Approaching the Scene 074: How To Autofocus Motion With Nikon's Z6 & Z7

I've had a lot of questions about how I'm capturing sharp action shots with my Nikon Z6 and Z7. With firmware updates they've gotten very good at keeping moving subjects auto-focused, but you have to use them a bit differently than DSLRs. In this video I'll demonstrate Auto Area mode, Focus Lock, Eye Detect, Low Light AF and go through how to set up your system to capture motion with these cameras.
Autofocus ("AF") Custom Settings: 00:40
AF Modes: 09:55
AF Area Modes: 12:30
Static Subjects: 21:36
Using Peaking in AF Modes: 23:21
Set up a Nikon Z6 / Z7 Controls & Options: • Set up a Nikon Z6 / Z7...
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Thanks to everyone for the great questions you are sending in. Keep them coming either in the comments below or by emailing me directly.

[@tonyeek9885]

As a new owner of Z50 I find your video on settings and autofocus the very best. Your explanations are really helpful. Thank you very much!!

[@robinjhood71]

I've been looking for good videos on autofocus for the Z50 and this is definitely the best I have seen so far.

[@matthieulecoquil9772]

Wow, you are by far the best content regarding Nikon camera I have ever seen. Everything is well explained in depth. Thank you for this video and all the others. Great job !

[@williambishop6140]

Hudson, thanks much for this very instructive presentation. First time I've ever bookmarked this sort of video! The advice about pressing the OK button when in AF-C, AF-area mode was great!

[@larrybrannin6041]

Just purchased my first Z6 last week and was bewildered by all the settings, especially AF. Now that I watched this gem of a video...bewildered no more. Thank you so much for all of your professional videos. Keep up the good work!

[@mikkovanhatalo]

Just owned my Z6 three days, but I found really good hints in this video! Very well described what everything does and why it does that. Thank you for very informative video!

[@jenhellman2493]

Wow, you are amazing. This is the best video I've seen on the subject. So clear, easy to follow... so many great detailed explanations. Love your soothing tone of voice. Thrilled to find you on KZbin. Will be looking for all your videos in the future. Thank you!

[@_The_Able_Gardener]

😯 OMG . . Finally! I can’t thank you enough for sharing your advice. This information will be invaluable to many of us looking for the same answers which up until now we haven’t found or haven’t been able to understand. Thank you sir and Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎄 Adam (UK)

[@jonbarnard7186]

Great video Hudson. I think your site is probably the best resource on youtube for the Z series cameras. Really useful information from someone who actually uses the cameras rather than just reviewing specs.

[@krisnacater]

Im glad that finally someone who really understand Photography talking about nikon Z6 and Z7 autofocus. Thank you

[@joebecker3107]

Stellar vid man! I've been with Nikon going on 30 yrs now.. I just recently found your channel and you're now my new go to guy for a solid resource and info on new equipment. Thank you for the dedication and time you put in 👍

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Awww. Thanks Joe. Makes my night.

[@sayangupta2586]

This is really helpful and cleared my confusion/dilemma after viewing many other videos. Plan to capture wildlife & birds soon.

[@peterrinkel9970]

Thank you for inspiring me to really use all the autofocus option to find out what the best works for me, and why it didn't always worked out for me before I watched this video. It takes at lot of practice to really get the right focus ( for the most part in moving objects ) all the time. And quickly know what focus settings to use in which situations ( because in a second it is gone )

[@stumpygolf68]

Thanks for this video I just brought a z6 and this has helped me understand the AF so much better. Thanks again Scott

[@petermalone7869]

I just finished watching and can't wait to try your recommendations. Action shots were a frustration....hopefully not anymore! Thanks so much!

[@raylander6329]

I start with thank you. Great and thorough advice on AF for the Z7. Every time I watch one of your videos, I learn something. This is now very clear how things need to be set in continuous vs. single AF. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Looking forward to 2020, and an Africa/Chobe trip with the Z7 and lenses. Thank you for helping us stepping up our game.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Thanks so much Ray! Glad it helped. That sounds like an epic trip. Merry Christmas to you and yours too!

[@03harleycat]

I love the way you have the menu up while you are discussing each option. For this beginner, it is very helpful. Catherine

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

;)

[@RC-gq8nb]

One of the best videos I have seen on the autofocus system for the Z cameras. Thank you so much for doing this, it was very helpful.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Thanks so much for that.

