Excellent tutorial. I am glad I found your video to understand how to map subject tracking to Fn button. Love how you switch from full auto face detect to Subject tracking with the function button. Brilliant. As you also say dynamic tracking is useful for birds in flight, although I am not a birder. Some people complain about Nikon's AF tracking, but need to understand it better to realize how good it really is. The wide area AF box tracking with eye detect is likely useful also. Some reviewers said Wide-area AF box mode is useful for backlit subjects such as people.
Subject tracking only works if you're in auto area focus mode though. Unless I am missing something. I have my focus mode as single point or dynamic so even though I have set Fn2 as focus tracking it won't work.
Brilliant, thank you for this video; just bought a Z6ii yesterday (A9, R5, R6 user) I am really enjoying the Nikon ; getting used to the different lens mount and barrel twists.
@@nivin3 I'll speak on just "jpg" files. The colors from the Nikon are much more "richer" deeper and satisfying to look at for my food, flowers, landscape and loud color fashion photography it's quite beautiful out of the camera. For portraits I can go with Z6ii or R6; but for portraits i shoot with the R6, it's just my taste and opinion on the skin tone. In raw, I find less work to enrich the colors from the Z6ii. The focus acquisition and the speed goes to my R6 as of today. We'll see what the Z9 or future Z cameras bring to us. Recently I have been more vested in the RF lens, then again the Z lens are no slouch; they are also amazing.
The guy with the exploded cat on the head, found it difficult to move the subject tracking box and complained that Nikon is bs... obviously user error.
Thanks Ron, yes I corrected that in the follow up video, I would still like the option to select subject tracking from any af mode that would make a lot of sense.
@@BarryMountford Ah, yes, the beauty of TH-cam. I didn't know there was another video. I agree with your wish to make the tracking available in any mode. That would be great, indeed. Thank you for the update.
OK, so if I want to switch between Eye focus and single point AF, I can do this easily holding down that button? I use back button focus so I'm hoping that doesn't complicate things. I'm about to buy this very camera but am unsure how my wedding photography will be affected.
Lovely video, defo will come handy for fast moving subjects. Quick question, can you change the size of the subject tracking box (make it smaller/larger)? Thank you!
That’s right, however when I use it for quick photos of the family and the box is over the face the eye is in focus pretty much every time even though you don’t see a box over the eye. Hope that helps.
No, I have a Z6 and you push it once to start subject tracking and once to stop. The focusing starts when you push the back button focus or your shutterrealease depending on your settings.
Sir, I try assign this subject tracking on fn2 button. But when i press it, nothing showed up. Same thing in fn1 . When i assign any other feature. These button works just fine. Please help sir.
When I try to set up the Fn1 button for focus tracking, I don't see that option! It will just let me change the focus mode (like the factory default setting for the Fn2 button) but it doesn't seem to go back and forth between focus modes when I release the button like your video shows. What am I missing?
OK but regarding wildlife you can't move around your camera quickly when you are e.g. in a hide because the movement would scare wary wildlife off. The focusing point should be moved in the frame (manually I suppose) in this case in order to catch the subject and then do the tracking, right?
On Z5, 3d tracking is unusable for anything faster than turtles, the dslr version of the same is 10x better on the worst apsc body, more precisely fast, more precise, shameful,
Z and D / DX don't have the same autofocus systems. t could be that the 3D tracking mode doesn't work for you because there is no such thing on the z5. You don't seem qualified to pass judgment TBH
@@rogernordskag8878 yeah fro acknowledged in the comment section, when comments corrected him that he didn’t use it the best way, thinking he couldn’t use subject tracking the same way as he does with Sony.
The z8 is brilliant, no argument there, but does nikon really want me to pay 5400$ canadian for a camera just to have a reliable autofocus, i can buy 6 canon r10's in canada for the price of a z8 and still get tracking on par with z8, of course the z8 is far greater camera then the r10 in every aspect, but if were just talking reliable autofocus and amateur photography, i can buy the r10 and rf 100-400 together in canada for under 2000$ dollars, in my opinion if your a enthusiast i would opt for the r7, still almost 4000$ dollars cheaper than the z8 (canada) and if it's just wildlife and birds you can't go wrong, with Nikons incredible dynamic range, they are a landscape photographer's dream, i absolutely love my z50 and z6ii, but there very limited in the tracking department, i truly believe that nikon has all the capability to improve software in these cameras but chooses to invest there time in there high end cameras, considering they put two processors in the z6ii, i just don't believe for one second that this camera can't get dramatic AF improvements.
Yes definitely loads of alternatives out their for sure, I honestly believe the only thing which lets down the AF in the Z50 and Z6ii is the lag in continuous shooting, I would always find I would have one maybe two shots in focus using the z50 from a burst of images of a bird in flight and this has to be down to the lag in the evf and not being able to follow the subject properly causing the camera to focus elsewhere. All of the z cameras are fantastic and produce stunning images and the af is outstanding for about 90% of tasks,
Great video Barry. One question though. I can only activate Subject Tracking mode using the Fn button if I've selected one of the Auto-area modes. For example, if I'm in Dynamic-area AF, selecting the Fn button doesn't switch to Subject Tracking. Am I doing something wrong?
Thanks, no you are not doing anything wrong it can’t be selected while in that af mode my mistake in the video although I would love to see Nikon introduce that to a firmware update. I did follow up this video correcting that.
I subscribed, video was promising enough. My Z6 ii is a week old and pretty well set up. I need to practice, but trying to stay safe. I’m near Toronto, and old, so I’m careful. Was hoping for a super clear explanation, but I was somewhat disappointed. It was not clear what the initial setup on the boy was, when you pressed F1 and released it. Was that before you moved to the girl? Did you repress F1?
