Nikon Z50 Bird Photography | GOOD or GARBAGE?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

UPDATE! I have since made some adjustments that have worked MUCH better on the Nikon Z50 while doing bird photography. I will share another video in a couple of weeks to show you what I have done. See you all then 🦅📸🙏

[@geraldboss]

I use the Z50 with the 200-500 , I still have a D500 but it stays at home now, I get pin sharp static small birds by setting up a function button 100% preview and back button focus set on continuous Af. When the function button is pressed the focus mode uses contrast AF with a very small area , it just gives that extra bit of crispiness it doesn't work with moving subjects though.

[@sunngifuwetzel1197]

@@geraldboss how much better is the D500 than the Z50?

[@bigboi36]

I'm so glad I found your channel. I bought a Z50 some years ago and just bought the 180-600mm in August. The z 50 when putting really good glass yield some very clean and true to life colorful imagery. The results I get from my Z 24-70 |2.8s still amazes me. Eventually I will move to full frame but my main intent is to build glass around this lil' gem of a camera. Now that I got the 2 lenses , the next will be the Z 14-24 |2.8 s and then the Z 70-200mm |2.8s

[@echoes101]

I was confused about Z50! I wanted to start with a real camera! After watching the photographs, I started loving this camera and finally bought it! The main purpose of the camera is to capture the view! And it has done the job. Thank you sir

[@davidsaylors]

It is my main bird camera. I paid it with the 500mmPF for a compact travel package. Your photos were exquisite too. 👍📸

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Hi David - it's a great little camera. I've made some adjustments to both the camera and my own technique since this video and it's now much better when I'm doing bird photography. I'll be making another video and showing what I've done in a couple of weeks. Good to hear from you again. Hope you have a great weekend, cheers 📸🙏

[@peternicholson2147]

Really appreciate this video. I'm a z50 user here in England . Have been for just about a year. I'm glad to see that the problems I've had with focus may not be just down to me being a rubbish photographer. I shot for few years with a D7200 and I loved that camera, along with Tamron 150-600 was always pleased with results and if got bad pics knew it was me not camera, When the shutter went told by Nikon couldn't be fixed and they offered me discount on the z50. I was going crazy trying to get results I got with the DSLR D7200. it lets me down so many time's. i can have the bird right in the frame, single point dead on it, and it doesn't focus. Not every time, on burst it can be every other shot and I've almost given up on birds in flight. I'm not in the position to upgrade so have to go with it. I can come home with, yes, garbage. Cant wait to see your solutions in next video. thanks again.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience Peter, much appreciated. I've made some adjustments to both the camera and my technique. In the next video I'll share everything and hopefully it can help other people out. Have a great weekend, cheers 📸🙏

[@colvillebri196]

I too had a D7200 using and Tamron 150-600 G2, great camera and I agree with what you say about the Z50 though it does take delightful landscapes. It’s a nice wee camera but frustrating at the same time

[@koolkutz7]

I'm sticking with my Nikon D7500 & Sigma 150-600mm C lens for now. I was hoping Nikon would have made a flagship aps-c z-mount mirrorless camera by now, but I'm still waiting! If they could make something along the lines of (or better than) the canon R7 or Fujifilm X-H2s then Nikon would have my attention.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

@@koolkutz7 Appears there could be a APS-C coming out next year with some of the tech from the Z9.

[@koolkutz7]

@@adrianalfordphotography Yes!! That's what I was hoping for 🙂

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Looking forward to the next one Adrian,can't wait to see what adjustments you made, cracking images mate, thanks for sharing.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Cheers John thanks for watching mate. Working on the next video now, although the cyclone rain we're having at the moment isn't doing me any favours. Enjoy you week.

[@christopherpitstock8144]

Looking forward to the follow up video. I have similar problems with the Z6ii when shooting birds on branches. Even though I think I have them in perfect focus multiple images look soft. PS next time you are heading to Kumbartcho give me shout as is just down the road from me. There was a Platypus sighting several weeks ago to! Cheers Chris

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Chris. Yeah that’s a nice area you’re living in now. Got a real country type feel to it. Can see why you moved there. Look forward to sharing the next Z50 vid in a couple of weeks. Cheers mate 🤙🙏

[@susanwalker2861]

Thanks Adrian, I've paired my Z50 with the new Z 100-400 mm S lens. I had the 80-400 but I really need to keep weight down. I'm not fast enough for birds in flight so prepared to accept limitations and find I can get some good static shots but like you still struggling with reliable focusing so look forward to seeing how you get on.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you Susan for watching. It's a great little camera. I've made some adjustments through some settings and technique that have worked much better for me in the next video. I'm currently editing and will be finished in a couple of weeks. Enjoy your weekend.

