Nikon Z9 + 4.1 Firmware: The New King Of Birding?

[@mhadman427]

Thanks for the tip on the quick change from bird to animal detection! For anyone out there who hasn't purchased " The Ultimate Z9 and Z8 Guide" , I highly recommend it. If you're new to the Z9/Z8, or mirrorless in general, it will put you miles ahead of figuring out the camera, and that means MANY more keepers.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@merkin22]

So, so refreshing to get photography content that actually 'talks' about photography (and not marketing)! Great stuff, as always! Thanks, Steve.

[@petergordon4666]

Thanks, Steve. I was in Brazil shooting with a 500PF and at the end of the trip with trepidation installed 4.1. When I returned home I was shocked at the increase in keeper rate. In the field the bird subject detection occasionally would recognize a bird in the forest before I could perceive it. For me a game changer.

[@livejames9374]

Well done Nikon. Don’t stop. Have the mindset that the company needs to keep improving af and try to leave the others behind. Because A9iii is days away.

[@backcountrygallery]

I'm VERY excited to see it!!

[@t.k.1448]

Dear Nikon, please stop. This non-stop onslaught of insane lenses is causing significant marital distress. First you "forced" me to buy the z8 (since you refused to deliver a z6iii with competitive AF), then you bring out the 180-600 and 600pf. These deliberate attacks on my domestic tranquillity need to stop (right after you release the 35mm f1.2). Thanks.

[@livejames9374]

@@t.k.1448 😂

[@MGriff-q1i]

It will be nice to see a new Sony if you are Sony photographer. I am a Z9 person but I also welcome healthy competition with the major brands working to make photography more fun.

[@backcountrygallery]

@@t.k.1448 LOL!!

[@fredericbeudot822]

Nice update Steve. As an A1 shooter I can attest that what you describe is 100% correct. Water reflections (either the bird silhouette or even just shimmer) is the A1's nemesis. It's fantastic to see the Z9 now has clearly found a way around that issue - that will motivate Sony to finally address a problem that they have ignored for the last 2 years.

[@Trigger-xw9gq]

Yes, that drives me crazy.

[@WyattZhang-fx8jy]

The problem I’m finalist with as a long term user of a7r3 and a74. The latter should have the same algorithm with A1. They don’t represent the best recognition capability of Sony lineup anymore, it significantly lags behind some newer bodies post a7r5. They claimed to be equipped with an AI chip which, according to some disassemble videos, does NOT exist at all. That tells us that for whatever odd reasons, Sony just decided not to put their best algorithm and their flagship bodies together via firmware. What a vicious cripple cane!

[@marcusalanphotography694]

Thank you for this…I find that 4.10 works great. The Z9 from date of purchase back in FEB of 2022 up to now is like having a new camera. A Nikon Z9II. That is what it feels like. A whole new camera. I am looking forward to the update when it comes to the Z8 also. Great job Nikon

[@backcountrygallery]

LOL, we really did get a Z9ii with all the updates!

[@dougcoxon5596]

Great video Steve. It’s nice to see Nikon still making improvements via firmware on the Z9. The customization and AF performance has improved so much since I first purchased my Z9. Hopefully they’ll continue. Another really informative video by you. You are definitely one of the best on the internet in teaching AND explaining the whys of setting up a camera. So much better than the vast majority who are only interested in clicks. Keep up the great work!

[@ericxin-lp7jd]

Thank you for these detailed usage records. It seems that the combination of Z9+663+new firmware is very fast and effective. Hope to see Z8 firmware update very soon.

[@duncanwallace7760]

For Nikon to have caught up to Sony A1 is a phenomenal effort! I've actually been travelling with my Z9 and noticed a massive improvement with bird auto-focus when I managed to get 4.1 installed. It's so great that Nikon keeps improving stuff and releasing new firmware.

[@alexm4805]

I steel am disapointed with the results of my Z9 face to face with the Sony A1. Nikon loses 10-0 in all the items. A frustration

[@roastedlion1]

@@alexm4805then maybe you want to improve your overall skills. My Z9 goes toe to toe with the A1. Nikon did a great job. The only thing i need is the pre-shutter shoots to be in RAW in stead of JPEG.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

This past couple of years shows that Nikon has listened carefully to users. i got my Z9 in April 2022, and it was great then. But now... Wow! No regrets! Thanks for all the cool tips, Steve, like the quirks of Recall shooting modes..

