p.51 #1 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
I'm enjoying having the shutter button handle the exposure/focus and set the AF-On button on the back to activate 3D. I'm most comfortable with this and it works for me. Everyone may be different, and this camera allows for that.
p.51 #2 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
RoamingScott wrote:
Backbutton autofocus was more of a holdover of the "focus and recompose" era. Maybe I'm a minority, but I really like my primary focus being on shutter and secondary on AFON instead of the old school way.
I became a big believer in back button AF specifically with the focus and recompose but now it's become the default for using AF-C all the time and if I want AF-S I simply release the back button (I do not use AF-S anymore because of this... mostly), I can also press Fn2 as custom wide area 1x1 (single point) if I want more precise focus but I must admit, pressing all these buttons with my thumbs and fingers I'm starting to feel like I'm playing the clarinet, but the more I use it the more I'm getting used to it. With the Z8 I'm learning to trust the AF a lot more that I previously did (with Z6 and DSLR's before).
p.51 #3 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
wjmeyer wrote:
I became a big believer in back button AF specifically with the focus and recompose but now it's become the default for using AF-C all the time and if I want AF-S I simply release the back button (I do not use AF-S anymore because of this... mostly), I can also press Fn2 as custom wide area 1x1 (single point) if I want more precise focus but I must admit, pressing all these buttons with my thumbs and fingers I'm starting to feel like I'm playing the clarinet, but the more I use it the more I'm getting used to it. With the Z8 I'm learning to trust the AF a lot more that I previously did (with Z6 and DSLR's before)....Show more →
Precisely my point. Don't buy a Z8 to use 3 fingers to take an Auto Area AF-C picture. Trust your $4000 camera and adapt to modern principles. Just one guy's opinion that used to BBF on my old Canons because that was THE way to get the shot. That's old, ancient news.
p.51 #4 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
It’s only old ancient news to you and you are one person. I still use bbf on my Z9 and find it to work amazingly well for my needs just like on my D5 that I still use. It’s muscle memory for me between platforms and works for the action I photograph. If I need to solve a problem requiring me to change then I will. Until then I will happily continue to use bbf.
p.51 #5 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
I said it was my opinion. BBF is an inefficient way of setting one's MILC camera up in the age of modern edge to edge full time AF-C. I don't care what you do.
p.51 #6 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
dcisive wrote:
I'm enjoying having the shutter button handle the exposure/focus and set the AF-On button on the back to activate 3D. I'm most comfortable with this and it works for me. Everyone may be different, and this camera allows for that.
Please explain in a little more detail what you do.
You must be leaving something out here because you do not mention the focusing mode you are using before 3D
What is your initial focusing mode before you press the AF-On button to activate 3D.
p.51 #8 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
1bwana1 wrote:
I am holding good thoughts for you on this one!!!!
Hi
I am beginning to like this Z8/500PF combination. Getting used to the smaller buttons and beginning to learn some of the AF functions.
The 500PF's AF is noticeably quicker and more decisive with the Z8 than with my D850.
Not so with the video AF though...... but I am sure that is because I have not learned it yet. The video AF better work fast and accurately because that is one of the main reasons I decided to go with the Z8 or Z9.
So I thought I would tell you that things are looking up
p.51 #9 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
RoamingScott wrote:
Precisely my point. Don't buy a Z8 to use 3 fingers to take an Auto Area AF-C picture. Trust your $4000 camera and adapt to modern principles. Just one guy's opinion that used to BBF on my old Canons because that was THE way to get the shot. That's old, ancient news.
I had considered that but how do I use shutter button as af-s when I’d rather keep af-c as the default, to me that’s where bbaf gives me the advantage, but I’m open to ideas.
p.51 #11 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
Interesting to hear such strong opinions on how one should set up the camera. ;-)
I use AF-ON to activate autofocus because I don't want to have to flick switches that change modes when I'm photographing. When I put the camera on tripod, I can manual focus without flicking a switch (whether AF or MF lens is mounted), or I can use AF on a specific point (usually when I'm using a tripod, I prefer manual focus as I need to consider not only a single point but optimizing the near-to-far sharpness). When the camera is on tripod I then refine my composition and check focus, and when I press take the picture (usually via MC-30A, WR-R10, or by pressing shutter button with exposure delay mode (on the Z8, self-timer as EDM isn't yet available) I don't want the camera to go on focusing on its own. I might take multiple exposures at different settings and I need everything else to stay exactly as I set them. Sometimes when doing close-ups in cluttered environments, I'm necessitated to using shallow depth of field and I have to focus by assessing the image visually rather than deciding to have a specific spot sharp and not caring about the other parts of the image. When I'm doing a group photo of multiple people, I sometimes use a tripod in order to control keystoning and to be able to ensure that the camera hasn't moved between shots. This helps if it should come to the point where I have to copy a face from another shot into the main shot to get eyes open on everyone. It would be awful if the camera went on focusing on its own between frames.
When shooting people or other moving subjects, I do use autofocus and I let the camera help me with that. Nice that I don't need to change any settings to go from manual to autofocus, I just press and hold a button that conveniently is labeled "AF-ON". How cool is that! Want manual focus? Turn the ring. Want autofocus? Press an hold the AF-ON button. It doesn't get more convenient than that. Flicking that A/M switch on the lens has to be the loudest sound that this equipment can produce, and I'd rather it be silent. Thankfully I don't have to use that switch. I would, however, like to have a dedicated VR switch either on the lens or on the camera body, as having to go into the menu for that is a bit of a pain. How the Z VR works is fantastic, but turning it on and off is just not convenient.