When in auto area AF with face and eye detect it will focus on your subjects eye or face but if you say wanted to grab focus on something in the background while in that AF mode simply by pressing the fn1 button which has been assigned to subject tracking it will come out of auto area AF and into subject tracking then you can quickly grab focus on what is going on behind your subject, and by pressing the fn1 button again you are back in auto area AF mode and the camera automatically grabs focus on the subjects face and eye again. Hope that helps explain it better, I do get lost in my own words while recording video. Thanks for watching.
Af-c of z5 can't be compared to the focus of dslr from 10g ago, z5 is something terribly slow and bad! 3d tracking literally doesn't work or has anything to do with the fantastic performance of the same on dslr
@@BarryMountford thank u for asking. I have rectified the issue, was in movie not photo part of menu 🤦🏻♂️ I am finding the Nikon 200-500mm sharp on my D3 but having sharpness issues when attaching via an FTZ on the Z6ii. Any thoughts please?
@@BarryMountford thank u for asking. I have rectified the issue, was in movie not photo part of menu 🤦🏻♂️ I am finding the Nikon 200-500mm sharp on my D3 but having sharpness issues when attaching via an FTZ on the Z6ii. Any thoughts please?
ive been trying to asign fn2 to eye detection tracking , you went far to fast and you didnt show us what you were doing , turn the camera around and slow it down
Where the Z6 II (and Z7 II) fell short is being able to track erratic subjects. Station subjects like a person (or mostly stationary subjects) it tends to do fine with, but things like birds, it really struggles. Plus the other thing is shooting in high burst mode, you have a hard time keeping track of what the camera is focused on (and I've personally run into situations where the Z6 II would drift off of whatever I set it to track -- even when photographing people, after a while it seems like it would drift to their cheek or somewhere else on the face).
Great video. I’ve set up my Z6 Fn1 button to activate subject tracking too and it works great, but only in Auto-Area AF. On the Z6ii does the Fn1 button press activate subject tracking in other focus area modes too?
Great video! I have tried setting the fn1 button to subject tracking but I have to press fn1 again to disable the subject tracking. Is there a way to only have subject tracking enabled whilst holding down the fn1 button. So that when I release it it automatically switches back to normal AF? Thanks in advance?
Barry thanks for another great video! You are correct the subject tracking on the Z6 ii works great. All camera brands vary on using the focus system seems today many don't want to take the time to learn a new system even when super simple.
You keep repeating (1:55) you can jump from "ANY AF mode you're in" to subject tracking, but in reality it only works when you are in auto-area or EYE AF mode. At first I was thinking I missed some awesome setting in my Z6II, but you were giving false hope: you can't switch from single point AF or dynamic-area AF to subject tracking and so on. Looking at some other comments, I was clearly not the only one who was confused by your words.
I know, I did follow this video up the next day with all of that info corrected, and I also pinned it in the description, it would be super useful if Nikon could update the firmware to allow that function to be selected no Matter which AF mode you were in.
nice tuto. I have now configured FN1 for AF/focus and FN2 for subject tracking. In fact, I find the front sub dial reel hard to turn when i have a finger on FN2 configured as AF so now, one press on far FN2 button is easier. How did you configure OK button and sub selector center ? i have configured OK button for zoom (shooting and review) and sub selector center as RESRET focus point on center but I must say that i have difficulties when i use EVF to find AF-ON, subselector, OK,... with my fingers :-) Do you use back button focus ? you seem to half press on shutter button.
This is so helpful Barry but I have a question! I set this and it worked and when I went back to try it again it doesn't do anything. Nothing changes when I press the button and the white box doesn't appear. Any hints on what I might have done?? Thank you
Maybe try using a canon r7, i own both and i suggest you use the r7 for wildlife or fast moving objects, you'll be more than impressed, your z6ii will feel quite underwhelming afterwards.
@@BarryMountford of course that's something else entirely, the z8 is 5,400$ dollars in canada Plus tax, Apple's and Oranges, when I used my z50, once in awhile it would for no reason start tracking bird's eyes and then stop, I truly believe that the processors in these cameras are more than capable, but are drastically held back by Nikon's horrible software.
Does it work with specific af area modes or does it work with all of them? I must be doing something wrong because it doesn’t work in my camera. Also does the fact that I use the f to z adapter with a tamron lens may play a role? I am more inclined to think it’s user error than the camera’s fault.
Hey Barry great vid. I notice in your video when you click subject tracking and move you camera off the subject to recompose the box actually leaves the subject a bit then settles just off the subject... this at a low aperture would render the subject out of focus (depending on the distance away from the camera), is this correct and does this happen?
You will notice a slight lag as I am recording at 24 FPS on the go pro, when using it you don’t see that, but I can say when I have moved the camera fast while locked on to the target it sill holds that focus.
super trick !n i spent lot of time moving the target. So now i leave it on center and just move the camera on subject anywhere and it follows ! is it normal pressing the small knob (reset) doesn't reset the target at middle of display as it works for af-c single point ? for portrait photo, you seem to like the subject tracking but aren't eyes a little blur ? do you activate auto area people, set tracking on face, release it and so use eye tracking for sharper eyes or do you use smaller aperture to have enough depth of field with subject tracking on face ? What do you think about new V1.4 firmware ? i tried street photo with auto area eye people in mode A, af-c, af-on, 70mm F/2.8 and yellow boxes happened only few times even being closer or further from people in the street. Not reliable, no idea why.
Hello Barry, I just bought a z7 in this video you use what trigger? will it work on my camera too and can it sync to my sb5000 speedlight? for high speed photography , greetings and congratulations for your channel that I see from Monterrey Mexico
I know I keep saying you can select subject tracking from which ever AF mode you are in however you can only select it from full area af mode , I would love to see Nikon implement this so we could use it no matter what AF mode we are in. So how do you use subject tracking?