[@lauragriffiths6642]

Great to know thank you so much Steve. At last, Nikon has acknowledged bird subject detection. Can't wait to try it out. Had huge problems with the Z9 in Svalbard often not even detecting an isolated bird against a blurry background which was not adding any distraction to the AF. Couldn't even get it to over all focus in the small or wide AF box, let alone subject detection. It was just a vague blur within the wide or small AF frame. Other times it worked fine but it was so hit and miss. Glad to hear this is a game changer.

[@JRodPhotoArt]

Excellent video Steve. It means a lot to have this information coming from a pro photographer that uses the gear all the time!!! And Good job Nikon , and Sony !

[@tobiasyoder]

Steve always just makes great videos. Just solid accurate distilled info about practical stuff.

[@davidmarquez2821]

Best wildlife autofocus channel I've ever known!

[@bettinafynholtpedersen8729]

Wow! Can't wait for bird detection to become available for the Z8. Even though I am very impressed with the z8 overall and it is a fact that my keeper rate has increased substantially coming from the D500 (which I truly loved and had a hard time selling), shooting (small) birds is still a bit of a challenge for the Z8 with busy back- and foreground circumstances. I also sometimes experience exactly what it shown with the Sony camera with my z8. It is like it wants to focus on the birds reflection in the water rather than on the bird itself.

[@backcountrygallery]

I'm hoping we see it early in the new year - I want it for my Z8 as well.

[@tr3v87]

I got back into photography just over a year ago and picked Nikon based on what I felt they were gonna offer in the future. Lens lineup is amazing and now the AF is on par with the best.

[@RudolfDiesel_III]

I can absolutely confirm your findings about bird vs animal mode also for filming with Z9 Version 4.1!

[@kensamuelson7629]

Thanks Steve. Great review and info for animal vs. bird on Z9 with recall. Anxious to get update for Z8 as well.

[@mylifesbetter]

Steve, I love your tutorial on the finer nuances/limitations of the various AF modes! I'm not a wildlife photographer, not do I have the Z8/9 (only the modest Zfc), but I find your analysis of AF modes very helpful in furthering my understanding of Nikon's AF. Thank you! 😊

[@Marco_Wildlife]

man, you are spoiling us with all this great content!

[@carlpollitt]

I sure wish the Z8 would get this update

[@siddharthtm3744]

They said z8 would get a similar update early next year

[@backcountrygallery]

It's coming :)

[@MartinSh429]

I hope so, too!

[@MrRudyc]

I believe I read somewhere that Nikon is going to restrict the ability for the Z9. I hope I’m wrong 😮

[@dicekolev5360]

What would be the difference with z9 then!? That's the question. Bit of a battery more and a grip can't justify the price difference 🙄

[@cy9nvs]

I'm so happy the update seems to be a big step forward. I switched from Fuji to the Z8, and while the AF performance on the Z8 is much better and seriously great, the subject detection for birds is pretty weak, in my opinion. Can't wait for the update to arrive next year, seems to fix the only gripe I've had with this camera, super excited!

[@backcountrygallery]

The improvement with the Z9 was VERY apparent.

[@stanpiper8158]

Thanks Steve. This is a well thoughtout tutorial. It is a clear and sound explanation of how the subject detection system works with the new firmware, and a practical and elegant prep to take advantage of it. Let's see how the next update refines it all. I have been pretty impressed so far.

[@Teakdust]

The fast BIRD to ANIMAL Function-Hold change is EXACTLY the solution I was hoping for Steve. I shoot mainly birds, but yesterday a fox appeared within yards of me. The Z9 showed the multiple green squares on the head or body while in BIRD mode. But none of my shots were sharp on the eyes. There just wasn't time to scroll through the I menu to switch to ANIMAL in the brief encounter. Your videos and books make owning a Z9 a much more rewarding experience Steve!