[@bjrnarnordahl8376]

Agree. - Very good video on focus Z6 and Z7 focus system!!

[@gmanp3028]

great video, I've just got a z6 and had a d3100 before, so it was a big difference in features. Im only a beginner but I really love the z6 and also love you videos. Its great to hear from someone who knows what they are talking about. Im now going to watch the next one.

[@paulkirk5760]

Super video and very informative. I've been holding off getting the Z7 because of criticisms about auto focus in action wildlife shots from other youtubers I follow and happy with my D500. You've reassured me, answered just about all the questions I had and provided some really useful tips. Like your style and if Nikon don't come out with w Z8/9 in the next few months might be ready to make the jump into the Z system anyway. You have a new subscriber!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Thanks so much Paul. You'll dig the Z system, I'm sure of that.

[@jeffostroff]

Hudson, thanks for your suggestion for me last week to use the Auto Area AF in video when I was having trouble getting it to focus using the small area single point squares. Once I set the AF area to full screen, it was then tracking my face in video mode. Many times I have no one to set focus for me, so having this find my face and focus on it automatically was a game changer for me, now my videos I shot this week are going much better. I saw you mentioned it again on this video too. I shoot a lot of closeups of my work as well, and often need that small area focus square to focus on a cloesup spot like an electrical outlet to explain what we're doing, so the i Menu is useful for quickly changing that mode.

[@sullit1]

I'll second all of the comments. By far the most clear, concise, and unbiased assessments of the Z system and the autofocus capabilities of the cameras themselves. It is incredibly helpful for an amateur photographer who loves their Nikon amidst their recent criticism. I pre-ordered the Z6 so I've had it for a little over a year now and haven't looked back. But your teaching has just made me love it even more. Thank you for the education.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Thanks for that feedback. It makes my night!

[@cjgetreal]

Thanks Hudson, Great explanation of the z camera autofocusing very helpful in sorting this out. First time I've seen how to use AA AF. Looking forward to trying these modes. Sure seems that if Nikon would do a better presentation on how they have designed the focusing system to be used there would be far less negativity on the Z cameras.

[@DarrenLloydPDX]

Waiting impatiently for the 2020 Portland Thorns season so I can see how the Z6 performs against my D600. This has been something I've been messing with quite a bit since getting the camera so timely and helpful video, especially since many of the reviews/videos I've found haven't re-addressed the AF options in much detail post-2.0+ firmware.

[@jasonthompson2059]

As a relatively new to photography z6 owner, you have helped me immensely with your videos .. very much appreciated man!

[@davidkrugs6466]

Once again a great video on auto focus. I learned a lot, just have to absorb what you said and practice. Thanks so much.

[@SanoyNimbus]

I am looking forward to next years airshows. I must test the auto area AF on fast jets. :) Thanks for an informative video!

[@gplayer01]

Great tips Hudson. Thx and Happy Holidays!

[@firemannss]

OMG! Thank youuuu! I've been struggling with deciding to move away from Nikon to the Sony platform. I've had some great experiences with the Sony AF system. However, I have Nikon glass but want a new camera for all around still shooting (using the Sony RX's for video), and was hesitant about the Z's with all the bad examples of AF-C I've seen. Apparently the update and some some changes on how we've learned to use the AF will solve the problem. Again, thanks so much!

[@gaperklake]

Excellent discussion and demonstration. Thank you,

[@thewood1001]

You have a gift for educating/teaching. Your videos are well done. I'm a new subscriber. Thank you.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Awwww thanks so much for that feedback. It makes my morning.

[@fabshop6359]

Brilliant video, best I’ve seen on autofocus. Cheers from England. Just subscribed.

[@Area319Photography]

Another good & useful video. I'm a Canon R owner & I was able to get some good info from this video.

[@thekingofhearts8687]

Fantastic video!! People complaining about poor autofocus performance of the Nikon Z cameras should really take a moment and try and learn a bit about how to use the camera properly. Ultimately it is up to the photographer to best use the tool at hand!! Thanks for the great video....

