Nikon Z8 & Z9 Game Changing AF Update - And How To Use It!

[@davidcox2499]

Steve, you are not “some guy on the internet.” You are THE Nikon Guy.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@MrWitmis]

I would say even more, Steve you are Very Special Nikon Guy. Thanks for all you have done to all of us - Nikon users.

[@thebeatles1548]

You're a dang hunk, Steve. Keep on rocking.

[@kalimarus]

Steve is basically the Yoda of Nikon AF systems❤

[@michaelfaughn478]

One of the best sites on KZbin for camera information

[@donnasummer6285]

For. NIkon and Sony

[@GeorgeGiGi21]

Short, precise and easy to understand, as always. Many thanks Steve.

[@gaucphotography]

I programed the Cycle-AF area mode into my Z8 and Z9 I had used the last couple days while photographing Sandhill cranes in Nebraska. This configuration proved very useful particularly when I wanted to photogram a specific individual crane like the one in the foreground. Indeed this is great addition to the Z8 and Z9. Thanks for the video.

[@patrickmolloy6994]

another great video. One of the clearest I've seen /// THE clearest that I've seen on the new functionality. Thanks Steve

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks Patrick!

[@JohanSchmidt]

Excellent as always - so glad to see your channel is growing nicely!

[@backcountrygallery]

Slow and steady I suppose :) I think it would grow faster if I had more time to post videos - this was only like the 3rd or 4th for the year LOL!

[@neilrobinson6019]

Thanks for alerting us to something that I would have never noticed! Great video as usual. Keep up the great work!

[@AshBashSneakers]

LEGEND!!! I was going crazy wondering why I couldn’t select all the modes.. forgot I did the limit thing years ago. Sooo helpful

[@bynumoil9615]

Not relevant to this, but I just want to say thank you for your videos and books. I was perplexed on why I could not see the histogram on Z8 monitor and viewfinder. Voila, your book gave me the answer! I struggled all day on D19 with no luck. I had fiddled around with D10 Starlight mode. You’re a genius to include tidbits like this in your book.

[@NDeacon-AW_Ecology_UK]

Thanks for explaining this so clearly. It revealed the cause of something that was really frustrating me (missing modes when cycling through the selected AF mode menu items), the root cause of which was a small mismatch between the AF modes in the two different menus in different locations. Now it all works perfectly and, as you say, once set up correctly it is a quick and genuinely very useful additional feature that was buried in the list of Z9 FW5 changes.

[@chrisguli2865]

Thanks Steve, as usual you always explain things clearly and straight to the point without all the fluff. I can see where many will forget to enable an AF area mode and wonder why they can't cycle to it. Good catch!

[@chrisbainbridge4778]

Hi Steve, have switched to Nikon from Canon (after 25 years) and just want to say your extremely clear and informative tutorials are making the process a whole lot easier with the Z8 and your lens reviews have helped me choose the right gear. I know that many other UK bird photographers feel the same way and value your opinions very highly. Thanks again!

[@ReymondKurniawan]

Thank you Steve. I always find your videos very helpful. Thank you for sharing and making us photographers more informed.

[@csc-photo]

I LOVE this new Cycle AF option - hoping it also makes its way to my button-deficient Zf 🙂 I go back & forth a little on which modes to keep in the Cycle rotation in my banks (standard, portrait, macro, action), always walking the line between keep-it-simple and FOMO 😆 I mainly keep Auto Area, 3D, Wide-L, and sometimes C1. I assign Single Point + AF-ON to Fn1 and Cycle AF to Fn2. Sub Selector Button is my quick kill-switch for Subject Detection, via RSF. Although as firmware improves, I'm shutting off SD less frequently.

[@P_Anthony876]

After watching your video, set my AF area modes accordingly, and I took the Z9 out for a test. I was blown away. Cycling through the AF modes was like magic. Huge thanks, Steve. 💯💯 🤜🤛

[@JayBlue2U]

Always great info from Steve Perry! 📸

[@jonhertzler8078]

What I really like about this feature (example): If I have bird subject selected, when I cycle through, it will keep bird subject selected. Also, I like assigning it to the record button because it is raised up more than the other buttons. It makes it easier to find. For some reason it is awkward for my fingers to reach Fn1, Fn2 and Fn3. What a game changer for me and would not have noticed it without your video. Thank You!!!