[@OkwyUgonweze]

You must assign a button to go single point af regardless of any af setting you have set up.

[@Teakdust]

???

[@ele4853]

Thank you for your honest review Steve. You are actually the best "youtuber" out there. Professional photography work and professional comments. Great job as always!

[@klick7362]

Thanks for your really helpful and instructive videos, Steve! I was shooting with Nikon DSLRs until recently, when I got the Z9 - my first mirrorless. Your videos and the "Nikon Z8 And Z9 Wildlife Setup Guide" are 1000x more helpful than reading the reference manual 10x. Thanks again from Austria!

[@mzeeshanch]

Absolutely Amazing... I personally believe that 5% difference can only be noticed by a seasoned Bird photographer such as yourself... Also, how you have been honest about which system is slightly better than the other... Helps us tremendously... In the past you have mentioned Sony was slightly better... Now Nikon... This race will go on for sure... It's a never-ending thing, like you mention yourself as well... We as fans of a particular brand should realize this and enjoy our equipment and make great images...

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks for the kind words :) And I also agree that pretty much any brand is going to do a great job. I think if you're using either of these two cameras and not getting the shot, it's not the cameras that are to blame :)

[@mzeeshanch]

@@backcountrygallery Absolutely!!!

[@longrider9551]

Steve I'm a Sony shooter and I trust your assessment without question , I for one am happy to see Nikon and Canon pushing so hard because I believe hopefully that will force Sony to do better. Many people with the A1 have been screaming about the lack of firmware updates. Hopefully this wakes them up

[@backcountrygallery]

I hope so - although it's only now that Nikon seems to have nosed ahead. The a1 has been the benchmark for years. And who knows - they may have a firmware update that will put them ahead again. It's insanely close.

[@longrider9551]

@@backcountrygallery I think with any of these flagship cameras it comes down to the amount of time you put in the skill you develop and the photographer in general. All these cameras are so damn good

[@backcountrygallery]

@@longrider9551 100% agree.

[@Tugela60]

There will be an A1 mark II next year anyway.

[@backcountrygallery]

@@Tugela60 I can't wait to see what they do with it - the a1 has been (ands still is) incredible.

[@johnhjic2]

Hello Steve, Super tip for Recall Shooting Function. Thank you.

[@rikarthur8969]

Top marks Steve, thorough analysis and crystal clear delivery, as always! Thank you

[@bassangler73]

Not bashing other brands but im glad to see Nikon doing so well! I love Nikon's ergonomics, durability and the life-like color rendering..Im still a DSLR holdout but after testing the AF on a friends Z8 a few weeks ago on quick moving subjects im about convinced its time to go mirrorless, if i can pry my D500 from my fingers :)

[@ReinhardBiller]

Same here, still on a D500, but switching this month.

[@macmcmillen6282]

Excellent, Steve. Thanks for putting all this together in a video.

[@phichaklimprasutr8230]

Thank you very much Steve.

[@januszabr]

Congratulations on your induction to the Top 40 of The World! Well deserved.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thank you so much 😀

[@suzannegmirek1520]

Great video, as always. Looking forward to having bird detection for the Z8 :-)

[@ravidevre4997]

Thanks mate, you did a great job in explaining how the subject detection works. The video is very informative.

[@thomasphillips5850]

Thanks Steve, great video,highly informative.

[@aser75]

thank you so much, your vids and bcg forums are invaluable source of great info !

[@brianlemke6017]

Thanks Steve. What I like about Nikon in terms of catching up with Sony is the consistent firmware updates as they advance their algorithms. This seems to be where Sony let’s their users down some. Although I’m still somewhat ticked at Nikon for the inconsistent subpar AF on the Z6/7 cameras. I have the Z8 now - great camera with very good AF even before the firmware update. I’ll be watching for it next year. Where I think Nikon clearly beats it’s competitors is optics. The Nikon suite of big telephotos simply leaves Sony and Canon in the dust, the main differences being the hugely versatile PF lenses and the two big TC lenses. I have the 500mm 5.6 pf, still a great lens years in, and I think my next lens - now that I have confidence in the AF for birds and wildlife - will be the 800mm 6.3 pf. Again Steve, thanks for your work. I just downloaded the updates for your books to read and refresh myself. Cheers.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much! And I agree 100% with everything you said. I too was not thrilled with the Z6/7 series but am much happier with the Z8/9. And I also agree on the lenses - they really have the best selection for wildlife shooters bar none.