[@williamthomas9330]

Hudson, thank you for sharing your experience with Auto-area AF, and for elaborating on the tracking box feature activated by OK while in that mode. I had very good results this afternoon, mostly without using the tracking box, shooting seagulls using my Z6 with Nikon's 300mm f/4 PF lens. A HUGE & PLEASANT surprise was that in the large majority of shots, the camera nailed the gulls' eyes, usually profile shots, even though several of those red focus area rectangles were quickly dancing around on the gull. That could be blind luck, but the statistics are severely outweighed. Fingers crossed that will continue. I installed update 2.2 last week, and my sense is that with the tracking box, the tracking is improved: it's quicker and holds the subject better...though, that's very subjective, of course. I still need to try update 2.2's eye-detect/focus feature on people. After update 2.0, I felt that focus acquired the eyelash as much as the eye itself. One more thought, I wish releasing the AF-ON button would reset the tracking box, once the tracking box feature was already turned on...say by the lower left button, or maybe even the OK button, thus eliminating the need to go back and forth between the AF-ON and OK buttons to activate and reset the tracking box. I'll give that one more thought.

[@davidblack2632]

Great and very useful video. Wishing you a great 2020.

[@tobiensam]

what a great video!!! everything is clear to me now. Thank you so much

[@In-Rainbows]

A high quality presentation. Thank you.

[@davidblack2632]

Happy Holidays! Great video!

[@ddunnum]

I really enjoyed that video. I had much of my Z6 set up as you have yours. That was some nice conformation. The part that was most helpful for me was your discussion of the Auto Area AF. That was very helpful. I learned a lot of little things that made a big difference like the section on not picking a target and the section on setting a target trap... seems you called it something different. The other big one was the hitting the - magnification button to get rid of the "target". That was a big deal for me. I use that a lot but there are times I want to get rid of it and I could not find an easy way to do it. Thanks so much. I really appreciate the way you approach photography Hudson. I know that I am going to get a balanced presentation from you and it will be truthful. This is far from a click bate site and I do appreciate that fact. Thanks

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Thanks so much for that kind feedback. Makes my day. :)

[@markbowley5531]

Hi Hudson, Luv your work and have enjoyed the year. Merry Christmas. oh ye I got a Z6 - 24-70 f4 for my 50th - Awesome!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Congrats! You'll love it.

[@wlacalle]

Thanks for another great Nikon Z video 🙏

[@jeffselfphotography3066]

I needed this video last week before I started my vacation! Now I’m looking at it in the airport while I’m waiting to leave SW Florida. I tried using my Z6 for tracking pelicans and ospreys in flight and failed miserably. I always returned to my D850 to nail the shots. Can’t wait to finish the video to see what I was doing wrong!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Bummer on the timing. Hopefully it will help with the next trip Jeff.

[@caryrules]

Excellent walk through!! Thank you !

[@stanspb763]

I liked your suggestions, primarily because they confirmed what I have found, once you get used to the differences, AFC works really well on the Z cameras. KZbin gurus bah it when pushing other brands but apparently they never learned to use the various modes and their strengths. I do not shoot sports or birds in flight but do shoot a lot of moving subjects with fast lenses wide open and find my keeper rate a lot better than my friend with his Sony a73. I might shoot a ballet or a dim backlit jazz club, usually tethered so a slide show starts from the first shot during the performance, and the keeper rate in low light is better than any of my DSLRs including the D850. In portraits, as environmental or in the studio I can't remember when it missed focus. Pin-point is always 100 dead on. AF Auto Area is magical once you get used to it. I am thinking that either the youtube gurus never bothered to learn it or were so biased from the start that they wrote their scripts before taking any shots. Being able to nail focus all the time at -6ev darkness is nothing like any and DSLR or any other brand mirrorless and for those using MF for still life or using old MF lenses like my 50 1.2 AIS, focus peaking on the Z cameras is a joy to use. My friends with Sony never use peaking because it is not as accurate. I find that AF is not as consistent either on the a73....the eye focus tracks well but not as accurately. What good is good tracking if it does not represent optimum focus?. The S lenses are a joy to use, edge to edge sharpness like no other lenses on the market, and reason enough to switch. I had a Z7 at first because the Z6 was not out yet but traded the 7 for a 6 when the first one reached my city and its low light performance and video quality were easy trade-offs for me against pixel count. I have a D850 and 800 but they sit gathering dust since getting the Z6.

[@bio7021]

Thanks so much really enjoying your videos... very helpful!

[@carlmarch603]

Happy Holidays, Hudson!

