NIKON Z SERIES - 2 MINUTE TIPS #38 = 'AF eye & face detect' in the nikon z6 & z7

[@AF8Images]

How are you finding the eye and face detect on the z-series? Any recommendations?

[@ShariBarnes]

Just wanted to say that I am loving these 2 minute Tip videos. I just purchased the Z6 and they have really helped me understand the camera works so much better! Thank you for taking the time to create these!

[@AF8Images]

Thanks Shari, glad they are helping. There's so much functionality hidden in the cameras! Hopefully the Z6 is working well for you👍

[@Mr09260]

I second this ..a truly brilliant series

[@AF8Images]

@@Mr09260 Many thanks, much appreciated👍

[@kingbov6250]

Great video. I have the z7 and I use the face/eye detect a lot and I have to say I have found it incredibly reliable. Thanks for the fab tips.

[@AF8Images]

Cheers, and great to hear that it's working for you like me. Adrian

[@davidkrugs6466]

Just got my Z6 and your video was very helpful, thanks so much. 👍

[@derekgrace4977]

Does this work well with multiple people in the frame? Or is it recommended to use with multiple people

[@AF8Images]

Hi there Derek, yes it does. If there are multiple faces or eyes you will see a yellow arrow at one or both sides of the box which indicates you can scroll to the next face/eye. Hope this helps, Adrian

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

People who complain that the camera is focussing on the eyelashes are using inappropriate aperture settings for the subject/distance. Eye detect is not available in movie mode. To have success with the Z series camera auto focussing It is important use the appropriate combinations of mode and area settings. There would be a lot less complaints if people took an hour to experiment with the settings. The touch screen is also great for pulling focus, especially during video recording.

[@AF8Images]

Totally agree Raymond and was my intention of breaking AF down to the constituent parts to help people rebuild their settings to have the best chance of success. Cheers, Adrian

[@uglypuppies82]

I'm experiencing the eyelash focusing issue. With portraits, I prefer tight shots with shallow DOF. I'm shooting with 50mm f/1.8z or 85mm f/1.8z lenses, with apertures between 1.8 and 2.8. If I switch instead to Single-Point AF-S, I can position the focus point on my subjects eye and I'm able to focus on the pupil with more accuracy than with Eye-AF, even at f/1.8. I'm curious by what you mean when you say "inappropriate aperture settings"? I understand of course that if I back up from my subject and shoot smaller apertures with Eye-AF, it will increase my DOF such that it will encompass more of my subjects face. But then I would be sacrificing my artistic and aesthetic choices due to a technical issue, and that is really disappointing.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

@@uglypuppies82 Well, one person's "artistic and aesthetic" is another's out-of-focus-nose, but you've solved your own issue: use Single-Point AF-S if that's what produces the function you're looking for.

[@jlm300185]

Hi There Was just thinking about the z6 for shooting mainly my 2 years old daughter... do you think that the camera is able to keep up with quick movements of a baby in that age?? Thanks a lot for your videos and tips

[@AF8Images]

Mina, I'm assuming that you're talking still photos rather than video. I have found eye/face detect pretty responsive. Where a subject is moving around and perhaps moving their head so that their face/eyes are in and out of frame can be a challenfge for any camera but the z-series seem to recapture pretty quickly. The art is using a deeper depth of field like f8-11 so that there is a wider zone of focus and pair it with a continuous (High) shutter release and you should get a good capture rate. Hope this helps. Adrian

[@mattgrant447]

Mina Tadros late reply, but I just saw your comment. I use this with my 3 year old with some success. She moves around so much that it can lose her eye - I mean not it’s just her face moving, but her body is always moving. I use the 50 1.8s quite a bit around the house. I still get good shots, but it’s a bit frustrating when she's really moving because if it doesn’t see a face I lose control of what the camera is focusing on. I find myself using 9 point dynamic area with more success for her. Eye detect is much better with my 7 year old, or when my wife is sitting with the 3 year old snuggling. Overall though I just love the Z6. I switched from the D750 which was a great camera, but I find myself being more creative with Z6...looking at scenes in black and white and playing with shadows and exposure more than I did with an optical view finder. Good luck with your photography! Matt

[@carolinesexton2977]

thank you for your instruction! It's super helpful!