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Steve,this was a very helpful video! Using recall shooting function HOLD works like a charm!

[@andywilson3381]

Brilliant Steve, loved the tip on how to swap from bird to animal, top work as ever 👍

[@mikedelgado9593]

Thank you for all the videos and information.

[@pierrederumine1295]

Excellent presentation and easy to understand, thanks

[@stanburman9978]

Thanks so much Steve. Great comparison and Firmware 4.1 info.

[@ian-nz-2000]

Great update and mini-tutorial Steve! Hopefully, us mere Z8 shooters will get this in the new year...

[@backcountrygallery]

First part of 2024 is what Nikon tells me.

[@JeffArnoldPhotography]

As soon as the firmware comes to the Z8 I'm buying it.

[@ericsmith9777]

Thanks for what you do Steve ! Now to put it to use............

[@eric00214]

Nice Video Steve. This is what I was saying in your BackCrountry Forums

[@kevingoza]

Wow! The Best! Nikon finally gets some well-deserved credit. Of course, the other brands will race to get ahead, but Nikon is already going where they need to be.

[@backcountrygallery]

It's always a game of leap frog. Nikon is class leading IMO for bird work at the moment, however, I hear the Sony a9iii is coming out next week (it's a rumor, so who knows). Things are changing rapidly, but man, it's great for wildlife shooters!!!!

[@kevingoza]

@@backcountrygallery Absolutely!! And we benefit as they move the technology forward!

[@thomastuorto9929]

Excellent , excellent, excellent info!

[@MGriff-q1i]

Very useful tips there Steve. I have noticed that bird subject detection is really good now especially with single birds. It’s even OK with small flocks. I especially appreciate your clarifications about the difference between autofocus and subject detection mode and how to tell what the viewfinder boxes are telling you. In situations where I want a specific species of bird and there are other birds in the frame that are closer, it will be tricky. that is a situation where I have found I need to go to a smaller focal area to limit what it is focusing on. In this situation, it will only sometimes kick into proper subject detection and go to the eye. That, of course, depends a bit on the size of the bird in the frame. With small birds, or birds that are too far away, it cannot always jump into bird subject detection and I don’t expect it too.

[@backcountrygallery]

Yup, when dealing with multiple birds I do the same thing - usually using a smaller Wide AF area. It likes to jump around too much in Auto AF with multiple birds :)

[@AndyMillerPhotoUK]

Well done Steve.

[@GeertDelmulle]

Thanks for the update, Steve. I see that Nikon now also has Custom Hold (or toggle) functionality, just like Sony. It didn’t have that in the DSLR days. I guess they all learn from eachother.

[@backcountrygallery]

They do, but they need to do it better. Sony does a better job with it and allows you three different options - Nikon only gives you the one.

[@jeffb.3052]

Who'd have thought that bird mode would be specific to birds and animal to all animals... 🙂 Good job Nikon for getting this one right and also for finally catching up to Sony.

[@backcountrygallery]

I know, right? I thought it was a weird topic, but had lots of questions / comments.

[@jeffb.3052]

@@backcountrygallery I'm sure that's mostly the cost of success. Folks trust your info to be unbiased and actually correct. They can't get that from most folks and certainly not a company's marketing team. My first thought was... I wonder if this mode actually works as it should. Apparently that's a yes.

[@AndreaBalconis]

Great video, thanks so much! Do you recommend using subject detection for shooting butterflies?

[@richardcohen8769]

As always, very informative Steve. Good explanation of the differences between modes and subject detection, and what type of subject detection. I haven't been all that thrilled with subject acquisition of my Z8 (I know it doesn't have the new firmware yet) and I need to go back to my settings to make sure I have it all set up properly.

[@VioAdri83]

that is great. cannot wait to have it on my z8. Thanks Steve!

