Nikon Mirrorless: Button And Control Setup

In my last video, I asked if anyone was interested in my button and control setup for the Z cameras. I wasn’t 100% sure if that was something anyone would really care about…
Wow, was I wrong! Tons of requests flew in!
So, here it is. In this video, I’ll share my control and button setup for the Z cameras. We’ll look at both function buttons, the joystick (Z6/7), the movie record button, the AF-On button (or AE/AF-L button on the Z50), lens function buttons, lens control rings, and the OK button. Oh, and of course I’ll tell you why I have it set the way I do every step of the way.
Enjoy!
BTW - if you missed the Nikon Mirrorless Performance Tips video, you can see it here:
• Nikon Mirrorless: Tips...
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[@backcountrygallery]

The Mirrorless AF book for the Nikon Z-Series I mentioned in the video is now available: bcgwebstore.com/product/secrets-to-the-nikon-autofocus-system-mirrorless-edition/

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thanks, Steve! I've been using many of your previous suggestions for the Z cameras, and this one sparks some new ideas too. Stay safe!

[@TheAVJedi]

Just got a Z6 and this was an awesome help, thanks Steve

[@csc-photo]

YAY! Looks like Nikon granted my wish! 🙂 Z50 now offers Animal / Eye AF detection, AND we can now assign subject tracking initiation to Fn1 / Fn2. Subject tracking also behaves differently when the shutter button is pressed half way down - it re-centers when you let go - PERFECT!

[@martinfish4079]

Thanks for the walkthrough. Looking forward to the Z-Series book!

[@jerryhammond373]

We asked, you delivered. Thanks. My camera is set, need to get out and try it!

[@yuri886]

New Steve Perry video = auto like thanks for all of the great info Steve

[@ArunBamania]

Excellent, very informative video!

[@sidharthamajumdar]

Super helpful

[@ushanastrivedi368]

Hi Steve, great video as usual. I have almost identical setting on my Z6. Only difference is that I assign AE (Hold) to joy stick center press as I use fn2 button for playback. I prefer to shoot handheld & completely so after 500PF. If I use default playback button, I have to take off my left hand from lens & I am no longer in shooting position. I always did that with my DSLRs & it makes even more sense with EVF. I use OK button to reset focus point since we already have dedicated zoom to 100% button below OK button. Ergonomically, I would have preferred reset to joy stick & zoom to OK but I find myself couple of buttons short compared to my D850. It would have been perfect if Nikon had provided at least one more (if not more) customizable button or else playback button on right side. Nikon realized this & corrected in Z50. Nikon used to give buttons requiring live view on left hand side as you have to anyway take your eyes off from viewfinder. But no longer, you have to do that in Mirrorless & therefore, they have started putting everything on right side. They can still allow menu & playback buttons to swap (though button names are hard coded on top of buttons) through customization on Z6 (& Z7). I discovered very useful info that focus tracking can be assigned to DSLR lens function button as well. This will be extremely useful on my 70-200 FL & 500 PF compared to memory recall which is more useful for sports photographers. Thanks for that. Great content as usual. You are the best source of education for us Nikon shooters.

[@usefshikim]

Thank you Steve for the helpful video

[@lauriehwrdlh]

Thanks, great video. My Z6 is fn1 and 2 is Af mode and subject tracking. Metering is on the record button. The rest are pretty much the default.

[@alferdofayard8693]

Thank you. Good advice as usual.

[@carlmarch603]

Thanks, Steve. I use the user settings (U1, U2, U3) to save/set the control ring set for exposure comp only on the lenses that also have a focusing ring. That way, no switching back and forth because I’m almost always manually tweaking the focus with the focus peaking (as long as I remember to put the camera in the correct user mode!).

[@backcountrygallery]

Not a bad idea! I seldom use the User settings - I'm almost always shooting the same thing - so I never think about them. That would be a good use!!

[@Mr09260]

Thanks Steve a most welcome Video

[@jpdj2715]

Steve, I bought your Nikon AF Mirrorless book yesterday. Reading, with camera in hand, at page 60, I already am at a point where "this is worth my money" - and I still have 420 pages to go. And, as you indicate in the book, no matter how good they are, people need to read the entire introduction. I have been a professional photographer for a long time and then became a serious academician. I should be able to figure things out myself. True, but you have given the shortcut.

[@sloppy-1-1]

I use easy exposure compensation set to on, coupled with apply to live view on, so when I am in S, A or P it changes to exposure compensation without pressing a button. Works better than spot metering for me (I've set spot metering to joystick press)

[@Altitude2011]

Great tips, thank you very much! If you get the time, please make other videos on the Nikon Z system. It’s very helpful!