[@AF8Images]

Glad you're finding it useful Caroline👍 thanks for viewing and the comment

[@smkunder1]

I use it, but it does not always grab the eye. Very glad it’s there though. Keep these tips coming, really enjoy them.

[@AF8Images]

Cheers Steve. I tend to use it with an aperture of f8-11 and a continuous shutter release to get the best results as you have a better chance of success. Adrian

[@stevechandler6171]

I prefer using AF-C with back button focusing programmed to the AF button only and not using the Shutter release. I seem to have issues with this setup when it comes to Eye or Face detect. I have tried continually depressing the AF back button while following subject but do not get good focus results in this mode. If AF activation is programmed to shutter release, it seems to work better. Have you noticed any differences in these two methods of shooting when it comes to Eye AF?

[@suuuper1000]

I also use AF back button only with AF-C. But I think there is no need to press continually AF back button to follow the face/eye?! Not sure because I've my Z6 since 2 days :)

[@AF8Images]

Steve, I've just tried it with both approaches and don't seem to get any noticeable difference between them. What's the scenario that your in? What lens are you using?

[@AF8Images]

In AF-C you will need to depress the AF back button if you or the subject are moving to maintain focus. When you do this you will likely hear the lens adjusting almost continuously even when you think your standing still 👍

[@jasonrich8074]

@@AF8Images i have a z6b ii and ive trying to use eye tracking and for it to keep tracking. my lens doesnt even try to focus?

[@paulcostache6733]

Firmware 2.0 did give us eye autofocus but Nikon claims their firmware 2.1 improved on it. Wish you specified which of the two versions you're on. Pretty relevant I think. Thanks

[@AF8Images]

Good point Paul, at the time I recorded the video there was only 2.0.

[@lgolden972]

I have used EyeAF and most of the time it works fine. I have had the eyelash issue (f1.8 lens shot at f2.8) but very infrequently. Will keep checking to see if the problem persists. I am used to the D850 where the pupil was always sharp but that was with normal AF and not EyeAF.

[@AF8Images]

What firmware are you using? Apparently v2.10 contained improvements to EyeAF. Have you noticed any improvement?

[@lgolden972]

I was using 2.1 but that was my first experience with EyeAF so I can't compare it to anything. I'm still on the fence about going Z instead of my D850. I'm wondering if a Z7 works better because of the added number of focus points. I like the size, weight and IBIS of the Z but if there are issues I'd rather stay with a D850 and the 105mm F2 DC. (My favorite lens but no AF with FTZ adapter.

[@AF8Images]

@@lgolden972 Having had the Z7 for 10 months or so I don't regret switching. Most of the issues that people raise either don't affect my style or are predictable and can therefore be avoided. The issue with your favourite lens, however, is predictable and can't be avoided. But the other benefits were significant for me. Good luck with your deliberations!

[@GBB70]

Even before the Firmware 3.0 update I used my Z7 and Z85/1.8 @ 1.8 using BBF with AF_C with no issues with eye detect and even got some tight shots with no eye lash issues. Maybe I was just lucky, but I am finding the eye detect is working well. I will be trying out the Sigma 135/1.8 for another test shooting at 1.8. I also have the Z6 and it operates identical to the Z7. Anxious to see the improvements with the FW 3.0.

[@avnerbenzvi8757]

took me hige of time to understand how to use it bu bow it is great

[@AF8Images]

Glad you got there in the end. It's certainly very useful

[@veloz7860]

I've recently gotten the Z6 and have been experimenting with the various "tracking" modes. I would give it a school grade of maybe B. That is, it's good but not great. With subject tracking for example, I'm finding that if there are multiple subjects in the frame, the subject focus can hop between them more than I would like (instead of "sticking" on the one I placed it on) Hopefully this can be improved even more with time. Having said that, I think it improves your chances of getting a shot!

[@peterlooper7956]

From the videos I've watched it seems that the eyelash AF occurs with f/1.4 lenses, perhaps with f/1.8 ones as well, but at very close range. i've not experienced it either. Great videos!

[@AF8Images]

Thanks Peter, your analysis is in line with what I'm hearing. Others have reported it as occurring with f1.8 lenses even at f2.8. But firmware 2.10 apparently includes improvements to EyeAF