[@DeanJohnson67]

Thanks for this tip! love the recall mode!! just set mine up as bird by default and animal for recall! for me walking arounds its 80/20 bird/animal! Will be out early tomorrow for some pileated shots hopefully and the Whitetail deer are in rut so hopefully some of that as well.

[@spokesdog9958]

Thank you, I always learn something from your tutorials

[@MrJleash]

Thanks Steve, great content. I'm hoping to purchase a Z8 soon, which would be ahead of the 4.1 Firmware update with bird detection. What is currently the best focus mode setup choice for birds perched and in flight on the Z8?

[@bluejays5660]

Seriously considering purchasing the Z8 but I will wait for the update before deciding. If it works as well as Canon R3 I will likely buy.

[@roberthigaki2282]

Recently, I went out to test the bird detection feature. When I was shooting the Great Egret, the autofocus was fixated on the body. I tried to "lead" the camera to the head. Momentarily, I had a lock on the head but then the AF went back to the body. I guess the size is a factor in the firmware algorithms since the Egret's head is quite small. Other than that, the bird detection(and planes, as I do aviation photography) works great. My camera tracked the F-35's and F-16's at an airshow. I find your tip on changing the subject with one button very helpful.

[@backcountrygallery]

I've noticed how precise the subject detection system is relates to the size of the bar d- Nikon and Sony do the same thing. The smaller the bird is in the viewfinder the more likely it is to go for the body. I have seen subject detection go for the eyes on longer-necked birds, but only when they were taking up a good portion of the frame and only when my tracking was really on-point.

[@ranjankmsphotography]

As always, very useful information.

[@Tdog500]

As always thanks for the great information!

[@paul-webster]

For now maybe until the A9iii comes out the 7th or 8th. I'll be putting my order in for the A9iii! 😉 My girlfriend will love to see this video, I will share with her because I just bought what a z8 because the resale for the 500mm pf to KEH was a little over $800 which is ridiculous in my opinion, so she chose to keep the 500mm and get the z8. Love your vids Steve! Always will!

[@backcountrygallery]

I have a feeling you're right. Still, it's good to see improvement from everyone.

[@paul-webster]

@@backcountrygallery that's what makes this all fun! I love your views on cameras and your teachings. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for Steve Perry videos helping me understand my gear so thank you for that.

[@Jviotr]

I just bought the 180-600 but can’t afford a Z8 or Z9. Currently shooting with a Z5 and the images out of the lens look great. Really hoping Nikon releases a Z80/Z90 APS-C body with this AF!

[@backcountrygallery]

They would sell like crazy.

[@koolkutz7]

Great demo and explanation of what subject detection is and how it works. The Z9 seems to be very good from your examples. The only annoying thing is when it flips you out of the current subject detection mode back to the original! I do use exposure compensation a lot so that would catch me out for sure.

[@backcountrygallery]

Yup - I'm not sure why RSF does that. I could kinda see it if those options were set in the RSF menu, but in our example, it's ONLY subject detection.

[@rolandrickphotography]

Steve, thanks, as always an awesome review. At 19:13 , seeing the Auto mode, I got pretty curious how the Auto subject detection works. 😊

[@JohanTalk]

Z8 ❤

[@victorlim5077]

Great info, Steve. Many thanks!

[@tomdearie5165]

Thanks, Steve. Very informative. 👍

[@dance2jam]

Steve, thanks for the video (as always), and give my regards to the real queen (R). Quick set of somewhat related questions: 1. Why in subject detection mode - when the box appears over the eye and green - does Nikon's NX studio sometimes show the box elsewhere? (I have my own theory for this). 2. Why do camera manufacturers limit the information 3rd party software can utilize (i.e. you can't see where the AF box landed, and in many, no mention of what the AF mode was. The only reason I review images in NX Studio most of the time, is to check where the AF box was and what mode I was using. The last point you made (about touching almost anything other than changing SS/AP/ISO, can knock you out of recall function hold is priceless (and how to identify that). Thanks, as always.