Thanks I watched his video and to maintain my G rating I will refrain from my real thoughts about him. I have the Z6 MKII and have found the subject tracking to be quick and intuitive.
Great video. I have tried the steps in this video a few times and it isn't working for me but I can't fathom what I am doing wrong. Whilst watching the video I already have the FN1 to subject tracking and when I press it whilst in dynamic AF, nothing happen. I have checked that the focus mode is AF-C too which it is.
Nice one, I've had the Z6 II since it came out and just went out and used it. I never really sat down and investigated the subject tracking and custom Fn buttons, so I'm glad I watched this and have set up the function button as described, so thanks for giving a good insight on what to do.
I'm trying to tell everyone, and no one will hear me. Please don't take this the wrong way. I mean no offense. As soon as youtuber's start to type or say things like "debunking the myth of", you're killing the brand. The language takes whatever problem I'm focused on and places it front and center as a big enough problem to be "debunked". Or WORSE, it highlights a problem I didn't think, or know, was a problem. I have two BH photo windows open right now, one filled with Canon and one filled with Nikon. A video likes this stops me in my tracks. I watched this happen to Olympus over the last 16 months... every video focused on perceived problems, and proving them wrong (somewhat ineffectively too). Instead of focusing on what it could really do - it is not a good look. It places the perceived problem first, and that's very sticky. I suggest replacing a hypothetical phrase of "here I debunk the myth that it's hard to use" simply with "My Z6II XYZ feature is so easy to use, I love it. Let me show you." Otherwise, now I stop and attempt to discover if what this other person said is true, for me, or not. This is in direct opposition to me just thinking the camera is easy to use. After watching your video, and I have seen the other video you are speaking of, I think the truth is it's a comparison. It's not so much that's it's awkward, period. It's that it's more awkward than ... that other camera that just does this same thing without the pressing of any buttons. Keep up the good work, but I highly recommend the discontinuation of the words "debunk" or "myth" from the vernacular like yesterday. Watch almost any Robin Wong video and then try to convince yourself to buy an Olympus camera. Like, actually load the camera and some lenses into the cart at BH and see if you feel really hesitant to click that buy button. Despite the fact that these are actually awesome little cameras, you might instead focus on all of those problems instead. You'll see what I mean rather quickly. You'll also notice the infighting in your own comments. From the outside as a semi-pro consumer who is about to purchase one of these brands, here's what it looks like. The Nikon provides more value, especially when you consider the price of the 1.8 S primes. The initial cost to get the camera and the two major zooms (oops that 70-200 isn't ready yet) is not enough of a difference in price to sway me, about $1000 more for the canon overall. But the price of the 1.2 L glass is really prohibitive, and they look large and heavy. The Nikon lenses look fabulous in seeing images on Flickr, they also seem smaller and lighter - something welcome. Nikons most recent layoffs doesn't look good, and who wants to invest in a company that is on the edge? No 70-200 yet, questionable FTZ adapter, and Ken Rockwell saying "don't buy it", Fro railing while loving at the same time, Taylor saying any deficiencies don't bother him at all and he works around them to get the glass and lighter weight. Then the "defense" videos and "defense" comments start, and it becomes increasingly difficult to make the decision. That's the over-all landscape to a prospective photography educated buyer, right now. Nikon needs ground game, right now, without defense. Just unapologetic ground game.
I think the defence and attack comment are inevitable as many are loyal brand, choosing a camera should always come down to how you will use it and your budget, I will reiterate what I say In Many videos that there are no bad cameras on the market today , and while every camera is not perfect it’s down to the user to understand the tool to get the best out of it. I totally understand what you mean regarding Olympus, such a shame what happen and you can’t help feel that social influence had a factor in that, I personally love Olympus cameras and until I used the Nikon Z system they were top of my list for the most fun camera to use and best looking! I believe the 70-200 s is available now? One thing it will stand by and this is subjective, the quality of image you will get out of Z system is the best I have ever seen and that is why I choose this system as that is what is most important to me, so when looking to buy a new camera people should focus on what they want from a camera and that will make the choice easier regardless what someone on TH-cam talk about. Appreciate the comment thanks.
@@BarryMountford by the way, check ken Rockwell’s newest video. He’s showing off a 3rd party adapter that puts Ef lenses on a s body with autofocus and aperture control. That could be a big deal for the s cameras
@@BarryMountford Thanks Barr. I forgot which tuber said that, but he did say he experienced it on the 6 (I). I am in the midst of choosing between the Olympus and upgrading to the Z6 II. They are my only two options. My major reason is size and weight of the system (i.e. body and 600mm eff focal length), plus body features and functions. I am eliminating APSC, even though it would have been an ok option, but my study of the XT4 is not there for me. My wife has the Nikon D500 and I had two APSC's before my current D750.
@@BarryMountford Thanks Barry. I did rent it for a week and took it and the 300mm (600) and the 12-40 (24-80) to Cape May, NJ. I did like the body functions and features, some of which do not exist on any other camera. Both lenses were very sharp. When I finish developing Cape May, I will have a better idea of how well the sensor size held up. So far so good. If I switch to the 6-II, I will have the FTZ cost and new cards and extra batteries. I made a spreadsheet of what the size and cost of the individual systems will cost me, with a bare bones investment in just two Olympus lenses, the 12-40 and the 100-400. I will save nothing on the 6-II weight. And, thank You So Much for your responses. I see it's 3:11PM in London.
If you don’t need 4K 60fps better af and dual card slot then I would say no, the Z6 still is an awesome camera, could still do most of what I do now with the Z6II with the Z6, so I suppose it really all comes down to will it make a difference in your photography?
