. Your videos stand out from the juvenile, clickbait non-photographer so called influencers on YT, Ted.
Thank you so much Ted.
Wonderful video with honest review, a must view for all photographers.
Many thanks!
Aw, you're a professional. Great video. Enjoy the camera, can't wait to see how you grow
Thank you so much!!
I’m so glad you chose to buy this camera. Great photos, great video.
Me too! thank you my friend.
Wow man! The best part of this is that you look and sound excited, AND that you aren't one of these photographers constantly nit picking and crying about a camera specs, and comparing what your brand does with other brands, etc. And I'm glad you stuck with Nikon, what people don't understand is that it is very costly and takes a lot of planning to jump from DSLRs cameras and lenses to mirrorless cameras and lenses, Sony and Canon bet on it earlier than Nikon because Nikon was doing pretty well with one of the best cameras ever made, the D850, etc so they didn't think at that moment that it was a good move, but I'm glad they have finally caught up with the rest. Can't wait to see your images and videos with the Z9! 😎📸💯
Well said.
Great stuff. So you now have your own Z9 - you lucky, lucky b.....d!!! Here in the UK I can still not get any indication as to when we might see deliveries. I was chasing only yesterday but nothing has changed since I previously asked a couple of weeks back. Patience, patience, patience - I wish!!!
Patience is tough when it’s something exciting like this. Hang in there Brian.
@@BayouJosh I am, I am, but, boy is it frustrating!!!
I always like first and then watch your video... but this time its for Nikon Z9......🤘
You're the best! thank you.
Excellent video, just excellent. And I am an Olympus shooter, never owned a Nikon.
This is only the beginning. I feel over the next 6-12 months the firmware will fine tune issues and features. Great video. Thanks for showing examples and footage.
I hope you're right
Glad you got this, and this is the reason I sold my 6ii and 7ii to get a second one as Nikon is mainly going to be focusing their firmware improvements on the Z9. Cant wait to see more Z9 content. This was great.
Thanks Dave.
Brilliant video Josh, nikon should make you an ambassador for them . Your enthusiasm and honesty is infectious.
Thanks Peter. I don’t think Nikon is worried too much about me.
What a great and honest review , thank you for sharing it BJ !
My pleasure!
Aha.. you've got it finally.. hope you have a good times with it.
Personally after a big search i found till this moment, that the z6 ii sensor is more cleaner and sharper in photo shots.
I'll be happy to know how you customised the single focus point on the the Z6 ii as you were a user for it.
Keep those videos coming josh.
Hope you enjoy it!
Awesome videos, Josh! I just got my Z9 a few days ago. I had a similar experience with a bobcats. I got so many in focus tack sharp images that I couldn’t believe it. With my Z7II and Z6 I too used the FN button to scroll through the focus modes. With the Z9 I set the record button to scroll through focus modes and the FN 1-3 buttons to individual AF modes. It seems to be a lot faster. I also set the AF tracking to animal instead of auto. Like you said, “the Z9 is worth every penny”.