[@patrickmolloy6994]

Yippee! What I’ve been hankering for, thanks Steve. I had metering set to the movie button with fn1 set to af area....but I like your way better LOL. As for the focus ring on my z 24-70F4, I tried it with ISO sensitivity, but it was wayyyyyyy to easy to change - although with auto-iso it didn't matter that much. but ignoring it was a bad habit if I switched off auto ISO. just saying as other s reading this might like to try it.

[@IustinPop]

Thanks, this was a good recap/rundown of the options. I really need to shoot more. Although the split between "awesome DSLRs" and "not quite there mirrorless but clearly the way of the future" splits my limited time even more. Definitely looking forward to the new ebook!

[@backcountrygallery]

LOL - I hear you on the time split. With limited shooting time at the moment, it's tough to choose what to take!

[@marc5279]

Thanks Steve for all that info you're putting out. I feel like nikon has been focusing on lots of things that most nikon users dont care that much about, and has also been ignoring actual concerns we have about the mirrorless world. I think the majority of us got patience to wait for a camera that's close to what we really need and also we don't need to always be using cutting edge tech, so it should've been wiser for them to put their time onto what we ask for rather than trying to keep up with sony and canon's prefered specs. When considering if its worth upgrading to mirrorless, i should better know what these cameras can and can't do, and how i could get the most from them, because right now i dont feel confident about them at all. I still have no Z camera but, with these 2 vid you did, i can make a better image of what they got to offer and how i showld be using them, and this is valuable. For example, I didnt know the Z cameras allowed for changing focus area modes with dials, and that makes a huge difference if they didn't at least have that. I've been ready to get a Z6ii, but not knowing things like that has been keeping me on the wait

[@backcountrygallery]

I think Nikon really needs to start being more transparent with what they are planning and when - I hear similar comments to yours every day. People are getting frustrated and I think Nikon has lost quite a few customers in the process.

[@smkunder1]

Love this, only thing is I want tracking on camera, because none of my long lenses have a function button at this point. Thanks, these are helpful.

[@seantomlinson3320]

Good stuff Steve. I use Record for My Menu but I like your idea of using that for the AF mode too. I'll have to give that a shot. I wish I could use OK button for My Menu!

[@mseesea]

Great video Steve. I would love to see a follow-up video on metering modes and how you use them. I have your but I like watching your videos more.

[@philipscourfield4585]

Excellent, clear advice. Thanks. One comment using Nikor500 5.6 PF with Z6, it does not allow Custom setting of the focus ring for compensation settings so far as I can tell. There are dedicated buttons bit no option for compensation. Your tube perhaps should make clear compensation using focus ring only works on dedicated Z lens. Hope that is helpful. Keep up the great work!

[@theeclecticphotographerajr5372]

You taught me about BBF, game changer. I am extremely intrigued by your comment of getting away from it on ML cameras. Using your focusing ring for EC brilliant! So you are 100 mirrorless now? Another great video, keep it up but too bad I’m heading over to Fuji!

[@washingtonradio]

Interesting suggestions, I just have to remember what my settings are now.

[@oleralphhammer3600]

Nice video. Good suggestions and explanations. I am just about to acquire a Z7 (or Z6) and like to get tips and tricks showing how to get the most form its abilities

[@rafaelnunes7567]

Hi from Brasil, very nice video keep it up with the great work...👍

[@MichaelCortese1]

Steve, if you scroll down to the Press + Command Dial setting you can set the Focus Mode/AF-Area Mode. You can press Fn2 (or whatever button) and then switch the Focus mode with the Shutter dial and then the AF area mode with the Aperture dial. Of course it's a couple more steps but I find it better than the i menu EDIT: Just got to your Movie Record Button custom setting! Of course you'd know already haha!

[@backcountrygallery]

That's how I have the Move Record button set. As I mention in the video, the Fn2 button is set that way by default. What's missing is the ability to just press the button and have it toggle an AF area mode like you can in the D5/D500/D850.