@@BarryMountford cheers Barry. Getting more into wildlife and looking at birds in flight thought maybe improve af. Love my Z6 and the couple of Z lenses I’ve got.
Barry thanks for the advice and videos. Taken the plunge and upgraded. Just wish I’d realised I needed to upgrade the firmware on my ftz before I got rid of my Z6. Maybe worth a quick video if you get the time. I found no mention before I swapped. Cheers
Try the Canon EOS R5 or R6 and you will see the difference in Tracking and Animal Eye Autofocus. Nikon Z6 II is 2 generations behind. This comes from a former Nikon user. For Wildlife there is nothing better on the market now.
Yea but the R5 is more than twice the price of the Z6ii and the R6 is also quite a lot more expensive than the Z6ii, plus, The Z6ii pretty much has it’s advantages over the R5/R6 too even though the lower price point
Stefan, I have been seeing reports of superior noise and focus performance of the R6 wrt Z6 ii, which is great. However the Z6 ii comes in at 80% the price of R6. The noise differences become clear at higher than 10000 ISOs. Also, the video stabilization, focus transition and exposure change performance of the Z6 ii has been reported as superior to R6, not to mention the overheating problem of the latter. I started as a Canon shooter, but switched to Nikon because of the premium they have been charging in the beginner to mid level segments compared to the competition. The Z6 ii hardware hopefully will get drivers to better harness its potential... yeah 20fps bursts, glitchfree focus feedback, and blackout free evf are some highly desirable places for Z6ii to catch up on... or are they going to keep this locked up for their flagship... Only time will tell...
I just decided to click on this video and it actually just solved all my problems with focusing on the z6. Thank you man
That’s awesome man pleased it helped!
SAMEE
thank you. I've got both the Z6ii and the Z7ii and have some focus problems. This video has been a Godsend to me.
Pleased it helped 🙏🏻
Useful tutorial....simple. I have used Z6ii for nearly 2 months and only now I know how easy to set the subject tracking button. Thanks
Awesome.
Excellent tutorial. I am glad I found your video to understand how to map subject tracking to Fn button. Love how you switch from full auto face detect to Subject tracking with the function button. Brilliant. As you also say dynamic tracking is useful for birds in flight, although I am not a birder. Some people complain about Nikon's AF tracking, but need to understand it better to realize how good it really is. The wide area AF box tracking with eye detect is likely useful also. Some reviewers said Wide-area AF box mode is useful for backlit subjects such as people.
Subject tracking only works if you're in auto area focus mode though. Unless I am missing something. I have my focus mode as single point or dynamic so even though I have set Fn2 as focus tracking it won't work.
Brilliant, thank you for this video; just bought a Z6ii yesterday (A9, R5, R6 user) I am really enjoying the Nikon ; getting used to the different lens mount and barrel twists.
Very cool choice of cameras to select from!
Hi how do you compare color rendering between R6 and Z6ii? Skin tones to be specific? I have an R6 but leaning towards Z6ii
@@nivin3 I'll speak on just "jpg" files. The colors from the Nikon are much more "richer" deeper and satisfying to look at for my food, flowers, landscape and loud color fashion photography it's quite beautiful out of the camera. For portraits I can go with Z6ii or R6; but for portraits i shoot with the R6, it's just my taste and opinion on the skin tone. In raw, I find less work to enrich the colors from the Z6ii. The focus acquisition and the speed goes to my R6 as of today. We'll see what the Z9 or future Z cameras bring to us. Recently I have been more vested in the RF lens, then again the Z lens are no slouch; they are also amazing.
Really love your enthusiasm Barry. I have a z6 and preordered a z7ii, hope the af is as good on it.
It will be as good.
I am sure it will
The guy with the exploded cat on the head, found it difficult to move the subject tracking box and complained that Nikon is bs... obviously user error.
i got the references, he is an idiot..
@@everydayfitness6605 I am happy you got it!
I used to find him amusing, but it gets boring after a while.
I still share this one every week to angry or disappointed new owners of Z50 Z6 Z7, all works the same. THANK YOU!
It would be nice if the FN1, when set to subject tracking, would toggle subject tracking on / off no matter the AF mode the camera is in.
Yes that would work so well!
Thank you, Barry. Great video. You forgot that the "AF-area mode" must be in "Auto-area AF". Tracking will not work in any other mode.
Thanks Ron, yes I corrected that in the follow up video, I would still like the option to select subject tracking from any af mode that would make a lot of sense.
@@BarryMountford Ah, yes, the beauty of TH-cam. I didn't know there was another video. I agree with your wish to make the tracking available in any mode. That would be great, indeed. Thank you for the update.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. GREAT.
Mine doesn't turn off upon release of the button. It's a toggle, which I like. My Z8 doesn't toggle, which I do not like.
OK, so if I want to switch between Eye focus and single point AF, I can do this easily holding down that button? I use back button focus so I'm hoping that doesn't complicate things. I'm about to buy this very camera but am unsure how my wedding photography will be affected.
Yeah I have the bottom fn button mapped and it’s very comfortable when pressing and using back button focus simultaneously.
Great Information!
Lovely video, defo will come handy for fast moving subjects. Quick question, can you change the size of the subject tracking box (make it smaller/larger)? Thank you!
Unfortunately not but that would make a great firmware upgrade.
This is exactly what I want to know
Just got my z7ii . Am I right in thinking eye AF does not work with subject tracking like it does with Sony Cameras
That’s right, however when I use it for quick photos of the family and the box is over the face the eye is in focus pretty much every time even though you don’t see a box over the eye. Hope that helps.
Thank u ! Very helpful
Another great video Barry thanks for that
Do i need to keep pressing the FN1 button while I’m tracking??