[@backcountrygallery]

Honestly, I really don't know - and it's probably because I'm unfamiliar with the software. I can count on one hand the number of times I've used NX over the last five years. I just don't really mess with it at all. I'm always using light room. As for why the camera manufactures won't share - no idea at all. It seems like it would behoove them to do so. They need to stay in the camera business, and not worry about protecting the software business.

[@toykellie3]

I like your t-shirt! I’m from Kentucky. Great video. Thank you

[@backcountrygallery]

Just got it last weekend :)

[@laurenceliddy]

Hi Steve, Could you share your experience with the Auto mode in the subject detection settings? Do you think this mode automatically utilises all available modes to choose the most appropriate one depending on the subject? Consequently, would this make it a practical choice for photographing a variety of wildlife, as opposed to manually switching between specific modes, like from animal to bird AF, and vice versa?

[@NikonDave]

I feel like I need to watch your videos with the camera in my lap. Thanks for the recall shooting explanation...probably missed that section in your guide and have been struggling with why my settings change in certain situations. I'll keep an eye on the icons to see if that's my issue or I can fix the issue with this. Time to lock in the new settings and test.

[@backcountrygallery]

Camera in the lap is the best way with menu setups :)

[@patwon]

vey interesting video, could you please test the AF on smaller subjets in the frame ?

[@cryptographerchris4856]

Thanks for the info.

[@charlierivera5725]

Awesome 👏 video again. Wow thank you 🙏

[@corygao]

Hi Steve, great contents there! As a common user, I don't have the budget to get myself a z 9. I wonder if you can maybe test Zf with some z lenses as well as the f lenses. I'm really curious and I believe it is helpful to the people with same mind as me!

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Thank you for the information!!

[@melissawilcox5285]

I’m not sure where you live, but a lot of the birds you are shooting are the same ones my husband is also shooting 🤣. He loves your channel btw ☺️

[@SundayRacers]

Great video Steve. After watching this video, a bit like Richard Dreyfus in Close Encounters, I've developed a weird compulsion to make a giant cave with my mashed potatoes. Not sure why that could be 😂

[@backcountrygallery]

LOL :)

[@gianlucadamico1038]

Nice Video as usual Steve, I have one question, maybe stupid, but I have always the focus point (independently from the mode) yellow and not gree. I read something once about it but cannot find it back, could you help about it? is something connected to AF-C? Thanks in advance

[@backcountrygallery]

No worries - in the Z8/9 head to the Custom Settings Menu > Focus > Focus Point Display. Go into that menu and turn on the AF-C in-focus display option.

[@gianlucadamico1038]

❤ many thanks!

[@frankcruz8068]

Any idea when Nikon will give us Buffered 120 pre-shot images in compressed RAW? JPG is not cutting it.

[@Trigger-xw9gq]

With the A1, I have the C1button assigned to toggle between Animal/People/Bird.

[@backcountrygallery]

I use the center button on the wheel :) And have people shut off :)

[@carlmarch603]

Thanks, Steve. Can more than one Custom Control button be programmed simultaneously for Recall Shooting Mode and Hold? For example, one to switch between subjects as you demonstrate here with the joystick and say, F2, to switch to Single Point with a different shutter speed, f-stop, etc.? I’ve read that the firmware limits you to only one recall and hold setting, even if you program it into multiple Custom Controls. Thanks for any light you can shed on this…

[@backcountrygallery]

What you read is true. You can only have one at a time (same one for hold and normal or any button your program it to). Technically, you can have up to four if you use Custom Settings Banks, but then you have to menu dive to change them which totally defeats the purpose of RSF.

[@carlmarch603]

@@backcountrygallery Thanks - as I thought. I have subject detection mode on the i menu, so that’s pretty quick - also as the top item on My Menu. Yes, I have four different banks (Action, Basic, Cinema and Dark for the ABCD), which are also on my i menu. Seems like the code could be written to give priority to whichever Custom Control is active, especially with the Hold function engaged. If so, maybe you can use your influence to get that into some future firmware update! Thanks again

[@backcountrygallery]

@@carlmarch603 I've certainly been trying - I sent Nikon whole list of potential features, but so far, nothing.

