9 BEST NIKON Z SERIES (Z5,Z6,Z7,Z9) SETTINGS I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

What’s your favourite Nikon hack or shortcut?

[@wrenwall9637]

I adored this video. I’ve been living under a rock, been taking portraits for over 6 years and I know that my game needed to be stepped up, thankful for some personal advice that is explained super well. Also I never have to pause the video and rewatch, I understand every thing that first time which is awesome I don’t know if it’s the way he pauses when he talks or the speed of his explanation but it’s incredible for this ADD brain haha. Thanks so much! Bought the Z5 yesterday based off of your other video of the z5

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s really awesome to hear. Thank you!

[@sampillsbury8114]

Solved many of my problems. Answered questions I didn't know enough to ask. I implemented eight of the recommendations. Excellent.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

How wonderful 🙌

[@_ArsNova]

Solid tips, really appreciate it and the clear instructions. Especially moving the half-press autofocus, I've always hated that. Great if you're doing point-and-shoot photography, but not much else.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks mate. Glad I can help.

[@PeterWigenBjarnoe]

5. Re-center Focus Point: I use the OK button for magnification in both shooting and preview. You can simply press the joystick (that moves the focus point) to re-center the focus point. I think it's a shame to have the same function on two buttons that sit right next to each other. And I like watching your videos as they are entertaining and informative.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks mate. Since your comment I've made my joystick 200% magnification while shooting and my OK still as re-centre. It's really cool. Thank you!

[@ConnectingDots00]

Though 8 of 9 settings already matched yours, the simple act of assigning Playback to Fn1 has made a HUGE difference for me! Thanks a lot.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Awesome.

[@CarolineCantellow]

Really helpful, particularly the back button focus, thank you

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Stoked to hear that. Thanks.

[@timbishop3900]

The Fn2 trick is great. I set it to this previously but I didn't realize the f dial cycled through the modes so I changed the assignment to something else. Now seeing this I am going back. Thank You!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Stoked I could help.

[@Jacob-dunne]

My z5 is coming by December, I’m upgrading from the d5500, I’ll definitely be applying some of these settings, somthing I found on my d5500 a while back when I was getting used to the menus was my fn button, I set it to wifi connectivity so I can instantly download my photos, which is handy because in wildlife I like to do stuff quick, great video mate

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s very clever 👏👏👏 thanks heaps for sharing and enjoy the z5.

[@Ddronron1]

One word: TERRIFIC! Thanks so much for your excelllent advice. Really appreciate your taking the time to share this great information.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s very kind of you to say. Thanks so much.

[@xeniamarin5950]

Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks! What a difference they make. Appreciate it!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Super glad to hear that. Thank you :)

[@stephensmall2573]

Great video. I specially liked the Speed Preview Scroll with Shutter Dial.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks heaps legend.

[@jimwlouavl]

Thanks for the helpful tips. My favorite hack is using the center of the joystick as my af-on. I use the joystick to position the focus point and then press to focus.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks Jim. Yeah that is a really good one. Thanks for sharing.

[@KrisFlint]

Very helpful, thanks heaps Ralph, all the best Kris.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Glad it was helpful! Cheers Kris.

[@joha5314]

This was very helpful, thanks! Favourie was to scroll trough playback, instead op the ok button.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s awesome to hear. Thanks for commenting.

[@sunking9050]

Using the video record button to cycle focus area mode on my Z8 is my favorite custom setting. Back button AF I take for granted...must do !

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s a good one.

[@yadiratackett7897]

I'm learning a lot from you're videos thank you 😊 🙏🏼

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s awesome to hear.

[@jerianlewis1708]

Thanks for this information... this will definitely come in handy

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

So good to hear mate 🙌

[@carolinestella6725]

Excellent and very helpful.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

So good to hear :)

[@baronio2]

Soooooo.... even if I see the "likes" are 1234, I'm sorry but I need to break this magic number and put also my Like :) so now it is 123"5" :) BRILLIANT suggestions!!!! I applied all of those after your video in my Z6II. YOU'RE my Idol!!! TKS!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Hahaha someone had to do it lol. Well played. I’m glad it could help ya 👍

[@yadiratackett7897]

Yes thank you 😊

[@rdyn281]

This video was helpful. Question: with the Nikon 5Z is there a way to use an IPhone 15 plus to take shots by Blue tooth and not use the button?