[@daviddye7743]

excellent review. discovered features I didn't remember

[@shashivempati9202]

Thank you for this Video. This helped me a lot on using my Z6 autofocus.

[@smkunder1]

Wow, Hudson, these are so helpful ! Thanks

[@JoelDino]

Thank you for the tutorial. Time well spent!

[@wlacalle]

Thanks for another great video !

[@Mariosyjp]

This is just PRICELESS for guys moving from DSLR to mirrorless... I was disappointed that the Z50 doesnt select focus area by touching the screen when looking through the viewfinder but since the auto area is so good, it might not be necessary

[@annagorka2982]

Thank you! Now i finally know how to set AF :))) thx!!!

[@Charlie_YS]

Hudson tus vídeos son muy buenos, thank you 👏👏

[@gregautryphoto]

I'm still struggling with the focus w my z6 after more than a year. This vid points me to some idea for solutions, now I need to find some help.

[@JWPanimation]

Wow, thanks so much for this. I actually asked for this tutorial in a comment for another video. Cheers!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Ha! Proud I do listen. ;)

[@JWPanimation]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Of all the Photography KZbinrs, you and Kai are by far the best. Happy Holidays!

[@ronboe6325]

Thanks! Never even knew about some of these features.....

[@doncoffey1606]

Interesting & informative

[@thirdson2441]

This was very useful HH...thank you!...subscribed......

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Thank you Paul!

[@lwhite7991]

Great video on the Z! Question at 26:42 you mentioned lens calibration. Can you elaborate on what program or lens chart you use to calibrate and also what distance do you use from target per different focal lengths. I use Focal for my d850, haven’t used for my z.

[@karenbennett3660]

Thank you for this super informative.

[@bennettrichards6851]

Hi Hudson.... Great Tute as always. I have 2 questions First.... I noticed on my Z7's i menu display of focus points my pin point display Icon looks different than yours in that it does not have the word PIN below it. Also I noticed that in i Menu my release mode choices are S L H and self timer. That also looks different than your display. Perplexing. My firmware is V2.20... as I have not yet loaded the latests CFExpress version. Also I noticed that my Focus MODE in the i menu is set on MF, but when I try to change it to AF-S it will not change. Is there a setting engaged that would prevent me from going to AF-S from MF? (Figured this one out. Can not choose any mode but MF if lens not extended.... DOH!) Cheers! Happy Holidays!!!!!

[@boramiNYC]

Exactly how I feel about Z af system.

[@BluesImprov]

Love your clear, well explained, informative info. I'm SO on the fence about buying a Z6. When I listen to your descriptions about how to use this camera effectively I feel this would be a good choice. But when I watch other videos they point out that the AF really doesn't work very well, and I saw one today that said in low-light with ISO set at 6400 or higher the "banding" is very noticeable. I thought the Z6 was supposed to be good in low-light, so I'm feeling very confused. I'm more interested in still photography than video, and I only shoot "action" once in a while. I recently shot the USAF Thunderbirds airshow with a D7100 (18-300mm lens) at only 6 fps. Not every frame was perfect, but I got quite a few that were pretty good, and with a very slight sharpening in post turned out well. I'd like to be able to shoot that kind of thing occasionally. Maybe I should ONLY watch your videos. . .What do you think about the concerns I've heard on other videos? A short time ago I was ready to buy a Z6. . .Now I'm on the fence again!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Banding in low light claims have been debunked as bogus. Look at this... photographylife.com/the-reality-behind-nikon-z-banding-issues/amp I've never seen banding at all and I let the auto iso run to well over 20,000 with this amazing sensor. You just have to learn to autofocus in new ways it works great. Use my links to Amazon or B&H and try it for 30 days. www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks If you don't like it. Send it back. My educated guess is that after 30 days, they'd have to pry it out of your hands. :) I truly believe many of the negative reviews are by sources that bring in lots of marketing money from competitors that understand new advertising better than Nikon. Nikon is just good at building cameras and lenses. Really good at it.

[@markshirley01]

Great information - Thanks.

[@valentinromero1803]

Great video Would you recommend this camera to shoot boxing? I want to have a 2nd body I currently have D4S and want to start getting into mirrorless like the rest of the world. I will probably keep using my F glass. Let me know what you think.

[@JackBellesPhotography]

This video is very useful!