[@jpdj2715]

Great demonstration and video, Steve. QUESTION. While this all focuses on birds, how about the lacy white chicks and their black feathered grooms. And eye-recognition(I call that "recognition AI AF" in general) in lower light. My Z 7ii becomes unreliable in eye recognition at LV 6 [1] and I have seen shots from a Z 8 at lower LV where it did better. The Z 9 may do even better again. That's very important to wedding/event/portrait photographers. Also, I saw work from one wedding photographer who said that the Z 8 jumped around in recognition AI AF. He may have left the jumpiness parameter setting at default 3 (scale 1..5), by the way. Also, my complaint may in part be user error. It seems like a brief push on the back focus button does the focusing but when I keep it depressed longer it starts hunting and I get depressed. Of course I can still shoot a Z 7ii in the way I did my F2 in 1975 all manual with all manual lenses, but recognition AI AF would allow me to interact differently with the sitter and while the camera keeps an eye on getting at least one sharp eye, I can focus on getting keepers, each time I press the shutter release. So, question 1 - at what LV does the Z 9 become unreliable for eye recognition AF with humans? Question 2 - as you demonstrated zero inclination of jumpiness with the Z 9@4.1, how does it fare with groups of humans? (Focus Tracking with Lock-On). One problem that you may not have an answer to, that's very unlikely even, is that Nikon do not clearly communicate how they position software/firmware features between the EXPEED 7 cameras and how/why. Users have to patiently wait for the sphinx to come up with updates. We will drill down developments from newer or higher end. Mañana. If there is anything influencers could maybe influence then it is the dead silence.

[@backcountrygallery]

I'd love to help, but I just don't take photos of people at all, so I can't really say.

[@Pine4205]

TY Steve.

[@neeraj_clips]

Nikon is doing amazing job. Sony A1 users like me feel cheated with $6500 camera which hardly gets any update and does not even have eye focus in video which was given in the follow up models. I am looking at switching the camp to Nikon now

[@Trigger-xw9gq]

And you know how that goes - three days after you switch to Nikon, Sony will release a killer update for the A1.

[@backcountrygallery]

It all takes time and they all leapfrog each other. I have a heavy investment is Sony that's in no small part because they were so far ahead of the pack. Still, no regrets - I had use of the gear while Nikon was catching up and have thousands of amazing shots to show for it :) Plus, Sony may leap ahead again while Nikon seems to lag. The thing is, it takes a lot of time for these companies to react with new products. It seems like they aren't doing much, but I think there is a LOT going on behind the scenes.

[@neeraj_clips]

@@backcountrygallery Thanks Steve. I am hoping for the same. My Sony dealer in India also asked me to wait till Dec for new update. Hopefully it happens this time around. May be I should start with Z8 and 500 pf in Nikon and see where Sony goes in next 6 months. By the way, how do you manage to switch between the quick access buttons between Sony and Nikon. Isn't it like reprogramming the brain as you switch across brands?

[@backcountrygallery]

@@neeraj_clips I fumble a bit sometimes when switching. I've used both systems extensively though, so it's a little like riding a bike. I'll admit, sometimes I have to check and see where I programmed a feature if it's been awhile, but most of the time I get back in the swing of it pretty fast.

[@neeraj_clips]

@@backcountrygallery Thanks much. Sony did leapfrog with Global Shutter on A9-III as you said. So makes sense to continue to wait :)

[@nathanfrisby3133]

They should push this update for all Z cameras, it’s very possible but like car manufacturers they want you to buy new.

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

Nice. Interestingly enough, looks like the Sony was trying to find the eye in the reflection and not the actual bird

[@backcountrygallery]

It may have, but it was all over. Remember, the ATOMOS footage was only a very small percentage of what we tested (it's a pain to switch it between cameras all the time).

[@peterbourget8798]

I wish you had made this video a month ago. I’m on my way home from a month in Africa. I so much wanted a one button way to switch between animal and bird mode. My results were somewhat different than yours though. I mostly shot 3D focusing mode and had better results than you did on mammals when I had it in bird detect. If I had seen this video before I went I would have been more observant though. I did notice that bird detect worked better on detecting elephants eyes than mammal detect did. Overall I determined it was better to default to mammals and switch to birds if I had time.