No, I have a Z6 and you push it once to start subject tracking and once to stop. The focusing starts when you push the back button focus or your shutterrealease depending on your settings.
Thanks press once to activate and press again to deactivate it.
@@BarryMountford thanks Barry
Can I activate subject tracking while I’m on any focus area mode??
@@parnilsson322 thanks Par
Can I activate subject tracking while I’m on any focus area mode??
Mina Tadros no only in full AFF mode, I incorrectly said you could in any mode in the video.
Sir, I try assign this subject tracking on fn2 button. But when i press it, nothing showed up. Same thing in fn1 . When i assign any other feature. These button works just fine. Please help sir.
are you in auto area mode AF when trying to switch on tracking?
When I try to set up the Fn1 button for focus tracking, I don't see that option! It will just let me change the focus mode (like the factory default setting for the Fn2 button) but it doesn't seem to go back and forth between focus modes when I release the button like your video shows. What am I missing?
If you go into f2 custom controls and select fn1 you should see a list to choose from and subject tracking is in their, hope that helps
I can’t get this to work. My camera doesn’t switched focus modes when I click the buttons
then youre not in auto area mode
OK but regarding wildlife you can't move around your camera quickly when you are e.g. in a hide because the movement would scare wary wildlife off. The focusing point should be moved in the frame (manually I suppose) in this case in order to catch the subject and then do the tracking, right?
Yes you could do that, using the joystick or touching the screen to focus.
With the dx lens,was the z6ii on xlcrop mode at 10 megapixel?
Yes that’s correct
how you focusing with lens cap?
Z6 II v A7c?
don’t have one to test
On Z5, 3d tracking is unusable for anything faster than turtles, the dslr version of the same is 10x better on the worst apsc body, more precisely fast, more precise, shameful,
Z and D / DX don't have the same autofocus systems. t could be that the 3D tracking mode doesn't work for you because there is no such thing on the z5. You don't seem qualified to pass judgment TBH
Barry just out of interest which video had you just been watching.
Probably the Fro...
@@rogernordskag8878 yeah fro acknowledged in the comment section, when comments corrected him that he didn’t use it the best way, thinking he couldn’t use subject tracking the same way as he does with Sony.
@@rogernordskag8878 I thought so. Nikon really need a couple of prominent review channels to show how it can really work.
The z8 is brilliant, no argument there, but does nikon really want me to pay 5400$ canadian for a camera just to have a reliable autofocus, i can buy 6 canon r10's in canada for the price of a z8 and still get tracking on par with z8, of course the z8 is far greater camera then the r10 in every aspect, but if were just talking reliable autofocus and amateur photography, i can buy the r10 and rf 100-400 together in canada for under 2000$ dollars, in my opinion if your a enthusiast i would opt for the r7, still almost 4000$ dollars cheaper than the z8 (canada) and if it's just wildlife and birds you can't go wrong, with Nikons incredible dynamic range, they are a landscape photographer's dream, i absolutely love my z50 and z6ii, but there very limited in the tracking department, i truly believe that nikon has all the capability to improve software in these cameras but chooses to invest there time in there high end cameras, considering they put two processors in the z6ii, i just don't believe for one second that this camera can't get dramatic AF improvements.
Yes definitely loads of alternatives out their for sure, I honestly believe the only thing which lets down the AF in the Z50 and Z6ii is the lag in continuous shooting, I would always find I would have one maybe two shots in focus using the z50 from a burst of images of a bird in flight and this has to be down to the lag in the evf and not being able to follow the subject properly causing the camera to focus elsewhere. All of the z cameras are fantastic and produce stunning images and the af is outstanding for about 90% of tasks,
@@BarryMountford agree 👍
Great video Barry. One question though. I can only activate Subject Tracking mode using the Fn button if I've selected one of the Auto-area modes. For example, if I'm in Dynamic-area AF, selecting the Fn button doesn't switch to Subject Tracking. Am I doing something wrong?
Thanks, no you are not doing anything wrong it can’t be selected while in that af mode my mistake in the video although I would love to see Nikon introduce that to a firmware update. I did follow up this video correcting that.
I subscribed, video was promising enough. My Z6 ii is a week old and pretty well set up. I need to practice, but trying to stay safe. I’m near Toronto, and old, so I’m careful. Was hoping for a super clear explanation, but I was somewhat disappointed. It was not clear what the initial setup on the boy was, when you pressed F1 and released it. Was that before you moved to the girl? Did you repress F1?
When in auto area AF with face and eye detect it will focus on your subjects eye or face but if you say wanted to grab focus on something in the background while in that AF mode simply by pressing the fn1 button which has been assigned to subject tracking it will come out of auto area AF and into subject tracking then you can quickly grab focus on what is going on behind your subject, and by pressing the fn1 button again you are back in auto area AF mode and the camera automatically grabs focus on the subjects face and eye again. Hope that helps explain it better, I do get lost in my own words while recording video. Thanks for watching.
Great but one needs to know that today in October 2022 this works only in Auto Area Face detect Mode but not in Wide Area Face detect AF mode..
Af-c of z5 can't be compared to the focus of dslr from 10g ago, z5 is something terribly slow and bad! 3d tracking literally doesn't work or has anything to do with the fantastic performance of the same on dslr
I’m trying set Fn1 button as tracking, in menu it says it’s assigned but when I press it while balance comes up🤔 Csn u help?
Not sure why that would happen? The only time this has happened to me is when I forgot to ok the selection before leaving the menu.
Hi Nathan just double checking this is happening on your Z6ii? As my new z30 is having the same issue.
@@BarryMountford thank u for asking. I have rectified the issue, was in movie not photo part of menu 🤦🏻♂️
I am finding the Nikon 200-500mm sharp on my D3 but having sharpness issues when attaching via an FTZ on the Z6ii. Any thoughts please?
