GroovyGeek wrote: Vento wrote: GroovyGeek wrote:
A whole host of changes and focus shift shooting is still buried 3 clicks deep in a menu. How stupid is that? And how long will Nikon maintain the stupidity? It has been at least 6 years so I am thinking here is no hope for those of us that actually use this function somewhat regularly. If I ever switch to Canon that may be the reason.
I don't see the problem.
Just put the "focus shift function" in the I-menu and you'll have quick access to it.
Alternatively, if it's really used that often, set it as the first entry in My Menu and then assign a button to My Menu - first entry.
That way, you can access the focus shift menu/settings at the touch of a button.
What else can Nikon do? Use My Menu as the first entry and, for example, assign My Menu to FN2, and you'll have access to the Focus Shift function at the touch of a button.
It wouldn't be any faster with a dedicated button exclusively for Focus Shift,.
"My Menu" assigned to a function key with focus shift as the first entry in "My menu" achieves the same result, instant access to focus shift settings at the touch of a button.
I have been doing these things for years and they are not nearly enough. My topical usage is flowers or twigs inches away from the lens, with some large object as the background. Every fraction of an inch in position matters. Clearances are often small so tripod is not an option.
What Nikon forces me to do is
1) recall the top my menu item, which I have assigned to the never used video button. So far so good
2) but now I have to press the OK button to initiate the stack. I can do that either with the pencil head or the middle of the selector button. The pencil head is reasonably close by but unless you press it perfectly you don't trigger ok. And the OK button is too far away so you have to move your hand to press it. Both result in subtle movements and changes in composition.
3) And then Nikon adds insult to injury. The stupid, pointless screen blackout with the "preparing" message. All along you are praying that you have held steady enough not to completely mess up the composition.
4) Last but not least, a meaningful fraction of the time the focus stack will not complete, leaving the camera in a weird state that can only be cleared by turning off the camera.
On the off chance that someone from Nikon is reading let me spell it out for them how it should be.
a) user sets the camera in focus shift mode
b) user presses the shutter release button
c) camera takes a stack with no delay and no screen blackout.
You are welcome, Nikon. Now fix that abomination of an UI you have.
Here is an example of what I am talking about. Each of the flowers is maybe 1/4 inch across. The patch is a few inches across. My camera is an inch off the ground resting on the toe of my boot and maybe two inches away from the closest flower. Tripod is not an option.
In essence you have a very corner scenario in that you want to do DoF stacking without the camera being mounted on anything. Very few people do that as I am sure you are aware.
I have 2 of the larger ones, light, sturdy, super compact and enables to get super low (depending on the type of head you mount on top of it) and very close to the subject (depending on the length of your lens). The Delta may be best for your applications.
If not I would agree, move to another brand. Another option would be to contact a Nikon representative and to try to explain your use case and why the current UI generates some friction?
GroovyGeek wrote: Vento wrote: GroovyGeek wrote:
A whole host of changes and focus shift shooting is still buried 3 clicks deep in a menu. How stupid is that? And how long will Nikon maintain the stupidity? It has been at least 6 years so I am thinking here is no hope for those of us that actually use this function somewhat regularly. If I ever switch to Canon that may be the reason.
I don't see the problem.
Just put the "focus shift function" in the I-menu and you'll have quick access to it.
Alternatively, if it's really used that often, set it as the first entry in My Menu and then assign a button to My Menu - first entry.
That way, you can access the focus shift menu/settings at the touch of a button.
What else can Nikon do? Use My Menu as the first entry and, for example, assign My Menu to FN2, and you'll have access to the Focus Shift function at the touch of a button.
It wouldn't be any faster with a dedicated button exclusively for Focus Shift,.
"My Menu" assigned to a function key with focus shift as the first entry in "My menu" achieves the same result, instant access to focus shift settings at the touch of a button.
I have been doing these things for years and they are not nearly enough. My topical usage is flowers or twigs inches away from the lens, with some large object as the background. Every fraction of an inch in position matters. Clearances are often small so tripod is not an option.
What Nikon forces me to do is
1) recall the top my menu item, which I have assigned to the never used video button. So far so good
2) but now I have to press the OK button to initiate the stack. I can do that either with the pencil head or the middle of the selector button. The pencil head is reasonably close by but unless you press it perfectly you don't trigger ok. And the OK button is too far away so you have to move your hand to press it. Both result in subtle movements and changes in composition.
3) And then Nikon adds insult to injury. The stupid, pointless screen blackout with the "preparing" message. All along you are praying that you have held steady enough not to completely mess up the composition.
4) Last but not least, a meaningful fraction of the time the focus stack will not complete, leaving the camera in a weird state that can only be cleared by turning off the camera.
On the off chance that someone from Nikon is reading let me spell it out for them how it should be.
a) user sets the camera in focus shift mode
b) user presses the shutter release button
c) camera takes a stack with no delay and no screen blackout.
You are welcome, Nikon. Now fix that abomination of an UI you have.
Here is an example of what I am talking about. Each of the flowers is maybe 1/4 inch across. The patch is a few inches across. My camera is an inch off the ground resting on the toe of my boot and maybe two inches away from the closest flower. Tripod is not an option.
In essence you have a very corner scenario in that you want to do DoF stacking without the camera being mounted on anything. Very few people do that as I am sure you are aware.
I have 2 of the larger ones, light, sturdy, super compact and enables to get super low (depending on the type of head you mount on top of it) and very close to the subject (depending on the length of your lens). The Delta may be best for your applications.
If not I would agree, move to another brand.
Cheers,
Bernard
Aug 28, 2025 at 08:27 PM
Previous versions of bernardl's message #16879935 « Z6III Firmware 2.00 now available »