[@backcountrygallery]

I agree 100% - it seems like a subtle difference, but in the field it's really significant.

[@tc6912]

Thank you! I set my Z8 up the same way. Now, all I need to do is make my hand understand that I don't need to turn the dial anymore.

[@backcountrygallery]

Don't worry, they're easy to convince. Mine gave up the dial almost instantly :)

[@seantomlinson3320]

I had no idea. Time to change my Z9 immediately

[@MrRudyc]

This was great Steve. Thanks for your work and inspiring us all.

[@JonViscott]

Brilliant idea to program the AF Area Cycle to the "RECORD" button instead of a Function button. The Fn1, Fn2 and Fn3 can ba a little akward to select when you are working fast. I had my Z 9's initally set to Fn2. Having the AF Area Cycle easily accessed with your index finger on the "Record" button is the way to go!

[@andrewmason8691]

Brilliant video, Steve. Customising buttons imho one of the most underrated benefits of the Z9 in particular and one of my frustrations with the Z6ii with the lack of features you can assign to some buttons.

[@tdalton854]

Very basic Z8 user here. I knew about this but shied away from it. But your description makes great sense. Thanks

[@jkdrubes]

I’m a newbie…your videos are fantastic!!! This has helped tremendously.

[@deepaksamani]

Steve taught me to use this on my Sony A9ii via one of his excellent Sony set up videos. Cycle AF area mode has been on Sony cameras for a long time. I am not a Sony fanboy.

[@TheRealEricGhost]

Thank you, Steve!! I recently read about this in your Z8/Z9 setup book and have used it ever since. Yes - definitely a game changer!

[@Koolbob2]

Thanks Steve! I'm retired, but I still shoot a bit of freelance work as well as dabbling in wildlife photography. I also have a lot of other hobbies, so I may not shoot anything for a week or more, so my camera button muscle memory isn't what it was when I shot full time. More than once when a decisive moment presents itself and I want to change the AF Mode I have pushed the FN1 button and inadvertently turned the rear dial, cycling through MF/AF-S/AF-C, the time lost getting back to AF-C and then turning the front dial has caused me to miss a few shots. I'm confident reconfiguring the video button to cycle AF areas will be a better option for me. :)

[@waltaptacy9151]

Thank you, Steve. Excellently informative!

[@johncalhoun4806]

Thanks for sharing your tips and suggestions on the new AF cycle capability. After watching this, I feel your recommendations supersede my setup, so going to give it a try. Thanks Steve!

[@PinkDiamond-2000]

Canon 1Dx had cycle AF area button next to shutter button in 2011. Nice to hear Nikon finally catch up :))

[@backcountrygallery]

It takes them time to cross the finish line at times

[@baburao786]

Cycle area AF is the best feature as part of this upgrade imho...Appreciate your videos as well

[@backcountrygallery]

I think so as well - at least for the Z9. I like that Bird AF was added to the Z8 with this, for the Z8 it's a tie :)

[@merkin22]

Oh, love this. Most certainly for use when in cold weather when I use glomitts and with only the end of my index finger peeking out of the 'finger' of the mittens, into the cold, having the cycle through AF option under that finger tip is going to be great -- no way to hit my function buttons with any precision or at all with second and third fingers nestled in down mittens :) Of course, I think cold weather is over for the season, but think how used I'll be to using this feature by next winter :)Thanks as always, Steve. Great stuff.

[@TheMiniD3]

Hi Steve, This old timer had all sorts of trouble , thought I would take off the long glass and put on my 20mm 1.8 while I set it up, Just could not get it working? Finally after going backwards and forwards, this 79 yo , noticed theglaring at me in the viewfinder! I'll blame it on my anaesthetist, I'm sure he has removed too many brain cells :) Works a treat now, thank you for your continuing support Much appreciated, Regards , Gary ......................... AU

[@OkwyUgonweze]

I have it set up to my portraits needs and it has really been a game changer . I assigned mine to movie rec. button as I shoot mostly portraits and my longest lens is the 200mm f2 . I selected , wide area small , C2 (1x7) and auto area .I still have a button set for single point to be able to respond in the most demanding of situations. I advise you check all the af options in limit af ,then go to cycle options and pick precisely the ones you fancy.

