NIKON Z SERIES - 2 MINUTE TIPS #35 = 'AF area mode' in the nikon z6 & z7 - part 1 static subjects

[@AF8Images]

Which AF modes are you finding most useful and what kind of subjects are you shooting?

[@Joe8211943]

Your format is terrific. It's simple and direct. It's always the first place I go when I need information about using my camera!

[@stanspb763]

Some of the early complaints about AF on the Z bodies was due to the expectation that the modes were copies of the DSLR modes and when they did not return the same results, there was criticism. It took me a bit of testing to find out what they actually did and since that time until the Firmware 2.0x came out I was happy. When 2.01 was released I grabbed a copy from the Nikon Japan web site that had is a few hours before the US site..After that serious upgrade I have been thrilled with the performance. I do not shoot sports so high-speed tracking is not a use I have tested but for all I do, the big change in low light focusing ability made the Z6 the first line camera for all my work and sold the D850, retaining the D800. The 850 retained a lot more value since it was so much more advanced but I figured the value you drop quickly as more people switched to Z bodies. To be confident in the Z6/7 one has to match the subject to the reality and not the habit developed around the DSLRs, there is no equivalent to 3D Color tracking mode that sports shooters depended on. But focus accuracy is better with the Z than any of the DSLRs unless in Live View. The two modes I use most are AF-S Pinpoint and AF-C Auto Area plus MF using focus peaking, a joy to MF.

[@AF8Images]

I agree with your various points, the change from the DSLR modes to the z-series modes was quite poorly explained initially and that left people's expectations not being met in many cases. Like you as I have spent more time pre-thinking images and getting the right mix of settings I have seen the capture rate improve significantly. That said I'm yet to try really fast moving subjects.👍

[@patricklindahl868]

I basically use singel point focus and AF-C controlled by AF-ON-button. The focus motor stops working as soon I release the AF-ON button, so I don't need AF-S. When I do macro photos, I do a coarse focus with the AF-ON, zoom in electronically and then do manual focusing if needed I sometimes use eye-detection. That works fine as well, and I control what eye I choose by pressing the OK-button, a white square comes up, I reposition the camera and press AF-ON-button again.

[@AF8Images]

Interesting to hear different people's approaches Patrick. I'm assuming that your subjects are pretty static and you're perhaps using a tripod to ensure that the single point area is on the subject?

[@smkunder1]

These are so very helpful!

[@AF8Images]

Thanks Steve, much appreciated👍

[@saroshchothia5021]

Add some graphic examples to your video. Show some pics or video animation regarding your subject. Your videos look very plain and boring. No doubt they are very informative.

[@AF8Images]

Thanks Sarosh, it's a good point and in earlier videos I had pictures as you say. I have resisted getting an Atomos Ninja V to do captures like that and the alternative approaches were not so good quality. Maybe I'll look at it again though 👍