Re: Nikon Lens Control Ring - How do you configure and why?
It's exposure compensation, for me. Basically becomes "override auto ISO".
I hear complaints that this is somehow easily bumped or accidentally changed, but ... I am looking at the image in real time via the viewfinder (or on occasion, the rear screen) and gosh if I don't notice on the rarest of occasions where it finds a way to self-adjust. And on the earlier lenses (70-200/2.8S, 50/1.2S come most easily to mind) that ring is recessed almost up against the body. I'm genuinely confused as to how you would touch that by accident except when changing lenses. Heck, it's not even that convenient to touch on purpose, which I assume is why they moved it up to the same diameter as focus/zoom on the Sii.
I think of it as a companion to Fn1/Fn2 on the front of the Z8; we have extra buttons, why not have an extra ring?
The click feature on the Sii models... I mean, I get it, but it makes it somewhat more difficult to operate with my right index finger, so I'm occasionally leaving it de-clicked. Otherwise, though, it's nice to have the option to switch from "turn until it looks right" and instead let my left brain run the show: "give it give it six blorps over to get two stops up".
Anyway, the other choices make no real sense to me. Aperture — we have a thumb dial already set for that, and for good reason, though you can make a great argument for having this set that way for video. ISO — generally I'm an auto-ISO guy, but if I weren't, I'd choose this. And then it'd be basically the same as I use it now, except I'd have to adjust it for most shots instead of just a few. And... that's it. We only get three choices. I'd like more, frankly, especially now with the click/detent option. We'll see what they bring.
Anyway, stills: Exposure compensation and Auto-ISO. Video: Aperture. Museum archival shoots, I guess(?): ISO.
Re: Nikon Lens Control Ring - How do you configure and why?
It's exposure compensation, for me. Basically becomes "override auto ISO".
I hear complaints that this is somehow easily bumped or accidentally changed, but ... I am looking at the image in real time via the viewfinder (or on occasion, the rear screen) and gosh if I don't notice on the rarest of occasions where it finds a way to self-adjust. And on the earlier lenses (70-200/2.8S, 50/1.2S come most easily to mind) that ring is recessed almost up against the body. I'm genuinely confused as to how you would touch that by accident except when changing lessons. Heck, it's not even that convenient to touch on purpose, which I assume is why they moved it up to the same diameter as focus/zoom on the Sii.
I think of it as a companion to Fn1/Fn2 on the front of the Z8; we have extra buttons, why not have an extra ring?
The click feature on the Sii models... I mean, I get it, but it makes it somewhat more difficult to operate with my right index finger, so I'm occasionally leaving it de-clicked. Otherwise, though, it's nice to have the option to switch from "turn until it looks right" and instead let my left brain run the show: "give it give it six blorps over to get two stops up".
Anyway, the other choices make no real sense to me. Aperture — we have a thumb dial already set for that, and for good reason, though you can make a great argument for having this set that way for video. ISO — generally I'm an auto-ISO guy, but if I weren't, I'd choose this. And then it'd be basically the same as I use it now, except I'd have to adjust it for most shots instead of just a few. And... that's it. We only get three choices. I'd like more, frankly, especially now with the click/detent option. We'll see what they bring.
Anyway, stills: Exposure compensation and Auto-ISO. Video: Aperture. Museum archival shoots, I guess(?): ISO.
Aug 26, 2026 at 09:31 PM
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