@@BarryMountford thank u for asking. I have rectified the issue, was in movie not photo part of menu 🤦🏻♂️
I am finding the Nikon 200-500mm sharp on my D3 but having sharpness issues when attaching via an FTZ on the Z6ii. Any thoughts please?
Excellent video, love to try on my Z6. Hope it will work smoothly as Z6ii
Nice tutorial Just picked up this camera and haven’t figured out how I’m gonna set the fn button yet 👍
Yeah
Barry i'm from the Netherlands an like your presentations pls can you speak a little bit slower in your presentations sometime it's going so fast.
ive been trying to asign fn2 to eye detection tracking , you went far to fast and you didnt show us what you were doing , turn the camera around and slow it down
Where the Z6 II (and Z7 II) fell short is being able to track erratic subjects. Station subjects like a person (or mostly stationary subjects) it tends to do fine with, but things like birds, it really struggles. Plus the other thing is shooting in high burst mode, you have a hard time keeping track of what the camera is focused on (and I've personally run into situations where the Z6 II would drift off of whatever I set it to track -- even when photographing people, after a while it seems like it would drift to their cheek or somewhere else on the face).
Great video. I’ve set up my Z6 Fn1 button to activate subject tracking too and it works great, but only in Auto-Area AF. On the Z6ii does the Fn1 button press activate subject tracking in other focus area modes too?
No it’s the same I am hoping the firmware update in feb allows this as it’s one of the things I would like to see changed
Excellent and straight forward talking video - thanks Barry.
Thank you!
I have spent more time learning the focus menu than any other function, your tips are spot on, Thankyou!!!!!
Awesome pleased it was useful!
Great video! I have tried setting the fn1 button to subject tracking but I have to press fn1 again to disable the subject tracking. Is there a way to only have subject tracking enabled whilst holding down the fn1 button. So that when I release it it automatically switches back to normal AF? Thanks in advance?
Unfortunately not, that would be a good option, I don’t find it an issue guess I am just used to it now.
Barry thanks for another great video! You are correct the subject tracking on the Z6 ii works great. All camera brands vary on using the focus system seems today many don't want to take the time to learn a new system even when super simple.
Thanks! Yes that is so true.
You keep repeating (1:55) you can jump from "ANY AF mode you're in" to subject tracking, but in reality it only works when you are in auto-area or EYE AF mode. At first I was thinking I missed some awesome setting in my Z6II, but you were giving false hope: you can't switch from single point AF or dynamic-area AF to subject tracking and so on. Looking at some other comments, I was clearly not the only one who was confused by your words.
I know, I did follow this video up the next day with all of that info corrected, and I also pinned it in the description, it would be super useful if Nikon could update the firmware to allow that function to be selected no
Matter which AF mode you were in.
Does this Subject Tracking freeze the subject in time like the SS will? Or do I still need to set my SS correctly? I hope I am making sense.
Subject tracking allows your AF to track your subject only, ss would need to be set to freeze subject if that’s what’s needed. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the video. Does anyone know if you can change the size of the white focus box used for subject tracking?
Unfortunately not that’s one thing I wish this would change in a firmware update that and being able to access it from any shooting mode.
nice tuto. I have now configured FN1 for AF/focus and FN2 for subject tracking. In fact, I find the front sub dial reel hard to turn when i have a finger on FN2 configured as AF so now, one press on far FN2 button is easier. How did you configure OK button and sub selector center ? i have configured OK button for zoom (shooting and review) and sub selector center as RESRET focus point on center but I must say that i have difficulties when i use EVF to find AF-ON, subselector, OK,... with my fingers :-) Do you use back button focus ? you seem to half press on shutter button.
Would love to know as well your tips on that @Barry Mountford ?
Why is Subject Tracking not available as one of the normal focusing options?
I know, I would like to see an option to select it no matter what af mode you are shooting in.
great plain English, I was missing this focus trick , got it THANKS PAL
Awesome thanks.
This is so helpful Barry but I have a question! I set this and it worked and when I went back to try it again it doesn't do anything. Nothing changes when I press the button and the white box doesn't appear. Any hints on what I might have done?? Thank you
Thanks Anna I know selecting subject tracking does not work in all AF modes.
Does this work when you are set up for back button focus?
Maybe try using a canon r7, i own both and i suggest you use the r7 for wildlife or fast moving objects, you'll be more than impressed, your z6ii will feel quite underwhelming afterwards.
Yes I have tried the R7 and it’s very good! I use the Z8 now for wildlife and it is brilliant, the AF is leaps ahead of the Z6ii for wildlife
@@BarryMountford of course that's something else entirely, the z8 is 5,400$ dollars in canada Plus tax, Apple's and Oranges, when I used my z50, once in awhile it would for no reason start tracking bird's eyes and then stop, I truly believe that the processors in these cameras are more than capable, but are drastically held back by Nikon's horrible software.
It doesn't work with every focus mode as indicated, for example single point .
It doesn't switch back and forth with all focus modes
Yes I am hoping this can be changed in a future firmware update.
Does it work with specific af area modes or does it work with all of them? I must be doing something wrong because it doesn’t work in my camera. Also does the fact that I use the f to z adapter with a tamron lens may play a role? I am more inclined to think it’s user error than the camera’s fault.
You can only choose subject tracking when in in full area af
@@BarryMountfordthank you for the prompt reply. I appreciate it. 😃
Great informative review 👍 ✨
What camera and lens did you use for shooting this video *(your studio)*
Thanks, i used the Nikon z50
@@BarryMountford Thank for your reply, Nice video Quality what lens did you use in this video with the Z5?