[@kaijan2808]

Hi Hudson, I learned so much from you to sort out my Z6. Thank you for this. I noticed you have this “rubber thing” in front of your view finder ( sorry, don’t know what it is called ), where did you get this?

[@Throttlebycable]

This is what I was looking for. I am looking for a jack of all trades camera, with an emphasis on action, like motorsports (motorcycle, cars) and bike racing. Sony has great AF but terrible for me, with large hands, to hold on to. I am mostly a film shooter with an F4 and F5 so all of my lenses are AF-D. My DSLR is a D610. Great camera but it struggles with moving objects. The Z6 seems like a good alternative. If you were shooting, for yourself, moving vehicles (cars on a track, dirt bikes moving in different planes) and bikes with mixed lighting in woods, is the Z6 any match for the D500? How does the Z adapter work with the F mount 70-200 lenses? Any degradation in focusing speed? Also, Nikon just released a new FW update for AF tracking and speed. Can you give any updates/ feedback on real world experience? Sorry to pepper you with questions. The D500 seems like the camera but something with slightly less weight would be nicer to pack with my F5 and the three lenses I tend to carry with that. Thanks!

[@samtang]

thanks a lot, great content!

[@Stewart001J]

Hudson, great video. very helpful. What are your plans for updating this video to incorporate the Firmware 3.0 with updated and enhanced autofocusing for Z6/Z7 cameras. I appreciate your showing both what camera setup/configurations steps to make as well as tips on how to use the features in the field. I am not clear on whether the new firmware handles faces/eyes from both humans and animals (more than dogs/cats) in one setting or do you have to switch settings. Very pleased to see Nikon rolling out these updates on regular basis to enhance their Z cameras. Helps support my decision to go with Nikon vs Sony, Canon alternatives. Thanks again for your time and effort in making these videos.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Hey John. I'm testing that out now as I teach a workshop on Kauai and I'll definitely do an update once I have a firm grasp of the changes. :)

[@marshall4480]

Thanks Hudson for the great video. I've been having AF problems using my Z7 because I have been trying to use it the same way I used my DSLRs. I haven't been able to trust the Z7 AF system to incorporate it in my work. About 95% of my subjects are not static, and when shooting with my Z7, it would tend to hunt for focus at the last second causing me to lose the shot. (Using AF-C, Release, focusing on a Single Point) It was to the point that last week I was about to trade the camera in to buy a used D850. I even called the area Nikon rep who said that the cause was mainly because the mirrorless AF system was so different from the DSLR AF system. I wish Nikon would have released a video like yours explaining the difference between the focus systems and how to use the new system well. Maybe they were a little afraid that it would scare people away from making the switch. Going to try the Area Focus system this week to see how it goes. It will be a little nerve-racking giving that much control to the camera. With the new firmware update I am allowed to select the focus tracking point with the back button now which is essentially how I was using the camera before, selecting a focus point and then recomposing the shot. Going to try the dynamic focus on my DSLR's as well to see how that goes as well. It just might ensure more of my images are in focus! Thanks again, and keep up the great work. Looking forward to checking out more of your videos.

[@marshall4480]

Seems that using AF-C Single Point is definitely NOT the way to go when using DSLRs as well. (Cue "The More You Know" jingle now.)

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Yeah single point isn't a good way to track motion. Firmware 3.0 also dramatically improved dynamic mode for the Z cameras. It's much more reliable with tracking moderately paced motion that you can pretty easily keep in the frame. For erratic fast motion like birds in flight or to track eyes and faces, stick with Auto area. I'm pretty sure auto area is the future of autofocus for nikon. Be patient and work with it. You may find you love it.

[@marshall4480]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks for the tips! I really appreciate it.

[@ohneyn27]

awesome, thanks!

[@berndg76]

Thanks for this - really helpfull.

[@antonoat]

This is a bit of a treat for us new Z users. May I ask which eyepiece you are using, thanks. PS every time I watch one of your "Z" videos I realise even more how capable this little camera is and I now have a far better grasp on the AF which is quite different from using AF on my Nikon DSLR's which I've been using for 30 years! I will take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas/ holiday season, I hope 2020 brings you all, everything that you wish for. Cheers Hudson, really appreciate all that you share here. I'm sure you have many followers here in the UK.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Merry Christmas to you too. And thank you! The eyepiece is linked in the video description if you hit show more. :)

[@stevedirector4644]

I have been disappointed with the Z7 for nature shoots (e.g., birds in flight) especially as compared with the D850. But you suggestions are likely to help and am anxious to try them out. Great tutorial. Thanks.

