Complete Guide to Nikon Z7ii Focus Stack/Focus Shift for Landscape Photography

The Nikon Z7ii includes a feature known as focus shift, previously found only on the Nikon D850. With focus shift enabled, the Z7ii will take a series of photos focused at different distances, starting from front to back. The idea is that you later combine these photos in post-processing software to create a final image that is sharp from front to back. In this video, Mike goes over the focus shift feature of the Nikon Z7ii in Landscape Photography. What to do in the field as well as how to stack the photos together in post processing with Adobe Lightroom/Adobe Photoshop. It is suitable for beginners as well as more advanced photographers. #landscapephotography #nikonz7ii
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[@thomasherbst6773]

Awesome to hear the Z7ii has a separate folder for stacked images. So useful!

[@rigbyphoto]

Yes but all subsequent images then stored in that folder too, unless you change folder again in the settings somewhere.

[@stefanoallari2154]

This feature is definitely useful, but I would suggest Nikon to give the option to select two focus points: 1 FAR and 1 NEAR, then decide how many shots to take in-between. This way we would be sure that we do not waste any shots due to past infinity focus, or even worse, not reaching the desired focus point FAR.

[@ThatNorma]

the new options on the z8 and z9 are even better than that. the camera will seek every distance in the frame up until infinity and take a bunch of photos. you can then stack and have a full image in focus regardless of object distance

[@christianpetersen1782]

Excellent! Short, sharp and to the point, no messing. Thank you so much.

[@jamesss1953]

I learned focus shift from you when I had the D850 which I sold about a year ago; so this is now timely for my Z7 II. Really easy to follow advice…… Thanks for sharing

[@allandavies1187]

Great Work, Mike! You make it look so easy…

[@RT-rt9rt]

Excellent - Excellent tutorial. No fluff and BS. Straight to the point. Love it. Keep up the good work. Subscribed...

[@dougnelson423]

Great tutorial Mike. Thanks.

[@lindakarlin2980]

Excellent video and explanations.

[@alanring2501]

Hi Jeff.....right on you nailed it. I always bracket 3 f stops. Dialed it back to 0 and focus shifting works fine. Thanks for your help...alan

[@chrisw8725]

Great video. love the straightforward explaination.

[@elmono3939]

Very cool ! Thank you for sharing !

[@toninospanu8987]

wowwww, grazie mille per queste pillole di saggezza, grazie

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Great video! Nice and to the point!

[@CraigNiesenPhotography]

Mike, great tutorial on how to focus stack using the Nikon Z7 ii. I was unaware that you could put the files for the focus stack in a new folder. Thank you for sharing. Peace and Safe Travels.

[@DCsplicer]

Great video! Thank you!

[@jimkuchler8239]

I just bought a Z7ii as my first mirrorless and a back up for my D850. (converting my D800 to IR). I really appreciate your straight forward easy to understand tutorial. Being a manual focus stacker it might be hard for me to give up control… 😆

[@davidroberts6766]

Super helpful video. Thank you.

[@bananapie2198]

Great tutorial, nice and fast and didn't waste time! Nice Image too, thank you for taking the time to make this right.

[@chatchaicnn]

beautiful photo !!!

[@claytonschase]

Super helpful video. Thanks!

[@parthmaniar]

Thank you very much for the guidance, testing, and willingness to share information.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Great tutorial Mike. Straight to the point and simple to follow. Top work 👍🙏

[@PereaPhotography]

Thank you buddy!

[@jamesss1953]

Thanks for your feedback - just to let you know Focus Shift is now part of my photography along with Exposure Bracketting. Thank you for your help, very much appretiated.

[@DarrenRussinger]

I had no idea I could do this with my Z7ii. Thanks man!

[@rigbyphoto]

If the focus stacking works as it did with the D850 (?) though the images for stacking may be stored in a seperate folder, any subsequent images, not for the stack, are saved in the same folder - unless you remember to go change the folder for those subsequent images. So I found it easier just to shoot my hand before and after the set for stacking.

[@19Photographer76]

Nice video! I would never say that I 'switched' from the D850 but just added to my arsenol. The D850 still acquires focus quicker so it can be used for other genre. Love the Z7II for Macro/Landscapes.