[@stanpiper8158]

Thanks Steve. I love this change. I like the video button for this because of its location and because it is raised. My handoff set up works great, but this is extra gravy. I hope that cycling through subject matter detection will be added next. The need to change subject modes is frequent, and disruptive.

[@tectoramia-sz1lu]

Thanks for that very handy. Especially when out shooting birds, where one moment you are trying to get a photo of a bird in a tree, then all of a sudden another bird flies by. I've mine set up on the Fn1 button as I find it more convenient.

[@vanlee0831]

I would like to have the cycle through detection subjects function.

[@backcountrygallery]

You and me both :)

[@jabonaelwuo9703]

Absolutly must have.

[@csc-photo]

YES 🙌🏻

[@P_Anthony876]

Thanks a lot, Steve. Awesome info. as always.👌 💯

[@SuperflyTNTdaShizzle]

Nice feature, but I’d rather have pre capture with raw, even if we lose a few fps.

[@oorcinus]

I had NO IDEA this was part of 5.0. Updating immediately, this is awesome! Thanks for the heads up!

[@backcountrygallery]

You're not alone - that's why I wanted to do the video :)

[@oorcinus]

@@backcountrygallery A+ service as always

[@tobiasyoder]

I think a video that might be useful is just reiterating that you still are in full control of your exposure settings even if you are in an auto exposure mode. Not exactly sure why, but seems like there is a misconception that in manual you have control but the auto settings you don’t, when really the different modes are just different ways of arriving at a particular combination of exposure settings. I know you’ve covered this ground before. Always know you’re going to give correct info

[@carlmcneill1139]

I set mine up for this after watching your other video. It is faster. I set mine to the function 1 button because I have the FX/DX on the record button in case I need to crop in real quick. My 180-600mm usually stays on my z8. I just got my L bracket in yesterday. I haven't even used my z8 for landscape yet. I mostly use it for sports and wildlife.

[@riteshkc11]

Thanks Steve. Such a life saver. This was driving me nuts as I couldn’t recycle auto area AF using my custom button in photo shooting menu. However I could do that in video menu!

[@32456hf]

Thank you, Steve and Nikon.

[@scottgarland2217]

Looking forward to setup guides be updated for new firmware.

[@backcountrygallery]

The Z8/9 guide has already been updated - I was all over that update :)

[@jimwlouavl]

Really helpful. I’m revisiting my AF settings after the new firmware. It’s close to getting a new camera body.

[@stevethompson8154]

I had been using my F2 button for that BUT I think I will like the video record button better. THANKS

[@johnmcote1528]

Excellent video Steve! I've made the adjustments to my Z9 and the change is amazing! 💯

[@ronaldpollard8990]

Thank you so Much!!! Your insight and knowledge are appreciated greatly!!

[@robertdane1212]

This works great next I would like cycle af subject detection modes

[@backcountrygallery]

Looking through the comments, I think that's now the most requested feature!

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

So glad they added it to the Z9. I still left spot foucs on Fn2 so I can press it and immediately be in spot focus as long as I hold it down. Now if they would let us cycle from bird to animal detection on a button it would be great.

[@harrybloomberg3079]

Thank you!!! I do need to change the AF area quickly and this is so much better than the standard method.

[@seanthompson258]

Great stuff Steve that was super helpful i am much like you, your settings work great for me thank you!

[@RonClifford]

This is a superb upgrade! Thanks for the vid.

[@stevelandphotography]

This is a great idea for that function and I'm going to change my to this. I've had the record button for 100% zoom forever and rarely use it. normally i use it to look farther to locate something. This is a much better use of that button for sure. Changing both 9's and the 8 later after work. Thanks Steve! Great info per usual

[@stanbessems83]

Thank you Steve! Is it also possible to assign a button to turn eye focus on and off?

[@JgHobley]

Very useful setting. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. I think you'll point me in the direction of another video but as a sports shooter, I like to have Auto-Area without face detection and a narrow upright area with face detection. I'm still trying to get my head around the Z9's many settings! 😳

[@backcountrygallery]

I don't do sports, so I can't say if that's optimal or not - it sounds pretty good to me though, FWIW.