[@JHLeather]

Is the key to the auto area af to fill the frame with your subject? I also do mtb photography and haven't had much luck with this setting and use the dynamic area af instead.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

If they're small enough in the frame and / or coming at you, the key is to use the lock on point I show here like you were using dynamic. It's much better than dynamic at not losing the subject. The key for using it without lock on is if you are panning to track. The camera is quick to ascertain a subject moving at a similar speed to your panning motion and lock on it. Think birds in flight.

[@JHLeather]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto thanks for the reply 😊 I'll try it out tomorrow when I'm out on the hill 👍 love your channel

[@peterlemke3468]

Hudson no you're definitely not full of BS you're a Nikon veteran demonstrating how to get the best AF performance from the Z cameras. For that we say thank you. I think the only time l would consider using Single Point in AFC is when photographing snail racing. But then only if it wasn't paid work. Enjoy your Xmas break.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It's tough to argue with that snail racing comment. :) You too!

[@daxshell242]

haha. pin point i believe works only on contrast sensing, as the focus area is smaller than a phase square. as a result, its best for tripod mounted shots for things like macro product photography. again, just what i have gathered having used it, but i do believe the entire phase sensing is shutoff in that mode.

[@stanspb763]

Very nice comparison of the AF modes. When reviewers keep panning the camera the only two possibilities are either they really do not understand what is different about the Z camera modes, or they have a financial incentive to promote a different camera. Since Version 2.00(it is not up to 2.20 which adds CF Express and prepares the camera for 12 ProRes RAW video) I find the AF is all I needed. Th crazy low light AF in single point or Pin-Point nails subjects I can't even see with my unaided eye. The rating is supposed be -6ev but sure seems deeper darkness are still focusing accurately. The two modes I use on every casual or paid session(while the D850 and D800 sit on the shelf for the last 6 months) art pinpoint AF-S and AF-C Auto Area. It took a while for me to even realize the lock on box was not needed for tracking but I use the tracking box for eye tracking when there is any subject movement and using fast lenses. As you mentioned, mirrorless are naturally more accurate over more of the focal length than any DSLR can be by the nature of how phase is detected. We had the option of using Live View that we used as a reference as to whether the OVF mode was in need of adjustment on DSLRs because LV was right off the sensor and used the slower but more accurate contrast-detection, The Focus Peaking is the most accurate of any on mirrorless I have seen. Using very shallow DOF with a wide-open prime like 50 1.2 for art shot being able to accurately see your actual focal plane as you sweep across the contours of a subject makes all the difference between an interesting piece or a snapshot. Many shots are optimum not having the focal plane on the main subject. For example even in a portrait, with 2 3 inches of DOF, focusing on the eye mean both the ear and nose are out of focus but easy to see peaking outlines as you sweep the FP from nose to eye and get the eye in the back half of the DOF and the tip of the nose on the forward edge of the FP.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Couldn't agree with that analysis more. I think Nikons focus peaking is light years ahead of its competitors.

[@m4nc1n1]

what eye cup is that?

[@franklovett7154]

Many thanks for this video Hudson. Yet another brilliant explanation of the techniques for photography. I have a Z6 (did have D800) and just love it! I recently went to a wildlife centre and tried the Auto Are AF in AF-C. What I found was that the small focus points that were displayed were not what I wanted to focus upon. Am I missing something? Are you at the mercy of the camera with this or is there a way to choose where to focus apart from pressing the OK/AF-ON buttons, which involves, well, button pressing, which is hardly 'Auto Focus'! Your thoughts would be most welcome Hudson. Thanks, F

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I find that not pressing the OK button is great when you're tracking fast motion like you would with group area on the D800 for birds in fast flight. If you need to be selective with shower action, then you've got to hit ok and move the point like you would in AFC dynamic area on the d800. If you lose it, then tap ok again and require. To get out of the lock mode hit the zoom out button. To switch AF modes, hold the movie record button and rotate the dials. It is different than we're used to and learning where to move the fingers and when takes a bit of work, but you should aim to do it without looking away from the viewfinder by muscle memory. With practice it will come more easily. It works very well, but I do think the next gen Z bodies will have easier to use tracking. I'll bet a lot of very smart engineers are round the clock on that.