Menus? Unfortunately I have to use the menus daily. These cameras got so complex and I shoot a variety of subjects which require their own settings. I go into the menu to set ADL, subject type, exposure delay mode (on cameras that have that), flash group compensation settings, auto ISO minimum shutter speed, VR ON/SPORT/OFF, video recording settings (Electronic VR, Hi-Res Zoom, video quality settings), to activate automatic focus bracketing (Nikon call this focus shift shooting), etc. Although I can use My Menu and i menu to get to most of these things, those are still menus and unfortunately when I go from one type of subject to another, I have to go through the settings to get anything done. It is what it is.
Jun 17, 2023 at 02:11 AM
duncang Offline • • • [X]
p.51 #12 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
bs kite wrote:
Also, with MILC, if the AF squares are red/green and you cannot see the red vs green.......then you cannot shoot the camera.
Why not set the camera's AF-C Priority Selection(a1) to Focus - then you don't have to worry as the camera won't take images if it is out of focus.
p.51 #13 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
duncang wrote:
Why not set the camera's AF-C Priority Selection(a1) to Focus - then you don't have to worry as the camera won't take images if it is out of focus.
I am going to test out your good suggestion completely this season. Thank you
p.51 #14 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
In the Nikon USA Z9 Firmware 4.0 release video it was mentioned Auto Capture will be coming to the Z8 "soon". Apparently Nikon has since edited the video to remove that mention. I'm guessing so they won't be held to any given timetable but it's interesting nonetheless.
p.51 #17 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
bs kite wrote:
Please explain in a little more detail what you do.
You must be leaving something out here because you do not mention the focusing mode you are using before 3D
What is your initial focusing mode before you press the AF-On button to activate 3D.
Is it Wide Area C1?
I use a custom C1 designed box with small box, then I simply hit and hold down the AF-ON button down until I'm through with it. It is not in a locked down position. My other method is to set the system to the 3D mode and use my center focus spot over the subject and half press the shutter button to track, and all the way down to shoot. It's just how I prefer to work. I don't whip the focus spot all over the screen. There's no law that that is THE way to do it.. Yeah I'm old school and it works perfectly for me.
p.51 #18 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
dcisive wrote:
I use a custom C1 designed box with small box, then I simply hit and hold down the AF-ON button down until I'm through with it. It is not in a locked down position. My other method is to set the system to the 3D mode and use my center focus spot over the subject and half press the shutter button to track, and all the way down to shoot. It's just how I prefer to work. I don't whip the focus spot all over the screen. There's no law that that is THE way to do it.. Yeah I'm old school and it works perfectly for me....Show more →
Thanks for sharing how you set up your AF.
I will be experimenting with it in upcoming days. 👏🏻
p.51 #19 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
I sure love my Nikon z8. I had a special place for the DSLR d850.
And I had a Nikon z7 and a z7 ii. The z8 has a lot of features that blow the z7 and z8 out of the water. And although I don't and will not use an SD card, the z8 is nice and it's a medium size. I found the z7's with a grip served me well, but he z8 without a grip is how I'm going to use it. It will be the camera that's smaller and I'll use it for video. And I'll buy a z9 because I absolutely need a grip! The z8 and the z9 are so similar but for different uses ..for me.
And I'm selling a ton of stuff, and getting a proper Nikon with built in grip, the z9. Having a Z8 and a Z9 is going to solve all my problems. I'd say if you need the grip and bigger battery and dual-cards, get the z9. But the z8 will be the little train that could.
I've already shot some billboards, female models using the z8 and it was fabulous. All I can say I'm concerned about is the fact that it's an all electronic shutter. Granted ...electronic is my preference. But you will notice the shortomings if you shoot into LED screens or something like live concerts with a lot of tech. All electronic shutter will give you banding and drop-outs. I'm going to be very happy when I have a z8 and a z9!
..gary in austin. tx
p.51 #20 · Nikon unveils the highly anticipated Z8 camera!
ilkka_nissila wrote:
...Nice that I don't need to change any settings to go from manual to autofocus, I just press and hold a button that conveniently is labeled "AF-ON". How cool is that! Want manual focus? Turn the ring. Want autofocus? Press an hold the AF-ON button. It doesn't get more convenient than that. Flicking that A/M switch on the lens has to be the loudest sound that this equipment can produce, and I'd rather it be silent. Thankfully I don't have to use that switch. I would, however, like to have a dedicated VR switch either on the lens or on the camera body, as having to go into the menu for that is a bit of a pain. How the Z VR works is fantastic, but turning it on and off is just not convenient. ...Show more →
This is exactly how I've been using MF lately, I have my MF assist in blue and it lets me know anytime I accidently bump the focus ring, but it's allowed me to get shots I wouldn't have gotten had I been using AF with shutter button, I had a squirrel the other day right nearby and I could not get AF to lock on anything but all the branches in front of him, so I released my thumb did a quick twist of focus ring and snapped a few shots before he darted off.
I don't think there is anything wrong with someone choosing to use shutter for AF because it may work for their shooting style, and even though I don't use focus/recompose that often anymore I still think there are some advantages to BBAF that help me with my shooting style.
One comment I did want to make in reference to your comment about VR, if you're talking about the Z series, I am pretty sure these can detect tripod use and automatically shutoff the IBIS system, I am not certain what happens when you are using a Z mount lens with VR but I'd be curious if the Z body will shut that off too, might be something worth looking into.