[@cinemart5281]

Thanks so much, I am looking to buy a Z6 and it also has focus shift. Very useful Video!

[@elie6920]

Amazing video

[@cidfidchris]

Amazing tutorial! Easy to follow and straight to the point.. really professional. Thank you

[@cidfidchris]

Could you please show the type of editing you do before syncing to them all? Thanks

[@coltoncyr2283]

I wish you could setup the focus shift first, activate it, and go back into live view, finish tweaking focus points etc, and then perhaps hit the shutter to START it. Focus shift is only good for tripod use. If you do handheld, especially for macro outdoors, this setup is not good because you might move an inch or 2, hit start, and then be way off. But for landscape this is pretty cool I'll need to give this a go! But I don't own PS 😔

[@RichardBO9]

Thanks, Mike! Great video. Happy Next Trip Around the Sun! 🤠

[@PereaPhotography]

Thanks buddy!!

[@jcam783]

Hey Mike ! Happy and Blessed New Year Bro ! Great Video , been wanting to try this .

[@PereaPhotography]

Thank you and happy new year!

[@BigBadLoneWolf]

I use Affinity, and for focus stacking it blends the raw files, picking the sharpest pixels from each shot, then i adjust the levels after

[@johnforbes4795]

Excellent step by step explanation. I'm impressed. I'm pretty good with my cameras for stills and Lightroom (passable with Photoshop), but your explanation gives me the confidence to try this at the first opportunity.

[@PereaPhotography]

That’s great to hear John!

[@alexrybin3798]

Thanks for the tutorial, very helpful. Besides that composition is just beautiful, really like how you framed cactuses!

[@PereaPhotography]

🙏🏼 thanks for watching!

[@TheNiceee1]

My Nikon D780 also has this function, but I've never use it. Think it's time to experiment with it sometime!

[@phynx2006]

Excellent tutorial Mike, Chris could mirror that tutorial with Canon's Focus Stacking system. Again, great stuff 👍😎👍

[@PereaPhotography]

Thanks buddy!

[@twbrkfd1733]

Great concise video. I wish everyone's were this good! The Nikon makes me pissed Sony does not have focus bracketing and won't add it after my significant investment in Sony products. Looks like a Z5 is on my menu!

[@nohatemedia3786]

Part of the reason I went with Nikon, in my product days I was really leaning towards this but ended up with Sony, but glad I switched to the Z6. Pretty disappointed Sony never put this feature in their cameras, its not hard to write the algorithm for focus peaking.

[@JourneyLife]

Nice video. I just bought the Z5 (my first ever full frame) and cant wait to try this myself. I'm waiting for the Amazon guy right now for my wide-angle lens! Thanks!

[@JourneyLife]

You won't believe this. I just got my package but instead of my lens that cost $1050, I got a $7 makeup brush holder. Freaking Amazon!

[@PereaPhotography]

Holy crap haha. For future reference, I never buy camera gear on Amazon. The warranty they sell is garbage. Stick to B&H or your local camera store if you have one. It will save you a headache in the future if you ever need to get it repaired!

[@bobsmurf1601]

Finally a simple straight forward video that explains how to use this feature and the straight forward processing after, thanks man👍 PS:How would tackle a bright sky with this method.

[@PereaPhotography]

Once I got to infinity, I would take a shot exposing for the sky. I would blend it in after the focus stack in PS

[@bobsmurf1601]

@@PereaPhotography Thanks for your reply, that's what I thought you might do,it's good to get your confirmation on it though.