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Yep. There’s a couple of apps. One from Nikon and one other. Both aren’t super reliable as connectivity can drop in and out but they may be worth persisting with :)

[@csc-photo]

Great stuff. I love how customizable these mirrorless bodies are! Subject Tracking activation has a permanent home on Fn2 for me. You’ve given me some new ideas that I’ll try today, thanks!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks so much Craig. Oh yes, that’s a good one. I use my OK button when shooting on the Z5 and Z6 to switch on the tracking.

[@carolinamaristad9369]

​@@RalphMayhewPhotography Thanks a lot for this video. I'll try all the settings. I just bought the Nikon Z5 and I love it already. I have a question. Can you tell me how can I save the files in RAW and JPG format? I tried to do it but it doesn't work. According to the camera it would save in one card RAW and the other one JPG, but it didn't. I'd appreciate a lot if you could help me. Regards❤

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Hi @@carolinamaristad9369 You need to go to MENU - PHOTO SHOOTING MENU - IMAGE QUALITY - NEF (RAW) + JPEG fine, that should do the trick :)

[@carolinamaristad9369]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography You just saved me, thanks a lot! I just did it, but it was 2 identical options but the one had a star... what does it mean? I already set my camera with the tricks you mentioned. I can't wait to use it. Hugs😘😘😘

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Glad to hear it :) Image quality options with a star next to them use compression intended to ensure maximum quality; the size of the files varies with the scene. Options without a star use a type of compression designed to produce smaller files; files tend to be roughly the same size regardless of the scene recorded.

[@JRodPhotoArt]

Very helpful setup information Ralph, thank you for posting this one! Have a great day !

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Super appreciate this comment. Thank you 🙏

[@billj5645]

I like back button focus for action but I'm usually shooting portrait mode and it is harder to reach the button. I'm going to try assigning that to F1 or F2. And BTW most of these you mention I've already heard of but this is a good reminder that I want to try them.

[@maxbiho]

Thank you

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

I’m glad it could help.

[@phistomefel6924]

Hi Ralph, thanks for your extremely helpful comments! My Z5 however doesn't save these custom settings, exiting the menu does not suffice. I might have to consult the manual ...

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Really?!?! That’s unusual. Do you mean that you can’t get the settings to register or that once you turn it off it all resets to how it was?

[@malikdhadhalinux]

In 2012 I discovered EASY ISO on my D7000 and since then I'm a huge fan. Using it 90% of the time in aperture priority. The D7200 also has it with the D750 as well, last week when I tried out a Z6 i was utterly disappointed to the fact that it was removed....

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That is frustrating. So now you’d need to press the iso button and use the rear dial rather than just the front dial. I rarely shoot Aperture mode but u destined your frustration.

[@misaza26]

Thank you, very helpful

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Stoked to hear that. Thanks.

[@christopherpitstock8144]

One that I have setup is to use the video record button to change the metering mode by holding down the button and using the back scroll wheel to change it whilst in stills mode.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Oh that’s a good one.

[@a.nareshkumar8536]

i love it brother TQ....

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

So good!!

[@dexterpeart9058]

Great video....

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks.

[@philoupc2239]

Thank you so much for this video !

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks so much. That’s awesome.

[@amyjensen9264]

Holy cats! So helpful! Thank you~

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

So good to hear!!

[@wurstercreative]

excellent !! Thanks so much.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Awesome to hear. Thanks.

[@igeisendoerfer]

Really great thanks a lot

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks so much. Glad I could offer something helpful :)

[@luizneto9424]

Thanks man

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

My pleasure.

[@victortrifonov491]

Thank you! Great!!!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

So good to hear!

[@johnheaps2496]

Ralph why when I focus on the Z5 do I get a green dot in the middle of the focus box and sometimes I don't? I'm in AF-S and Wide area (small).

