Nikon Z8 firmware 2.0: Pixelshift, Bird Af and Auto Capture tested in real-life

[@miklosmayerphoto]

Download some of the Pixelshift and Bird AF test photos: bit.ly/nikonz8fw2files

[@Rev.DavidJTowns]

The Z8 is awesome -- it takes time to get the set up you like but once you do --- you will love this camera

[@miklosmayerphoto]

Yep, that's true!

[@SwanSycorax]

Why should we Z9 owners be sorry!!!??? I am a Z9 owner AND a Z8 owner and, yes, I am absolutely delighted the Z8's firmware 2 offers significant upgrades but, my Z9 is still my main go-to camera. For me there is just one major flaw with both the Z9 and the Z8 - Pre-Capture ONLY works with JPEGs. For some time now i have watched superb videos by several Olympus "ambassadors" who all speak and demonstrate very highly the OM-1's Pro-Capture facility which captures RAW images. I have used the Nikon Pre-Capture and really miss the RAW capability. I also notice that on many occasions when Pre-Capturing at 60fps, let alone 120fps, the images are not that sharp and the camera switches to DX mode with FX mode not available at those speed. Personally, I would be happy with 30fps RAW in FX mode with Pre Capture, just hoping this might be in the next Z9 firmware update - pretty please!!!

[@miklosmayerphoto]

Let’s hope Nikon reads these! I didn’t know they had only jpg in Pre-capture…

[@lennyvlaminov9480]

30 fps raw would do it, yes! I love my Z9 and can create almost every I want, but pre capture is really a game changer and for me 0.8 seconds pre with 30 fps raw would be enough. With a reaction time around 0.3 that would give us 15 frames, wouldn't that cover a lot?

[@Pine4205]

It is a well known fact that pixel-shift is not for moving scenes. Good video.

[@miklosmayerphoto]

That's right - but still, one wants to see how you can use in different cases,

[@johnyoung1606]

@@miklosmayerphoto True ,,,,, But this came off Badly ....

[@jimwlouavl]

Thanks for the detail about how NX Studio sees the pixel shifted photos. I hadn’t seen that before in other reviews.

[@johnyoung1606]

I have seen it in many other reviews.......

[@miklosmayerphoto]

You're very welcome - I really wanted to test that out, as with almost every landscape something will be moving.

[@seanbowen4429]

That’s for the excellent video! For pixelshift, I would love to see a noise/detail comparison between the pixelshift file and a normal file with AI noise reduction applied. Cheers!

[@miklosmayerphoto]

That's a great point, but I didn't put that into the video. There's of course a difference, the Pixelshift looks much better, especially in terms of dynamic range. But it comes at the extra cost of having more files, using another software - overall adding a lot of workload.

[@markr3926]

The point of setting and interval period between pixel shift shots is because if you are using flash the flash will not fire unless there is an interval set. This is to allow time for the flash to recycle. You might not seem the point but I think what you really meant was you don’t know why rather than you don’t see the point.

[@miklosmayerphoto]

That’s a very good point, I didn’t think about that. Thanks for the info!

[@DBaizan]

Excellent video with great examples of these new Z8 features. Your English skills are very impressive, too. One very small observation: the English word "crow" (that black bird in one example) rhymes with "blow" and "go". English is just very irregular with spelling and pronunciation.

[@miklosmayerphoto]

Thank you so much! Yes, the pronounciation of "crow" confused me a little... I went as if it was like in "crown" :) But it's funny that you have "row" (line of people), and "to have a row" with different pronounciation but same spelling :) Anyway, I appreciate that you raised my attention to this, because I always want to be better!

[@DBaizan]

@@miklosmayerphoto You have a wonderful attitude. It will take you far. Your idea of leading photo excursions in Budapest is also great. My wife and I honeymooned in Budapest, and the sights were fantastic. As for English spelling and pronunciation... it's totally irrational.

[@lukaserik]

I have a question . Can you do a time lapse with smart phone only ? I don't have any high end camera . My orchid is in a bud that will start to open soon . I hope that at some point I will be able to purchase a good camera . Thanks . It would be amazing to have a knowledge about the subject like you do .

[@miklosmayerphoto]

On most phone's camera app, there is a timelapse function as well. But there are dedicated timelapse apps, too.

[@lukaserik]

@@miklosmayerphoto Thank you for your reply .

[@starbase218]

Maybe the pixel shift will improve in the future. When Pentax implemented it, their processing software was able to detect motion artifacts and that part of the image would be replaced with the information of a single frame. Still, I'd say it's a niche feature.

[@miklosmayerphoto]

As I remember, Olympus didn't make such colored artefacts, but maybe I'm wrong.

[@emeryfred]

I have both Z8 and Z9. It's not a problem :)

[@sharonmoore9941]

Excellent,much appreciated.😀

[@miklosmayerphoto]

Thank you!

[@ts76751]

Are the pixel shift files raw as well? Or jpg??

[@miklosmayerphoto]

Both the merged NEFX files, both the converted JPGs.

[@orion2250]

They need to combine pixel shift with focus shift and time lapse..

[@miklosmayerphoto]

It's a pain even with "single" shots, can you imagine how many terabytes and processing power would be needed for a 20 second long timelapse? :)