[@christian.irmler]

Hi Mike, the feature I'm dreaming already for years were a possibility to add focus points manually to my composition and when I release then, the camera takes for each of the focus points one expsoure. Amazing were, if it would keep the focus points also for my next exposures, till I cancel them. So I could quickly take multiple exposures with changing light situations. For landscapes I usually need just 2 to 3 focus points, sometimes 4 to 5, but never more. I think this "automatic mode" with 10 to 20 focus points, as it is supported by the z7ii, were more interesting for macro shooting. But it is already a good starting point and lets me hope, that my wished feature will come one day as well. As a Sony user I were already happy with this feature you showed in your video :) However, a great video and also the photo was just awesome! A happy new year from Austria, Christian

[@PereaPhotography]

Thanks man! Yeah that feature would be amazing to have. You never know, maybe they read the comments and get it done! 🤣🙌🏼

[@ricr.4669]

thankyou for this knowledge. does the Z7ii do auto combine incamera? if not which camera does auto combine in side the camera? I don't have access to a computer

[@tonyhayes9827]

Its a great result. I still use Photoshop CS 6 and Lightroom 6 but I was wondering if their focus stacking has improved since then?

[@lylestavast7652]

not sure what "their" you're referring to - in camera or stacking in PS ? on 6 point, LR classic doesn't include stacking - just HDR and Panorama merges. I've done a lot of stacking in the PS over the years and it's pretty decent and gotten better through time IMO.

[@stevethompson8154]

Hi Mike, I just got a Z6ii and am learning the menus. I am currently waiting for some S line lenses. I am using a FTZ adapter and F mount AF-S lenses. Is it required to use Z mount lenses for focus shit shooting?

[@coleplacemb]

Hi Mike, thanks for the great video! When you're shooting focus stacking on a tripod, do you turn vibration reduction off?

[@PereaPhotography]

Always!

[@gbeverly2k3]

For some odd reason my Z7ii would only do 6 or 7 shots when I tried to use the focus shift feature when I would set it to both 10 and 20 shots this evening. Not sure if I had any setting wrong. I was in Manual mode, had single point AF on in AF-S mode.

[@choochooboss]

Correct me if I'm wrong, I use my 28-300 to do a Focus Stack, but only got one image. Then I used my 50 mm lens and it worked. Will focus stacking work with a zoom lens or not?

[@danmcculloch3928]

I would like to know if you can do this with a canon rebel t7 foucus staking

[@RobJorg]

Sony eat your heart out. good video Mike. i am looking at buying a Nikon again besides my Sony A1.

[@PereaPhotography]

Thanks man!! Both Sony and Nikon z7ii mage quality is fantastic, but a few of these features for landscape photographers are really nice on the Nikon! Cheers!

[@RobJorg]

@@PereaPhotography Sony doesnt have focusstacking, timelapse timer doesnt go beyond 60 seconds and there are the other features. i Had the D850 and traded it in against the Sony's but i wish i hadnt. i liked my Nikon images over Sony images and raw files are better too. not to mention the crazy folder structure and menu system.

[@PereaPhotography]

@@RobJorg yeah I had the Sony a73 when it first came out, until Nikon released the z6. I despised the menus.

[@bhaskarc656]

A little help needed. With focus shift I get each photo with the same focus point! Focus point doesn’t vary. What am I doing wrong? I tried handheld and tripod. AF is on with single shot. Lens is Z 24 - 70, F 4. Thanks in advance.

[@ceezfotography]

How do you tackle the depth of field preview limit? I know you can use the preview button but you cannot zoom in and make adjustments...

[@thomastuorto9929]

Nice work. Beautiful photos. I like the horizontal a little better & think you needed to shoot the vertical just a little wider. But hey, just my opinion & I don't earn a living from taking photos. I'll check out your why Z7II vid.

[@PereaPhotography]

Thank you!!

[@Danny_Roman.]

I have a Z6ii and light room mobile, not sure if I can achieve this with my current set up. I don't have photos photoshop

[@cindywang2658]

Thank you for the video. I just got my Z7ii and when I looked at the photo shooting menu, the Focus shift shoot is grayed out so I can't turn it on. What would be the reason for this? Thanks!

[@PereaPhotography]

Hey Cindy! It could be a few things. Make sure bracketing is turned off, lens is in Af, not manual focus, focus mode in single point, multiple exposure is turned off, hdr turned off, camera clock is not set(seriously) and done 3rd party lenses aren’t compatible. Also just double check the memory card is inserted properly. Also make sure you are in AF-S

[@ericbusch]

Great video Mike! I couldn't find this info anywhere else. Quick question for you... how long did it take for your Z7ii to take those 9 shots? Was it a few seconds or was it less than a second? Thanks!