[@EricWoodyVariety59]

good video

[@WolfFeX]

Steve could you please do a video on how to shoot off camera flash, specifically for outdoor macro (flowers etc). As in what direction to point the speedlight, best way to diffuse the light, how/when to use ttl/manual. Just a request for a future video :)

[@oorcinus]

I had exposure compensation on the control ring too for a while, until i’ve realised i keep getting third of my photos accidentally bumped to +1/3 or -1/3 EV. It’s too easy to accidentally brush it, and the 24-70 ring is super smooth and easy to bump back or forth a little. What i started doing instead is - just use the back command dial for EV compensation, set it to NOT require the (quite stupidly and non-ergonomically placed EV comp button), and to RESET on meter standby. Since Z cameras have a huge chonker of a rear command dial, in a much higher position than the normal DSLR wheel, it’s near impossible to accidentally bump it, and it takes quite a bit of deliberate force to rotate it with your thumb, so there’s next to zero chance you’ll do it by accident. And, you can still do it in a quick swipe when in a hurry, without any button fiddling. That said, unlike the lens ring, it assigns a function to a dial that already does something in most modes, so it screws up the muscle memory - if you always use the A or S mode (with swapped sub/main dials), it can work out fine, but if you jump between modes, it’s not so good. In M it’s completely useless, as you still need to press the EV comp button. So, like with everything, it’s give some, take some.

[@oorcinus]

But seriously, that Z series EV comp button position... What were they thinking? Pressing it and rotating the dial feels like dislocating my fingers.

[@kjdiya]

Damn it Steve, I have to miss work to watch your video now :)

[@backcountrygallery]

LOL, hey, you got have priorities!

[@tomletourneau4156]

This is great information. I appreciate Steve’s eBooks, having read the Focus and Exposure volumes. Rose has been a great help too. Never a stop to my learning and much further experience will surely refine my work. I am a bit unsure about the Save Settings for U1, etc. After you save any one of the custom U settings to an appropriate U place, must you go back in and return settings to your “non-U” set, ie a set that is one you’d use for all the other modes (A S M P Auto)?

[@csc-photo]

I wish / hope Nikon offers alternative subject tracking initiation on the Z 50 in a future firmware update (currently we can only initiate with the Ok button). Fn1 or Fn2 would be IDEAL. Would love animal tracking too!

[@robd003]

Hey Steve, great content as always! Could you do a deep dive on autofocus on the Z system? Loving your book Secrets to Stunning Wildlife Photography, been recommending it to all my friends!

[@backcountrygallery]

I have an entire book coming out about it - 460 pages at the moment! Probably out in June.

[@patrick.infante]

Can you explain when to use Dynamic Area AF vs Subject Tracking?

[@richardmurray1858]

Hi Steve, another great video thanks for the hard work on helping the Z community. I am heavily invested in Nikon glass (500 and 600e f4s) so not about to jump ship anytime soon but just wondered if you had used a smart adaptor (if there is one) for f to e mount on your A9ii?

[@backcountrygallery]

I actually haven't tried any adapters from Nikon to Sony. I may in the future though.

[@matthewwells1606]

Well, I was gonna get back to work, but it can wait 20 minutes... As a side note I really wish these camera bodies had a few more function buttons. The "i" menu is nice, but I really don't like diving into it.

[@centerforlatinamericanarts8548]

Excellent video as always!...My Z7II is stuck on MF Focus Mode , I have the FTZ adaptor with a Nikkor AF 50mm 1.8D lens...any suggestions?

[@aravindmj920]

You can assign AF area to your function button. My Fn2 looks like this "AF/[+]" . On pressing Fn2, main dial controls AF mode, sub-dial controls AF area mode.

[@backcountrygallery]

But...what you can't do is press the Fn button(s) and instantly switch to another AF mode as you press and then have the camera switch back to the previous AF mode when you release. That's the function people miss in these cameras that the D5/6, D500 and D850 have.

[@ScottBenedict]

I have a question. I've had my Z6 for about a year and didn't notice this before, but as I learn the camera, I notice new things all the time. I usually have AUTO ISO set to on, but on my last outing, I decided to set it manually to 100 and turn off AUTO ISO. I was shooting outside in broad, mid-day sun, so there was no reason to have the ISO any higher than 100. However, I noticed (sometimes after the picture was taken) that the ISO was still auto changing. Not as drastically or as much as with AUTO ISO on, but it still was changing. It was creeping up to 200 and higher. Even in Manual it was doing this. The behavior I would have expected would that the image would just become over or under exposed if my shutter and aperture were not set correctly to the lighting situation. Is this typical for the Z6 to auto change the ISO even when Auto ISO is turned off or do I have a setting turned on that I've forgotten about. I'm used to the behavior of my Lumix G9. Once I manually set the ISO, it stays there and if I don't adjust the shutter or aperture, the image will be over or underexposed. Thank you!

[@lol_world2681]

Hey Steve, I am a big fan of your work. Can you please do a review of Nikon 200-500 lens on Nikon Z system and share some images and tips on Focus mode/settings for wildlife. Most of us cant afford the 600mm or 500mm f4 lens :P

[@cesarm8811]

LOL_World that would be an excellent video from Steve.