[@robertsmith5745]

I set this up and think it’s going to work just great. Appreciate your videos.

[@duncanwallace7760]

Thanks for this, I'd thought 5.0 was nothing much for me, but I'll definitely install it now and do what you suggest as it will makes things a lot easier when you need to change settings when the action kicks off.

[@donald.kelley7000]

Another excellent learning video, Steve. Thank you. I have held off on the Z9 upgrade because I have read that the camera essentially resets to factory settings when the 5.0 update is done. If that is the case, what do you recommend for saving my settings before the update. I don’t use menu banks, just the basic “control” button changes and copyright settings, etc. Thanks in advance for any guidance you provide. Don

[@ranjankmsphotography]

I was waiting for a video of this sort from you 😊❤ Very well pointed out the mistake that people may make unknowingly.

[@bhimamitka]

Awesome Steve ,thanks for sharing , but Nikon needs to bring out a lighter 500 pf at least 5.6 for z cameras

[@rameshjn]

On similar lines, I would love a shooting menu bank cycle option. Would make life easier to switch to another shoot menu option with one button.

[@isoawe1888]

Thanks Steve. Wish there was a quick way to change eye detect quickly. With team sports I jump from people to vehicle a bunch.

[@backcountrygallery]

You can use Recall Shooting Functions to switch to one or the other. For instance, you can have the camera set to People and have it switch to Vehicles when you press the assigned button for Recall Shooting Functions. Not perfect, but it works.

[@MLJ7424]

Thanks for covering this Steve !

[@santoshmahalik]

Thanks as always for an awesome video.. yet to upgrade to firmware 5.0. Cycle Area Autofocus looks interesting

[@curtisjepersol]

Great video Steve! I used your recommendations on my Z9. Thank you!

[@mikebreazeale2563]

Great video Steve! As usual...Off this topic I was wondering if you could do a video on the Atmos monitoring and why and how it works for you. I think I would like it just to check my images before I shoot. Especially landscapes. I don't know maybe I'm crazy, but it just seems like a good idea. If you could show what you use would be great. Your videos and work are fantastic and like below you ARE The Nikon Guy to go to...Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge with us all. Peace

[@rajupanday6059]

Recently I got my Z8 , I am having doubt in my mind ,that while using subject detection mode we have to use AF-C OR 3-D tracking , Observed In many episode of yours on KZbin metering mode was Matrix and not SOPT OR CENTER WEIGHTED. 1)Can't we use other modes 2) what will be the difference if use it.

[@JanieNeary]

Thanks for this! I have it set up now and I think it will come in so handy.

[@MrModerate_kane]

yeh i set that on rec button with rotational dail as of old way, now moved to this one and it does feel better, between that FN 2 return 3D and single point on lens i have my 3 options on Z8 with the 600 plus rotational also.

[@bobarkow2997]

Hi Steve Great Video. Question I set up my Z9 for BBF with Wide area-S and my F1 button to Auto Area. I then programmed by Video button to cycle through area modes. Problem is when I cycle through the area modes it only affects the mode on the shutter button which I am not using. How do I get it to cycle throuh area modes and the back button AF-ON? Thanks.

[@terencehung1547]

Thank you steve, it's very useful setting for my z9.

[@scottwedell5072]

Great video Steve, can you use your power to suggest a real time highlight alert function in the LVF pleeeaase! Every time there's a new update I pray that it's on there.

[@backcountrygallery]

I've asked and asked and nothing yet.

[@timelapsescapes]

Hi Steve is there a way to switch from auto focus to manual focus with a function button setup to do it quickly???

[@pm-ec1fc]

100% agree, it is a much easier way to change the af mode.

[@thomastuorto9929]

Thanks for the vid. I'm still shooting the ole D810. Curious about the Control Ring on the new Nikon Z/S lenses. When one turns the ring , does the ISO go up & down or does one need to turn a Comand Dial also? Same with the Sony & Canon lenses? Thanks for any replies.

[@backcountrygallery]

If you set it for ISO, as you turn it goes up and down, no need for any other dials.