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Could be there’s not enough light contrast when focussing. So it focusses pretty close but not locked in. Try finding the edge of something between dark and light and see if that results in a. Green square.

[@texasmarshalls]

Can you share how to get the Menu out of viewfinder and on the monitor? I somehow changed this.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

There’s a little button on the outside of your view finder. When you press it you’ll experience different monitor settings.

[@jessicaeiss2541]

How come your channel doesn't have the option to save your videos? This is worthwhile keeping handy in a YT saved folder. Thanks for the good info.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Awww thank you. I just checked. It does have a save function. Hit the three little dots below the left hand side of the video and you’ll see the option pop up 👍

[@MADBAMtv]

In the dial review, you can use the front to jump every 10 photos

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Yes good call. Thanks 👏

[@y2kbugs]

im actually doing almost same setting 😊 ❤

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Awesome job.

[@mattcero1]

For the Z5 audio settings, can you select mic level as well as line level for the mic port? Thanks mate.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

No. You can’t change line in audio on the camera.

[@mahmoudelmanakhly9329]

I have nikon d3500 it old and also pre-intery camera but still give me amazing photos I bought z5 from two day but I compare between two cameras photo you know d3500 still strong question is what is this camera to give me this resulted although in very low light with kit lens ... Plz answer me waiting you

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Hi Mate, I’m sorry I’m not sure what question you’re asking.

[@mahmoudelmanakhly9329]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography sorry if my question is not clear but what I want to say nikon d3500 still stronger more than Z5 I am chocked ... Nikon d3500 has secret I search about it but not find to be better than any camera I used before .. do you pas like that before old camera comes better than new one?

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Just because a camera is new. Doesn’t mean it’s better than an older one that works for you 👍

[@Ragnovlod]

Was that helpful? YES! and short and sweet.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Epic! Thanks mate.

[@rdyn281]

I own the Nikon Z5 and am using the Nikon Z 24-200 lens. On some occasions, horizontal grey lines appear in the shot when shooting a subject against a light beige background. I wish that I could include the image that I'm writing about to give you a better idea of what it looks like. I don't understand what is causing this. Is it from the lens, camera or wrong settings? F/4-6.3 VR, 44mm, auto (ISO51200), 1/800's, elec shutter, F6.3, OEV-incandescent. Thanks for any help in this. Roger

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Hey Roger. Have you googled the issue? I’ve not heard of it before. I wonder if there’s a specific issue with your camera?

[@almostinfamous42]

Yeah scrolling with the control wheels is my favorite thing, I don't know why it's off by default

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

I am so with you on that!!!

[@johnnyneves19]

It's not that your video is bad, I just knew all of these already, so they sound a bit basic to me. Was expecting some next-level customizations but I'm afraid this is as far as we can go with Nikon. I wish I could program an Fn button to lock into eye tracking mode while holding the button, similar to what Sony cameras have been doing for... quite a while now...

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Yeah I hear ya. More versatility and control would be so good!

[@janjachymiak9013]

👍

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

🙏

[@PeterWigenBjarnoe]

2. Speed Preview: On the rear wheel scroll but one image at a time and on the front 10 images at a time. I don't think you got that right in the video.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Hi Peter, I checked it and think the vid was correct.

[@valentingherman-p3p]

give me please some lens gift :)))

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Why?

[@sgunn711]

My Z5 is set w/ Fn1 for image review it's only showing in the EV...it was showing up on 3" screen which was what I liked.... Normally I just use EV to shoot then would hit Fn1 to review on 3" screen...Now it only shows review shot in the EV.. Ques. how do I get it back to shoot w/EV & review on 3" w/Fn1 button??

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Hmm that’s strange. You’ve tried mucking about with the monitor button on the side of the EVF? And changing the setting and then changing it back?

[@sgunn711]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography Yea I did all that type of stuff - I'll call Nikon see what they say thanks

[@sgunn711]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography Hey Ralph just FYI -- I called Nikon to troubleshoot over phone.. the problem was while in 'automatic display switch' mode it was stuck in EV only. not switching to display was the rubber eyecup was obstructing the sensor by a hair - so I pulled it up slightly and it went back to normal..so if you ever get that prob..there you go..