Nikon z8 Auto Focus Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มิ.ย. 2023
- A Nikon z8 review of the autofocus system. 👉️👉️👉️ Learn to CREATE BETTER images FAST... bit.ly/3SwtXYV
I spent the last 3 weeks testing the Auto Focus performance for my new Nikon z8. This is my review, plus pro tips on how to get the most out of your z8.
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Thank you for doing all these focus camera modes examples on the Z8. Knowing one's camera going into the field really helps!
Hi Gordon, Glad to help!
Thanks for the straightforward explanation with examples. Learning the focus mode use cases is really important for the Z8 and Z9.
Hey Jim... happy to help!
There are two use cases in the video (1) sitting ducks/birds (fun intended), and (2) BIF (birds in flight) in LV 10 [1] light. The video illustrates that we need to list our use cases and run these experiments with each of them in order to build an understanding of how it works and what works best.
The essence of my response is that we, the users, should expect better guidance in user or reference manuals. The Z 8 reference manual has almost 1,000 pages of definitional tautologies - NGE [2].
So the video's idea is very welcome and appreciated. I gave this feedback to Nikon in the past and Nikon published a user guide for professional portrait and wedding photography (labelled Z 6ii/Z 7ii). That was a very nice idea, except it does not explore what the video does with these birds here, and its high-level explanation of how to do wedding or portrait photography is an insult.
[1] "LV" are the ISO 100 equivalent of EV and used to express "absolute" light levels. In the case of the swallow on the tree branch, the 1/500 sec @ f/8 @ ISO 3200 are the equivalent of LV 10. That's not too bright as you can see from the takes and it's not contrasty in this example under a sky giving diffused light. That's an important addition to the use cases as (absolute light level - as indicated by LV) as well as contrast i the subject play an important role in the camera's "recognition AI AF". The Z 8 is able to still "focus" at LV -9 and that's very dark, but it cannot measure light at that and cannot shoot a proper normal still. It needs single point AF to do that focusing for you. Nikon publish the LV -9 in hard to find places, but are completely enigmatic about the LV where "recognition AI AF" still works.
[2] NGE - Not Good Enough
Fantastic work on the auto focus system
Very helpful. I shot the worst soccer match w/ Dynamic Area Medium focus mode... Now I learn W-C2 (vertical rectangle) is better for sports. Thank you.
Chris, I would like to see an updated video with the new software where Nikon added birds as subject for tracking. Your tutorials are very helpful. I had the new 180-600 Nikon, got frustrated photographing bald eagles in fly. This AF video answer many of my questions. Now I know will use C1- C2 for those scenarios. Thank you
This is a good video. Thanks for your work.❤
Thank you too!
Awesome. Thanks. I use the AF-ON button as back focus + 3d to help the af find the subject
Thanks for the suggestion!
Thank you so much for the video, Sir. I recently bought a Z8. The box in the dynamic area focus in AF-C mode is remaining RED all the time. I am facing significant difficulties to know whether I am able to focus or not. What do I Do? Do I need to change the settings? Looking forward to your help. Kind regards…..Partha
I am sure you must know, C1 and C2 modes can be custom set to any size of box, what is more interesting is that you can have a single point size box with eye tracking enabled.
Yes but it does not have the focusing power of the single point af . It could be the most sought after af area mode if Nikon can get it to work reliably in all situations. I still have single point afs set to recall function for when I will need that accuracy without any time to play around .
Thanks Ian. I haven't gotten that far yet. lol. I'll check that out next!
I have my C1 set to the smallest possible box. In tight locations it works really picking up the Birds Eye.
Thanks for the tip!
I do not know what lens you were using but I would test it wide open. Results could be very different from F8. Also, you should not have to manually focus to get back in focus. Just switch to spot focus with a button.
Thanks for the tip. This was wide open; 200-500 w/1.4 tele.
The 1.4 is going to slow it down. Focus speed may also vary depending on where you are between 200-500. @@ParkerPhotographic
Thanks for the info. Just pre-ordered the z180-600. I'll probably do another video with test results when it arrives. Hopefully this year!
Great video. The swallow is a Barn Swallow though :-)
Thanks! I mispoke in the video... and labeled it correctly when I showed the image that I captured at 7:44
Very useful guide to me as a new Z8 user. Which lense or lenses were you using?
Hi Lars, I was using the 200-500 with FTZ adaptor. I'm wondering if the focus response time was hindered a little with this setup? Waiting for the 200-600 to be released since forever, lol. Once it arrives I can compare them side-by-side. That being said, going from a d500 and z6 to the z8 focus system was night and day.
Thank you, now you making me yo buy 😶
You're welcome
1. why would you want to use anything other than 3D?
2. has this improved via firmware in the last 6 months?
1. I didn't find 3d that reliable and just didn't work for me. Although, it could be due to not using a dedicated z lens. I've recently bought the 180-600.
2. I'm waiting for the next firmware. It will have dedicated Bird tracking! I'll create a new/updated video once I test it (with the new 180-600).
The reason it focused on the hole in the tree may be because it’s shaped like an eye
Thanks!
A 15-minute review of autofocus, and you didn't test the camera in low light? The Nikon Z series is notorious for its terrible autofocus, especially in low light. Nikon is trailing behind competitors in this regard, and its autofocus is a reason why event photographers consider changing teams. Many of us work and photograph in low-light situations, and this would have been greatly appreciated feedback on the subject.
I use the Z8 to shoot action in low/dynamic light environments and it performs extremely well.
My z50 was really bad. Unless you have the high end systems, yes nikons aren't great in low light. Imo the Z8/9 are on par with other high end cameras.