[@DeanJohnson67]

awesome! pretty confident I would have never found this! That said solves a longtime frustration fore me personally trying to quckly change before the subject does something that requires a NEW quick change in the wrkflow11

[@adamusturner2476]

Steve, I own both the Z8 and Z9 both with current firmware updates. Maybe it's all in my head but the Z9 AF and detection seems to work slightly better than the Z8. Does that big battery of the Z9 make a difference and is my sanity in tact with the Z9 AF performing better?

[@PhotographybyTimWMoore]

Thanks Steve. Im adding this to my Z8 now!

[@MikeHeller]

Thanks Steve, will try this out soon. Right now I have the back button focus set to AF+Auto area, and the DISP button set to AF+3D. Between the two buttons I can easily focus and change af area modes but limited to 2 options unless I overload even more buttons which I don't really want to do. It's also awkward to focus with the front buttons, etc. Do you only use one button for AF engagement?

[@backcountrygallery]

Yes, just the AF-On button, no AF mode tied to it.

[@photonsonpixels]

Thank you for another fantastic tutorial, Steve! Please keep them coming 🙏 With this new feature, maybe I can free up the AF-area mode selection on the i-Menu and use that location for something else. I can always add "a8" to "My menu" for quick access should I ever find the need for one of the "unselected" modes. What do you think? And a special request for you Steve: Though you are not a videographer per se, it would be wonderful if you could make a tutorial on the very basics on how to shoot the occasional video - given that your guides don't discuss this at all for obvious reasons. Thank you so much!

[@backcountrygallery]

One thought is just to leave the Focus Mode Button for AF modes. It's not in a great spot, but it would still allow you to access the AF areas you don't have checked with Cycle AF. Not sure if I'll do something on video - I know just enough to get by and I always dislike it when someone on YT comes across as an "expert" on something they don't fully understand (and I'm aware that approach is more the rule than the exception). I don't want to tell you stuff I really don't know that well. If I dive deeper into video down the road, it'll probably happen.

[@photonsonpixels]

@@backcountrygallery Thank you Steve!

[@charlestemkin270]

I have ended up using a workaround to switch detection modes. It is inelegant and a pain to set up or modify, but at least it works. I use the shooting bank function to set up 3 banks with three different subject detection modes (birds, animals, people). Obviously you could use other or additional modes. I leave the other settings in each mode the same, but they could be tailored to the particular detection mode. Then I use a custom button setting to let me instantly choose the different shooting banks.

[@backcountrygallery]

I use RSF to toggle Animal on and off (I keep it set to Bird). I also have Fn2 programmed to go to the first item in My Menu, which is Subject Detection - then I just pick what I want. Lots of work arounds, none of them great though IMO.

[@michaelbryanphotography2794]

Thank you Steve. I was successful setting up the custom control to change the focus area from the video button. However, I decided I did not like it there because I can’t turn on video now. I have tried to reset the control back to video, but I can’t figure it out. I have gone back to the custom control video record button and hit the trash can to reset it, but it won’t reset. What do I do to rest it? Thank you. Mike

[@backcountrygallery]

That button doesn't turn on video unless you are in video mode anyway. The default of the video record button is to turn off the live view info display. If you are in video mode, the programming doesn't carry over - video has it's own set of custom button options. At any rate, you can reset any button by highlighting it under the f2 menu and tapping the delete button.

[@PaulCamp-h9l]

This is a great and useful tip Steve!

[@DanielRodriguez-fg5ll]

I would not have guessed someone as experienced as Steve would have lenses so close to the edge of a 3- or 4 level bookshelf. an some lenses without the rear cap (just behind him).

[@backcountrygallery]

I shot this video as I was in the processing of packing for Africa and had gear all over. Sorry if that disappoints you. FWIW, no lenses were harmed in the making of this video.

[@antonoat]

Steve you should go and sit on the naughty chair, you have a lens on the shelf behind you with no lens cap on its rear! ☹️ little bugs love to crawl into dark small places like lenses, once had a thunder bug get into the mirror box of my old D5 it was very annoying , lol 😀 Quality video and information as always! Have a great Easter weekend 👏👍😀

[@backcountrygallery]

It's secure now :) I'm getting ready to head to Africa and everything is all over the place!