[@PereaPhotography]

Thanks Eric! It took maybe 3-4 seconds. It all depends on the shutter speed, and you can set the interval to take the photos one right after the other, or have a pause of 0.5” or longer.

[@ericbusch]

@@PereaPhotography Perfect! Thanks for the quick reply and great video. Keep it up!

[@mohamedmagdy1126]

Could i do this technique without tripod?

[@tjsinva]

Interesting. Z cameras are on my wish list. I hope 🎅 is listening. 🤣🤣

[@PereaPhotography]

🤣🤣 you’ll love it! I have the z6, and z7ii and I’m very happy with both!

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

When you say to use auto focus... my normal technique is back button focus placing the focus point myself. My lens typically is the 14-30 f/4 Z. Is this the method of auto focus you use? The lens is of course set to auto focus. Thanks!

[@PereaPhotography]

Yep that’s exactly what I do!

[@TheAmazingCarl]

Great tutorial, most youtubers would fluff a video like this up to like 30 minutes of mostly useless BS. I like how you hit the high points and didn't really jump into the weeds on stuff that's unrelated or only obliquely related to the subject. Also great hat.

[@myyutu2011]

Hello All! May be it will be helpful for Nikon 7zii owners. I had problem "Lens initialization failed" during the first attachment of 24-200 Nikkor Z Lens to camera. It was solved when I turn camera on with the lens adjusted to the maximum focal length - 200 мм. It was my second lens of this type. The first has defect of small plastic ring with Nikkor name at the front of the lens - the ring was not fixed correctly - it jumps out - I exchanged it. The first lens also has initialization error - but it was gone by turn camera off and on as suggested.

[@tompetersphotography]

Great video Mike, very jealous that the Sony system doesn’t do this for me lol 😂

[@PereaPhotography]

Thanks buddy! Seems like we need to write Sony a stern email. I’m sure they’ll listen 😜

[@tompetersphotography]

@@PereaPhotography hahaha I’m sure they would, don’t they know who I am lol 😂 🤦‍♂️

[@MDanceInc]

I am curious....since your shutter speed was 1/50 and the wind was blowing did that affect your photo...?? It seems in that scenario your shutter speed should have been 1/500 or more....??

[@nickcarneyphotography]

I tried the same settings and my camera is only taking one photo or sometimes two. Any reason why?

[@cpcarra13]

Does Nikon z7ii do it in camera? Do you get a stacked image in camera?

[@PereaPhotography]

It will take the images for you but it doesn’t merge them. You have to do that in post processing.

[@MidlifeRovers]

I stopped using this feature. While I love the idea of it, between the extra frames beyond infinity and missed focuses, I feel it's simply too unreliable. This also doesn't work well were there is a lot of trees or where things move because of the wind. I end up just doing it all manually. I will say, the last firmware update improved the focus reliability, but not to the point I rely on this feature. Great video explaining it though.

[@PereaPhotography]

I find it works best with complicated scenes like the one in the video. But simple scenes with 2 or 3 focus points, I generally do it manually as well. And wind is a nightmare for any kind of focus stacking haha. Thanks for watching!

[@aaa-hw2ty]

for f9 or higher number, why not use a width of 10 and less number of shots

[@sepponevalainen4309]

You MUST separate between terms focus bracketing and focus stacking. Z7 II does not focus stack in-camera.

[@KGi4]

9 focus stacking shots on f8? 5 max is enough. Z7ii has 45mpx so images when you loud those 9 images your computer will star to choke. I shoot manual with my d750 and i do most focus stacking at f2.8 for astro, but in day time f8-f11 is max 5 images. More then enough 😉

[@PereaPhotography]

If you watched, I only used 6 images. The last 3 were soft due to focusing past infinity. And I’m not sure what computer you’re using, but my 5 year old MacBook Pro handles the z7ii images just fine lol.

[@KGi4]

@@PereaPhotography i missed that 😅

[@PereaPhotography]

@@KGi4 no worries! Cheers man!

[@theviking8556]

My z7 only ever takes one image no matter what.