[@christian.irmler]

Hi Adrian, oh yes, a reliable focus is definitely an advantage when it comes down to bird photography. I never tried the Z50, but curious why it didn't work for you. On my Sony A6500, I had a similar problem once and ultimately I found out that I had the pre-focus turned on, by accident. This is why the camera always changed focus, also after I focused by myself :) Thank you for sharing this video, have a great weekend, Christian

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks Christian. I have made some changes to the Z50 since making this video and it now works much better. I'm just editing another video to show in a couple of weeks time to explain what I've done to make it more accurate and faster. Also I changed my technique a bit to suit the camera more as well. Hope you have a great weekend, cheers 📸🙏

[@colvillebri196]

I had the same trouble with my z50 and 500mm PF, what I did notice was the focus point dances about on high shooting rate even worse if you use image stabilisation. I’ve missed loads of shots with both z50 and Z6II, I’ve actually bought another D500 and gone back to using that, hasn’t missed a beat.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. I'm so jealous. I love that 500mm PF, such a great lens. Still trying to get a hold of one here to try out on the D850. Enjoy your weekend 🙏

[@laurelb8372]

Will be interested to see your next video Adrian and what adjustments you made. Having both a Z50 and Z7 it would be good to try my 200-500mm on this for birds.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Really appreciate you watching Laurel. Look forward to sharing the next video. Have a great weekend, cheers 📸🙏

[@PhilThach]

Nice to see you give the Z50 a go! You captured some amazing species! On the Z50 I prefer single point for perched birds and wide area small for birds in flight. Have a great weekend, Adrian!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks Phil. It's such a good little camera for the price. I've had a play since this video and made some alterations to the settings and my technique. Was much more successful in the second outing. Have a great weekend, cheers 🙏📸

[@woodpeckersTravelStory]

Hi sir. Am using my z50 and 200-500 f5.6 with ftz adapter. I can't get sharp images. And video footages got with alot of grains😭

Another great video Adrian, I enjoy your bird photography, that's some zoom (beast) to carry around. Great set of photographs and video. Many thanks for sharing your work - have a great weekend :)

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Shaun. Glad you enjoyed the shots of the birds. Enjoy the rest of your week mate, cheers 🙏📸

[@smkunder1]

Looking forward to your next video, I so much want a viable replacement from Nikon to my D500, in a mirroless format.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Steve. I think you're not the only one wanting that. I hear there's possibly a crop sensor Nikon mirrorless camera coming towards the end of next year. They're saying it's like a baby Z9. That's the camera I've got my eye on. Enjoy your weekend 🙏📸

[@slimbirdy]

Loved the honesty about the troubles you had. I'm sure other photographers go through the same thing and wonder how some others can nail it every time. Despite your issues, the shots were amazing - the ones you showed us anyway - ha! Really enjoyed it and the black cockatoos were my favourite!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. The Z50 is a great little camera for the price. Maybe I'm just asking too much of it. I have made some changes to the camera since making this video and it works much better now. Will be making a video on that. Have a great weekend 📸🙏

[@vivaanpadaki6154]

I'm a Nikon Z50 user and i use it with the Nikkor 200-500 f 5.6...well there are some problems like slow af in low light,lots of noise with high iso's and higher ratio of soft images i personally feel it's an amazing camera for anyone who is a newbie with mirrorless technology. I get pretty amazing sharp images with this set up and i feel that with the right settings and right knowledge about the camera body this camera packs a lot of power

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. Yes I agree. Have you updated to the latest firmware? The one where you get eye AF in video now. I’d like to know if you see any notable differences.

[@ExclusivelyReclusive1]

I just bought this camera and i'm very pleased because it's a huge upgrade for me. I'd say that it's a great all around camera for beginners, It's good in most areas but not amazing. I would highly recommend this camera for beginners who's still beginning to explore the functions of a camera and the world of photography, like myself.

[@radinnasir8933]

I put my nikon 200-500 with my z50 to shoot wild life. It's much simpler, lighter and enjoyable. Yes, the z50 is useless against fast birds but those heavy birds of prey.. Yup, its good! Very under rated this nikon z50.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. If you watch the next video on the Z50 in a couple of weeks, you'll see I can catch fast birds with the Nikon Z50 after the adjustments I made.