[@antonoat]

@@backcountrygallery I hope you have a fantastic trip 👍👏😀

[@georgeschassagne6244]

Thanks Steve for your video. I did this programming on my Z8 and now on my Z9. Just a question : for the single point for some time I put the W-C1 1X1 instead of the Single point and it works well with as you say the additional subject recognition. But is there a difference in sensitivity or anything else between these 2 options because I see that you keep both???

[@backcountrygallery]

Not any difference in sensitivity as far as I can tell. I keep both as a quick way to use something with or without Subject Detection as needed (since there's no easy way to shut Subject Detection off).

[@CharlieGroh]

...redid my Z9 to utilize this feature and went out and used 'er, oh yes!

[@richardcohen8769]

As usual, on point and logical. Thanks Steve.

[@jeffb.3052]

The fact that Nikon allows an AF area to be selected under cycle when it's disabled under the other menu, that's simply poor coding on their part. They should have either overide the other, or grey it out and have a help tip showing why, or a pop-up when you toggle that under cycle that says it's disabled, would you like to enable it yes/no and then do it. Thank you for pointing it out, hopefully they will fix that to something that's coded as it should be.

[@mrz1342]

Hi, I am wondering if the resolution on the Z9 viewfinder with 9.4m dot be better to see or 3.7 m on the Z8? Which preview is more accurate and matches the final image process by the same sensor of 45.7mp? thank you

[@davearchbell9921]

BEST advice ever!!!! I love this setup.

[@dougstead1956]

Another fantastic training video. 5-Stars++

[@catacv9]

U can tell me setting for D4 for aerial pictures ?

[@segercliffhanger]

Thanks Steve. Great input. I think I'll move AF area cycling to my AF-ON button, instead of the video button. For some reason, in the field, even after owning the Z9 4 months and using it intensively, I have to take my face out of the viewfinder if I want to shoot video, because often my index finger just can't find the darn vid button. I have to find it visually, place my finger on it and carefully keep it there while I scoop the camera back into my face. Often needing to reframe the shot, moment gone, inspiration gone. Clumsy. It's my bad. Not so with the AF-ON button that my thumb can find and often finds. I'll think I'll sacrificy the unpairing of focus and click that the AF-ON button gives (I feel that I have that with half-press and press, I really don't see the point of AF-ON, but I'm getting off-topic.). Anyway :). Thanks.

[@SingleTrack66]

Wait a minute… you mean you don’t use BBF ?

[@cliveingram9840]

Steve - sorry to trouble you (I know you must get hundreds of messages) but do you think Auto Capture on the z9 would be fast enough to capture diving King Fishers? (PS your book on setting up the Z9, which I bought, is just superb, really easy to work through and incredibly thorough). Thanks Clive (UK).

[@backcountrygallery]

Maybe the Motion criteria might - it's pretty quick, although, I too wonder if it's as quick as a kingfisher. No way to know for sure unless you try.

[@edwardlong189]

The human factors of these lists are horrible. Its a computer with a camera NOT a camera with a computer! I have been shooting Nikon for 50 years and love the z8, just not the lists. Great video.

[@stanburman9978]

Thank you Steve. This is fantastic!

[@J5388T]

Useful and very helpful video thanks!

[@grantking4681]

Steve, I'd be interested in your thought processes as to when you decide to shoot wide open and when to close down. I'm off to India next month and going to Ranthambore National Park for tigers, deer and elephants as well as birds. I'll be taking my Z8, 24-120 and 100-400 lenses and a 1.4 T/C.

[@backcountrygallery]

For wildlife, it comes down to balancing how much of the subject I want sharp vs how busy a background I can tolerate. Most of the time I'm wide open unless I'm at close-range (especially close with smaller animals). Basically, I'm looking at the animal and trying to decide if the out of focus areas are enough to be a distraction. A good example is when I'm shooting burrowing owls. They are a pocket-sized owl (don't test that) and you need a lot of glass at sort of close range to get the shot. Unless they are looking directly and the camera and perfectly square to it, I can't get both eyes sharp wide open (F/5.6 since eI'm using 840mm). So, I stop down to F/8, even F/9 to make it work - and sometimes, that's not even enough. This seems like a good topic for a video :)