@@top_tech.500k I used the standard kit lens 16-55
Hey Barry great vid. I notice in your video when you click subject tracking and move you camera off the subject to recompose the box actually leaves the subject a bit then settles just off the subject... this at a low aperture would render the subject out of focus (depending on the distance away from the camera), is this correct and does this happen?
You will notice a slight lag as I am recording at 24 FPS on the go pro, when using it you don’t see that, but I can say when I have moved the camera fast while locked on to the target it sill holds that focus.
thanks for this video 👍, is it true back button focus on af-on doesnt need anymore?
I still use it on single point AF
super trick !n i spent lot of time moving the target. So now i leave it on center and just move the camera on subject anywhere and it follows ! is it normal pressing the small knob (reset) doesn't reset the target at middle of display as it works for af-c single point ?
for portrait photo, you seem to like the subject tracking but aren't eyes a little blur ? do you activate auto area people, set tracking on face, release it and so use eye tracking for sharper eyes or do you use smaller aperture to have enough depth of field with subject tracking on face ?
What do you think about new V1.4 firmware ? i tried street photo with auto area eye people in mode A, af-c, af-on, 70mm F/2.8 and yellow boxes happened only few times even being closer or further from people in the street. Not reliable, no idea why.
Hello Barry, I just bought a z7 in this video you use what trigger? will it work on my camera too and can it sync to my sb5000 speedlight? for high speed photography , greetings and congratulations for your channel that I see from Monterrey Mexico
Had my first session with this camera today. What mode would you use for two rambunctious little girls 🤭?
I would recommend testing out all the af modes and seeing which one suits you the most.
Thank u!
Hi Barry will this work on the Nikon Z6?
I believe so.
Crazy AF system!!!
I know I keep saying you can select subject tracking from which ever AF mode you are in however you can only select it from full area af mode , I would love to see Nikon implement this so we could use it no matter what AF mode we are in. So how do you use subject tracking?
function 2 set up
Just before I am heading out to shoot a fashion show. This video is exactly what I needed. Thank you Barry!
This is the most helpful advice that I saw. Now working much better, thank you a lot!
Никита Сиряк awesome pleased it helped!
Thanks I watched his video and to maintain my G rating I will refrain from my real thoughts about him. I have the Z6 MKII and have found the subject tracking to be quick and intuitive.
Great Video thanks
Thank you!
Nikon z611 is not supported by Adobe or capture 1 yet
How do you import pics into Lightroom
Adobe have yet to release an update there are a few videos on TH-cam showing a short term work around.
That's weird, I downloaded a grouping of z6II raw files and they imported just fine, plus the camera profiles were in lightroom.
Works and with tamron or sigma lenses too? So fast.
Works just the same on the Z6 in my experience. If it's improved on the Z6II, bonus.
Raymond Parker yes works great across the range.
Have you got any videos on the red box that keeps anything in that area in focus?
should be alot better with firmware TODAY
Great video. I have tried the steps in this video a few times and it isn't working for me but I can't fathom what I am doing wrong. Whilst watching the video I already have the FN1 to subject tracking and when I press it whilst in dynamic AF, nothing happen. I have checked that the focus mode is AF-C too which it is.
You can only use that function whilst in full area AF, I followed this video up with another correcting what I said 😬
thanks... this saved my life... perfect.
very helpful thank you:)
Maybe Z6 is different than the Z6ii. I can set this up but the function button only works if I’m already in auto-area AF-C.
That’s the same as the z6ii this is one function I would like to see added to all shooting modes.
Barry great video as I’ve taken the plunge and bought a Z6ii. I can’t find subject tracking on my f1 menu. Any idea what I’m doing wrong. Cheers Mick
under F2
Well done. Subscribed.
Thank you appreciate it man.
Thanks for that, it is good tip 👍
Thanks for the tip!!! Fantastic
I like Noah's chain
Thanks man
Nice one, I've had the Z6 II since it came out and just went out and used it. I never really sat down and investigated the subject tracking and custom Fn buttons, so I'm glad I watched this and have set up the function button as described, so thanks for giving a good insight on what to do.
I'm trying to tell everyone, and no one will hear me. Please don't take this the wrong way. I mean no offense. As soon as youtuber's start to type or say things like "debunking the myth of", you're killing the brand. The language takes whatever problem I'm focused on and places it front and center as a big enough problem to be "debunked". Or WORSE, it highlights a problem I didn't think, or know, was a problem. I have two BH photo windows open right now, one filled with Canon and one filled with Nikon. A video likes this stops me in my tracks. I watched this happen to Olympus over the last 16 months... every video focused on perceived problems, and proving them wrong (somewhat ineffectively too). Instead of focusing on what it could really do - it is not a good look. It places the perceived problem first, and that's very sticky.
I suggest replacing a hypothetical phrase of "here I debunk the myth that it's hard to use" simply with "My Z6II XYZ feature is so easy to use, I love it. Let me show you."
Otherwise, now I stop and attempt to discover if what this other person said is true, for me, or not. This is in direct opposition to me just thinking the camera is easy to use. After watching your video, and I have seen the other video you are speaking of, I think the truth is it's a comparison. It's not so much that's it's awkward, period. It's that it's more awkward than ... that other camera that just does this same thing without the pressing of any buttons.
Keep up the good work, but I highly recommend the discontinuation of the words "debunk" or "myth" from the vernacular like yesterday. Watch almost any Robin Wong video and then try to convince yourself to buy an Olympus camera. Like, actually load the camera and some lenses into the cart at BH and see if you feel really hesitant to click that buy button. Despite the fact that these are actually awesome little cameras, you might instead focus on all of those problems instead. You'll see what I mean rather quickly. You'll also notice the infighting in your own comments.
