p.16 #2 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
Gary Irwin wrote:
For anyone interested in how the Z9 video AF performs here's a recent example. Of course we have no way of knowing what settings were used but clearly the Z9s AF is struggling...
I don’t think so.
This video does not “clearly" show that the Z9’s AF is struggling.
My Z9 is on its way. I will be doing my own testing of the Z9 in video.
p.16 #3 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
bs kite wrote:
I don’t think so.
This video does not “clearly" show that the Z9’s AF is struggling.
My Z9 is no its way. I will be doing my own testing of the Z9 in video.
I hope to post it here.
The only struggling bit I could see is at 2.00 where the gull is taking off and you can see tracking focus is quite slow so the face went in and out of focus. However, I am not so sure that struggling is the right word. If I recall correctly, Z9 video AF default setting is set for smooth and slowish AF speed so you get smooth transition from out of focus to in focus which is the norm for video.
You can set video focus AF speed to be as fast as still photography but the effect would be rather jarring for normal video.
I think that the videographer used the default AF speed for video which would not be appropriate for that particular scene as the bird flew toward the camera rather than Z9 struggling to keep focus.
p.16 #7 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
suteetat wrote:
The only struggling bit I could see is at 2.00 where the gull is taking off and you can see tracking focus is quite slow so the face went in and out of focus. However, I am not so sure that struggling is the right word. If I recall correctly, Z9 video AF default setting is set for smooth and slowish AF speed so you get smooth transition from out of focus to in focus which is the norm for video.
You can set video focus AF speed to be as fast as still photography but the effect would be rather jarring for normal video.
I think that the videographer used the default AF speed for video which would not be appropriate for that particular scene as the bird flew toward the camera rather than Z9 struggling to keep focus.
And I saw that spot you mention, where the gull takes to flight, right toward the camera.
You are right suteetat: Initially, that would be the suspect reason for the slowness. We hope so. And Gary did say that we do not know the settings.
I wish one of us would do some video focus testing. Have you ever done video? I already know that you are thorough in the testing. I will be doing that video testing too, along with stills. But I will be lucky to have my Z9 by next week. I was one of those who was emailed yesterday that their Z9 is shipped. But, I do not think it has left for the dealer yet, because (as of yesterday late day) the dealer had not gotten a tracking number.
I know a spot, along the edge of an estuary, where several gulls hang out *all the time*. They are on water’s edge, then up for short flight and then back into water’s edge, as they constantly interact. I wear waterproof pants in these situations. I am guessing that this would be a good spot to set up my tripod low, and sit on my boat cushion and just spend time, tring to get to the bottom of Z9 videoing for birds. But, as I said, that will be a while for me.
p.16 #8 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
bs kite wrote:
Thank you.
And I saw that spot you mention, where the gull takes to flight, right toward the camera.
You are right suteetat: Initially, that would be the suspect reason for the slowness. We hope so. And Gary did say that we do not know the settings.
I wish one of us would do some video focus testing. Have you ever done video? I already know that you are thorough in the testing. I will be doing that video testing too, along with stills. But I will be lucky to have my Z9 by next week. I was one of those who was emailed yesterday that their Z9 is shipped. But, I do not think it has left for the dealer yet, because (as of yesterday late day) the dealer had not gotten a tracking number.
I know a spot, along the edge of an estuary, where several gulls hang out *all the time*. They are on water’s edge, then up for short flight and then back into water’s edge, as they constantly interact. I wear waterproof pants in these situations. I am guessing that this would be a good spot to set up my tripod low, and sit on my boat cushion and just spend time, tring to get to the bottom of Z9 videoing for birds. But, as I said, that will be a while for me.
I rarely do video. It is a lot of fun but editing video is not one of my favorite things to do. However, if everything goes as planned, next Thursday, I will go out to get some pictures of spoonbill sandpiper now that a few of them arrived in Thailand during their annual winter migration. If I can find one among hundreds of the local sandpipers, then I definitely would like to video them. Supposedly there are only about 400 of them left in the world. There should be plenty of other water birds to test video as well.
p.16 #9 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
First time in a while I could get out and try the Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS. All are shot with the 1.4x TC except the first image.
Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS, 1/200s f/5.3 at 310.0mm iso100
Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS + Z 1.4x TC, 1/400s f/9.0 at 560.0mm iso220. Cropped about 25%
Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS + Z 1.4x TC, 1/400s f/9.0 at 560.0mm iso220. Cropped about 20%
Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS + Z 1.4x TC, 1/160s f/9.0 at 560.0mm iso80. Cropped about 35%
Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS + Z 1.4x TC, 1/800s f/9.0 at 560.0mm iso320. Cropped about 15%
An unremarkable image of an unremarkable bird. However, I was looking the other way when I saw this bird out the corner of my eye and just swung around, pointed the camera and pressed the AF-ON button and fired away. This is the first shot of a 12 shot sequence and all are perfectly in focus, most are within the frame except the last 2 where I failed to react quick enough with the zoom ring. I doubt I could have got this that quickly with the D500 or D850.
Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS + Z 1.4x TC, 1/3200s f/9.0 at 310.0mm iso2000. Cropped about 25%. No noise reduction applied. It was underexposed and I had to lift it up 1/2 a stop plus boost shadows.
Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS + Z 1.4x TC, 1/400s f/9.0 at 330.0mm iso320
Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS + Z 1.4x TC, 1/400s f/9.0 at 560.0mm iso320. Cropped about 25%
Splish, splash, I was having a bath.
Z9 + Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VRS + Z 1.4x TC, 1/640s f/9.0 at 560.0mm iso360. Cropped about 20%
p.16 #11 · Z9 and Z8 ! : A thread for Z9/Z8 images and *discussion*
RoamingScott wrote:
Seems like it lost focus on the approaching bird WAY too easily.
Also, how is eye AF working outside of the area L box?!
You mean the sequence around starting just before the 31 minute mark? When the gannet flies behind the flax bush stalks. That was the only time I thought it struggled. It got confused by the flax bush but seemed to pick up the gannet once it reappeared. We don't know what settings he was using and he confessed that he is no bird guy.
I am very familiar with that location and it is actually quite a demanding shooting environment. Especially at the time of day he was there and the weather conditions he had.