[@adventuresofjandk]

Another fantastic video. I am curious how you are able to record your menu screen to display it in your video? Is there a screen record mode?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

No it's an external recorder via hdmi out. :)

[@hipnicity]

I’m having huge issues with this! I shoot live music scenes. Thanks.

[@Hind135]

I use many of these tips in this video, well laid out presentation. However my auto area af is pretty garbage with moving subjects, I can’t focus my kids more than one shot before my z6 focuses on the background. It’s pretty frustrating and I’m surprised at your enthusiasm for how well auto af works. I am NOT having similar results and I’m on firm3.0. The tracking square option tracks ok but even more of my shots are out of focus despite shutter speeds over 2k. I do photo shoots with friends and family and even with eye detect with people right in front the z6 in a 3 to 6 shot burst will focus on the background in about 25% of the images, on studio portraits! I’m actually having more success with the dynamic area. I’m not trying to troll or complain but I’m really struggling with my z6. Most days I wish I had my d600 back. Thanks for the video, good info.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Hmmmm. I find with frame filling action the auto area just rarely requires any subject tracking override. I'm getting higher hit ratios of wildlife and my kids than I did with the D850 or D500. Couldn't have more different experience. I can only say don't give up on auto area with subject tracking override. It's where the engineering is. Keep practicing with it. My results in Dynamic area are worse than what you describe in Auto. I disabled it in the Z7ii and Z6ii. It's a legacy mode at best.

[@szeinner]

Another great review. I just wish Nikon would fix the focus point when in AF-C, wish it would turn green when the object is in focus. It does this in AF-S but not in AF-C?? Overall Love my Z7 and Z6. Steve Zeinner

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I'd just assume that the Dynamic point system we're used to using on our DSLRs is sort of a legacy mode like center weighted metering. Less and less useful as Auto Area AF with Lock-On gets better. I think you'll see that AF point floating around locked on your subject on the screen or the camera catching a panned subject automatically with no point selected. The days of selecting a point in AF-C and seeing it go green are likely drawing to a close. I think you'll move the box onto your subject, lock it and watch it float with the subject until the subject leaves the frame or you cancel it. That's the mode I demonstrate in this video. I've no doubt all their "focus" is on perfecting that. It already sees eyes and faces without your direction and identifies moving subjects panning near the same speed of the frame without you selecting them. That's the magic potential of having the focus on the chip. You should see how the latest Sony A9 and A7RIV lock on action. It's astounding and Nikon has a little catching up to do, but I'm sure they are working hard on it. The firmware updates to these cameras have been really amazing. I can't wait to test the next gen.

[@marvingeronimo]

You have been really amazing at teaching people this. I will try out your settings on my Z50. Also if you have have the time or the link, can you go through the AF settings that you use and your set up with the Nikon D500? I would highly prefer to learn from you than anyone else.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Makes my day to read that. It's a good idea. Thanks, I'm putting that on the short list. The settings are virtually identical on the Z50 BTW. It's a great little machine.

[@marvingeronimo]

Hudson Henry Photography I agree! Somtimes I even feel like it is a very underrated and overlooked machine.

[@JasonRenfrow]

Great video. There is a lot of negativity floating around in regards to the Z AF with many professionals saying it’s unusable.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I think a lot of those reviews come from sites that get a lot of marketing money from another brand.

[@JasonRenfrow]

Hudson Henry Photography I agree it has to be the case. The cameras are just too good to have so much negative press.

[@viktoryenibahar5023]

Thanks for the very instructive video. Much appreciated. I have one quick question regardin Autofocus calibration. You mentioned the Z6/7 only needs very little like 0-1. Why would these need any AF adjustment at all, since the focus is done off of the sensor? Logically it shouldn’t need any. Is this even a feature available in Z6/7? (I am a D800/500 user contemplating replacing my D800 with the upcoming Z8). Thanks!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I've wondered that myself, but I can assure you they do have lens calibration settings and they do read out as 1 or even 2 + or -. I've wondered if we're seeing the calibration measuring margin of error. I'm going to do a video before long on it and I'll do more testing before I do.