From the outside as a semi-pro consumer who is about to purchase one of these brands, here's what it looks like. The Nikon provides more value, especially when you consider the price of the 1.8 S primes. The initial cost to get the camera and the two major zooms (oops that 70-200 isn't ready yet) is not enough of a difference in price to sway me, about $1000 more for the canon overall. But the price of the 1.2 L glass is really prohibitive, and they look large and heavy. The Nikon lenses look fabulous in seeing images on Flickr, they also seem smaller and lighter - something welcome. Nikons most recent layoffs doesn't look good, and who wants to invest in a company that is on the edge? No 70-200 yet, questionable FTZ adapter, and Ken Rockwell saying "don't buy it", Fro railing while loving at the same time, Taylor saying any deficiencies don't bother him at all and he works around them to get the glass and lighter weight. Then the "defense" videos and "defense" comments start, and it becomes increasingly difficult to make the decision. That's the over-all landscape to a prospective photography educated buyer, right now. Nikon needs ground game, right now, without defense. Just unapologetic ground game.
I think the defence and attack comment are inevitable as many are loyal brand, choosing a camera should always come down to how you will use it and your budget, I will reiterate what I say In Many videos that there are no bad cameras on the market today , and while every camera is not perfect it’s down to the user to understand the tool to get the best out of it. I totally understand what you mean regarding Olympus, such a shame what happen and you can’t help feel that social influence had a factor in that, I personally love Olympus cameras and until I used the Nikon Z system they were top of my list for the most fun camera to use and best looking! I believe the 70-200 s is available now? One thing it will stand by and this is subjective, the quality of image you will get out of Z system is the best I have ever seen and that is why I choose this system as that is what is most important to me, so when looking to buy a new camera people should focus on what they want from a camera and that will make the choice easier regardless what someone on TH-cam talk about. Appreciate the comment thanks.
@@BarryMountford by the way, check ken Rockwell’s newest video. He’s showing off a 3rd party adapter that puts Ef lenses on a s body with autofocus and aperture control. That could be a big deal for the s cameras
Jay Harper thanks exciting times ahead I think!
Did Nikon fix the VF lag in the Z6 II AF and tracking?
Af tracking yes, vf lag is something I have not been aware of even in the Z6 will be testing the video more for upcoming videos so will look at that.
@@BarryMountford Thanks Barr. I forgot which tuber said that, but he did say he experienced it on the 6 (I).
I am in the midst of choosing between the Olympus and upgrading to the Z6 II. They are my only two options.
My major reason is size and weight of the system (i.e. body and 600mm eff focal length), plus body features and functions.
I am eliminating APSC, even though it would have been an ok option, but my study of the XT4 is not there for me. My wife has the Nikon D500 and I had two APSC's before my current D750.
Michael Miller Bryant’s tough choice both great cameras! I am a fan of renting lenses and cameras before buying makes the decision much easier.
@@BarryMountford Thanks Barry. I did rent it for a week and took it and the 300mm (600) and the 12-40 (24-80) to Cape May, NJ.
I did like the body functions and features, some of which do not exist on any other camera. Both lenses were very sharp.
When I finish developing Cape May, I will have a better idea of how well the sensor size held up. So far so good. If I switch to the 6-II, I will have the FTZ cost and new cards and extra batteries. I made a spreadsheet of what the size and cost of the individual systems will cost me, with a bare bones investment in just two Olympus lenses, the 12-40 and the 100-400. I will save nothing on the 6-II weight.
And, thank You So Much for your responses. I see it's 3:11PM in London.
Good luck with your choice.
Barry, honest opinion is the Z6 to Z6ii upgrade worth it?
If you don’t need 4K 60fps better af and dual card slot then I would say no, the Z6 still is an awesome camera, could still do most of what I do now with the Z6II with the Z6, so I suppose it really all comes down to will it make a difference in your photography?
@@BarryMountford cheers Barry. Getting more into wildlife and looking at birds in flight thought maybe improve af. Love my Z6 and the couple of Z lenses I’ve got.
@@mickbryan8908 I Did see a big difference in af when I went out photographing birds you can see the results in my other video.
@@BarryMountford cheers Barry I’ll have a look.
Barry thanks for the advice and videos. Taken the plunge and upgraded. Just wish I’d realised I needed to upgrade the firmware on my ftz before I got rid of my Z6.
Maybe worth a quick video if you get the time. I found no mention before I swapped. Cheers
Good video but the camera is called the Z6 II, not the Mark II, Canon uses the "Mark" designation for their cameras.
Try the Canon EOS R5 or R6 and you will see the difference in Tracking and Animal Eye Autofocus. Nikon Z6 II is 2 generations behind. This comes from a former Nikon user. For Wildlife there is nothing better on the market now.
Yes that’s a great camera also!
Wait for Nikon updates
@@asusbose Wait...forever!!!
Yea but the R5 is more than twice the price of the Z6ii and the R6 is also quite a lot more expensive than the Z6ii, plus, The Z6ii pretty much has it’s advantages over the R5/R6 too even though the lower price point
Stefan, I have been seeing reports of superior noise and focus performance of the R6 wrt Z6 ii, which is great. However the Z6 ii comes in at 80% the price of R6. The noise differences become clear at higher than 10000 ISOs. Also, the video stabilization, focus transition and exposure change performance of the Z6 ii has been reported as superior to R6, not to mention the overheating problem of the latter. I started as a Canon shooter, but switched to Nikon because of the premium they have been charging in the beginner to mid level segments compared to the competition. The Z6 ii hardware hopefully will get drivers to better harness its potential... yeah 20fps bursts, glitchfree focus feedback, and blackout free evf are some highly desirable places for Z6ii to catch up on... or are they going to keep this locked up for their flagship... Only time will tell...