[@chuckwalla2967]

I have a D610. Do I need to upgrade?

[@KarenVaisman1]

Do you now have the 70-200 s lens? If so what do you program on the lens buttons? Do you are four buttons or are they all still considered you will lens function one button? Thanks

[@Scotty-tq4qg]

Hi Steve, a couple of questions. 1) when did you start shoot mirrorless over DSLR and why? 2) are you using Nikon's converter and shooting a stand Nikkor 500/600 mm f/4 lens, no issues? 3) I currently shoot with D4's' and D850 and considering buying a Z7, is it worth the change, any negatives? Love your channel, thank you Steve!

[@backcountrygallery]

1. I shoot them both :) I like mirrorless better, but DSLRs preform better (at leas tin Nikon - my Sony a9ii can do anything I want it to!) 2. I do use the Nikon 1.4TC II with the 600 F/4 - no unusual issues (I mean, you do lose just a touch of sharpness as with any TC, nothing severe). 3. Depends what you do with the cameras. The Z cameras are not able to do action work at the same level as the Z cameras..

[@dhritimanbatchu]

Thanks for the setup info Steve. As someone lloking into the Nikon Z system, this was incredibly useful. Regarding your point about using the ring on the lens to control Exp. Comp. - can you then customise the +/- button near the shutter to control another function? Also, what about the 3 buttons at the bottom, near MENU? Can those be customised as well? I understand this is totally a noob question, but I'm very curious. Cheers.

[@toxotis70]

no you cant...

[@texasmarshalls]

Hi Steve - your videos are awesome! I have a Z6 and want to make sure i have my ISO set correctly. What would you recommend the min/max levels should be set to? Thanks!

[@backcountrygallery]

It depends on your tolerance for noise :) I set my low Iso at 100 (base ISO on the Z6) and my top is 12,800 on it.

[@texasmarshalls]

That’s is exactly what I needed to know! I shoot portraits that might get blown up so I want as much clarity as possible. Thank you!

[@seethroughdifferentlens]

Sir I have a serious question to you, I have Nikon D500 with me and I am planning to buy an additional full frame body. I cannot afford Sony as it's too expensive. Now my question is , Can I buy Nikon Z6 for wildlife photography?

[@davearchbell9921]

Stupid question. I have Z6ii. Is it possible to focus using a cable release. I'd like to get some ground level shots of birds but I can't get up and down from the ground. Thanks

[@vsk0709]

Hi Steve, I tried this and I am seeing something which I don't understand...Please check/help me understand. My setup Z6, custom control assigned FN2 to Depth of Field preview and when I press the FN2, it does show depth of Field preview but also shows AE-L on the screen. Why?

[@josejuanhernandez4891]

Hi steve, I want yo now if you have books in spanish...thanks very much

[@robertstonephoto]

Any ETA on the new Z e-book?

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks for the interest. Should be here by early June if things go well.

[@mariovella8188]

Hi Steve I recently bought a Nikon z50, but I don,t know how I I,m seeing the histogram in my view finder , Can you please tell me how I get it away .Thank you from Malta

[@backcountrygallery]

Press the DISP button to toggle through the viewfinder display options.

[@mariovella8188]

@@backcountrygallery Thank you

[@raysanders332]

I guess this does not work with a Z 6II?

[@rafaelblazquez4251]

Please, subtitle in Spanish thank you

[@jessicaeiss2541]

I just got my Z5 a couple of days ago, and have been watching a bunch of videos, including your's, but just wanted to say, this was way too fast, even though you covered a lot of territory. I know you want to sell your books, and may even consider the mirrorless one, but please keep newbie mirrorless owners. I haven't touched my Nikon D300 in 13 years!

[@FrankCrispo]

Is this now becoming an "all about nikon cameras" channel? It's too bad because your other videos are really good. Very disappointing!

[@peterlemke3468]

He primarily shoots Nikon what part of that don't you understand?

[@FrankCrispo]

@@peterlemke3468 I wasn't asking you.

[@FrankCrispo]

@@peterlemke3468 again, I wasn't asking you. What part of that don't you understand.

[@peterlemke3468]

@@FrankCrispo You have NFI mate!!

[@FrankCrispo]

@@peterlemke3468 You have officially become a troll and behaving like a 12 year old. Looking to create problems where there were none to begin with. All just because you couldn't mind your own business. I know that you won't be able to help yourself but don't even bother replying to this because I'm done dealing with childish behaviour and I'm moving on.