[@brunoc.3669]

Hi Hudson, thank you again for a great video. Do you think that using the new CF Express cards, which claim higher transfer speed, will improve the buffer size limitations on Z cameras?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I haven't seen any statement to that effect and I haven't tried any yet. I seriously doubt it though. If I had to bet, I"d say they designed throughput to max out XQD speed (which is very fast at 400MB/s). The next gen cams will be specced to go faster with CF Express, and it will be nice that the cards are reverse compatible. :-)

[@MaximeTessier]

Hi Hudson, new subscriber here, your channel is awesome. I’m thinking about making the jump to mirrorless with the Z50, i currently own a D5500. I also use backbutton focus all the time, and was worried about the Z focus system. Don’t you feel that your thumb has just too many things to do? with the eye switching, clicking ok to start tracking, joystick, etc... i thought it might forces me to bring focus to the shutter release... any thoughts about that? Thanks for the great content!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I really don't feel that way. I'd urge you to stick with back button. It's a short hop between the D-pad and af-on button back there. A little time and it will become second nature along with using your 4th finger on the Fn2 button and the wheels to set bracketing. :) Thanks for the kind words.

[@stevedirector4644]

Hudson - a simple question. I noticed on the shots of your EFV the information about focus, etc appears on the right hand side. In my EVF this information is appearing on the top of the screen. I have been trying to figure out how to move it to the right as the screen has more real estate along the horizontal axis than the vertical axis. But I just can't find out how to move this information to the right side. How did you move this information around? Thanks.

[@EricTobiasPhotography]

I just asked the same question, I’m really curious myself...

[@nice.diverjeff5883]

CFexpress is supposed to be the new buffer...so someone said

[@robertcote5930]

Henry. Enjoy all of your videos. You always direct viewers to something, links, that can be found "below" and I can't seem to find where below is?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Hey Robert, up at the top where it says Show More below the first few descriptive lines. :-) First name is Hudson, but no big deal.

[@robertcote5930]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks found it. I know your first name is Hudson so it must be an age related error on my part.

[@EricTobiasPhotography]

Great video and i always look forward to your content. Question...at around the 11 minute marker, your screen recording shows a lot of the camera setting displayed on the right hand side, how do you get that to display there? Thanks!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

That's only on the external recorder sadly. It's still at the top of my camera's screen.

[@brianrosborough361]

Will using a CF express card make a difference in the Z6 buffer capacity?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It's unclear if it has the internal transfer speed to take advantage of it. It will require real world testing. XQD is crazy fast as it is. :)

[@ivanbrehmer2629]

Hudson, just recently found your youtube videos. They are very informative and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I am looking at purchasing a Z6. I have a AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm 1:2.8G ED My question is do I use it with the Z6 or should I purchase the 24-70 kit lens with Z6, which would save some dollars over purchasing that lens later. The 2.8 being faster but heavier, I guess boils down to picture quality difference. What are your thoughts? If I did not get the new series 24-70, I was thinking about getting the s series 50mm.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Hey Ivan. I love the sharpness and size of the F4 S 24-70, it's a wonderful general purpose match with the z6. The 50 1.8 is a fabulous lens too. It's a tough call. If you don't mind the size and weight, then the lens you have will keep performing fabulously on an FTZ adapter, but that F4 is such a nice size and sharp, sharp, sharp. :) if you shop B&H or Amazon I'd really appreciate your considering using my links. It helps. www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks thanks!

[@asphaltdancer61]

On my newly purchased Z6ii the firmware version is 1.30. In your video you show the eye and face detection on/off choice. I’m told that my firmware version is up to date, but I don’t have that choice in my menu.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

That video was with the z6, not the Z6ii. It's over 100 weeks old. :-) I have many more recent videos on autofocus with the new camera you have. Just search autofocus Nikon Z in my channel's search bar.

[@asphaltdancer61]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thank you, Hudson. I’ve been watching a lot of your videos since I bought this camera. I’m learning many things and I appreciate what you are doing.

[@m4nc1n1]

I read to leave low light af off unless you need it because it slows down af even in good light. Is that true?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I really haven't found that. It's certainly more accurate as the light dips. It only activates in AF-S, so it's not a worry in Af-c mode which I'm generally in with back button focus when handheld in good light.

[@raphaelmimoun9571]

Love your videos 🙌 What modes would you pick for panning ? Happy holidays

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

AF-C, Auto ARea and just let it choose the subject. Don't mess with lock on for panning. :-)