[@woodpeckersTravelStory]

I have aloso z50 and 200-500 f5.6... But i can't capture sharp photos😭 video footages are too grained...please help me bro

[@adrianalfordphotography]

@@woodpeckersTravelStory I’ve got another Z50 bird photography video coming out this Saturday. I show all my settings and hopefully that’ll help you out 🙏

[@woodpeckersTravelStory]

@@adrianalfordphotography thanks in advance 🤗

[@57sapke]

Thanks for the video. I noticed you've set your lens VR and active on with high shutter speed, perhaps that's the problem.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. I’ve made some adjustments to the camera and my technique since this video and it works much better. I’ll share the changes in a couple of weeks time when I’ve finished editing the video. Enjoy your weekend 🙏

[@CluelessYoutuber]

Some beautiful footage of the birds and bees. Enjoyed your narration and seeing the death star 😂 interesting how the focus didn’t work out for you, I’ve never had my hands on these systems but perhaps just some fiddling around with the settings will do the trick.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks so much for watching. I have a feeling you are right. I have since made some adjustments to the Z50 and already it works much better doing bird photography. Glad you enjoyed the video, cheers

[@NikonDave]

I don't think I really ever tried getting comfortable with AF-C until I'd pretty much stopped using the Z50. Always had good luck with single point and wild life. Did a few trips to Costa Rica with the Z50 and had some fantastic keepers. Unfortunately now it sits in the dry cabinet. Something slightly better in the focus on the Zfc that I'll use it more with a grip when I want the crop factor...or...just grab the still amazing D500. Good images. Look forward to a follow up. Tempted to dust it off and take it out to see what I can come up with this weekend. Cheers.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks so much watching and commenting Dave, much appreciated. Hope you have a great weekend 🙏📸

[@dennisdksing]

Thanks Adrian, some great shots despite your focus issues! May I ask where you took this video? I live on the Northside of Brisbane too, so always keen to find more places to go and shoot!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Dennis, cheers 🙏

[@NCSTalkid]

Quite good. Should staked cmos. Apsc is good for wildlife, macro and a photo

[@leod1671]

I sometimes forget that the crop sensor is pretty darn good. Before my D850 I was using a D7000 (16 MP) and I never complained about the quality of the images. It wasn’t till I got the D850 that I started to do more pixel peeping cropping and also pushing ISO. The D7000 biggest draw back for what like to do was the speed of the autofocus, anyway, The Z50’s sensor is awesome. Well, another great video, thank you Adrian.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Many thanks for watching Leo. I just had the Z50 out yesterday and was very impressed with the images I was getting. Hope you have a great week ahead 📸🙏

[@alwynsmit3546]

I loved my D7000 IQ. That sensor was absolutely magic. But I hated the build quality & the unreliable AF. Nikon should have fixed only those 2 issues of the D7000 on the D7100 & kept the sensor the same, instead of jumping to 24mp

[@rodneymarsden3003]

Gee I am so glad I have a Z50! Love the Silver Eyes! They move so fast!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching

[@wingsofaustralia]

Really enjoyed this Adrian thank you. I don't have a Z50 but enjoy anything with birds in it.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks heaps for watching, I really appreciate it. Cheers 🍻 📸🙏

[@410AK]

Iam new in the channel,very nice videos. I am planning to buy a Z50 for bird photography and landscapes, but i wonder if it will be released a replacement mode soon.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Hi and welcome to the channel. I have another Z50 bird photography video coming out tomorrow night with more details in terms of settings. Yes, re new replacement soon. I think there may be? I am making another video about that in another couple of weeks 🙏📸

[@AdrianMateoDrones]

Awesome video brother Adrian. Thanks 🙏 for sharing buddy

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks Adrian - appreciate you watching. Hope you have an awesome weekend 📸🙏

[@paulcookphotography]

I'm glad I'm not the only nerd who looks at the moon and thinks Death Star first! 😂 Not being a Nikon shooter I don't have much to offer about this camera, so I'll defer to all the others commenting, but despite it's limitations, you did well to capture some amazing bird images. I really like that Willie Wagtail bird! And the yellow tailed cockatoo is a beauty as well. I think the funnier the name, the more I like the bird 😂 But ust goes to show your expertise to work around those limitations and come home with some good images, but point taken on what if that one out of focus shot was THE SHOT. Great video as always mate. Hope you are doing well and had a great weekend.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Paul. I do enjoy the Z50 and having the 1.5 crop does give me more reach. So many bird species here at the moment, ones I’ve never seen before. It’s great. Landscape photography has to take a backseat for a while so I can capture the nesting season. I always push a camera to its max (I think everyone does) but I think this Z50 can give me more yet. Will have a play and see what I can do to improve it for bird photography. Have a great week mate, take care 🍻🙏

[@peterviragphoto]

You only need one good shot …. of the death star😂😂😂 It’s definitely not garbage but would be frustrating using it from time to time. Looking forward to your next in the field test session for the final verdict. Great shots of some beutiful birds once sgain! Cheers

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks Peter, haha yeah that setting moon did look like the Death Star that morning. Made a few changes since then to the camera. Works much better. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 📸🙏

[@k8tv546]

and if u trade nikon to canon r7 or sony 6400 u could get better af but..... We all know nikon got best grip to hold long time and best raw file. Belive me no brand got better raw file than nikon, special when talk about DR and save image in under/over expourse

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Agree with that.