[@backcountrygallery]

I'm actually surprised it saw elephant eyes at all - I tried at the zoo and couldn't get the camera to find elephant eyes with either mode. For elephants, I always just switch to single point AF and forget subject detection.

[@sureshsureshkumar4254]

I am curious - around the 7.00 mark, when discussing Bird Detect, I am seeing an airplane symbol on the display, on the SONY. Is it on Bird detect mode? Why airplane? I don’t use SONY, hence the question.

[@backcountrygallery]

It’s in airplane mode - like on a phone. Nothing to do with subject detection. It just keeps Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. off.

[@MyContestPix]

Holy smokes!! Glad Nikon has finally addressed these bird issues. Nikon has been bashed by Pro shooters who had to do all these side hacks and shortcuts while focusing on these small birds and moving objects. How many times has Sony updated their firmware? Nikon has done it 4x over the last 2+ years. Initially, they were way behind, but it seems they finally caught up!!! They took a lot of grief and rightly so. Lots of people publicly switched brands to Canon/Sony. Do they now have any regrets?? For people who spend $5k+ on a camera you don't want it to become obsolete within a couple years. Technology doesn't move as quickly as computers, devices, phones etc, but you want know you your investment is paying off. Nikon is reinventing itself with new cameras (ZF) and is listening to their users. As the scrappy underdog over the last 4+ years it's good to know they are in a competitive battle with Sony/Canon. More choices mean better, cheaper products!!

[@naturealbums]

Is there now a big difference between the Z8 and Z9 for birding? I was convinced on getting the Z8 as I don't want the bulk of the Z9 but if Nikon is going to prioritize Z9 maybe I should get that and hope we also get a flagship small crop body in the future hopefully a stacked one like a XH2s/OM-1.

[@backcountrygallery]

There is a difference, but the Z8 will have the same firmware sometime next year. My advice is to wait. I'm sure Nikon wants it out as bad as we want to see it :)

[@naturealbums]

@@backcountrygallery Thanks for the reply!

[@jeanjia0910]

OM-1的錄影對焦與追焦真的不行，我之前使用OM-1，現在使用Z8，Z8的錄影對焦與追焦是如此完美!

[@naturealbums]

@@jeanjia0910 Thanks for the tip about your experience.

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

I find myself wishing I could assign a function button just to toggle between animal and bird detection. I use Recall Shooting for birds in flight so that is a less than perfect option since I also have exposure compensation dialed in for the bright sky. I still wish Nikon would give subject detection as a stand-alone option for a button now. I hope bird detection filters down to my Zf, too. And Recall Shooting. For now I will put subject detection as the top item in My Menu on the Z9.

[@backcountrygallery]

Instructions for the toggle are at about the 18 minute mark. Right now, I have RSF set to toggle and I have Fn4 set to the Top Item On My Menu - which is subject detection. It's pretty quick to shut it off that way. Although, I'd love to have a dedicated button for it (and have asked Nikon multiple times - I can't believe it's still missing).

[@sleekimagesphotography]

Wish mine was, struggling to get sharp images consistently

[@SuomiFinland78]

I didn't know Sony A1 could have such a problems, Canon R5 eye focus doesn't have problems in such situations even if not having a stacked sensor. But for what I've heard for birds in flight A1 should be still the better among the 3.

[@backcountrygallery]

It doesn't happen all the time. The a1 is still fantastic - we're really to the point of almost nitpicking TBH. All three systems do a great job. I think for 90% of the BIF / Bird shots I take, I can use any system and be happy.

[@janetzinn3449]

great video as always. I just wish we could have more than one RSF-hold button. Currently I have the joystick press set to RSF-hold to turn Subject detection on/off (as you once suggested.) Now I'd like to switch that to animal vs. bird but then what can I use to quickly turn subject detection off completely? (Also I actually never realized that all those other changes would cancel RSF-hold, no wonder it was always mysteriously changing! Now I know!!)

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks :) Right now, I'm hav eFn4 set to go to the top of My Menu where I am currently keeping subject detection. It's not instant, but pretty quick to turn off.

[@pesto12601]

Video?? What about Still Photos?